Johnson has starred in the Fast and Furious franchise and Disney blockbuster Moana since leaving WWE, while Cena’s acting career includes a cameo in 2023 hit Barbie.
Maher would not be the first sports star to appear in WWE.
Boxers Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Tyson Fury have all made cameos, while Olympic medallists Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey have been key ongoing characters in the promotion.
Maher, who has been named at outside centre for Friday evening’s World Cup opener against England in Sunderland, says she remains a rugby player first, despite her phenomenal success on social media and clutch of new ventures.
Having won a bronze medal with the US sevens team at Paris 2024, she joined Premiership Women’s Rugby side Bristol Bears on a three-month contract in January to help her acclimatise to the 15-a-side game.
Her debut against Gloucester-Hartpury set a new attendance crowd for the league of 9,240 after the fixture was switched to Ashton Gate to accommodate more spectators, while her team’s social media footprint also grew significantly.
“So many times people forget, but I am a rugby player first,” Maher added.
“I do the social media because I have to because it is not sustainable to be a women’s rugby player – I am not going to make money doing it.
“It does irk me at times when people forget that. One comment once was: ‘Are you going to watch the Instagrammer play?’
“I was like, ‘no, I have won a bronze medal, I’ve been to two Olympics, I am a good rugby player who loves the sport’.
“I am proud to do both but I do want to be known as a rugby player.”
