Becky Lynch has never been the kind of person to take the conventional route, and this summer, she’s proving that once again by stepping into a very different spotlight. Best known for her explosive energy inside the WWE ring, Lynch is now making her way to Hollywood in the much-anticipated sequel to one of the most iconic sports comedies of the ’90s. That’s right—Lynch is part of Happy Gilmore 2, the long-awaited follow-up to Adam Sandler’s 1996 golf comedy that became an instant classic.
The news didn’t come with a flashy red carpet or a press conference. Instead, Lynch did what modern celebrities do best—she dropped a cryptic, cool-as-ever Instagram post. In January 2025, fans saw a video of her standing tall with a golf club in hand, a confident smirk on her face, using the hashtag #HappyGilmore2 and tagging Netflix. No explanations, no context, just vibes. And those vibes sent the internet into a frenzy. Everyone wanted to know: what was “The Man” doing on a golf course, and how did she fit into the wild world of Happy Gilmore?
The excitement only grew when the premiere date was revealed. On Friday, July 25, Netflix will officially debut Happy Gilmore 2 to a streaming audience that includes not just movie lovers but legions of WWE fans eager to see one of their own make a splash in the film world. The specifics of Lynch’s role are still under wraps, but the excitement surrounding her casting says a lot about the cultural moment she’s having. Wrestling royalty crossing into mainstream media isn’t a new concept—The Rock and John Cena have already blazed that trail—but Lynch brings something unique. She’s not just another wrestler trying out acting. She’s Becky Lynch, and everything she does, she does with fire.
Speaking to Variety, Lynch offered a glimpse of what it was like working on set. “That cast is insane. The world I got to play in was ridiculous and wonderful and incredibly fun,” she said. That kind of joy and respect for the process is palpable, especially when she talks about sharing space with Adam Sandler. “The time on that set was amazing, seeing Adam Sandler and how he conducts himself as such a star in that world, but also so kind to everybody.” That duality—of being both commanding and generous—is something Lynch probably relates to. After all, she’s been that person in the WWE for years.
Lynch’s journey to this point has been anything but predictable. Born Rebecca Quin in Ireland, she didn’t grow up thinking she’d one day headline WrestleMania, let alone act alongside comedy legends. But through grit, charisma, and an unmatched work ethic, she turned herself into one of WWE’s most recognizable and respected superstars. Her rise was fueled by a fierce connection with the audience, who saw in her a different kind of hero—bold, smart, unapologetically herself. When she called herself “The Man,” it wasn’t arrogance. It was defiance, a reclaiming of power in an industry that had historically pushed women to the margins.
2019 marked the year everything changed. After years of hard work and slow burn popularity, Lynch won the Royal Rumble and catapulted herself into the main event of WrestleMania 35. That event was historic for many reasons, but most notably because for the first time in WWE’s long history, women closed the show. Lynch didn’t just participate—she thrived. In a triple-threat match that also included Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey, Lynch pinned Rousey to become both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion. It was a defining moment, one that cemented her as more than just a popular wrestler. She was now a symbol of a changing industry.
Her championship reign would go on to break records. As Raw Women’s Champion, she held the title longer than anyone in history, becoming a constant force in WWE programming and helping to carry the women’s division to new heights. Her promos were sharp, her matches were intense, and her presence was magnetic. But just as she was at the peak of her powers, life threw a new challenge her way. In 2020, she stepped away from the ring to have a child, announcing her pregnancy live on Raw in a segment that left many fans in tears. It was a beautiful full-circle moment. Becky Lynch, the warrior who had fought her way to the top, was now taking on motherhood with the same fearlessness.
Her time away didn’t dim her star. If anything, it added depth to her story. When she returned to WWE, fans welcomed her with open arms. She rebranded herself as “Big Time Becks,” an evolution of her persona that mixed cocky swagger with the hard-earned authority of a champion. The comeback wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about proving that she could still dominate in a landscape that had evolved in her absence. And dominate she did. In 2023, Lynch achieved the rare feat of becoming a Triple Crown Champion, having held the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Women’s Championships over the course of her career.
The achievements kept piling up. In 2024, she made another high-profile return at WrestleMania 41, this time teaming with fellow Irish wrestler Lyra Valkyria. Together, they won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, marking yet another milestone in Lynch’s remarkable journey. What made this particular victory special was how it symbolized Lynch’s transition from lone warrior to mentor and partner. She had been the underdog, the breakout star, the champion, the mother—and now she was the veteran, sharing her spotlight and lifting up the next generation.
Which brings us back to her big-screen debut. It’s tempting to see Happy Gilmore 2 as just a fun side project, but for Lynch, it feels like more than that. It’s a continuation of her mission to break barriers and defy expectations. Just as she shattered the idea that women couldn’t headline major wrestling events, she’s now challenging the idea that wrestling stars can’t cross over into film with legitimacy and heart. There’s no doubt she has the charisma for it. The real question now is: how far can she go?
In the chaotic, often absurd world of Happy Gilmore, there’s ample room for a character like Becky Lynch to shine. Whether she’s playing an eccentric golf pro, a rival competitor, or even a comedic foil to Sandler’s Happy, there’s a kind of raw energy she brings that doesn’t need much polishing. She’s authentic, sharp, and fearless—qualities that translate well on screen, especially in a comedy that thrives on characters who are larger than life.
Fans of the original film are naturally excited to see where the sequel goes, and Lynch’s inclusion adds a layer of intrigue that could bring new audiences to the franchise. The blending of wrestling and comedy might seem odd at first, but it makes a strange kind of sense. Both are performance-heavy, emotionally charged, and often over the top. And both reward those who can commit fully to the bit, no matter how ridiculous it might seem on paper.
For Lynch, this is another form of storytelling. Whether she’s cutting a promo in front of 20,000 people or delivering a punchline to a camera on a movie set, she’s doing what she’s always done—connecting. She’s built her entire career on knowing exactly who she is and owning that space with pride. So when she walks onto that golf course in Happy Gilmore 2, don’t expect her to be timid or restrained. Expect fireworks. Expect laughs. Expect Becky Lynch to do what she always does—steal the show.
The beauty of Lynch’s journey lies in its unpredictability. No one could’ve scripted it better, from the underdog days in Irish wrestling circuits to becoming the face of WWE’s women’s revolution, and now to sharing the screen with Hollywood royalty. Her story isn’t just about breaking into new arenas—it’s about redefining what success looks like, on her own terms. Wrestling may have been her platform, but her ambition goes far beyond the ring.
As July 25 approaches, one thing is clear: Becky Lynch is not done evolving. Whether this marks the beginning of a larger acting career or is simply a wild, fun detour, it will be remembered as yet another moment when she stepped up, swung for the fences—or the fairway—and made it count. Fans will tune in for the nostalgia, for the comedy, for the golf. But they’ll stay for Becky. Because when “The Man” shows up, you never know what’s going to happen—but you know it’ll be worth watching.
