The world already knows Ilona Maher as a powerhouse on the rugby field and a star on social media, but now the American rugby international could be setting her sights on something much bigger – WWE and even Hollywood.
The 29-year-old, who has nearly nine million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and X, has revealed she’s been approached by World Wrestling Entertainment. Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Maher laughed that her wrestling alter-ego could be called “Maher-vellous.”
“I’ve been approached before by the WWE,” she said. “I don’t know if I would do it, but there’s great money in it.”
Aiming for Hollywood
For Maher, wrestling wouldn’t just be about stepping into the ring – it would be about using it as a springboard into acting. She says she’d love to follow in the footsteps of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena, who both used WWE careers as a launchpad into blockbuster films.
“I would love to get into the acting space and the scripted space,” Maher explained. “I’ll probably start off small – maybe as a hot assassin or something like that. Not a rom-com just yet!”
Still a Rugby Player First
Despite her growing fame and new opportunities, Maher insists she wants to be recognised first and foremost as a rugby player. She already has an Olympic bronze medal from Paris 2024 with the US sevens team and is now representing her country at the 15-a-side World Cup.
Earlier this year she signed a short-term contract with Premiership Women’s Rugby side Bristol Bears, where her debut against Gloucester-Hartpury set a new league attendance record of 9,240. That move also boosted the club’s social media reach.
Yet Maher admits it can be frustrating when people only see her as an “influencer.”
“One comment once was: ‘Are you going to watch the Instagrammer play?’ And I was like, no – I’ve been to two Olympics, I’ve won a bronze medal, I am a good rugby player who loves the sport,” she said. “I do social media because I have to, because it’s not sustainable to be a women’s rugby player otherwise. But I want to be known as a rugby player.”
Big Test Against England
Maher has been named at outside centre for the USA’s World Cup opener against world number ones and heavy favourites England at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday, 22 August (kick-off 19:30 BST).
England, who haven’t lost in over 1,000 days, are the clear favourites, but Maher sees that as a chance for the Eagles to play with freedom.
“I’m going into it with the mindset that we have something to gain, not to lose,” she said. “They’re going to be very tough opponents, and we’ll have to be on our A-game every single minute. But I’m excited to play in front of 40,000 people. Whether we win or lose, I just want to enjoy it.”
The USA will also face Australia and Samoa in Pool A, with the top two sides from each group reaching the quarter-finals.
What’s Next for Maher?
Whether she sticks to rugby, steps into a WWE ring, or ends up in Hollywood, one thing is clear – Ilona Maher has the charisma, drive, and star quality to shine wherever she goes. For now, though, she remains focused on rugby’s biggest stage.
