The Journey of Anthony Robles After His Wrestling Career at ASU

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for the film Unstoppable.

The upcoming sports biopic Unstoppable, set to release in 2024, narrates the extraordinary journey of Anthony Robles, continuing well past his groundbreaking collegiate wrestling career at Arizona State University. The film highlights Robles’ persistent struggles both in and out of the ring, ultimately culminating in his achievement as the 2011 NCAA wrestling champion. Directed by Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg in his debut directorial role, the film is adapted from Robles’ 2012 memoir, Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion. The star-studded cast features Emmy-winning actor Jharrel Jerome, alongside renowned actors Jennifer Lopez, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle, and Bobby Cannavale.

Unstoppable has garnered favorable reviews, securing a critic score of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s production is backed by a notable team consisting of actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, as well as Robles himself, who plays a dual role in select scenes. Remarkably, he holds the distinction of being the only NCAA wrestler to win a national championship with one leg and was also the first athlete to sign with Nike after retiring. With Robles heavily involved in its production, the film authentically portrays his inspiring journey. Viewers can look forward to streaming Unstoppable exclusively on Amazon Prime Video starting January 16, 2025.

Anthony Robles: A Journey Beyond Wrestling

Joining ESPN and Winning ESPY Awards

Anthony Robles looking determined in Unstoppable

As illustrated in the closing credits of Unstoppable, Anthony Robles has become an inspiration to countless individuals, including Nike’s Phil Knight, who remarked, “After what he accomplished, Anthony Robles will be a Nike athlete for life.”Following his retirement after clinching the NCAA title in 2011, Robles transitioned to motivational speaking, aligning himself with Keppler Speakers and the Washington Speakers Bureau. That same year, he received the esteemed Jimmy Valvano ESPY Award for perseverance, as well as the Best Male Athlete with a Disability award. His transition into sports commentary began in 2012 as an NCAA wrestling analyst for ESPN, and he was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition in 2013.

Robles penned his book Unstoppable shortly after his NCAA victory, publishing it in 2012 as a source of inspiration for the subsequent film. In recent developments, he has also returned to his roots as a wrestling coach at Mesa High School, where he maintained an impressive undefeated record of 96-0 during his junior and senior years under coach Bobby Williams. Notably, his mother, Judy Robles, is an Arizona State University graduate and obtained her Doctorate of Education in 2022; she currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Students at the university.

Transforming a Book into Film: The Role of Affleck & Damon

Early Development Challenges and Changes

Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles in Unstoppable

Unstoppable made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024, before a limited theatrical release on December 6. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, both involved through their production company Artists Equity, collaborated with Anthony Robles as co-producer. An anticipated Los Angeles premiere scheduled for January 7, 2025, was ultimately canceled due to the Palisades Fire, highlighting the hurdles faced during production. Despite various obstacles and delays, the project was successfully distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.

The journey from Robles’ Unstoppable book to film wasn’t straightforward. The rights were initially secured by producers David Crockett and Andy Fraser shortly after the book’s release in 2014; however, the project stalled. In November 2019, following a resurgence of interest, 101 Studios acquired the project with Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions taking on the production role. Jason Mitchell was originally slated to star before Jharrel Jerome won the lead. Affleck and Damon’s involvement rekindled enthusiasm, but production faced additional challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the SAG/WGA strikes. Nevertheless, Robles’ unwavering commitment helped bring the film to fruition.

Continuing Achievements Post-ASU

Record-Breaking Accomplishments

Beyond his achievements in sports, filmmaking, and motivational speaking, Anthony Robles is also recognized for setting a new Guinness World Record for the most pull-ups performed in one minute, achieving 62 pull-ups during a New York Jets halftime show in November 2018. The narratives crafted in both the Unstoppable film and book encapsulate the essence of Anthony Robles as an indomitable force, both in his personal life and on the wrestling mat.

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