The NBC “One Chicago” franchise is widely recognized for its dramatic portrayal of the city’s fire, medical, and police services. With shows like Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D., fans get a front-row seat to gripping storylines and crossover specials that blend the worlds of firefighting, healthcare, and law enforcement. However, professional wrestling isn’t typically part of this universe — until now. Enter AEW wrestler Colt Cabana, who surprised fans by landing a guest role on Chicago Fire. Here’s how this unexpected casting came about.
Colt Cabana Joins the Chicago Fire Family
Colt Cabana, a seasoned pro wrestler with AEW and a Chicago native, made a surprising appearance in the Chicago Fire Season 8 episode titled “Infection: Part I.” In the episode, Cabana plays a Hazmat team leader, adding a unique twist to the show’s cast lineup. Cabana recently shared the backstory of how he landed this role in a candid TikTok video, giving fans a rare glimpse into the process.
“This is the show Chicago Fire, and I’m actually in this episode,” Cabana explained in the video. “I’m a full-time AEW professional wrestler, but I love to act on the side.” Cabana then detailed the whirlwind nature of his audition, revealing he received the casting call while on tour in Edinburgh, Scotland. “I got the audition at 5 a.m., and I had only one hour to learn the lines and record it before catching an international flight. I just winged it and couldn’t believe I actually booked the role,” he said.
Behind the Scenes of Cabana’s Chicago Fire Appearance
Despite his experience in the high-pressure world of wrestling, Cabana found his acting debut on Chicago Fire to be more challenging than he expected. Upon arriving on set, he quickly realized the role was more demanding than he had anticipated. “I didn’t know it was going to be in front of like 400 people, and there were just six shots we were going to get. I had to nail it every time,” Cabana recalled.
The wrestler-turned-actor admitted that he struggled to meet the high expectations on set, particularly when it came to his movement and delivering lines flawlessly. “This chief guy yelled at me to a director because my footing was wrong. I never once got all the lines right,” Cabana confessed. He went on to praise the show’s audio editors for piecing together his best line readings, making the final cut look seamless.
A One-Time Appearance, But a Memorable Experience
While Colt Cabana’s stint as the Hazmat team leader didn’t evolve into a recurring role, he left the experience with positive memories and newfound respect for the world of TV acting. “Even though it was a small part, it was a big deal for me,” Cabana said. His brief appearance provided fans with an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at how even a seasoned performer like a pro wrestler can find new challenges in the realm of scripted drama.
Cabana’s story offers a fun and unexpected connection between the worlds of wrestling and network TV, demonstrating that sometimes, opportunities can come from the most unexpected places.
