WWE hosting current, former college stars at WrestleMania 38 week tryout
On Wednesday, the WWE is beginning a search for their next group of champions. In advance of WrestleMania 38 this weekend in Dallas, WWE is beginning talent tryouts for over 40 current and former college athletes. According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, 19 football players will try their hand at wrestling during the tryout.
Among the football contingent, there’s a bevy of players who suited up for some of the biggest programs in the nation.
“The football group includes former starters such as TCU offensive lineman Anthony McKinney, Washington State defensive lineman Dallas Hobbs, Kentucky defensive lineman Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald, San Diego State offensive linemen Kyle Spalding and Dominic Gudino, and Samford defensive lineman Armond Lloyd,” wrote Rittenberg. “Former UCLA and Miami tight end Evidence Njoku, the younger brother of Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, also is trying out.”
First, Anthony McKinney joined TCU out of Machesney Park, Illinois. The 6-8 offensive tackle provides the size and athleticism the WWE is looking for, and could be a valuable addition to their roster. In addition to TCU, he was recruited by huge programs like Georgia, Oklahoma and Oregon.
Moreover, there’s a bevy of talented players joining McKinney at the tryout. For instance, Kentucky defensive lineman Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald registered 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the Wildcats last season. Additionally, Evidence Njoku — the brother of Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku — has made stops at both UCLA and Miami while playing college football. Both athletes will have the eyes of the wrestling world on them on Wednesday.
The WWE has had success with athletes with a college football background in the past. Their current WWE Universal Champion — Roman Reigns — was a star defensive lineman at Georgia Tech. Additionally, Dwayne Johnson — one of the greatest to ever lace up their boots — played football at the University of Miami.
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Moreover, James Kimball — WWE’s senior vice president for global talent strategy and development — told ESPN the long-term goal of their tryouts.
“The long-term goal is to create a pathway in which the talent identification process is streamlined and then the talent development processes is accelerated,” revealed Kimball. “We’re able to identify talent at a much younger age, and we’re able to develop them in an accelerated manner.”
In addition to Kimball’s comments, Rittenberg mentions that the average age of the male participants is 23.4, while the average for female participants is 22.8. As you can see, the WWE has an eye on the future.
Continuing, Rittenberg writes that the WWE isn’t just scouting football players — a litany of other sports are providing athletes, as well.
“The participant list includes seven basketball players (four women, three men) and athletes from sports such as volleyball, wrestling, track and field, and soccer,” wrote ESPN. “WWE scouted college bowl games as well as NCAA championships for track and wrestling and several combine events for its tryout list.”
The WWE is exploring all avenues to find their next group of talented stars. Each participant hopes to one day be a part of WrestleMania, as this year’s event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, live from AT&T Stadium in Texas.