Recently on the “Stories With Brisco And Bradshaw” podcast, former professional wrestler Dean Muhtadi, better known by his ring name Mojo Rawley, took a trip down memory lane and discussed his journey into the wrestling world.
Muhtadi expressed, “When I took up football, I was instantly intrigued by anyone who could juggle it with wrestling. Ultimate Warrior was someone I looked up to during my younger days, due to his vibrant energy and flamboyant colors. Goldberg, known for his powerful spear, was another favorite. I was always fond of those high-octane, physically commanding brawlers.”
After tragically sustaining a calf injury during the training camp at Arizona Cardinals, Muhtadi’s football career was unfortunately put on a halt. This was the time when he started contemplating a career in the wrestling ring.
“I was in talks with the Jets and Raiders and considering signing up with one of the teams. At the same time, an opportunity to meet with WWE presented itself. Gordon Gronkowski, who was college roommates with Mike Rotunda [IRS] at Syracuse, spoke to Mike about me,” Muhtadi reminisced.
This conversation ultimately led to Muhtadi attending his first-ever WWE live event; an experience he cherished from the front row. His wrestling journey officially began when he started training at FCW in 2012. After making his first appearance in WWE NXT in 2013, he soon hit the major leagues, joining SmackDown in 2016.
Additionally, Muhtadi talked about his rich experiences while training at FCW, his collaboration with William Regal, and his memorable victory at the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. More details about his experiences can be discovered in his full podcast episode linked below.