WWE Signs Former College Football Star

WWE signed a former college football star following tryouts the weekend of SummerSlam.

On August 17th, the Rockford Register Star reported that WWE had signed former Syracuse defensive lineman Josh Black following Black’s tryout in Detroit, MI the weekend of SummerSlam. Writing in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided information on the new signee, who is reportedly signed to a three-year contract. Meltzer wrote:

“Josh Black, a former honorable mention all-ACC defensive tackle in 2021, has signed a three-year developmental contract. He was one of the top performers at the tryout camp in Detroit the week of SummerSlam. Black, 25, is 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds and started 48 games over six seasons at Syracuse.

He wasn’t draft in the 2022 NFL draft, and first went to camp with the Chicago Bears as a free agent and was cut, and later with the New Orleans Saints, where he was one of the last cuts. He had no NFL interest in 2023 so went to the WWE tryout. He was originally from the Rockford, IL, area and in his senior year of high school was listed as the No. 31 college prospect in the state of Illinois.”

“Dreams Do Come True” – WWE NIL Signee Josh Black

Speaking to the Rockford Register Star, Black said that it was difficult not to be signed to the NFL, but that his new career path in sports entertainment is proof that dreams can come true.

“It was tough after I didn’t make it in the NFL,” Black said, “but now I know dreams do come true.”

Black admitted that it was difficult not to worry when he didn’t hear from the company immediately after his tryout, but he was confident in his performance.

“I was a little worried, sure, but I knew I had a good thing going. I knew I did well at that tryout,” he said. “Now, I’ve got a contract coming in about a week, and then it’s off to Orlando (Florida) in the next 2 or 3 months for a new life.”