WWE: Jim Ross Meets with NFLPA About Recruiting New Talent

It's been reported that Good Ol JR, Jim Ross, has met with the NFL Players Association about developing a working relationship that connects players with the WWE. According to the reports, WWE isn't interested in recruiting Robert Griffin III, Adrian Peterson or Patrick Willis. They are looking for guys who don't make NFL rosters and are looking for a different career path. 

Source: WWE Looking to recruit cut NFL-ers (Fox Sports).

Some notable football-turned-wrestling success stories include Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Bill Goldberg, Ron Simmons, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Lex Luger and Ernie Ladd. Football players possess many of the integral skills WWE looks for when recruiting untrained wrestlers: size, speed, athleticism and physique.

The key ingredient to all successful wrestlers, though, is an innate charisma. This can't be graded at a combine, which is why WWE casts a wide net in hopes of catching the next breakout star.

This approach isn't new to the WWE, as Ross and fellow scout Gerald Brisco have long been spotted at amateur sports competitions. WWE signed former Oregon State wrestler Clayton Jack this winter. Brock Lesnar and Jack Swagger were each NCAA Champion amateur wrestlers prior to signing developmental contracts. 

While not being new, it is a departure from WWE's most recent push to sign top independent wrestlers, including Sami Zayn (El Generico), Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) and main roster stars Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Seth Rollins (Tyler Black). It's recently been reported that Sami Callihan is on his way to the WWE, as well. 

WWE has dipped its toes in international waters, bringing in Sin Cara (Mistico) and reportedly Samuray Del Sol, who worked the U.S. independent scene as well as AAA in Mexico. 

This is all part of Triple H's major push to improve the developmental system. Earlier this year, Triple H announced the construction of a state-of-the-art training facility in Orlando, which will also be home to NXT tapings.