WWE News: WWE Reportedly Offers Contract to German Football Star

Two months ago, Germany’s place at the pinnacle of world football (association football, that is) was cemented as they were crowned winners of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

You may wonder why a pro wrestling article has opened with such a reference, but such oddity only reinforces the bizarreness of this most recent news story.

It appears that the WWE have offered a developmental deal to a German goalkeeper in the hopes that he’ll be trading a spot between the posts for a life inside the squared circle. As reported by Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc:

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Former Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese told German tabloid Sport Bild that he has received an offer from WWE.

'I have an official enquiry from the WWE,' said Wiese. 'It's about working as a wrestler. I will listen. I didn't sh-t my pants. Why should I immediately say no? Wrestling is very popular, especially in the United States. I will discuss the offer with my agent next week.'

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Of course, as the article acknowledges, Wiese is a former German international and hasn’t actually played for the national side in over two years. But despite not being a part of that aforementioned World Cup squad, the fact that the keeper has previously featured for arguably the most consistently dominant nation in world football shows just how good a footballer he is.

We’ve often seen the WWE search the wider sporting world for talent. But rarely have they approached an athlete of this calibre and at such a level in his profession.

Let me set the scene for you.

Wiese is 32 years of age. Within the realm of football, that means he could easily have six to eight years left in him at the top of his game. He’s played 269 games in the top flight of German competition, 194 of which came at Werder Bremen—four-time winners of the German championship—as well as a number of games at youth and senior level for his country.

So why would the WWE think they’ve got even a chance of convincing Wiese to leave behind the lucrative life of a professional footballer?

Well, Wiese’s career has taken a rather unconventional turn as of late.

In 2012, after seven seasons as Bremen’s No. 1 keeper, he turned down a move to Real Madrid and joined rival German side Hoffenheim, where he was made club captain. However a run of poor form saw him lose his place in the starting line-up after just 10 games. As a means of dealing with the negativity, he began lifting weights. “I had to deal with all the negativity, and lifting weights is fun,” Wiese said, per Bild (h/t ESPN FC).

But lifting weights is one thing. Sculpting yourself into a 250-pound monster is quite another. Wiese has taken his new hobby so seriously that he is almost unrecognisable from his previous self.

As a result, his contract with Hoffenheim was unceremoniously terminated. He was simply too big to play professional football anymore. He’s since acknowledged that to return to the game, he would have to lose about two stone of the body mass that he’s worked so hard to build.

So despite his lengthy resumé, it appears Wiese’s career in professional football may well be over. Hence why the WWE have reportedly pounced.

Now back to the world of pro wrestling, and what do we make of this story?

Personally, I’m fully behind it. Perhaps I’m biased as a fan of European football, but the news has certainly grabbed my attention. Wiese’s reputation throughout the continent means that there are likely plenty of others, like myself, who would love to see him step into the ring.

Given the way WWE has acquired the likes of Sin Cara in the past and Kenta more recently, this could be their latest ploy to appeal to a wider market outside of the U.S. alone.

And although Wiese isn’t particularly young, he could still have a solid run within the company.

Reports have suggested he will work in developmental for 12 months before being considered for a call-up to the roster. If that proves to be the case, then he would be joining the big leagues at age 33. Considering the likes of Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio made that jump at the ages of 31 and 33, respectively, that certainly doesn’t make Wiese too old for the company.

Of course, those guys had been in the pro wrestling business prior to joining the company, and thus much is dependent on Wiese’s ability to learn the ropes (no pun intended). His athletic background will put him in good stead, but if he takes too long to learn his new craft, then the opportunity to push him as a star could very easily be lost.

Either way, though, it’s an interesting story to keep an eye on. Not least because it’s a previously unprecedented move, but it shows that the WWE are continuing to look to expand their audience and take any opportunity they can to acquire some mainstream attention.

But what do you guys make of this news?

Please feel free to comment below with your thoughts on this one and whether or not Wiese should make the switch, as well as any other points that were covered in the article.