Notre Dame's Derek Foore Signs Developmental Deal with WWE

Former Notre Dame College wrestler and Ohio native Derek Foore is about to move from college wrestling into the world of high-flyers and spandex, as he has signed a developmental deal with WWE.

The Medina Gazette is reporting that Foore has signed with WWE after being recruited by the legendary Jerry Brisco. Brisco is most notable for having brought Hulk Hogan to the forefront of the business.

A 2011 NAIA finalist at 197 pounds for the Falcons, Foore has the right look, build and physical athleticism to make it in the WWE.

Some have already began drawing comparison to Kurt Angle when it comes to his background as well as his overall look.

When Foore was first contacted by WWE, he thought it was a joke:

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"I was speechless...I was like, ‘OK, who is messing with me?’ When he left a voicemail, texted me and then e-mailed me, I said, ‘OK, this is legit.

"After I came back down to earth, I was trying to figure out what I could say. I was nervous. I was writing notes down, trying to think of what I was going to do when I called him. Then I was like, ‘I’m just going to wing it.’ When I called him, all the butterflies went away."

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It is probably easy to understand the feeling of being messed with. Other WWE superstars have said that they were thinking a practical joke was at hand when they first received the call as well.

Legendary hardcore wrestler Mick Foley said in a "Legends Roundtable" discussion that he thought his initial recruitment call from Pat Patterson was a joke as well.

Once Foley verified that the French-Canadian had messed up his singulars and plurals while leaving his message, he knew it was legitimate. Patterson was known back then for messing up the occasional English word.

Foore was a two-time NAIA finalist for the Notre Dame College Falcons, which gives him the experience of performing in front of a crowd going into his training.

A background in amateur wrestling will certainly give him a leg up in the business, as those with previous experience in a singlet often find themselves being successful.

Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley are the best examples of people who had amateur wrestling experience going into the WWE and found themselves being pushed very early in their career.

Angle is one of the best wrestlers in the world, Lashley was part of the main event at WrestleMania where Vince shaved his head, and Lesnar was a WWE Champion who went on to an MMA career before retiring recently.

If Foore keeps the same humble attitude he seemed to give off in the interview with the Medina Gazette, and keeps his workouts appropriate for the punishment he will be taking then he could have a bright future in the business.