Projecting Rob Gronkowski's Potential Post-NFL Career as a WWE Superstar

If WWE crafted the ideal Superstar in a laboratory underneath the Performance Center, it would look a lot like All-Pro NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski. The 6'6", 265-pound New England Patriot and his fiery personality would be right at home in the squared circle.

He even has a wrestling-ready nickname—The Gronk.

Images of the Patriots touchdown machine stepping into the ring are now floating in many heads thanks to Gronkowski bringing up the possibility of joining WWE when his NFL career is done. If that ever happens, he would thrive as a special attraction, becoming one of the most successful athlete-turned-wrestlers to date.

Think Lawrence Taylor mixed with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Gronk's friendship with Mojo Rawley, who wrestles at NXT (WWE's developmental promotion), has had him eyeing the wrestling game from up close. It has apparently sparked an interest in toiling on the mat.

Gronkowski mentioned to Katie Nolan in a DKTV Truth or Dare video that watching Rawley in action gets him thinking about stepping between the ropes himself. He said, "It kind of inspires me to someday get in that ring and be a WWE wrestler. That would be pretty cool."

He had previously discussed the possibility in a Fox Sports interview with Jimmy Traina when the conversation turned to his relationship with Rawley.

"We were just chilling and we cut a promo together and we had a blast," Gronk said. "I can definitely see something in the future. Hopefully Mojo Rawley starts wrestling a lot and starts doing what he has to do and makes it to Monday Night Raw, if my boy is there, I'm there for an appearance."

When Traina asked if Gronkowski would want to enter the WWE circus as a manager or in an in-ring capacity, he simply said, "All of it."

That has to have WWE officials buzzing with thoughts of bringing him aboard. He has Superstar size, the athleticism required to succeed in wrestling and the kind of magnetic presence that sells tickets.

Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross believes he would be successful:

One has to consider, though, that he wouldn't be strapping on wrestling boots for a long time. Gronk is just 27 now and likely to play in the NFL for several more years barring injury. 

Fellow great tight end Tony Gonzalez didn't stop playing until he was in his late 30s. And 35-year-old Antonio Gates is still catching footballs for the San Diego Chargers.

His age once he retires and the fact that he doesn't need wrestling to make a living will lead to him making sparse appearances. Don't count on him being a Dolph Ziggler-like workhorse. He even noted in the aforementioned interview with Nolan that he would be a part-timer.

If Rawley is still on the roster and has made his way out of NXT by then, though, WWE is sure to make use of that partnership.

To have him play Rawley's enforcer, ally and occasional tag team partner is an easy way to introduce Gronk to the WWE world. If Rawley found himself in a two-on-one brawl with The Revival, for example, Gronk could come charging out of the crowd, bust up the scuffle and kick off a storyline.

Gronk's career would likely just consist of a handful of bouts. He's not going to risk major injury after surviving many years in the NFL grind. Chances are that he gets involved in one tag team encounter and one singles battle on a big stage.

At last year's SummerSlam, actor Stephen Amell of Arrow teamed up with Neville to take on Stardust and King Barrett. WWE got the benefit of his star power. Amell got to briefly experience the thrill of wrestling in front of an arena full of fans.

A similar bout would likely await Gronk. Perhaps he and Rawley take on The Revival, an NXT team on the rise or a pair of heels WWE would feel comfortable letting lead the way for him in the ring.

Second, WWE would like to get one marquee match out of him at WrestleMania.

Mayweather's one and only wrestling experience came against Big Show at WrestleMania XXIV. WWE didn't ask Money Mayweather to do much more than be himself, throw a few punches and pose for the crowd. 

That's the kind of setup that would await Gronk. As tremendous an athlete as he is, he would be a green wrestler, unable to do much more than clotheslines and bodyslams. 

WWE's decision-makers would then likely select a foe like Kevin Owens. The bruiser from Montreal is a longtime vet and a guy who has great matches with just about anybody. He would help guide Gronkowski to a decent showing.

WrestleMania has a history of welcoming NFL players to the canvas—from William Perry in 1986 to Hall of Famer LT in 1995. Gronkowski would be an ideal fit to continue that tradition, with his frenzied, fun and dynamic presence fitting right at home in the WWE spotlight.

Other than that, he's likely to host Raw, as Ben Roethlisberger and Chad Johnson have done in the past. That could happen in the offseason without the risk of injury. After he's done frustrating defenses, though, expect him to party between the ropes in an actual in-ring clash or two.