WWE Interested in Signing Rob Gronkowski After NFL Career, Says Mojo Rawley

Mojo Rawley told TMZ Sports on Wednesday that WWE is interested in signing New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski when his NFL career is over.

Gronkowski recently appeared on SmackDown Live on Tuesday night, throwing a drink in the face of Jinder Mahal. The incident followed Gronk's appearance at WrestleMania 33 in which he delivered a shoulder block to Mahal.

Going from the NFL to professional wrestling wouldn't be unprecedented.

Baron Corbin had brief spells with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, and Rawley spent time on the Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Bill Goldberg played in 14 regular-season games for the Atlanta Falcons before becoming a world champion in WWE and WCW. 

Rarely, however, has a player with Gronkowski's stature become a full-time wrestler. Steve McMichael made two Pro Bowl appearances and earned All-Pro honors on two occasions before joining WCW. Ernie Ladd, meanwhile, was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. McMichael wrestled 20 years ago, though, and Ladd goes even further back.

While it makes sense for WWE to consider the idea of Gronk joining the company, the odds are unlikely it happens.

For one, becoming a wrestler might be a hard sell for somebody who has absorbed plenty of punishment from playing seven years in the NFL. Spotrac also estimates Gronkowski has already made $34-plus million from NFL salaries, so money won't be an issue for him in retirement.

In addition, Shawne Merriman's brief foray into professional wrestling illustrated being a successful football player doesn't guarantee somebody can become a competent wrestler, so Gronk would have a long way to go to earn his way into a WWE ring.

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