10 Insane Stories From WWE Tryouts

7. RJ City Picks The Wrong Man To Antagonise

WWE Eddie Kingston
AEW

RJ City is the delightful host of AEW's YouTube series Hey EW: supplementary company content that seeks to pop the interview subjects as much as the hardcore fans who consume its irreverent glimpses into the people behind the characters.

A gifted improv comic with a V-trigger-quick wit, City has also dabbled in the in-ring side of wrestling. He knows his way around a comedy match - in an outing against Daniel Garcia, he once covered his chest in fear of a chop before Garcia simply smacked him in the head - and found himself on WWE's radar over a decade ago. He attended his WWE tryout alongside Xaxier Woods, and later appeared on the Feel The Power podcast to talk about the experience.

In promo class, City was asked to show off his improv skills - to see if he could land a gig doing scripted promos, God WWE is so weird - and so City walked to what was effectively the judge's table. Perry Saturn was brought along to cast his eye over the prospects.

City walked over to him and asked to see his hands. Saturn, the man who annihilated Mike Bell for real, accepted the request. City said thanks - he just wanted to see "the rings of Saturn".

An intentionally naff joke, apparently, few people got it, and City created a rather awkward atmosphere.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!