10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (16 Nov)

9. Rob Gronkowski's Dad Got Mojo Rawley Signed (Through IRS)

Mojo Rawley Rob Gronkowski
WWE.com

Non-NFL fans watching WrestleMania 33's pre-show Battle Royal were treated to the luxury of asking nearby pals, 'Who the hell is that?' as New England Patriots' tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrated with Mojo Rawley. This wasn't a dumb celeb cameo however. No, it was something more personal for Mojo and Gronk.

They'd been friendly for years, and it was actually the Patriots' powerhouse who helped Rawley contact WWE.

On Lilian Garcia's Chasing Glory podcast, Mojo told how he was watching Raw one night at the Gronkowski household. Everyone agreed that Rawley, who was struggling to find a team post-injury, ditch American football and try out to become a wrestler. That's when Rob's dad revealed he knew IRS.

One quick call to Mike Rotunda later and Rawley had a trial gig sorted with wrestling's biggest company. All he had to do was cut an off-the-cuff promo to William Regal backstage at Raw, then play the waiting game before being offered a developmental deal. Had it not been for Gronkowski Snr, Mojo wouldn't have known where to start.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.