Rob Gronkowski, seen here at the 2020 Super Bowl, has left football behind, but he may have a new occupation.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a three-time Super Bowl champion, but can he become a champion in WWE? The Wrap reported on Tuesday that Gronk, who is now a football analyst for Fox Sports, has officially signed a wrestling deal, and will make his debut in just a week. A representative for WWE declined comment.
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According to The Wrap, Gronkowski will debut with WWE on the March 20 episode of Fox's Smackdown, and will also appear at WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Florida, on April 5. Gronkowski, 30, played his entire nine-year NFL career with the Patriots. He's long showed a natural tendency toward theater (check out his Gronk Spikes) and a fascination with the wrestling world, appearing on WrestleMania 33 in 2017.
The #AndreBattleRoyal just got a dose of @Patriots' @RobGronkowski. Watch #WrestleMania streaming LIVE at 7e/4p on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/fpoMaJAEHw
— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2017
WWE may not have offered comment, but fans on social media were already imagining Gronk in his new job. "I can't wait for his finisher to be called 'Gronk Smash,'" one tweet said.
Breaking: Rob Gronkowski is finalizing a deal with the WWE. I can’t wait for his finisher to be called “Gronk Smash” pic.twitter.com/65bQ7beDpL
— DailySportsDosage (@DailySports_DSD) March 11, 2020
Can't wait until WWE changes Gronk's name to Lucious Tacklestrong or some shit.
— Andorob (@andorob) March 11, 2020
Gronk in WWE? pic.twitter.com/hHoeOHr7Ph
— Julian the wrestling fan ? (@Julian_NXT) March 11, 2020
WWE is signing Gronk to a deal because they know he’s familiar with pre determined outcomes pic.twitter.com/XlPa5MbPGi
— NFL Hate Memes (@NFLHateMemes) March 11, 2020
Bill Belichick after finding out Gronk is close to signing with WWE. #WWEBackstage pic.twitter.com/vVJqPiAQGY
— ScodaEnterprises32 (@ScottyStyles29) March 11, 2020
When Gronk is winning WWE Championships while Tom Brady is still waiting for someone to get separation pic.twitter.com/I6PoeI3pZG
— Matt (@MattyNitro) March 11, 2020
Although numerous large events, including the South by Southwest festivals and conferences, and gaming event E3, have been canceled due to the coronavirus, at press time, WrestleMania 36 was still scheduled to take place.
