WWE Signs Talent To Three-Year Rookie Contract

WWE have signed a new developmental talent and, as has become the norm in the past few years, the company looked to the pool of former college athletes for future wrestlers.

The Rockford Register Star has reported that former Syracuse defensive lineman Josh Black has signed a three-year "rookie contract" with WWE. Black was part of the company's pre-SummerSlam tryouts and WWE eventually offered him a deal 13 days later.

Black is a 6-3 and 290-pound 25-year-old who played college American football for six years, including starting for his final three years at Syracuse. He tried to earn a spot on an NFL roster in 2022, first with the Chicago Bears and then the New Orleans Saints before he was cut by the Saints before the 2022 season opener.

Having not received a second chance at the NFL, Black has decided to pursue pro wrestling. He will report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in the next couple of months.

"I was a little worried, sure, but I knew I had a good thing going. I knew I did well at that tryout. Now, I've got a contract coming in about a week, and then it's off to Orlando in the next two or three months for a new life," Black said.

Black portrayed an Egyptian God of War character for his tryout and he hopes to retain the gimmick if/when he makes his WWE TV debut.