Lineman from Poland who tried out with Vikings last year signs pro wrestling contract

Babatunde Aiyegbusi, the 350pound offensive lineman who tried out with the Vikings last summer, highlights a new class of 10 World Wrestling Entertainment recruits.

April 13, 2016 at 6:52PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Remember Babatunde Aiyegbusi, the Vikings' preseason experiment last year? The "giant from the gridiron" will be the WWE's experiment this year.

The WWE this week announced Aiyegbusi headlines a new class of 10 recruits that have started training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. The press release said the talent includes "a former NFL player, an All-American collegiate wrestler, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran" and touted Aiyegbusi as the "giant from the gridiron."

The Polish-born offensive lineman didn't play organized football until college. He had not competed in the United States until traveling to Texas for a college pro day where the Vikings were impressed by his massive build and athleticism.

The WWE release listed Aiyegbusi at 6-foot-9, 350 pounds. He posted the news on his Facebook page Tuesday and said "It's a pleasure and great privilege to announce that I'm joining a WWE/NXT family!"

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