Could former UK defensive lineman Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald turn into a WWE member

Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald (No. 94) might go from UK to the WWE. (Vicky Graff Photo) UK Football Training Camp 2021 Photo by Jacob Noger | UK Football

Former Kentucky defensive lineman Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald is one 45 current and former college athletes in Dallas for a three-day tryout with the WWE as part of WrestleMania Week (WrestleMania 38 takes place Saturday and Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington). The 6-6, 295-pound Abadi-Fitzgerald played in 30 games with nine starts (all in 2021) during his UK career and had 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

The three-day tryout started Wednesday at the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and is designed to identify and sign younger athletes for the WWE development program. All participants are 25 or younger.

Other notable football players at the tryout include TCU offensive lineman Anthony McKinney and Washington State defensive lineman Dallas Hobbs. There are also athletes — both male and female — from basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track and field, and soccer.

“This all just sort of came out of the blue,” Steve Fitzgerald, Abadi-Fitzgerald’s father, said. “They are aggressively recruiting ex-football players and they messaged him on social media. We were shocked he was even interested.

“He might actually still be a little naive and not know what pro wrestling is really all about. He says it is a lot like a football combine with drills and tests. He’s even been on video because you have to show how you will be (in the wrestling ring).”

Abadi-Fitzgerald came across as a mild-mannered, quiet athlete — not the norm for a professional wrestler — but his dad says he can surprise you with what he can do “when he puts his mind” to doing something out of his comfort zone.

He has been doing some work for Cutco, a kitchen knife company.

“He went all in on it and they wanted him to join the company full time. He embraced it and sold a ton of stuff his first week doing it,” Fitzgerald said. “He still has a lot of family in Nigeria that he wants to help and that’s why he was ready to go to work when he graduated. I just never thought a wrestling tryout might be part of that job search.”