From football to wrestling: How a Riders prospect could be on his way to the WWE

While KeShaun Moore is battling for a spot on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ roster right now, the defensive lineman could have a unique career waiting for him when he hangs up the cleats.

Just over a year ago, the WWE reached out to him on Instagram asking if he’d be interested in signing a Next In Line (NIL) deal with the wrestling organization.

“I got in touch with more and more people with their NIL program and it kind of just went from there,” the 6-foot-2, 279-pounder said. “I signed with them and it’s been a great partnership ever since. I’ve been to a few events and love everything about the company.”

When the WWE initially reached out to him, Moore thought it was fake, but everything checked out.

Moore says he was a fan of the WWE growing up and used to play the video games as a kid.

While he has never stepped into a wrestling ring before, Moore feels like it’ll be a smooth transition if he gets the chance to step into the sport.

“I’ve got the football background so I think that helps out a lot. I think one of the smart things and one of the unique things about their NIL program is they’re getting athletes to come into a physical sport,” Moore explained.

“I think it’ll be a smooth transition for people playing football, wrestling, basketball. You’re used to having time management skills, being charismatic and have a stage presence (by doing media).”

Since signing the contract, Moore has been flown out by the WWE to attend some of its signature events like Summer Slam and Royal Rumble.

“It’s been great and I plan on going to more of their events this year and getting my face out there,” he said.

It’s not uncommon for former football players or even people in the CFL to try getting into the wrestling ring once their career is over.

Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson participated at Calgary Stampeders training camp in 1995 and landed on the practice roster for two months before being cut. The Rock is now an international icon, actor and former wrestler.

Joe Anoa’i played part of a season for Edmonton in 2008 before making the transition to professional wrestling. Anoa’i is now known as Roman Reigns, who’s currently the undisputed WWE universal championship.

CFL legend Angelo Mosca got into wrestling fulltime after his football career ended, grappling under nicknames like King Kong Mosca and The Mighty Hercules.

Moore says he hasn’t been able to talk to any of the big-name wrestlers like Roman Reigns or The Rock, but mentions the WWE has been great in communicating with him about any questions he may have.

“I’ve met a few big names, one of which was Austin Theory. (I) talked to Damian Priest as well and I just (wanted to) get a feel for how their lifestyle is and the time management that goes into it and learning all the little nuances,” Moore said. “I’ll talk to them (from) time to time and bounce some ideas off them.”

Moore noted he also made some history signing a NIL with the WWE, becoming the first person who attended one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to sign with the WWE. Moore attended Hampton University in Virginia.

“I’ve got a lot to represent and I’m just trying to make everyone proud,” he said.

When asked what Moore would call himself if he was a wrestler, he said he couldn’t pick a name right now, but wanted it to have something to do with the outdoors and country.

“It would probably be something like ‘Big Country,’ ” he joked.

As for a walkout song, Moore thinks it would be a cool idea to play the guitar and create an entrance song of his own.

“I’d probably do that in a studio and record it,” he explained. “I wouldn’t sing or nothing, but I could play the guitar.”

He also said he’d try to make his entrance as big as he can.

As for his favourite wrestlers, Moore says he loves Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin and John Cena.

Training Camp Day 6

Head coach Craig Dickenson provided an injury update on offensive tackle Jordan Tucker, saying Tucker underwent an MRI on Thursday that showed damage to the knee.

“I don’t know the exact status but it’s enough where he’s going to miss significant time,” Dickenson said.

Wide receiver Jake Herslow also missed Friday’s practice. Dickenson said the receiver suffered a knee injury while coming down in the corner of the end zone on a contested ball.

Nick Marshall had a good day Friday. The 30-year-old veteran picked off a high pass from Jake Dolegala. Later in the drills, Marshall also had a pass knockdown.

The Green and White game goes Saturday at SMF Field. Gates open at noon with a state of the franchise event with president and CEO Craig Reynolds, general manager Jeremy O’Day and Dickenson. The game is to start at 3 p.m.

Ray Guy Award winner signs

The Roughriders announced they had signed global punter Adam Korsak, whom the team chose in the first round (third overall) of the 2023 CFL global draft.

He most recently attended NFL rookie minicamps with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2022, the Australian won the Ray Guy Award winner, which goes annually to college football’s most outstanding punter. Korsak put 32 punts inside the 20-yard line, ranked third in the NCAA in net punting (43.57 yards) and had 14 punts of 50 or more yards.

Over his five seasons at Rutgers, Korsak recorded 349 punts for 15,318 yards.

He’ll compete in camp with another global player, Norwegian Kaare Vedvik.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray