Thursday 7 June 2018 14:09, UK
Ex-rugby league player Luke Menzies has become the latest athlete to trade sport for sports entertainment by joining WWE.
The 30-year-old Yorkshireman, whose former clubs include Hull Kingston Rovers and Salford Red Devils, was part of a WWE trial in Scotland two years ago and has now taken a further step towards the squared circle by signing a contract with the company.
Menzies was trained by legendary British wrestler Marty Jones and has been competing on the independent circuit since 2016.
He will shortly be heading to WWE's Performance Center in Orlando, where new recruits have been trained for the past five years.
Since its inception, dozens of Raw and SmackDown superstars - from Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss to Charlotte Flair and Chad Gable - have learned the ropes in Florida, and the facility continues to be the training home for more than 70 NXT competitors and rookies from around the world.
WWE recently launched a website specific to the Performance Center, tailored to athletes who are interested in pursuing a career in sports-entertainment and containing information about the WWE recruitment process.
It also provides a detailed look at what day-to-day life is like for NXT superstars and members of the WWE PC roster.
The online hub includes step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a tryout, as well as access to the official application form and can be accessed by visiting WWEPerformanceCenter.com.