The link between professional wrestling and football is a longstanding one. Even before NFL legend and WWE Hall of Famer William "The Refrigerator" Perry won a Battle Royal consisting of wrestlers and active NFL players at Wrestlemania 2 in 1986, the two worlds have been intertwined. So today, just days before WrestleMania 33 takes place in Orlando, Rivals.com takes a look back on the football recruitments and careers of some of the card’s headliners.

BRAY WYATT

Bray Wyatt (AP Images)

Birth name: Windham Rotunda College team: Troy Football recruitment and career: A three-star junior college recruit, Wyatt attended California’s College of the Sequoias after high school. He eventually signed with Troy, where he played out his college career recording no major accomplishments or statistics. In wrestling: The current WWE champion, Wyatt is in the midst of his first title reign. He’s known for his work on the microphone and a surprising level of agility given his lineman-adjacent body type. His on-screen persona is that of a backwoods cult leader. WrestleMania role: Defending the WWE title against Randy Orton Quotable: “I'm telling you -- my brain, my soul, everything has changed. I'm not that same person. I never will be. That person is gone and dead. But while being at Troy, it was a tough lesson for me. It kind of helped me get to be the person that I am now because I never experienced such things that I saw there. I love Alabama. It's beautiful, but I started destroying myself while I was there, emotionally. Troy kind of helped pick me up and set me to where I am right now.” - Wyatt on his time at Troy in a 2017 interview with AL.com

ROMAN REIGNS

Roman Reigns (AP Images)

Birth name: Joe Anoai College team: Georgia Tech In football: Reigns signed with Georgia Tech in 2003 after an incredible high school football career in Florida. In wrestling: Reigns is a face (good guy) but fans boo him because the WWE brass wants them to like him … or because he doesn’t have an extensive independent wrestling background … or something else equally as lame. He’s a two-time WWE champion and one of the most imposing-looking people on the roster. WrestleMania role: Wrestling The Undertaker Quotable: “Signing Day was really a family day. My cousins, [who make up the current WWE tag team The Usos], signed with another school as well, so it was just cool to have our family there and to have the whole process done with, to be honest.” - Reigns in a 2015 interview with USA Today

GOLDBERG

Goldberg (AP Images)

Birth name: Bill Goldberg College team: Georgia In football: A Tulsa product, Goldberg, whose uncle was close with Bear Bryant, chose Georgia over in-state Oklahoma. He was an All-SEC defensive tackle and was a late-round selection in the 1990 NFL Draft. His NFL career was short and uneventful. As a wrestler: One of the biggest names in modern wrestling history, Goldberg recently made a return to the WWE. Not known as an in-ring technician, his athleticism and power have always been his calling cards. The current WWE Universal champion made his name in the 1990s heyday of the defunct WCW, where he was booked as an undefeatable monster. These days, his aesthetic is that of super ripped single dad at your local gym. Goldberg holds a title despite being an aging part-time performer for reasons that are unclear to most outside of the WWE’s writers’ room. WrestleMania role: Defending the WWE Universal Title against former UFC and WWE champion Brock Lesnar Quotable: “What solidified my (recruiting visit) was a bottle of Wild Turkey that was handed to me as I was standing on top of a bar during my recruiting trip. You know, I had a great time at Georgia, great memories.” - Goldberg on and episode of The Ross Report Podcast

MOJO RAWLEY

Mojo Rawley (AP Images)

Birth name: Dean Muhtadi In football: Rawley, who was not recruited at the Division I level, began his football career at Division III Christopher Newport University but transferred to Maryland, from which he eventually earned a scholarship and a starting job. He played multiple spots along the offensive line for the Terrapins and holds a number of the program’s weight lifting records to this day. He was signed as a undrafted free agent in 2009 and played for the both the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals. In wrestling: Rawley, who is close friends with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, shares some of the famous football player’s personality traits. His gimmick is that of an overactive bro that probably crushes Red Bull and shotguns beer. One of the more lovable underdogs on the current roster, Rawley’s trademark is his endless energy. He seems to be slowly developing a cult following of fans. WrestleMania role: A participant in the annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which he may well win. Quotable: “Robbie G and I have been talking about this one for a very long time and we’re planning our moves very carefully, because Rob’s dying to get into the squared circle.” - Rawley on Rob Gronkowski’s wrestling interest in a 2017 ESPN interview

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John Cena (AP Images)