Argos running back Wilder Jr. getting tryout with World Wrestling Entertainment
TORONTO — James Wilder Jr. always wanted to follow his father into pro football, but it wasn’t always his activity of choice.
Growing up, the Toronto Argonauts running back admits he spent as much — or more — time watching pro wrestling on TV than James Wilder Sr. lugging the ball with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins. Next month, the junior Wilder will attend a tryout with the World Wrestling Entertainment in Orlando.
“I’m super excited, it’s a dream,” Wilder said in a recent telephone interview. “I think every kid born in the early ’90s — I was born in ’92 during the Stone Cold, The Rock, The Undertaker and Kane era — was probably a WWE fan before they were even a football fan.”
Wilder, 26, learned of the tryout via email. Turns out the CFL’s top rookie in 2017 was nominated for the gig, although the WWE didn’t say by whom.