Veteran NBA Star Dwight Expresses Interest In Joining WWE

Several former professional athletes have spent some time in the WWE ring, and eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard would like to join that list.

Some of the more notable examples: NBA Hall of Famers Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman worked in the now-defunct WCW promotion. New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest NFL defensive player ever, faced and defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event of WrestleMania 11.

More recently, former NFL Pro Bowl tight end and four-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski briefly worked for WWE in 2020 before deciding to end a one-year retirement. During an interview on All The Smoke (h/t Fightful.com), Howard — currently a free agent — expressed interest in the possibility of joining the WWE.

"I would definitely enjoy being a real wrestler like that. My whole life, growing up as a kid, me and my brother wrestled. I played around, acting like I was (Hulk Hogan) My nickname is Randy Savage. So, that right there tells you how much I love wrestling. I really enjoy the crowd. I enjoy entertaining people. I enjoy the fans and stuff like that.

The atmosphere is crazy. I went to SummerSlam this summer, and I got a chance to do some promos for wrestling. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were there. She had just become the new CEO of WWE and I did my promo and they were like, 'Man, that was the best promo in the whole tryout, man. Do you really want to wrestle?' I was like, I think it'd be great. You know, I feel like there are so many other avenues that I can do. After doing this thing that I did with the military this summer, it's like — my mind is the most valuable thing and it's the strongest thing, with that, I could do anything. It's the sharpest tool that I have. So if wrestling can happen, man, I'm gonna go get that belt."

RELATED: Bobby Lashley Comments On Potentially Facing Dwight Howard In WWE

Triple H is the new Head of Talent Relations as well as the leader of WWE creative. Recently, Triple H stated that Howard just had to call him "and we'll see what can happen." The future Hall of Famer attended a WWE tryout in Nashville back in June.

Dwight Howard's NBA Career Appears To Be Winding Down

Howard was last named an All-Star in 2014. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year completed his career by winning a 2020 championship ring with the LeBron James and Anthony Davis-led Los Angeles Lakers. After spending the 2020-21 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Howard returned to the Lakers.

The former Orlando Magic superstar and franchise face appeared in 60 games for the Lakers last season. He averaged 6.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Howard will turn 37 years of age in December, and he was used as a rotational player in the last four years. At this point, his NBA career is clearly winding down, but perhaps it will open the door to an opportunity in WWE. For his career, Howard has averaged 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

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