Dragunov, Simmons, more attend this week’s WWE tryouts in Germany
During their European tour, WWE is holding a four-day tryout in Cologne, Germany this week.
WWE announced some of the wrestlers who are attending the tryouts yesterday. Among the standout names from pro wrestling in attendance are Ilja Dragunov and Jurn Simmons, along with veterans Emil Sitoci and Wesna.
Camille Grignon (a third-generation French wrestler), Raffael Gordzielik (a German strongman champion), Edwige Trabouillet (French wrestler Mila Smidt), Christopher Oketch (a strongman competitor from Kenya who has won events in his home country and Qatar), Aleksandar Jaksic (trained at Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy and goes by the in-ring name LX Ken) were also publicly announced.
WWE noted that more than 40 people are attending the tryouts. Backgrounds in pro wrestling, amateur wrestling, mixed martial arts, boxing, strongman competitions, rugby, basketball, handball, and bodybuilding are represented.
The tryout is being led by NXT coaches Matt Bloom, Robbie Brookside, and Sarah Stock. NXT’s Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner are also helping out.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.