WWE: Soccer AM's Adam Smith meets goalkeeper-turned-wrestler Stuart Tomlinson
Former Burton man, now known as Hugo Knox, discusses his new life
Last Updated: 14/11/14 3:46pm
Former Burton Albion, Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson has swapped football for wrestling – and he told Soccer AM’s Adam Smith all about it.
Tomlinson, 29, was forced to retire from football in July 2013 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, but just months later was signed by WWE and handed the ring name Hugo Knox.
The Chester-born star is now based at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and made his squared circle debut for the company at an NXT live event in early November.
There are guys here picking me up and throwing me around like I’m a little boy!
Stuart Tomlinson aka Hugo Knox
“There were try-outs at The O2 Arena in London and WWE contacted me to see if I was interested, probably because they saw my sporting background and my look,” said Tomlinson.
“The training was tough and there was a lot of cardio-based stuff but I got through it and I’m now here in Orlando, which is the crème de la crème and where everyone wants to be.
“I’ve left a football dressing room where most lads are skinny and run around for 90 minutes but there are guys here picking me up and throwing me around like I’m a little boy!
“It’s daunting but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to succeeding at.”
Hit the video above to see Stuart give Adam a tour of the Performance Center and to hear just how detailed his medical was prior to joining WWE.
Soccer AM is on air at 10am every Saturday on Sky Sports 1 and Sky 1, while WWE Raw, Smackdown and NXT also show weekly across the Sky Sports channels.
