Mojo Rawley Dean Muhtadi ( July 17 , 1986 ) is an American professional wrestler and a former American football defensive lineman currently signed to WWE under the ring name Mojo Rawley , performing on the " SmackDown " brand . Early life . At T . C . Williams High School in Alexandria , Virginia , Muhtadi was a four - year starter along the defensive and offensive lines . He also was the team ' s punter during his last two years . He finished second in the Patriot District in sacks in 2004 , and broke the school ' s all - time punting record with a long of 76 yards against West Springfield High School . Throughout his high school playing career , Muhtadi started games at defensive tackle , end , nose guard , and outside linebacker on defense , and at offensive tackle , guard , center , and tight end on offense . He was also the team ’ s punter and kicker . Often his position changed every week to shadow the opposing team ’ s best player . Muhtadi was an All - District choice at both defensive line and punter , as well as the team MVP . College career . In 2004 and 2005 , Muhtadi played college football for Division III Christopher Newport University in Newport News , Virginia . After redshirting his freshman season due to mononucleosis , Muhtadi started at defensive tackle for the Captains his sophomore year . He then transferred to the University of Maryland in the Atlantic Coast Conference where he earned a scholarship , and a starting position . In 2008 , Muhtadi finished third in sacks for the Terrapins . He was also only the second player in the past 15 years to play all defensive line positions in a game for the Terrapins . Muhtadi currently owns several of Maryland ' s all - time records for strength and speed : 225 lb . Bench Press Test : 36 repetitions ( Team Record ) 40 Yard Dash : 4 . 78 ( Defensive Tackle Record ) Power Clean : 390 lbs . ( Defensive Line Record ) Vertical Jump : 36 . 5 inches ( Defensive Line Record ) Pro Agility ( 20 yard shuttle ) : 4 . 37 ( Defensive Line Record ) . Academics . In his three years at Maryland , Muhtadi was one of the top student - athletes in the Atlantic Coast Conference . In 2008 , Muhtadi won the Jim and Pat Thacker Postgraduate Scholarship for being one of the top student - athletes in the ACC for all sports and all schools . In 2007 and 2008 , Muhtadi also received the George Boutselis Memorial Award for being the letterman with the highest academic average on the football team . He also was named to the All - ACC Academic Team in 2008 and was a three - time Dean ’ s List student . Muhtadi is currently enrolled in the Smith Business School MBA Program . At Christopher Newport , Muhtadi was awarded a full academic scholarship . While also being named the top student - athlete on the team , Muhtadi was a two - time All USA South Athletic Conference All - Academic Selection , a member of the President ’ s Leadership Program , Honors Program , and Student Executive Board of the Business School . He also received the Edith McMurran Honors Scholarship for the student who best demonstrates the balance of leadership , public service , and academic excellence . Professional Football Career . Green Bay Packers . Muhtadi was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft on May 4 , 2009 . He earned his contract on a tryout basis by being one of three players signed out of 25 trying out for the team . Muhtadi was the only player on the depth chart listed at both Defensive End and Nose Guard . On September 3 , 2009 against the Tennessee Titans , Muhtadi finished third on the team with 5 tackles , 1 for loss , and a forced fumble in a spectacular performance . Toward the end of the game , Muhtadi forced a fumble to save a touchdown . He was waived on September 4 , 2009 . Arizona Cardinals . Muhtadi was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on January 20 , 2010 to play defensive line . He was given the nickname " The Iron Sheik " by coaches and teammates due to his freakish strength as he was the strongest player on the team . Muhtadi became training partners with Darnell Dockett as the two competed against one another every day in workouts . He was injured during training camp and placed on Injured Reserve . Professional wrestling career . WWE . NXT ( 2012 – 2016 ) . Muhtadi spent 18 months rehabilitating from the injury he sustained with the Arizona Cardinals . During his recovery , he had received offers to return to the NFL and to work in financial services , but instead opted to become a professional wrestler with WWE by August 2012 . He joined WWE ' s developmental territory WWE NXT and he adopted the ring name Mojo Rawley . Rawley made his television debut on the May 29 , 2013 episode of " NXT " , competing in a battle royal that was won by Bo Dallas . On the October 9 episode of " NXT " , Rawley adopted a high - energy character based on the concept of " staying hyped " ; Rawley explained that if getting hyped allowed superhuman achievements , he would take it one level higher by staying hyped . At NXT Arrival , Rawley defeated CJ Parker . After ArRival , Rawley went on an unbeaten streak , defeating the likes of CJ Parker , Sylvester Lefort and Oliver Gray , among others . He also took part in a Battle Royal to determine the new number one contender where he made it to the final seven before being eliminated by Jason Jordan . At NXT TakeOver on May 29 , 2014 , Rusev beat down Rawley . Rawley then formed a team with Bull Dempsey , but they lost in the 1st round of the number one contenders tournament for the tag titles , causing Dempsey to turn on Rawley . The two faced off at NXT TakeOver : Fatal 4 - Way with Rawley losing , he also lost a rematch a few weeks later . In June 2015 , Zack Ryder debuted in NXT , and Rawley formed an alliance with him , dubbing themselves as The Hype Bros . The Hype Bros went on to defeat Elias Sampson & Mike Rallis ( now known as Riddick Moss ) at the May 21st NXT TV Tapings , three weeks later , with the duo officially recognized as a tag team , they defeated the team of Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton on the June 18th TV Taping . After a month long feud with the likes of Dash Wilder , Scott Dawson , Chad Gable , and Jason Jordan , along with countless victories over the teams , The Hype Bros teamed up with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady to defeat Chad Gable , Jason Jordan , Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson in an 8 - man tag team match at . On the October 16 th edition of NXT , The Hype Bros competed in a match for the NXT Tag Team Champions in a losing effort . On the October 22 nd edition of NXT , Mojo competed in a 26 - man battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship . Mojo was unsuccessful , although he was among the last few competitors in the match . On the November 11 episode of " NXT " , The Hype Bros teamed up with Bayley during an intergender tag team match against Blake and Murphy and Alexa Bliss , where they emerged victorious , after Bayley attacked Murphy . On the February 10 , 2016 , episode of " NXT " , The Hype Bros defeated Corey Hollis and John Skyler in a tag team match . Main roster ( 2016 – present ) . On July 19 , Rawley was called up to the main roster as a supplemental pick in the 2016 WWE draft , being selected in the 11th round by " SmackDown " where his Hype Bros partner Zack Ryder was also drafted to . He made his main roster debut at Battleground helping his Hype Bros partner Zack Ryder after Ryder was assaulted post match by Rusev . Personal life . Since he was in 7th grade , Muhtadi has worked with the financial services firm Morgan Stanley . Beginning as an internship and branching into employment , Muhtadi worked after school and in the summer for several branches throughout Northern Virginia . Dean Muhtadi currently resides in Tampa , Florida but his hometown is in Alexandria , Virginia . Muhtadi is the son of T . J . and Maria Muhtadi and has 4 siblings : Lena ( 28 ) , Casey ( 24 ) , Tammy ( 22 ) , and Garrett ( 13 ) .