The Viking Age
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Former Vikings OL Babatunde Aiyegbusi makes WWE debut in Saudi Arabia

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 20: Viktor, mascot for the Minnesota Vikings runs onto the field with the cheerleaders before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on August 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Lions 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 20: Viktor, mascot for the Minnesota Vikings runs onto the field with the cheerleaders before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on August 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Lions 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings fans will remember the preseason stint of Babatunde Aiyegbusi, but now they can see him in the WWE at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

The Minnesota Vikings don’t hesitate when it comes to taking chances on international players. Fans remember the hype surrounding German wide receiver Moritz Böhringer, but it was another popular foreign prospect who has taken a route to the WWE following their NFL stints.

Viewers tuning in to watch WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble on Friday, April 27, 2018 saw a familiar face when Babatunde Aiyegbusi entered the 50-man rumble event. It was known that he was working at the WWE Performance Center training and had taken part in some house shows with NXT, but to see him make his debut at a WWE co-branded event was surprising.

Going only by the name ‘Babatunde’, the 6’9″ 350 pound Poland native entered the match 37th and stayed in the ring for quite a while, hanging in there with current WWE superstars like Daniel Bryan, Elias, Big Cass, and others.

Sadly, Babatunde was eventually eliminated during the event by Braun Strowman, who went on to win the Greatest Royal Rumble by being the last man standing after the other 49 competitors had been thrown over the top rope and eliminated.

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Aiyegbusi looked comfortable in the ring despite making his debut in front of an arena of over 50,000 people in Saudi Arabia on a WWE special event. This gives hope that the Polish powerhouse can have a bright future in the sports entertainment industry.

He has been training and working hard to succeed in the industry, impressing former sports entertainers like Norman Smiley, trainers, and staff who have been observing Aiyegbusi’s transition from the gridiron to the squared circle.

Babatunde Aiyegbusi wasn’t the only former Vikings player at the Greatest Royal Rumble. In fact, two former Minnesota prospects faced off in a steel cage when Brock Lesnar had a Wrestlemania rematch against Roman Reigns.

Next: 15 best Vikings first round picks of all time

The athleticism and agility that Babatunde Aiyegbusi showed during his preseason stint with the Minnesota Vikings were on display and his WWE television debut should have fans of sports entertainment excited about the future of another former member of the purple and gold.

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