Ex-Brisbane Broncos star reveals why walking away from the NRL to pursue a shock new career in America was one of the biggest risks of his life
Ex-Brisbane Broncos star reveals why walking away from the NRL to pursue a shock new career in America was one of the biggest risks of his life
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Daniel Vidot perhaps would not have anticipated that he would eventually go on to compete as a professional wrestler in Japan when he made his NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders back in 2009. After a distinguished playing career, turning out for the Raiders, St George, the Broncos, Salford Red Devils and the Gold Coast, the winger would make a shock move in 2017 to pursue a career in professional wrestling.
![[After playing for the Raiders, St George, the Titans and the Broncos, Vidot secured a contract with WWE]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/16/94565717-14330433-image-a-2_1737995570321.jpg)
The Samoan international signed a development contract with WWE in 2018 before making his on-screen debut in 2020, during an episode of Smackdown in which he would ultimately lose a match against Sheamus. But looking back on the monumental career swap, Vidot said he had taken a huge risk in swapping his footy cleats for a pair of wrestling boots.
![[The 34-year-old added that living in the USA made him 'homesick' but had 'grabbed the opportunity with both hands']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/16/94565715-14330433-image-a-4_1737996038464.jpg)
'It was massive, it was a big risk, I had to think about my family,' Vidot said to The Herald Sun. Daniel Vidot made the surpise move in 2017 to hang up his footy boots and pursue a career in professional wrestling. After playing for the Raiders, St George, the Titans and the Broncos, Vidot secured a contract with WWE.
![[Vidot would later step back into rugby league, with the ex-Broncos winger last year making an appearance for the US national team (pictured playing for Brisbane)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/16/94565969-14330433-image-a-5_1737996095348.jpg)
The 34-year-old added that living in the USA made him 'homesick' but had 'grabbed the opportunity with both hands'. 'That was the biggest thing for me was being homesick and missing my family. 'I’d already gone to England (to play Super League), but I felt like I would be stupid not to.
![[He believes rugby league can truly grow in the USA, with the NRL set to play it's opening round of fixtures in the coming months]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/16/94565971-14330433-image-a-6_1737996142897.jpg)
