“[The producer] says to me, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about trying out for WWE?'” Otunga recalled. “I’m like, ‘What? Yes. That’s why I wanted to do your show. That’s what I’m trying to do.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, you don’t need this show for that. I can get you an audition with them.’ I’m like, ‘Well, wait a minute. You know I don’t have any wrestling experience.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, don’t worry about it. They’ll be interested in you. With your look, your physique, Harvard Law School, they’ll be interested.'”

While initially skeptical at the time of their call, pleasant reality soon hit Otunga as he flew out to Houston, Texas to meet with former WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis at a “WWE SmackDown” taping. Amidst their conversation, Laurinaitis offered the aspiring wrestler a chance to partake in a week-long tryout, which then led Otunga to Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa.

At the time, FCW served as the developmental territory for WWE, with Dr. Tom Prichard, Steve Keirn, and Dusty Rhodes acting as coaches. With them and others watching on, Otunga evidently excelled in his tryout as he inked a developmental deal with WWE two weeks later. By 2010, Otunga ascended to WWE’s main roster as a member of the Nexus and a WWE Tag Team Champion.

“It was one of those things that seemed like it was impossible, but I knew where I wanted to go,” he said. “I just had no idea how I would get there.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit David Otunga with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.