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United States Dean Muhtadi has transitioned from a collegiate and NFL athlete to a professional wrestler, and now to a talent agency founder and media personality.
Dean Muhtadi, known as Mojo Rawley during his days as a WWE wrestler, recently launched Paragon Talent Group with business partner Steve Kaye to help professional wrestlers with talent representation. The agency focuses on professional wrestlers and counts WWE superstars Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Blake Monroe, and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) wrestlers Darby Allin and Mercedes Moné among its clients.
Dean Muhtadi's company, Paragon Talent Agency, partnered with DraftKings to host a 'Wrestlers Combine'.
BODi by Beachbody named Dean Muhtadi as a brand ambassador. Muhtadi will work with BODi to promote its fitness programs and nutrition benefits.
Former WWE Superstar and Paragon Talent founder Dean Muhtadi discussed putting the Mercedes Mone and Crunchyroll deal together, indicating his agency's role in facilitating brand collaborations.
Dean Muhtadi was born on July 17, 1986, in Alexandria, Virginia. He pursued higher education on an academic scholarship at Christopher Newport University, where he excelled as a student-athlete in football. During his time at Christopher Newport, he was recognized as the top student-athlete on the team, earning two-time All USA South Athletic Conference All-Academic selections and receiving the Edith McMurran Honors Scholarship for leadership, public service, and academic excellence. He later transferred to the University of Maryland, continuing his football career and obtaining his MBA from the Smith Business School. In 2008, he earned the Jim and Pat Thacker Postgraduate Scholarship as a top student-athlete in the ACC and the George Boutselis Memorial Award for his academic achievements on the football team, alongside being named to the All-ACC Academic Team.
Muhtadi’s professional sports career began following the 2009 NFL draft when he was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He later joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2010. After recovering from a calf injury, he transitioned into professional wrestling, signing with WWE in August 2012. Under the ring name “Mojo Rawley,” he made his television debut on NXT in May 2013, developing a high-energy persona. His WWE career saw him participate in numerous matches and events, including forming The Hype Bros tag team with Zack Ryder and winning the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in 2017. He also held the WWE 24/7 Championship seven times between 2019 and 2020. After nearly a decade with WWE, Muhtadi was released from his contract in April 2021.
Since his departure from WWE, Muhtadi has ventured into entrepreneurship and media. He co-founded Paragon Talent Group with Steven Kaye, an agency specifically focused on representing professional wrestlers. This initiative highlights his continued involvement in the wrestling industry by supporting fellow athletes in their careers. Beyond his talent agency work, Muhtadi has also segued into media, appearing in the G.I. Joe prequel film “Snake Eyes” in 2021. He co-hosts “TMZ Sports” on Fox Sports FS1 and contributes to the “God Bless Football” podcast, showcasing his versatility as a television presenter and talk show host.
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