Get ready to rumble, folks! WWE’s Next In Line (NIL) superstar and 275-lb freestyle wrestling titan Mason Parris is representing at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Parris, who punched his ticket to the Olympics in April by defeating Hayden Zillmer 2-0, is set to compete in the heavyweight division. Though his matches don’t start until August, Parris made a grand entrance at the opening ceremony, Friday, showcasing Team USA’s pride and power.
The highlight of the night? A star-studded photo op with none other than NBA legend and Team USA flagbearer, LeBron James. United World Wrestling shared the iconic snap of Parris and King James on social media, sparking a flurry of excitement. James is on a mission to clinch his third Olympic gold with the USA Basketball team, while Parris is geared up to grapple his way to glory.
Parris joined WWE’s NIL program in 2021, aiming to bridge the gap for college athletes transitioning into professional wrestling. Since signing, he’s been a medal magnet, hauling in gold from the 2023 Big Ten and NCAA Division I Championships, the 2023 Pan-American Games, and the 2024 Pan-American Championships. His stellar 2023 season earned him the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy, cementing his status as a wrestling powerhouse.
But the road to Olympic gold won’t be a walk in the park. Parris will face formidable foes like Iran’s Amir Zare, a double World Champion and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, and Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili, the 2023 World Championship silver medalist. The heavyweight wrestling matches are set to take place from August 5-11, so mark your calendars and get your popcorn ready!