Slay signs offer to join professional wrestling league

After a stellar Penn career, All-American wrestler Brandon Slay inked a deal to join the World Wrestling Federation. Mitch Marrow may be returning to college, but class of 1998 will still be represented by at least one professional athlete next year. Fifth-year senior Brandon Slay, wrestling's captain and school record holder for career wins, announced yesterday he has signed an offer sheet to join the World Wrestling Federation. "I'm living every kid's dream," Slay said. "I couldn't be happier." Slay was an All-American for the second straight year after finishing second in the nation in the 167-lb. weight class. He was defeated 5-3 in the national final by Iowa's Joe Williams. Penn won both the Ivy League and the Eastern titles for an unprecedented third consecutive year. "We are pleased to have someone as talented as Brandon joining our ranks," the WWF said yesterday in a prepared statement. "Athletes with his credentials increase the credibility of our sport and solidify WWF's position as the world's premier wrestling organization. "While boxer Mike Tyson's participation in Wrestlemania XIV brought national headlines, Tyson is only one of the WWF's new recruits. WWF typically signs up to 10 new wrestlers per year. Few, however, are ever as fortunate as Tyson in earning the opportunity to participate in WWF's championship event, Wrestlemania." Slay, who is currently more adept at traditional take-downs and counters, will now have to learn the art of chair throwing and clothes-lining. He said, however, that the idea is still the same. "I'll have some new moves to learn, but WWF provides a summer conditioning program," Slay said. "The goal is still to work hard and be the best. And you still wear tight-ass uniforms." One major difference that Slay said he will enjoy is the lack of a weight requirement. As with nearly all college wrestlers, Slay had to watch his diet to maintain eligibility in the 167-lb. class. Slay began the season at 177, but dropped down after an early season loss. Added weight will be an advantage, not a hindrance, to Slay's career. "He might easily get up to 190 or 200 pounds," Penn wrestling coach Roger Reina said. "Hopefully, despite the weight gain, he will use the same basic techniques that he mastered here. It is unfortunate the the WWF is the only professional option for wrestlers like Brandon." Slay said he has not finalized his professional persona, but would like to represent Penn in some way. "I was thinking of something like the Fighting Quaker," Slay said. To help mold his image, Slay has hired classmate and basketball co-captain Jeff Goldstein to be his personal manager. Reportedly, College senior John La Bombard was passed over for the position after a poor interview. "His questions during the interview really hit me hard," La Bombard said. "At least they didn't hit me in the penis, though." Although Goldstein has no formal wrestling background, he has professed a love for professional wrestling and has likened himself to current star Rick Flair. "Brandon asked me if I would help him and of course I said yes," Goldstein said. "Who wouldn't want to be involved in something like this. Personally, I'm more partial to WCW [World Championship Wrestling], but Brandon said he liked the tradition of WWF." Goldstein downplayed the prospects of getting into the ring himself, but left open the possibility. "I guess if he's the Fighting Quaker, I could be the Amish Assassin or something in a tag-team," Goldstein said. "The Pennsylvanian Pain-Inflicting Pacifists has a nice ring to it, but it is premature to discuss these options at this point."

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