Rob Gronkowski, the four-time Super Bowl champion and WWE 24/7 Champion, has opened up about how his clandestine decision to return to the NFL almost threw a wrench into his unforgettable WrestleMania 36 moment. In a candid interview on the What’s Your Story? podcast with Stephanie McMahon, Gronkowski shared new insights on the pressure and conflicting emotions leading up to his WWE title win during the COVID-19-affected WrestleMania event in April 2020.

As the host of WrestleMania 36, held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando due to the pandemic, Gronkowski delivered a memorable spot by leaping off a scaffold onto his good friend Mojo Rawley and several other WWE superstars, securing the WWE 24/7 Championship in the process. However, behind the scenes, Gronk revealed he had already secretly agreed to end his NFL retirement and rejoin the league, a commitment that cast a shadow of doubt over his WrestleMania involvement[1][3][6].

“I already knew I was coming back to football,” Gronkowski admitted. “The football thing went down about a week before this, two weeks before. In the back of my mind, it kind of mindfucked me that I was going back to football because I felt like, ‘I can’t be too crazy. I can’t get hurt.’ I was kind of hesitant.” The tight end, known for his bold personality, confessed the fear of injury almost made him balk at performing the high-risk jump[1].

Adding to this anxiety, Gronkowski recalled a pivotal motivating moment: Vince McMahon, WWE’s chairman and CEO, surprised him by jumping first off the scaffold, inspiring Gronk to overcome his hesitation. “Your dad came over and jumped right off the scaffold. I was like, ‘Dude, wow, that was impressive.’ I was like to myself, ‘I’m a huge pussy,’” Gronk stated, acknowledging Vince’s role in pushing him past his fears. Stephanie McMahon confirmed Vince’s calculated approach, noting, “He was going for that” motivational effect[1][5].

After watching Vince McMahon’s fearless jump, Gronkowski wasted no time. “Then I was like, ‘I’m jumping.’ No hesitation from there,” he recalled. The jump itself became one of the highlights of WrestleMania 36, capturing widespread attention and cementing Gronkowski in the WWE record books as a 24/7 Champion[1][3][7].

Gronk’s hold on the WWE 24/7 Title lasted an impressive 67 days, a reign that concluded when R-Truth, the title’s most prolific holder, reclaimed the championship in Gronk’s own backyard in Massachusetts by disguising himself as a landscaper[2]. Gronk would soon fully transition back to football, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and aiding their Super Bowl LV victory later that year[2][4].

Sources close to Gronkowski revealed that managing the dual realities of his WWE involvement and his NFL return kept him balancing on a knife’s edge. The clandestine nature of his NFL comeback meant he had to carefully navigate his WWE persona without jeopardizing his football future. This secrecy added a layer of complexity to his WrestleMania role, turning what looked like a light-hearted celebrity moment into a high-stakes performance behind the scenes.

WWE insiders also noted that Gronkowski’s unique crossover appeal brought fresh energy to WrestleMania 36, particularly during a period when WWE was forced to innovate due to the pandemic. By integrating a star of Gronk’s caliber, WWE succeeded in keeping fans engaged despite the absence of a live audience and limited production resources[6].

This story also highlights the remarkable versatility of Rob Gronkowski, who seamlessly transitioned between two very different professional worlds—elite NFL football and scripted WWE entertainment. As reported by WWE.com and Fightful, Gronk’s dedication and charisma elevated the 24/7 Championship, a title designed for humor and unpredictability, into a celebrated chapter of WrestleMania lore[1][4].

Reflecting on the WrestleMania 36 experience, Gronkowski said, “It was a crazy time. I was stoked to be a part of it and to win that belt. It was something different, something fun before jumping back into football.” His openness about the behind-the-scenes challenges gives fans a rare glimpse into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with navigating multiple careers at once[1].

As of September 2025, Rob Gronkowski remains a beloved figure in both sports and entertainment, admired for his fearless spirit and ability to rise to the occasion—whether leaping off scaffolds or catching game-winning touchdowns. His WrestleMania 36 moment stands as a testament to his willingness to confront fears head-on and his enduring bond with WWE.

According to WWE.com, Fightful, and interviews on the What’s Your Story? podcast with Stephanie McMahon, Gronkowski’s candid recount paints a vivid picture of how his secret NFL return almost derailed one of WWE’s most memorable WrestleMania moments.