Vanderbilt QB Pavia Helps Mysterio Win WWE Match

Vanderbilt University quarterback Diego Pavia and several teammates intervened in a WWE live event in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, helping Rey Mysterio secure a victory over Grayson Waller after the wrestler taunted them from ringside.

The 23-year-old Pavia, a Heisman Trophy finalist who finished second in voting behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, was seated in the front row at the Yuengling Center with his Commodores teammates during the WWE Holiday Tour. Before his match against Mysterio, Waller approached the group and verbally mocked them, drawing boos from the crowd. The confrontation escalated later in the bout when Waller attempted to walk out and head backstage. Pavia and his teammates appeared in the entranceway, blocking Waller's path and chasing him back toward the ring. Waller stumbled into the middle rope upon re-entering, setting up Mysterio's signature 619 kick and a subsequent pinfall for the win. Pavia and his group then celebrated ringside as Mysterio claimed the victory.

Pavia's involvement marked a spontaneous crossover between college football and professional wrestling, highlighting his athletic versatility. A former high school wrestler in New Mexico,...