It's a very special Hawkeye Report Podcast this week. Matt Randazzo and Tom Kakert and joined by former Hawkeye and WWE Champion Ettore Ewen (Big E) for wide ranging conversation. We open discussing how he was discovered by Iowa. It's an amazing story of being in the right place at the right time in the spring of 2004. 

We look back at how that process played out of being seen in the weight room at his high school by Phil Parker and then making a visit to Iowa and committing to the Hawkeyes. Then we discuss how he battled injuries in his Iowa career and the physical and more importantly, mental toll that it took on him and everyone in Iowa City helped in through those tough times. 

Next we talk about the support he received from Iowa and how it led to being discovered by the WWE, which turned out to be a life changing experience. He discusses his path to success in the WWE and what that was like for him to rise up the ranks. 

Finally we wrap up talking about his current health and recovery from a serious neck injury and how doing TV commentary work for the WWE at their Premium Live Events all over the world.