Luke Harper Reveals What He Did Before Joining WWE, How Many Times He Tried Out For A Job

During a WWE’s tour of Saudi Arabia last month, Chris Jericho spoke to Luke Harper for his Talk Is Jericho podcast.

Harper said he tried out for WWE approximately 19 times before being signed in 2012. At one point he was ready to move on because he didn’t think his opportunity with WWE would come, especially because he was already into his thirties. He got a call from Joey Mercury and was given a tryout match with Dean Ambrose. He said that John Laurinaitis called him and he missed his call because his wife was having a baby so for few hours he thought that he had blown his chance with WWE, but he finally got in touch with Laurinaitis and the rest is history.

Harper told a story about his life before WWE and he revealed that he was a grade school librarian while he was working on the independent circuit. Jericho joked that he must have work a suit and tie, but Harper said that he looked exactly like he looks now.

He also talked about getting started in pro wrestling, how he was apart of the Ring of Honor road crew, his time in NXT, how he became a member of the Wyatt Family, the first time he interacted with Vince McMahon and more. You can check out the interview here.