Footy legend shows off his wrestling skills as he jumps off the top rope and spear tackles REFEREE in ring debut

Rugby League legend James Graham has stepped into the ring for his first professional wrestling match.

The former St Helens, Bulldogs and St George Illawarra Dragons prop is regarded as one of the strongest men in the sport and showed his strength in the ring on Sunday.

The 42-year-old took to the canvas at the Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) Colosseum event at Sydney’s Metro Theater and took on multiple opponents, including WWE legend Grayson Waller who made his homecoming.

The Great Britain star would team up with Jack J. Bonza in a tag team match against The Regime, consisting of Ricky ‘The Preview’ South and Backman Lex, with the NRL star winning his match.

Several videos have been posted to Instagram by PWA showing the NRL star entering the ring. Waller, who had been watching from the stands, was also seen walking to the ropes to confront the former British star who was standing in the ring.

Waller also appeared to be wearing a retro Sydney Roosters jersey and confronted Graham before the ex-NRL star was hit over the head with a chair by another opponent.

Graham also jumped from the top rope onto a crowd of other wrestlers during the match

Waller was seen climbing into the ring before throwing a series of punches at Graham who was on the ground.

But that wasn’t the end for Graham, who got back to his feet before spearing the WWE star.

He later sent a tongue-in-cheek message to Waller on Instagram, writing, “Hey @GraysonWallerWWE, I told you not to mess with gingers.”

Footage also showed Graham, who was known for his physical presence on the field, delivering a bone-shaking spear tackle to the referee before jumping off the top rope and taking out a group of other wrestlers below him.

Graham, who announced his retirement from professional rugby league, had been introduced to PWA bosses at the Beer Footy & Food Festival at Henson Park in July this year when they urged him to get into the ring.

The former prop half-heartedly agreed, but admitted he “couldn’t last two minutes in the ring.”

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to actually train for anything,” Graham said on his podcast, tongue firmly in cheek.

“I’m so out of my depth.”

He was then called up by South.

Graham never took a step back in his playing career, nor in his wrestling debut

Graham also delivered a crushing tackle to the referee in the ring

He was confronted by WWE star Grason Waller, before Graham also speared the professional wrestler, sending him to the ground

‘I got a call about this. I was told I had to get in the ring anytime, anywhere,” Graham added.

South posted the challenge on Instagram.

“I got word from Triple M Sunday Scrum that a guy named James Graham decided to talk a bit of rubbish about the PWA and The Example Ricky South,” he said.

“Listen, James Graham, you may be one of the GOAT mainstays of all time, but I’m the best professional wrestler in the world.

“Graham, if you ever want to step into the ring with The Exemple and enter the world of PWA, you have an open invitation from The Exemple.”

Graham then accepted the challenge and showed on Sunday that he could have a bright future in the sport.

Waller, meanwhile, defeated Jimmy Townsend in his match at the event before telling fans to support Australian wrestling.