Erica Wiebe wooed by WWE, busy after gold medal win in Rio

Erica Wiebe won the hearts of Canadians when she won gold in wrestling at the Summer Olympics in Rio — but she also caught the attention of scouts at the World Wrestling Entertainment, widely known as the WWE.

The Calgary-based champion stopped by the Calgary Eyeopener for CBC Calgary's Blitz Day for the Calgary Food Bank — and shared why she wouldn't mind being lumped in with megastars like Hulk Hogan and Bret the "Hitman" Hart.

But that's not all the gold medalist has on the go.

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Q: Has your life slowed down since the gold?

I really thought it would but it really has not. But it's something that I've kind of made happen you know. I love being busy and I love sharing the joy that was my Olympic moment. It's been an amazing journey.

Q: You've been well-known for a while….

No no. With wrestling, we toil away for anonymity in a basement that's padded downstairs at the University of Calgary (laughs).

Q: Well now you have caught the attention of a different kind of wrestling!

There were some scouts down in Rio. As a heavyweight women's wrestler, arguably the best in the world on that one day, they were really interested. 

Q: You've probably spent your life telling people that you don't do "that" kind of wrestling, why would you entertain the notion of doing it?

I've always been willing to try and it's a really interesting offer. They just want me to check it out.

The WWE is such a cultural phenomenon and Calgary has such a strong legacy with Stampede wrestling and the Harts. It's not something that I'm going to say a hard "no" to but I'm willing to explore.

Q: What are some potential wrestling names for you?

My friends all think I'm going to be a villain (laughs).

Q: And you're also getting on a plane soon?

Donovan Bailey other Olympians and myself are going to visit the troops overseas. We'll be hitting up three bases across the world in five days and it's really going to be an amazing experience to go and give them a little taste of Christmas.

Q: Would you wrestle any of the troops?

I don't know yet! I love my sport because you can go anywhere in the world and you can do it. To wrestle and get active with the troops and see what they do and how they live their lives I have so much respect for the men and women that go overseas and protect and keep the world safe.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener