Report: McMahon dove off tower to convince Gronkowski it was safe

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Vince McMahon attends a press conference to announce that WWE Wrestlemania 29 will be held at MetLife Stadium in 2013 at MetLife Stadium on February 16, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Michael N. Todaro / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty

It apparently took some convincing from Vince McMahon before Rob Gronkowski agreed to dive off the top of a tower at WrestleMania 36.

Gronkowski was "terrified" of the dive, a WWE source said, so the 74-year-old McMahon did it himself to show it was safe, multiple people within the organization told Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful. Even then, Gronkowski was reportedly still reluctant.

WWE used a low angle for the segment because Gronkowski bent his knees and nearly fell off the platform "like a toddler jumping into the pool for the first time," an insider said.

Gronkowski won the WWE 24/7 championship at WrestleMania 36 after diving onto a group of wrestlers that included his friend Mojo Rawley. Although he's returning to the NFL this season, Gronkowski said he's prepared to defend the title.

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