Former WWE wrestler accused of strangling driver of a moving vehicle in 2022 pleads no contest 

A former WWE wrestler and college football talent has pled no contest after being accused of strangling the driver of a moving vehicle in Michigan. 

Kyle Rasmussen was arrested in October of 2022 and charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation.

After initially pleading not guilty to the charge – which is a felony – he changed his plea to no contest.

That means Rasmussen does not admit guilt but accepts any conviction that is handed down.

Rasmussen was in the back seat of a pickup truck in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills during the early morning hours of October 29, 2022.

Rasmussen, an ex-WWE wrestler, allegedly attempted to strangle the driver of a moving truck

The driver pulled the car over after the alleged incident. Both the driver and Rasmussen’s girlfriend, Sarah Ratliff, fled the vehicle. Ratliff and was struck by an SUV and killed.

Before wrestling, Rasmussen (97) played football in college for Michigan State University

Just after 2:00am, Rasmussen allegedly attempted to grab the steering wheel and strangle the 31-year-old driver of the vehicle.

The driver pulled over where he and Rasmussen’s girlfriend – who was also in the vehicle – fled on foot.

But his girlfriend, 30-year-old Sarah Ratliff was struck by an SUV as she tried to escape and was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. 

Rasmussen was a former football player at Michigan State and decided to pursue professional wrestling.

He debuted with Florida Championship Wrestling, part of the WWE’s training territory in December of 2009.

Rasmussen competed under the name Conrad Tanner and took part in 26 matches before retiring in November of 2010 – having wrestled for less than a year.