The pipeline from MMA To pro wrestling is firmly established. The two sports share a lot of commonalities when it comes to physicality and even the promotion of fights. Mix martial arts adopted pro-wrestling-style promos and theatricality to promote fights. MMA grappling, gear, and striking has become a staple of giving a bit of realness to pro wrestling.
With Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, Lashley, and Riddle dominating sports entertainment, it got us wondering who else from the world of mixed martial arts could cut it in wrestling?
Here are five stars in MMA who would be a great fit for WWE.
Daniel Cormier
Cormier is a life-long wrestling fan who regularly references pro-wrestlers while on commentary. A few years back there were rumors Cormier was going to sign with WWE for a commentary deal.
Related: Daniel Cormier Latest To Join Wimp2Warrior Team
As great as that would be, it would be even cooler to see the former Olympian and Double Champ face off against someone like Randy Orton in the ring. He’s already got the promo down.
Daniel Cormier on a Brock Lesnar fight: “Bring that brand new WWE championship because I feel like being a WWE champion too!” pic.twitter.com/WVehTV7Mni
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) November 4, 2018
Jorge Masvidal
A world-class trash talker who has the swagger and cross-cultural appeal to make it big in WWE.
Jorge Masvidal takes aim at the ‘baddest motherf***er in the WWE’ | https://t.co/pHrmIj3thy pic.twitter.com/YZZIJJCYqk
— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) September 18, 2019
Related: Colby Covington-Jorge Masvidal, Other Bouts Set For UFC 272
Colby Covington
There are very few actual “heels” in wrestling anymore. Every bad guy is too concerned with being a cool bad-ass who beats up the whimsy babyface nerds. If you want guys with actual heat, you have to look to MMA.
And who has more heat than Colby? This guy is booed and attacked by everyone and drinks it all in with a smile. He isn’t trying to be cool or get the crowd or anyone on his side, he wants to talk shit and then fight.
He should already be a heel with wrestling nerds after he buried AEW in an interview.
COLBY COVINGTON BODIED #AEW WHAT A MAN. pic.twitter.com/SVPXI8cUSu
— (@ZACKWRESTLING0) November 7, 2021
Related: Colby Covington Claims Kamaru Usman Taking Steroids, EPO
Miesha Tate
She’s got the looks, charisma, and bad-ass skills to make a dent in the women’s division. A big problem in the women’s divisions of UFC is that so many of the women lack the mic skills you need to really get over with the audience. Tate is a rare exception.
Former UFC champ @MieshaTate joins cast of @CBSBigBrother, debuts Feb. 2 https://t.co/T0pFXYNe8P
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) January 27, 2022
Filthy Tom Lawlor
OK, this one doesn’t really count because Lawlor has already transitioned to pro-wrestling, but the dude should still get a shot in WWE. Just look at this entrance, he would SHOCK the world.
Tom Lawlor paying tribute to The Shockmaster in the UFC. pic.twitter.com/SvBFOKM6Yt
— Eduardo Martinez (@PharrFromHeaven) January 30, 2022
Related: Miesha Tate Moving To Flyweight, UFC Fight Set For May
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few other stars that could make an impact on WWE.
- Fedor Emelianenko: besides “The Last Emperor” being the best MMA nickname ever, Fedor would be great at smashing through people and finally give us a match against Lesnar
- Genki Sudo: Before you go “WHO?!” Lookup this guy’s entrances. He is known for putting on Mania-quality walkouts for all of his fights.
Genki Sudo is forever king of the art of the entrance pic.twitter.com/TQFtaTna2O
— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) October 6, 2016
Who do you want to jump to pro wrestling? Let us know.
