Kemo
09-13-2023, 12:08 AM
Wrestling fans are curious about what the future of WWE will be like after merging with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings, Inc. One of the possibilities that fans have thought about is if there will be more UFC fighters crossing over to try their hand at pro wrestling in a WWE ring. Although that doesn't seem to be the case for now, WWE President Nick Khan believes it could happen depending on the circumstances.
In an interview with ESPN, Khan shared that if a UFC fighter is looking to retire from MMA, WWE could be interested in having them join the company.
ESPN's Marc Raimondi transcribed the following quotes.
"UFC fighters are going to stay focused on the UFC, and WWE superstars obviously do something different in our ring," Khan said.
He continued, "... But you also see in the UFC people with big personalities who, once their UFC run is done, once the UFC and the fighter says, 'Hey, maybe now's the time to call it a day,' could those people have a longer life at WWE, an extended life with TKO? We think so."
Longtime WWE fans know the company's history of having former UFC stars switch to wrestling and be successful. Some success stories are Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, and even going back in the 90's to Ken Shamrock.
The UFC has several superstars, like Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, and Sean O'Malley. They have charisma and the physical ability to crossover to WWE if they choose to end their fighting careers.
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It may be exciting for both UFC and wrestling fans to see fighters potentially join WWE, but Khan noticeably pointed out that they'd be looking at "UFC people with big personalities." Fighters like McGregor would seemingly get interest from WWE, while other fighters who don't have the same charisma, popularity, or physical ability may not get the same look.
Fighters crossing over to WWE will likely be a case-by-case situation. However, the merger does present new opportunities for UFC stars to find further success in wrestling and bring new fans to WWE. Baszler is an example of a former UFC fighter who may not have had the success she would have hoped for in MMA but has had a great career in WWE.
It's unclear as to when fans will see current UFC fighters potentially try wrestling, but this is one of the positives that make the merging exciting for the future of WWE.
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In an interview with ESPN, Khan shared that if a UFC fighter is looking to retire from MMA, WWE could be interested in having them join the company.
ESPN's Marc Raimondi transcribed the following quotes.
"UFC fighters are going to stay focused on the UFC, and WWE superstars obviously do something different in our ring," Khan said.
He continued, "... But you also see in the UFC people with big personalities who, once their UFC run is done, once the UFC and the fighter says, 'Hey, maybe now's the time to call it a day,' could those people have a longer life at WWE, an extended life with TKO? We think so."
Longtime WWE fans know the company's history of having former UFC stars switch to wrestling and be successful. Some success stories are Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, and even going back in the 90's to Ken Shamrock.
The UFC has several superstars, like Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, and Sean O'Malley. They have charisma and the physical ability to crossover to WWE if they choose to end their fighting careers.
1701584090879647785
It may be exciting for both UFC and wrestling fans to see fighters potentially join WWE, but Khan noticeably pointed out that they'd be looking at "UFC people with big personalities." Fighters like McGregor would seemingly get interest from WWE, while other fighters who don't have the same charisma, popularity, or physical ability may not get the same look.
Fighters crossing over to WWE will likely be a case-by-case situation. However, the merger does present new opportunities for UFC stars to find further success in wrestling and bring new fans to WWE. Baszler is an example of a former UFC fighter who may not have had the success she would have hoped for in MMA but has had a great career in WWE.
It's unclear as to when fans will see current UFC fighters potentially try wrestling, but this is one of the positives that make the merging exciting for the future of WWE.
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