My Friday column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is a mail bag of questions from fans on Twitter. Here’s some highlights:
@JCross1027: With Lesnar once again fighting for UFC, do you see WWE signing any fighters to two-way contracts, similar to the Lesnar deal?
No, I don’t. Brock Lesnar is a unique performer and situation. There is great risk and reward in him fighting at UFC 200 and expected for SummerSlam nearly 40 days later. His name and value could be at an all-time high with all the coverage he’s going to get. His health also could be put into jeopardy if he takes a beating and isn’t medically cleared by the New York State Athletic Commission to perform at SummerSlam.
The only current MMA fighters I can see WWE wanting to use is Ronda Rousey or Conor McGregor. One or both of them could have a WWE match in the future while still under UFC contract. If that happens, then I look at it as Vince McMahon cashing in on a favor after giving his blessing for Lesnar to work UFC 200.
Those are all special, box-office-topping performers. I don’t see a regular occurrence of guys or girls working both UFC and WWE.
@WuBanks: Which MMA star would be a bigger draw in WWE, Rousey or McGregor? Fantasy book the opponent for McGregor.
Rousey would be a bigger draw for a one-off match with WWE. The attraction she has in the mainstream media — sex appeal combined with toughness — would be a gem in WWE. I think booking one match with her in the ring against any woman in WWE could go over big.
I’ve heard some suggest putting her against one of WWE’s best women, but then you have to worry about how that wrestler looks in their performance and make sure you don’t harm their credibility.
My suggestion is to put her against Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie is a great heel antagonizing the WWE audience. There already has been teases of tension between the two when Rousey has made special appearances as a fan. I think the audience knows Rousey is tougher than any female in WWE. Stephanie is in great shape and has been profiled by fitness publications before. She could be shown trying to prepare for this fight, all while the audience is paying to see Rousey take her to the ground or “knock her out.”
McGregor would be a better draw for the long-term in WWE. He’s a better smack talker than Rousey, and he could keep up the pace with WWE in terms of verbally selling himself. There also is more male talent than female talent in WWE, allowing for more options over a period of time for McGregor.
With McGregor, I think a showdown with Chris Jericho or The Miz would work well. The bulk of the program is on the microphone and in the media. Both Jericho and Miz have mainstream appeal. Their personalities would sell their end of the match and draw people paying to see them put up or shut up.
McGregor (5-foot-9, 145 pounds) doesn’t have imposing size, so I feel putting him against anybody bigger than Miz or Jericho off the bat isn’t the best idea.
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