Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
The worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts have always had some overlap, but that connection recently got a lot more official. In April 2022, the WWE and UFC merged to form live sports and entertainment company TKO, valued at $21.4 billion. This blockbuster deal has sparked curiosity about whether we might see more integration between scripted pro wrestling and real MMA fights.
Several big-name WWE wrestlers have already transitioned into combat sports like UFC and MMA with varying levels of success. Which popular WWE entertainers have the skills to make it in real fighting competitions? We’ll explore this below.
Most media platforms allow betting on combat sports like UFC and MMA, but not WWE. This is because most of the matches in WWE are pre-determined. This also shows the difference between the two sports. On the other hand, betting enthusiasts can bet on special events and matches in the UFC as these events are high profile and unpredictable.
Comparison sites like https://non-gamstop-casinos.com/betting-sites-not-on-gamstop/ provide multiple options for punters looking for the best non-Gamstop sportsbooks. They offer enticing bonuses and valuable reviews to help you make an informed decision.
Now, let’s explore some of the biggest WWE stars who have switched to combat sports.
Brock Lesnar stands out as the most accomplished wrestler who switched over to MMA. After becoming a WWE megastar in the early 2000s, Lesnar pursued his dream of competing in real fights. He made his UFC debut in 2006 and won the UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2008 by defeating MMA legend Randy Couture. Lesnar compiled a professional MMA record of 5-3 while continuing to work for WWE.
Ronda Rousey followed the same path as Lesnar but from MMA to professional wrestling. Rousey was the most dominant female MMA fighter in the world, specializing in judo and submission moves.
After cleaning out the UFC's women's divisions, Rousey shocked fans by signing with WWE in 2018. She rapidly became one of WWE's biggest stars, headlining WrestleMania in her rookie year and winning the Raw Women's Championship.
Ken Shamrock became an early UFC pioneer and Hall of Famer thanks to his fierce fighting style and submission skills. Between 1993 and 1997, he won the Pancrase Openweight championship and became the first UFC Superfight champion. With an MMA record of 23-5-2, Shamrock transitioned smoothly to WWF between 1997 and 1999, combining his real fighting credibility with pro wrestling theatrics. He later switched back to MMA in 2000, winning several fights.
Shamrock's UFC peer Dan Severn also briefly appeared in WWE in the late 1990s. Severn's gritty, no-nonsense fighting style inside the octagon made him a natural fit as a wrestler. His cold, intense demeanor in real MMA fights translated well to his role as an intimidating WWE villain. Severn's two worlds overlapped when he participated in an infamous "shootfight" against Shamrock at WWE's WrestleMania 14 in 1998. Their real fighting skills brought a rare level of realism to a worked pro wrestling match.
CM Punk generated major buzz when he signed with UFC in 2014 despite having zero MMA experience. Unfortunately, his wrestling fame and bravado did not translate well into actual fighting skills. Punk was thoroughly exposed in two UFC fights, suffering back-to-back losses by first-round TKO.
Before finding fame as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista had an infamous and forgettable sole MMA bout in 2012. The former WWE wrestling champ, who headlined several WrestleMania fights, sloppily earned a technical knockout over Vince Lucero in an ugly battle that exposed Bautista's lack of real martial arts skills or training. It was a humbling embarrassment for the aspiring fighter.
The lines between professional wrestling and mixed martial arts continue to blur. The WWE-UFC merger expands opportunities for talents in both scripted and real fighting competitions. However, few have been able to smoothly crossover between the vastly different worlds of choreographed wrestling matches and actual MMA bouts.
Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey stand out as those able to thrive in both WWE and UFC. Superstars like Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn also succeeded, thanks to their legitimate backgrounds. But the failure of CM Punk proves that wrestling fame doesn't always translate to real fighting skills. It will be fascinating to see if any other bold talents from WWE or UFC can walk the fine line between sports entertainment and combat sports.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
