Doubt Cast Over WWE Taking UFC Fighters
Some doubt has been cast over how many UFC fighters might end up crossing over to WWE.
UFC and WWE are now under the same umbrella in the TKO Group following Endeavor’s takeover of the sports entertainment giant being completed.
Touting the merger in an interview with ESPN, Nick Khan opened up on the possibility of fighters extending their professional life in a wrestling ring when their fighting careers are done:
“UFC fighters are gonna stay focused on the UFC and WWE superstars obviously do something different in our ring, 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.”
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted, however, that WWE’s focus has been on youth in recent years so any crossover could end up being minimal:
“UFC’s a very different animal than WWE when it comes to older talent because older talent in pro-wrestling can still be marketable, as long as they can talk and as long as you push them. Whereas in fighting, you have to be able to beat guys in fights.
“There was some talk of the idea that some guys, not everyone obviously, but some people with good personalities in UFC that may be past their fighting prime could then go to WWE. Of course it’s possible, but with WWE, so much of what they’re trying to do is get guys in their early 20s and college athletes, as opposed to… I mean, look, if Conor McGregor wanted to do it, but Conor McGregor’s got so much money, he’s not gonna do WWE except for like a one-shot thing.
“Every now and then there might be like a Matt Riddle, or a Tom Lawlor for that matter, a guy who did UFC for a while and then got into pro-wrestling, who always wanted to be in pro-wrestling at other points. So those guys, that could happen. But I don’t think that’s gonna be a regular thing.”
WWE on the hunt for new talent
A shock report has emerged following AEW Dynamite and Rampage being taped on the 13th of September as it appears former TBS Champion Jade Cargill could be on her way out of AEW.
Furthermore, there is a belief among those in both AEW and WWE that Cargill could be on her way to TKO’s promotion despite recently explaining how there was nowhere else she wanted to be other than Tony Khan’s company.