Conor McGregor defeated Nate Diaz by majority decision after a 5 round war in the early hours on Sunday morning. A team rivalry between the SBG and Gracie team which saw bottles thrown and threats traded was put to bed for the time being. The build-up to that epic clash was marked by a whole load of handbags.
It was strange in that up until the 'Bottlegate' press conference, there had been next to no drama between the two camps. In fact, the build up was so reserved that the tagline 'Bad Blood' was met by the derision of many. So dramatic were the last minute handbags that people drew parallels between their antics and the WWE. Not only because they were theatrical in nature, but that they were faked to drum up hysteria.
But that isn't why the WWE spotlight is focused on McGregor. The WWE have a history with crossovers, signing top athletes from other sports. The likes of Ronda Rousey, Floyd Mayweather, and Mike Tyson have all appeared in the past. All icons of their respective sports. Now, it might just be that Conor McGregor is next.
It isn't the first time talk of the WWE has surrounded the Irishman and if you've been paying attention you may have noticed a few signs that indicate that Conor McGregor could soon appear in the WWE.
1. McGregor called out the WWE
During a media conference call for UFC 202 McGregor was asked about the possibility of a crossover to the WWE. The 28-year-old had some choice words in response:
"For the most part, those WWE guys are pussies, to be honest. [...] They're messed up pussies, if you ask me. Fair play to Brock, he got in and fought, but at the end of the day he was juiced up to the fuckin' eye balls, so how can I respect that?"
His blunt assessment reverberated around the WWE roster and generally went down like a cup of cold sick, badly.
Never show a Jack Russell a mirror. It thinks it's a majestic Irish Wolfhound. Really, just an annoying wee yapper trying to sell tickets.
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) August 7, 2016
very funny little guy. Why don't you get your head out of Dana White's ass
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) August 7, 2016
McGregor took time out of his preparations for the Diaz rematch to post this characteristically measured response.
I didn't mean no disrespect to the @wwe fans. What I meant to say was that I'd slap the head off your entire roster. And twice on Sunday's.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 7, 2016
2. Post-Fight Comments About A Future Which "Might Not Be This Sport"
In the aftermath of McGregor's 5-round war with Nate Diaz, McGregor was asked what the future held and if he would go back down to defend his featherweight title. Here's what he had to say:
“I’ve got to talk about what’s next, there’s a lot of options. Some might not be this sport, so we’ll see. I’ve got to sit down and see what piece of the pie they’re offering me now, and take it from there.”
That statement sent a ripple of speculation through fans and journalists alike with some suggesting that he may be discussing boxing and a potential clash with Floyd Mayweather. While anything's possible it seems unlikely that McGregor would pick now to take that exhibition fight when he has a belt to defend and the world at his feet. He will be aware that a potential crossover with the WWE would involve much less time out from his MMA career and could be almost as lucrative as a Mayweather fight. That being said, the Mayweather fight does seem like a load of old nonsense.
3. Brock Lesnar's Challenge
We've seen how some of the roster responded to McGregor's comments on the WWE. But no response was more direct that Brock Lesnar's.
Some feel that Brock Lesnar's deal to switch bewtween UFC and WWE could grease the wheels on a potential deal to bring McGregor to the WWE. The two organisations will be aware of how lucrative future crossover deals would be in terms of draw and PPV as both can harness the viewership of a whole new audience.
What would set up Conor's entrance into the world of professional wrestling better than the man who made the reverse switch. The storyline writes itself. Brock goes into the UFC and smothers Mark Hunt* before returning to the WWE. Round 1 to the WWE. Can the biggest name in MMA do the same? That hype train would be pulling into a station full of maniacal fans.
Well if that's the case then Lesnar is doing his best to stir up a rivalry.
"I take shits bigger than that kid. I'm two-hundred and fucking ninety pounds. He's one-hundred and forty-five."
"Come here, face to face Conor, alright, and say it to my face. Otherwise leave me and the WWE out of it because I came to your arena and kicked ass, now if you want, and you're so fucking tough, come to our arena and try kick some ass."
Watch the interview here and do your best to resist the cringe from the interviewer. Good grief...
There's something about threatening interviewers that's just so retro wresting.
4. Irishman Finn Balor became the fist WWE Universal Champion
Say hello to the FIRST @WWE #UniversalChampion...#DemonKing @FinnBalor! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/gdU5TM8FsD
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 22, 2016
At last night's SummerSlam event, Irishman Finn Balor (Fergal Devitt), defeated Seth Rollins to became the inaugural WWE Universal Champion. The Bray man was not seen as a favourite to win the match and those with an eye for conspiracy may point to the fact that the WWE are setting up some kind of all Irish uber match somewhere down the line. Illuminati confirmed.
If so he'll have to pick his way through a host of potential wrestlers who are gunning for him but an all Irish clash for a brand new belt is something which would be extremely marketable and WWE brass could be setting the dominoes in place with Finn Balor's victory.
5. Jim Ross called him the 'perfect heel'
You might know Jim Ross from lines such as, "Stop the match, somebody stop the damn match!" Part time meme and apparent cowboy, Jim Ross has been commentating on the sport since God was a wee lad and you could argue he knows a thing or two about what it takes to make it in the industry.
McGregor has legions of fans. Look to any of his fights and you'll understand that the Crumlin native commands an army of loyal supporters willing to outshout any home-grown talent in the U.S. But make no mistake, McGregor has his fair share of haters. The WWE will be aware of this. In wrestling terms, Conor McGregor could be described as the perfect heel.
In professional wrestling, a heel is someone who breaks the rules and generally acts like an arrogant dickhead. Their role is to bend the rules and be deliberately offensive to draw ire from the crowd. McGregor has often said that the standard rules don't apply to him and his 'bad boy' persona is something that would make him a perfect heel, so isn't totally beyond the realms of comprehension to see him playing an antagonist role in the WWE. He's already set himself up by insulting half the roster before ever stepping over the threshold.
BE's Story of the Day: Conor McGregor calls out a WWE Superstar....AND HIS NAME IS JOHN CENA!!! 🎺🎺🎺 pic.twitter.com/I26eeCeYvQ
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) August 13, 2016
****
Adding to the speculation is McGregor's refusal to say outright that he isn't going to the WWE. He's leaving the door open whilst simultaneously slamming it in the faces of the WWE roster.
"I mean, there are some dons in that wrestling game. The McMahon’s? They’re dons. Triple H is a don, The Rock is a don, but the rest of them are fuckin' pussies."
There are definite signs pointing towards McGregor making an appearance in the WWE but don't hold your breath, he still has to defend his featherweight title against Jose Aldo and finish the promised trilogy with Nate Diaz. Full diary for McGregor so.
