WWE Champion and Chicago native CM Punk will walk out with Chael Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2.
A good segment of the MMA universe hates professional wrestling to no end. Any links between the two (see Brock Lesnar) are dismissed and disregarded by this segment quickly and with vitriol. One of the founders of this very site has gone on record with how much he dislikes the use of wrestling terms when discussing MMA.
Those people will then hate the news that came out Wednesday that WWE Champion and MMA enthusiast CM Punk will walk out with Chael Sonnen in his UFC On Fox 2 middleweight contender's match against Mark Munoz on Saturday, January 28.
The rumor was posted on the UG by FrontRowBrian and Sonnen confirmed the news Tuesday, according to MMA/pro wrestling expert Dave Meltzer. MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani confirmed that Punk will not corner Sonnen during the fight.
The news again puts the spotlight on the informal partnership of sorts between the WWE and the UFC that has existed for years. Steve Austin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, The Undertaker (Mark Calloway) and Dave Batista have all regularly attended UFC events with a famous post-fight staredown between Calloway and Lesnar during an Helwani interview making headlines in both industries.
Lesnar himself successfully made the jump to MMA after leaving WWE in 2004, while Batista was in talks with pre-Zuffa Strikeforce until last year. Former WWE standout Bobby Lashley has competed in Strikeforce and on the regional circuit for several years with varying success. In 2011, Dana White famously visited WWE chairman Vince McMahon in Stamford, CT, but didn't go into details about what and why.
Punk (Phil Brooks) appeared on the 100th edition of The MMA Hour with Helwani and is from Chicago. Meltzer said that Punk was taken off a WWE house show event that night, meaning they had to grant him permission to appear at the UFC event. Sonnen is known for his "wrestling style" promos and did a tryout at World Championship Wrestling's Power Plant training facility after graduating college.
5 recs | 272 comments
Good move by Sonnen
1) I doubt CM Punk will be shown by the cameras
2) This will get an inmense reaction from the Chicago fans
3)That reaction will look amazing on TV
It’s a cheap pop, sure but it’ll look great. I hope Chael uses “cult of personality” as his entrance song.
IRodC - January 4, 2012
I didn't know CM has the strap...
I need to get cable back. I really hope he some how makes it on camera, maybe for the Chael victory speech.
ANance - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Absolutely
I wouldn’t be surprised if Punk or any other wrestler for that matter has been helping Chael with his promos. Even if Chael isn’t doing this for a bigger pop it’s gotten to the point where we give him credit for shit he might not even be doing on purpose
JG87 - January 4, 2012
I dunno about helping, but he flat out ripped off Roddy Pipers routine from his feud with Tito Santana. Just replace Mexico with Brazil and voila!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
THIS IS ALL ROTH'S FAULT!!!
But srill cool nonetheless.
GreyedOut - January 4, 2012
*still
GreyedOut - January 4, 2012
WHAT THE FUCK THIS IS AN MMA WEBSITE
YOU KNOW WHAT?! I’M LEAVING. FUCK THIS PLACE.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
LOL @ Roth
jack knight starman - January 4, 2012
Hey, Thanks for the page view!!1!!!one!!
JAYGK95 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
As an MMA-only fan I am completely ok with this article and hope for more in a similar vein as the byline makes no mention of
Roth.
UncleMax - January 4, 2012
you need to be more dramatic and self-important
Something like:
“Oh well, BE, you’ve lost me. I won’t be coming around here any more. This website has its good points, but the relentelss pro-wrestling commentary has driven me, and other dedicated readers away. Farewell … for ever.”
Clifford J - January 4, 2012
mobile rec
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
what up MDH ♥
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - January 4, 2012
HEY FVCK YOU ROTH
AND THANKS FOR THE PAGEVIEWS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - January 4, 2012
Mobile rec the fuck outta this.
T.C. Engel - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Month officially made
I’m going to this event with my Son. We are both giant fans of both Punk and The Punk (Soennen) so this is like buying a Ferrari and finding out Katy Perry comes included! OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD! When worlds collide, my friends. Thanks for the knowledge, Matt, now get your ass over to a Pro Wrestling site hahahaaa!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Damn...
Me too… To many wrestling and related articles.
Rodrigo Vieira Ambar - January 4, 2012
Hello
I’m here for the outrage
IRodC - January 4, 2012
Get in line!
GreyedOut - January 4, 2012
This is so fucking awesome, and if you don’t like it, bite me.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
Bite me?
IRodC - January 4, 2012
^^^ What Tiki thinks he looks like
KJ Gould - January 4, 2012
Hahaha
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
Those guys were animals
dedstrk316 - January 4, 2012
And pretty good amateur wrestlers
IRodC - January 4, 2012
It is.
vivero - January 5, 2012
This is perfect on so many levels
I’m only surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
Damnatio Memoriae - January 4, 2012
In other newss...
Dana is cool with Brock going back to WWE (per Josh Gross’s twitter)
BrandtShaft! - January 4, 2012
The video, if anyone want’s it. http://youtu.be/-x4VsWm_pwY
GreyedOut - January 4, 2012
In other news
Bam Bam Bigalow will be walking out with Roy Nelson for his next fight
Ricardo Arguello - January 4, 2012
Ummm... That may be a bit hard......
Bam Bam is dead….
jack knight starman - January 4, 2012
if I cared about wrestling, I would know that
Plus it was the only name I could remember. That and Doink the Clown.
shoulda went with Doink….
Ricardo Arguello - January 4, 2012
Bigelow got turned into hamburger in an MMA fight with Kimo Leopoldo
Back in the day.
KJ Gould - January 4, 2012
the more you know
Ricardo Arguello - January 4, 2012
people say i'm dead
but i’m still here.
Franklin Goodish is the given name of one Bruiser Brody. Me and Scott (who you dismissively refer to as Bam Bam) are downing some Coors Light right now and playing Nintendo 2600 Pro Wrestling. I’m Kin Corn Karn and that bastard is Starman. I just suplexed him to death BWUAHAA HAAAAHAAA.
Franklin Goodish - January 5, 2012
Rec
Rec’d for Frank Goodish.
glib_mf - January 5, 2012
I don't know what is sadder
The fact that I’ll tell you that it’s correctly spelled “Bigelow” or the feact that you spelled it like Deuce Bigalow
IRodC - January 4, 2012
You knowing how to spell both varieties is saddiest.
UncleMax - January 4, 2012
potato, potato
Ricardo Arguello - January 4, 2012
you say pota.....?
I say who gives a fuck ;-)
the-gentle-way - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Didn't Paul Heyman do some work with Strikeforce?
I seem to recall seeing him in some youtube videos with various Strikeforce fighters.
simpsycho - January 4, 2012
He produced a series of videos for them
Was on the verge of a deal a few years back that never came to fruition. Paul is a weird guy. Always on the verge of a major deal with some company that isn’t WWE, but doesn’t do it. I would imagine he’s on retainer and lives comfortably enough on that to not betray it.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
Yeah
Heyman was on the MMA Hour w/ Ariel Helwani a long while back and they talked about some really interesting stuff about that deal and how it “wasn’t right” or somethin like that. Look it up.
Mjub - January 5, 2012
I AM MARKING THE FUCK OUT
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
What does it matter who walks out with the fighters?
RashadsLeftNipple - January 4, 2012
Chicago crowd cares
who walks out with the fighter… CM Punk is popular in Chicago and it’s pretty good marketing by Sonnen
Guruhonza - January 4, 2012
The two best trash talkers in combat together.
FOX has absolutely no idea what it’s about to receive.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
You just called both "combat"
Here comes the shitstorm
IRodC - January 4, 2012
Oh, I thought it said CM Punk, not Jericho.
IKiIIed007 - January 4, 2012
Jericho ain't got nothing on Punk
Jericho’s great but Punk’s indy work alone was better than anything Jericho has ever done.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
get the fuck out
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
No contest
The old man and the snake, The Lufthansa story, Punk’s promo/heel turn immediately after winning the ROH Championship, all better than Jericho’s greatest work. Using big words out-of-context and “bottom feeding trash bag hoe” are funny and great, but don’t hold a candle to Punk.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
I guess you missed the 1,004 holds promo
IRodC - January 4, 2012
armBAR!
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
Armdrag
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
hold number 704
armbar
sklart - January 4, 2012
The Sakatchewan Spinning Nerve Hold
IRodC - January 4, 2012
armbar
Day Man - January 4, 2012
742
The moss covered three handled redunzel
JG87 - January 4, 2012
Just an FYI,
I’m imagining you guys talking like Homer’s three nerdy college roommates…and it almost makes it bearable.
mmazing - January 5, 2012
Word. Ric'd!
FighterHayabusa - January 4, 2012
I liked the "greenberg" promo as well
Billy boy got so pissed at that.
dedstrk316 - January 4, 2012
why is this discussion even happening…
Ricardo Arguello - January 4, 2012
Dude
Jerichos latest Promo/Non-Promo is better than most of Punks work and I really like Punk.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Wouldn't go that far
Punks shoot promo this summer had me wanting to see more then Jericho’s non promo promo…….promo
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
Really?
Punks promo got me back into caring. Jericho got me back into MARKING.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
vegasbatman u got a link for the jericho promo u speak of?
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLi9CVi7Ld8
IRodC - January 4, 2012
Not sure it'll have the same effect
if you didn’t see the super creepy build up, but it’s so awesome.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
I can't believe I missed the return of Jericho
Fuck me running. I’m pissed now.
dedstrk316 - January 4, 2012
i just saw the part where he made it to the ring and i got chills
Jericho is one of the best of all time hands down.
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
This
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
no. he sucks,
tha dude - January 4, 2012
Obvious troll is obvious.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
i don't know what that means.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
this may help
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
i'm still lost.
am i a troll because i don’t think jericho is very good with a microphone? or is it because i said it twice? that would be weird because everyone else seems to be commenting multiple times about how awesome he is. i guess not following the herd is a bad thing.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
not at all. just confused.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
See how innocent I reply? Me no troll!
Dootch - January 4, 2012
i must be missing something
tha dude - January 4, 2012
Generally when 99.8% of people agree on something (Jericho’s awesome on the stick) and one person is an outlier, they get accused of trolling, because no one can actually believe that anyone can think this.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
Actually
its when someone just posts “he sucks” to a thread of positve posts…
Dootch - January 4, 2012
read down the page further, dootch.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
thank you tim.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
I think you’re crazy too though, Jericho’s awesome on the mic. : )
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
i just never found him to be all that clever
tha dude - January 4, 2012
He’s no Matt Roth (cough), but he’s pretty good IMO.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
and i'm no michael bisping.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
sadly, i’m not very clever either.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
That was just a crappy John Dodson impersonation
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
ARMBAR!
IRodC - January 4, 2012
WHOA
You’re clearly straight edge, so you have no idea what is good. Also, you probably like CM Punk because of it.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
Seriously...he lost me with that comment.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
not Straight Edge.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
Surrounded by "x"s?
Must mean something different than it used to.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
So awesome
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Strife is not impress
soilworker - January 4, 2012
Better then The ayatollah of rock n rolla?
You sir are sadly mistaken… Jericho mindfucked a couple million ppl with out saying a word for 10 mins… Not to mention the only guy I know that could turn face to heel in front of a live crowd with out saying a word… And actually have him assist him in the turn. The man is good at what he does.
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Them* assist him ...
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I love them both
Can’t wait for them to feud
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
Seriously...
that was insane how he worked that. Unbelievable.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
What are you referring to?
Day Man - January 4, 2012
The Jericho return “promo”. How was able to work the crowd that well and so hard without saying anything.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Sorry I hadn’t watched the video yet – got it
Day Man - January 4, 2012
This is the greatest thing I've ever seen
dedstrk316 - January 4, 2012
Jericho also had the greatest debut in history.
Just watching it again gives me chills.
Jericho’s debut .
I like them both and would rather not compare the two.
To say that Punk is better than any of the Attitude Era icons this soon into his career is a bit much. His pops seem to be leveling out a bit lately.
FighterHayabusa - January 4, 2012
The crowds are the same for the PG era
They don’t boo as hard either, even for Vikki
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
Hardest mark out I've ever had
And it’s not even close. I was a massive Jericho fan and completely lost my shit when this happened. I’ll never forget it.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
i loved his return a few years back.
He said “you remembered!” to the crowd. It was clear it meant a lot to him.
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
No doubt
I barely watch anymore. Keep getting excited about some new thing, and disappointed a few weeks after it (Nexus infiltration, Punk’s pseudo shoot). I honestly didn’t realize he was back again. I’ll have to watch some of it on Youtube later.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
I didn't see that return
Is it online anywhere?
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
itshould be.
Id link but im on my phone.
Try youtubing save us y2j return
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
got it
This kicks so much ass
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
The Wrestlemania match with him and Shawn Michaels is one of my all time favorites. Everything was absolutely perfect, from the promo all the way up to the end
savik - January 4, 2012
Me too.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
RIGHT ON
I was pissed when I caught a spoiler on accident about Y2J’s return. I’ve been a fan since his Smokey Mountain Wrestling days. He’s a great heel, as well as a great face, and a damn hard worker. I could fill a page with accolades! But I won’t, I promise! The Ayatollah Of Rock And Rolla has returned! Have A Nice Day!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
jericho sucks.
anyone that thinks they are being clever by calling kurt angle “kirk angel” does not deserve a spot on any list of ‘best trash-talkers’. the rock was the master.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
listen that dude
I think getting peoples names wrong on purpose is fucking hilarious.
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
it's not "that dude", it's....oh wait.
tha dude - January 4, 2012
Looks like Chaels got his Post MMA career laid out ahead of him.
terzergoss - January 4, 2012
No doubt..
UncleMax - January 4, 2012
Best part of this? Getting to post the best Pipebombs by CM Punk all week.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
you must
capture the shoot promo that he did to begin the summer of Punk
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
The Summer of Punk
ROH version was better.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
You're underground
You get wifi down there d00d??
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
YES!
“You dumb bitch, I’m not holding a microphone!”
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
This^^^^^
Just when u thought it was over….
God bless you Roth. Keep up the madness.
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Fuck, I love Pro Wrestling
Nothing like a hillbilly, white trash demographic to flood into our sport and increase demand for freak shows.
IKiIIed007 - January 4, 2012
You say it like there's little demand for freakshows in MMA
IRodC - January 4, 2012
So myopic
I’m a Minnesotan. Wrestling is HUGE here, and people who aren’t hillbillies are raised on it. People are quick to forget how wide-ranging wrestling fandom was in the late 90s.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
That's the truth
My dad grew up on the AWA, and so I was raised a wrestling fan in Minnesota as well, loved it through high school, which then turned into covering it for a few years at PWTorch, which transitioned me into MMA coverage when I had the opportunity. I haven’t outside of clips here and there in years, but that Jericho video from Monday is fantastic, and I’m looking forward to seeing Punk live in Chicago.
Jamie Penick - January 4, 2012
*Haven't watched
Jamie Penick - January 4, 2012
PROPS FOR AWA! REPRESENT THE GAGNES! Larry Zybesko forever!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
One of my earliest childhood memories was Dino Bravo, blood running down his face, carrying me on an elevator
My father worked at the old convention center and used to bring me with him to work. Lots of wrestling. Used to be looked after by those guys in the locker room a lot of the time.
Charles Awad - January 5, 2012
yeah, God bless God that those damn japanese never increased the amount of freakshow fights in mma
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
well when you put it like that
I’m all for increasing the number of good freakshows in the US. Japan has fallen off.
The Lethal Haze - January 4, 2012
Roth, get this pro wrestling bullshit out of my MMA.
Oh wait, Nason wrote this?
NEVER MIND, IT’S ALL GOOD. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, JOSH.
alicks - January 4, 2012
if he loses i just want munoz to lick chaels tears off his gloves via bj penn style just so when this goes terribly wrong i can sit back and do this
Mac Marley - January 4, 2012
Is this what modern WWE type guys look like? I don’t follow it whatsoever so it’s kinda surprising to me to see what looks like a 205 lb guy is the “WWE Champion”…
In my head I imagine these guys all blown up like Bobby lashley
nastyem - January 4, 2012
after Benoit "benoit'd" his family
They’ve kinda pushed away from the overdosages of steroids and smaller guys have had some success. They still don’t like announcing that anybody weighs sub-215, but the 300 lb goliaths are kinda scarce now.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
Minus HHH
dude is still a monster.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
Still smaller.
He used to “weigh-in” at around 280, they dropped about 20=25 lbs on that one.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
Brett Heart
broke the mold
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Yes, but not totally
He and Michaels broke the mold, but for those 10-15 years the majority of the guys were still monsters. Steve Austin was a smaller guy as well.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
Although I never will contest that HBK wasn't a great worker....
He qot to the top and stayed at the top from being a company shill and keeping other people down
Bret at least wasn’t like that in that regards.
jack knight starman - January 4, 2012
Hart...
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I am ashamed.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
On smaller guys
Is there anyone in wrestling as exciting as Evan Bourne?
T.C. Engel - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Yes
Jack Evans
IRodC - January 4, 2012
This
Teddy Hart was too, if he wasn’t such a goomba.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
*In WWE
T.C. Engel - January 5, 2012
Currently both champs are small and from the indepent scene… For now anyway.
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
what does from the independent scene mean?
Our Bovine Public - January 4, 2012
Basically smaller North American organizations that aren’t the WWE or TNA. Similar to MMA in that regard.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
Wonder if undertaker will be there to ask if anyone wants to do it ?
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Don;t joke about that
That is my best pickup line
IRodC - January 4, 2012
Does it work as good as jaguar cologne ?
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Even better
80% in Northern England
IRodC - January 4, 2012
I still get play from Sex Panther
whores are such dumbshits.
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
CM Punk? wtf kinda name is that?
and is that a Pepsi logo tat on his left shoulder?
Captain Leroy Hotdog Zanzibar - January 4, 2012
Yes. He's sXe.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
He hates cocacola as much as Brock hates bud light
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
he damn well better with that ugly shit on his arm
Captain Leroy Hotdog Zanzibar - January 4, 2012
I'll give u that... It is one jacked up tat
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Whaa??
You don’t dig that Cobra (from GI Joe) insignia on his arm?
jack knight starman - January 4, 2012
Chaels is......
The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be…….
even I couldn’t say that with a straight face.
Taiter - January 4, 2012
People's champion, Linear champion
and the best damn Middleweight that ever lived!
xmoshpartsx - January 4, 2012
Technically
He is the linear Sengoku Middle weight Champion
Santagio < Stann < Sonnen
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
Isn't that
Isn’t that Greg Jackson? We see him walk out with fighters all the time.
Jabroni - January 4, 2012
cant wait to hear the CM Punk chants during the fight.
Guess i better change my pick from Chael via arm triangle in the 3rd to Chael via GTS in the 3rd.
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
Also there will be Judo chop breakdowns of the GTS and Anaconda Vice
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
really?
zzwab - January 4, 2012
fuckin better be
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
YES!
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
The anaconda vice is like a neck crank right?
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
Bicep slicer neck crank.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
The shitstorm is glorious
Will be even better once it gets closer, too.
Cory Braiterman - January 4, 2012
That dude looks a lot like Greg Jackson with hair.
Rutager - January 4, 2012
Hahaha
Cool Greg Jackson?
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
I'm sure he'll be delighted to be on a show that people actually watch!
Steve W - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Check the Nielsens bubba…and then I will forgive your ignorance. Say something dopey smartass, and it’s Mandible Claw time for you! 4,000,000+ a week for Monday Night Raw. I just had this conversation last night. RUNTELLTHAT!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Why would wrestling haters be upset about this? We don’t hate the people, we hate their profession. It’s not that difficult to understand.
dynamitelungs - January 4, 2012
Seen a comment section?
Ever? For any sport?
‘Fans’ hate the people all the time.
WheelieMonkey - January 4, 2012
I didn't realize there was such great solidarity among anti-wrestling MMA fans
I think the idea that a wrestler is part of the production is offensive to some.
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
I don't know who this guy is. I must be getting old. I just don't understand this world anymore.
pud333 - January 4, 2012
(loads shotgun)
???
Charles Awad - January 4, 2012
I'll do it
IRodC - January 4, 2012
lol
pud333 - January 4, 2012
Like most sports fans, I have no idea who CM Punk is
and I don’t care. I have to say, though, the UFC and WWE debate that has been erupting over the last month has been very interesting. I guess there has been more coverage since Roth is obviously a huge fan and Luke is not the head voice anymore.
Here’s my question to the WWE fans out there who love pointing out the similarities between the two promotions— do you also go to bad left hook to point out that Floyd Mayweather cuts WWE style promos on HBO? Does the WWE owe to boxing what you argue the UFC owes to pro wrestling?
I think all the promotions are related. But why is there a feeling among BE commentators that there is some type of “special” relationship between the UFC and the WWE? Is it Chael or Brock based?
I don’t watch wrestling and I don’t understand the outright passion that the letters WWE seem to illicit on this site.
Gideon Jay - January 4, 2012
Maybe this should have been a post, not a comment.
But I would love some feedback.
Gideon Jay - January 4, 2012
MMA is FAR more linked to Pro Wrestling
than any other sport. From PRIDE to BROCK and everything in between. I mean, DREAM just put PW matches into their huge NYE card. The sports are so linked they almost beg to be talked about together.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Agree
You should make it a post since I’m sure there’s more than a few readers that are also curious.
My guess is that there’s just a bleedover from pro wrestling fans that outgrew or became tired of that product and started watching MMA. It really is just overlap of the demographics. As such, these fans just want to draw connections between the two.
Jabroni - January 4, 2012
How can you think that
when the connections are so blatant. They are there and easy to see regardless of if you were a wrestling fan or not.
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Blatant for you.
Jabroni - January 4, 2012
blatant for anyone with a brain. Inoki vs Ali, Severn, Shamrock, Pancrese, Pride, Lesnar, etc. If you can’t see the connection between fake fighting and real fighting, I don’t really know what to tell you.
Phildo - January 5, 2012
PPV Business model would be the biggest
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
between wwe and ufc the companies I mean
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
A lot of us grew up watching it.
Floyd Mayweather actually participated in a WWE event. Ali was doing these kind of things before pro-wrestling got really big in the 80’s
It’s not just WWE, WWE it’s the company that everyone knows but most of us watched local wrestling or independent shows too
IRodC - January 4, 2012
It's easier to trace the history between MMA and Pro Wrestling
I think. And I’m not even talking UFC. Obviously the profession has changed but the professional wrestlers of the 1900s were legit tough men who would travel the world challenging everyone. t’s actually a huge part of the cross over between Judo and BJJ. When you fast forward to Japan, a lot of the early stars were right out of Pro Wrestling. Shooto and Pancrase both have legitimate ties.
Obviously you could cite the business model and the fact that Dana White emulates Vince McMahon both in personality and in practice of wanting to decimate and buy up competition.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
It might be wrestling's influence on MMA and vice versa
I can’t be bothered to count all of them . Inoki, Shamrock and Lesnar are the more obvious ones who had an impact in both wrestling and MMA. Then there’s the amateur wrestling backgrounds of many pro wrestling and MMA’s pioneers. Dana White being a huge admirer of Vince McMahon. There’s a lot of similarities. No one’s saying pro wrestling isn’t fake or it requires anywhere near the amount of skills to succeed as you do in MMA. There’s just similarities. That’s all.
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
The promotional and historical similarities I get.
It’s the emotions from the BE commentators that I don’t understand. What is it about the WWE that breeds such a sense of loyalty and anger?
Gideon Jay - January 4, 2012
I don't know anyone who is a wrestling fan.
I have never, since the fourth grade, known anyone who is a wrestling fan. I’m not being facetious, I’m genuinely curious.
Gideon Jay - January 4, 2012
I think that's the crazy thing
It’s split…either you love it or you hate it. And it’s kind of the same way that MMA fans love saying ‘BOXING IS DEAD!’ following a poor card. It’s impossible for everyone to co-exist.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
You know, that was the most insightful thing I've read
re: this debate. Thanks Matthew Roth.
Gideon Jay - January 4, 2012
Woah, this is the first time I’ve read that
IRodC - January 4, 2012
Edit
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
My View
Kids who have parents who never tell them what they are watching is a work usually end up hating it, and/or themselves for believing it. I started watching Pro Wrestling with my Son when he was five, and always explained to him that it was a show, and that the rasslers are working together, usually very hard, to put on a fun athletic show for the fans. He is 14 now, and watching with him is like watching with a PW Torch writer, talking about shoot interviews, working, selling, et cetera. He will be beginning amateur wrestling soon, and is a solid, well adjusted student with pretty good grades. It’s just something that if you don’t get it, you can’t be made to get it. But if you do get it, it is a whole lot of escapist fun!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Hating it for believing it
Actually for me, no one ever told me it was fake so I just kind of figured it out myself over time. Once I figured out it wasn’t real, it really didn’t matter to me, since I found it entertaining if not goofy.
My appreciation for MMA is totally separate and judged on different merits. I use to like pro wrestling as a kid for the characters, outrageous plots, and often the athleticism (which there is a lot). MMA for me, while being primarily entertaining, is more about the competition.
Jabroni - January 4, 2012
Right on, Brother. I watch rasslin’ strictly to be entertained BY their hard work and shenanigans. But the competition is what brought me back after the Tank Abbot era. Thank goodness FUEL is running old PRIDE and UFC events to help me catch up on what I missed. I’m going to get to see my first PRIDE fights tonight at 11 PM Central, and I am pretty excited. BJ Penn put my ass in this seat!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Yep, the UFC was my first experience with MMA (before the term was even coined). But it was Pride that really hooked me. For all the flaws that Pride had, the production value and camera work was just epic.
They also built up their fighters as characters with these nicknames like Shogun, Rampage, the Demolition Man, along with the team rivalries like Brazilian Top Team vs Chute Boxe. So in a way, it was a perfect bridge between the cinematic entertainment feel of pro wrestling and the pure competition of UFC.
Jabroni - January 4, 2012
Sounds like what I was saying the UFC needed to do the other night. Now I am REALLY pumped for some PRIDE fighting!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I think the people who feel Roth’s articles on pro wrestling are actually related to what’s been going on in MMA recently, feel that the backlash from ‘MMA HARDKWORES!!!’ is a bit of an overreaction. From looking at the comments, they don’t watch pro wrestling anymore.
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
I just don’t like people saying stupid things, and the whining about the wrestling is very stupid. If I was reading Bad Left hook and saw people whining about the Floyd stuff I would tell them they were stupid, just like I told people that were spouting nonsense about poker when Full Tilt was all over the place that they were stupid, and just like I told the people on the poker sites that they were stupid when they spouted nonsense about mma.
You don’t have to like wrestling, I definitely don’t watch it very much anymore, but the attitude some of the people have about wrestling is just insane. yes, it’s fake, so is 70% of the shit in the entertainment business. No one is forcing anyone to watch wrestling, no one is forcing you to read the posts on wrestling. If you don’t watch it, good for you, if you don’t want to read about it, don’t.
If you are going to cry because you think wrestling is the lowest common denominator and you think that associating it with MMA is going to “hurt the sport” you need to shut the fuck up and realize that there are a bunch of idiots that think the same thing about mma.
Phildo - January 4, 2012
Because Mayweather is a giant douche that wrestling fans don’t give two shites about. As a boxing fan, I hate his paper tiger, money flaunting ass more than I hate asparagus, and I bloody well hate asparagus. he is a punk, and I would say THAT to his face. Every time I see his Pacquaio dodging ass I swear I want to just puke. He sickens me…rasslers are more real than him, and that’s the truth. RUNTELLTHAT!
Mr. Socko - January 5, 2012 via mobile
Could a more worthless and annoying piece of video (not audio mind you) be found? I dont particularly like this move. I think Chael needs to retain a certain ambiguity regarding his level of sanity. the more he openly associates with the WWE pros the less effective and more dismissable his schtick becomes. If we are continuously reminded that his personality is a slightly more muted and mma version of idiots like this Punk guy then he will find his audience will lose interest. what makes chael special is the fact that he is perceived as unique, a complete one of a kind . Chael, dont dminish your own talent by exposing it’s cheap and common heritage.
Hardy's in your face - January 4, 2012
It's not about that
CM Punk is not gonna cut a promo in a UFC event.
It’s because CM Punk gets this kind of reaction in Chicago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84HA9CyHVSQ
IRodC - January 4, 2012
that shit gives me chills
such a great crowd and moment
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
My favorite thing of the year.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
And Cena's Boos were equally as awesome
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
So basically he gets what The Rock gets in every event whatever city he shows up in?
Jabroni - January 4, 2012
No
Crowds have changed. That kind of reaction is one in a million now.
IRodC - January 5, 2012
What makes Punk an idiot and Sonnen talented?
sun yue - January 4, 2012
Punk isn’t an idiot. i was just judging too quickly on the little information i had. He is far more boring than Chael as far as i can tell. Since you called me out on my big mouth I forced myself to do some resaerch and listen to his mike work. I guess his personality is less arrogant and obnoxious than most of his peers but not particularly interesting as far as i can tell. The main point is that a regular sports fan ,IMO, is less likely to take Chael’s schtick seriously the more he associates with WWE stars cause they are know for insanly flambouyent ramblings.
Hardy's in your face - January 4, 2012
?
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
cripes
the way the top of his hair seems to actually pulsate… hrrghh
Pyrgz Krum - January 4, 2012
I'm assuming you watched his star making shoot promo
sun yue - January 4, 2012
I grew up in the 80's and loved it.
Around 15 dropped it for boxing and MMA. Still, if I ever here some bagpipes I’m waiting Rowdy Roddy Piper to come out.
clarkkentpunch - January 4, 2012
You see his promo with Cena recently?
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
That's too bad.
A lot of my friends who I watch sports with don’t take MMA seriously yet because they feel it’s like WWE and no matter how much I try to tell them what’s different, they always have a comeback about how it has similarities, and they’re always right.
I was hoping to use this event on FOX to bring some of them on board, but I’m thinking that may be a bad idea.
I guess it’s not a problem and fake-fighter is walking out with Chael as long as they don’t mention who he is on the broadcast. Do you think they will? I hope not.
StefR - January 4, 2012
Also, what’s with all the WWE coverage on this site? I know MMA and WWE share a large fan base, but my favorite thing about this site was always its integrity and I think the WWE posts really look bad on this site. Just my opinion.
StefR - January 4, 2012
How does an article that creates discussion hurt its integrity?
Or Intensity?
Or Intelligence?
Thats It For you! - January 4, 2012
HUSTLE. LOYALTY. RESPECT.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
This is true
It’s damn true
IRodC - January 4, 2012
I still find it funny that people thought we had integrity before all this.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
Look bad? Get over yourself. This is the only time I here BS about a sport not having integrity cause it’s related to pro wrestling. If your friends can’t see two guys beating the shit out of each other and think its legitimate, there’s a problem. That’s just laughable. They show WWE and OTHER sports ppl in crowd. Celebrities like David Spade etc. UFC wants the publicity and tons of ppl watch WWE so they’re gonna show them.
Inspectorxr5 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Your friends sound narrow minded and stupid
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
Rogan would point him out
I hope he does cause I think its funny.
Tats16 - January 4, 2012
Your friends are right
There are similarties but if they can’t see what’s a sport and what isn’t then you might be better off letting them find out about MMA themselves.
Holls Hoyce - January 4, 2012
How do they watch sports if they hate wrestling so much?
I mean, they gave up on baseball when bob uecker showed up at wreslemania 3. Maybe if they’re too young for that they gave up when Pete Rose got tombstoned. And I’m sure they gave up on basketball when Karl Malone fought Hulk Hogan, or when Shaq showed up all those times. Can’t watch football since the super bowl when HHH gave Rodgers a belt right after the game last year, and Bret Hart used to own a hockey team, sucks for your friends, I guess.
Phildo - January 4, 2012
You forgot when Big John Studd eliminated William 'The Refrigerator' Perry at Wrestlemania.
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
I guess they all should have given up on MMA when Tito Ortiz was in TNA a long time ago.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
And Frank Trigg
Matthew Roth - January 4, 2012
Tito was there in 05. Trigg’s a headblade loving FOLLOWER!
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
and Frank Trigg
But then again, everyone had given up on Trigg already
IRodC - January 4, 2012
Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn
IRodC - January 4, 2012
And people want to ask about the connection between pro wrestling and MMA...
simpsycho - January 4, 2012
recd
If only I could rec on the an app ;(
AfroSamurai - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
Joe and Goldy won’t have to mention him…odds are the chants of C.M. Punk are gonna do that for them!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
This is the greatest thing I’ve read.
Jessica Rabbit - January 4, 2012
Wow One of two things has happened...
Brock brought all his fans to BE and they arent leaving or mma fans and pro wrestling fans really blend more than I thought sad day for me sad day indeed
AfroSamurai - January 4, 2012 via iPhone app
Why sad?
It’s not like people can’t coexist because they like different things.
IRodC - January 4, 2012
NO EVERYTHING IS OIL AND WATER WE CAN NOT COEXIST!!
MaZZacare - January 4, 2012
If he comes out to Cult of Personality i'll be very happy
Celebrities walk out with fighters in boxing every now and again no difference for this one.
MaZZacare - January 4, 2012
so is this bloodywrastling.com to?
spider webb - January 4, 2012 via mobile
That’s “rasslin’” son, keep it straight!
Mr. Socko - January 4, 2012 via mobile
This is awesome
It will enrage the elitists who get offended when MMA is linked to fake pro-wrestling in any way. It will delight Sonnen fans who already love his pro-wrestling style antics, and it will add to the overall spectacle. All around awesome.
Thor77 - January 4, 2012
Typo
Am I the only one to notice the typo that made it very confusing to read?
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed that Punk will
notcorner Sonnen during the fight.themango69 - January 4, 2012
The WWE is trolling the UFC
Dana’s genial relationship with Vince is starting to be too much. They openly posed the question: “Is Brock was going to go back to the WWE after his loss?” Not the general term wrestling, but the WWE. I thought I was watching a WWE commercial during UFC Tonight. The lines blurring is not a good thing for the UFC. If I’m the UFC I never utter the name WWE, on any program. Ever.
warren305 - January 4, 2012
You’re right.
( . Y . ) - January 4, 2012
You’re wrong
Chris Barton - January 4, 2012
You’re dumb.
Mr. Socko - January 5, 2012 via mobile
maybe if i knew who the hell this CM clown was, i might care…
phantom5691 - January 4, 2012
Google!
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
i didn’t care enough to bother after i read the article
phantom5691 - January 6, 2012
---
Zachary Kater - January 4, 2012
I picture everyone in this comment section
saying your posts with your hand on your hip and a heavy lisp. Possibly while wearing cut-off shorts.
Farthammer - January 4, 2012
I picture you babysitting while awesome things ate taking place elsewhere.
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012 via mobile
What do you have against Nick Ring?
RonSwanson - January 4, 2012
I picture you drinking Crystal Light and worrying that summer is six months away.
Mr. Socko - January 5, 2012 via mobile
I picture you
farting with a hammer in your hand.
Huggy Bear - January 6, 2012
So is Chael going to the WWE after his contract is up or what?
menckenstein - January 5, 2012
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