It’s exhausting to consider that some WWE Superstars have crossed paths on the earth of Blended Martial Arts.
With Wrestling being scripted and a type of sports activities leisure, it usually leaves followers questioning whether or not wrestlers can battle.
Some MMA fighters have made their solution to the WWE, whereas some have reversed the roles to place extra stress on themselves.
These days, it’s extra widespread to see MMA and WWE crossover, primarily with the fighters or wrestlers serving as spectators on the occasions.
Listed here are WWE wrestlers who’ve both succeeded or flopped in MMA.
Succeeded: Brock Lesnar
With a background in American wrestling, it appeared that Lesnar had the potential to pursue a profession in MMA.
However, followers around the globe can be uncertain when he made his first stint in WWE.
‘The Beast’ constructed his title within the WWE from 2000 to 2004, earlier than a two-year run in New Japan Professional Wrestling (NJPW).
After a first-round TKO win at Ok-1, on his MMA debut, Lesnar made his welcome to the UFC, the place he confronted former Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir.
The Webster-born wrestler misplaced his UFC debut by way of a Knee Bar within the first spherical, however hope was not misplaced.
After profitable by unanimous choice at UFC 87 towards Heath Herring, Lesnar surprisingly confronted Randy Couture for the Heavyweight title.
Extremely, ‘The Beast’ grew to become a UFC Champion after defeating Couture by second-round TKO.
The American skilled wrestler earned two title defences with a revengeful TKO win towards Mir, and a shocking comeback submission win towards Shane Carwin.
Lesnar misplaced the UFC Heavyweight Championship to Cain Velasquez by first-round TKO at UFC 121.
In a brief MMA profession, Lesnar proved {that a} wrestler like himself might conquer the world of Fight Sports activities.
Failed: CM Punk
One of many recognisable WWE Superstars who did not shine in MMA was Punk.
The Chicago-born wrestler remarkably earned a multi-fight contract within the UFC, regardless of not having a background in MMA.
Punk made his debut at UFC 203, the place he took on Mickey Gall in a Welterweight bout.
The battle might solely be described as a dominant loss because the debutant suffered a first-round Rear-Bare Choke defeat.
21 months later, ‘The Finest In The World’ returned for his second bout within the UFC.
This time, he confronted Mike Jackson at UFC 225, however followers have been left in shock when this battle was showcased on the principle card.
It was a painful look ahead to UFC and WWE followers as Jackson picked up a brutal unanimous choice win.
Nevertheless, three years after the battle, the bout was overturned to a no-contest after Jackson examined optimistic for marijuana.
This meant that Punk solely has one loss on his professional MMA report, though it’s clear to say that he received’t be returning to MMA.
Succeeded: Bobby Lashley
One man who actually didn’t get sufficient recognition for his work in MMA was Lashley, as he had a somewhat spectacular report.
What was shocking about ‘The Dominator’, is that he was lively as an MMA fighter and knowledgeable wrestler on the identical time.
Lashley started his MMA profession in December 2008 with a first-round TKO win, earlier than ultimately preventing in Strikeforce.
The Kansas-born fighter earned a first-round TKO towards Wes Sims and a second-round TKO loss towards Chad Griggs with the promotion.
Later in his profession, Lashley was contracted by Bellator, preventing 5 occasions for the corporate.
The Heavyweight blended martial artist received all 5 fights, with them ending in stoppages.
The skilled wrestler submitted Josh Burns and Josh Appelt with a Rear-Bare Choke within the second spherical.
Lashley additionally knocked out Karl Etherington, Dan Charles and James Thompson in his two-year Bellator profession.
The 48-year-old has an MMA report of 15-2-0, which isn’t dangerous, contemplating he has way more expertise in skilled wrestling.
Failed: Alberto Del Rio (Alberto Rodriguez)
Whereas having a good MMA report, it’s truthful to say that Del Rio’s profession was somewhat underwhelming.
The Mexican’s debut started at MMA promotion DEEP, the place he scored a first-round TKO win over Kengo Watanabe.
Nevertheless, Watanabe did earn revenge as he submitted the skilled wrestler with a Rear-Bare Choke of their rematch.
Del Rio earned two submission victories and a disqualification loss earlier than making his presence recognized with PRIDE FC.
The San Luis Potosi-born fighter confronted Mirko Cro Cop on his debut, however misplaced by first-round knockout from a head kick.
After one other loss in PRIDE FC, ‘Dos Caras Jr’ started a six-fight win streak, together with 5 consecutive submissions.
Though 4 of these fights have been in a regional occasion in Mexico, making these victories much less credible.
After struggling a TKO loss in February 2010, Del Rio wouldn’t battle once more till December 2019 when he took on former UFC Mild Heavyweight Champion, Tito Ortiz.
The Heavyweight fighter went face-to-face with the Californian at Combate Americas, the place Ortiz submitted Del Rio with a Rear-Bare Choke.
Whereas the Mexican proved he might battle, he couldn’t compete towards world-class opponents.
