Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Despite recent reports of Cain Velasquez being in talks with WWE it was still surprising to see the former UFC heavyweight champion step inside of the ring last night (Fri., Oct. 4, 2019) during the SmackDown debut on FOX to take out former rival Brock Lesnar (see it again HERE).
Velasquez has been testing the waters of pro wrestling for a little while now to see if he has what it takes to make a significant crossover from MMA. While we’re still in the early stages of that crossover it seems as if the 37-year-old fighter has found his footing with WWE.
It’s certainly strange to see considering the last time Velasquez and Lesnar were in the same ring together Cain was beating up the WWE champion at UFC 121 to claim the heavyweight title. Their feud has come full circle and has now hit big FOX.
Paying close attention to Velasquez’s WWE crossover is none other than teammate and long-time friend, Daniel Cormier. The former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion tuned in to last night’s SmackDown event to witness Cain enter the ring alongside Rey Mysterio and pummel Lesnar into the canvas. Cormier’s priceless reaction can be seen below, courtesy of ESPN’s Marc Raimondi:
Daniel Cormier’s reaction to his pal Cain Velasquez’s WWE debut was pretty much the best #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/zjP1qKurBf
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) October 5, 2019
“F—k yeah, baby,” screamed Cormier. “Beat his f—king ass again. Oh my goodness.”
“This is crazy. This is so crazy,” he continued. “That didn’t take long. Go back, Brock. Go get some. Go get you some of that, Brock.”
Remember, Cormier has some history with Lesnar as well. “DC” was expected to welcome the WWE star back into the Octagon after an altercation at UFC 226, but their proposed heavyweight superfight fizzled out after Lesnar and UFC were unable to come to terms on a new deal. Seeing Velasquez get his hands back on Lesnar and make him pay inside of the WWE ring must have been a welcomed sight for Cormier, who is also an avid wrestling fan.
Only time will tell how long Velasquez can keep this WWE thing going, but as long as he’s there Cormier will be watching closely. And who knows, maybe Cormier will join Velasquez in the WWE ring after his upcoming trilogy fight with UFC heavyweight king Stipe Miocic.