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World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was interested in recruiting former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight titleholder Chuck Liddell, giving new meaning to the pro wrestling phrase “working stiff.”
And while “The Iceman” is something of a purist when it comes to combat sports, he’s also the kind of guy who doesn’t mind painting his toenails or strutting his stuff on Dancing with the Stars, so we probably shouldn’t rule anything out.
“I used to hang out with Shane McMahon every once in a while, we would go out and party sometimes,” Liddell told ComicBook.com “And he said ‘If you’re ever seriously interested about coming over we should talk.’ I love fighting and I love being in real fighting and I mean I got nothing against WWE. I wouldn’t mind doing that now too. It’s just acting, going out and doing the acting. Those guys do some pretty impressive things in the ring as far as… I mean it’s all staged, but it’s still you know, it’s not easy.”
Liddell, 49, is not the first UFC fighter to be courted by WWE and certainly won’t be the last, though some ex-champions like Cain Velasquez are finding success in pro wrestling promotions outside the reach of the McMahon family.
“One of the things I’ve always had with that sport too, is the difference between my sport and their things, see you’re putting your trust in the other guy not to hurt you,” Liddell continued. “Surrendering your body to him. Like, throw you and hope he doesn’t hurt you. In my sport, I’m responsible for you not hurting me. I like having the responsibility on my end not yours.”
Didn’t seem to be a problem for Tito Ortiz.
Speaking of “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,” that was Liddell’s disastrous last attempt at mounting a UFC comeback so any sort of athletic endeavor at this stage will have to be in some type of ambassador role, unless he’s ready to try his luck inside the squared circle.
D-Von … get the tables!