Tag: WWE

Video – Tai Tuivasa chugs beer in shoey at WWE Eliminator Chamber event ahead of UFC return next month

Tai Tuivasa chugs beer in shoey at WWE Eliminator Chamber ahead of UFC return next monthUFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa did a shoey in front of a cheering WWE crowd last night.  Alongside WWE wrestler…

Tai Tuivasa chugs beer in shoey at WWE Eliminator Chamber ahead of UFC return next month

UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa did a shoey in front of a cheering WWE crowd last night. 

Alongside WWE wrestler Grayson Waller, Tai Tuivasa drank one of his now synonymous shoeys, in which someone pours a drink, usually beer, into the shoe and drinks it. Check out the clip below.

Tuivasa is due to fight in just a couple of weeks against fellow contender, Marcin Tybura. The 30-year-old brawler is currently on his third loss in a row, all of which have come within the distance. 

The Australian is a fan favourite, but he cannot rely on that forever and must start producing results should he wish to continue to fight in the UFC. However, Tuivasa does have that all important equalizer and is a dangerous opponent for any anyone on his day. 

Tai Tuivasa becomes latest UFC star to appear on WWE

With the monumental merger of the UFC and WWE to form the TKO Holdings Group, it was expected that cross-over promotion was going to begin to crop up. Michael Chandler was ringside at a WWE show earlier this week and took the opportunity to further call out Conor McGregor. 

“Two minutes before, they said, ‘Hey, they’re going to put the camera on you.’ I said, ‘Why don’t you give me that microphone?’”  Chandler said of his WWE promo. “And they said, ‘Hold on, let me run it up the flagpole real quick.’ And then about a minute later, they said, ‘Hey, you’re going on in a minute and you’re going to get the microphone if you want the microphone,’ and then magic happened…less than five minutes [of notice]. There was nothing prepared. Nothing. I was thrown into the fire. Smacked myself a couple of times and then we went.”

Who do you think will be next to appear on a WWE broadcast after Tai Tuivasa?

‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin has two UFC fighters he would love to see crossover into the WWE

Steve AustinWWE Hall of Famer ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin would love to see two of the UFC’s biggest stars cross…

Steve Austin

WWE Hall of Famer ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin would love to see two of the UFC’s biggest stars cross over into the world of sports entertainment.

With WWE and the UFC merged under the TKO Group banner, the barrier between professional wrestling and mixed martial arts is thinning. That much was apparent on Monday night when former Bellator MMA champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler showed up on RAW and cut a promo on Conor McGregor. Following the appearance, rumors began circulating that the two fighters could end up involved in some type of feud culminating at the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania, which just so happens to go down one week before UFC 300.

Asked for his opinion on which UFC stars could potentially cross over into the WWE, Attitude Era icon Steve Austin immediately had two names in mind.

“If I’m going right now, I’m going Sean Strickland,” Austin said in an interview with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “I like Sean Strickland. Boy, he stays economical in the Octagon. But what a promo!

“Then I go Colby Covington. All the trash talk talk, all the athletic ability. Guy never runs out of gas, he’s always in shape. Talks a mean streak and can back it up. He’s very exciting, he has that X factor that you always look for. He’s double tough.”

Colby Covington would likely make a perfect addition to the WWE roster. After all, he’s been perfecting his ‘Chaos’ persona for years in front of UFC fans. Strickland however, would likely present a PR nightmare for Triple H and Co. Something the WWE certainly wants to avoid these days.

Of course, fans have already seen plenty of stars crossover through the years. After successful runs in the UFC, both Ronda Rousey and Matt Riddle moved to professional wrestling and found further fame. On the flip side, WWE Superstars Brock Lesnar and CM Punk decided to test their mettle inside the Octagon after becoming two of pro wrestling’s biggest names. Brock Lesnar went on to become the UFC heavyweight champion, defeating Randy Couture at UFC 91. He would defend successfully the title against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin.

Punk, on the other hand, went 0-2 inside the Octagon, though his sophomore appearance against Mike Jackson was ultimately overturned to a no-contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.

Video – Michael Chandler unleashes promo on Conor McGregor at WWE event: ‘We have unfinished business, boy’

Michael Chandler issues promo to Conor McGregor at WWE event we have unfinished businessFormer lightweight championship challenger, Michael Chandler has unleashed another scathing promo on former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – this…

Michael Chandler issues promo to Conor McGregor at WWE event we have unfinished business

Former lightweight championship challenger, Michael Chandler has unleashed another scathing promo on former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – this time from the barricade alongside the WWE universe, urging the UFC star to finally make good on his return to the Octagon.

Chandler, the current number five ranked lightweight contender, has himself been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured on the main card of UFC 281 back in 2022, slumping to an eventual third round rear-naked choke submission loss to common-foe, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s high-stakes clash.

As for McGregor, the summer will mark three years since the Dubliner’s most recent outing, having fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to the aforenoted, Poirier in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.

And expected to fight Kill Cliff FC staple, Chandler in his long-anticipated return to the Octagon, McGregor – who called for a June return during International Fight Week at UFC 302, has been denied as hasty a return as he wishes, with UFC CEO, Dana White claiming things are far from concrete on his comeback.

Michael Chandler calls for Conor McGregor at WWE event

Continually chasing a fight with the ex-two-weight champion, Chandler attended a professional wrestling event with the WWE – now-under the TKO Group banner alongside the UFC banner, before issuing a massive promo, calling for a fight with McGregor to much fanfare.

“Hey, what’s up, Anaheim?” Michael Chandler said. “You are now in the presence of the most entertaining UFC fighter on the planet. Now, there’s a man from Ireland that’s been making me wait for way too long.”

“And I still got one dude on my mind,” Michael Chandler. “Conor McGregor, get your candy-ass back to the Octagon, we got some unfinished business, boy. God bless. I’ll see you at the top.” 

Do you think we ever see Conor McGregor fight Michael Chandler?

Michael Chandler headed to WWE after missing out on UFC 300 headliner with Conor McGregor

Michael Chandler to WWE RawMichael Chandler is headed to WWE Raw after failing to secure the UFC 300 headliner. The former Bellator MMA…

Michael Chandler to WWE Raw

Michael Chandler is headed to WWE Raw after failing to secure the UFC 300 headliner.

The former Bellator MMA champion seems content to wait for Irish megastar Conor McGregor to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. When, or if that even happens remains a mystery to everyone, including Dana White. The UFC CEO recently suggested that a fall return could be in the cards for the former two-division titleholder, but even that seems uncertain.

Over the last several months, rumors ran rampant suggesting that the pair would finally deliver their TUF 31 payoff in the UFC 300 headliner on April 13. We now know that won’t be the case after White revealed that Alex Pereira will put his light heavyweight title on the line against former champion Jamahal Hill in the landmark event’s headliner.

“What could have been,” Chandler wrote on X, referencing the missed opportunity to headline UFC 300 opposite McGregor.

Michael Chandler is Headed to WWE Raw

Instead of sitting around waiting, Michael Chandler is headed to WWE Raw on Monday night in Anaheim — the site of last weekend’s UFC 298 card. Unfortunately, it appears as though Chandler’s appearance will be purely promotional so don’t expect him to jump inside the ring and mix it up with Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns.

“See yall at #WWERaw tomorrow night,” Chandler posted.

Of course, WWE and the UFC are housed under the same parent company — TKO Group — allowing for stars from both organizations to make crossover appearances.

Will you be tuning into WWE’s flagship show on Monday night as the promotion quickly approaches the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania?

Seth Rollins says UFC fighters — like Ronda Rousey — can’t hack WWE’s rigorous road schedule

Seth Rollins on Ronda Rousey and UFC fightersSeth Rollins doesn’t think UFC fighters could handle the rigorous travel schedule required to become a bonafide WWE Superstar….

Seth Rollins on Ronda Rousey and UFC fighters

Seth Rollins doesn’t think UFC fighters could handle the rigorous travel schedule required to become a bonafide WWE Superstar.

Last year, UFC’s parent company — TKO Group — announced a blockbuster deal to acquire World Wrestling Entertainment, bringing the two entities under one umbrella. Following the news, rumors immediately began to fly about potential crossovers between the two beloved brands. Asked about their universes potentially merging like something out of a Marvel movie, Rollins was quick to suggest that UFC fighters would struggle with the hectic work schedule of a WWE Superstar.

Rolling specifically referenced former UFC women’s world champion Ronda Rousey who walked away from the WWE in October nearly two years removed from her return at the 2022 Royal Rumble.

“I don’t want to knock Ronda Rousey because I love Ronda,” Rollins told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “She did a lot for our industry, for women in our industry, and the fight industry in general, but it was tough for Ronda. She tried her damnedest and it was hard for her.

“But I don’t know, I’d love for somebody to come over and take a crack if you think you can hang. But it’s hard.”

While it is true that professional fighters typically train year-round, they may only step inside the Octagon 2-3 times per year whereas a WWE Superstar will wrestle in front of a live crowd more than 100 times over a 365 day period. fighters also get the privilege of staying and training in one spot whereas wrestlers are required to be on the road 3-4 days per week, traveling cross country and oftentimes overseas.

And don’t even get Rollins started on all the media obligations that come with being a WWE Superstar.

“They don’t have the stamina for it,” Rollins said. “They don’t fight every single weekend. This championship goes everywhere. It goes everywhere. It goes to like Biloxi, [Miss.]. And especially the top stars over there, they’re catered to a certain way, and that’s great. That’s their style. That’s what works for them. You fight maybe once, twice a year. You’re crazy, you’re fighting three times a year.

“But to fight over 100 times a year, make all those towns, still be able to train, still be able to do all the media, it’s an exhausting industry.”

Seth Rollins throws shade at CM Punk’s UFC Run

Rollins made it clear that he has the utmost respect for professional fighters, admitting that he’d probably get smoked stepping into the cage with any one of them, though he’d still probably fare better than Chi-Town’s favorite Second City Saint did in his brief UFC run.

“I call them all out. I don’t care. Try it out,” Rollins said. “I can’t do what they do. I’d go in there and get knocked out and choked out in two seconds. I’d probably do better than [CM] Punk, but I still would lose most likely.

“They can’t come and do what we do either. They’re the same umbrella but two totally different worlds.”

After cutting his teeth in indie promotions like SCW Pro, NWA No Limits, and IWA Mid-South, Rollins — known as Tyler Black back then — has emerged as one of the biggest names in all of sports entertainment. Currently, he is closing in on a year as the promotion’s World Heavyweight Champion and is expected to play a pivotal role in this year’s 40th edition of WrestleMania.

Former WWE Superstar Matt Riddle open to making UFC return: ‘I can communicate with anybody’

Matt RiddleFormer UFC fighter turned professional wrestler Matt Riddle is open to making a move back to the Octagon. Riddle,…

Matt Riddle

Former UFC fighter turned professional wrestler Matt Riddle is open to making a move back to the Octagon.

Riddle, who made his UFC debut as part of The Ultimate Fighter 7 in 2008, went on to have a fairly successful career in mixed martial arts, amassing an 8-3 record with all, but one of his fights coming under the UFC banner. Unfortunately, Riddle found himself in a bit of hot water with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on more than one occasion.

Following a submission victory of Chris Clements in July 2012, the bout was overturned after Riddle tested positive for marijuana. Less than a year later, a split decision win in his favor was also changed to a no-contest after he once again tested positive for marijuana. Riddle was subsequently released from the promotion.

Without positive marijuana tests, Riddle would have held a record of 10-3 with a five-fight win streak.

After one fight with Titan FC, Riddle closed the book on his combat sports career and made the move to sports entertainment. Developing a massive fan following on the indie scene, he signed with the WWE in 2018 and spent five years with the promotion before parting ways in late 2023.

Matt Riddle Doesn’t See Dana White Taking His Call

During a sit-down interview with Chris Van Vliet, Riddle revealed that he would be more than willing to speak with Dana White regarding a return to the Octagon, but he can’t realistically see the UFC CEO taking his call at this point.

“I mean, I can communicate with anybody,” Riddle said. “I’ll talk to anybody, I don’t mind. I don’t think he would take my call and I don’t blame him. I mean, he’s got a lot going on and if I fought 10 times or maybe five times, I knocked out five people in a row right now, and I’m like the best in the world I might get a call.

“But if I’m not fighting top talent and beating top talent, he runs the UFC, he runs the best fighting organization in the world and he’s not in it for, per se, money fights. They have been in the past, but I don’t think that’s his objective. I think his objective is to add the top-ranked fighters and see who the best in the world is, and by default, you’re probably gonna get entertainment out of that” (h/t MMA Knockout).

Riddle added that he is also open to potentially competing in the Professional Fighters League, so long as they come correct with their offer.