Coming off what critics and fans are calling an impressive North American debut for Pride FC, some are speculating that there may be another high-profile company seeking to get into the Mixed Martial Arts industry: WWE.This much we know. WWE is very interested in the services of Bob Sapp. Sapp is a legend in MMA and professional wrestling as he has competed in Pride, K1 and is a former IWGP champion with New Japan Pro Wrestling. What we don’t know is what the WWE wants to do with “The Beast.” Could he be just a charismatic big man who will be fed to Batista? Or does the WWE want to build a fourth brand around the MMA star.
What is also confirmed is that Shane McMahon was an invited guest to the Pride Real Deal pay-per-view show in Las Vegas. Now why would Pride want Shane-O-Mac there?
Whether the WWE is crazy enough to get into the MMA world is unknown. History has shown that Vince loves to branch out from wrestling as he did with the XFL and World Bodybuilding Federation. As much as he branches out, Vince always fails and can never duplicate his professional wrestling success with other ventures.
One fact is certain. The WWE has the money and a history of strong television properties. But what else do they need? Big name fighters are available as we’ve mentioned. Ken Shamrock is coming off competing in the most watched MMA match in North American history and Royce Gracie recently faced off with UFC Welterweight champ Matt Hughes and drew over 600,000 buys on pay-per-view. Stars are available. The most important piece of the puzzle is not a fighter. They need a brain behind the operation.
One of the biggest moves the UFC made this year was hiring former Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Marc Ratner. In hiring Ratner, UFC hired a man who has a solid reputation and is helping to establish Mixed Martial Arts as a true sport. Ratner is working along side UFC to educate athletic commissions across North America where MMA is illegal (that includes Ontario and New York) that MMA is a legitimate sports entity.
It is that kind of legitimacy the WWE needs. Can they get Ratner? Unlikely, but Vince needs to actively seek out an experienced Mixed Martial Arts expert who has experience in dealing with athletic commissions to establish a WWE sponsored MMA group.
There are a host of problems that could spring up if WWE decides to go down this road. Not the least of which is what this does to the wrestling properties. One company cannot promote a legit sport along side professional wrestling. How are fans expected to buy into a worked program when during “Raw” they’re going to see commercials to promote a real fight?
The wrestling brands would likely suffer. But, is that the idea? Could the WWE be quietly seeing the demise of professional wrestling and maybe getting on the MMA bandwagon before it’s too late?
If Japan is any indication, then yes. The professional wrestling industry in Japan is on life-support as fans got caught up in seeing real fights in Pride and K1. Wrestling fans no longer cared about seeing a worked match when shoot matches offered more exciting fights and stars. Is this the same fate professional wrestling in North America will suffer?
I always thought it would never happen here. Pro wrestling would be in North America forever because the WWE was simply too big and always had money to compete. However, now it seems Vince wants to cash in his chips and find a new game.
7 comments: on "Is WWE Entering MMA?"
I really don't know what to think of this. Being a supporter of and training to be in MMA, as well as being a fan of wrestling, makes me wonder about Vince's intentions.
If he wants to sign old man Shamrock, that's fine...just don't plan to use him for in-ring MMA action. His past three fights (one against Franklin, two against Ortiz) have proven he can't hack it anymore. I could see Shamrock being in some kind of comissioner role and I think that would be better for him.
Bob Sapp on the other hand is a monster. If he was brought in to just be another body fed to Batista, then it would be a waste of time. Of course you probably didn't need to see me type that out to figure it out for yourselves. The best plan for "The Beast" is to slowly build a MMA division around guys like him, Sylvester Terkay, maybe even a few guys from IFL like Renzo and Ryan Gracie, or some guys that are just starting out their MMA careers. Oh yeah...you can't forget Dan Severn.
For Vince to have a successful MMA organization, he would obviously have to distance it far, far away from it having anything to do with professional wrestling. That would mean no cameos for MMA talent, no crossover storylines, no nothing. Sure you could mention that guys like Sapp, Shamrock, and Severn have had tremendous success in pro wrestling in the past, but MMA fans don't really want to hear about that or even see them in a pro wrestling ring. They want to see two guys in a ring (octagon or boxing), bleeding, bruised up, and with a possible broken arm or leg.
Eh Vince should stick to what he's adequate at: his own specific brand of professional wrestling. When he attempted the XFL... it failed miserably. When he attempted booking for WCW... it failed... miserably. Now that he's trying to rekindle the magic of ECW, guess whats happening?
I would, however, support him adding a little MMA flavor to the WWE. And that doesnt mean bring them in as wrestlers alone, but add MMA tempo and style to the WWE product. (For an example think Kurt Angle's amateur wrestling flavor in his professional wrestling style) It would mean for a more realistic, more snark-friendly atmosphere.
Keep this in mind...
one of the main reason the XFL failed was because the mainstream sports media never took it seriously....
mainstream acceptance means shit when you're talking MMA...
Sure UFC has SOME with national TV - but you don't see highlights on Sports Centre
I think you're jumping to conclusions... Vince is dedicated to the wrestling industry... i dont see how you jumped from his interest in Bob Sapp and Shane getting invited to a show would cause you to lose your mind... Bob sapp has a WWE look.. and rich/famous people get invited to events all the time... once again TheOShow.com throws out another CRAPPY article lacking any common sense
I'm sorry that you're such a terrible writer...
" However, now it seems Vince wants to cash in his chips and find a new game."
That doesn't read as a "what if" statement... or a possibility... it comes off as if it is already fact...
Do I think Vince will put his hand in the MMA market? you ask... YES I DO!!! Will he "cash all his chips in" and leave wrestling behind? NO it has made the man a BILLIONAIRE... How dumb do you think the man is? better question how dumb do the think the board of WWE, Inc. is?
No great business man ditches the foundation of their company for a branch "adventure"... and YES Vince is a great business man... if he wasnt you wouldn't be writing about him
Thank you,
I just believe that this site has great potential and anyone given the chance to write an article should be %100 on the top of their game.
i thought about you again when i ......well..you know donnie you sexi bitch;)
Post a Comment