MMA Fighters Who Could Make the Jump to WWE

Greetings, and welcome to my 100th article written with Bleacher Report!

Mixed martial arts and professional wrestling have been crossing paths for some time.

Guys like Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley and Ken Shamrock have ventured into both, using their skills to become entertaining wrestlers, as well as entertaining fighters.

Lesnar recently made the jump back to the WWE, and it got me wondering: What other mixed martial artists could be in the WWE?

Tito Ortiz

Wrestling name: Tito Ortiz (could be called The Huntington Beach Bad Boy, in the way that Stone Cold was called The Texas Rattlesnake from time to time)

During his championship reign, and even to this day, Tito Ortiz always reminded me of a professional wrestler cutting a promo.

Ortiz has the natural ability and charisma to draw heat or admiration from fans. This versatility could easily make him a heel or an anti-hero.

It helps that he has an amateur wrestling background, as showcased in most of his fights. With a bit of training, Ortiz could be a huge draw in the WWE, as he was in the UFC.

He would be a natural in the ring, as well as on the mic.

Quinton Jackson

Wrestling name: Rampage (leave out Quinton Jackson; Rampage sounds better on its own)

Big slams, pure power and the pro wrestling look. That is what Quinton Jackson brings to the table.

Jackson is an athletic, strong fighter that could make the transition to professional wrestling for more that one reason.

His amateur wrestling, as showcased in his early MMA days, would allow him to pick up the trade quickly.

Jackson also has the ability to cut awesome promos and form tension with opponents. He is another guy, like Tito Ortiz, who would be a great anti-hero or heel. 

When it's all said and done, it would be fun to watch Jackson venture into pro wrestling.

Chael Sonnen

Wrestling name: Chael Sonnen

If there is anybody in mixed martial arts who belongs in professional wrestling, it's Chael Sonnen.

The guy is so witty and quick with his words that he would be sensational on the mic. He would cut epic promos, comparable to those of The Rock.

It also helps that he has a high-level wrestling background in the amateur ranks, which could go a long way in training pro wrestling holds.

Also, he is friends with CM Punk. Just imagine the pipe bombs that those two could drop if given the mic and some camera time.

It would be epic. 

Josh Barnett

Wrestling name: "The War Master" Josh Barnett

Josh Barnett has already competed in a professional wrestling ring before, so he definitely has the experience.

Add to that the fact that he cuts professional wrestling-like promos in interviews, and you have yourself a guy destined for WWE stardom.

Barnett is a catch wrestler, which would aid in learning professional wrestling holds. I could already see him with a finishing submission maneuver and a powerful slam finish.

Barnett is starting to age, but he is still a top heavyweight in MMA. When his career is over, there may be a new career awaiting "The War Master." 

Daniel Cormier

Wrestling name: Daniel Cormier 

A former Olympian in wrestling, Daniel Cormier could follow in the footsteps of Kurt Angle into professional wrestling.

Although I doubt that Cormier would be a great speaker in the WWE, neither was Angle when he started.

After a while, Angle became a great speaker in WWE, and Cormier could do the same, if given time and maybe a manager to do most of his talking.

Cormier's amateur background is far superior to most. He may have the easiest time of anybody mentioned in learning holds and putting together an impressive arsenal of moves.