5 UFC Stars We'd Love to See Try Pro Wrestling in WWE

Mention the words "professional wrestling" to an MMA fan and you're likely to get one of two reactions—either a knowing nod or a disgusted sneer. No one is on the fence. There is no middle ground. You either embrace the madness or reject it out of hand. 

But, like it or not, wrestling has always walked hand-in-hand with mixed martial arts.

In America, the sport was built by the Gracie family. They were trained by a former pro wrestler Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese grappler who shared a lifetime's experience on the mat with the Brazilians who made ground fighting their world. Royce, the Gracie brother who dominated the Octagon in the early years, found archrivals in pro wrestlers Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn—just like his father.

Fighters like Kimo, Tank Abbott and Tito Ortiz followed their example, borrowing liberally from the pro wrestling they had grown up with on television, to become larger-than-life characters who made fans care. By the time Brock Lesnar finally arrived, a pro wrestling ethos was firmly in place.

In Japan, the connection is even more explicit. Pancrase was built by pro wrestlers who took their shoot style to the next level, keeping the strikes and submission holds and eliminating the predetermined endings. Pride Fighting Championships, likewise, was a promotion carried on the broad backs of pro wrestlers, with Nobuhiko Takada, Kazushi Sakuraba and Naoya Ogawa leading the way at the box office.

The talent flow, of course, also went the other direction. Wrestlers like Don Frye and Abbott gave wrestling a shot, and both Shamrock and Severn graduated from the independent scene to the WWE thanks to their UFC fame. Wrestlers like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and even the Undertaker have also borrowed moves and mannerisms from the world of mixed martial arts. 

It's no one-way street. 

Although we often hear about wrestlers like Bobby Lashley and Dave Bautista trying their hand at MMA, we rarely consider a move in the other direction. Yes, "King" Mo Lawal was signed to work for both Bellator and TNA—a move that didn't quite work out for either group. 

But what about WWE? That's the big leagues, where the best of the best scrap for position, money and power. Could anyone from the UFC swim with those sharks? 

I think the answer is clearly a resounding "yes." In fact, here are five stars who would make it big in the wacky world of WWE. Have some names to add to the list? Hit me up in the comments.

5. Conor McGregor

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Wrestling Character

Son of Fit Finlay. A cocky Irishman who is quick to anger. You don't want to catch him with his blood up—and his blood is always up.

Analysis

You know a fighter has pro wrestling potential when he manages to convince the MMA world he's among the true elites before he's ever faced anyone within sniffing distance of the top 10. McGregor may indeed be a great fighter—but it's way too early to tell. The fact we are even considering it is a huge feather in his cap.

What makes McGregor such a compelling prospect is his undeniable charisma. He's a great communicator, and there's an arrogance that practically drips from his pores. He's born to be the heel that fans love to hate.

Potential

A little small to mount an attack on the top of the card, McGregor could end up being a midcard staple. He would be the kind of wrestler who could help carry that middle portion of a three-hour Monday Night Raw, the hour that kind of drags along. He'd be an important cog in the machine, but nothing more.

Grade: B

4. Chael Sonnen

Wrestling Character

The greats play an amplified version of themselves. So, rather than call himself "Shooter" Jake Rocksoff or something, Sonnen could just be "Chael Sonnen." He'd be the Chael we know with the volume turned up to 13.

You couldn't make up a more interesting back story if you tried. Equal parts hero and villain, Sonnen is one of the most complex and fascinating men ever to step into the cage. 

Analysis

This is the perfect fit for Sonnen, who became a WWE character at times without ever once stepping into the wrestling ring. He came to prominence biting classic wrestling promos from greats like "Superstar" Billy Graham and, remarkably, managed to pull it off.

What's great about Sonnen is his diversity. Sometimes, he's playing a hyperconfident and delusional character, a grandiose doofus who carries a UFC title belt to press conferences even though he isn't the champion. At other times, he's thoughtful, perceptive and caring.

In the world of professional wrestling, this constitutes a pretty broad range, making Chael the kind of wrestler who can walk that aisle as both a good guy and a bad guy.

Potential

Amateur wrestlers have had a lot of success in the WWE ring. Everyone knows about Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, who rose to the top of the promotion. But midcard stalwarts like Jack Swagger and Shelton Benjamin also got their start on the amateur mats.

That bodes well for Sonnen. His age, however, does not. At 37 he's a little bit like Luke Skywalker in Empire—too old to begin the training. If he's going to make it, he'd have to do so immediately. 

Grade: B

3. Joe Rogan

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Wrestling Character

Conspiracy theorist. Angry intellectual. Pot-smoking dreamer. Who needs a wrestling character? You're already Joe Rogan!

Analysis

We know that Joe Rogan is no fan of wrestling. Apparently, a guy most famous for watching people eat bugs on reality television and making loud noises during professional cage fights is too fancy for the sport of kings. 

But here's the thing—Rogan would be an amazing pro wrestling announcer. On the microphone he's a force of nature, propelled forward by enthusiasm and a contagious energy that make things fun.

Beyond that, he actually seems to have a real knack for wrestling storylines. Even when mercilessly mocking his guest for his love of all things WWE, Rogan couldn't help but come up with some pretty nifty ideas, including a "metrosexual Undertaker." The man has a gift. 

Potential

Rogan is a great television announcer. He's funny but also manly enough to hold his own in the macho WWE locker room. He'd be a breath of fresh air replacing Jerry "The King" Lawler—part Jesse Ventura and part Gordon Solie. Someone needs to back a Brinks truck into his driveway and make this happen.  

Grade: A-

2. Dana White

Wrestling Character

Outlandish and boorish blowhard who seeks petty revenge for the smallest slights. Rude, crude and socially unacceptable mouthpiece for some of the world's toughest men, selling the audience at home on watching them compete. 

I wonder if he'd be able to pull it off?

Analysis

Dana White's face turns an unbelievable shade of red when he gets angry—which is pretty much daily. He raises his voice—a lot. Dana White doesn't have enemies—he has victims. 

Sound at all familiar?

He's Captain Lou Albano with less hair and a dearth of rubber bands. He's Jim Cornette without the accent and the tennis racket. He's Bobby Heenan without the bright white suit. 

White isn't just the perfect man to play a pro wrestling manager. He actually is a living, breathing example of the archetype.  

Potential

Endless. While different in tone and style, White could give Paul Heyman a run for his money. He's been the face of the UFC for a decade for a reason. His charisma is undeniable. You could put him with almost any WWE Superstar and be looking at a future world champion.  

Grade: A

1. Ronda Rousey

Wrestling Character

The temptation would be to make her an All American, kind of the female Kurt Angle. That would be a huge mistake. Rousey isn't a babyface—she's a born heel.

She'd be best as a cocky and overbearing athlete, a woman who knows she's good and isn't interested in hiding it. She's MVP in a dress and heels.

Analysis

While Rousey's teammates have tried desperately to make themselves relevant with a "Four Horsewomen" gimmick, the truth is fairly obvious to all—Rousey is the attraction there. Everyone else is a coattail rider to varying degrees.

Watching Rousey in The Expendables 3 was a revelation. She mastered the role of "action hero" so quickly and effortlessly, you can't help but think she has the same potential to jump right into the mix in WWE.

The combination of judo throws, brutal trash talk and that withering and dismissive glare is thrilling to think about. Even better? As a WWE Diva she'd even be able to take on men, something oft discussed but impossible to execute in the UFC.

Potential

Rousey would immediately become the most famous and popular WWE Diva of all time. More than that, her athleticism and drive would force WWE to reconsider how it does business. Right now the Divas are an afterthought. With Rousey on board, the women would finally get a chance to be equal partners. That's a pretty big deal.  

Grade: A+