5 Pro Wrestling Stars We'd Like to See Follow CM Punk into MMA

CM Punk is in the UFC whether you like it or not. This is true, and whether you agree or disagree with it, it will draw eyes and money.

There's no secret that the WWE is bigger than the UFC. It has been around longer and reaches a wider audience. That's why when a pro wrestler jumps to MMA, it's such a bigger deal in fans' eyes.

With Punk's arrival to the UFC, as well as other pro wrestlers trying out MMA such as Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley and Dave Bautista, it got fans thinking if others could follow suit as well.

Although it could be unlikely more join, which other wrestlers could make the jump to MMA in the aftermath of the Punk-UFC alliance? Here are five wrestlers who could make a splash given their backgrounds.

Shelton Benjamin

At 39 years of age, the window may be closing on Shelton Benjamin if he jumped to MMA. However, given his athleticism, wrestling background and overall toughness, a brief try at MMA could be worth it.

Benjamin was a teammate of Brock Lesnar at the University of Minnesota, where he wrestled and was a two-time All-American grappler. He also broke into the pro wrestling business with Lesnar, as they were a tag team in OVW, the affiliate wrestling program with the WWE at the time.

Benjamin is seemingly a quick learner too. He took up wrestling as a sophomore in high school and went on to be a star in only a short time. That learning curve could be crucial in MMA.

Watch any of Benjamin's matches just to see how insanely athletic he is. In addition to being a decorated wrestler and long-time employee of the WWE, Benjamin was a track star in high school and community college before Minnesota. 

You can't teach athleticism, which is why some of the most raw fighters can be successful if they have that natural gift. You probably wouldn't see a long-standing MMA career for Benjamin, but it would be a fun ride to go along on.

Potential Weight Class: Light Heavyweight/Heavyweight (billed at around 248 pounds in wrestling)

Alberto Del Rio

Yes, I know Alberto Del Rio has already competed in MMA. I also know that he is 37 years old, which is pretty old in MMA years.

However, given the background of del Rio and the star power he could draw, especially in Latin America, a few more fights in MMA would probably be worth the payday for the former Dos Caras Jr.

Del Rio has an impressive amateur wrestling background, being one of the most decorated Greco-Roman wrestlers from Mexico. He won third at the World Junior Championships in 1997 and medaled at the Pan-Am Games. He was supposed to compete in the 2000 Olympics in Australia, but due to lack of funding, Mexico did not send a wrestling team. 

As a pro MMA fighter, Del Rio (real name Jose Alberto Rodriguez) was 9-5 while mostly in Japan and Central America.

He was known for his submission wrestling skills, which accounted for seven of his nine wins. He stepped in the squared circle with names like Kazuhiro Nakamura and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, and even owns a victory over UFC veteran Brad Kohler.

He has name value and recognition, which is why he could negotiate a strong contract and bring attention to his fight. That's why a place like WSOF or Bellator would be an awesome platform for him, especially considering he has MMA experience. 

Potential Weight Class: Light Heavyweight/Heavyweight (billed at around 240 pounds in wrestling)

Jack Swagger

If there is a guy who has been stop-start pushed in wrestling over the last few years, it's Jack Swagger. He is a good professional wrestler, but given his background, he could be a strong MMA competitor. 

Swagger, born Donald "Jake" Hager, was an All-American wrestler at the University of Oklahoma after giving up on football, where he was a defensive tackle for the college. He set a record for the most pins in a season, showing how talented he was on the wrestling mat. 

He is a large man with the gift of quickness and athleticism as well. He is billed around 6'7" in wrestling and about 275 pounds. If that is indeed true, which it is likely slightly embellished, Swagger would have an athleticism and quickness edge over most guys he stepped in the cage with.

Like most guys coming from wrestling backgrounds, Swagger would need to work on his striking. However, the fact that he is such a naturally gifted individual with a strong wrestling background, he could find some success if he puts in the time. 

And at 32 years old, there is still time left. However, the window closes more and more each day.

Potential Weight Class: Heavyweight (billed at around 275 pounds in wrestling)

Wade Barrett

A name you may not think of that could be an interesting MMA fighter is Wade Barrett, mostly because, unlike the three other men mentioned so far, he doesn't have an amateur wrestling background. Barrett is a striker.

Barrett, whose real name is Stuart Bennett, was a champion bare-knuckle boxer in Europe before coming to pro wrestling notoriety. He incorporated that gimmick into his wrestling character, which caused fans to believe it was merely a gimmick, but his tough-man skills are legit.

He is also a very large man. Billed at 6'7", Barrett, like Swagger before him, would be a big, strong heavyweight with superior athletic ability and big-time power.

However, like the other men on this list, he is getting up there in age, especially for athletic prime. At 34 years old, the man we now know as "Bad News Barrett" would need to hurry up on training if he were to make a splash.

Potential Weight Class: Heavyweight (billed at around 246 pounds in wrestling)

Eve Torres

The lone woman on this list, Eve Torres is a legitimate martial artist and fighter, something you rarely see from women in the WWE these days. She is also married to Rener Gracie, her Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and a great coach.

Torres has trained in kickboxing and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt under Gracie. She has even been featured on the Gracie Breakdown videos, where she has broken down submissions and grappling exchanges step by step.

You can even see her training background in some of her WWE move sets. She has used a variation of kicks, armbars and even triangle chokes her matches. That could be lifted from her time on the BJJ mat and striking training.

She runs a women's self-defense program, which shows she knows what she's doing. That, in unison with her training background, shows she can handle herself when push comes to shove.

She also has the look that the UFC seemingly looks for. She could be marketable with her pro wrestling background and looks combined, which would give WMMA another star that they need.

Potential Weight Class: Bantamweight (billed at around 135 pounds in wrestling)