Conor McGregor vs. Finn Balor Is Best Potential WrestleMania Bout for UFC Star

Should Conor McGregor take his peacocking and hard-hitting ways onto the WWE WrestleMania stage, Finn Balor is the best Superstar to be waiting for him there.

The UFC lightweight champion is the kind of crossover star WWE gladly welcomes at its biggest show of the year. He's a megastar with a mantle full of championship belts. He's a trash-talking artist with a larger-than-life personality. 

And he may be making the natural move toward sports entertainment before long. Adam Higgins reported for The Sun: "The Dublin bruiser is in talks to get back into the ring for a megabucks wrestling match against one of World Wrestling Entertainment's biggest stars."

If that results in McGregor being a part of WrestleMania 34 next year in New Orleans, Louisiana, The Notorious One would follow Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mike Tyson as big-name fighters to grace The Show of Shows. 

Just about any matchup WWE could offer him would be huge. But WWE would be best off using this opportunity to launch a rising star.

John Cena doesn't need any added exposure. Randy Orton doesn't need the rub that would come with trading blows with McGregor.

Balor, on the other hand, is a less-established name. He's an electric, magnetic athletic that could be a cornerstone for the New Era for the next few years. Facing McGregor would be monumental in his climb, giving him a major WrestleMania moment, win or lose.

At last year's WrestleMania, Balor didn't make the card in a head-scratching waste of talent. Making his debut a clash with McGregor that mainstream media will be all over will more than make up for that. 

Plus, Balor (5'11", 190 pounds) won't tower over the 5'9" McGregor like some other Superstars would.

He's good for the UFC megastar in that way. It would make good sense aesthetically not to give McGregor a giant to work with.

There are also potential storylines to tap into thanks to each man's nationality.

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As this would be a battle of two Irishmen, WWE could create a subplot around Balor not believing McGregor represents his home country well as he's too arrogant and uncouth. The UFC knockout artist could retort that Balor isn't tough enough to be a real Irishman.  

Balor wouldn't be able to hang with McGregor on the mic like Mayweather did ahead of their marquee boxing match. The Notorious One would carry the load during that part of the process while Balor took over once the bell rang.

WWE also has to consider the best way to lead to a good showing for The Notorious One. He's clearly a world-class fighter, but pro wrestling will be alien territory for him. A well-traveled veteran and ring general like Balor is a good choice to ease that transition.

The Demon King has thrived against a variety of opponents, from the powerhouse Kevin Owens to the speedy Seth Rollins. Balor would help lead McGregor to a strong match, one that would feature a good mix of fighting and flying.

WWE can't really go wrong no matter how it welcomes McGregor to WrestleMania, but a bout against Balor would be oh so right.