WWE: Linking All 30 MLB Teams to WWE Superstars

In the beginning of April, there are two things that I watch the most closely: the WWE and baseball. While Major League Baseball has just begun their season, the WWE is just getting over WrestleMania. Many consider 'Mania to be the championship of the WWE year, meaning that you can argue that both are beginning new seasons right now.

It got me thinking if there was a way to combine my two current passions and link MLB to WWE. All 30 MLB franchises are connected to current and active WWE superstars as best as possible. Some links are better than others are, but it is all in good fun. Please enjoy.

NOTE: Any facts about either the MLB team or professional wrestler that may be deemed insensitive or disrespectful to the other are strictly coincidence, unless addressed in the slide and were not factored into why the pair was connected.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Sin Cara

We don't know much about Sin Cara in WWE. The masked luchador is known by many around the world as one of the top high-flying threats in the squared circle. While the luchador style is almost a lost art these days, Sin Cara looks to be taking off from where Rey Mysterio will likely leave off when he retires in the coming years.

As for the Diamondbacks, they are a quirky young team. They have many athletic pieces. When things are working, they can be as hot as the Arizona sun that they play in. They also have worn a few different colors and designs in their short history, something that is almost a trademark of luchadors.

While many luchadors don't seem to possess the ability to be a world champion, many feel that Sin Cara could be in line for gold in the coming months and years, possibly of the world championship kind. Arizona won the World Series in 2001, which took many baseball fans by surprise.

Atlanta Braves: Kane

The Big Red Monster fits very well with the Atlanta Braves. Both have been big and menacing forces to be reckoned with since the 1990s. The Braves ran a dynasty in Hot-lanta through the National League, winning division titles year after year with only world championship to show for it. As for Kane, the man from the fiery depths of Hell, the brother of The Undertaker, would win countless championship belts over the year, including one world title.

That became two when the World Heavyweight Championship became the property of Kane. It had been a bit of a dull time for Kane before ending up with the world title. As for the Braves, their run of division titles consecutively ran out a few years ago, only to see a revitalization of the Braves last season. Could the Braves finally get another World Series title in 2011?

Baltimore Orioles: Chris Masters

These two may not seem like much of a fit. Chris Masters is The Masterpiece and the outlook of the Baltimore Orioles has been far from one. Both seemed close to a breakout year a few years ago.

However, Baltimore cleaned house and Masters was let go. Now, Masters is back and is believed to get a push in the near future, while the Orioles seem to have righted the ship. The O's have picked up high-profile names like Derek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero to try and make them relevant.

Don't expect either of these two to compete for a world championship in the next year. However, don't be surprised to see Masters get pay-per-view matches and title shots, while the Orioles get in the wild-card race and possibly play in playoff games.

Boston Red Sox: Edge

The Rated-R Superstar was linked to the Boston Red Sox, but not because the BoSox's play this week should not be seen by children. The current World Heavyweight Champion has often been referred to as The Ultimate Opportunist. Nothing in baseball seems more like that than Boston capitalizing on mistakes by the Yankees to overcome a 3-0 hole in the 2004 ALCS and win their first World Series in 86 years.

Boston has also added a lot of firepower to become one of the most powerful teams in baseball right now. Edge has hit his stride over the years and, while always being on the top of his game, he has seemed to be wrestling some of his best matches in recent history. Year in and year out, the Red Sox are a team to beat and Edge is one of the top superstars to watch.

Chicago Cubs: Christian

On the opposite aspect as the Red Sox is the Cubs. It is only appropriate that Christian be on the opposite end of Edge. While they were linked together for years, Edge and Christian went in different directions when Edge got a big push and never stopped. Meanwhile, Christian has had some moderate success but has struggled to even get a chance at a world title.

As for the lowly Cubs, they were banded with Boston for the longest time as the two storied franchises were both in epic cold streaks in the championships department. Once Boston shook their curse, many thought Chicago would do the same. However, so many things have happened over the years that has prevented anything from coming to fruition. This is much like the IWC's constant pleading for Christian to win a world title in WWE before he retires.

Chicago White Sox: CM Punk

If CM Punk were a baseball player, he would totally fit in with a White Sox jersey. It has nothing to do with the fact that he happens to be from Chicago, but Punk's attitude is that of a careless and selfish individual that looks out for himself only and wants to be the best. This pretty much sums up Ozzie Guillen's group in most years. There is so much talent there and so many great things happen for those players.

However, it often just takes one little thing to send the team into a spiral and miss out on a championship. Punk can get into a groove and almost taste the victory before it truly comes. It is probably that build and attitude that has taken the uber-talented Punk and given him just a handful of world titles and the over-achieving White Sox just one championship in recent memory.

Cincinnati Reds: The Corre

The Corre is relatively new to the block but consists of young members who work with one another for the common goal of success. While the four members were all once individuals in their own rights, they all have seemed to figure it out and, therefore, own most of the gold on Smackdown.

The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, own some hardware of their own. The Reds are home to last year's league MVP in Joey Votto and had three Gold Glove defenders on the team as well.

The Corre can one day contend with the best of them and could be in store for a championship down the line. As for the Reds, their time may come sooner than you think.

Cleveland Indians: Santino Marella

It was very easy to feel bad for Santino Marella and the Cleveland Indians. They were both funny to watch. They both made you laugh, even when they didn't mean to. They both did not seem very athletic, and it was hard to believe that they would ever win anything.

However, Santino has since turned it around and is piling up victories. He won't be a world champion anytime soon, but the fact that he is winning is something to fear for him and his Cobra finisher. The Indians don't have a Cobra finisher (they just have Chris Perez), but they are starting to win some games too. They may not be the best pitching team, but they will put some runs up on the board and make you earn your wins.

Colorado Rockies: Evan Bourne

The young Rockies are a nice fit with Evan Bourne. A typical Evan Bourne match includes the little guy being beat up viciously by his opponent before hitting a few moves and setting up for his Air Bourne finisher. If he hits it, he will win. If he doesn't, you can all but forget about Bourne.

The Rockies are similar in the regard that they love to fly as well, at least the balls off their bats fly in the thin Rocky Mountain air. However, the Rockies often take a beating early in the season just to end up on a run and manage to be in the wild-card discussion every year. Sometimes they make it and other times they don't, but they are always there, ready to fly.

Detroit Tigers: The Undertaker

The Detroit Tigers are that classic baseball franchise that you hate to brush arms with. They may have had their downtime in terms of potential for world championships, but they have always been a threat. No matter how they do it, they always seem to never be out of a game. In that same sense, The Last Outlaw tries to control a match. Even if they are at the mercy of their opponents, they both know when to fight back and can put themselves in positions that they can win potentially at will.

The Tigers have not made much noise in the very loud American League but they always have that explosive ability that they will not truly fade away, much like The Deadman keeps coming back.

Florida Marlins: Curt Hawkins

Some of you may have no freakin' clue who Curt Hawkins is. Others may wonder why they forgot that Florida still has the Marlins. Hawkins is that guy that was featured often on WWE Superstars and once was aligned with Edge in La Familia. The Marlins are that team that wins a World Series every few years and is often off the radar when they aren't.

Hawkins had had success in a few different instances and doesn't seem to go away. He always finds a new way into the spotlight, much like the Marlins seem to decide every few years that it is time to win a championship out of nowhere.

The Marlins move to a new stadium next year and officially become the Miami Marlins. With Superstars now cancelled and cuts expected, who knows where Hawkins may end up.

Houston Astros: Dolph Ziggler

There must be some mirages in Houston when you see the Astros. At times, it looks like the team is performing very well and should be considered better. Then, you look closer and realize that there is nothing special there. Dolph Ziggler has what it takes to make it far in WWE and seems unstoppable at times. However, Ziggler never seems to truly amount to anything.

Both the team and the superstar could be in a good position in the coming years. However, any time that there should be hype built upon either of them, much of the wind is taken out of their sails.

Kansas City Royals: Cody Rhodes

The Kansas City Royals are the only baseball team that are related to any type of royalty. Cody Rhodes is wrestling royalty. Rhodes is the son of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and the half-brother to "The Bizarre One" Goldust. Rhodes has held tag team gold with three different men in his career: Ted DiBiase, Drew McIntyre and Hardcore Holly. However, Rhodes is yet to hit his stride as a singles competitor.

Rhodes became a star at WrestleMania with his victory over Rey Mysterio. He is now a man to watch this year. As for the Royals, they may not have Zack Greinke anymore but the team has performed well this season so far. There is no one team in the American League Central that is leaps and bounds better than the other four. If Kansas City, a stranger to pennant races in recent years, is in the thick of things into the late summer, don't be surprised.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Jack Swagger

Not only are these two good in recent years, but they both look to have a lot of years ahead of them on top. They also both have really long names.

I'm not sure of their full name this year, but it was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim the last time that I checked. The Angels were one of the best teams in the American League but hit a snag last season with injuries and key free agent losses. While I don't consider the Angels a World Series favorite, I know what they are capable of and do not rule them out whatsoever.

As for The All-American American American...you get the idea, Swagger was a great amateur wrestler that came to WWE and blazed through the developmentals before being a champion in ECW. After some time in limbo, Swagger was a Money in the Bank winner and a World Heavyweight Champion.

Since then, he has seemed to be on the bad side of booking. He does way too much celebrating, which can end up hurting you. Isn't that right, Kendry Morales?

Los Angeles Dodgers: Big Show

They are both old favorites and perennial favorites in their respective sports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have not won a World Series in almost a quarter century, but the mystique of the Dodgers always has them as a thought in baseball fans' minds. The Dodgers have had four playoff appearances in the past decade and, while none of those have led to a World Series appearance, the Dodgers are always perennial favorites in their division.

The World's Largest Athlete would normally be viewed as the best overall man in WWE just on pure size and power. However, he has only been a world champion twice, while gaining gold in pretty much every other capacity. When it is all said and done, Big Show will still be seen as an all-time great and the Dodgers will still be one of the more storied franchises in all of sports.

Milwaukee Brewers: Zack Ryder

Brew-Brew-Brew, You Know It.

Sorry, just had to do that.

The Milwaukee Brewers are a team with a lot of promise and potential that has yet to be brought into that next level in Major League Baseball. They are not the type of franchise to go after a high-profile free agent, which may be what is keeping them as a pretender instead of a contender. Keep in mind also that MLB owns the Brewers and saved them from possible contraction.

Zack Ryder has one of the strongest followings in the WWE today, but has not been pushed very much. If you don't believe me, just watch his YouTube series. If Ryder survives the cuts in the coming weeks, I think that Ryder will finally get his chance.

Minnesota Twins: John Morrison

The Minnesota Twins are a team that is constantly among the top teams in baseball, but is never among those who win it all. John Morrison has been one of those superstars that wrestling fans have pleaded to be given a world title run.

However, for the Twins, their dominance of the American League Central division may be over, just like John Morrison's latest push. His actions and words in regards to Diva legend Trish Stratus have not done him any favors backstage. The injuries to infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka and pitcher Kevin Slowey, as well as injuries last season to Joe Nathan and J.J. Hardy, have left the Twins with a lot of questions as to their place at the top of baseball.

New York Mets: Ted DiBiase

I love the New York Mets. They are my favorite baseball team.

Ted DiBiase is not my favorite WWE superstar, but the two have a lot more in common than I would have to hope for.

Both DiBiase and the Mets have a lot of money, at least they tell us that they do. For all of the money spent by both, no results have sufficed. The Mets were created after the Dodgers and Giants left for the West Coast. That is why the colors of the Mets are Dodger blue and Giants orange.

DiBiase's name is the same as his father, the Million Dollar Man and WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase. Young Ted was believed to be a chip off the old block. However, ever since being split from Legacy, DiBiase has been on a roll of disappointing his fans. Sound familiar?

There are beliefs that the Mets are soon going to be bankrupt, which wouldn't be the worst idea for a DiBiase storyline.

New York Yankees: Triple H

When it comes to the New York Yankees, you either love them or absolutely hate them.

The Game has always been known as being on the richer side of life. He began his career as a pompous and arrogant Hunter Heart Helmsley. He has since become HHH and been the driving force behind two of the greatest factions in company history: Evolution and D-Generation X.

HHH has held the world championship 13 times, which only trails three men that all call TNA home: Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Sting. In terms of the current WWE world, HHH is the most successful superstar in history.

The Yankees have won the World Series in 27 different seasons and will try to make it 28 this season.

Oakland Athletics: Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio has often been referred to as the Ultimate Underdog. The Oakland Athletics are a team that were dominant in the 1980s, but seemed inferior in the 1990s. GM Billy Beane then began to implement sabremetrics, a process of looking at statistics for more than simple home runs and RBIs.

Since this, the A's have been successful enough to have winning seasons and shock many fans. While they have not won the championships that they did with big home runs in the 80s, they have always seemed to hung around and not go down with a fight. The Athletics are never believed to accomplish much and are always around to pull off the upset.

Philadelphia Phillies: John Cena

I considered putting Cena with the Yankees or Red Sox, but I thought that he shared something with the Phillies that was more than Cena's new red attire.

John Cena never gives up but also rolls to the beat of his own drum, much like those who play in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phillies have a lot of All-Star caliber players, including the starting pitchers of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton.

Other National League teams look at the Phillies with hatred. There are even points to make that the Phillies have the mentality of "buying players" even more so than the Yankees do, which is enough to make most fans' blood boil. However, the Phillies will still have their fans, just like Cena will. The fanbases are a little different, though; Cena fans are women and children, while Phillies fans like to throw up on people.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The New Nexus

This one is too perfect. The color scheme is even the same.

Both the Pirates and the New Nexus are compiled groups of young guys who work together for one common goal. For the New Nexus, it is to help their leader, CM Punk. As for the Pirates, it is to lose a lot of baseball games.

San Diego Padres: Daniel Bryan

Both the Padres and Daniel Bryan are a team and superstar respectively that you wouldn't think a lot about. Wrestling fans like to root for Daniel Bryan and fantasy baseball players like to use a Padres player that nobody has ever heard of. (I know that I do with Clayton Richard and Chase Headley.)

Despite being skilled in their own worlds, both are often overlooked. The Padres had one of the most feared pitching staffs last year, yet only managed 90 wins and third place in the NL West last season.

Even though Bryan is one of the most popular faces in WWE, his title match was bumped from WrestleMania. Regardless of whatever uniforms they wear, the Padres are still a boring team to follow. Let's not get started of Daniel Bryan and his red trunks and basic t-shirt.

San Francisco Giants: The Miz

Of course I had to link the two champs together.

The World Series champion Giants have unique pieces, including Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey and the arms of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. That isn't even comparing The Miz directly to the style of closer Brian Wilson.

Nobody questioned the Giants and their ability to win, but they were not believed to be serious contenders to win it all. They did just that though and have left little doubt to the idea that they deserved it.

The Miz was not seen as actual world title material. However, he has been the WWE Champion for a long time now and continues to prove why he deserves to be the champ.

Seattle Mariners: Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre is known in WWE as The Chosen One, having believed that he has been handpicked to be a future world champion.

Every year, the Mariners are chosen by many to be that breakout team. After all, how do you go against a team with Felix Hernandez and Ichiro? With the lowly A's and Angels not truly in line to win a division title, the M's would only need to compete with the AL champion Rangers in the division. The Mariners could contend for a wild-card spot with more role players doing their part, just like how McIntyre could finally be in for a big year on Smackdown.

St. Louis Cardinals: Randy Orton

Ok, so I kept another superstar with their hometown team.

However, the St. Louis Cardinals are a team with a lot of tradition and success in their history. Outside of the Yankees, the Cardinals have the second-most world titles in MLB history. Orton is a seven-time world champion in his own right and, at just 31 years old, could go down as one of the all-time greats before the time is up.

I also imagine that Orton at times is about as unstoppable as Albert Pujols when they actually pitch to him.

Tampa Bay Rays: Alberto Del Rio

The Tampa Bay Rays are a great young team.

But you already knew that.

The Rays may not have a great attendance, just like the ratings on SmackDown, but the Rays have been impressive in the past few seasons. They were once known as the Devil Rays, but got rid of the first part and seemed to be better without it.

Alberto Del Rio was once Dos Caras, a masked wrestler, when he was signed by WWE. They took the mask off of him and he became Alberto Del Rio. In the time as Del Rio, he has won a Royal Rumble and made it into a world title match in his WrestleMania debut.

Texas Rangers: Sheamus

The Texas Rangers, like Sheamus, seemed to have come out of nowhere last year to contend with the big boys. Sheamus came from FCW to ECW to RAW in a matter of weeks and months. In just a handful of weeks on the red show, Sheamus was a world champion.

The Rangers were a perennial last-place team in the AL West until last year, when Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz received help from young pitchers Derek Holland and C.J. Wilson, as well as established stars like Vladimir Guerrero.

Sheamus and the Rangers both wear red, white and blue nowadays. Sheamus is the United States Champion.

Toronto Blue Jays: Tyler Reks

We don't know a lot about Tyler Reks. Nobody really watched WWE Superstars enough to truly understand the gimmick.

Nobody also watches Toronto Blue Jays baseball. Outside of maybe knowing about Jose Bautista, can the casual baseball fan name any other Blue Jay starters?

Washington Nationals: Chavo Guerrero

The Washington Nationals and Chavo Guerrero had a lot in common. The Nationals were once known as the Montreal Expos, while Chavo was once known as a good wrestler. Chavo now makes other young talent look better in his matches, much like how the Nationals make other teams look better when they play them.

Some believe that the Nationals can actually contend this year with their young talent and free agent acquisition Jayson Werth. However, they likely have as much of a chance to win in the NL East as Chavo does in being a champion again in WWE.