WWE Rips UFC, Officially Becomes Desperate

There's stupid and then, there's this.

As has been well-documented here and other sites, former WWE stud Brock Lesnar defeated Randy Couture for the UFC Heavyweight title. Guys like the Undertaker, Steve Austin and JBL are noted as avid fight fans and have been seen at UFC events. Dave Meltzer even noted that Executive VP Shane McMahon was at the Couture/Lesnar fight. UFC used some old Lesnar footage in helping promote the match, even though it was suspiciously absent from the Countdown preview show.

So when I read things like this today from a story congratulating Lesnar on his win on the WWE's site, it makes me shake my head. This is truly desperate:

"Critics have noted that many of the fights on the UFC pay-per-view ended in the first round, leaving UFC producers scrambling to fill the three-hour event with content. The dearth of hearty competition left many viewers to watch less prestigious under-card fights and only served to bolster claims that UFC pay-per-view events can often be a "crap shoot" in regards to filling the full three hours."

Scrambling? Crap shoot? Less prestigious? How stupid do they think fans are? That the organization actually fills out hours should say something for the quality of the product. That fans got to see the entire card on PPV last night should say something for the quality of the product. That fans were able to enjoy the Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night play out in full fashion should say something for the quality of the product.

You know what's a crapshoot? Watching matches involving any Diva, Great Khali or Kung Fu Naki. You know what's less prestigious? Listening to poorly scripted promos instead of letting the guys go. You know what's scrambling? Trying to explain falling ratings and throwing out manipulated viewership numbers in an attempt to legitimize yourself. And this is coming from a WWE fan!

There can be a peaceful co-existence between the two. The UFC hasn't gone on record bashing WWE this week or attempt to distance themselves and their fans from where Lesnar came from, so where is this latest diatribe coming from? Fear, jealousy and unprofessionalism, which is disappointing.

The WWE could have just congratulated Lesnar, got the rub, perhaps put out another DVD set and made some money off their former talent who has now gone mainstream. Instead, they snipe like this and come off as desperate and pathetic.

By the way, this means that more than ever, the WWE pay-per-views are in the crosshairs for quality. Survivor Series is just a few weeks away and I hope they have plenty of "hearty competition" in store.

Josh Nason has written and maintained Ropes, Ring and Cage since 2007 and can be reached at [e-mail]. If you are using any content or recapping from this site, please include a link to www.ropesringandcage.com. Thank you for your support!