The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
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Post by The OP on Aug 9, 2013 14:56:23 GMT -5
Forgetting for a moment the logistics of why it's unlikely that a bunch of MMA fighters would suddenly decide to try a career in pro wrestling, who do you think could successfully make the transition if they tried?
A lot of people I'm sure would say Chael Sonnen, but who else is there? Some would say Sonnen was the best when it comes to adding entertainment value and selling a fight, but he wasn't the first guy with a look or promo style that could possibly suit pro wrestling. Of course this isn't really a radical idea anyway as Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, Brock Lesnar, and others have succeeded in both sports, but it'd be interesting to see what would happen if a bunch of guys tried to make the switch.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2013 18:53:47 GMT -5
After Chael the first name that popped to mind was Benson Henderson, his explosiveness = vintage high pace babyface comebacks. He could be like Evan Bourne.
Plus he's got a good look to him and such, clearly has his head screwed on etc.
Gag selection: Bring Cro Cop in to the WWE to face ADR for the WHC.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2013 12:11:22 GMT -5
Gag selection: Bring Cro Cop in to the WWE to face ADR for the WHC. Only if ADR gets to wear that "MMA mask" again. |
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Post by Young Game on Aug 10, 2013 12:15:06 GMT -5
KAAAAZUSHIIIII SAAAAAAKURAAAAABAAA!!!
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tenshi
Patti Mayonnaise
Probably more memorable than a Charlotte title reign
Posts: 34,985
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Post by tenshi on Aug 10, 2013 12:46:55 GMT -5
I think Georges St. Pierre can be a good babyface. Respectful man, always trying to defeat his opponents decisively but not in a way that would humiliate them, he's attractive to women and Canadians love the guy. He's basically one of the clear cut babyfaces in UFC and that could translate well if it's done in pro wrestling.
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Post by Viking Hall on Aug 10, 2013 12:55:34 GMT -5
I always thought Sokoudjou had a great look for pro-wrestling. Great physique, great look and a ready made gimmick in being a heartless predator.
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Post by molson5 on Aug 10, 2013 12:56:27 GMT -5
Roy Nelson would make a great hillbilly/redneck wrestler
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Post by Young Game on Aug 10, 2013 13:53:20 GMT -5
I think Georges St. Pierre can be a good babyface. Respectful man, always trying to defeat his opponents decisively but not in a way that would humiliate them, he's attractive to women and Canadians love the guy. He's basically one of the clear cut babyfaces in UFC and that could translate well if it's done in pro wrestling. He already wrestles though.  |
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SOR
Unicron
Posts: 2,611 
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Post by SOR on Aug 10, 2013 15:18:15 GMT -5
Full blown wrestler? Nobody.
They'd always be seen as "That MMA guy" the only real guys who made a successful trip over are Lesnar and Shamrock. Even then though they have to play up the MMA Credentials of both men constantly.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2013 16:35:35 GMT -5
I think Georges St. Pierre can be a good babyface. Respectful man, always trying to defeat his opponents decisively but not in a way that would humiliate them, he's attractive to women and Canadians love the guy. He's basically one of the clear cut babyfaces in UFC and that could translate well if it's done in pro wrestling. He already wrestles though. Super GSP. |
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Post by Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster on Aug 10, 2013 18:18:56 GMT -5
KAAAAZUSHIIIII SAAAAAAKURAAAAABAAA!!! Eh he was a pro wrestler long before he started doing MMA. |
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Post by Digital Witness on Aug 10, 2013 18:35:06 GMT -5
I think something that has to be said is that most guys that go from MMA to pro wrestling are marketed as "omg its that MMA guy!".
I think success would involve:
A. Not announcing that you signed a big time MMA player and just let them go train discretely for pro wrestling.
B. Have them work a style that is different from just typically rolling around/grapples/strikes MMA. One of the appeals to me when watching wrestling is seeing guys do innovative things that wouldn't work in a regular fight. Kurt Angle (while not an MMA fighter) didn't rely on just pure amateur wrestling holds. He adopted holds and maneuvers that you would expect to see in a pro wrestling ring (his throws, the moonsault, etc...) I want to see a guy like George St-Pierre or Chael Sonnen adapt the same way and work a pro wrestling style as opposed to being that MMA guy in a pro wrestling ring.
Finally, C. Give them a character that isn't "that MMA guy." Right now Rampage Jackson is just "that MMA guy". King Mo is "that MMA guy." I want to see their quirks. What makes them different from somebody else besides being able to legitimately dismantle somebody?
You can get away with this somewhat in Japan where guys like Suzuki and Sakuraba can still have success and still be well respected, but I don't see it working the same way in America.
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Emmet Russell
King Koopa
Quieter
The best wrestler on earth.
Posts: 12,526
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Post by Emmet Russell on Aug 10, 2013 23:39:44 GMT -5
I feel the Korean Zombie could make the transition.
He's already got a gimmick ready with the name & he's not well enough known that he'll always be known as that 'MMA guy.' Let him get some training for 6 months to a year and I feel you'd have a feud for the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 31.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2013 6:31:18 GMT -5
I feel the Korean Zombie could make the transition. He's already got a gimmick ready with the name & he's not well enough known that he'll always be known as that 'MMA guy.' Let him get some training for 6 months to a year and I feel you'd have a feud for the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 31. Too bad he's 145 pounds. Let's say he has another 20-30 pounds he losses to make weight, he's still a bit away from looking "pro-wrestling buff" in comparison to "MMA skinny". |
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Emmet Russell
King Koopa
Quieter
The best wrestler on earth.
Posts: 12,526
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Post by Emmet Russell on Aug 11, 2013 6:34:58 GMT -5
I feel the Korean Zombie could make the transition. He's already got a gimmick ready with the name & he's not well enough known that he'll always be known as that 'MMA guy.' Let him get some training for 6 months to a year and I feel you'd have a feud for the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 31. Too bad he's 145 pounds. Let's say he has another 20-30 pounds he losses to make weight, he's still a bit away from looking "pro-wrestling buff" in comparison to "MMA skinny". Angelina Love played a "zombie" in 2011 and she weights less than him i'm sure. All he needs to do is walk slow and no-sell everything. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2013 6:35:50 GMT -5
Too bad he's 145 pounds. Let's say he has another 20-30 pounds he losses to make weight, he's still a bit away from looking "pro-wrestling buff" in comparison to "MMA skinny". Angelina Love played a "zombie" in 2011 and she weights less than him i'm sure. All he needs to do is walk slow and no-sell everything. Valid point. |
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Emmet Russell
King Koopa
Quieter
The best wrestler on earth.
Posts: 12,526
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Post by Emmet Russell on Aug 11, 2013 6:48:56 GMT -5
Angelina Love played a "zombie" in 2011 and she weights less than him i'm sure. All he needs to do is walk slow and no-sell everything. Valid point. I think it could be interesting seeing that tiny guy impervious to pain. Something a tad different and the Korean Zombie nickname is marketable as all hell. |
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Post by EP 54 is banned from Collision on Aug 12, 2013 4:02:12 GMT -5
Minowaman... He could already be wrestling under a mask for all we know...  |
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Post by CATCH_US IS the Conversation on Aug 12, 2013 4:23:37 GMT -5
Mayhem Miller would've been perfect if he didn't go batshit insane.  |
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Gus Richlen: Ruffian
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
BAU BAU
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Post by Gus Richlen: Ruffian on Aug 12, 2013 21:49:31 GMT -5
As a huge fan of both Sonnen and Benson Henderson I'd easily say they could. I'd add in "Cowboy" Donald Cerrone. There's really not that many in Heavyweight or Light Heavyweight that I can see making the jump.
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