2 weeks Ago
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion has always seemed like the perfect guy for a WWE crossover appearance. McGregor’s presence, mic skills, and colossal following make him one of the best fits for anyone who has ever been in MMA. However, up to now, it has never happened.
I wouldn’t overreact, but McGregor recently posted a video of WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and social media personality The Schmo tasting The Notorious’ Proper 12 whiskey. In the post's caption, McGregor wrote, “see you soon.” My wrestling brain began to spin, and while at this point, it’s nothing more than speculation, consider this possibility.
The WWE is headed to Saudi Arabia for the Crown Jewel premium live event on Saturday. At that event, Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Gunther are set to square off, with the winner taking home the inaugural Crown Jewel title. The Saudis have made it clear they want every combat sports and professional wrestling event in the region to be a significant show.
With each passing year, I expect the Crown Jewel show to look more like WrestleMania and Summerslam. One of the primary concepts the WWE has always used to raise the profile of WrestleMania and Summerslam is to inject the celebrity element. That approach has made its way to Crown Jewel, where Tyson Fury participated in a WWE match against Braun Strowman in 2019.
Fury was reportedly paid $24 million for his appearances, culminating in the Strowman match. WWE and the UFC, with whom McGregor is signed, have done business with the Saudis through events for Riyadh Season. McGregor has a relationship with Turki Alalshikh, having been the latter's guest at multiple boxing events in Riyadh.
Is it crazy that everyone involved could agree to collaborate and that McGregor could attend Crown Jewel? It’s probably a stretch, but several fans began to speculate about the same concept in the post's comment section. No matter what's happening in combat sports or professional wrestling this weekend, nothing would garner more attention than McGregor at a WWE event, especially one as big as Crown Jewel. One thing that makes me question the theory is the timing of this tease.
If the WWE planned to have a huge celebrity and crossover personality like McGregor at an event, wouldn't they advertise it? I don't recall ever seeing the WWE use someone like McGregor, Fury, or Floyd Mayweather Jr. without telling fans they would be on air. So, what could it be if it's not an appearance at Crown Jewel? The WWE is scheduled to be in Dublin, Ireland, on November 3 at the 3A Arena.
When WWE was in Manchester, Rhodes invited UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall into the ring. Aspinall seemed to enjoy himself so much that he has said he plans to make a WWE run after his MMA career . Perhaps Rhodes will do something similar with McGregor in Dublin.
While it isn't a match of an on-air appearance, McGregor in a WWE ring would go viral. Here is a look at the full card for WWE Crown Jewel..
