Even if WWE is scripted, that does not mean that it is a fraudulent event. It also does not imply that the men and women who participate in professional wrestling are incapable of taking care of themselves.
It’s true that many of the performers have had towering heights and impressive physiques, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they were difficult.
Here are the top 10 WWE superstars who performed in MMA
10. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is one of the women who has had the largest impact on the development of combat sports, and she is also one of the biggest box office sensations in the history of the UFC or MMA.
Rousey retired and wrestled for one year between WrestleMania 34 and WrestleMania 35, becoming one of just three women in history to do it.
9. Shinsuke Nakamura
The Japanese superstar signed with WWE in 2016, but prior to that, he competed in MMA while he was in his early 20s in the early 2000s.
In spite of the fact that he was defeated in his debut bout, Nakamura fought all of his bouts in his home country of Japan. In 2004, the King of the Strong Style competed in his last match before making the decision to concentrate solely on his career in professional wrestling.
8. Dan Severn
Dan Severn was the first wrestler of world-class caliber to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His win paved the way for future victories by wrestlers in this sport.
In 1992, he made his debut in professional wrestling for Universal Wrestling Federation International, and five years later, in 1997, he made his first appearance in the WWF.
7. Sonya Deville
Currently, 27-year-old Sonya Deville is seen on-screen as a WWE official booking matches for superstar Adam Pearce, although she began her career as a professional MMA fighter.
While Deville won her first two fights by knockout in 2014, she was defeated by a unanimous decision in her third bout.
Deville tested out for WWE’s Tough Enough three months after her third fight, a show in which WWE forces hopefuls to compete against each other in a series of challenges for a WWE contract. Even though she lost, WWE still signed Deville after the programme.
6. Giant Silva
In the world of WWE, Giant Silva is best renowned for his time spent in the late ’90s as a member of the Oddities. Both in the realm of WWE and mixed martial arts (MMA), he did not make much of an impact.
Even though Silva was not a particularly skilled mixed martial artist, the wrestling syndicate in Japan is eager to book him.
5. Alberto Del Rio
In 2000, he debuted as Dos Caras Jr. in the professional wrestling industry. Later that year, he made up his mind to give a try in MMA.
He retired from the fight in 2010, and in 2016, he was named President of the MMA promotion Combate Americas. In 2017, he left to focus on his wrestling career.
Del Rio joined WWE in 2009 and debuted the following year as Alberto Del Rio. When he won the WWE Championship in 2011, he made history by being the first WWE champion to be born in Mexico. He’s won the WWE title twice and the World Heavyweight Title twice.
4. CM Punk
He debuted in the ring in 1999, and from 2002 to 2005, he spent most of his time with Ring of Honor.
CM Punk signed with WWE in 2005 and was there for almost a decade, during which time he won two WWE titles and three WWE World Heavyweight titles. He left professional wrestling in 2014 and signed with the UFC in December of that year.
3. Bobby Lashley
Former WrestleMania champion had a remarkable 15-2 MMA record between 2008 and 2016.
A five-fight winning streak in Bellator helped convince him to return to WWE and focus on wrestling full-time again. The heavyweight certainly cuts a menacing image, his potential looks to have already peaked.
2. Batista
Batista made his professional wrestling debut in 1999, when he joined with the WWE. He has a total of four World Heavyweight titles and two WWE titles to his name. He held the title of World Heavyweight Champion for a record-breaking 282 days.
In 2005, Batista was the main attraction at WrestleMania 21. In 2010, he left WWE. To further his mixed martial arts career, Batista inked a contract with Classic Entertainment & Sports in 2012.
1. Brock Lesnar
After leaving WWE in 2004 to pursue a career in the NFL, Brock Lesnar was cut at the last minute by the Minnesota Vikings due to a car accident. He won the heavyweight title in college wrestling at the Division I level, then transferred his skills to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Where he won his first four fights and became champion. Despite making two successful defences of the championship title, diverticulitis ultimately ended his career in mixed martial arts.
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