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While many pro athletes want to become WWE Superstars, only a few are considered dream signings for Vince McMahon's company.
WWE has always been a welcoming environment for top athletes from all over the world. Many household names from different sports have made guest appearances on WWE TV throughout the years. Few even tried their luck at becoming full-time WWE Superstars like Ronda Rousey.
The Baddest Woman on the Planet was once a dream signing for WWE. Stephanie McMahon expressed her desire to sign the UFC Hall of Famer on several occasions before succeeding in her mission in 2017.
Although she signed Rousey, McMahon still has a few other names on her agenda. Her husband Triple H has also expressed his desire to bring a few top athletes to WWE in the upcoming years.
Here are five top athletes WWE wishes to sign.
#5. UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov isn't thrilled by WWE's interest
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a UFC legend who went undefeated in 29 matches before hanging up his boots in October 2020. Two years earlier, the Russian mixed martial artist surprised his fans with a tweet asking them their opinion after allegedly receiving an offer from WWE.
Nurmagomedov did not seem intrigued by the offer, judging by the hashtags he used in his tweet. Although he teased a fight with Brock Lesnar, the Russian also used the hashtag "Fake Fights."
Nurmagomedov's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, made a shocking comment about WWE's interest in signing his client.
"Let’s be real, if any of these soft steroid freaks want to go ahead and have a wrestling match with Khabib and they wanna get beat up for real, they know who they need to call. He’ll go there and he’ll smash John Cena’s face. After he’s done with them, they’re never gonna wrestle again," he told TMZ Sports.
Despite Nurmagomedov's attitude, former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre recently urged the UFC legend to make the jump. The Scottish Warrior believes the Russian would be "a huge star" in WWE.
"I think the fans would be very excited to see him. Khabib would be a huge star for us," McIntyre told TMZ Sports.
Should Khabib Nurmagomedov listen to McIntyre's advice and join WWE?
#4. Triple H extends a WWE open invitation to UFC fighter Conor McGregor
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor has had a heated rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, which could reignite if they both find their way to WWE.
Triple H has long expressed interest in bringing the Irish mixed martial artist to WWE. It came after Finn Balor shared a picture of action figures of McGregor, Triple H, and himself inside a ring.
The UFC fighter responded to Balor's post by teasing a potential showdown with the former NXT Champion. The Game was quick to pick up on the action and extended an open invitation to the former UFC Lightweight Champion.
WWE Superstar Sheamus believes a jump from the octagon to the squared circle would suit his compatriot.
"He's teased [coming to WWE] a couple of times (...) I think WWE would suit him down to the ground. You know, we've had a lot of people come in and out, [Floyd] Mayweather came in, a lot of celebrities have come in, a lot of sports people," he told Digital Spy.
The Celtic Warrior insisted it is just a matter of time before McGregor joins WWE.
"So I don't think anyone would raise eyebrows if he came in to WWE. I don't think it's if, I think it's a matter of when to be honest."
Could Conor McGregor carry his success from UFC to WWE?
#3. Tennis legend Serena Williams - A future WWE Women's Champion?
Serena Williams is not just a multi-time Grand Slam champion and a tennis legend, but a dream signing for WWE, too. WWE CBO Stephanie McMahon has spoken many times about her desire to bring Williams into her pro wrestling world.
"I would kill to have Serena Williams, but there are so many incredible athletes who would loan themselves to WWE. Those with strong personalities," McMahon told Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview in 2019.
Although she is yet to join WWE, Williams' first opponent is already waiting for her. WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair has expressed her interest in fighting the tennis legend, who she believes has everything needed to succeed in WWE.
"I also think that someone like Serena Williams would be great too. I think as a woman, she’s just powerful and strong, she can represent. And I think she can bring a whole other demographic of fans and audiences to WWE,” Belair told WWE UK."
WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas has praised Williams, saying she is bigger and stronger looking than most current WWE Superstars.
"Serena Williams is bigger and stronger-looking than 90 percent of pro wrestlers. She’s a tennis player, for God’s sake. She’s got more muscles than Seth Rollins’ got," he told Boston Wrestling MWF’s Dan Mirade."
Would Serena Williams make a good Women's Champion?
#2. Boxer Claressa Shields is interested in joining WWE
Boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields is another name on Stephanie McMahon's WWE wish list. The 26-year-old has not denied her interest in pursuing a pro wrestling career in WWE, as well
Speaking to Insider, McMahon named Shields among a few athletes she would like to see in WWE.
"Claressa for sure [could be a WWE superstar], I'd be scared to death to get in the ring with her."
Shields revealed she had met Stephanie McMahon in person and was surprised by her personality. The boxer also commented on WWE's interest in signing her, saying she would like to give it a try.
"I actually met Stephanie McMahon in person and she's such a nice lady. You see her doing that stuff on TV, and then you meet her, and you think, 'These aren't the same people! I think I'd be great on WWE. I would love to give it a try and use my trash-talking skills. I think it would be fun," she told Insider.
The boxer thinks she could play a face character in WWE since she is "seen as a villain" in her original sport.
"I feel like in boxing I'm always seen as the villain because I'm so dominant and I always speak my mind. But in WWE, maybe I'd be a little bit nicer? Maybe I'd go and beat the bully."
Who do you think should be Claressa Shields' first opponent in WWE?
#1. Triple H dreams of signing former UFC fighter Daniel Cormier to WWE
Triple H has his own wish list of top athletes he would like to sign to WWE, and one of the names on the list is former UFC fighter Daniel Cormier.
Triple H has expressed his admiration for Cormier in an interview with TMZ Sports, where he revealed they have talked before about a possible crossover.
"I love Daniel (Cormier), we've obviously talked a lot in the past. We've had conversations about him doing stuff with us in the past whether that's in-ring or whether that's commentary or doing different things."
Triple H insisted WWE would like to work with the current UFC analyst and commentator when the time is right. But Cormier does not seem encouraged to make the jump. He addressed WWE's interest in signing him in a recent interview with Helen Yee, saying he is comfortable with what he does right now.
"I'm about to be 42 years old. I still talk to those guys (WWE). I have got some good friends over there. I did a thing with them for some commentary. It's fun. Helen, I love my job, I love the UFC. The relationships that I have with the people -- the production crew to the producers -- it's been just a great ride for me. I am building all these relationships outside of fighting and really enjoying the lane that I'm in."
Would you like to see Daniel Cormier in WWE? Who else? Sound of in our comments below.
