3 WWE Superstars That Could Potentially Transition to MMA

The worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts have forever been intertwined. Admittedly one of them is a scripted performance and the other is a genuine, bruising, athletic contest. However, both realms share more similarities than they would like to admit.

Both organizations sell tickets and pay-per-views off the building of a story. There's a reason why the brash Conor McGregor the UFC a hundred times more money than Demetrious Johnson, despite being half the fighter. Another similarity is that one man is solely responsible for booking the action, with Dana White calling the shots in the Octagon and Paul 'Triple H' Levesque - formerly it was Vince McMahon - responsible for what transpires inside the squared circle.

Over the years, several professional wrestlers have tried their hand at MMA and vice versa, to differing levels of success. Brock Lesnar famously became the UFC heavyweight champion after leaving WWE, capitalizing on his monstrous amateur wrestling background to rise to prominence. CM Punk on the other hand went 0-2 in his only two fights in the Octagon.

The WWE has a stacked roster today, and many of the superstars would fancy their chances if they tried their hand at MMA. Here are three we feel might have a chance at succeeding.

Logan Paul

Logan Paul is no stranger to combat sports. While he might be most recognized as a YouTube sensation and internet personality, The Maverick has already dipped his toes into the boxing ring. He has already sold over 5m pay-per-views for clashes against the legendary Floyd Mayweather, KSI (twice) and MMA fighter Dillon Danis. He emerged victorious in the latter of those bouts, but he did impress against Money Mayweather, remaining in the contest for the duration of the eight-round affair.

But it isn't just striking where Paul thrives. The Ohio native has a background in amateur wrestling during his high school years that lends him a solid foundation in grappling as well, an essential component to becoming a well-rounded fighter. With an ability both on the ground and on his feet, there is no denying that the 29-year-old would certainly be a problem inside the cage.

Paul's experience in the limelight and his comfort with high-stakes scenarios could be advantageous in the world of MMA, where mental fortitude is as crucial as physical strength. However, transitioning would demand a substantial commitment, something that may not be possible considering his plethora of business ideas and because his wife Nina Agdal has just birthed the pair's first child.

If he were to commit himself to the sport, like his brother Jake has to professional boxing, he may well thrive. His ability to draw crowds and media attention would result in a shedload of cash for whichever promotion was lucky enough to secure his services.

Chad Gable

Chad Gable's credentials as an amateur wrestler are impeccable. Before joining the WWE, the Minnesota native competed in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, representing the United States in freestyle wrestling but ultimately suffering an early defeat at the hands of Cuba's Pablo Shorey. Gable's technical prowess and agility make him a formidable opponent on the mat, and his skills would translate seamlessly into the grappling-heavy aspects of MMA, just as they did with the aforementioned Lesnar all those years ago.

Gable's challenge in transitioning would lie in expanding his striking capabilities and adapting to the striking-heavy nature of the sport. There's a very good chance he could be picked apart on the feet and be unable to make much of an impression should he not hone his craft. However, his Olympic background suggests a high level of discipline and the ability to learn and adapt, and with an impressive ground game already in his locker, we wouldn't be surprised to see him handle himself inside the cage.

Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley has made a name for herself as one of WWE's most dominant female Superstars. Known for her imposing physique and powerful in-ring style, the Adelaide-born star is already one of the most inspiring Australian female athletes on the planet, alongside the likes of soccer star Sam Kerr and tennis ace Ash Barty. She possesses the physical attributes required to compete in the world of MMA, and if she were to transition from the ring to the cage, chances are her star would shine even brighter.

The 27-year-old's background in competitive swimming before entering the world of professional wrestling indicates a high level of cardiovascular fitness and discipline. Add to that the fact that she also competed in karate during her teenage years, it's safe to say she already has a striking platform upon which she can build. Now, the challenge would be improving her grappling.

Wrestling is perhaps the most important facet in the world of MMA, as we saw when CM Punk competed in the Octagon. He was thoroughly dominated by both Mickey Gall and Mike Jackson due to his lack of grappling knowledge, and Ripley would have to have some level of understanding if she was to succeed. Her athletic versatility and combat sports experience provide a strong foundation for her to build upon however, and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see her show up in a cage at some point.