In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional wrestling, an interesting dynamic seems to be developing. Fans of the UFC are expressing surprise and, in some cases, discontent following the recent WrestleMania 41 event. Interestingly, the nexus of the discord involves the UFC’s resident ‘Mr. Nice Guy’, Daniel Cormier.
Cormier has the distinction of being a former double champion in UFC, and he was present at the WrestleMania 41 which took place in the Allegiant Stadium, situated in Paradise, Nevada. During the event, Cormier took on the role of interviewing renowned wrestlers, including superstar John Cena.
It should be noted that Cormier has had professional brushes with WWE in the past. One of the more notable instances saw him officiating an intense FightPit match. The standoff between Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins at the Extreme Rules event in 2022 was refereed by Cormier, establishing his ability to decisively preside over high pressure situations.
Nevertheless, the UFC fanbase appeared to have mixed feelings about Cormier’s involvement with the WWE. They had high expectations of the sporting conglomerate, considering its partnership with UFC under the TKO umbrella. When those didn’t come to fruition, disappointment crept in and spiraled into an active discourse on platforms like Reddit.
A section of fans voiced their resentment, with one referring to it as a ‘slight sting’ upon seeing Cormier’s involvement with WWE. The pleas made to the WWE to respect Cormier’s true stature in the field of professional combat were abundant.
However, not all fans were on the same page. Some more pragmatic supporters argued that Cormier’s UFC commentator title suited him. They rationalized that his current professional designation was appropriate and logical. According to them, it did not detract from his achievements as a double champion.
Additionally, some fans pointed out that highlighting Cormier’s prestigious double champion status would have been a nice touch. As the debates continued to simmer amongst the fans, Cormier himself seemed indifferent to the situation, seeming content to continue his foray into the realm of wrestling.
It’s notable that Cormier, together with the UFC lightweight champion, were dedicated enthusiasts of professional wrestling while growing up. Their childhoods were sprinkled with a generous dose of WWE entertainment. This has undoubtedly influenced Cormier’s career trajectory.
In the prime of his active fighting period, Cormier habitually incorporated WWE moves into his training regime. This traces back to his die-hard fanboy days. With his retirement from UFC in 2020, his hands-on wrestling maneuvers have understandably become less frequent.
Nevertheless, his fondness for the WWE hasn’t waned. In an interview a few years ago, Cormier revealed that the WWE had expressed interest in exploring further opportunities with him. He expressed the intent to regain his competitive physique ahead of exploring these new avenues.
Cormier’s excitement for being in the thick of the action was apparent in his interviews. He mentioned how the electrifying atmosphere and sheer energy emitted by the crowd made him temporarily forget he was a referee rather than a participant.
Given the recent responses following WrestleMania 41, serious discussions in WWE corridors could be warranted. Calling upon elite athletes like Cormier to enhance the appeal and authenticity of their events might be a prudent move.