Floyd Mayweather is money. Conor McGregor is money. The two are set to face off on August 26 in Las Vegas in one of the biggest boxing matches in history. Some may argue that this isn’t a real match, given McGregor’s zero experience at the sport, but no matter how overhyped this may seem, most of the world will be tuning in. And while betting on the fight is heavily skewed towards Mayweather, McGregor is surely worth a punt – you can use this Bet365 offer – as a wildcard and that unpredictability makes the bout all the more interesting. According to ESPN, this bout will fall short compared to the one between Pacquiao and Mayweather in 2015 in terms of total money made. However, the total amount including TV and sponsorship deals will exceed a gargantuan $600 million.
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) too, is looking for every way possible to make money. So, it is only natural that they have tried to get at least one of the two biggest prize-fighters in the world today to make an appearance at the biggest wrestling show of the year, Wrestlemania. In November last year, Triple H made an appearance at UFC 205, and McGregor confirmed that there were negotiations with the WWE COO for a possible bout at Wrestlemania 33. Those plans however, fell through.
Knowing WWE, they won’t stop trying. They are sure to try and lure the Irishman to show up at Wrestlemania next year as well. The question now though, is if it is possible for the to do so anymore. Money is the only motivation they can offer McGregor for him to make his sports entertainment bow, and the Mayweather fight will be bigger and better than anything that Vince McMahon will be able to offer. The southpaw has been a very vocal critic of the scripted nature of the pro-wrestling business, and prides himself on being part of a “real” sport. He is the only man in the history of the UFC to hold titles in two separate weight categories (Lightweight and Featherweight). He will therefore think a lot before throwing one of his trademark left hooks in wrestling kayfabe.
A fight between McGregor and Brock Lesnar would have been impossible in UFC, given the vast difference between the weight categories of the two. In WWE, however, it would not matter. If the Irishman does make the switch, it would have to be against an opponent with great calibre. There won’t be a shortage of volunteers though, given that McGregor ruffled more than just a few feathers with his tweets. Some of the bigger wrestlers like Roman Reigns and Randy Orton called out the mixed martial artist for his size, and will want to prove that despite being scripted, professional wrestling is no child’s play.
What do you think? Will McGregor make an appearance at WrestleMania next year? Do you want him to? Sound off in the comment section below!
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
