(Source: F4WOnline.com)
Former NFL Star No Longer w/ WWE
Former NFL star Shawne Merriman is no longer under contract with WWE. He was working down at the developmental center, training to work as both a wrestler and announcer, which started shortly after WrestleMania this year. He was backstage at this year’s SummerSlam PPV, and took a photo with UFC’s Jon Jones for Twitter.
WWE Interested in Ronda Rousey
It’s been reported several times that UFC Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey is a lifelong pro wrestling fan, and has wanted to get involved with the WWE for years. She recently appeared backstage at WWE SummerSlam with her Four Horsewomen MMA group, who were scene helping Stephanie McMahon with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
The issue before with bringing Rousey in, according to the Wrestling Observer, is that that most of the decision makers in WWE know nothing about UFC, and just weren’t familiar with her. With Rousey actually getting backstage and meeting Stephanie, and having some face-time with the roster, the current feeling is that she will get an offer for some sort of on-screen role. Originally, the champ wanted to participate in the SummerSlam PPV itself, since it’s close to where she lives, but plans fell through. It will likely come down to what WWE ants to do with her, what UFC will allow her to do (if anything) and if the timing can be worked out.
KILLAM: This is an interesting situation because, as I’ve said before, if UFC and WWE bridge the gap for Rousey, you would think a big money deal could be made for Brock Lesnar. It was said recently that Brock is 100% healthy and could fight again if he wanted to, and is considering a return to MMA post-wrestling, but the two sides have never wanted to work together in the past, for obvious reasons. Ronda is a huge name in fighting, albeit not near as big as Lesnar’s name during the height of his run as champion, or perhaps even now, but it still would set an interesting precedent.
