KEY POINTS

  • John Cena made his return to the ring in a losing effort to Roman Reigns at SummerSlam
  • Cena fully believes that Conor McGregor would shine in professional wrestling
  • McGregor's mic skills and overall star power should make him an instant WWE star

In recent years, mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional wrestling have become joined at the hip thanks to one fighters’ mic skills.

Since Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor made trash-talking look like an art, MMA fans have noticed that the sport has become more and more like the world of pro wrestling.

While pro wrestling is heavily scripted across the board, many fans remain loyal and supportive to it due to the surprisingly effective combination of drama and athleticism found in the sport.

John Cena is among one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and when he has an opinion, many tend to listen.

In an appearance on the “That Scene with Dan Patrick” podcast, John Cena shared his thoughts on who “the best ever” WWE superstar is, how the pro wrestling business goes, and which MMA superstar would thrive in pro wrestling.

“It’s imagination, period. Point blank, it’s [a] scripted narrative. You have to buy into that reality. If you don’t believe you’re [a] piece of that world we’re in or your opponent is a piece of that world, it doesn’t work,” said the 16-time champion about the pro wrestling industry.

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor was the highest paid athlete in the world in 2020 accordig to a Forbes annual list
Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor was the highest paid athlete in the world in 2020 accordig to a Forbes annual list GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Steve Marcus

“I don’t watch MMA or anything. To me, it’s [the] true fight sport, but then a guy like [Conor] McGregor comes along with a wonderful personality and will talk people into the building. You either root for him or root against him and you buy his fight, like [Floyd] Mayweather or [Muhamma]) Ali, they talk about developing that great personality and believing in it. The way to make people buy into you as a WWE personality is to drop the make-believe of it and make it a reality and believe in what you do.”

Cena was asked how McGregor would fare in the business, and he had nothing but good things to say.

“He'd be fantastic. He is what we do. [Wrestling is] a little less predictable. Our surprises are getting people to show up at random and weave the 'choose your own adventure' into a different alley. His surprises are getting a few teeth knocked out or getting an operation. Not to say that this doesn't happen with us, mistakes happen, but in his profession, it's not a mistake,” said Cena.

“I hope (he makes an appearance) because I want to see it. At my core, I'm a fan. He's interesting and has a gravity about him. I want to see him perform."

McGregor has thrown shots at WWE, and pro wrestling in general, due to its scripted nature.

But with Cena’s recent endorsement, it may only be a matter of time before fans see the Irish superstar in a WWE ring.

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