A skit on Australian TV featuring UFC fighters Alexander Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker, impersonating WWE stars Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan, highlights the real possibilities of cross-promotion between the UFC and WWE following the recent announcement of a merger between the two under a new parent company.
The recent UFC-WWE merger announcement has sparked the interest of many in the sports entertainment industry, including former UFC middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker and current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. During their appearance on an Australian TV show, the two fighters pulled off hilarious impersonations of legendary WWE stars Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan, while discussing potential crossovers between the two promotions.
While the skit was meant mostly for humor, it pointed towards the possible synergies between the two brands. Athletes from both promotions could find new avenues for success with this merger. For example, Ronda Rousey, the UFC’s first female champion, successfully transitioned into the WWE and continued to increase her popularity. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar, one of the most successful WWE performers of all time, became a UFC heavyweight champion in just his third fight for the promotion.
Despite the comedic tone, the UFC-WWE merger presents real possibilities for athletes to cross over and explore different aspects of sports entertainment. With the skit’s giant images of Rousey and Lesnar in the backdrop, the seriousness of the merger was emphasized. Many athletes, both from the UFC and WWE, could benefit from the new opportunities that arise from this partnership.
Overall, the skit was a humorous approach to addressing the potential of the UFC-WWE merger. As the two promotions come under a new, as yet unnamed parent company, there is much speculation about what the future will hold for athletes in sports entertainment. The possibilities are limitless, and the merger offers the chance for athletes to explore new avenues of success.