Who would've thought Brock Lesnar was such a trend setter? Since his return to World Wrestling Entertainment in April, Brock Lesnar has been the subject of a lot of controversy. Whether discussing his animalistic style of wrestling, or reporting his less than stellar backstage attitude, Lesnar has remained a top commodity in pro wrestling. Now his celebrated foe Frank Mir could be stepping into the squared circle soon as well. In an article published by The Chronicle Journal, Frank Mir stated he "wasn't opposed" to the idea of going to the WWE after his career in mixed martial arts is over. Frank Mir isn't the only UFC fighter to hint at a potential pro wrestling career. Tito Ortiz and Roy Nelson have both acknowledged they were open to the possibility. In addition, King Mo recently signed a contract with TNA Wrestling.
As a wrestling fan for the last 20 years, the prospect of Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir continuing their rivalry in World Wrestling Entertainment is exciting for many reasons.
First, the Lesnar versus Mir matches have been some of the most successful and popular bouts in UFC history. A third pay per view bout between these two, regardless of it being promoted by Vince McMahon, would garner huge pay per view numbers. Despite a slump in recent years, the WWE still amasses honorable buy rates. If they could attract the UFC devotees with a Lesnar versus Mir match, McMahon could expect to break records. I imagine he could even smash his own Wrestlemania 28 record.
Secondly, as a long time fan I am enthusiastic to observe the evolution of wrestling. In the past, I've seen it go from the cartoonish heyday of Hulk Hogan and his Rock-n-Wrestling Connection, to the Attitude Era, and now onto an era of more reality based programming. I imagine that once Linda McMahon's bid for Congress has ended, Vince will bring back a edgier product. And this could coincide with the addition of more legit fighters. Imagine if Vince McMahon can pull of the impossible, and twist the circus like atmosphere of the WWE into a more legit form of wrestling and entertainment. It's quite possible. We are on the brink of another step in the evolution of pro wrestling, and it's pretty electrifying to witness what looms near.
Lastly, I'm invigorated about the possibility of a Frank Mir arrival because it may help freshen up the WWE roster. In the last ten years, the company has been full of cookie-cutter wrestlers with male model bodies. And although I do believe pro wrestlers should look like athletes, I also declare that everybody shouldn't look alike. Frank Mir, like Lesnar, doesn't look like a male model. He looks like a devastating athlete who could tear you apart with his hands. Those are the kinds of wrestlers that I want to watch.
At the end of the day, the prospect of Frank Mir in the WWE is still just a pipe dream. But his comments make the dream one step closer to becoming a reality.
