How Conor McGregor Pissed Off Every WWE Superstar
Conor McGregor caused outrage within the world of professional wrestling after the UFC champion boldly called WWE superstars “messed up pussies” on a recent conference call promoting his UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz later this month.
McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC), the current UFC featherweight champion who will again move up two weight classes to welterweight for a rematch of his March loss to Diaz (19-10, 14-8 UFC) at UFC 196, was asked about whether a crossover to WWE could be in his future.
Aside from former UFC champ Ronda Rousey making an appearance alongside The Rock at WrestleMania 31 in 2015, the transition from professional fighter to wrestler at the highest level is almost nonexistent. Oppositely, however, Brock Lesnar and CM Punk have both moved from careers with WWE to UFC competition.
McGregor made it clear he’s not all that interested in making a switch, though, and even took a shot at Lesnar, who received two potential U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) anti-doping violations around the time of his UFC 200 comeback fight against Mark Hunt in July.
“I have thought about [WWE],” McGregor said on the call. “For the most part, I think these guys are pussies, to be honest. They’re messed up pussies if you ask me. Fair play to Brock [Lesnar]; he got in and fought, but at the end of the day, he was juiced up to the fucking eyeballs. How can I respect that? The other guy [CM Punk] hasn’t fought yet, so I don’t know about him yet.”
Wrestling fans don’t take their idols being called out in such a manner lightly, and McGregor was bombarded with harassment online following his comments. In typical “The Notorious” fashion, though, the brash Irishman did not apologize. Instead, he took to his official Twitter account and doubled down.
“I didn’t mean no disrespect to the (WWE) fans,” McGregor wrote. “What I meant to say was that I’d slap the head off your entire roster. And twice on Sunday’s.”
McGregor’s follow-up comment didn’t merely spark a reaction from the WWE fan base. It caused the athletes themselves to speak up. It wasn’t just or or two, either. McGregor got a rise out of several legendary and noteworthy names, all of whom were none too pleased by his challenge.
Coming from a guy who built a career copying my persona, I expected the type of class we get from Ronda or Anderson. pic.twitter.com/iVoC0Xva5g
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016
After Diaz finishes you again, I dare you to try guys like Dolph, Brock, or Fit.
Oh you’re welcome for your gimmick pic.twitter.com/0qziVjlMav
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016
@TheNotoriousMMA @WWE very funny little guy. Why don’t you get your head out of Dana White’s ass
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) August 7, 2016
The way Nate Diaz Stockton slapped you or nah?https://t.co/PGDrBcVum7
— MVP (@The305MVP) August 7, 2016
Your the size of my leg. Shut up. https://t.co/fBVEdf8hE1
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) August 7, 2016
Hey @TheNotoriousMMA if you put on some weight you might make @wwe Cruiserweight Division.
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) August 7, 2016
Yikes, looks like @TheNotoriousMMA could really use a bowl of Booty O’s right about now. Someone hook him up…https://t.co/aLuSQvt7P2
— Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) August 7, 2016
Sorry pal no disrespect to u, but my fights are legit, unlike the fixed fights u have in @UFC. I’ll embarrass u. https://t.co/X5WCyeHYbf
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) August 7, 2016
McGregor’s comments once again show his brilliance and social media savvy. With his Aug. 20 rematch against Diaz, which airs on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, less than two weeks away, he got fellow wrestlers with more than 14 million combined followers to mention his name.
If that translates to more people tuning into his fight, whether it’s to witness him win or see him knocked out or submitted, that’s only going to cause a positive impact on his wallet. And for someone that’s all about the money, he couldn’t ask for much more.
Bring it https://t.co/e9guQ9bi0f
— $asha Bank$ (@SashaBanksWWE) August 7, 2016