Chael Sonnen Says He Got A Call From The WWE

Not for the reason you might expect.

By Jay Anderson /

Chael Sonnen has had a hell of a rough summer. Now he says the WWE gave him a call - but it's not what you might expect. Sonnen, three-time UFC title challenger, and a master on the mic who talked his way into fights more than fighting his way into them, was suspended for two years by the NSAC in July after failing a pair of drug tests. He also lost his job as a broadcaster with FOX Sports, something the UFC, who have generally had Sonnen's back over the years, agreed with. That's not to say that Sonnen has been out of the public eye: this past weekend, he competed at Metamoris 4, a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competition over which the NSAC has no authority, as there is no striking involved. Although he lost to Andre Galvo after starting strong, the bout kept Sonnen's name in the news. He was also spotted at this past Monday's WWE RAW taping, right there in the front row as Ric Flair made his way into the ring to celebrate Hulk Hogan's birthday. And we know Sonnen can talk like a pro wrestler, so could there be anything there? Well, Sonnen has now stated, on Chris Jerhico's podcast, that the WWE in fact gave him a call - only it's not the call you might expect. According to Sonnen: "A WWE exec calls me up, and he said, €˜We read what you're going through, we're not interested.' So I'm thinking, €˜why did you call me?' He said €˜If you were 24 years old, you'd be making a whole jackpot full of money ... but we think TNA is going to be calling you and if they do, we want back in the game.' So I was like, OK, now at least I get we're you're coming from." Interesting. With TNA on its last legs, should the WWE even care if they call Sonnen? Is this Sonnen just trying to self-promote again? It's unlikely you'll see Sonnen in the ring any time soon - but he'd make a great manager, and if he had any ring skill at all, he might be able to do it. One thing you should never do it count out the bad guy.