10 Reasons Conor McGregor Would Become WWE's Franchise Player

7. The Game Has Changed

Conor McGregor WWE
WWE.com

Conor McGregor doesn’t exactly fit Vince McMahon’s old superstar blueprint. Standing at just 5’9”, he fought Eddie Alvarez at 155lbs on Saturday night, and he’d be one of the smallest men on the WWE roster should he ever sign with the company. He’d be dwarfed even by the likes of Roman Reigns let alone the company’s real giants, but while his diminutive stature is a definite hindrance, size isn’t the be all/end all any more.

Wrestlers like Daniel Bryan have proven that smaller wrestlers can reach the top of the business, and “being huge” isn’t a prerequisite to success anymore. Let’s not forget that Finn Balor was handed the keys to the kingdom as WWE’s first Universal Champion just a few months ago, and he weighs just 190lbs. Though Conor competes at 145 and 155lbs, he likely walks around at somewhere between 170 and 175lbs, so he’s not far behind Balor at all.

There has never been a better time for a major MMA star to crossover into professional wrestling. Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn have done it before, but neither were as popular as Conor. McGregor’s lack of size simply doesn’t matter in 2016, such is his strength as a performer, and with wrestling screaming out for legitimacy, nobody’s realer than the UFC’s biggest star.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.