10 WWE Ideas EVEN Vince McMahon Thought Were Too Sleazy

2. Signing Brock Lesnar Ronda Rousey (Sort Of)

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WWE

You're allowed to change your mind and all that, but this anecdote is very telling, as it pertains to Vince McMahon's mentality, things of that nature.

CM Punk revealed on his infamous Art of Wrestling bridge incineration that Vince McMahon refused him the opportunity to walk Chael Sonnen to the octagon for his UFC fight with Michael Bisping. Punk reckoned the publicity might generate some last-minute buys for the upcoming Royal Rumble 2012 held 24 hours later. Vince was appalled. UFC is "barbaric," he said, mere months before former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar drilled real blood from the skull of John Cena on WWE RAW to build their match at WWE Extreme Rules.

"Somebody's gonna die," Vince reasoned, UFC was that sleazy.

"God, they'd probably continue with the show!" he followed up.

The idea was nixed, and of course Lesnar's re-debut in April exposed his rank hypocrisy. Vince also asked Punk to think of the children, explaining, incredulously, that women were set to compete in UFC later that year.

Women!

Punk welcomed the development at which Vince was aghast...

...until January 2018, when Ronda Rousey made her debut as a contracted talent.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!