5 WWE Wrestlers Who Dabbled In MMA

5. Bobby Lashley

Probably one of the more successful entries in this list, Bobby Lashley looked like he was going to follow in the footsteps of Brock Lesnar, and make a hugely successful transition into the MMA world. Fans wanted to see him in the UFC, though Dana White was sceptical that another wrestler could make the transition the way Brock Lesnar had done. An NAIA Champion in amateur wrestling, in the WWE, Bobby Lashley debuted in 2005 as a monster face, marketed for his all-American wrestling ability, and quickly became United States champion. He made his first Wrestlemania appearance at Wrestlemania 22, would team up with Batista, and would later be ECW champion during the questionable period when the most extreme wrestling promotion of all time was acquired and slowly run into the ground by Vincent K. McMahon. Then in 2008, after being out with injury for a period of six months, the WWE released him from his contract. Smaller pro wrestling promotions and TNA followed, but at the same time, Lashley began a side-career in MMA. Unlike Lesnar, who was thrust into the spotlight from the outset and fought nothing but big names, Lashley instead went the slow and steady route, which was probably better in the long run for his development as a fighter - but might have hurt his pocketbook. He learned the game from the ground up, and after winning his debut fight in 2008, via TKO, his next match was actually to be against MMA and WWE legend Ken Shamrock. That was a bout that would have sold, however, Shamrock tested positive for steroids leading into the 2009 fight. Lashley's opponent was changed to veteran journeyman Jason Guida, who had fought in the WEC and Bellator - not nearly the showdown with the pro wrestling angle that Lashley vs. Shamrock would have been. Lashley took the Jason Guida fight by decision, and would go on to claim four straight wins to start his MMA career, including one over Bob Sapp. After Sapp, Lashley signed with Strikeforce - the number two MMA promotion at the time, and the best option for him outside of the UFC. Lashley made his Strikeforce debut in January 2010, and was successful, defeating Wes Sims via TKO in the first. His next match, however, would be his first real step up in competition, and his first loss - against Chad Griggs. In August of 2010, Griggs would defeat the former WWE star via TKO. Griggs at the time was another hot prospect, and would compile an 11-1 record prior to debuting in the UFC, where he would lose twice and be released. Lashley, meanwhile, looked to bounce back. Unable to train for several months due to injury, he would sign with Titan Fights next, getting back in the win column. He would win again in his next bout, over Karl Knothe, to win the Shark Fights heavyweight championship. Again, Lashley was looking for a step up in competition, and he found it with the SFL, and a match with Pride vet (and current Bellator heavyweight) James Thompson. SFL (Super Fight League) was an upstart promotion in India that brought in a number of fighters from around the globe, and Lashley vs. Thompson was the main event of their third card, in May 2012. The fight would go to decision, however it was Thompson who came out on top. Now 7-2, it was back to the drawing board for Lashley. The fighter and pro wrestler would not compete in MMA for a full year after that, and there were questions as to whether he was done in the sport. However, Lashley then seemed to take on a "now or never" attitude. There was rumours that he'd signed with the upstart WSOF, though that didn't seem to pan out. He fought three times in 2013, winning all three bouts, including a Titan FC match where he headlined, headlining Global Warrior Challenge's first event, and, in November 2013, winning the XFN (Xtreme Fight Night) heavyweight championship. Not a bad run, right? However, TNA would then come calling, and Lashley would return to the struggling #2 pro wrestling promotion in March of 2014. In June 2014, Lashley would win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. It looks like his MMA career will have to be put on hold again for now - though keep in mind that Bellator airs on Spike TV, just as TNA does, and the two have cross-promoted before. If TNA/Bellator played its cards right, they could have a huge boost in interest on their hands. Here's Lashley fighting in Titan FC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EjwyybKEX0