This Recent WWE Returnee ALMOST Trained For UFC Instead

One of WWE's comeback kings almost launched an MMA career instead of returning.

Karrion Kross Scarlett WWE 2022
WWE.com

Karrion Kross has revealed that he almost trained for a career jump to UFC before agreeing to his recent WWE return.

Kross told Corey Graves on 'After The Bell' that he was also "on the verge" of accepting a three-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships promoter David Feldmen. None other than Daniel Gracie was simultaneously trying to convince Karrion that moving to Philadelphia and pursuing a career in MMA would be the right call.

Then, Triple H got back in touch and all bets were off.

Advertisement

Karrion knew that he should return to WWE instead and redeem himself after a miserable main roster run last summer. His leap from NXT to Raw was a frankly crap experience, and Kross plans to make up for it now he's on SmackDown.

The WWE returnee did explore some other options in pro wrestling (working for everyone from New Japan to MLW), but he was more interested in taking a stab at UFC earlier this year. That, obviously, has been put on ice due to his wrestling comeback.

Advertisement

Kross has been thrust right into the main event mix on SmackDown, but hasn't wrestled since returning.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.