WWE superstar Triple H recently promoted his new movie Inside Out with AOL Moviefone. Ironically it wasn’t questions about the movie or even the WWE that made headlines. Questions about the UFC took front and center and like a true ring general, Hunter addressed them head on.
I always find it fascinating to hear big stars from professional wrestling talk about the UFC. Most are fans, yet some can get very defensive when comparisons are made to their business. It appears that Triple H is somewhere in the middle. The former WWE champion offered both praise and criticism about the competition and quite frankly, had some interesting recommendations for the UFC.
Triple H was asked flat out by a reporter how the WWE needed to evolve and respond to the UFC’s growth in popularity. Like a true WWE politician, Hunter turned the question around and offered an interesting response.
Very interesting answer by The Game and you know what, he is right. Sure, the first response from WWE critics is to re-ask the question because to a lot of us, the WWE really hasn’t evolved. However, to an objective eye he is dead on.
If there is one thing lacking about the UFC it is the “big show” feel and I don’t mean slow, boring, matches. The UFC is missing the big ring entrances and money making promos that the WWE and even some of the most successful Japanese MMA companies used at their peak. Check out some MMA entrances from Japan and you’ll see everything from Jason Miller dancing down the stage with schoolgirls to Sakaraba coming out in a Big Van Vader gimmick. You aren’t going to get that in the UFC.
I even saw this in boxing, specifically with the opening round of Showtime’s Super Six tournament. You had Arthur Abraham coming out in the opening round in Germany to a glamorous entrance as The Scorpions played his music live. I know Floyd Mayweather has come out in the past to rappers rapping his entrance music.
The UFC is still very conservative in that regard. As edgy as the UFC can be at times, they can be very hesitant to embrace the show-aspect of combat sports. While I know purists prefer it that way, a more big-time feel would really open up the sport to casual fans. It would also help creating those historic moments and offering promos and entrances that nobody will forget.
Triple H was also talked about Brock Lesnar leaving the WWE. The questioner phrased the move as controversial, yet Hunter disagrees.
Overall Triple H came off very intelligent in my opinion when discussing the UFC and the areas of improvement with the company and the sport. Before the MMA defenders and anti-WWE critics get all riled up, process what he is saying, and think about it from an objective point of view. The guy knows what he is talking about.
Thanks to MMAFighting.com for the quotes.
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