Daniel Cormier is coming into the professional wrestling world, although he won’t be jumping off the top rope.
Daniel Cormier is coming into the professional wrestling world, although he won’t be jumping off the top rope.
Daniel Cormier to perform as special guest referee in WWE match
Instead, the lifelong pro wrestling fan and UFC Hall of Famer will perform as the special guest referee in a Fight Pit match between ex-UFC fighter Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins at the October 8 Extreme Rules pay-per-view in Philadelphia.
The news of Saturday's MMA fighting was confirmed by WWE officials following an initial post by Ariel Helwani on Twitter.
Cormier said on Instagram concerning his new refereeing gig that he will be fair, honest, impartial, and will be there for a reason. According to him, the law has been called in, and he promises to enforce it to the fullest extent with every part of himself.
Long before Cormier became a two-division UFC champion, he grew up as a pro wrestling fan, often idolizing many of the performers while starting his athletic career.
Cormier became one of the world's best freestyle wrestlers that appeared twice in the Olympic games which eventually led him to MMA.
After the close of his UFC career, Cormier was in talks with WWE about an on-air commentary role.
Cormier ultimately chose to stay full-time with UFC where he performs as one of the lead color commentators.
He will now get to step into a special rules match, the Fight Pit. The ring ropes here are removed and replaced with a steel cage with a catwalk along the top.
The match only ends via submission or if one participant becomes unable to get to their feet.
The matchup involves Rollins and Riddle, who engaged in bitter on-air storylines for several months.
Prior to Riddle's career in WWE, he was a mainstay in the UFC.
He turned his attention to pro wrestling after his release from the UFC as a result of multiple failed drug tests for marijuana.
He has become one of the biggest names in the pro wrestling industry.
Cormier’s job is to keep the peace in the match as Riddle attempts to finish his rivalry with Rollins on the Extreme Rules pay-per-view.