Fox Reportedly Want UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier To Commentate WWE SmackDown Live
Blue brand to be more like a "sports show"?
Speaking on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier is doing a WWE commentary tryout soon. This is reportedly due to Fox wanting SmackDown Live - which transfers to their network next October - to feel more like a sports show, with Cormier's work outside of the Octagon on UFC broadcasts impressing them.
The news comes after Cormier reportedly postponed a WWE commentary tryout last week due to a short notice booking to defend his heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 on 3 November.
“If I didn’t have this fight, I have been talking to the WWE, because they wanted me to go in and do an audition as a member of the commentary team,” Cormier told reporters during UFC 230’s media day last week. "That was my private little thing. But because of the fight, I had to push it back. So there might be some DC in WWE sh*t coming.” (MMA Fighting)
It turns out that Cormier is an avid WWE fan, and is eager to learn all that he can from Vince McMahon et al: “I like it (WWE commentary). I want to freak out. I want to freak out next to the thing with Vince in my ear saying, ‘Say this, you asshole!’ Because I heard Vince tells you what to say. I’m like, ‘OK, Vince.’ Don’t be surprised if I’m on TV and a couple times I go, ‘OK, OK, OK, OK.’ And just say it.” (MMA Fighting)
Whether Cormier actually makes it onto WWE's televised events remains to be seen. One thing we can be sure of is that Fox has a clear idea of what they want SmackDown Live to be from October 2019 onwards.
The news comes after Cormier reportedly postponed a WWE commentary tryout last week due to a short notice booking to defend his heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 on 3 November.
“If I didn’t have this fight, I have been talking to the WWE, because they wanted me to go in and do an audition as a member of the commentary team,” Cormier told reporters during UFC 230’s media day last week. "That was my private little thing. But because of the fight, I had to push it back. So there might be some DC in WWE sh*t coming.” (MMA Fighting)
It turns out that Cormier is an avid WWE fan, and is eager to learn all that he can from Vince McMahon et al: “I like it (WWE commentary). I want to freak out. I want to freak out next to the thing with Vince in my ear saying, ‘Say this, you asshole!’ Because I heard Vince tells you what to say. I’m like, ‘OK, Vince.’ Don’t be surprised if I’m on TV and a couple times I go, ‘OK, OK, OK, OK.’ And just say it.” (MMA Fighting)
Whether Cormier actually makes it onto WWE's televised events remains to be seen. One thing we can be sure of is that Fox has a clear idea of what they want SmackDown Live to be from October 2019 onwards.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin
