World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is reportedly in advanced talks to bring football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to their upcoming Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia. The news comes on the heels of WWE’s recent merger with the UFC, creating a “$21 billion+ live sports and entertainment powerhouse.”
Over the years, WWE has had a history of inviting athletes from various sports disciplines to participate in their events. Notable names include former Norwich striker Grant Holt, German goalkeeper Tim Wiese, and ex-Wycombe Wanderers forward Adebayo Akinfenwa. Even football legend Wayne Rooney made a splash in the wrestling world when he slapped WWE superstar Wade Barrett during a 2015 WWE Raw event in Manchester.
While the chances of Ronaldo actually stepping into the wrestling ring are considered slim, WWE is keen on having the 38-year-old Al Nassr forward make a guest appearance at the Crown Jewel event. According to a report by Spanish publication AS, WWE is willing to offer a ‘large appearance fee’ to boost their event’s profile by featuring Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer.
Last year, NXT star Apollo Crews suggested that Ronaldo could potentially have a successful wrestling career after his days on the football field are over. “Honestly, with that mentality to be a top athlete in the world on that level, I think just on the mentality alone he would’ve done okay,” Crews told Metro in an interview.
The move to invite Ronaldo aligns with WWE’s broader strategy to attract big names to their events, especially in the wake of their merger with the UFC. The UFC is renowned for having high-profile celebrities and athletes at their Pay-Per-View events, and it appears WWE is looking to emulate that level of star power.
Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp reached out to WWE for a comment regarding the Ronaldo rumors but has yet to receive a response. As of now, the deal is still in the negotiation phase, and nothing has been officially confirmed.
If the deal goes through, it could mark a significant milestone in the crossover between sports and entertainment, further solidifying WWE’s position as a global powerhouse in the live sports and entertainment industry.
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