What other Pro Wrestlers could really fight?

Well technically I believe Ken Shamrock was a pro wrestler first, before Pancrase, as were a lot of the early Pancrase fighters.

Sakuraba and many other Japanese "pureosu" pro wrestlers turned into fighters; including the founder of Shooto. Really MMA and pro wrestling were inseperable in Japan, and that continues some to this day.

Hell, the first Pride main event was Rickson vs Takada, a pro wrestler (later he would go on to turn MMA fights into pro wrestling by taking part in staged or worked matches, like his miraculous heel hook vs Coleman).

There are of course the people who started in MMA and went to pro wrestling for extra income, like Josh Barnett, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, even Tank Abbott.

If you're looking to pick somebody out of pro wrestling to be an MMA fighter, look for one with some sort of combat sport background. Kurt Angle was a gold medal wrestler, Ogawa was a medalist in Judo (although he tried fighting and didn't turn out too well).

 

the great khali

 

rey mysterio KO via 619 anderson silva

 

Ric Flair before eye gouging was banned couldn't stick to the rules

 

there was a black wrestler quite recently in thw wwe that was an undefeated amature boxer, cant think of the name though

 

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Ray Mysterio Jr would have made a fantastic MMA fighter given the right training

 

Naomichi Marufuji - Known as a legitmate shooter due to his amatuar credentials.
Shinsuke Nakumera - I think MMA promotions would love to use him but no way will New Japan allow thay now.
Takashi Sugiura - Another with strong amateur credentials
Katsuhiko Nakajima - Only 21 and has said he wants to have some MMA matches in the future. Had 1 'shoot' when he was 14 and won by KO. Trained Karate as well as wrestling and has strong striking skills. I expect him maybe in 5 years to start training BJJ and having some MMA matches.
Katsuyori Shibata - Been doing MMA fulltime for 2 years now. Won 4 and lost 6. However his learning and he was thrown in the deep end. His already faced Sakuraba, Jason Miller, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Hayato Sakurai which is crazy considering he only really started full time in 07.
Brian Danielson - Unfortuantly has signed to WWE. A great pro-wrestler who also trains at Randy Couture's Xtreme Couture gym
Davey Richards - Was training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before he became a pro-wrestler

Thats just some off the top of my head. Japan would have a a lot of wrestlers who would have amateur high school and college experience as thats the norm plus the New Japan dojo's are not simply a matter of teaching someone how to pro-wrestle. U at least learn basic Jiu-Jitsu.

 

Sheldon Benjamin

 

William Regal is the best fighter.

 

This is one guy who would have done really really well in MMA. Benjamin was an athletic freak and excelled in college not just as a wrestler but also in track and field.

 

Agreed with Shelton and I believe his former Tag Team partner Charlie Haas could have fought well himself. Haas was a 2 time Big East Champion Wrestler. Samoa Joe was a Champion Judo player in California when he was in HS. Kurt Angle is an obvious choice. Scott Steiner was a accomplished wrestler himself at Michigan.

 

Haas got chumped by Vince. Never knew why as his credentials were up there with Benjamin.

 

Dont know man infact I wouldnt even say Benjamin has had the greatest run I mean **** hes wrestling on the "ECW" brand tell me why a guy like him and Christian as well are stuck on the small show ? Those 2 have more talent then 95 percent of the roster. I loved when Haas and Benjamin where a team together they where one of the last great Tag Teams.