Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is set to make a temporary move to the wrestling ring. This week, it was announced that the former Arizona State University wrestler will be participating in Triplemania, the flagship show for Mexican professional wrestling company Lucha Libre AAA.
Velasquez made his announcement during a press conference in Mexico City.
There were some questions whether Velasquez would be an in-ring performer or simply be making an appearance during the show, but he left no doubt about his plans.
“I will be an in-ring performer for sure. With more time learning this beautiful sport, great things will happen,” Velasquez said through his management team, according to MMA Fighting.
During the press conference, Velasquez apparently took a page out of another former UFC champion’s book when he pulled a Ronda Rousey and called professional wrestling “fake.” As is the case with Rousey’s comments in WWE, it is all part of the angle.
From Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer:
As part of an angle, the 36-year-old casually made a remark about Lucha Libre not being real which led to AAA stars like La Parka and Psycho Clown wanting to show him how real it is.
Velasquez spent one week training at the WWE Performance Center last year and is a lifelong fan, as is training partner and UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. Velasquez is under a UFC contract, so the organization would have to agree to allow him to do the show. They have been hit-and-miss over the years about allowing their fighters to do pro wrestling, but seem to have relaxed that in recent years.
Despite challenges from guys like La Parka and Psycho Clown, it looks like a wrestler named Pentagon Jr. could be the one to welcome Velasquez to the professional wrestling world.
What a world.
Triplemania is set to take place on August 3 at Arena Ciudad in Mexico City. The event will be headlined by a bout between Dr. Wagner Jr. and Blue Demon Jr.
