On October 8, Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle are set for a Fight Pit match at WWE’s Extreme Rules Premium Live Event in Philadelphia. However, there’s another treat for this match, and that’s former UFC star Daniel Cormier special guest refereeing.
Cormier talked to MMA insider Ariel Helwani about the opportunity:
“The Rollins-Riddle feud has gotten very intense and personal. There’s only one person qualified enough to oversee this brutal match at Extreme Rules, and it’s me. I’ll see you guys in Philly next Saturday.”
No, really. This is legit.
“The Rollins-Riddle feud has gotten very intense and personal. There’s only one person qualified enough to oversee this brutal match at Xtreme Rules and it’s me. I’ll see you guys in Philly next Saturday.”
– @dc_mma, special freakin’ guest ref.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 2, 2022
This isn’t the first time that WWE has gone this route. Back in 1997, Vince McMahon tabbed Ken Shamrock, who was one of the most popular fighters in UFC at the time, to be the special guest referee for the match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart in a submission match at WrestleMania 13.
A fan of WWE, Daniel Cormier said that he’s had communication with the company before.
Back in 2020, he told Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated that he has been in contact with WWE and spoke about a potential role on the commentary team. The former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion also said in July that the company spoke to him about working with the then NXT Tag Team Champions, the Creed Brothers.
At Extreme Rules, Daniel Cormier will now officially be involved with WWE.