In a spectacle that was as heartwarming as it was epic, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels bumped into UFC legend Forrest Griffin backstage at WWE NXT Battleground. The event, held at the UFC Apex arena, was a historic first, marking the fusion of two colossal worlds – professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.
Backstage, the Heartbreak Kid himself, Shawn Michaels, now the creative genius behind NXT, extended a hearty handshake to Griffin. The exchange was a mutual admiration society, with Michaels praising Griffin’s Hall of Fame career and commending him for setting the gold standard in the octagon. You could almost hear the Rocky theme playing in the background.
Forrest Griffin, the man who gave us unforgettable wars in the UFC, has swapped his gloves for a role at the UFC Performance Institute. This isn’t his first WWE rodeo, though; last December, he made a surprise appearance in a WWE ring, proving he’s got moves that aren’t just limited to the octagon.
This historic Battleground event represents the first collaboration since UFC and WWE merged under the TKO banner. While UFC President Dana White insists that the two promotions will operate separately, a few of his crew have been seen moonlighting with WWE. Could a crossover be brewing? The plot thickens.
The night’s main event saw Trick Williams successfully defend his NXT Championship against Ethan Page. The fans also witnessed Kelani Jordan claim the NXT Women’s North American Championship, adding a shiny new title to her collection. The event’s pièce de résistance was an MMA crossover match, where Lola Vice triumphed over Shayna Baszler in an NXT Underground match, blending the raw power of MMA with the theatrical flair of WWE.