MMA Fighters That Could Become Crossover WWE Superstars & Their WWE Counterparts

Mackenzie Dern

At the forefront of the WWE’s international plans is a term they call “global localization.” For example, they hope to create sub-divisions of the NXT brand in many international territories, with the U.K. being the first non-American example. The company has a high desirability for international talent that can speak multiple languages. Dern -- with no jokes to her late-life adopted Brazilian accent -- checks off the box in that department and is young enough to have time to develop her skills at the WWE Performance Center. Her strong social media presence should help as well.

In the MMA sphere, Dern has gotten some scorn for her difficulties in making the 115-pound weight class, but in a pro-wrestling world, she would be free to build an even stronger body to buttress her in the ring. From there, she’s got the type of babyface charisma that is subtle but effective, in the same way a character like Bayley first got over in NXT as an every-woman that appealed to adults and children alike.

As NXT focuses on developing talent like Taynara Conti with an emphasis on her judo and Kacy Catanzaro for her gymnastics skills, Dern could define her character through her elaborate grappling and submission skillset in a pro-wrestling context.

Moreover, Dern could play an important role as WWE expands more aggressively into Latin America or Brazil itself.

Brazil has never been a pro-wrestling stronghold -- in fact, most Brazilians still call pro-wrestling “Telecatch,” the name of a wrestling show that aired nationally in the late 1960’s -- but if WWE is serious about global expansion, the 25-year-old Dern is exactly the kind of talent they would want to acquire to change the international landscape and understanding of its product.

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