Michael Chandler reflects on WWE Raw moment.
WWE and UFC came together on Monday's WWE Raw as UFC fighter Michael Chandler cut a promo on Conor McGregor while sitting in the front row.
With WWE and UFC forming TKO, much has been said about the synergies between the two companies, and WWE Raw was the first big display of the two promotions working together.
Appearing on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Chandler provided more insight into his mic time on WWE Raw.
"I literally injured my voice on Monday Night Raw," he said. "Before I went on, one of the producers was like, 'Hey, this microphone, it's gated.' 'What does that mean?' 'It means you have to speak up.' 'I don't think that will be a problem. The moment took over and a star was born. It was planned. I was going to be at Raw. Obviously, TKO Group, UFC, WWE, all one big happy family. This was the first time they were intermingling the UFC crowd with WWE crowd, bring in some fighters. They put me down in the front row and I took matters into my own hands."
Asked if he went off any script, Chandler replied, "Two minutes before, they said they were going to put the camera on me. I said, 'Why don't you give me the microphone?' 'Hold on, let me run it up the flag pole.' About a minute later, 'You're going on and you'll get the microphone if you want it.' Magic happened. There was nothing prepared. I was thrown into the fire. Smacked myself a couple of times, and we went."
The camera showed the WrestleMania 40 sign above Chandler's head while shooting him, dropping a not-so-subtle hint of Chandler potentially appearing at WrestleMania 40.
"As you know, there are little hints being dropped everywhere. That was definitely coincidental. I had a meeting with Triple H after, we chopped it up. I paid my respects. I grew up watching Triple H. We had a nice little talk. I would love to head out to Philly in April. We'll see what happens," he said.
Asked about meeting with Triple H and what that conversation was like, Chandler replied, "He liked what he saw. A lot of WWE brass liked what they saw. There were some talks happening. It was fun."
Chandler tweeted that he had "signed" with WWE.
Asked what that actually entailed, Chandler said, "I'm implying this is not the last you'll see of me in WWE. Possibly. We will see. There is a crossover there. A ton of respect for the wrestlers, the brass there. They have a ton of respect for the UFC. It was really cool being there watching other athletes, entertainers, and performers. There is a lot of synergy there, and the sky is the limit with TKO Group and what we can do in the crossover. It's probably the very beginning. The meshing of both brands was going to happen. I feel I was the catalyst to start it. It was the first kick off of what is to come."
Though Chandler called out McGregor in his promo, a fight has not been officially announced by the UFC.
Fans can watch Chandler's promo in the video above.
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