Mayweather Does WWE

[Trainer Monkey]

By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer2 hours, 26 minutes ago

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a champion boxer and has tested his moves on "Dancing With the Stars." Now the man many consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is preparing to drop the gloves and do some wrasslin.'
A $20 million payday awaits the undefeated WBC welterweight champion when he takes on Big Show as part of WWE's "WrestleMania XXIV" at Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on March 30.
"It's entertainment. You have a chance to just be you and do what you want to do," Mayweather said Monday after a chaotic Staples Center event that masqueraded as a news conference.
The boxer nicknamed "Money" clearly likes the way WWE does business.
"Wrestling takes care of business right on the spot," Mayweather said. "Whatever they say they're going to do, they do it right on the spot. There's no waiting three, four, five months. Quick results, quick money. Quick big money, too."
His manager Leonard Ellerbee and WWE executive Shane McMahon confirmed Mayweather's eight-figure payday for the outdoor match to be shown on live on pay-per-view.
Mayweather incited the couple hundred of already hyped fans at Staples Center by whipping out a thick wad of cash and repeatedly tossing $100, $50 and $20 bills into the crowd that had nearly as many women as men.
A mad scramble ensued, with a light pole nearly getting knocked over and two small children caught in the chaos. One lucky man emerged from the pileup clutching six $100 bills.
Mayweather played to the frenzied crowd after appearing from behind a black curtain wearing a New York Yankees jacket and cap. Fans shouted insults and the name of hometown hero Oscar De La Hoya at Mayweather.
"I run Vegas and I run L.A. and I will run the WWE," he boasted.
At 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, Mayweather gives up big numbers to the bald Big Show, who stands 7-feet and weighs 430.
"I weigh three times as much as he does," Big Show crowed. "It's not fair, but I'm a businessman and I see an opportunity for business."
Then he picked up the wooden podium and tossed it to the floor, where it splintered and the attached two mics lay like broken sticks. Clearly, Staples Center officials hadn't expected the move.
Mayweather hopped onto a chair and exchanged glares with Big Show while WWE regulars Randy Orton, John Cena, Triple H and Edge looked on, witnessing a newcomer who clearly understands the theatrics of modern-day wrestling.
"WWE is the biggest it gets," Mayweather said. "This is going to be an event like none other."
Ellerbee scoffed that hard-core boxing fans won't take Mayweather seriously after his WWE antics.
"After March 30, when Floyd goes out and takes care of his business at WrestleMania, he's still going to be the best fighter in the world and the face of boxing," he said. "Tell me what changes about that? Nothing changes."
The wrestling gig is another part of Ellerbee's carefully crafted plan to expand Mayweather's fan base.
"Either I'm going to be a genius with this or I'm the biggest idiot," he said. "Boxers have such a short window of opportunity. He can't become any bigger in boxing."
That's why Ellerbee snagged Mayweather a spot on ABC's reality hit "Dancing With the Stars." Mayweather didn't win the disco ball trophy, but he wasn't the first one voted off, either.
"It crossed him over and took him into the households of many middle-aged Middle Americans and turned him into a mainstream superstar," Ellerbee said. "Now when Floyd goes into the grocery store, the first thing 65-year-old ladies say is, `You're Floyd from `Dancing With the Stars.'"
Mayweather plans to train with WWE Latino star Ray Mysterio, who wears a mask on his face.
"I'm outside the box," he said, lapsing into the third person. "Floyd Mayweather is not just a fighter, he's an entertainer. That's what the world must know."
But he hasn't forgotten his night job.
Mayweather alluded to a possible rematch with De La Hoya in September. De La Hoya lost a split decision in their last bout May 5.
Print Story: Mayweather to get $20 million to wrestle on Yahoo! News

[donnydarkoIRL]

[jaz_pagan]

20 million

For what? Why in the hell would the WWE need to pay Floyd Mayweather 20 mill?

[Boxerharvey]

Ive been thinking about this and surely there is a massive chance Mayweather could get badly injured. I mean Big show is gigantic compared to Mayweather (or anyone) from what I have seen and if he body slams Mayweather or hits him full on by accident (we all know its rehearsed) then there is a big chance PBF could get badly injured? I now he is getting 20 mill for this but would it be worth it ending his career cus of an injury, just a thought?

[Trainer Monkey]

Ive been thinking about this and surely there is a massive chance Mayweather could get badly injured. I mean Big show is gigantic compared to Mayweather (or anyone) from what I have seen and if he body slams Mayweather or hits him full on by accident (we all know its rehearsed) then there is a big chance PBF could get badly injured? I now he is getting 20 mill for this but would it be worth it ending his career cus of an injury, just a thought?

Oddly we had the exact same thought here

[donnydarkoIRL]

Boxerharvey is correct, I hear at his lighteset Big Show is well over 400pounds.
Even if he just attempts to pin Mayweather he could actually hurt him.

People are not going to buy Floyd beating a guy of that size...Floyd has become succesful in boxing for his evasiveness and guile, how does he intend to suceed in a "sport" that requires a fighter to use pure physicality to win

[littlebif]

20 million!!! its not even a real fight even tho there could be an accident that is crazy money for a staged fight.

[Boxerharvey]

Plus in the Hatton Mayweather 24/7 series, Mayweather was saying about how his body is feeling the effects of his boxing career now. Not only his hands but his shoulders, so surely this is going to make things 100 times worse getting thrown around by a giant like Big show.

[littlebif]

If he getts slammed alot he mite not be in any shape to face De La Hoya later in the year.

[JT Rock]

He has 20 millin reasons to try wrasslin. Not trying to wind all of you up, but the good majority of you dont like Floyd, dont consider him top PFP so I would think you hope he gets injured..

The thing that is funny about this, is that people will find fault with what he is doing, again for 20 million dollars most of us would do unthinkabe things or have unthinkable things done to us or be publicly degraded.. So Floyd does the superbowl of wrestling "Wrestlemania" which is one of the biggest watched events year after year. He could surely have done worse for himself for 20 million.. I mean anyone ever listen to Delahoyas crooning on his alblum or seen clips of Pac-Mans shitty action movies?

[donnydarkoIRL]

You know on another level, how bad is this for boxing?

If Mayweather wins or is even highly competitive with the WWE's largest guy, how bad is it going to look when the people see Floyd's last fight was against 5'5'' Hatton or that he struggled with 154lbs De la Hoya

[JT Rock]

You know on another level, how bad is this for boxing?

If Mayweather wins or is even highly competitive with the WWE's largest guy, how bad is it going to look when the people see Floyd's last fight was against 5'5'' Hatton or that he struggled with 154lbs De la Hoya

Wont be an issue, people see wrestling as pure entertainment and the pinnacle of athleticism.. Its an excellent opportunity for Floyd to showcase his quickness, speed, agility and athleticism. you'll be treated to see things from him that cant be displayed in a boxing ring

The young man has done well for himself and his career moves away from boxing

[littlebif]

Can u imagine Floyd ko'ing big show and pinning him 123 that would be funny.

[donnydarkoIRL]

You know what would be hilarious?
Big Show turning up with Cotto LoL.

And JT is right Floyd is doing well, $20 mil is serious money!

[uptoscratch]

You know on another level, how bad is this for boxing?

If Mayweather wins or is even highly competitive with the WWE's largest guy, how bad is it going to look when the people see Floyd's last fight was against 5'5'' Hatton or that he struggled with 154lbs De la Hoya

You realize the fights are scripted and rehearsed, right?

And the $20M figure is pretty clearly another piece of fiction intended to generate buzz. The actual dollars are probably more like low 7 figures, $2 to $5M or so. Still a nice bit of business and a good way for Floyd to increase his exposure.