Conor McGregor kicked a hornet's nest on Friday. Speaking with the media on a conference call to promote UFC 202, the pay-per-view kingpin was asked if he had any interest in making the jump to professional wrestling in the WWE. His response to the question was both unkind and NSFW, and his opinions on the current crop of wrestlers? Well, again, unkind and NSFW.
While the talent didn't seem to catch his actual interview, McGregor's smarmy non-apology on Twitter led to an absolute tidal wave of bile being thrown McGregor's way on Sunday morning:
I didn't mean no disrespect to the @wwe fans. What I meant to say was that I'd slap the head off your entire roster. And twice on Sunday's.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 7, 2016
Some of it was tongue-in-cheek, of course. Six-time world champion Chris Jericho jokingly questioned the legitimacy of McGregor's wins, while tag team champions Big E and Kofi Kingston both took fun jabs at him:
Sorry pal no disrespect to u, but my fights are legit, unlike the fixed fights u have in @UFC. I’ll embarrass u. https://t.co/X5WCyeHYbf
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) August 7, 2016
Would you prefer to find us individually or have us all line up at once? I know your time is valuable, sir. https://t.co/XPnKhWAlza
— ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) August 7, 2016
Yikes, looks like @TheNotoriousMMA could really use a bowl of Booty O's right about now. Someone hook him up...https://t.co/aLuSQvt7P2
— Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) August 7, 2016
A number of the wrestlers took shots at McGregor's size. Among them were WWE main eventers Roman Reigns (who is billed as 6'3", 265 lbs) and AJ Styles (5'11", 218 lbs).
I think McGregor could do well in the featherweight division......if the WWE had one. https://t.co/90XGpSICS9
— AJStyles.Org (@AJStylesOrg) August 7, 2016
Your the size of my leg. Shut up. https://t.co/fBVEdf8hE1
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) August 7, 2016
His Irish brothers and sisters didn't go easy on him, either:
Never show a Jack Russell a mirror. It thinks it's a majestic Irish Wolfhound. Really, just an annoying wee yapper trying to sell tickets.
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) August 7, 2016
I'll stand aside.... Seeing as I've already beat you......@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/mshAMquu7O
— Becky Lynch (@BeckyLynchWWE) August 7, 2016
Some of the wrestlers who responded were...less nice, particularly former stars MVP and Kurt Angle:
The way Nate Diaz Stockton slapped you or nah?https://t.co/PGDrBcVum7
— MVP (@The305MVP) August 7, 2016
@TheNotoriousMMA @WWE very funny little guy. Why don't you get your head out of Dana White's ass
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) August 7, 2016
I would pay good $$ to see @RealKurtAngle STRETCH THE PISS outta @TheNotoriousMMA and make him tap. #itstrue https://t.co/Uvo8H34nHy
— Bubba Ray Dudley (@BubbaRayDudley) August 7, 2016
The angriest of the lot, however, seemed to be the legendary Ric Flair, who fired three angry tweets McGregor's way over his words:
Coming from a guy who built a career copying my persona, I expected the type of class we get from Ronda or Anderson. pic.twitter.com/iVoC0Xva5g
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016
After Diaz finishes you again, I dare you to try guys like Dolph, Brock, or Fit.
Oh you're welcome for your gimmick pic.twitter.com/0qziVjlMav
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016
If anyone doubts whether or not Doloh could tie Conor in a knot, do yourself a favor and Google his accomplishments pic.twitter.com/h7mitMeBXn
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 7, 2016
It's unclear how much of this was serious on the wrestlers' part. As MiddleEasy.com's Justin Golightly hinted at on Twitter, it feels like this may simply be both parties trading publicity, and as combat sports writer David Bixenspan discussed, the history is there to suggest McGregor may be looking to get his own Ronda Rousey moment at one of the major upcoming WWE events.
Either way, this stuff is both fun and easy to read into. Enjoy this ride, fans!