John Cena feels that Stephen A. Smith would fit seamlessly in WWE
Popular ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has previously expressed his desire to crossover to the world of professional wrestling, where he believes he could excel as a villainous manager.
After attending last year's WWE WrestleMania 39, Smith said he aspires to be "the next Bobby The Brain Heenan" while citing his tendency to antagonize the Dallas Cowboys fanbase.
"I’d be a villain; I ain't gonna lie, and I’d love it," Smith said of his WWE aspirations. "I should have been there last year [for WrestleMania 38] when it was in Dallas. Could you imagine me if I had walked out there with a cowboy hat on as a bad guy manager? ... That would have been spectacular."
John Cena — who crossed over from the WWE to Hollywood — believes Smith has the requisite tools to make a splash in the world he made a name for himself. On Wednesday's "First Take" on ESPN, the actor cited Smith's vivacious personality and trash-talking ability while making a case for him to join WWE.
"I think he would be tempted to do more than just manage," Cena said of Smith. "He is what we do in the WWE. He is entertaining, his personality is undeniable, he has a gravity to him — you feel a certain way about him whether you're a supporter or an opposition. He is what we try to achieve in the WWE. That's why we have such mutual respect for each other.
"I saw him at WrestleMania last year. He's always been so kind to our locker room, and I think that's because we're all in the same game."
Smith wouldn't be the first media personality to make the jump to pro wrestling. Pat McAfee has wrestled several matches in WWE and currently calls the action every week on "WWE Raw" on the USA Network.
The likes of John Stewart and Drew Carey have also made cameos at various WWE events.
More must-reads: