Widely regarded by many as one of the best heavyweights in UFC history, Cain Velasquez is all set to make his pro wrestling debut for AAA at their upcoming show, TripleMania XXVII. For those unfamiliar, TripleMania is the biggest show of the year produced by the Mexican promotion, AAA. This year, the event will take place on August 31, 2019, at Arena Mexico in Mexico City.
Velasquez last fought in the UFC in February where he suffered a TKO Loss against Francis Ngannou. Valasquez has openly spoken about his love for professional wrestling and hinted at a possible career in wrestling on numerous occasions. Therefore, it came as no surprise when 'El Gran Campeon' was revealed as AAA's newest signee earlier this year.
Given his background in amateur wrestling, we have no doubt that Velasquez will do wonders inside the squared circle. Although he currently doesn't have opponent announced for TripleMania, we except AAA to put up huge name against the former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Here are five potential opponents for Velasquez for his debut match at TripleMania:
#3 Pentagon Jr.
Let's get the obvious one out of the way first. Pentagon Jr. is the perhaps the most talked about Luchador in the world right now. The former iMPACT! World Champion has been at the top of his game for quite some time putting on great matches in IMPACT, MLW and AAA.
Pentagon along with his brother, Rey Fenix, collectively known as the Lucha Bros, are one of the top tag teams in the world. Penta and Fenix are currently scheduled for a match against The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) for the AAA World Tag Team Championship at All Elite Wrestling's debut event, Double or Nothing on May 25th.
It would make for Pentagon to face Velasquez in his debut match as the duo had a face off during the press conference where AAA revealed Valasquez signing with the promotion. Pentagon is a performer par excellence and we believe that he can have a great match with almost anybody and him facing Cain Velasquez will be a huge money match and a great way for Velasquez to kick-off his career inside the squared circle.
#2 Cody
The EVP of All Elite Wrestling, Cody is a man of many hats. The Grandson of a Plumber is carrying forward the legacy of his father, the late Dusty Rhodes. After leaving WWE in 2016, Cody established himself as a main event talent during his time in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The American Nightmare held numerous championships during his time in the independent circuit including the coveted NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. Cody is currently at the helm of the hottest brand in wrestling today, All Elite Wrestling.
AEW has a working relationship with AAA and it goes without saying that we can expect to see a lot of AEW Stars at AAA's TripleMania, come August. Cody vs Velasquez is a very interesting match-up especially given the fact that both Cody and Velasquez have an amateur wrestling background.
In addition to that, Cody had a twitter war of words of with Velasquez's training partner and current UFC Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Cormier a year and a half ago, which could be used to build their match at TripleMania.
#1 Chris Jericho
Given Chris Jericho's recent habit of picking up a fight with almost anyone in the world, we won't be surprised if Y2J challenges Cain Velasquez for his debut match at TripleMania. Jericho is a three-decade veteran of the squared circle who has reinvented himself time and time again. Jericho is the personification of an old wine as the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion has only gotten better with age.
Jericho has proved that age is just a number and at a time when most wrestlers look to wind up their career or end up becoming a nostalgia act, the self-proclaimed Painmaker shows no signs of slowing down even at the age of 48. Y2J is currently scheduled for two high profile matches in the coming months. He will Kenny Omega at AEW's Double or Nothing on May 25 and will also go up against Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at New Japan's Dominion show on June 9.
Jericho is known to be one of the safest hands inside the squared circle. He is also one of the most giving performers in the business who can make his opponent look like a million bucks. Jericho Vs Velasquez has money written all over, we just hope that both AEW and AAA are listening.