Tito Ortiz Recalls WWE Talks In 2000 And 2019, Still Wants To Have A Match

Tito Ortiz is a legendary figure in MMA as a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and one of the top draws on pay-per-view and television during his time in the company.

His UFC 40 fight against Ken Shamrock was the highest gate ($1,540,000) in UFC history at the time and his UFC 66 fight against Chuck Liddell was the highest buyrate in UFC history at the time, drawing just under one million buys. 

In 2000, Ortiz was the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and had brief talks with WWE that he didn’t realize was a tryout of sorts. 

“I went to WrestleMania, they came through Anaheim, I was champion at the time. It was 2000. I went and did…I thought it was going to be a normal interview like this, sit down and talk, but they were looking to see what kind of personality and character I had. I didn’t know that. I wish I would have known that because I would have sold myself way better. I was too mellow [mild] mannered. They wanted to see the crazy Huntington Beach Boy, and no one told me anything or said a word to me. I went and was being polite and respectful. Never heard anything back,” he recalled in an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight.

Nearly two decades later, Ortiz was in talks with WWE again.

“2019, Shane McMahon reached out to me and said, ‘What do you think about coming in and trying out?’ I went and did it and, once again, I didn’t think about this, ‘that’s why they didn’t do it.’ I wasn’t over the top. They want someone over the top and be, not crazy, but be an eye-catcher. I went to [The Performance Center], and went and trained with Norman Smiley, an amazing teacher. I was learning stuff that it took some guys six months to learn. he was like, ‘Wow, you really got this.’ Then COVID came and I never heard anything,” he said.

Ortiz previously worked with TNA/IMPACT in 2005 and 2013, but only as a referee and enforcer. Ortiz stated he would like to get in the ring at some point. 

“I would like to do some matches. I think I have what it takes. It would take a lot of hard work, I get it, but it’d be fun. It’s a lot of training, but I did it. I did the two weeks, training twice a day. I put myself through it and it was hard, but it was like being in college wrestling again. My body is subdued, no problem at all. I had no pain. After I was done, I thought I’d have neck problems, I’ve had four neck surgeries, but I didn’t have any problems. It was good,” he said.

Ortiz’ last MMA fight took place in 2019 when he defeated former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio. Ortiz stated he has plans to do at least one more in MMA fight. 

Fans can watch the full interview in the video above.

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