Aspinall names The Rock as dream opponent for WWE crossover

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall said he would choose Dwayne Johnson, known in wrestling as The Rock, as his dream opponent if he ever crossed into WWE, and Johnson responded this week with a mix of in-character bravado and personal praise that left open the possibility of a crossover between the sports-entertainment and mixed martial arts worlds. Aspinall made the comments after attending a WWE event; Johnson answered during promotional appearances for his new film.

Aspinall told radio host KISS XTRA that when he went to a WWE show recently he wanted to "do like a little bit, like I wanted to punch someone and just make some good headlines," but that UFC officials would not permit any physical involvement. He said he did get into the ring and did some talking, and that he would enjoy being "really involved" in a wrestling segment. When asked whom he would like to face, Aspinall singled out several stars from his youth and named The Rock as his top pick.

Johnson, who sits on the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of both WWE and UFC, addressed Aspinall's remark in two tones. In character he offered the familiar taunt: "There is one answer, as The...