Junior dos Santos experienced a rite of passage in his first-ever professional wrestling match.
The former UFC heavyweight champion made his pro wrestling debut at AEW Rampage on Friday at James L. Knight Center in Miami, and he didn’t shy away from the action, getting involved with several of AEW’s stars in the six-man tag team match main event.
Dos Santos’ appearance was capped off by an exchange with current Bellator heavyweight Jake Hager, who picked dos Santos up and slammed him through a table outside of the ring.
Watch that highlight above.
Overall, it was an entertaining and eventful debut for “Cigano” and his American Top Team teammates. “BMF” champion Jorge Masvidal and Paige VanZant were also prominently featured, with VanZant running interference at the end of the match so that Masvidal could sneak into the ring and land a running knee on Chris Jericho, leaving him open for the pinfall.
Alongside AEW tag team Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page, dos Santos can now say he’s had his hand raised in a pro wrestling match.
A distraction from @paigevanzant and @GamebredFighter just knocked out @IAmJericho with a running knee strike - Tune in NOW for #AEWRampage LIVE on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/iFn83Lqr17
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 16, 2021
Watch more highlights of dos Santos’ debut and American Top Team’s busy night below:
It's a big fight feel and @AmericanTopTeam is out in full force with @austinv170mma, @paigevanzant & @DaltonRosta ringside for the main event - Tune in NOW for #AEWRampage LIVE on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/HAg322CelC
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 16, 2021
.@junior_cigano bludgeons @IAmJericho with body shots! Tune in NOW for #AEWRampage LIVE on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/owyDqu0s2l
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 16, 2021
.@IAmJericho gets in the face of Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) and @OfficialEGO takes advantage - Tune in NOW for #AEWRampage LIVE on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/8MmLKjyWW9
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 16, 2021
This was the first major television appearance in North America for dos Santos, who hasn’t competed in MMA since parting ways with the UFC this past March. He exited the promotion on a four-fight losing streak, most recently fighting in December of last year, and his MMA record sits at 21-9.
It is not yet known if dos Santos plans to return to martial arts competition but if tonight is any indication, it’s not out of the question that he we could see more of him in AEW.
Get the latest gear
