Tweet of the Day: Seth Petruzelli training Triple H ahead of Wrestlemania

Despite constant denial from the hardcore fanbase, professional wrestling and mixed martial arts continue to intertwine.

Last fall, the WWE hired MMA fighter Seth Petruzelli to run their Performance Center, where newer talents get to learn the ins and outs of professional wrestling, and older performers take on a mentor role and sharpen their craft. He’s been described as the striking coach, but has also been seen photographed with fighters on social media training them in grappling and MMA in general.

Petruzelli, while best known for his stints in the UFC, Bellator and ruining Elite XC’s plans for Kimbo Slice, runs his own gym in his home state of Florida, which made the transition less of a burden and led to a natural expansion of his trade. Since retiring from MMA, he’s largely kept busy training others, and now he’s been seen training one of the most decorated performers and one of the most influential people in the business: Triple H (a.k.a. Paul Levesque).

It is interesting to note given that Levesque is a self-proclaimed boxing fan and hasn’t had many nice things to say about MMA. He seems to have warmed up to it after having Rener Gracie train his wife and daughters, as well as the notable appearances by Ronda Rousey at some of their events.

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Always fun holding pads for #wwe #legend @TripleH ! His skills r on point! #nxt #wrestlemania #WWENXT #mma #ufc pic.twitter.com/6FV5c1ygzm

— Seth Petruzelli (@silverbackseth) March 11, 2016

Triple H is currently in his ninth (yes, really) title run and is slated to take on (sort of) rising prospect Roman Reigns with his World Heavyweight Title on the line this Sunday at Wrestlemania 32. Reigns is known largely for his hulking physique and signature Superman punch, the envy of many an MMA fighter. How the training with Petruzelli will far remains to be seen, but if Triple H can knock Reigns out in 16 seconds and make $kala quake in his boots, we may be seeing history, folks.

And don’t forget, Shane McMahon (yes, son of Vince) has been training recently with Phil Nurse as well. He had previously trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie in New York. So remember, kids: the gaps have narrowed between the two, despite what people on the pro-wrestling side may tell you.