PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 20: In a twist that would make even the most loyal Chicago Bulls fan blush, WWE Superstar Seth Rollins has crowned WNBA star Caitlin Clark with the ultimate basketball compliment: a comparison to Michael Jordan. Yes, you read that right—the Michael Jordan, the man who made “flu games” and “jumpman” more iconic than some people’s entire careers. Rollins, clearly feeling generous while promoting WWE’s SummerSlam, couldn’t help but gush about Clark’s astronomical impact on women’s basketball during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Now, before you start throwing tomatoes at your screen, let’s clarify—Rollins isn’t saying Clark has MJ’s six rings or the ability to single-handedly make a city like Chicago forget about pizza (almost). But he’s definitely hinting at something “Jordan-esque” in her game. For a WWE superstar, whose job is to exaggerate everything, this is high praise indeed!
Clark, only 22 and fresh out of the University of Iowa, has been nothing short of a comet blazing across the basketball universe. During her collegiate career, she was the embodiment of “ball is life,” snatching two Naismith College Player of the Year awards and dragging the Hawkeyes to the National Championship Game—twice. If that doesn’t scream “Iowan legend,” what does? Well, maybe a tractor parade in her honor, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Her rivalry with LSU’s Angel Reese was the kind of drama that makes reality TV look like a chess club meeting. It was so captivating that it not only lit up college basketball but also carried over to the WNBA like a well-crafted storyline. When the Indiana Fever picked Clark first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, and the Chicago Sky snagged Reese at No. 7, you could almost hear the “dun-dun” of a dramatic TV show in the background.
Clark’s rookie season stats are the stuff of legend—or at least, a really good episode of “SportsCenter.” Averaging 17.1 points, 8.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, she’s not just meeting expectations; she’s slam dunking them. All-Star honors? Check. Fan adoration? Double check. Future shoe deal? Well, we can’t confirm, but we wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already designing her signature sneaker line—perhaps “Caitlin’s Comets,” because she’s clearly shooting for the stars.
But let’s not kid ourselves; comparing anyone to Michael Jordan is like comparing a delicious slice of New York pizza to, well, anything else. MJ is the GOAT, the icon, the guy who made bald heads cool. He wasn’t just a player; he was a phenomenon. Six NBA championships, six NBA Finals MVPs, and a shoe line that probably makes more money than most countries’ GDP—he’s untouchable.
However, if Clark continues on her current trajectory, she might just become the WNBA’s answer to MJ—a player who not only dominates on the court but also transcends the sport itself. She’s already boosting television viewership and filling arenas, and who knows? Maybe one day, kids will be sticking out their tongues and donning “Clark 22” jerseys, dreaming of hitting that game-winning three-pointer.
In the end, while Clark has a long way to go before she can be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan without a chuckle or two, she’s undeniably on a path to greatness. So, Seth Rollins, we see what you did there—stirring the pot and hyping up the SummerSlam crowd. But hey, if it gets more eyes on women’s basketball, we’re all for it. Just don’t be surprised if one day, Clark ends up with her own brand, her own legacy, and maybe, just maybe, her own wrestling catchphrase. How about “Clark Smash”? Yeah, we’re still working on that one.
