Despite the merger between UFC and WWE following WrestleMania 39, it appears that one of the industry's most awaited if obvious moves may not come to fruition.

Many fans and wrestling icons alike, including WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, have enthusiastically championed the idea of Conor McGregor transitioning to WWE, even prophesying him as the ultimate heel.

Unfortunately, McGregor appears to have a different plan.

During a recent encounter with New York-based YouTuber Adam's Apple, McGregor seemed far from enthralled by the notion of joining WWE. As the Irish MMA superstar signed autographs, he responded with an unequivocal "no" when asked about any potential involvement with WWE. This response is bound to surprise many, not least because McGregor himself has previously hinted at making a move to WWE.

In March, McGregor stirred up considerable excitement among wrestling and UFC fans when he posted a photo of himself clutching the WWE Money in the Bank briefcase. The image spurred WWE advocate Paul Heyman to declare that McGregor would be no match for WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. The ensuing back-and-forth on Twitter eventually led to McGregor's threat to crash SummerSlam and suplex Heyman, although he has since deleted both tweets.

McGregor's teasing didn't stop there. His social media antics continued when he posted a photoshopped image of himself carrying both the WWE title and the UFC belt, adding the intriguing hashtag "It's inevitable."

This social media banter, combined with the merger announcement, created an electrifying atmosphere of speculation. It led many fans to wonder if a Universal championship match between McGregor and Reigns was in the works for this year's SummerSlam, especially since Reigns is reportedly scheduled to defend his newly unveiled championship belt at both London and Detroit.

Despite these tantalizing hints and McGregor's history of charismatic showmanship as well as fighting pedigree, his recent interaction with the YouTuber suggests that he may have merely been enjoying some mischievous fun on social media. This revelation may disappoint WWE fans who had already started fantasizing about a McGregor main event at a WWE pay-per-view.

It's worth remembering that McGregor, the former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion, is no stranger to playing the heel. His larger-than-life personality, his knack for inciting controversy, and his gift for verbal sparring, are traits that make him a perfect fit for the drama and spectacle of WWE. That's why his recent dismissal of WWE involvement has taken many by surprise.

Currently, McGregor has donned the coaching cap opposite Michael Chandler for the revival of The Ultimate Fighter. The two are scheduled for an Octagon face-off at the conclusion of the season, presumably before the year ends. McGregor, in response to inquiries about his future plans, implied that his focus is currently solely on fighting.

McGregor's declaration of disinterest doesn't entirely rule out the possibility of a future WWE stint, however. It's merely a suggestion that it's not happening anytime soon.

Don't forget that the world of combat sports is unpredictable, and, at the end of the day, money talks.

If this much-awaited business pivot towards the WWE makes financial sense for McGregor, who knows? Although, if you'd ask Eric Bischoff, a showdown between McGregor and Reigns probably won't be as good as fans are expecting.