Brock Lesnar’s UFC Theatrics: Big Return Expected While WWE Fans Wait

 

Brock Lesnar made headlines on Saturday night July 7, when he entered the Octagon after UFC 226 came to an end. Newly crowned heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier called Lesnar out and The Beast Incarnate responded, shoving Cormier and accepting his challenge to a title fight.

Many UFC purists are criticizing the promotion for allowing such grandstanding to take place. But the fact is that no matter how many fans hate the theatrics, UFC is a business and it’s all about making money. If controversy and publicity can be generated, then more eyes will likely be on the product. When that happens, the fight itself should become larger than life and the company makes more money. It seems simple enough.

But while UFC fans are not happy, the same goes for WWE fans. It’s easier on this side of the fence to understand the debacle that played out in the Octagon. WWE fans see it every week. It is all about selling tickets and grabbing ratings. Of course it is. It’s pro wrestling.

Watch Lesnar’s theatrics at UFC 226:

UFC 226: Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar Octagon Interviews

However understanding does not equal acceptance. The WWE faithful know what the intention was at UFC 226 but now the discussion will likely turn back to the sharp dressed monster that made it physical on that night. This is not just about the UFC. This is about Brock Lesnar.

Lesnar is the WWE Universal champion and from the moment he won the belt, he’s been under fire. Fans knew that his schedule was probably not going to increase simply because he won Monday Night Raw’s top title. Wining the WWE Championship didn’t really add anymore dates to his schedule in 2014. What made anyone think it would change after becoming only the fourth Universal champion?

Of course that has not prevented Lesnar’s critics from coming out to openly question why. Why is he wasting his time on a business that he obviously doesn’t care about? If he has such a problem with being a WWE Superstar, then why do it?

Common sense says it’s all about the money, which does explain it all. Lesnar is a successful businessman because he knows how to work the system. WWE wants him but he doesn’t want to be around all that much. So he negotiates those terms and makes it work in his favor. Who can fault him for that?

Indeed it seems as though much of the hate and vitriol cast in Brock’s direction is pointless. The real culprit here is WWE. As a company, WWE has handed its second most important championship to a guy that’s just never there. WWE knows he’s not going to be there. The fans know it as well. From the company’s perspective, Lesnar is such a huge draw that just his presence alone brings attention and more importantly, money.

Watch Lesnar destroy Roman Reigns:

Roman Reigns is brutally ambushed by Brock Lesnar: Raw, March 19, 2018

Brock Lesnar is a prizefighter in every sense of the word. He only comes around when he has a real challenge and he won’t be appear until then. If no one is ready or if no one is capable, then Brock stays away. It’s a simple idea that’s been booked to perfection. No one can argue with the process and no one can deny its effectiveness.

WWE monthly events do tend to have a much bigger feel when Lesnar is on the card. It’s the perception of magnitude that makes all the difference here. WWE has put in a lot of work to craft Lesnar as a special and unique athlete. He’s elite because of how he’s booked. Fans look at him and they see a modern day Andre the Giant, a guy that’s special not only because of his physical attributes but also because of his rare appearances.

Despite how many fans hate the way all of this has played out, it’s extremely difficult for anyone to argue against WWE’s intentions. The company wanted to create its own Mike Tyson and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Brock is unbeatable. He’s indestructible. He can take out anyone at any time. Fans love to criticize and they love to point the finger, but they know what WWE has done here. It was the plan all along.

But there’s still the issue of the Universal Championship. Some argue that WWE titles are nothing more than props. Belts are just meaningless trophies that are handed out on a whim. They don’t matter because they’re not being legitimately won or lost in the ring. Gone are the days of Ric Flair and the NWA World Championship, when titles actually meant something. WWE’s straps are just decorative set pieces and nothing more. Right?

But that’s not easy for many fans to believe or accept. If titles are so unimportant, then why are the majority of WWE Network events still centered around them? Why not book the WWE Championship in the curtain jerk match every time and let the cruiserweights go on last? Title belts are meaningless, so what does it matter?

However the fact is that world championships are indeed extremely important in WWE. It’s the idea of the big show on the big night, drawing a big house. It’s the concept of a historical title match playing out for the world to see. Money in the Bank contracts are not available for guys to chase the tag team titles. It’s the top championships that are still relevant and still matter to the fans. That’s why they’re special.

Watch Strowman call out Lesnar:

Braun Strowman calls out Brock Lesnar after Money in the Bank: WWE Exclusive, June 17, 2018

But it’s hard for anyone to consider the Universal Championship relevant when they can’t see it. Yes, Brock Lesnar is a special attraction. Yes he’s a pop culture figure that has transcended two companies. Brock is the real deal and there is no denying that.

Of course there’s really also no denying that he’s probably heading back to the UFC again. Brock will go, he will either win or lose against Daniel Cormier and then Lesnar may or may not come back to WWE again. It’s become a tired old routine for many but an expected one nonetheless. But on Brock’s way out, he must drop the Universal Championship. That much is certain.

There is still time for WWE to take the title and build it properly. Seth Rollins has never looked better, Finn Balor is at the top of his game, Braun Strowman is an attraction in his own right and Drew McIntyre is a top guy waiting to happen. Even Roman Reigns has earned the right to carry the belt. Love him or hate him, he’s there. All of these guys are. Does that make them any less special than the current Universal champion? Only time will tell.

 

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Wrestling Rumors. His podcast, Tom Clark’s Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, iHeart Radio. Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online at boinkstudios.com