The Dive: Time to Say Goodbye to Brock Lesnar
If you’ve been paying attention to the sports world recently, you know that Brock Lesnar confronted UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier Saturday night after Cormier won the title at UFC: 226. It appears the two are setting the stage for a mega fight between the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and DC.
One problem: Brock Lesnar is still the WWE Universal Champion.
Lesnar’s run in WWE has always been defined by the number of times he’s wrestled or lack thereof. It’s become a lot more noticeable in the past 15 months, though, as Lesnar has held the Universal Title since WrestleMania 33. In that time, Lesnar has defended the title five times. He’s had six total televised matches in that time frame, with his only non-title defense match against AJ Styles at Survivor Series last year.
It’s the worst-kept secret in pro wrestling: Lesnar wants out of WWE. The only reason why Lesnar has stayed around this long appears to be because of the money Lesnar is being paid by WWE. I don’t blame Lesnar for taking the money and working the limited dates he works. His title reign, though, has stifled the growth of many superstars on Raw.
As much as it hurts people to say it, Roman Reigns should be champion right now. He should’ve won it at WrestleMania 34. Instead, he got his rear-end kicked up and down The Bayou. Finally, after the 800th F-5, Lesnar beat Reigns in one of the more maligned Mania main events of all time.
Braun Strowman has been hurt by the lack of Lesnar. How is the Money in the Bank briefcase supposed to mean anything if the champion isn’t around to be cashed-in on? Strowman has a claim to be champion right now as well but has nobody to defeat to become champion. He’s just stuck carrying around a briefcase at this point.
Finn Balor has a claim to the title as well, having never lost the championship. A Balor vs. Lesnar story writes itself. A “David vs. Goliath” feel to it, the duo could use some of the same things Styles and Lesnar used to make their match amazing at Survivor Series.
The list goes on for guys who have been affected by this Lesnar title reign. Samoa Joe, Bobby Lashley, and Seth Rollins are some of the others who’ve had their progress hinder by the 15+ months Lesnar has held the Universal Championship.
It’s time for Lesnar to go. We all know he wants to fight in UFC, and he’s already set up his next fight with Cormier. As the Lesnar’s run comes to an end in WWE, it’s important to remember the good he did as well. Matches with the likes of CM Punk, The Undertaker, John Cena and AJ Styles were some of the best of the past six years. His title reigns left much to be desired, but when he was used right, he came off looking like the mega star that he is.
Goodbye, Brock Lesnar. It was nice knowing you. Again.