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Brock Lesnar is a picture of fearsome power and intensity.Brock Lesnar remains to be one of the few WWE stars with real mainstream pull. His stint in the UFC did Lesnar no wrong and his second coming in the WWE has proved to be a masterstroke; his ability to walk the walk paired with Paul Heyman’s ability to talk the talk, has ensured that the WWE World Heavyweight Title has adorned its charm and credibility once again.One could argue that Lesnar has put a hefty price on his services, and even the word “mercenary” has been used in conjunction with him a couple of times by the WWE, but there is no denying that Brock Lesnar delivers. Being the physical specimen that he is, his NCAA roots combined with his stints at New Japan Pro Wrestling, Hero’s MMA, and the UFC have moulded Brock Lesnar into the complete fighter. The strength and athleticism were always there, but Lesnar has added technique and an unwavering intensity to his approach. Also being accompanied by one of the greatest talkers the business has ever seen, Paul Heyman, has helped convincingly sell the veni-vedi-veci image of the character that is Brock Lesnar.The following is a look at the impact that Brock Lesnar has had on the WWE in his second coming, and also the consequences of his possible second departure.
#1 How 2014 played out for Brock Lesnar?
Wrestlemania 30 will be one that will be remembered for years to come, for two important events – the confirmation of the Yes! movement and Brock Lesnar cementing himself as the “one in 21 and 1”.
The manner in which the streak ended left a bitter distaste in fans’ mouths but it was a historical event in wrestling nonetheless, and Brock Lesnar will forever headline it as the man who broke the streak. If anything, breaking the streak lent not just credibility, but fear, to the character that is Brock Lesnar. In one surreal moment where the world held it’s breath, Brock Lesnar hit the Undertaker with the F-5, and the streak was ended. Just like that.A WWE World Heavyweight title shot duly followed, and led to another match of Lesnar that will be remembered for a number – 16. John Cena was physically on the receiving end of 16 German Suplexes, but in reality, the scar that was left reached deeper.
That match tore through the idea of “Super-Cena” that the WWE had been advocating for years. It showed John Cena in a light he has never been shown before- weak and vulnerable.
Brock Lesnar’s stature meanwhile, reaped the benefits. Lesnar has come off 2014 looking indestructible, and while his awe-inspiring feats of strength and technique in the ring speak for themselves, one cannot ignore the aura that Paul Heyman’s microphone work has helped dispense around him.
#2 Momentum heading into Wrestlemania 31
The triple threat match that Brock Lesnar had at the Royal Rumble was telling in more ways than one. While it was a great match, it had a sub-plot that was reinforced brilliantly as well. John Cena fighting to prove that he can still be part of the WWE World Heavyweight Title picture and Seth Rollins trying to back up his own admission that he is the future of the WWE.
Instead, Brock Lesnar ended up proving why he is the undisputed top guy in the company with a performance that was as unsettling in its intensity as it was in its implication. John Cena realized that his time was up, Seth Rollins realized that his time had not yet come and the audience realized just how hard it is to beat Brock Lesnar.
We also have to acknowledge Paul Heyman’s role in adding to Brock Lesnar’s inertia leading up to Wrestlemania. Lately, Paul Heyman has carried segments, devoid of either Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar, on his back, with impactful, stinging promos that push the envelope. If the audience has bought into the air of invincibility that the WWE has tried to portray about the Brock Lesnar character, a large part of the credit has to go to Paul Heyman’s oratorical skills.
Heading into Wrestlemania, Brock Lesnar has been booked to look the part of “The Beast Incarnate”, and if for nothing else, this serves to make Roman Reigns look good if he does end up beating Lesnar.
#3 What to expect from Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 31
Based on how the WWE has been building up Roman Reigns, I think it is fair to say that we can, for all intents and purposes, expect a title change at Wrestlemania 31. If WWE wants to add a twist to proceedings, having Seth Rollins come out and cash in on the champion after the match could be an option.
However, bearing in mind that Lesnar’s future with the company is still unresolved, It is a long shot to even consider that the WWE will give him the victory against Reigns and let him leave with the World Heavyweight Title. If Brock does decide to stay in the WWE, however, having him win cleanly at Wrestlemania would still render all the build up Roman Reigns has been receiving, redundant.
Still, the match at Wrestlemania 31 between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns promises to be a thunderous clash of powerhouses. Lesnar has to live up to the moniker, “The Beast Incarnate”, for that adds sheen to the purported victory that Roman Reigns is set to enjoy. One potential stumbling block for this match could be the audience reaction.
Taking into consideration that fans are neither completely sold on the idea of Roman Reigns being the top guy nor expecting Lesnar to stay in WWE after Wrestlemania 31, a scenario similar to the match between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 20 could manifest.
Having Paul Heyman turn against Brock Lesnar during the match and helping Roman Reigns win could also be a possible course that the match could take. Coupling Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman could be exactly what Roman Reigns needs for his career to take off.
#4 Immediate aftermath following Wrestlemania 31
Brock Lesnar looks unlikely to continue his stint in the WWE, after Wrestlemania 31. There is much talk that he is not even contractually obligated to attend the Monday Night Raw episode, the day after Wrestlemania. If his contract situation remains unresolved, I think it is fair to assume that Wrestlemania 31 could be the last the fans see of Lesnar in a WWE ring for the near future.
A possible scenario where Brock Lesnar defends his title at Wrestlemania and leaves the WWE in order to unite the WWE Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship and the UFC Heavyweight Championship has been touted by Paul Heyman, but this would be a precedent in sports entertainment, and it looks highly unlikely to happen.
With Brock most likely to leave, Paul Heyman is left free to choose his next client after Wrestlemania 31. A possible Roman Reigns heel turn to accommodate Paul Heyman in his corner perhaps? With Seth Rollins waiting to get involved in the title picture as well, an unholy alliance between Heyman and Rollins could also be on the cards.
Whichever way it turns out, we can all agree that becoming the next “Paul Heyman guy” would be a career highlight for many superstars in the WWE locker-room.
#5 Future stock/card position leading to Wrestlemania 32
If Brock Lesnar does not leave the WWE, or if he chooses at some point through 2015 to come back, there are a number of interesting feuds that Lesnar could be part of for Wrestlemania 32. Whoever becomes the next “Paul Heyman” guy has a natural angle with which to work a feud with a returning Lesnar.
A dream rematch against The Rock could be a possible match for Wrestlemania 32, but it would be interesting to see how the WWE work that into the storylines.
WWE hasn’t built up too many superstars, yet, with the credibility to step in the ring with Brock Lesnar. If Lesnar does end up working Wrestlemania 32, I can only see a few superstars like John Cena, Daniel Bryan or Seth Rollins on current momentum, who can step in the ring with him.
Lesnar leaving might not be what wrestling audiences want, but it might be what the WWE exactly needs. The responsibility of main eventing should pass on from Brock Lesnar to other WWE superstars, if not for any other reason, than at least for the sake of a good story line and potential feud if Lesnar finds himself in the WWE come Wrestlemania 32.
