Does WWE have a Brock Lesnar problem? The former reigning, defending WWE World Champion has been “fined” $500 by the company that has helped make him a household name for his actions in the main event of SummerSlam this past Sunday when he busted Randy Orton open with an elbow, resulting in a TKO for the Beast Incarnate.
Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon confirmed on Monday night that Lesnar would face repercussions for his vicious actions against The Viper at The Biggest Event of the summer. The WWE Universe learned on Tuesday’s SmackDown Live Pre-Show that the $500 fine was set by Stephanie.
Lesnar makes no bones about the fact he gets in a WWE ring to hurt his opponents. He is the closest thing the company has to a hired gun – one who serves as the bully on the block – to cause as much damage as he can in the ring. He has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks for his failed drug tests before UFC 200 where he defeated Mark Hunt and now, it would appear his tactics in a wrestling ring are under fire.
Lesnar’s attraction is without a doubt his size, his speed and the fact he is the baddest man on the planet in an octagon or wrestling ring. But with his controversy comes the questions he faces about his safety in the ring and whether he is out to actually wrestle – as his contract states with the McMahon Family – or is there another agenda.
I wouldn’t ask the man who is 290 pounds a question like that to his face, mainly because I am afraid of the response.
Years ago, Gordon Solie, the voice of Championship Wrestling from Florida said “The sign on the marquee is wrestling” and the stars of a business, decades ago, would do just that. Times have changed. The idea of science in this business is long gone. Lesnar, a college wrestling star before signing with WWE is and was a superior mat man. But lately, he has lost sight of that in this business. UFC is a different story. Lesnar uses his strength and skill to beat his opponents. In WWE, he just toys with them. The product on Sunday night was more of a “squash” than anything else. The ending was not the predetermined conclusion we had all hoped for. Does this make Lesnar a liability in the ring, given there is no proven star who can face him and deliver a “wrestling” match based on his current desire to hurt someone rather than wrestle someone?
The Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed during a hearing on Tuesday that Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene and hydroxy-clomiphene, which is a metabolite of clomiphene. Clomiphene is an anti-estrogen agent that is typically used after a cycle of steroids to prevent many of the side effects that come along with the performance-enhancing drug.
This won’t change his stature in the minds of fans who pay to watch him. The story has become how bad will Lesnar beat someone up and how fast will it happen? In a business that is void of heels, Lesnar is the top heel and hero in the same breath. That may not be a recipe the McMahons are willing to change, but it makes things difficult to book a solid feud in the future.
As of now, Orton – who received 10 staples in his skull on Sunday night – will star a program with Bray Wyatt. There is no word on who will face Lesnar. Situations like this make it a bit hard to plan ahead, and a feud with Shane McMahon makes no sense whatsoever.
Maybe Lesnar should dominate his opponents by wrestling them. The fans will plunk down money to see just how bad the bad man will be. But the abuse he inflicted on Orton might be a sign of the future. It does not matter if he is in a wrestling ring or an octagon – Lesnar just wants to hurt his opponents. It might make the McMahons plenty of money, but it might not be what is best for business.
