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Welcome to the pre-Royal Rumble edition of our weekly roundup of WWE news stories and rumors regarding Brock Lesnar. This is a busy week for The Beast Incarnate, who will head into battle with a similar heavyweight star.
In what has been classed as a dream match, the WWE Champion will defend his title in St. Louis against Bobby Lashley. Needless to say, fans are mightily excited to see the two of them throw hands.
The All-Mighty had a bold message for Lesnar this week while previewing the match, while another RAW star has predicted him to win the Royal Rumble Match.
Elsewhere, we have a few clues over the eight-time WWE world champion's activity following the Rumble and on the road to WrestleMania 38. He is still slated to take on Roman Reigns at the event, but another interesting idea has been proposed for The Beast Incarnate.
So, without further ado, let's dive right into this week's most important stories regarding Brock Lesnar.
#5 Bobby Lashley sends a warning to Brock Lesnar ahead of the Royal Rumble
Brock Lesnar hasn't exactly been taking Bobby Lashley seriously on RAW. He dismissed The All-Mighty as a potential threat to him, while cracking jokes and mocking him. The trend continued during their weigh-in segment this week.
The Beast Incarnate showed up on RAW in his regular lumberjack outfit and a cowboy hat, while Lashley was appropriately dressed for the proceedings. However, the fun and games might backfire on Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.
The challenger is as focused as ever and could take advantage of his opponent who seems to be taking him lightly. He sent the WWE Champion a strong message on Twitter, stating the match will be over before he knows it.
"80 hours away. Keep taking me lightly Brock. It'll be over before you know it," tweeted Lashley.
Despite the comedic build up to the match, expect Lesnar and Lashley to tear each other apart. Their battle could be gloriously violent, with both stars going for it. But will the WWE Championship actually change hands? The All-Mighty has a great chance of leaving the Rumble with it.
#4 MVP predicts Brock Lesnar will win the Royal Rumble Match
Despite heading into the Royal Rumble as WWE Champion, MVP has predicted that Brock Lesnar will win the Men's Rumble match. This was his way of saying Bobby Lashley will defeat The Beast Incarnate. On Corey Graves' After The Bell podcast, MVP said:
“Brock Lesnar [will win the Royal Rumble], because Bobby Lashley is gonna beat Brock Lesnar. And, in his fury and rage, he’s going to enter the Royal Rumble so that he can get back a chance to face Bobby Lashley for what he believes to be his title back.”
In this scenario, Lesnar can win the Royal Rumble to set up a rematch with Lashley or Roman Reigns, who would be the likelier option heading into WrestleMania. MVP picked Big E, Omos, and AJ Styles as his three favorites if the eight-time WWE world champion doesn't enter the 30-man free-for-all.
#3 Brock Lesnar may move to SmackDown before WrestleMania 38
WWE's next premium live event after the Royal Rumble is Elimination Chamber. It will take place in Saudi Arabia on February 19. Lesnar is advertised for the show, as well as several other dates around it.
His final scheduled RAW appearance is on February 21, which will feature the aftermath from Elimination Chamber. The Beast Incarnate will appear on a few episodes of SmackDown before WrestleMania 38, indicating he will return to the blue brand and finish off his feud with Roman Reigns.
#2 Brock Lesnar set for Madison Square Garden live event
Along with his advertised television appearances, it looks like Brock Lesnar will return to live events as well. According to PWInsider, he is currently slated for WWE's return to Madison Square Garden on March 5.
This will be interesting, as Lesnar has not wrestled at a live event since March 2018. It looks like the WWE Champion will continue to put shifts in until WrestleMania.
#1 Vince Russo has a surprising pick to win the Royal Rumble Match and challenge Brock Lesnar
Former WWE writer Vince Russo wants Kurt Angle to win the Men's Royal Rumble Match, following nearly three years of in-ring retirement. Speaking to Sportskeeda Wrestling's Dr. Chris Featherstone, he suggested Angle could face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38.
“I think he loses to Lesnar. I think Lesnar puts him over, you know what I’m saying? The whole handshake, hug, lifts his hand, the whole nine yards, and I think Angle leaves his boots in the ring knowing he left it all out there," said Russo. I’m telling you, I worked with all of them: they owe this to that guy.”
Russo believes the Olympic gold medalist deserves one last world title match and WWE owes it to him. A match between Angle and Lesnar would be a repeat of the classic they shared 19 years ago, in the main event of WrestleMania 19.
