5 Reasons why Brock Lesnar was suspended indefinitely

Brock Lesnar lost to Roman Reigns in the main event of Crown Jewel 2021, but it wasn't without shock and controversy. Paul Heyman threw the Universal title in the ring, indicating that he was trying to help Brock Lesnar.

But it was Roman Reigns who used the title to hit Lesnar, and The Usos added some assistance with superkicks to The Beast Incarnate. After Roman Reigns won, Brock Lesnar was heard saying that he would beat The Tribal Chief senseless following Crown Jewel.

There was a lot of tension on SmackDown, and Roman Reigns even goaded Brock Lesnar out - not expecting him to show up. He did, and it was chaos from start to finish. He took out everyone he possibly could and caused an incredible amount of damage.

This forced Adam Pearce to suspend Brock Lesnar immediately. This also meant that Pearce was subject to two F5s in the process. So why did it happen? Here are a few possible theories on why Brock Lesnar was indefinitely suspended:

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#5. For the Brock Lesnar-Roman Reigns feud to extend

There was a report that the finish of Crown Jewel would likely be done in a way that would extend the feud - potentially for a long-term storyline between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.

By WWE standards, long-term storylines are usually August to April, which means SummerSlam until WrestleMania. What this means is that the inevitable rematch between the two men will likely culminate at WrestleMania 38 in 2022.

It will be interesting to see how the feud is received by the WWE Universe at that point. The last time Roman Reigns wrestled at the AT&T Stadium, it was 2016 and it was the main event of WrestleMania 32 - the highest-attended event in WWE history.

However, the circumstances made a lot of things about that card change. While it's hard to imagine what the original plans were, there likely wouldn't have been a Shane McMahon vs Undertaker match, Brock Lesnar vs Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) bout, or the main event featuring Roman Reigns vs Triple H.

Despite Roman Reigns receiving his big coronation that night, he was booed out of the building. This time, getting booed out of the building would be considered a great reaction as Brock Lesnar has been positioned as more of a babyface than before.

But it wouldn't be surprising if WWE suspended Brock Lesnar in the storyline simply to extend their feud until WrestleMania 38. Will the third time be a charm for these two at WrestleMania?

#4. To remind fans how ruthless Brock Lesnar is

It's rare to see Brock Lesnar as a babyface, but this was the closest we've seen to a babyface Brock Lesnar in over six years. Normally, Brock Lesnar falls into the rare category of superstars who usually transcend the traditional babyface-heel role.

While most fans might largely remember Brock Lesnar as a heel, during most of his 2012-2020 run, he was a "tweener." Given Roman Reigns' status as WWE's top heel in 2021 as well as Brock Lesnar's return after nearly a year-and-a-half away, it made sense for him to be positioned as a babyface.

But there's one problem - during that time, WWE didn't remind fans how ruthless Brock Lesnar can be. This was the perfect showcase for that, as it may have even put Lesnar back into his tweener status (or made him a bigger babyface, depending on your perspective).

Sometimes, segments like that are needed for character development, and this was a brilliant way to introduce the "real" Brock Lesnar back to WWE TV before his return in 2022.

#3. To set up Brock Lesnar's return at the Royal Rumble 2022

Although cards are always subject to change, WWE fans won't have to wait that long for Brock Lesnar's return. Lesnar has been advertised by the America's Center for a Royal Rumble 2022 appearance.

That means we'll only have to wait two to two-and-a-half months before the return of Brock Lesnar to WWE. The only logical slot for him at the Royal Rumble is the Men's Rumble match itself.

Brock Lesnar doesn't participate in the Royal Rumble match that often, as he's usually busy with a World title defense. His last Royal Rumble match appearance was in 2017, where he was eliminated relatively quickly by Goldberg to set up their WrestleMania 33 match.

Brock Lesnar isn't just a former Royal Rumble winner, but he won it in 2003 before he even completed a year on the WWE main roster. This means that Brock Lesnar will likely join the list of two-time Royal Rumble winners, including Edge (2010, 2021), Randy Orton (2009, 2017), Triple H (2002, 2016), Batista (2005, 2014), John Cena (2008, 2013), etc.

#2. Brock Lesnar's absence can extend the Roman Reigns-Paul Heyman alliance

During Brock Lesnar's feud with Roman Reigns heading into Crown Jewel 2021, the central focus was Paul Heyman. It isn't surprising, since in the storyline, Roman Reigns "saved" Paul Heyman.

The dynamic that Paul Heyman has with both men is starkly different. While he was Brock Lesnar's Advocate, he's the Special Counsel to Roman Reigns and seems to be a bit lower down the totem pole with the Tribal Chief.

The story was about whether Paul Heyman would betray Roman Reigns to rejoin Brock Lesnar. It didn't happen, but it was teased by him and looked like it was on the verge of happening at Crown Jewel.

Brock Lesnar's absence allows the Roman Reigns-Paul Heyman alliance to continue on SmackDown. While it started with immediate tension off the bat on SmackDown post-Crown Jewel, the two can still be on-screen together until the time is right.

Whether it means Roman Reigns is eventually turning face by 2022 or not is yet to be seen. But his run as a heel has been the best of his career - and it would be a shame to end that so quickly.

#1. To space out Brock Lesnar's matches due to contractual reasons

Brock Lesnar's re-signing with WWE in August 2021 wasn't a long plan that required extensive negotiation. It was reportedly a last-minute deal that was constructed as a response to AEW's blockbuster signing of CM Punk.

Details later emerged about the details of Brock Lesnar's new WWE contract. According to Fightful, it's an 8-match contract that will last roughly a year-and-a-half - presumably until WrestleMania 39 in 2023.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Brock Lesnar is now under contract with WWE for "roughly a year and a half, and at least eight matches," but the contract is open to being renegotiated and changed should the company want him to work in more matches within that timeframe.

It's interesting because only one out of eight matches are over, and it also mentions that the contract is up for negotiation - meaning that he could even wrestle more.

With that said, the suspension of Brock Lesnar is likely a move for contractual reasons - to play it out and save his appearances for more special occasions.