Brock Lesnar will be returning to the mixed martial arts scene on July 9 as he faces Mark Hunt at UFC 200. The results will not matter for the “Beast Incarnate” since his appearance comes with the WWE’s blessing.
Though he makes occasional appearances, Lesnar is one of Vince McMahon’s cash cows. He is one of the top stars in the WWE but may find himself performing for only one brand. All that will be determined on July 19 when the WWE revives its old brand split tactic on Smackdown.
There is no telling which brand (RAW or Smackdown) Lesnar will end up with. But the better question to ask is on whether Lesnar can be told to limit his appearance to the show that drafts him.
Lesnar joins the ranks of top stars like John Cena, The Undertaker and Roman Reigns. But compared to those names, Lesnar is without question a star in his own class.
According to the Bleacher Report, Lesnar is all business and expected to go along with the WWE’s plan. This is as long as his character is treated the right way and that the plans involving him are profitable.
The WWE brand split is seen as something that will start a new ploy for the company. There will be new twists, plots and championships for each brand. With his popularity among the WWE fans, it would not be surprising to see him reign as champion for whichever brand he ends up with.
Seeing however Lesnar carries a clause which allows him to take time off, the same issue that may have prevented him from being WWE champion could be up in the air. That is unless the WWE can make do with the available stars on the show and call on Lesnar when the WWE title should be defended.
The composition of each show is hard to tell but given the choice, Lesnar’s manager Paul Heyman detailed WWE stars he would like his client to face according to ESPN.
The list included WWE NXT champion Samoa Joe and former champion Finn Balor if the opportunity arises. Other than the two, another feud with John Cena is something Heyman believes the fans would want to see.