Brock in the Saddle Again

Brock calls it a day. (photo from UFC)

By Chad Smart
@chadsmart on Twitter

After losing his comeback UFC match on Dec. 30, Brock Lesnar announced he was retiring from the octagon. This has led to speculation and fans being hopeful Brock would return to the squared circle. Dana White, owner of UFC, has commented that even though Brock has retired he is still under a UFC contract so whatever Brock wants to do next career wise he will need to get Dana’s permission. I wouldn’t get to excited about Brock going back to WWE unless Vince McMahon cuts one heck of a deal with Dana White. Even if Brock were to be free to return, I wouldn’t want to see him come back and I don’t think WWE should bring him back. From a money standpoint, Brock coming back would most likely be a good thing, but from an overall business standpoint, I don’t think bringing back Brock makes sense.

Lesnar and Paul Heyman

When Brock first showed up in WWE he was pushed to the moon. He made his debut by running in during matches and destroying whoever was in the ring. Under the tutelage of Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar brought the pain and won the World Title less than six months of debuting in the WWE. Brock was only in the WWE for about two years before abruptly leaving after Wrestlemania 20 to pursue a career in the NFL.

Brock’s sudden departure is part of the reason why I wouldn’t want to see Brock come back to wrestling.  Brock was given everything in the WWE and quickly got tired of wrestling. While I don’t blame Brock for leaving if he came to the realization he didn’t want to keep up with the hectic schedule and physical demands of the business. The way in which he left is what leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I equate Lesnar’s leaving with the night Steve Austin decided he didn’t want to go through with a match (against Lesnar no less) creative had booked for Raw and instead left the arena and flew back to Texas. While I don’t necessarily believe the wrestlers owe the fans anything, I feel when wrestlers simply walk out it is a proverbial slap in the face to the audience.

Since Brock has already walked out once, what is to say he won’t come back and after 6-9 months decide again he doesn’t want to deal with the schedule or doesn’t want to put someone over and walks away once more?  Given Vince McMahon’s reputation for holding grudges, would he even want to bring Brock back and if so would he push him as a credible wrestler or would he make Brock, Hornswaggle’s older brother? 

Another concern I’d have is what type of schedule Brock would work if he came back. Because he didn’t like the schedule when he was with WWE the first time and because he is now a bigger star, would Brock get a lighter schedule than the other wrestlers? I know that life isn’t fair, but such a scenario to me would be insulting to the other wrestlers who have been busting their backs for the past 7 years since Brock left.

Brock Lesnar vs. Hulk Hogan (from WWE)

Speaking of the other wrestlers, I like the fact WWE seems to be in a transitional period of phasing out the older stars and creating new stars. This passing of the guard is why I’m not excited to see guys like Kevin Nash, Triple H, Mick Foley and even Undertaker and the rumored Chris Jericho return to the ring. I realize you need stars to make stars, but at the same time I feel often the stars are the ones who get protected and the stars to be often get the shaft getting held down instead of getting the star making treatment.

Say Brock comes back and Vince wants to essentially pick up where Brock left off in 2004. Does Brock come in and start destroying guys like Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Zack Ryder and Kofi Kingston? Or does Brock only get to destroy Tyler Reks, Curt Hawkins and Tyson Kidd?

Again, while I won’t deny there is money to be made by a Brock Lesnar return to WWE, I think the better business decision is to keep focusing on new stars and try to find a new Lesnar instead of bringing back the old one.

What are your thoughts? Do you want to see Brock back in WWE? Would you rather see Brock go to TNA? Or should he put on a mask and go to Chikara?  Share your opinions on our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

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