When The Beast signed a new three-year contract with the WWE in March this year, wrestling fans were delighted by the prospect of seeing more of Brock Lesnar in the ring.
– Tough Enough returns to our screens but is it needed?
– Cena vs Owens shaping up to be an instant classic
– Away from the headlines, Cena is flourishing in new role
Turning down a lucrative deal with UFC – and announcing his retirement from the MMA scene – Lesnar had handed the WWE a major coup in beating one of their market rivals.
It all started so promising.
A huge night at WrestleMania followed where Lesnar took Roman Reigns apart in their bout for the former’s World Heavyweight title before Seth Rollins steamed down the runway, cashed in his Money in the Bank and took the gold.
It wasn’t how Lesnar would like to be remembered but it set up the potential of a huge rivalry between the former UFC champion and his heir to the WWE title.
At this stage, however, it became clear that his new WWE deal was very much the ‘part-time’ arrangement he had previously alluded to.
Sparing appearances on RAW and no pay-per-view bouts since have seen Lesnar become the elusive figure he already portrayed when his future with the company was in doubt.
For fans, this is divisive.
Shark attacks on the rise on the East Coast? We have the answer!! #BeastIncarnate @BrockLesnar @HeymanHustle #WWE pic.twitter.com/gr9IhyrvA0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 29, 2015
On the one hand, Lesnar’s appearances are even more special for their rarity.
He is an omnipresent figure that sporadically appears on screens and when he does grace the WWE Universe with his presence it is explosive.
Sitting in the other camp are those that feel a little cheated by his lack of appearances.
Lesnar’s ‘Supplex City’ line against Reigns was one of the year’s most talked about moments and his sheer brutality bordered on being beautiful.
To not have this ring out around arenas and Lesnar to not be dominating his counterparts or facing off against the top tier of an immensely competitive roster is a bitter pill to swallow.
He has an aura, a presence of the ring which is both believable and terrifying in equal measure.
But the longer it goes on that Lesnar pops up as and when he, Paul Haymon and the WWE see fit, the longer fans will be disappointed.
With Kevin Owens, Rollins, John Cena, Bray Wyatt & co. putting in shift after shift, week after week, we are not short of talent to grow more of an association with.
For the WWE and Lesnar not to build more of a bond between fans and the most impressive athlete in the locker room seems an opportunity missed.
Hopefully, Battleground’s Main Event against Rollins will finally see Lesnar become a more permanent figure on our screens.
Saying that, you wouldn’t stake your house on the Universe being taken for regular trips to Supplex City any time soon, Lesnar seemingly very content with his part-time performances.
Considering his pay packet to do just that, you can’t blame the guy.
MOVE OF THE WEEK – Rollins flying powerbomb through a table
A little bit brutal, a little bit raw and a great deal of fun. Seth Rollins (with the aid of J&J Security) launches Reigns through a table (below from 3:16 – great number!).
TWEETS OF THE WEEK – #RockReturns
The Great One had fans talking this week as he made a special appearance at a house-show in Boston. You never quite know what you’re in for at a WWE Live event.
No greater feeling than completely surprising my #WWE Universe family by showing up unannounced at a… https://t.co/9XCUUWjCOr
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 28, 2015
The Rock hitting Bo Dallas with the Rock bottom. Bray should have confronted The Rock after! DAMN! that would have been good.
— Dev. (@itsDevT82) June 28, 2015
Bo Dallas has been in the same ring as Sting and The Rock.
— OleOleOle (@BrockSolidBlue) June 28, 2015
The Rock returned to tell Bo Dallas to tell Bray Wyatt to make Roman Reigns look strong at their match at #WWEBattleground.
— CM Punk (@CMPunkFight) June 28, 2015
The Rock with Bo Dallas at #WWEBoston pic.twitter.com/uZWvMP8AAP
— Jack (@Jack_Hesselden) June 28, 2015
The Rock just showed up at the #WWE Boston house show for a promo with Bo Dallas. Credit to @Nuutmeg for the image. pic.twitter.com/z1I0si35ll
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) June 28, 2015
THE ROCK VS BO DALLAS IM SCREAMING
— Alex (@BanksBossx) June 28, 2015
Epic surprise. Epic night. Thank you @WWE Superstars and especially the fans! #1Luv #PeoplesChamp #4Life https://t.co/oYLnP5o30K
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 29, 2015