Bobby Lashley versus Brock Lesnar: The Time Is Now

WWE Hell in a Cell saw Bobby Lashley walk out of the main event with the WWE Championship around his waist. Drew McIntyre was denied once again, and since this was a “last chance” opportunity at the belt, he is no longer considered the top contender for the title. He will be back in that position soon enough, but the question of “what’s next” looms large for Lashley. As rumors abound about Brock Lesnar, now is the time for the WWE to strike and this is a situation in which they must break out all the stops to not let their viewers down.

Fightful Select released multiple reports throughout Sunday about the status of Lesnar with the WWE. While some within the company made it seem like a return is coming soon, those close to Lesnar made it seem like the two parties are not close to an agreement.

Lesnar has never been shy about his status as a prizefighter or prize performer, frequently leveraging the UFC and WWE against each other in contract negotiations. With the UFC moving toward a different revenue model, he does not have as much long-term value with that promotion as he does with the WWE. But with the WWE he is in a much different position in which he can demand nearly anything he wants if the WWE is genuinely interested in bringing him back.

The fact of the matter is that they should be, at all costs. WWE content is in a rut, as fans tune out nearly every week. The conversations across the wrestling social media space all sound similar, as more talk about missing WWE television because nothing of value occurs. With multiple rematches, a lack of interesting opponents, Lashley’s title run has been hit with the same complaints. The growing rumor is that WWE is looking to hold out on some surprises until fans are back for live events, but with that change being a few weeks away, something needs to happen sooner, rather than later.

The matchup between Lesnar and Lashley must occur now. It is one of the few pairings that can potentially bring back the eyes of those that have long turned off the WWE product. Lesnar is a ratings driver, as past data has shown. He and Lashley have similar backgrounds, but the promotion has failed to put them in an angle together. With MVP by his side, Lashley is enjoying one of the best runs of his career, and the time to help cement him as a superstar is now. That path goes through a showdown with Brock Lesnar. Plus, Lesnar’s return would create a potentially interesting dynamic if he were to cross paths with Paul Heyman, who is now representing his biggest rival – Roman Reigns. That is an angle worth the longest of storytelling.

Depending upon who is asked, Brock Lesnar may be back to the WWE or further away from a return. Either way, WWE must strike now to get him in a singles match with Bobby Lashley. That is a one-on-one match that can easily headline SummerSlam. The WWE is in dire need of something to create excitement around the brand. Lesnar versus Lashley in the marquee is a step in the right direction.