Keeping Brock Lesnar off WWE television is the right move

Developments continue in the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and the WWE, with the latest news being her agreement to pause her legal proceedings at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice. As the legal issue continues, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer was asked about Brock Lesnar’s status and if this development impacts his position. As this situation unpacks, WWE is making the right decision to keep Lesnar away from the product until the legal matters are completely handled.

“Regarding any rumors of Lesnar returning, he has to be cleared by WWE legal, and that hasn’t happened yet,” Meltzer said speaking of the matter.

In the original filing back in January, the lawsuit mentioned a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. The Wall Street Journal confirmed that the person described was in fact Lesnar who had a planned meeting with Grant but was unable to attend due to a snowstorm. As information came out, WWE swiftly removed Lesnar from creative plans, including pulling him from The Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 40 plans.

Keeping Lesnar off television is the right decision. Even while being named in the lawsuit as one of the parties responsible, WWE has continued to try to distance itself from Vince McMahon and the legal proceedings. The company is riding a wave of positive momentum, and bringing Lesnar back now would be a huge hit to that momentum. Fans and media members would rightly question the decision, and the promotion doesn’t want to create the opportunity for sponsors and business partners to react to the matter as well.

Along with that, WWE is attempting to present itself as taking these matters more seriously. The company recently released Drew Gulak who Ronda Rousey accused of inappropriately touching her sweatpants. While the company didn’t confirm that was why Gulak was released, he was immediately removed from television and his contract expired weeks later. Bringing Lesnar back while the allegations in this lawsuit are still pending would be a huge mistake. His star power would shine an even bigger light on the issue.

WWE is the leading organization in professional wrestling and sports entertainment across the world. If there’s any chance for change when it comes to bad actors, the WWE must take all matters seriously. That includes keeping Brock Lesnar off television until these legal matters are resolved. If he’s found to have been involved with these allegations, then his time with the company must also come to an end. There’s no space for such heinous actions in the industry.