The Thread Killer Posted July 19, 2017 Report Share Posted July 19, 2017 Pro wrestling sheet is saying Brock does not plan on re-signing with WWE after his contract runs out after WM 34 Saw Strummer post this, nosed around a couple of MMA news sites and apparently the scuttlebutt is that Lesnar has officially re-entered the USDA drug testing pool. It's unlikely he would do that unless he was pretty serious about going back to MMA. Lesnar's one year suspension for failing the drug test after his fight with Mark Hunt ended this past Saturday. TalkMMA is reporting that Lenar and Heyman recently met with the UFC and as a result of those discussions there is even a chance he could fight as soon as the November 4th show at Madison Square Garden. The speculation among some MMA reporters is that this means it's likely that Lesnar will drop the WWE title at SummerSlam, which may mean that WWE will have to move up their time frame on the Lesnar/Reigns match they were saving for Wrestlemania. Of course, it's all speculation. But the facts are that his suspension is up and he has resubmitted to USDA drug testing, so it's lilkely there is some fire to go along with the smoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradhindsight Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 I had read he was auto-enrolled into the drug testing pool *because* the one year suspension just ended. But the TalkMMA piece is pretty solid - interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoS Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 They are denying it, fwiw https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/7/19/16001738/ufc-brock-lesnar-usada-testing-pool-novitzky-wwe-mma-news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Lesnar driving last minute negotiation like 2015. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goc Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 I had read he was auto-enrolled into the drug testing pool *because* the one year suspension just ended. But the TalkMMA piece is pretty solid - interesting.That's not possible because he officially retired from MMA in February which stopped his suspension with 5 months left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakeplastictrees Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Lesnar showed in his last fight that he has absolutely nothing to offer in the cage. He was afraid to engage and do anything meaningful. His entire output was defense and nothing else. I would be more than happy if he decides to not go back to MMA. Who in UFC would he fight? Dana/WME isn't going to give him anyone in the top 5 (as they would ALL KO Lesnar) and an 'easy' fight against someone like Lewis, Sherman, etc. would be a waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Thread Killer Posted July 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Well, if he hasn't re-entered the testing pool, (and the guy who runs it says he hasn't) then he still does have quite a lot of time left on his suspension, so this rumor likely is bullshit. Whether or not he is planning on retiring from everything after Wrestlemania is another story. Lord knows he doesn't exactly have an overwhelming love for the business - but on the other hand, as sek said in the other thread, Lesnar does make incredible money for very little effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamthedoctor Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Pro wrestling sheet is saying Brock does not plan on re-signing with WWE after his contract runs out after WM 34 Saw Strummer post this, nosed around a couple of MMA news sites and apparently the scuttlebutt is that Lesnar has officially re-entered the USDA drug testing pool. It's unlikely he would do that unless he was pretty serious about going back to MMA. Lesnar's one year suspension for failing the drug test after his fight with Mark Hunt ended this past Saturday. TalkMMA is reporting that Lenar and Heyman recently met with the UFC and as a result of those discussions there is even a chance he could fight as soon as the November 4th show at Madison Square Garden. The speculation among some MMA reporters is that this means it's likely that Lesnar will drop the WWE title at SummerSlam, which may mean that WWE will have to move up their time frame on the Lesnar/Reigns match they were saving for Wrestlemania. Of course, it's all speculation. But the facts are that his suspension is up and he has resubmitted to USDA drug testing, so it's lilkely there is some fire to go along with the smoke. Do we really need Lesnar/Reigns at Mania again? WWE seems hell bent that they want the match but I do feel Samoa Joe destroying Lesnar and taking the belt at the last PPV would have been a better option instead. We've seen the same Lesnar scenario time and time again and a Heel Samoa Joe just destroying everyone in his way as he's been built like a legit badass UFC fighter and going through everyone until Mania seems a better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stiva Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Did the details of Lesnar's mega money contract ever surface? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Lesnar showed in his last fight that he has absolutely nothing to offer in the cage. He was afraid to engage and do anything meaningful. His entire output was defense and nothing else.Huh? You couldn't be anymore wrong if you tried. Lesnar looked like a monster. He beat a top 10 HW in Mark Hunt. He fought smartly. Hunt is primarily a striker and Lesnar just bulldozed him and held him down for 15 minutes. How is that not meaningful? This isn't kickboxing... Were you really expecting Lesnar to stand and bang with Hunt? Also, if you thought that wasn't meaningful, then you must not follow MMA closely. GSP, Matt Hughes, Jake Shields, Jon Fitch, etc. all fight with a similar gameplan and they're some of the GOAT welterweights. Who in UFC would he fight? Dana/WME isn't going to give him anyone in the top 5 (as they would ALL KO Lesnar) and an 'easy' fight against someone like Lewis, Sherman, etc. would be a waste.Seeing how JDS has fallen, I could see Lesnar taking him down constantly and riding him for 15 or 25 minutes to a decision win. Aside from JDS, Lewis, Struve, Arlovski and Browne are guys Lesnar has a good chance against. Lesnar is a guy with enough name value to warrant a title shot after 1 win, so match him up against Stefan Struve and catapult him into a title shot against Stipe afterwards and he's set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Brock's no dummy, he knows UFC's new owners badly need a big money fight since this year has kind of sucked so far in terms of big draw fights. I doubt he really wants to go back to fighting but realizes this is the best time to maximize his earning potential. The only flaw in his plan is the soonest he could fight after his suspension would be in January, and that would probably fuck up WWE's plans since that would take him out of the Rumble. They still have first dibs on him at least until after Mania, and Dave mentioned that his deal has 2 more option years that only end if one side decides to walk away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loss Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 He has two more years on his contract. However, either side has the option to terminate if they want to do so at the end of the third year. WWE supposedly has no interest in terminating for reasons completely beyond me, considering that there's not really been any return on their investment, nor does there appear to be one in sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 WWE has always a phobia of top guys leaving, and in their minds they are probably afraid he'll end up going to New Japan and becoming a huge business changing star there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dooley Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Just want to add that TalkMMA is a wholly unreliable source. He's been known to run with "news" that any random Twitter account DM' s him without bothering to ask anyone involved if it's true or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakeplastictrees Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Lesnar showed in his last fight that he has absolutely nothing to offer in the cage. He was afraid to engage and do anything meaningful. His entire output was defense and nothing else.Huh? You couldn't be anymore wrong if you tried. Lesnar looked like a monster. He beat a top 10 HW in Mark Hunt. He fought smartly. Hunt is primarily a striker and Lesnar just bulldozed him and held him down for 15 minutes. How is that not meaningful? This isn't kickboxing... Were you really expecting Lesnar to stand and bang with Hunt? Also, if you thought that wasn't meaningful, then you must not follow MMA closely. GSP, Matt Hughes, Jake Shields, Jon Fitch, etc. all fight with a similar gameplan and they're some of the GOAT welterweights. Who in UFC would he fight? Dana/WME isn't going to give him anyone in the top 5 (as they would ALL KO Lesnar) and an 'easy' fight against someone like Lewis, Sherman, etc. would be a waste.Seeing how JDS has fallen, I could see Lesnar taking him down constantly and riding him for 15 or 25 minutes to a decision win. Aside from JDS, Lewis, Struve, Arlovski and Browne are guys Lesnar has a good chance against. Lesnar is a guy with enough name value to warrant a title shot after 1 win, so match him up against Stefan Struve and catapult him into a title shot against Stipe afterwards and he's set. Brock fought the smart fight. He fought the way he should have and the way that myself and others thought he would. I was not surprised by what I saw, however, it confirmed that he is not ready. All the guys you have named who use a 'wet blanket' style of fighting also have something to give on the feet (for the most part). Lesnar does not and turtles and gives up too much ground once hit. These are all problems and do not show a 'beast' especially once you start looking at the top five. There is no way Lesnar is beating any of those guys. Giving him an easy fight and then against Stipe would make no sense unless Cain is still out and Stipe is ready to cash a check. After 200, the magic of Lesnar is gone. I don't want to see it happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 I don't think Brock gives two shits if he can beat anyone, he wants to know how big the check is UFC's willing to pony up to have him fight. It's really a perfect storm for him: UFC's owners are under pressure to make money drawing fights to pay off the loans made to buy the company, and the biggest proven draws are Brock and Ronda (and GSP too but Dana's still being a twat to him). Ronda's not coming back anytime soon, so Brock has the upper hand in any talks they might have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Thread Killer Posted July 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 I agree. Whether it is WWE or UFC, I think the main thing Brock cares about is the money. To his credit, he admits as much when he's asked about it. I get the impression he'd rather be known as a UFC fighter or "real athlete" than a Pro Wrestler, but in the end, he's going to go wherever he gets paid the most. Just want to add that TalkMMA is a wholly unreliable source. He's been known to run with "news" that any random Twitter account DM' s him without bothering to ask anyone involved if it's true or not. I certainly don't trust him as a news source now. He was reporting that it was a fact that Lesnar had re-entered the USDA testing pool, when he apparently hasn't. That kind of thing wasn't all that hard to confirm, it sounds like. I know Dana White is not beyond lying to reporters about stuff like that, but it is starting to look like this TalkMMA guy was talking out of his butt without getting any confirmation of anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zep81 Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 He has two more years on his contract. However, either side has the option to terminate if they want to do so at the end of the third year. WWE supposedly has no interest in terminating for reasons completely beyond me, considering that there's not really been any return on their investment, nor does there appear to be one in sight. His contract is up next year "The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that, in regards to Brock Lesnar not wanting to renew his WWE contract past WrestleMania 34, Lesnars WWE deal has a renewal option. According to the the Observer, Lesnars contract with WWE does end in April 2018 but it renews if neither side informs the other they are ending the agreement. Brock has yet to tell WWE hes leaving and reportedly has not made a decision on his future at this time" Plus, the UFC have already debunked the rumor about him returning to UFC anyway. So there's nothing in it for the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 He fought the way he should have and the way that myself and others thought he would. He fought the same he's fought his entire MMA career... I was not surprised by what I saw, however, it confirmed that he is not ready. Confirmed he's not ready for what exactly? He's a former UFC HW champ and has wins over Herring, Couture, Carwin, Mir and Hunt... All the guys you have named who use a 'wet blanket' style of fighting also have something to give on the feet (for the most part). lolololol what? The only guy with reasonable stand up from the guys I mentioned is GSP... The rest rely on their grappling because they have no stand up skills. There is no way Lesnar is beating any of those guys. You really think Lesnar can't beat the JDS who's looked terrible recently and got KO'd by Stipe, got KO'd by Reem a couple of fights ago and got steamrolled by Cain twice? Yeah, don't know what to tell you there then if you don't think Lesnar can take him down and grind him to a decision win... Lewis gas tank is horrible. Lesnar can over power him and grind out a decision easily as Lewis will gas early just trying to avoid being taken down. Struve is an ideal opponent for Lesnar as he's primarily a lanky kickboxer which Lesnar can over power and taken down constantly fairly easily. Arlovski has a questionable chin and is on a 5 fight losing streak including 2 brutal KO's and 2 subs. If Lesnar lands a big right hand on him, he's going to sleep. If not then Lesnar can grind out a decision over him. Browne is on a 4 fight losing streak and has been KO'd brutally twice in 2 of those 4 loses. Another guy Lesnar can either KO or grind a decision over. Giving him an easy fight and then against Stipe would make no sense unless Cain is still out and Stipe is ready to cash a check. After 200, the magic of Lesnar is gone. I don't want to see it happen. You don't follow the UFC closely, do you? This has been one of the worst years in the companies history. Horrible PPV numbers. Stipe can't draw a dime. Cain either. Brock on the other hand has proven is a draw. This is a moment in which the UFC need Brock desperately. Their 2 biggest draws aside from Brock are Ronda and Conor; 1 of their draws has been knocked off and the other is banking on a huge boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, so they desperately need Brock at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Also: UFC exec: Brock Lesnar has not re-entered USADA drug-testing pool, suspension still frozen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMKK Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 WWE has always a phobia of top guys leaving, and in their minds they are probably afraid he'll end up going to New Japan and becoming a huge business changing star there. New Japan isn't shelling out $5 million plus travel expenses for five Brock Lesnar matches a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El-P Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Crappy matches to boot. Lesnar can go for all I care. Maybe the top of the card won't be so much focused on "dream" matches and a champ that's never on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loss Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Not to take this too off topic, but just thinking about the closest historical comparison that comes to mind. When Hogan was champion in 1997 and went six months between title defenses (February and August), he was the key ingredient in a turnaround, the biggest difference maker they had, and turned them from a money pit into a $250m company. He was making about $6-8m per year at that point, and he was doing a lot more work and the company was seeing a lot more benefit. It's the closest comparison I can even think of. (In fact, I would argue that when WCW decided Hogan needed to be around more often and on TV every week in multiple segments is when his value slowly started to plummet. Hogan supposedly told his friends at the time that he knew that was the problem, but when he got paid so much per appearance, how could he say no?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El-P Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Hogan *as part of the nWo*. And the nWo was all over the TV. The angle was the hottest ever. In a company that was hot and fresh top to bottom (mostly). Brock showing up every three months for a 10 minutes suplex wankery with Heyman showing up from time to time with no issue to talk about (remember the endless "My client retired the Undertaker" boring shit after that Mania ?) in a cold product isn't exactly comparable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 I wont be surprised if this has run its course. It feels like it is losing a lot of steam. Even with Joe/Brock being the best build they have done in a while and a pretty good match, Brock just isn't bringing what he used to (in terms of hype or match quality). Reigns winning the big rematch at Summer Slam and then building to a match with Cena at Mania while Brock builds to a Mania career blow off with Joe or Strowman or Balor makes the most sense to me. I would just hope that he has enough give-a-shit left to make his final match(es) good. I think it sucks. I am a fan of Brock and I am perhaps holding out hope for something that is no longer possible, but I just think it feels like a wasted opportunity. Just a few years ago Brock was producing high end matches that really stood out and felt special. He has proven he is capable of great matches. They have proven they can build compelling TV around him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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