Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE television on the 12/15 edition of Monday Night Raw. Brock Lesnar had not been seen in the WWE since his loss via disqualification to John Cena at Night of Champions in September. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion came out to save Paul Heyman from a beat down at the hands of Chris Jericho. It looks like Lesnar has dropped some pounds, no doubt because he's back in training to maybe make one more MMA run after his WWE contract expires. Lesnar contract runs out the night after WrestleMania 31, whether WWE re-signs him or not may not be up to them. There is no question that Lesnar wants to take another stab at MMA before he gets too old. Only after he does this will he come back to WWE.
Brock Lesnar jumped into the ring on Raw and Jericho did not back down. Instead he lunged at Lesnar and the champion shoved him away. His next move was to try a Codebreaker on him, which Lesnar blocked with ease. The look on Jericho's face after this happened told the story. Lesnar picked up Jericho and gave him an F5 in the middle of the ring. The crowd popped, as Lesnar was a complete surprise to them since his appearance was not promoted or advertised on the card at all. It's also interesting to note that Brock Lesnar did not come to the ring with the WWE Championship belt initially. A great number of fans took issue with this. He did, however, come out sporting some new merch, a Beast Incarnate T-shirt. Based on backstage rumblings, this is his last new T-shirt, since the merchandise department was told to halt all new ideas for Brock Lesnar products. This doesn't necessarily mean he is going to lose at the Royal Rumble, because the turn around time for ideas to become actual products is several months.
Brock Lesnar jumped into the ring on Raw and Jericho did not back down. Instead he lunged at Lesnar and the champion shoved him away. His next move was to try a Codebreaker on him, which Lesnar blocked with ease. The look on Jericho's face after this happened told the story. Lesnar picked up Jericho and gave him an F5 in the middle of the ring. The crowd popped, as Lesnar was a complete surprise to them since his appearance was not promoted or advertised on the card at all. It's also interesting to note that Brock Lesnar did not come to the ring with the WWE Championship belt initially. A great number of fans took issue with this. He did, however, come out sporting some new merch, a Beast Incarnate T-shirt. Based on backstage rumblings, this is his last new T-shirt, since the merchandise department was told to halt all new ideas for Brock Lesnar products. This doesn't necessarily mean he is going to lose at the Royal Rumble, because the turn around time for ideas to become actual products is several months.
Toward the end of Monday Night Raw's main event, a cage match between Seth Rollins and John Cena, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman appear. This time Brock Lesnar is carrying the WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt on his shoulder. He hands the title off to Paul Heyman, and then steps into the cage. Both Rollins and Cena are down on the ground, helpless to any attack by the Beast. Michael Cole comments, "these two guys are dead!" Brock Lesnar rag dolls John Cena with three quick German suplexes, à la the beat down he gave Cena at Summer Slam. With John Cena's lying on the math, Lesnar picks him up and delivers a hellacious F5 to his Royal Rumble opponent. He then looks over at Seth Rollins and exits the cage.
At this point, Paul Heyman, who had been outside holding up the championship belt, enters the cage and shakes Seth Rollins’ hand. Rollins hits Cena with the Curb Stomp and exits the cage. This is all very interesting because it creates multiple scenarios for Lesnar and Rollins, who now seem to be in cahoots. For one, Rollins, who was looking for guidance since The Authority had been stripped of their power, now has an ally in Paul Heyman. Lesnar, who would have constantly had to look over his shoulder for Rollins who currently holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, no longer has to worry about him cashing in his briefcase. Paul Heyman now has someone he can manage while Lesnar is away. It's a win-win-win for everyone!
Where does this leave Rollins now that he can't really cash in on Brock Lesnar? Well, the Money in the Bank briefcase is valid until June. Maybe he'll pick a time between Lesnar dropping the belt and the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. This gives Rollins about three months after WrestleMania to cash in on whoever has the title at that time. Strong money right now is on Roman Reigns, but things change, the title picture changes. It could be a returning Daniel Bryan, or John Cena. Only time will tell at this point.
At this point, Paul Heyman, who had been outside holding up the championship belt, enters the cage and shakes Seth Rollins’ hand. Rollins hits Cena with the Curb Stomp and exits the cage. This is all very interesting because it creates multiple scenarios for Lesnar and Rollins, who now seem to be in cahoots. For one, Rollins, who was looking for guidance since The Authority had been stripped of their power, now has an ally in Paul Heyman. Lesnar, who would have constantly had to look over his shoulder for Rollins who currently holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, no longer has to worry about him cashing in his briefcase. Paul Heyman now has someone he can manage while Lesnar is away. It's a win-win-win for everyone!
Where does this leave Rollins now that he can't really cash in on Brock Lesnar? Well, the Money in the Bank briefcase is valid until June. Maybe he'll pick a time between Lesnar dropping the belt and the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. This gives Rollins about three months after WrestleMania to cash in on whoever has the title at that time. Strong money right now is on Roman Reigns, but things change, the title picture changes. It could be a returning Daniel Bryan, or John Cena. Only time will tell at this point.