--After the abrupt and “unexpected” retirement by Brock Lesnar after his abysmal performance at UFC 141 where he lost to Alistair Overeem due to a nasty attack on his surgically repaired abdomen, there are an abundance of rumors that Lesnar will return to the WWE possibly in time for WrestleMania. Even though Lesnar said in interviews that he was 100% and in the best shape of his career, especially post-surgery, he appeared flabby and less than interested in getting back into the cage. After attempting a takedown that was foiled by Overeem Lesnar looked lost and after the first knee to the stomach he looked ready to try a different career.
--Although officially it was noted that Lesnar retiring took many by surprise it had been thought by many that this would be the last fight for Lesnar. Injuries the magnitude of what Lesnar had, removal of 12” of colon due to diverticulitis, make the affected area vulnerable and an easy target for a smart fighter looking to score points or in this case, end the fight early. Lesnar, never the quitter and always wanting to prove a point, including how tough he actually is, had to test the waters one last time and much to the chagrin of some in the MMA world, he failed. There are those in the MMA world, both fans and fighters who believe Lesnar being in MMA was just an affront to pop some PPV ratings and increase interest in the sport, which it did.
--Lesnar is still under contract to the UFC and UFC President Dana White has stated that unless arrangements can be made there will be imminent return to the WWE. Anyone who has followed Lesnar knows that his contract with the WWE initially said he could not participate in any sporting activity for a number of years where he to leave the WWE and that was ruled invalid by a judge prompting Lesnar to try and make the Minnesota Vikings football team. At the time the UFC was not the vehicle it is now so Lesnar found a somewhat creative way to make money and stay relevant while awaiting the opportune time to join MMA. Once in the UFC Lesnar instantly became a star even though he lost his first fight to Frank Mir but not without controversy due to referee Steve Mazzagatti standing the fighters up and when Lesnar took Mir down again he was caught in a kneebar to which he had to tap. The resulting rematch saw Lesnar pin Mir and pound him bloody prompting a stoppage by referee Herb Dean.
--WWE Chairman Vince McMahon would love to have Lesnar back on the payroll according to some insiders and in the short term it would be a very good idea. Lesnar does not like to travel, which was one of the factors involved in his leaving the WWE the first time, so any contract would have to include Shawn Michaels like attributes for Lesnar to even consider re-joining the pro wrestling ranks. Dana White and McMahon have a tepid but friendly relationship and there is a possibility that McMahon would be willing to buy out the remainder of the UFC contract in order to free up Lesnar to return to the WWE. Another yet lesser option would be to let Lesnar make some limited pro wrestling appearances while still promoting the UFC and continuing to mull over his MMA career.
--For McMahon to bring in Lesnar would be a boon to the WWE and having him at WrestleMania would most certainly pop a larger buy for the biggest show of the year especially since there is some worry about The Rock v. John Cena not brining numbers many were hoping after The Rock teaming with Cena at SummerSlam did not due the numbers the WWE had hoped for. There was talk some time ago about Lesnar v. The Undertaker which would surely due better business than Undertaker v. Triple H which has been seen before even though this time could include a Shawn Michaels guest referee.
--If Lesnar were to return he would have to some into The WWE as a heel due to his recent comments about The WWE being “fake” and since his UFC career is considered somewhat a failure fans will most likely turn on him immediately. Of course that being said the writing and booking in the WWE right now is abysmal and Triple H with his larger than life ego may not be willing to take a step back for the greater good. Lesnar is money no matter where he goes and what he does and a return to pro wrestling will boost sagging ratings and PPV buys in the short term and make both sides money, which is always the primary goal. In the long term a Lesnar return to The WWE could be another disaster if he is not booked right and put in the right program plus there is the question as to whether or not his stomach can even hold up to the rigors of taking bumps.
--In my honest opinion I can see The UFC and The WWE coming to some working agreement to allow Lesnar back into The WWE, especially if there is money to be made by both parties. Lesnar has lost his heart for MMA and it would not be in the best interest of The UFC to try and keep Lesnar there where he would be an unhappy ambassador. The WWE needs to be smart in how they handle the return of Lesnar as well as how he is booked long-term or this run could be as short as his fight with Overeem.
--Randy Orton has a serious back injury that has him out until after WrestleMania according to some reports. He is scheduled to appear at the RAW on January 16 and at the Royal Rumble but so far there is no word on whether or not he will be wrestling.
--Bobby Lashley has said he is open to a return to the WWE but honestly, who cares? The guy was a wash the first time he was there, he was a waste in TNA and his MMA career was little more than a joke. Try acting…
--Zack Ryder is getting flack for the poor RAW ratings of late but he is not the only one to lay blame on, Daniel Bryan can share some of that. Ryder and Bryan may be main event talent in places like ROH but in the WWE they are not money.
--Friend of the Show Chyna has completed her second adult movie with Vivid Entertainment and according to my people within the company no release date has been set as of yet.
--From the “Stating the Obvious” news department Jim Cornette said in a recent interview that “no one can replace Vince McMahon.”
--Stacy Keibler said in an interview that she sees she and George Clooney settling down and having a family together someday so I would expect this relationship to come to an end soon. Clooney is not known to be open to “settling down and having kids” and that has been a relationship killer in the past.
--Congratulations to CM Punk who was named the PWI Wrestler of the Year in a worked awards gimmick.
--Chris Jericho keeps making remarks about not going back to the WWE but that is a work, he will be back and from comments made about the Lesnar fight being a “joke” many are wondering if he will be in a program with the former WWE and UFC Champion.
--“HackSaw” Jim Duggan will have a book out around the time of WrestleMania to be called “Hacksaw: The Jim Duggan Story” co-written by Scott Williams who has helped with other wrestling related titles.
--The Powers of Pain The Warlord and Barbarian will reunite on March 9, 2012 for Pro Wrestling Syndicate.
--Michelle McCool stated in an interview with Inside Wrestling, which is a worked magazine, that her rise to stardom in The WWE had nothing or little to do with her relationship with The Undertaker noting that she fought hard, pitched storylines, was one of the first to get to the show and constantly tried to be better. How much of that was after the fact though? In wrestling some people take the short-cut to get to the top and then try and put in the work to stay there. Happened a lot in the beginning of TNA…
--The Hep-C Kid Sean Waltman was popped for possession recently to which he responded that he was really arrested for an outstanding warrant or some nonsense. Whichever, it happened around Christmas so we all know what was in his stocking…
--More Tammy “Sunny” Sytch nuttiness, she said on Facebook recently that she wants to leave the business (which in my opinion the business has left her) settle down, get married to someone good looking (who would have to be shallow because anyone good looking and of substance would stay away from her just due to reputation) and have kids. Oh, I almost forgot, the guy has to be good looking because her kids need to be good looking. A day or so later she noted that she thinks she is actually getting married…um yeah, have a drink on me Sunny.
--Steve Austin and Steven Seagal will be in a movie…have to add that one to my collection, I have every Seagal movie on DVD oh, and a couple of Austin’s but only because they were in the markdown bin.
--Torrie Wilson and Alex Rodriguez a couple? Here is a link to a Valtrex coupon Torrie…
--Hoosier Pro Wrestling returns to the Bartholomew County (IN) Fairgrounds on January 7, 2012 with another great show featuring Friend of the Show Flash Flanagan v. Shawn Cook in a Loser Leaves HPW match. Another highlight match is an “I Quit” contest between Ricky Ruckus and Eric Draven.
--January 8, 2012 Heartland Wrestling will hold a benefit for longtime Mid-West wrestler Chris Michaels who has a detached retina and need other eye surgery. The benefit is to help defray costs and those scheduled to appear on the show include Chase Stevens, Wolfie D, LT Falk and others.
--“And Then The Bell Rings” will return in 2012 with scheduled guests “Superstar” Bill Dundee, Cueball Charmichael, and some surprises. Stay tuned for dates and times…
--If you enjoy this column be sure to check out The Charlotte Pro Wrestling Examiner for even more news and commentary.
