The Effect Of Brock Lesnar’s UFC Presence On His WWE Universal Title Reign

A Believable Champion

Another issue is that of Brock’s sporadic WWE appearances, and just how little the Universal Championship has been defended during Lesnar’s reign. Here is where Brock’s UFC connection once again becomes important. For years, WWE’s world titles have been defended on a monthly basis, rarely missing from the main event of a pay-per-view. However, with Brock Lesnar, the Universal Championship has more of an MMA or boxing vibe, where the championship is defended only a handful of times per year. While this can be frustrating for fans, the idea of only defending the title every few months actually adds to Brock’s image as a legitimate fighter.

If Lesnar was UFC Heavyweight Champion, he would not show up every week on Fox with his championship belt. MMA and professional wrestling are not the same, but it does not hurt WWE to have a champion that reminds fans of his true ability to fight. Brock Lesnar’s WWE appearance schedule and rare title defenses function to remind fans of his UFC run and the fact that he is a legitimate threat in the ring. So, while it can be frustrating to not see the Universal Title on RAW, this appearance schedule adds a great deal of believability and mystique to the Universal Championship.

Ultimately, all of this would be pointless if Brock wasn’t successful as a fighter and in MMA. Lesnar is officially 5-3 in MMA with victories over Randy Couture and Frank Mir, and he has defeated some of the best in the world. While UFC fans can debate Brock’s true talent as a fighter, nobody can doubt Brock’s ability to beat the hell out of most individuals put in front of him. In an era where some believe that professional wrestling has lost its ability to be taken seriously, Brock Lesnar gives both casual and hardcore fans a force that they can believe in – a person who can kick some ass. This image elevates both WWE and the Universal Championship, and is the main reason for Brock’s never-ending run at the top.

Cross-Promotion

Does Brock’s ongoing UFC saga help or harm WWE? Well, whenever Brock shows up at a UFC event, as he did at UFC 226, WWE should theoretically receive some publicity. There are downsides, however. Lesnar is Universal Champion and represents the company along with the WWE Champion, and there is a danger of cheapening both the Universal Title and WWE. When Brock is absent from WWE programming, only to appear at a UFC event, concerned with another fighter and a potential UFC title match, this gives viewers the appearance that Lesnar prioritizes his MMA career and could care less about his professional wrestling championship. And if Lesnar does not care as champion, then why should we?

After his confrontation with UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 226, followed by news that Lesnar is reentering the USADA drug-testing pool, it seems inevitable that Brock’s Universal Title reign is coming to an end very soon, with a return UFC fight following it. Common sense would suggest a loss at SummerSlam in August, but… let’s hold up on making any formal predictions here.

It’s hard not to have mixed feelings toward Brock Lesnar as a wrestling fan. He’s both immensely talented and crass, awe-inspiring and infuriating. Lesnar is one-of-a-kind, as has been his Universal Title reign. Whenever and wherever it ends, his title reign will go down as one of the most unique in WWE history. It’s ultimate value? That depends on who ends the reign, and what they do with it.

Related: “How To Fix WWE’s ‘Brock Lesnar Problem’ w/ The Universal Championship” by Neil Raymond