How Brock Lesnar's booking has hurt WWE
Brock Lesnar is the biggest star in professional wrestling. No one else in any other company even comes close. From his freakish athleticism, to his physical prowess in the ring, to the intimidation game-plan mastered by his advocate Paul Heyman, Lesnar is definitely one of a kind.
His booking is that of Superman with no kryptonite; Lesnar is nearly invincible at this point. He is king of the jungle in WWE, as no one is really seen as being his equal. But while all of this has put Brock in a league of his own, the fact is that it’s hurting the very company he’s booked to dominate.
The problem here is that once WWE’s statement of superiority regarding Lesnar was made, everyone else took a backseat. Brock immediately went to the forefront, and no one has been able to move him from that position. The end result of this course is that every time Brock gets a challenger, that man is quickly destroyed.
Like a massive hurricane, Brock comes in and decimates everything in his path and then eventually goes away. The damage he leaves in his wake is biblical, and everyone knows he was there, but all they can do is pick up the pieces and move on with their lives.
This has worked out extremely well for Brock, who is legitimately the toughest guy in an industry filled with tough guys. If the business became a shoot tomorrow, Brock would still be in the spot he’s in, and would still be the guy looking down on everyone else.
No one wins the NCAA, UFC, and WWE Championships in one lifetime and not dominate. His accomplishments speak for themselves. Years from now, stories of Brock Lesnar’s dominance will be passed down from one generation to the next. His name will be spoken with the same reverent tones as The Road Warriors and Bruno Sammartino; Brock is the best in the business and nearly unbeatable.
It’s made for some epic television over the years, and Brock’s reign as pro wrestling’s baddest man on the planet seems as though it will never end. Barring injury, retirement, or unforeseen challenger, Lesnar may well continue on this path for the rest of his tenure in the business. No one else has been booked good enough, or strong enough, to stop him. Lesnar is the real deal.
But while all of this is good and ultimately gives WWE a second top draw next to John Cena, the truth is Brock’s booking is just too perfect. It’s as if The Hulk has come to life, and is wreaking havoc on the world around him. Lesnar has very few weaknesses, and he is very close to being untouchable.
So where’s the drama? Where’s the intrigue? In a company that thrives on solid moneymaking feuds, where is that regarding Brock Lesnar? How many times have fans truly felt as though Brock was going to fall in a major match? If he beats practically everyone he comes in contact with, how is anyone ever supposed to be excited about his matches?
The power of his booking lies not with the outcome, but the performance. The crowd knows that Brock’s got the match won before he steps into the ring, but they want to watch anyway. That’s due to his booking because he can show off and take his opponent to Suplex City. But it’s also due to that opponent, mostly a veteran talent.