WWE Rumors: Brock Lesnar to initiate talks with AEW, WWE, and UFC regarding a new contract
What's the story?
Brock Lesnar is easily the biggest draw in the WWE, and quite possibly in all of pro wrestling right now. The WWE Universal Champion is nearing the end of his current WWE contract and as expected, the speculation regarding his next move has dominated pro wrestling news circles.
As disclosed on the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Lesnar will begin talking to WWE, UFC and the new player in town, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on his next contract. More details on his future were also discussed by Dave Meltzer.
In case you didn't know...
The emergence of AEW as a legitimate competitor has altered the backstage mood in the WWE. Many current WWE superstars have been contemplating leaving the company in favor of big-money contracts being offered by the Cody Rhodes-led promotion. AEW has already signed Chris Jericho, who recently revealed that his AEW deal is better than all of the ones during his time with WWE.
AEW is co-founded and funded by American Businessmen Shahid and Tony Khan, who are known to have more financial resources than the McMahon family. Reports suggest that WWE management is concerned about their talents leaving to join AEW and to tackle the rising issue, are providing incredible salary hikes and longer contracts to unhappy talents.
With Dean Ambrose confirmed to leave unless it ends up being a work, WWE is trying their best to hold onto their top superstars and Brock Lesnar is certainly top of the list.
The heart of the matter
Lesnar's much-hyped return to the UFC has been long overdue as Daniel Cormier has been quite vocal about the potential megafight being his swan song. However, Meltzer revealed that Vince McMahon's massive new deal may keep Lesnar for a few more shows.
The Beast Incarnate will work WrestleMania 35 and the yearly Saudi Arabia event in May before assessing his options. Paul Heyman is said to be in charge of the contract negotiations, and as per the pro wrestling journalist, it's currently a three-way dance between AEW, WWE, and UFC.
“Paul E is negotiating the biggest three-way dance of his life. AEW, WWE, and UFC all for the same guy. That’s an interesting game, isn’t it?” said Meltzer.
What's next?
AEW has the money to give Lesnar a better deal than both WWE and the UFC but will the Beast really make the surprising jump to the upstart promotion? It would be the biggest coup in pro wrestling history if it were to happen and its plausibility continues to increase with each passing day.