The Doggy Bag: Crossover Edition

What's behind Brock Lesnar's recent pre-WrestleMania posturing? | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

What do you make of Brock Lesnar's recent power plays behind the scenes with WWE and him showing up at UFC 184? Lesnar has a unique ability to use his leverage but I don't think he's going to try to hold up Wrestlemania or anything. I'm not even sold on the UFC being the best place for Lesnar, either. If Bellator and Spike offered him a million dollars a fight to compete once a year and fight someone like Bobby Lashley, he'd be crazy not to take that money and run, then go hunting all year long. -- Rob from Chicago

C.J. Tuttle, associate editor: First and foremost I want to make it clear that anything you hear regarding Brock Lesnar and “power plays behind-the-scenes with WWE” are hearsay and usually hold no validity. That being said, Lesnar has learned how to promote himself by being as selective as possible regarding his appearances -- in public or WWE -- or as secretive as possible about anything he does. “The Beast Incarnate” is in a unique position though, and completely has the ball in his court.

For the first time in some time, WWE needs Lesnar as badly as UFC does. With a clear lack of stars and an inability to book engaging storylines as of late that have any true depth, a legitimate athlete who has achieved things outside of the squared circle is exactly what the WWE needs to build intrigue. Hence the invitation that was given to Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen to attend WrestleMania. On the other hand, UFC has obviously learned that fighters -- young or old, credible or not -- with some name value or previous accomplishments in MMA are invaluable when it comes to getting its lesser known fighters seen.

Ultimately, I see Lesnar re-signing with the UFC. The former heavyweight champion can always return to professional wrestling and if he wants to squeak one or two big fights out of his dwindling window of opportunity, it has to happen now. As far as Bellator goes, I don’t even think it is even in the equation at this point. Sure, they have the cash flow, but the fights and reputation just aren’t there and with the UFC openly making it clear he’d be welcome to return to the Octagon, the answer seems pretty clear. Not to mention, Lesnar is by no means hurting for cash, just Google “Jack Link’s.”

One thing’s for certain and that is the road to WrestleMania will shed some light on how all of this will play out. Does Lesnar drop the strap to the young up-and-comer Roman Reigns? Does word get out that Lesnar is leaving and it creates the conundrum that was Lesnar-Goldberg at WrestleMania 20? Who knows, but my money is on Lesnar going out, having an epic match and then riding off into the sunset for one final UFC run -- as much as it hurts to say that.

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