CM Punk was the most sought-after free agent in the professional wrestling and mixed martial arts world. Both industries, despite what reports came out, desperately wanted Punk with their brand. WWE, Bellator, and UFC wanted to do business with Punk at one point. Since Punk ended up signing a multi-fight contract with the UFC, his flexibility is no longer available.
Next up on the list of popular athletes is Brock Lesnar. He is currently the WWE World Heavyweight champion, with a contract that is set to expire after WrestleMania 31 . All signs point towards the Beast Incarnate leaving the WWE once his deal expires.
However, nothing is official until the WWE or UFC confirm it. Until that happens, Lesnar will be rumored to go one of three places: Bellator, UFC, or sign an extension with the WWE. According to WrestleZone.com , Bellator reached out to Brock Lesnar about a potential contract.
Bellator President Scott Coker has indeed confirmed to MMAFighting.com that the promotion has reached out to Brock Lesnar . Coker was sure to note there haven’t been any formal negotiations, as Lesnar remains under contract to WWE, but the reach out was more of Bellator’s way of “saying hello” to let Lesnar know the promotion is interested in signing him.
“There hasn’t been any serious dialogue,” Coker said. “But when the time comes to have serious dialogue, we’ll be right there.”
Lesnar isn’t likely to be in a WWE ring starting April of 2015. The problem doesn’t lie with Vince McMahon, but rather Lesnar’s yearning for the octagon. His last stint with the UFC didn’t end well. He dealt with diverticulitis for most of it, which clearly hindered his performance.
Now Lesnar is at 100 percent, and the UFC never saw Brock Lesnar at full force. As far as his weight goes, Lesnar is slimming down for an inevitable MMA return. There is no answer as to where Lesnar will fight. Bellator is a growing company that is even talking to Alberto Del Rio, former WWE champion. Adding Lesnar would boost their popularity tenfold.
WWE’s World Heavyweight champion has made less appearances on WWE programming than Florida Georgia Line. Be that as it may, Lesnar is still a hot commodity and a special attraction. Wherever he ends up, the president of that company will surely improve their numbers. Right now, the UFC, Bellator, and WWE would love a boost in their PPV buyrates and TV ratings.
WWE specifically needs all the star power they can receive, given that ratings are on the low end each week. Lesnar is a guaranteed draw, which plays into the hands of WrestleMania season. Royal Rumble is only a few weeks away, and Brock Lesnar is slated to face John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. Since Lesnar is nearing the end of his WWE contract, it will certainly get the WWE Universe’s attention.
[Image via thefandaily.com]