Brock Lesnar: Why He Works In UFC But Not In WWE

“He’s Never There”

I get it. Brock Lesnar is scheduled to appear on less episodes of Raw this year than Randy Orton is to have court-mandated workplace sensitivity training (…allegedly!).

We don’t ask for much. Just show up for work. It’s really difficult, if not impossible, to get invested in a character who doesn’t regularly appear on Monday nights. Plus, how can narratives evolve in his absence? How does he stay relevant? The fact is he should be there!

Here’s a secret though: facts are relative. They’re a fluid concept, easily manipulated and framed by a particular perspective. An absolute truth today could tomorrow evaporate like Renee Young two questions into an interview segment.

Consider this example: Since January 1 this year, Wrestler A has appeared eight times on Raw and wrestled a total of three matches. Wrestler B, in that same timeframe, has logged ten live WWE appearances and also competed in three matches. So presumably our feelings about both competitors will be similar, right? Well, you may already have worked it out, but Wrestler A is Brock Lesnar and Wrestler B… is Ronda Rousey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Soz1UAQUY

The difference between the two is not how often they’re on TV, but rather the impact that they make when they are there. After a shaky start, Rousey has turned into a human wrecking ball, tossing around moderately trained security guards like they’re dirty beach towels. Contrast that with Brock, who has been less ‘unchained Beast’ of late and more ‘slightly grumpy house cat lounging on a couch backstage’.

It’s not the number of times you show up, it’s what you do when you’re there. Don’t believe me? Brock has made a total of one appearance at a UFC event since July 2016. But that one appearance was purposeful; it was controversial, violent and sent a clear message. That’s how you build a star.

• Dana White
• randy couture
• randy Norton
• wwe universal title
• the beast incarnate
• RAW
• Money in the Bank
• UFC Heavyweight Champion
• UFC ppv buy rates
• cain velasquez
• wwe universal champion
• renee young
• suplex city
• ufc
• german suplex
• Daniel Cormier
• summerslam 2018
• Conor McGregor
• Ronda Rousey
• Frank mir
• Brock Lesnar
• raw ratings
• MMA
• Seth Rollins
• ufc 226
• Monday Night
• paul heyman
• WrestleMania
• Goldberg
• Roman Reigns
• John Cena
• The Undertaker
• wwe

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