When WWE agreed to allow Brock Lesnar to fight at UFC 200, I think that it’s pretty safe to say that the “worst case scenario” laid out was that Lesnar could lose the match. If so, big deal, they can just write something about it to make WWE look stronger one way or the other.
But that would be the worst case scenario though…right?
WEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL … … …
Word has now come out that Lesnar has been flagged by the USADA based on the drug test that was taken on June 28, days before his UFC 200 fight.
This unexpected revelation brings up the question – how does WWE respond?
In this day and age, you can’t just sit back and do nothing. Yes, the test did NOT come from WWE and was not done through the WWE process so they TECHNICALLY don’t have to do anything.
Doing nothing is the quickest way to receive a huge negative public reaction.
With all of the focus on the health of superstars, any sort of connection to performance enhancing drugs cannot be taken lightly. Action has to be taken one way or the other.
Fortunately, or unfortunately really, precedent has recently been set in WWE with the recent 30 day suspension of Roman Reigns. Reigns was advertised for a Pay-Per-View main event match shortly before being suspended. The suspension conveniently ends right before the Pay-Per-View show and Reigns will still be in the match.
Other than being for the WWE Championship, I don’t know how else this situation could be similar! So the response should be just as similar.
Suspend Brock Lesnar now!
The immediate and swift action will further show that WWE is an organization that will not tolerate any sort of connection to the use of PED’s. Plus, suspending Lesnar now for 30 days will have him come back in time for the advertised match against Randy Orton at SummerSlam on August 21.
To those that follow WWE closely, it would not be the worst thing that could happen in terms of the show itself since Brock would probably only make an appearance or two on Raw (or SmackDown depending on how they will be using Lesnar after the Draft) prior to SummerSlam.
To the outside world, it would be a big plus in terms of PR. WWE’s recent relationship with ESPN will be a quick way to show millions of sports fans that WWE is a company that that doesn’t back down when it comes to the use of PED’s.
Obviously there are legal issues involved with a decision like this and I don’t know every clause in every contract by any means. But WWE needs to make this happen, or at least something very similar – and quickly!
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