Please allow me to take a quick break from my Top 50 Countdown to address a significant event that happened at Summerslam that has shaped the course of wrestling history from this point forward.
This year has had a trend of dominating performances. The Seattle Seahawks obliterated the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. The San Antonio Spurs assassinated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals 4-1. Germany manhandled Brazil in the World Cup. WWE has followed that trend as well as of late, as Brock Lesnar has had a monumental year. First, he conquered the Undertaker's Undefeated Streak at WrestleMania XXX with not one, not two, but THREE F-5's! As Lionel Richie said: "Once, twice, three times a lady." To add the icing on the delicious cake, Lesnar captured his fourth WWE Championship by dismantling John Cena with 16 German Suplexes and 2 F-5's at the Biggest Party of the Summer, Summerslam live in Hollywood. (Side Note: 16 is Special, because it also represents the record for World Titles, still held at the moment by Nature Boy Ric Flair).
With all of that being said, Brock's win was impressive by not only who he beat, but how he beat him. For the last decade, Cena has been the franchise star of the WWE. The way that Brock won sent a clear message that this is finally the time of transition. We saw pieces of that at WrestleMania, but the ultimate stamp was made when Brock vanquished the company's Centerpiece. No champion in history had ever been dominated that badly. Hogan and Austin NEVER got pummeled the way that Cena did. Even The Rock was never beaten this badly when he lost to the same man 12 years earlier, Brock Lesnar himself.
Speaking of that, Brock's win at Summerslam has Unified both Titles, meaning there will only be one Undisputed WWE Championship. WWE has officially retired the World Heavyweight Championship (The Big Gold Belt). At Summerslam 2002, Brock Lesnar defeated The Rock to become the last Undisputed WWE Champion at that time. After Brock won, he was sent to Smackdown to become their exclusive WWE Champion. This is how the WHC was reborn. Fast forward to 2014, Brock defeats John Cena at Summerslam to become the "Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion". Both of those historic victories took place at Summerslam. As you have now noticed, everything has come back full circle, with Brock being the most common denominator.
Of course, as soon as Brock was booked to face Cena at Summerslam, the floodgates would open for division. On one side, you have the Brock supporters (like myself and others) who want to see him win to not only validate breaking the streak, but because John Cena has worn thin. On the other side, you have Brock's detractors/haters (The IWC) who cry and complain because he is a part timer who doesn't deserve it. However, these are the SAME people who complained about Cena having the belt too many times. Now that Cena has been dethroned, people STILL complain. Sadly, there are people who have made it as their life's mission to find anything to complain about, especially when it comes to the WWE.
Now, let me set the record straight: Brock Lesnar is an ATTRACTION who DRAWS MONEY!! If you don't have someone who has marquee value to draw fans, your promotion will bleed money. Brock's credibility has made him a spectacle that will bring people from outside of the WWE to watch the product. Lesnar attracts a multitude of fans, including UFC. He brings mainstream credibility to a promotion that has been lacking it for years. When you scan the roster, it is depleted of guys who can cause people outside of wrestling to watch. CM Punk had a brat attack and went home. Daniel Bryan is injured, and not even he can fully break out of the wrestling circle. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt are not ready. They still have a very long way to go. Dolph Ziggler doesn't connect at all. He has been a paper champion because of injuries. Miz is a glorified Reality TV star who STILL can't draw a dime. I could go on and on, and you see just what I mean. Wrestling has been diluted to being a niche product, but the key for its success has always been centered around "Sports Entertainment". Sports Entertainment goes beyond just the ring, and transcends to the mainstream media. Look at names like Austin, Hogan, Rock, Savage, even Undertaker to name a few. They have mainstream name value that attracts outside viewers which brings even more money. Brock is that kind of guy. The reason why they rely on part timers like Lesnar, Rock, Y2J, etc is BECAUSE they bring attention. The only names on the full time roster who have a level of recognition outside of WWE are John Cena and Randy Orton, but they have been overexposed.
Brock Lesnar brings a breath of fresh air to a program that has become so rotten that the stench is nauseating. With Lesnar as champion, he creates an intrigue and more of a pursuit for the title, which gives exposure to everyone else. Now, the title will regain a level of prestige that has been lost for a very long time. The title chase will be much more intense compared to previously, where Cena (with Orton in between) monopolized the title picture. When Brock is gone, you will have Paul Heyman filling in the gaps with his brilliant antagonizing promos, building up his client's dominance while trolling the fans. This is classic heel champion storyline writing. Brock would be the kind of champion who defends at the more important events (Night of Champions, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, WrestleMania). Therefore, when the time comes for Brock to be dethroned at WrestleMania, it will mean much more because they have defeated the Beast that Conquered the Greatest Streak in Wrestling History. With the way the pieces are being set, Roman Reigns is being geared toward that win. Brock would be the perfect monster to defeat for validation.
Ladies and Gentleman, Brock Lesnar is BEST FOR BUSINESS!!
