Almost every article I read online leading into UFC 200 suggested that former UFC/WWE champion Brock Lesnar wasn't going to win his first MMA match in 5 years against Mark Hunt of New Zealand. These same doubting Thomases are also of the belief that CM Punk won't survive when he makes his MMA debut, now set for September.
Where are those doubters now, after Lesnar scored a unanimous decision over Hunt?
You can say that WWE, ah, reluctantly gave their collective, corporate blessing to allow Lesnar to return to the octagon. Their own faith in Lesnar was justified, and now, the Beast Incarnate can focus on Summerslam next month in Brooklyn. WWE announced on Smackdown that Lesnar would face the returning Randy Orton at the "Biggest Party of the Summer".
Try figuring out the logic of that decision. Orton & Lesnar were two of the WWE's rookie class of 2002 (John Cena and Dave Bautista were the other stars), so there's some history that can be dug up to freshen things between the two. However, Orton is coming off the injured list. What kind of storyline grudge could Uncreative pull out of thin air to build this match?
In other words, in this writer's opinion, Orton is the wrong opponent. There's still some unfinished business with Seth Rollins from last year. However, this falls into the category of "forgotten feuds", because it's been a year since Lesnar and Rollins last met. To me, Orton is a sacrificial lamb being led to slaughter in his first PPV match back, while Vince McMahon prevents a rematch between Lesnar & Rollins from happening. Real swift, Vince. NOT!
Last year, Rollins vs. Lesnar didn't have a clear winner thanks to the Undertaker, who has since settled his issue with Lesnar. Rollins isn't that much younger than Lesnar, much less Mark Hunt, but Rollins is an office favorite and has to be protected at all costs. Not in my view. Seth Rollins should be very afraid after Lesnar won at UFC 200. Orton will simply be a warm-up act. Rollins, rightfully, should be next for the Beast. End of story.
