Fansided

WrestleMania 34 preview: Universal Championship Match

By Nir Regev

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Brock Lesnar prepares to fight Mark Hunt during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Brock Lesnar prepares to fight Mark Hunt during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Brock Lesnar is defending his WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34, but the bigger story is an impending UFC return. 

The cat’s out of the bag: UFC President Dana White has confirmed Brock Lesnar is returning to the UFC, all but foreshadowing a Reigns victory Sunday. In some ways, this makes the match feel reminiscent of his original match against Goldberg at WrestleMania 20. The online-dirt-sheet-following smarks and even the casual marks of today will surely know Brock is on his way out after Sunday’s PPV. Forget how fast information spreads in the social media era, Dana White made this comment on a FOX Sports broadcast to Daniel Cormier.

White further elaborated at the UFC 25th Anniversary Press Conference at Barclays Center that Lesnar might get a title shot upon returning. That’s as mainstream as it gets, and the “secret” is officially out there. The lid is not going back on this one folks, meaning WWE has two choices.

Do the expected Reigns coronation and have fans potentially boo the match all the way through, circa WrestleMania XX, or pull the unexpected, have Brock win and let him go out on top to the UFC. Keep him strong in the likelihood that he does eventually return for another WWE run. Reigns could always win a vacant title on Raw the next night, or the WWE could even hold a tournament for it. Perhaps, have another King of the Ring event with the belt in tow.

Yes, in the past an exiting wrestler usually went out on a loss (if giving their notice). This is a different time though, and the WWE has a working relationship with the UFC. Sure, the UFC will not see any damage by having Lesnar leave on a loss at WrestleMania 34, but it doesn’t really hurt either company (or arguably even Reigns) having him leaving on a win. The talent exchange between Pro-Wrestling and MMA is more fluid than ever with Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34 this Sunday.

It’s okay not to fight the current, and accept circumstances have undeniably changed. Storyline changes have to be made to adapt to Dana White’s announcement, like it or not. Pretending, it’s outside of the WWE Universe is futile. If this is truly the reality era, do an unforgettable Undertaker/Lesnar style moment. Have Lesnar win, and show booking is not predictable and always up in the air.