"The Half-Guarded Truth"
By: Mike Coughlin
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
For the week of 11/16/08

"Brock Lesnar the pro wrestler"

If you think they hate Lesnar now, just wait…

I figured the so-called hardcore MMA community would be up in arms over Brock Lesnar defeating Randy Couture, becoming the first man to ever hold the top championship in both WWE and UFC, but I never imagined it would be like this.  The predictable choir singing that Lesnar never deserved a shot in the first place was one thing, but I admit I've been caught off guard by how many people think Couture threw the fight.

For one moment, I want to look at the ridiculousness of people getting upset that Couture "threw the fight."  People aren't upset at the integrity of the UFC being called into question so much as it appears they care Lesnar became champion as a result of Couture's belly-flopping.  Why?  If Randy Couture is the kind of guy that would take a payoff in return for laying down for Lesnar, why would you want that guy to be champion anyways?  Of course, this is all moot because Couture did not throw the fight.  He got punched in the head by a 280 lb half-man, half-bear.  That's it.  What happened on Saturday was a real fight.  I can't believe this even needs to be said in 2008, but whatever.

I'd guess most of the anger comes from those who are so flatly ignorant that they don't know/appreciate the incredible athlete that is Brock Lesnar.  They hear, "former pro wrestler" and get irrationally upset that he's anywhere near the fabled Octagon.  Rich Franklin being a former math teacher is no big deal, but goodness gracious, a pro wrestler!  What will the children think?!?  Look, if this was Hulk Hogan, fine.  I'd understand why folks were angry at that one. (To a degree.  I mean, if Hogan came into the UFC and legitimately knocked out Randy Couture, he'd deserved to be there as much as anyone else.)  But Lesnar's no less legitimate than Josh Koscheck, Mark Coleman, or Dan Severn, Kevin Randleman (the latter three, ironically, each having been pro wrestlers at one point or another – Seven carried his NWA title to the cage – and Koscheck is every bit the pro wrestler in his demeanor).  If Lesnar had won the NCAAs, then sat alone in the woods for a decade writing poetry, you'd hear 1/10th the righteous anger.  Hell, he'd probably be something of an Evan Tanner-like folk hero.

This whole UFC thing got started by showcasing the world a little Brazilian named Royce Gracie, who won early tournaments using jiu-jitsu.  Well, methinks the UFC should use those jiu-jitsu principles in how they treat Lesnar from here on out.  Day one of jiu-jitsu teaches a student that you don't go against someone's power, you go with it, using your opponents movements against them.  The UFC should take that righteous anger and go with it.

The UFC's instinct so far has been to emphasize Lesnar's legitimate wrestling credentials while somewhat downplaying his WWE tenure.  Lesnar himself largely does the same.  White and Co. should throw their hands up and shout, "Stop!"  It's time to embrace Brock Lesnar's past life as a pro wrestler.

I say the UFC cut a deal with TNA where they allow Lesnar to appear on Impact! every so often.  (I wouldn't trust WWE to make this work, as I could easily see them trying to sabotage Lesnar.  Plus, TNA is just a more natural fit given that it already shares a network with the UFC – and I can see TNA doing a one off segment here and there while that's not something I can fathom working on WWE TV.)  Let Lesnar cut a promo, telling all the wrestling fans, "I'm YOUR champion.  I represent pro wrestling when I compete in the UFC!"  Hell, if you're really, really ballsy, maybe even have Lesnar wrestle a short (VERY SHORT – we've got to protect his body) match and win the TNA world title.  It works out for all parties involved.  TNA gets exposure by having Lesnar appear on their program and the UFC can further enrage those fans that think Lesnar's a fraud.  And I'm sure Spike TV would be more than thrilled at the cross promotion.  When Lesnar fights, have pro wrestlers in the crowd.  It doesn't need to be blatant, but just have the UFC cameras acknowledge that Sting, Kurt Angle, and AJ Styles are all in attendance.  The message will be sent, loud and clear.

Sure, everyone wants to be liked, but the money in a fight has always been in having a gallant babyface chase after the evil heel.  Imagine how strong the feelings would be when Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, perhaps the very embodiment of MMA, one of the nicest, most likeable guys in the entire sport, were to challenge the brash, loud, pro wrestler.  You'd have Nog defending the honor of MMA against the arrogant pro wrestler.  It's going to be difficult for people to really get behind Lesnar anyways.  The natural inclination of people is to root for David, and no matter what, Lesnar is ALWAYS going to be a goliath.  You see Brock dwarf his opponent and it doesn't matter if he's facing Couture, Nogueira, Fedor, or Gonzaga, people will get into the little guy beating the big guy.  Embracing his past would make Lesnar all the more hateable to the MMA hardcores.

This type of invasion storyline works most every time it's tried.  Now, there have been pitfalls in the past, as one need look at the nWo and see how when the invaders never get their comeuppance it undermines the company long term, but there's little danger of that with Lesnar.  No one wins forever, and with his technical shortcomings, Lesnar will lose sooner or later.  The man that beats Lesnar would then become an instant hero to those MMA fans.  And should Lesnar not lose, well, there are worse things than Brock Lesnar going undefeated for five years and constantly defending the UFC heavyweight championship.

What's more, you can probably get more pro wrestling fans to cross over and purchase UFC PPVs.  They'll hear the trash talked about Lesnar and want to see "their guy" get the win.  In an odd twist, while Lesnar would likely be the heel for the majority of fans, you could probably develop a very loyal clique of fans who love pro wrestling and only watch UFC to see Lesnar get the win.  Lesnar might become David in the eyes of wrestling fans.

I can anticipate the response, that being this is playing with fire because you don't want to call into question the credibility of MMA.  Maybe the mainstream media will begin to think the UFC is worked.  I admit this is a possibility, but I don't think it's that big of a deal for a few reasons.  1) If they were going to think everything Lesnar was involved in was a work, they'd think it already.  2) It's not like mainstream athletes haven't done pro wrestling before (Dennis Rodman immediately jumps to mind).  3) Ultimately, Lesnar will lose.  And if he doesn't?  Again, Brock Lesnar laying waste to one opponent after another isn't really a bad thing.  Plus, if Lesnar keeps winning, he'll begrudgingly become accepted by MMA fans, at which point you can let the angle drop.

So, I say to the UFC, do not run from the vociferous response to Lesnar's title win; run towards it.  Flow with the go.  Let Brock Lesnar be Brock Lesnar: PRO WRESTLER.

Mike Coughlin is the host of Five Star Radio, a weekly look at all things MMA.  He was in awe at seeing a real life battle between Captain America and the Incredible Hulk.