Backstage Update on Raw Not Mentioning Brock Lesnar

– The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via WrestlingInc.com) this week had an update on WWE not mentioning Brock Lesnar at all this Monday on Raw. As previously reported, Brock Lesnar made an appearance at UFC 226 last Saturday, challenging new UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. Additionally, Lesnar has re-entered the USADA drug-testing pool in order to become eligible to fight again in the UFC due to his previous failed drug tests in 2016.

According to the Observer report, Vince McMahon personally made the decision not to mention Lesnar on Raw last Monday in order to focus on the build for Extreme Rules this weekend. Also, the report states that McMahon informed those backstage at a production meeting ahead of Raw that Lesnar’s name would not be mentioned during the show, and WWE could start talking about Lesnar again, “When he’s being offered to our audience and we can capitalize on it.”

Additionally, McMahon is said to be “adamant” about creating the idea that Lesnar is turning his back on WWE fans and leaving the organization for the UFC. WWE wants to push the idea that Lesnar is trying to leave without losing the WWE Universal title in the hopes that fans will support Roman Reigns when they possibly face each other again.