Examining Brock Lesnar’s Possible Opponents

I’ve made it clear that I’m not a fan of Lesnar being back. Not only do I feel he isn’t worth the possible headache, but I also just don’t think he fits well in the current landscape of the WWE. But if rumors are to be believed, we are in for another Lesnar run, and so I figured I could at least take a look at possible opponents for him going forward. I will state that none of these will be great unless Lesnar decides he wants to actually show up to work. We’ve all seen how Lesnar can be when he doesn’t respect his opponent or doesn’t care enough to put in anything but the bare minimum effort. So, I’m hoping for all of these that we see the Lesnar who wrestled AJ Styles and Bryan Danielson, and not the one who just spams F5s and German Suplexes and then wins or takes six finishers before being pinned. Also, with the recent rumor that they will be building Lesnar up before letting him get beaten again (why? Lesnar doesn’t need that level of protection), then hopefully most of the following won’t get fed to him, but be the ones to get the rub by beating him.

Cody Rhodes

When the first rumors came out about Lesnar staying around, it was attached to the idea of a future title match against Rhodes. Lesnar and Rhodes had a feud in 2023; the matches were decent, and the whole thing was designed to help get Rhodes even more over before WrestleMania 40. This would also include Lesnar’s last match before leaving for two years. A rematch between the two would probably look similar to their previous bouts, and in fact could be better. Cody has come into his own as the “quarterback” of the WWE and has been able to hold onto the fan support over the last couple of years. Rhodes could act as the avenger for Cena, trying to overcome the beast while also trying to hold onto his title. This is the only person on this list I wouldn’t be totally opposed to if they lost to Lesnar. Cody is fully established as the top face of the company and can recover from a loss easily, and even come back later to get the win back. Plus, if Lesnar wins the belt, then it will allow one of the others to say they beat Lesnar for their first championship. Don’t get me wrong, I would still prefer a Cody win here, but I can see the benefits in him losing.

Jacob Fatu

Jacob Fatu would probably be able to pull out a great match out of Lesnar. Fatu is a big man who can move like someone much smaller, and he has shown he can absorb punishment and still make a comeback. I could see this match starting with Lesnar overwhelming Fatu, using his size and power to throw Fatu around the ring. Lesnar will get cocky and start toying with Fatu, mocking him, and that’s when Fatu will strike. That shot of Fatu standing up behind his opponent is such a great visual, and it would be awesome here as well. Have Lesnar leaning on the ropes mouthing off to the audience, and the Fatu just rises in the background and goes on the offense. Fatu will be able to use his power and speed to bring the fight to Lesnar, who is caught off guard. A few hip attacks and a triple jump moonsault will then win it for Fatu. Seeing Fatu beat Lesnar for his first World Championship would be worth Lesnar returning.

Gunther

Ever since their interaction in the 2023 Royal Rumble, this match has been on a lot of people’s lists. With a talent like Gunther, I think this could be a good match-up. Gunther is one of the few wrestlers who would look physically imposing next to Lesnar, and it would be novel to see someone manhandle Lesnar like he usually does to everyone else. I wouldn’t mind this to actually be Lesnar’s last match. Gunther then would be able to say he retired two of the most dominant men in wrestling history, and he could slot into the slot Lesnar currently holds as WWE’s current final boss. Five years from now, we could be seeing Gunther being the one everyone fears, and young guys can beat for a huge rub.

Bron Breakker

The current rumor has a possible Breakker vs Lesnar match at WrestleMania 42, which I’m for if Breakker wins. Breakker is a lot like a young Lesnar, a natural athlete with a great body and explosive in-ring presence. He is also better on the mic than Lesnar ever has been. He was already on a good pace to be a future main eventer, and once he teamed up with The Vision, he has grown into that role even more. He doesn’t need to be the future; a win over Lesnar at WrestleMania, after also retiring Cena, would make him the present. I think Fatu and Breakker will both win their first World Championships next year, and Breakker’s victory over Lesnar will solidify his rise and give him a good reason to challenge either champion during the summer.

I may not be high on Lesnar, and like I said, he needs to bring his working boots if he plans to stick around, but if he is willing to spend his time putting over some of the future and current monsters, then good. Lesnar is 48 years old, oozes intimidation, and doesn’t need to be protected anymore. He can beat some lower card guys or other wrestlers nearing the end of their careers, but if he is going to be face off with the guys I mentioned here, or someone like Oba Femi, he needs to be willing to not only put them over, but put on the working boots to give them good matches as well.