Brock Lesnar, known for redefining professional wrestling narratives, defied convention at the 2020 Royal Rumble by competing while holding the WWE Championship. Traditionally, reigning world champions do not enter the Royal Rumble unless their title is at stake, but Lesnar challenged this norm by entering as the WWE Champion without putting his belt on the line. His goal was to win the match from the opening slot, thereby earning the right to challenge the Universal Champion at WrestleMania 36, further cementing his legacy.
Lesnar dominated the match, creating a sense of urgency and excitement from the start, while lesser-known entrants were swiftly eliminated. The moment Drew McIntyre eliminated Lesnar stunned fans and set the stage for a highly anticipated WrestleMania 36 showdown between the two, where McIntyre challenged and eventually defeated Lesnar for the title.
Halting Braun Strowman’s Money in the Bank Cash-In Attempt
Brock Lesnar also disrupted the established Money in the Bank storyline by preventing Braun Strowman from successfully cashing in his briefcase. At SummerSlam 2018, during Lesnar’s Universal Championship defense against Roman Reigns, Strowman awaited the right moment to strike. However, Lesnar aggressively intervened, attacking Strowman and throwing his briefcase off the stage, injuring him severely enough to stop any immediate cash-in.
This incident was unprecedented, as it made Lesnar the only wrestler to interrupt and neutralize a Money in the Bank cash-in attempt before it began, effectively derailing Strowman’s rise. The dramatic interruption left fans without the expected payoff, showcasing Lesnar’s dominance and ability to rewrite storytelling conventions in WWE.
Ignoring the 30-Day Title Defense Mandate
WWE traditionally enforced a rule requiring champions to defend their titles at least once every thirty days, or risk losing them. Brock Lesnar’s part-time status led WWE to quietly abandon this guideline during his runs as WWE and Universal Champion. There were frequent stretches lasting several months in which Lesnar did not appear on televised events or defend his championship, a marked departure from previous champions who maintained regular title defenses.
By excusing Lesnar from the 30-day defense rule, WWE emphasized his special status and made his few matches major attractions. This change created a divide in storytelling standards, as other champions were held to stricter schedules, highlighting Lesnar’s unique position as a part-time star with unmatched drawing power.
Securing Money in the Bank Without Competing
In another bold break from tradition, Brock Lesnar won the Money in the Bank ladder match at the 2019 event despite not being an official participant. After Sami Zayn was removed from the match due to injury with no replacement, the contest proceeded with seven wrestlers. Mustafa Ali appeared close to victory when Lesnar’s music interrupted the final moments. Lesnar rushed to the ring, knocked Ali off the ladder, and claimed the briefcase without having competed throughout the match.
This finish left other participants looking undermined, as none of the competitors involved were prepared for Lesnar’s sudden entry. WWE offered no explanation for why Lesnar alone was permitted this advantage, demonstrating another instance where he altered WWE storytelling rules to his benefit. Lesnar later cashed in this briefcase to defeat Seth Rollins and regain the Universal Championship, continuing his trend of extraordinary conditions surrounding his title reigns.
The Lasting Impact of Lesnar’s Rule-Breaking Storytelling
Brock Lesnar’s career has been defined by moments that defy WWE’s traditional storytelling guidelines, sparking shock and debate among fans and wrestling insiders. From competing as a reigning champion in the Royal Rumble to winning Money in the Bank without officially being in the match, Lesnar continuously pushed the boundaries of what was possible in WWE narratives. These rule breaks elevated his aura as “The Beast Incarnate” while transforming how WWE structures its biggest storylines and title reigns.
By circumventing established norms, WWE positioned Lesnar as a larger-than-life figure whose presence alone changes the wrestling landscape, influencing booking decisions and fan expectations alike. His approach to storytelling challenges conventional logic yet has repeatedly produced compelling moments that captivated audiences. Moving forward, Lesnar’s legacy will likely continue to shape how WWE adapts its creative framework around part-time megastars and blockbuster events.
