Brock Lesnar made a highly anticipated return on the February 23 episode of WWE RAW in Atlanta, announcing an open challenge for WrestleMania. However, weeks after his comeback, WWE has yet to reveal who will face The Beast Incarnate at the event, and reports suggest the company may still be deciding on his opponent.
Lesnar’s return came with Paul Heyman by his side, who proclaimed destruction awaited whoever accepted the challenge at WrestleMania. Lesnar was scheduled for several RAW appearances leading up to the event, but no wrestler has stepped forward, and no clear storyline has emerged as of yet.
Creative Team Still Debating Lesnar’s WrestleMania Plans
According to WrestleVotes Radio, WWE’s creative team is reportedly uncertain about how to position Lesnar this year, despite his return already airing. Joey Votes highlighted that the open challenge segment itself sparked internal confusion regarding Lesnar’s role moving forward.
“Basically it was Paul Heyman promising destruction for whoever wants it come WrestleMania. This just feels like they have no idea what to do with Brock Lesnar at this point. Card continues to shuffle, as everybody’s well aware. Maybe the Brock Lesnar decision has yet to become official, set in stone, however you want to put it creatively. So they knew he was going to be in Atlanta and they said, well, go out there and just issue an open challenge for WrestleMania.” – Joey Votes, Analyst
Lesnar’s Upcoming RAW Appearances May Be a Placeholder
Joey Votes also noted that Lesnar’s scheduled RAW dates from now until WrestleMania might serve as holding spots while WWE finalizes his opponent. The company announced Lesnar would appear on approximately five episodes leading to the event, but the plan appears to be for him to stand in the ring and issue open challenges in hopes someone responds.
“They did put the dates that he was going to be on the show for the remainder of the time through WrestleMania, about five dates. Come the month of March. Well, he will show up to Monday Night Raw, and I guess the plan is he’s going to stand in that ring and hopefully somebody comes out.” – Joey Votes, Analyst
Concerns Over Delayed Opponent Announcement Heightening Tension
This prolonged uncertainty is prompting questions about whether WWE intends to keep Lesnar’s WrestleMania adversary a secret until the final RAW before the event. This tactic could result in a prolonged build-up without any concrete story, which risks fan disillusionment.
“Do you feel like, I don’t know, for the first four weeks, he’ll stand in that ring and Heyman will cut a promo. Nobody will come out. And then the last RAW before WrestleMania, he’s going to get his answer. Going to go all the way to WrestleMania as a mystery, or will somebody come out right away to start an actual program?” – Joey Votes, Analyst
WWE Missed Early Opportunity to Establish a Strong Feud
TC, another wrestling insider, expressed frustration that Lesnar’s return did not immediately spark a significant storyline. He sees the open challenge as a lazy approach that fails to harness the momentum such a star should generate ahead of WrestleMania.
“I was really looking forward to what was going to be, hopefully the kickoff to Brock Lesnar’s program leading into WrestleMania.” – TC, Wrestling Insider
“If they’re going to do that six more times from WrestleMania, that is beyond lazy, that you’re going to have an open challenge and we have to wait till WrestleMania to see who’s going to then grow the balls to take on Brock Lesnar.” – TC, Wrestling Insider
Warning of Wasted Potential Without a Defined Storyline
TC further emphasized that not giving Lesnar a focused rivalry squanders the value of one of WWE’s biggest draws. He voiced hope that an upcoming RAW segment will deliver substance from a credible challenger, whether it be Obafemi, Sheamus, Rusev, or another name, to build a meaningful narrative.
“You’re not going to give me any kind of program. You’re not going to give me any kind of story, nothing. Just, oh, I want to take on Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. We’re going to get a five minute match and that’s it. I think that’s a complete waste of Brock Lesnar.” – TC, Wrestling Insider
“There better be something on that segment where Brock Lesnar comes out and we get a little bit of something from somebody. If it is Obafemi, if it is a Sheamus or a Rusev or somebody… I want a story and I want a program.” – TC, Wrestling Insider
Calls for Prompt Decision to Build WrestleMania Storyline
Joey Votes reiterated the importance of establishing a proper feud for Lesnar swiftly, urging WWE to confirm his opponent so that a storyline can begin to develop, ensuring a strong build to WrestleMania.
“I think Brock should be in a proper program. So start to build that as soon as possible. Make the decision. Whoever it is, whoever it is, make the decision.” – Joey Votes, Analyst
Potential Impact of Lesnar’s Uncertain Direction at WrestleMania
As WrestleMania rapidly approaches, WWE still has time to name a significant challenger for Brock Lesnar, whose unmatched legacy guarantees attention. The absence of a defined opponent and cohesive storyline is raising questions among fans and insiders about WWE’s creative vision. Whoever answers Lesnar’s open challenge is poised to step into one of the most high-profile matches of the year, potentially shaping the event’s narrative and fan excitement.
