Paul Heyman Says Brock Lesnar Is “Most Likely” Leaving WWE

Paul Heyman was interviewed by the New York Post and was asked about the possibility of Brock Lesnar leaving WWE after his contract expires after WrestleMania. Paul Heyman’s contract reportedly expires around the same time as Lesnar’s, and Heyman talked about that also:

Q: Do you think [this] Sunday will be one of the last times you walk Brock Lensar to the ring as his advocate, at least for a while?

A: It’s most likely the answer to that is yes. The reasons are rather public. Brock is eyeballing a return to the octagon. He’s made no secret about it. He’s out in Las Vegas at the UFC offices taking a selfie with Dana White wearing a UFC T-shirt. These are not secret negotiations.

The fact that both our contracts are coming due is not a secret, either. Is this the last time that Brock Lesnar goes out to the ring in WWE, I truly don’t know that answer because what we’re focused on at the moment is … Brock is very laser focused on the task at hand. Right now our task is to deliver a memorable main event with Roman Reign with the Universal title on the line. That happens April 8th.

Once we’re done with that task then we’ll focus on what happens after April 8th. It’s just the mindset that Brock Lesnar has and it’s worked for him every since he won an NCAA Division I heavyweight championship.

Heyman also was asked about ECW and basically said that “hardcore wrestling” is a “thing of the past.”

Q: If you were to start some semblance of ECW today. What advantages would you think social media would give you, but would there be disadvantages with where the culture is today with concussions?

A: Number one, I wouldn’t start up an ECW today. I don’t think an ECW can be launched today. And if an ECW were to be launched today, the nature of the word extreme would have to be exemplified and personified by the artistic display of the performers far more than putting people through flaming tables, swinging barbwire baseball bats, tables, ladder and chairs.

The hardcore aspect of this industry is a thing of the past. It has to be. It just has to be. You can’t responsibly promote a style that lends itself to head trauma. You just can’t. It’s just not applicable.

In terms of social media today, social media is the current form of communication, especially in today’s society to where it’s the preferred method of delivering news to the country by the President of the United States.

Socially media has truly, completely taken over as the form of communication preferred not only by kids, but by the government. So, there are always upsides and downsides to it. The job of promoter is to exploit the advantages of social media to a degree that helps presents and promotes your product.