Two years ago, his decisive victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34 should have been a crowning achievement for "the reigning, defending, undisputed, Universal Heavyweight Champion of the world," Brock Lesnar. However, the WWE Network recently aired backstage footage of an upset Lesnar returning backstage after his match and furiously hurling his Universal Title belt at the Chairman of the Board instead.
The video does not show this, but Brock's tossing of the Universal Title led to a heated "verbal altercation" between Vince McMahon and "The Beast Incarnate," according to the Pro Wrestling Sheet's Ryan Satin. Clearly, Vince and Brock worked their differences out, as Lesnar would extend his contract with WWE and continue wrestling for the company. While no one knows for sure why Lesnar threw the belt in the first place, there remains an abundance of reasonable theories.
The first and most plausible theory is that Brock Lesnar was unhappy with his match against Roman Reigns. Critics ripped the WrestleMania 34 main event as "anti-climactic" and one of the "worst WrestleMania main events ever." The live crowd seemed to agree, as loud boos and chants of "This is awful," "boring," and "CM Punk" echoed throughout the match. While the crowd reaction, horrible booking and a lackluster ending would have been reason enough to enrage Lesnar, the disastrous match itself might not be the sole reason why Vince McMahon incurred the wrath of "The Beast."
Fans can certainly understand Brock Lesnar being none too pleased with the crowd reaction, but that may have just poured gasoline over an already raging fire inside of him. Rumors suggested that Lesnar wanted to drop the title to Reigns and leave WWE for UFC following WrestleMania 34. However, Vince McMahon reversed the original plan and made the short notice decision for Lesnar to retain. If true, then, before the match even started, Vince McMahon may have already broken the eleventh commandment: "Thou shall not intentionally provoke The Beast."
Regardless, no one can deny that this incident did, in fact, happen. Of course, Brock Lesnar wasn't punished whatsoever for it, making "The Beast" appear untouchable in WWE. As a result, fans and wrestling insiders theorize that Brock threw the title at Vince simply because he could. There are unconfirmed allegations that Lesnar "went off script" during his panned WrestleMania match, and throwing the Universal Title back at Vince is just another example of Lesnar letting everyone know that he can do whatever he wants. This wouldn't be the first time Lesnar showed apathy towards WWE and only adds to the likelihood that Lesnar is in it merely for the money.
Because of Lesnar's torrid history with WWE, and his apparent detachment to it, there remains a possibility that this incident is a complete and total work, concocted by Vince McMahon and Brock. Since Lesnar's return to WWE in 2012, Brock Lesnar has been portrayed as a superstar that's only concerned about the money. He shows up when he wants, puts a limited effort into his matches and separates himself from the WWE locker room. Vince McMahon is keenly aware of this depiction and has promoted Lesnar accordingly. It's entirely possible that his flinging of the title at Vince is just a publicity stunt to promote Lesnar as this egotistical maniac who does whatever he wants, without any care for the business he represents.
Despite the theory that this entire event is a work, plenty of evidence suggests otherwise. Vince's initial reaction can attest to this, and Lesnar's image of a man only concerned about himself has waned recently. While Lesnar's WWE return may be largely about the paycheck, he has also spent much of his time putting others over. "The Beast" eventually put over Roman Reigns, he has laid down for Seth Rollins and recently dropped the WWE Title to Drew McIntyre. That doesn't sound like a superstar that's only out for himself.
Considering how helpful he was in elevating Drew McIntyre, Brock Lesnar actually finds himself in an unusual position of sticking up for the locker room in ways that other superstars cannot. In fact, Lesnar's reason for hurling the title may be an indication that he actually does care about WWE and that he is willing to make objections to certain Vince McMahon's decisions known. If this is the case, the depiction of "The Beast" may go from WWE locker room conqueror to the unanticipated reigning, defending, undisputed locker room leader.