By abusing Heyman, Lesnar severs connection to the fans

In WWE’s steadfast refusal to move on from Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns, and with Lesnar very publicly set for a return to the UFC, something needed to be done to raise fan investment in the main event of SummerSlam.

What we got on last night’s episode of Raw was WWE’s best attempt to play on reality to build that investment and — at least for one night — it worked.

That they were in Reigns’ home state likely didn’t hurt in the crowd’s willingness to chant for Reigns — the “we want Roman” chants were considerably louder than the “Roman sucks” returns — as the show came to a close.

Painting Lesnar as a man who absolutely does not care about the WWE Universe while loyalist Reigns looks to bring the Universal Championship home may prevent a WrestleMania XX-ish backlash to another Beast exit.

Goldberg and Lesnar were both leaving after that show, so fans were left with no one to cheer but referee Steve Austin, who was weeks removed from allegations of domestic violence by Tess Broussard (not the first woman to accuse him of domestic abuse).

WWE wants the fans behind Reigns, and the best way they see to do that is for Lesnar to burn his relationships with the fans. That includes burning Heyman.

For better or worse, fans love to be a part of the show. They want to sing or chant or yell catchphrases. Lesnar doesn’t really have that like other superstars. He doesn’t have a “burn it down,” “you suck” or the whole New Day intro.

What he does (did?) have is Heyman.

Heyman, who does the introductions the fans can say along with him.

Heyman, who brought the world all the extra syllables in how we say Brock Lesnar’s name.

Heyman is Lesnar’s tether to the fans, and to reality. Unhinged Lesnar no longer cares for any connection and that means severing that tether.

The Beast is now running full force at SummerSlam with no one in his ear, no one reigning him in. And fans now need Reigns to stop him.

It worked for one night in Miami.

But New York ain’t Miami.

It’s Tuesday.

Madusa did Suplex City better than Lesnar.

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