WWE: Why a Part-Time Brock Lesnar Is Still Very Effective

Have you ever heard the old saying "a little bit goes a long way"?

Dana White and the UFC have and, as a result, they are still living off of pay-per-view profits from Brock Lesnar's main event fights.

During his time with the MMA promotion, Lesnar was pay-per-view royalty, the sport's biggest attraction. Mixed martial arts enthusiasts and casual viewers alike purchased events with Lesnar at the top of the card because they either wanted to see the loud-mouth, ex-professional wrestler finally shut up or they wanted to see the muscular, mammoth, ass-kicker...well, kick ass.

To Dana White's credit, he understood Lesnar's box office appeal and never overexposed his biggest draw. He gave fans just enough to whet their appetite but never over-satiated them.

It was incredibly effective promoting, and everyone involved benefited from the results.

Fast forward to Lesnar's return to professional wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment's (wise) attempt to replicate that success.

Brock Lesnar is and was a solid sports-entertainment attraction. His size, his composure, his attitude, and his ability between the ropes were (and still are) captivating. He has an aura about him that draws attention.

During his first run with the company, which lasted from 2002 until 2004, that aura was diminished by the necessity for Brock to appear on a nightly basis. After a while, the specialness and the uniqueness of the physical specimen that is Brock Lesnar wore off and he became just another piece of the WWE machine.

With a contract that calls for Brock to work somewhere around 30 dates a year, overexposure is impossible and, like UFC, WWE can spread out Lesnar's appearances, allowing him to star in big-money pay-per-view bouts against the top stars professional wrestling has to offer.

The part-time nature of Lesnar's contract with Vince McMahon's WWE allows the company to mask some of Brock's weaknesses as well.

In a professional wrestling business that has become incredibly promo-heavy, limiting Brock's appearances on Raw and pay-per-view allows for Paul Heyman to step in and cut a memorable promo on his behalf without having to repeat the same point.

It also prevents the Heyman-Lesnar combination from becoming stale and, as a result, fans are interested in hearing what Heyman has to say when the two of them make an appearance.

Brock Lesnar's passion for travel, or lack thereof, was a major part of his leaving the company when he did eight years ago. With a part-time schedule, he can remain at home with his wife and child while still appearing for WWE on occasion and setting up a major pay-per-view bout.

Most importantly is Lesnar's illnesses over recent years.

It is no secret that Brock suffered through a life-threatening bout of diverticulitis. His health, at any time, can take a turn for the worse. Why risk injury or a flame up of that serious condition by having him compete on monthly pay-per-views, most of which are not going to experience a significant spike in buyrate, anyway?

Would fans like to see more of Brock Lesnar on WWE television? Undoubtedly. He is a bona-fide star in a time where legitimate star-power is lacking in the professional wrestling business.

But there are times where a star and his appeal are better served on a part-time basis. Brock Lesnar will be very effective for WWE while appearing only on occasion and without overexposure.

That is, unless he loses another match to another big WWE Superstar. Then all bets are off.