Brock Lesnar Quits, Chris Jericho Leaves WWE: How It Opens Doors for Newer Stars

Brock Lesnar and Triple H, the two men who headlined SummerSlam 2012, are apparently gone from the WWE. A future Hall of Famer in Chris Jericho lost his WWE contract. 

WWE Raw saw its roster change dramatically in the course of the three hours of the episode. 

While this may negatively affect the buy rate of the next few pay-per-views, there are some positives to the sudden personnel overhaul. A wave of younger, rising stars is ready to take the place of these legends. 

WWE is wisely building for his future while maintaining its present.

Depatures

Lesnar delivered some stunning news via Tout. In it he says he's never coming back to the WWE. 

With retirements and firings in wrestling being predictably impermanent, don't take Lesnar's words as gospel. 

The same goes for Triple H's apparent retirement. Shawn Michaels gave a tearful speech about seeing his friend's career coming to a close. WWE spent much of the episode of Raw playing up The Game's departure. 

Triple H will likely be back once his kayfabe injury heals and once the right opportunity presents itself. 

After losing to Dolph Ziggler in a contract vs. contract match, Jericho said goodbye to the WWE universe as well. Jericho, though, could certainly be back after touring with his band, Fozzy. 

Jericho is still in his early 40s and judging by the quality of his 2012 matches, he still has the ring skills to be a top-notch performer. 

For the moment, though, he is gone and that leaves a void to fill.  

As temporary as these exits may be, the absence of these big name part-timers provides opportunities for younger stars to slide up the WWE ladder. 

Opportunities

WWE used Jericho's exit to have Dolph Ziggler look like a more legitimate contender. With the Money in the Bank contract in his hands, he is only moments away from stepping into the limelight that a World Heavyweight Championship reign brings.

Without having to compete with Lesnar's fame or Triple H putting himself atop major cards, CM Punk may actually get to main event a pay-per-view while wearing the WWE title. 

The next few months can offer Punk, Ziggler along with Daniel Bryan and a returning Wade Barrett more air time, more chances to write their histories. 

How much of the last few episodes of Raw were dedicated to the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar feud?  How much of before and after Extreme Rules featured Lesnar or Paul Heyman?

That time has to be filled with something, and devoting it to its brightest up-and-comers is the best move.

Of course, WWE could go the safe route and just plug in more John Cena. It's not like they're not used to leaning heavily on him.  

Should they do that, they're missing out on a chance to put fresher faces in the main event, to forge ahead into the future.  

Night of Champions, Hell in a Cell and Survivor Series should belong to Punk and the newest generation of great wrestlers.