Pros and Cons of Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton at WWE SummerSlam 2016

WWE has lit the touchpaper by announcing that Brock Lesnar's opponent for SummerSlam will be revealed on this week's SmackDown, and talk is already rife about who will get the task of taking down The Beast Incarnate. 

One report from PWInsider (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc.) noted that the soon-to-be returning Randy Orton will face Lesnar, saying that speculation within the company notes that The Viper will take on Lesnar.

Straight away, it is easy to think of plenty of pros and cons to the bout and any rivalry that may take place around it. Here are a few of them.

Pros

At a time when WWE is about to head into the unknown with a brand split, it's hard to know what the makeup of the company will look like around the time of SummerSlam on Aug. 21.

But with that show almost certainly having both brands present, what Orton vs. Lesnar will do is give the show huge draw and attention, which is what it deserves.

SummerSlam is traditionally a show that features plenty of big-name rivalries and high-profile matches—this would fit that billing, having two of the company's most popular stars locking horns.

Additionally, it would give Orton a massive rivalry to jump straight back into action with. Sometimes big Superstar returns can take a while to get off the ground, but if he is feuding with Lesnar, there's no way The Viper will be able to take things slowly.

Orton's character direction—or lack thereof upon his return—also makes this rivalry a good one to consider for WWE. The brand split will still be felt, given how it will only be a few weeks old, and with Lesnar neither a babyface nor a heel, it gives WWE some flexibility with how it books Orton the rest of the year.

Orton can do some work as a babyface against Lesnar, as The Beast Incarnate will always draw heat, but then there's the possibility to turn heel on him at some point.

It could allow WWE the time to see if it got Orton's return correct and ensure he doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Cons

Lesnar's track record with WWE in recent years is phenomenal. It's rare he loses a match, let alone a rivalry.

So if WWE is going to pit Orton against Lesnar, it has to prepare some sound long-term booking to get Orton back on track after a rivalry he will end up losing.

Orton is a major draw for WWE despite an ever-changing roster, and he will remain so for years to come. With a brand split to consider, it's vital Orton looks strong going into the second half of the year. There may be sufficient doubt to suggest a feud with Lesnar will do that. 

Also, with WWE seemingly intent on revealing Lesnar's opponent this Thursday, how is it going to work if Orton is the man in question?

It's unlikely he'll be around anytime soon to promote a match or feud with Lesnar, and with The Beast working a part-time schedule, there's no guarantee when he will return to television.

So WWE is left with a situation where one of its biggest matches on the card has neither man around prominently enough to promote it. 

All of the hype from an announcement this week would fade quickly if it was a few weeks before Orton or Lesnar turned up to give it a push.