10 Bold Predictions for Brock Lesnar's Rumored Return to the WWE Ring

In the last year, there have been several rumors—many of them substantiated—about Brock Lesnar's renewed relationship with the WWE.

Several factors contribute to the perception that Brock is due to return to the company that made him famous.

The most recent piece of proof is Lesnar's incorporation into the new WWE '12 video game as a playable character, which could not have happened without the approval of Dana White and the UFC.

This has incited speculation that Lesnar—who has publicly acknowledged the possibility of a WWE return—will not only reappear on Raw and/or SmackDown, but partake in high-profile matches against other WWE Superstars.

If "The Next Best Thing" is wiling to film a WWE '12 commercial promoting his involvement in the game, what will stop him from appearing on WWE TV around the game's release date?

From there, anything is possible.

Extrapolating into the future, let's look at 10 ways the revitalized Brock-WWE partnership will play out...

Lesnar Will Star in a WWE-Produced Film

If Brock is not willing or able to wrestle again, a collaboration with WWE Studios seems like the next logical step beyond his WWE '12 involvement.

The 6'3" Minnesota-native has become more and more comfortable in front of the camera during press conferences, media appearances and interviews.

He has come a long way from having a manager do most of the talking for him.

A film based on Lesnar's own true life story as an amateur wrestling champion could attract lots of attention at the box office.

Of course, the former WWE and UFC Champion would play himself!

Brock Will Bring More Mainstream Acceptance and Exposure to the WWE

After being reticent to cover them for so long, ESPN has begun regularly featuring UFC highlights. And for the majority of the last few years, Brock has been one of MMA's main topics of discussion.

Brock himself has made several appearances on SportsCenter as a special guest. Not only did he not seem out of place, but the hosts were all very respectful and cordial with the mainstream star.

In addition to ESPN, Lesnar has made the front pages of newspaper sports sections, been covered regularly on Fox Sports, Yahoo! Sports, MSN, TMZ and a host of other media outlets.

In a nutshell, Lesnar has earned the recognition as a worthwhile sports figure in pop culture.

Essentially, he would bring an air of legitimacy—at least that would be the perception—to the WWE, which will better off for it.

Brock Lesnar Will Battle Undertaker at WrestleMania 28 or 29.

Last October 2010, The Undertaker was a VIP spectator for Lesnar's bout with Cain Velasquez in the main event.

Following his surprising defeat via TKO, the frustrated Lesnar was on his way backstage.

Suddenly, mid-way, he and The Undertaker stopped, stared and exchanged physical threats.

This seemingly real exchange between the two "former" friends spurred rampant speculation about a possible Brock Lesnar-Undertaker match at WrestleMania 27, which ultimately did not come together.

And, according to Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, not only was the hostility between them staged, but Lesnar had actually been pushing Dana White to wrestle "The Dead Man" at this past year's event in the Georgia Dome.

It has not come to fruition yet, but perhaps something could be worked out in the future.

Brock Will Mean Big Business for the WWE

Some argue that Lesnar will bring more business to the WWE than The Rock—which remains to be seen.

One reason in particular stands out: Lesnar is a bonafide crossover star.

Because he is a popular commodity among both UFC and WWE followers, the theory is that Lesnar can lure some of the former's fans over to the latter.

UFC loyalists are the most sought-after demographic in the pay-per-view universe, as they aren't afraid to plunk down their cash to get their fill.

WWE executives look at UFC's pay-per-view buy-rate data and are red with envy, wishing they could just have a slice of Dana White's pie.

If the master of the "F5" can use his drawing power to bring some of his UFC fans over to the WWE, then Lesnar and World Wrestling Entertainment are in for a very lucrative collaboration.

Paul Heyman Will Return to Lesnar's Side

From his WWE run up until now, Brock Lesnar has had one standout confidant who has supported him through thick and thin: Paul Heyman.

The two have forged a bond founded on the love of life and competition.

Oddly enough, Heyman has never stopped being Lesnar's manager, always giving him sage advice and direction on how to navigate muddy waters.

Lesnar has always been grateful to "Paul E," as well, giving him ample credit in interviews—their camaraderie is well-documented.

It takes a very close friend to co-write the biography of one of sports' most interesting stories in Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination and Survival.

One might prognosticate that—if their fellowship remains as tight-knit as it is—perhaps Heyman will follow Lesnar back to the WWE.

Brock Will Lead the Way for Several UFC Stars

Once Brock Lesnar's return is a successful one, current and former UFC fighters will take note. It is probable that many of them will recognize the similarities between the two companies, including but not limited to the fact that both are physical art forms hyped via verbal jousting.

The only difference is that one is premeditated and the other isn't. Thus, the ability to adapt for UFC fighters turned wrestlers shouldn't be too much of an issue; the transition should be an organic one.

Moreover, there is precedence for men with legitimate fighting and wrestling backgrounds making the jump to pro-wrestling, such as Ken Shamrock, Steve Blackman, Tank Abbott, Kurt Angle and Dan Severn to name a few.

Brock Lesnar's return to the WWE will remind his UFC cohorts they have options.

Can you imagine "Rampage" Jackson (who hosted Raw), Tito Ortiz (who reputedly hobnobs with wrestlers) or even Chael Sonnen as pro-wrestlers?

Surely, it would be fun to watch if nothing else.

Top WWE Stars Will Have a Fresh Face (Lesnar) to Feud with

In the past five years, at least one of Triple H, Randy Orton or John Cena has headlined a whopping number of pay-per-view main events. Against each other, every permutation known to man has been done, leaving fans full and jaded.

If Lesnar is up for the occasional match, he'll have a multitude of marketable possibilities at his doorstep.

The WWE headliners will be content about the potential financial gain, and the fans will be ecstatic to see how Lesnar, the X-factor, will impact the status-quo proceedings in the WWE.

The WWE, which has been mired in complacent mediocrity for the last several years, can use the homecoming of a former star—now bigger than ever—to shake up the main event scene.

Brock Will Influence WWE's Wrestling Style in a Positive Way

If Lesnar returns—not to mention brings his UFC colleagues with him—expect the WWE wrestling style to revert back to the way it was during "The Next Best Thing's" initial tenure between 2002-03.

Since Bruno Sammartino, the main-event way of working a match has been influenced by the wrestlers who were at the top of the card. For instance, Hulk Hogan led a formulaic style in the 80's, compared to Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, who changed it to a more fast-paced, skillful approach.

In the late 90's, Steve Austin and The Rock popularized brawling, which was overcome by a more realistic and technical style led by Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero.

Today, the WWE main event style is more repetitious than ever, following a pattern marked by a methodical pace that builds toward the same crescendo chock-full of counters and signature move sequences.

With Lesnar back in a WWE ring, expect the wrestling mode to shift, again, reflecting his strengths.

Brock Will Reign as the WWE Champion for a 4th Time

If Brock comes back—at least, part-time— to the promotion that made him a household name, it won't be too long before he raises the top prize in the company: The WWE Championship.

Vince McMahon would be crazy not to do it, considering the mass publicity he would garner.

As long as it's not a "hot-shot" moment, but a decision that dovetails with long-term plans, Lesnar would be the ultimate ambassador to a company that has yearned to be taken seriously by not just fans, but casual observers.

If there is anyone who can resuscitate the WWE from its downward plunge, it's Brock Lesnar, who can end up being the savior CM Punk was meant to be.

Lesnar Will Clash with Vince McMahon Behind the Scenes

In 2004, leading up to his WrestleMania XX contest with Bill Goldberg, Brock Lesnar informed Vince McMahon that his passion for wrestling had dissipated.

Lesnar referenced the non-stop travel, physical punishment, pain and lack of sleep as the reasons.

Simply put, Lesnar was burned out.

For years thereafter, McMahon held a stubborn grudge against the University of Minnesota Amateur Wrestling Champion that extended to never mentioning him on WWE TV and even having Randy Orton usurp his status as the youngest WWE/World Heavyweight Champion in history.

Fueled by coffee and his love of sports-entertainment, McMahon has always expected those who work for him to emulate his unremitting work-ethic.

Lesnar will probably be able to negotiate a very limited schedule, but if the WWE Chairman pushes for more he may cut "The Next Big Thing's" return short or, worse, scuttle the deal entirely.

Another disadvantage of working for McMahon is the fact that his offbeat sense of humor has led to creative decisions that have undermined the credibility and reputations of his performers.

If he tries to pigeonhole Brock—who should be portrayed as a fighting machine—into comedy segments, a second estrangement will inevitably follow.

History—and the bad blood therein—may be regurgitated at the expense of intriguing TV and, most importantly, profit.