Paul Heyman spoke with ESPN about Brock Lesnar fighting at UFC 200 against Mark Hunt and more. Here are the highlights.
On Lesnar’s status at SummerSlam if he gets medically suspended:
I have absolutely no knowledge of WWE’s position on such a circumstance, plus I would be speculating, and it’s a hypothetical. On this one, I have to take a respectful pass because it’s not something I have discussed. I don’t know if Brock has discussed it with WWE. I doubt that he has. That’s a question that is better answered by Vince McMahon himself.
On Vince McMahon:
I think Vince McMahon’s perspective changes several times per day, and it has to if you want to survive in today’s constantly changing environment. I think the entire concept of the WWE Network is indication that Vince McMahon’s perspective is constantly changing because it has created a completely different business model for WWE itself. Does Brock walking between the two worlds serve as Vince McMahon’s acceptance to change? I think Vince has always been willing to change. His whole goal when he bought out his father was to completely change the perception and distribution and the marketing and the promotion of this industry. I can’t say that what Brock Lesnar is doing is indicative of anything regarding Vince McMahon because the only two people who know of Vince’s acceptance of Brock walking between the two worlds are Brock and Vince because those are the two that had the conversation about this.
On SmackDown going live next month:
I think it’s paramount. SmackDown has to come across as a brand that is truly competing with Monday Night Raw. If the brand is not competitive with WWE in terms of talent, production, look, presentation — just in terms of the manner in which the announcers get to describe the product — it’s doomed. But I don’t see it going down that way. Vince McMahon is not known for doing things half-ass and I’m sure that the directive within WWE is that as of July 19 when this brand split happens there will be an equal and distinctive roster on each side and that they are going to compete. Vince, much like Brock Lesnar, thrives on competition. Just like he did in 2002, when there is no one out there competing with Vince McMahon, he will create his own competition.
On Roman Reigns’ WWE suspension:
I don’t know any better advice I can give someone than to say I make no excuses and I own this. That’s called accountability and it’s the same thing I teach my children. The man took accountability for his actions.
You can read the entire interview here.