Brock Lesnar Vs. Randy Orton: The Real Story Behind This Controversial SummerSlam Main Event
In 2016, Brock Lesnar was the hottest act in professional wrestling, bar none. The former UFC champion had managed to convince Vince McMahon to let him go fight inside the octagon one last time and, despite a long lay-off, the Beast Incarnate emerged victorious against a top 10 heavyweight in Mark Hunt. Lesnar was the featured attraction for the historic UFC 200 card and, even though they were not the last fight on the card, Hunt versus Lesnar was regarded as the people’s main-event.
After UFC 200, Lesnar was slated to face Randy Orton at SummerSlam. Orton and Lesnar had never shared a ring before and this was the main selling point, the first encounter between two of the most destructive WWE superstars around. The buildup was simple but effective and the match was eagerly anticipated by fans. This was a dream match and with the hype on Lesnar, and it was sure to be a match to remember. It was, but for an entirely different reason.
Seven years after the events of SummerSlam 2016, fans are still talking to this very day about the moment in which Brock Lesnar struck Randy Orton in the head with his elbow with such force that he busted open The Viper and left him in a pool of his own blood, concussed and drowsy. It is still a wonder as to why, in the PG Era of WWE, that this sort of incident was allowed, as it has emerged through stories and rumors that this was the plan all along. Brock Lesnar seems to often get a pass when it comes to blood, though only if it comes via the hard way. There are more takes to look at when it comes to this incident too, specifically regarding the “fight” between Lesnar and Chris Jericho.
Brock Lesnar Versus Randy Orton Was A Dream Match
The Beast Incarnate And The Viper Main Evented SummerSlam 2016
Towards the end of the match, Brock Lesnar actually went UFC on Randy Orton. For most of the contest, Lesnar was dominant, suplexing Orton over and over again. Orton struck with a few RKOs and even teased kicking Lesnar in the head, but he ran into an F-5, but after failing to secure a pinfall, Lesnar removed his gloves and busted Orton open with some vicious elbows. The Apex Predator was busted open and bleeding profusely. The match was declared a TKO victory for Lesnar and even after the referee halted the match, Lesnar got a few more shots on Orton anyway. Shane McMahon came down to check on Orton, and he ate an F-5 for his troubles.
The event went off the air quickly and fans began to wonder what had actually happened. Some speculated that this was a legitimate shoot and Orton had done something to piss off Lesnar. In the buildup, Orton had referenced the fact that Lesnar failed a drug test at UFC 200, on live television. Maybe this was some sort of payback on the part of Lesnar? The wrestlers backstage were just as confused as the fans. There was a sense of panic and resentment as many felt that Lesnar had gone too far. This led to a confrontation between Lesnar and Chris Jericho, who was a close friend of Orton. As soon as Lesnar returned to the back, Jericho was there to confront him. It got heated and even Triple H was told to back off by the two of them, and Vince McMahon had to step in.
So, what really happened on the night of SummerSlam 2016? There was a lot of evidence that indicated that Lesnar had gone off script. Supposedly, Lesnar and Orton did not talk to each other before the match. Then you have Chris Jericho confronting Lesnar backstage and the fact that Lesnar had gone off-script on live television before, as he was a big enough star to get away with it. Despite copious amounts of evidence suggesting that this was a shoot, it wasn’t. This was how the match was supposed to end. Orton knew it. Lesnar knew it. Vince and Triple H knew as well, but everyone else did not.
Brock Lesnar Busting Randy Orton Open Was A Work
Randy Orton Allowed Brock Lesnar To Legit Elbow Him
The finish was gruesome and uncomfortable to watch, but it made Lesnar look dominant and powerful, as he had laid waste to a legend in Orton like nobody had ever done before. The company was looking to continue his run as a monster heel and capitalize on his recent UFC victory, and despite the controversy, it was a success.
Orton himself said that he knew it was a planned finish per an interview with USA Today’s For The Win, and he knew a concussion was coming. He was glad that the two had managed to create a buzz in the company, but he was also pissed off with the fact that he had to miss a couple of weeks due to the concussion. Moreover, Orton was the guy who actually went over to calm Chris Jeircho down, assuring him that it was a work all along. So, in a nutshell, WWE intended to give Orton a legitimate concussion on the night of SummerSlam 2016 and push Lesnar as a destructive fighting machine. This happened, despite all the anti-concussion measures in place. WWE literally booked a concussion on one of their biggest stars.
It Is A Shock That WWE Allowed Brock Lesnar To Bust Open Randy Orton The Hard Way
WWE Has Been Opposed To Blood For Years
With concussions becoming more and more at the forefront of sport in recent years, and there being a lot more care taken when it comes to most preventing these sorts of injuries and making sure they don’t get worse, it is a huge surprise that WWE allowed a finish like this to take place – partciularly in the PG Era where blood and gore is kept to an absolute minimum. Referee Mike Chioda noted in an interview with James Romano of Wrestling Shoot Interviews that he was surprised that Vince McMahon and those in WWE gave the okay for this sort of booking. He said:
“Brock gashed him open and I could tell there was something going on, but I didn’t know if it was really Brock towards Randy or if it was just Brock listening to what the office wanted him to do. Randy had a little bit of heat at that time. He gashed him open real bad over the forehead. You could tell he was going for it because he was just elbow to forehead. I was kind of shocked that they would do that because concussion protocol was still strong at that time.” (H/T Sportskeeda)
Brock Lesnar has pulled out this tactic a couple of times to add realism to his feuds, notable with his return feud against John Cena where the 16-time World Champion was busted open in a brawl, and later at WrestleMania 34 when Reigns was busted open the hard way with elbow strikes from Lesnar. In truth, it never feels worth it to risk any sort of serious injury with a former UFC World Champion belting down legit elbows.
