Should Brock Lesnar Have Lost the WWE Title to Samoa Joe?

During 2017, Brock Lesnar was truly invincible. Three years ago, he defeated the Undertaker at WrestleMania 30, and in WrestleMania 33, he won the Universal Championship. The entire locker room was terrified of Lesnar, and no one wanted to face him. However, someone stood up to him.

After his win at WrestleMania, Lesnar‘s advocate Paul Heyman teased a potential match between Roman Reigns and him. The two are the only man in history to defeat The Undertaker; however, the match never took place due to Lesnar’s contract.

During one episode on RAW, various superstars, including Reigns and Joe, expressed a desire to face Lesnar. Then-General manager Kurt Angle fixed an extreme rules fatal five-way match at Extreme Rules between the remaining five, with the winner facing Brock Lesnar.

Samoa Joe emerged victoriously and confronted Paul Heyman with the infamous “Coquina Clutch” on Heyman to send a message to Lesnar. Following week both Lesnar and Joe taunted and brawled with each other.

Brock Lesnar defeated Samoa Joe in under six minutes

Great Balls of Fire was a RAW exclusive Pay-Per-View. Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe were the main event. Before and during the match, Samoa Joe had the advantage.

Joe even hit a low blow and back to back Coquina Clutches. However, Lesnar escaped and performed an “F-5” on Joe to retain the title. The highly anticipated match was less than six minutes.

The match may not last long, but it was a fitting brawl between the two heavyweights. While some argue Joe should have won the title, it was not possible.

Joe was still new on the WWE roster and this was his first title opportunity. On the other hand, WWE was building Lesnar as “The Beast Incarnate”. A loss to Lesnar would have tarnished his image. Joe too needed some momentum before his first WWE World title.

After this match, Roman Reigns stepped up as Lesnar’s next opponent. Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman then faced Brock Lesnar in a fatal four-way match at SummerSlam.

Now, Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman are out of action as he recovers from an injury. Roman Reigns has aligned himself with Paul Heyman and is on his second reign as the Universal Champion. Lesnar has left WWE after enjoying multiple title reigns.

Samoa Joe and Lesnar never faced each other one on one again. Their brawls and feud are considered as some of the most physical ones in the PG Era. Although not in WWE, we might see them two brawling in other promotions.