4 Wrestling rumors we hope are true & 3 we hope aren't: WWE to give recent Roman Reigns opponent a "serious push", Rejected plans for AEW star to beat Brock Lesnar revealed

#3. Hope isn't true: WWE's rejected plan for an AEW star vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE views Brock Lesnar's WrestleMania match with the utmost importance. Because of his megastar status, lucrative contract, and larger-than-life presence, some of the biggest WrestleMania bouts of the past decade have featured him.

His opponents at The Show of Shows since 2013 include Triple H, The Undertaker, Roman Reigns (twice), Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley), Goldberg, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre.

Lesnar has headlined WrestleMania thrice since his 2012 return. Although McIntyre didn't get to have his coronation in 2020 in front of a live crowd, his victory over The Beast Incarnate at WrestleMania 36 marked the start of his incredible run in the pandemic era.

According to a report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Paul Heyman wanted current AEW star Malakai Black (fka Aleister Black in WWE) to be in Drew McIntyre's position by WrestleMania 36.

During Heyman's tenure as the RAW Executive Director, Black proved to be one of his most important projects. Once he was removed from that role, Aleister Black's push ended as well.

The report from Meltzer stated that Vince McMahon rejected the plan:

"Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently stated that [Paul] Heyman wanted [Aleister/Malakai] Black to be in McIntyre's position at The Show of Shows, but Vince McMahon had other plans. Heyman wanted the former NXT Champion to win the title from Lesnar at WrestleMania 36."

We hope this isn't true because in this case, Vince McMahon was right, and not Paul Heyman. While Aleister Black would undoubtedly have been a top name if utilized right, Drew McIntyre proved to be the right choice to carry WWE on his shoulders in 2020. It's unlikely that Black would have been ready for that role.