WWE to push 36-year-old star as the "future Brock Lesnar" following his recent heel turn? Chances explored

To name someone the 'future Brock Lesnar' means WWE needs to be able to envision massive potential in that individual. While some have had a similar impact to The Beast such as Goldberg, and Bobby Lashley, among others, none of them truly became a replacement for Brock Lesnar.

In September 2024, NXT Superstar Ridge Holland turned heel by brutally assaulting Andre Chase after losing the NXT Tag Team Titles to Axiom and Nathan Frazer. Since then, Holland has defeated Andre Chase at Halloween Havoc. Now, he is on the path to winning the NXT Championship, and recently pinned Trick Williams in a tag team match.

Even though he is creating an impact on NXT with his character change, it doesn't seem to be enough to become the future Brock Lesnar. Currently, he is on NXT and is 36 years old. To have an impact similar to that of The Beast, he should have already been on the main roster.

The Stamford-based promotion already has Bron Breakker on the main roster who has actually been used as Lesnar's replacement. Furthermore, Breakker is only 27 years old and is a two-time Intercontinental Champion. Even though Tommy Dreamer thinks of Holland as a future Brock Lesnar, between Holland and Breakker, WWE seems more inclined to shape The Dog as the next Beast!

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Austin Theory once agreed to do a dangerous spot with Brock Lesnar that AJ Styles refused

Back in 2022, Brock Lesnar competed inside the Elimination Chamber for the WWE Championship. During that match, there was a spot where The Beast F-5'd Austin Theory from the top of a chamber pod. Of course, it was a dangerous spot and initially, it was AJ Styles who was supposed to take it.

Austin Theory revealed that The Phenomenal One refused to take the bump, and Vince McMahon asked him to take it instead.

"So I remember the night before, we're at rehearsals, and everybody's there, AJ Styles is on Brock Lesnar's shoulders and there's a crash pad down on the floor. Vince steps up behind me and he goes ‘I want you to take that.’ I was just looking and as soon as he says Brock throws AJ to the pad. AJ lands on his side, and anybody who knows AJ, he doesn't cuss. If you catch him cussing, even on TV, that man is angry, but he goes, 'What the frick? That's stupid I'm not taking that.' Then Brock comes climbing down, and Vince goes, 'Brock, go back up, Theory is gonna take it.' I was like, 'oh man.' I'm just walking through the motions. I'm climbing up the cage. I'm just going up, and I'm just panicking."

The Beast's last appearance on WWE TV was against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2023. It's unknown when and if he will ever return to WWE again.