SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson (R) and TV personalities Rove McManus and Andrew G pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
Booking Bobby
Lashley returning full-time could be an extremely valuable asset to the company, if used correctly. With such a hot return and a large pop, WWE can really capitalize on building up Lashley week in and week out to show the fans that he can play at a main event level. Although I love Elias , a series of wins over him may be a good way to start and immerse Lashley into a face role among the casual fans.
Before catapulting him straight to the top, I believe WWE would do well to take their time with him and place him in some matchups with some upper mid-card heels in order to build him some credibility. Whoever he may face, the key must be that Lashley can dominate.
After a few victories, Lashley may be ready for a Universal Title shot by SummerSlam . In the time leading up to SummerSlam, I’d like to see Lashley clash with everyone that occupied the Universal Title picture in 2017. The only issue with this is that Lashley will eventually need to clash with a star that will be hurt by a clean loss. For example, I do not think Lashley should pin the likes of Braun Strowman at any point. In order to keep Braun intact, they may either have to keep him away from Lashley completely, or have someone else eat the pin in a multi-man number one contenders match.
Plan B
At SummerSlam, Lashley can be poised to take the torch from whoever is on top at that point- assuming either Brock Lesnar is still around, or that Roman Reigns takes the title from the beast in the meantime. Lashley can be a “plan B” in this case. If Roman continues to receive such a negative reaction from the fans, it could be in WWE’s best interest to either let Lashley take Roman’s place as the one that finally defeats Lesnar for the title, or take Roman’s place as the new top “face” in the company.
I’m not sure how likely Vince McMahon will be to “give up” on the long term Roman Reigns project. If after a few months of fan support and money behind Lashley, who knows if those ideas will flip to support the newest commodity under the WWE umbrella? Judging by the fan reaction at WrestleMania 34 we do know that fans are tired of Lesnar and Reigns. With the details of Lesnar’s new contract largely unknown, maybe it’s time to see who else can step up to the plate. Maybe it’s time for plan B.
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Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump talks with his protege ECW Heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley before the match at Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump with help from Bobby Lashley and Steve Austin cuts Vince McMahon's hair after winning the "Battle of the Billionaires" match at Wrestlemania 23. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley shave Vince McMahon's head after Lashely defeated Umaga in the "Battle of the Billionaires" match at Ford Field at Wrestlemania 23. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley leave the ring after winning the "Battle of the Billionaires" match at Ford Field at Wrestlemania 23. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Bobby Lashley
WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley celebrates his victory over Umaga in the main event of the night "Hair vs. Hair" Donald Trump vs. Vince McMahon during WrestleMania 23 at Detroit's Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley during Donald Trump and WWE News Conference for WrestleMania 23 - March 28, 2007 at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump, Stone Cold Steve Austin and WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley get ready to shave Vince McMahon's head after McMahons lost the main event of the night, "Hair vs. Hair", between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit's Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley celebrate their victory over Vince McMahon at the main event of the night, "Hair vs. Hair", between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit's Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley carries Vince McMahon back into the ring to recieve his haircut from Donald Trump after McMahon lost the main event of the night, "Hair vs. Hair", between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit's Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley carries Vince McMahon back into the ring to recieve his haircut from Donald Trump after McMahon lost the main event of the night, "Hair vs. Hair", between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. WrestleMania 23 at Detroit's Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 2007. (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump and ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley during Donald Trump and WWE News Conference for WrestleMania 23 - March 28, 2007 at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley during Sci Fi Channel 2007 Upfront Party at STK in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
AURORA, CO - MAY 27: MMA fighter Bobby Lashley warms-up during a training session at the American Top Team Altitude martial arts facility May 27, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
AURORA, CO - MAY 27: MMA fighter Bobby Lashley, right, lightly spars with fellow MMA fighter Alex Huddleston during a training session at the American Top Team Altitude martial arts facility May 27, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
AURORA, CO - MAY 27: MMA fighter Bobby Lashley, left, lightly spars with fellow MMA fighter Alex Huddleston during a training session at the American Top Team Altitude martial arts facility May 27, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
30 JAN 2010: Bobby Lashley has his hands on his hips and is wide eyed after defeating Wes Sims during Showtime Sport's Strikeforce Miami Fight Card at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Wrestler Bobby Lashley attends the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Wrestler Bobby Lashley attends the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Wrestler Bobby Lashley attends the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
DETROIT - APRIL 1: WWE chairman Vince McMahon (C) has his head shaved by Donald Trump (L) and Bobby Lashley (R) while being held down by ''Stone Cold'' Steve Austin after losing a bet in the Battle of the Billionaires at the 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment's Wrestlemania at Ford Field on April 1, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. Umaga was representing McMahon in the match when he lost to Bobby Lashley who was representing Trump. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
DETROIT - APRIL 1: WWE chairman Vince McMahon gets carried back to the ring to have his head shaved after losing a bet to Donald Trump in the Battle of the Billionaires at the 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment's Wrestlemania April 1, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Umaga, who was representing McMahon in the match, lost to Bobby Lashley, who was representing Trump, so McMahon lost the bet. The event drew more than 75,000 wrestling fans. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
Donald Trump with help from Bobby Lashley and Steve Austin cuts Vince McMahon's hair after winning the "Battle of the Billionaires" match at Wrestlemania 23. at the Wrestlemania 23 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagi
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson arrive at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids? Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: WWE Diva wrestler Torrie Wilson (R) and WWE RAW Wrestler Bobby Lashley arrive at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10:WWE Wrestlers Bobby Lashley and Torrie Wilson pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson (R) and TV personality Rove McManus pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
Bobby Lashley
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: WWE wrestlers Bobby Lashley (L) and Torrie Wilson (R) and TV personalities Rove McManus and Andrew G pose at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)