8 Times WWE's Rules Didn't Apply To Brock Lesnar

2. The 30-Day Defence Rule

Brock Lesnar Wellness Policy
WWE.com

WWE's 30-day defence rule is, for lack of a better description, a bag of s***.

You could be forgiven that there's even a regulation in-place stating that main roster champions must defend their straps every 30 days or they'll be forced to drop the gold, such is its lack of adherence. Scripting it into reigns isn't a priority. It still technically exists, but it is regularly violated without acknowledgement, particularly when it comes to the promotion's top belts.

Brock Lesnar is one of the worst offenders. As an absentee Universal Champion, he has defended the big red prize just six times since taking it from Goldberg at WrestleMania 33, meaning he only puts it on the line an average of once every 79 days.

The longest gap came between No Mercy 2017 (when Lesnar defeated Braun Strowman) and Royal Rumble 2018 (vs. Strowman and Kane), which stood at 126 days. If, as expected, he wrestles at SummerSlam 2018 (19 August), a further 114 will have passed.

It'd be wrong to go in on Lesnar too hard, as countless others have violated this "rule" as well. Still, looking at these figures compounds the arguments levied against his reign.

In this post: 
Brock Lesnar
 
Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.