Don't worry, wrestling fans: Brock Lesnar is not done with WWE despite UFC signing

The shocking news late Saturday that Brock Lesnar will return to the Octagon just 15 months after "retiring" from mixed martial arts and re-signing with WWE on a lucrative deal certainly came as a surprise to wrestling fans. The immediate question was obvious: Does this mean Lesnar is now retiring from the squared circle?
The short answer: No.

The longer answer: Well, let's look to WWE, which was quick to point out following the UFC announcement that Lesnar is not going anywhere despite his signing a deal to compete in the co-main event of UFC 200 on July 9.

"Brock Lesnar remains under contract to WWE," the company said Saturday in a statement shared with CBS Sports. "However, he has been granted a one-off opportunity to compete at UFC 200. Following this milestone event on July 9, Brock will return to WWE for SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21, live on WWE Network."

Though Lesnar stepping inside the Octagon again is still surprising, it should be noted that UFC president and WWE chairman Vince McMahon have at least a cordial relationship that has developed over the past five years. Back in 2011, White visited Stanford, Connecticut, to meet with McMahon at WWE headquarters. The two have also spoken highly of each other in the past, and WWE has not shied away from touting Lesnar's UFC history on its programming.

Considering Lesnar is on a limited-appearance contract for WWE despite being paid as a full-timer, the company is able to pick and choose its spots with him. He'll often appear on air for a couple months at a time, but even then, he is hardly a regular on WWE television and usually shows up on one or two shows prior to participating in one of the company's monthly pay-per-views.

One must wonder whether Lesnar had this allowance worked into his WWE deal or White had to come to an agreement with McMahon to sign and utilize Lesnar for UFC 200. Perhaps White has promised WWE promotion during UFC 200. Perhaps a talent trade was agreed upon and someone like Ronda Rousey -- or Conor McGregor -- could step into the ring at WrestleMania 33. (Rousey stole the show at WrestleMania 31 after making a cameo alongside The Rock, and McGregor has often spoken about his interest in WWE at some point in his career.)

Either way, this is what we know right now: Brock Lesnar will compete in the Octagon in July and a WWE ring in August. Outside of that, there's much to learn and still be determined -- such as who exactly he's going to fight in four weeks.

Original: www.cbssports.com/mma/news/dont-worry-wrestling-fans-brock-lesnar-is-not-done-with-wwe-despite-ufc-signing/