Rumor: Paul Heyman Advocating for Samoa Joe Title Win?

Sports Illustrated is claiming that Paul Heyman has been advocating behind the scenes for Samoa Joe to win the Universal Championship at SummerSlam.

If that’s true, it’s pretty interesting, considering Paul Heyman mentioned on Raw that if Brock Lesnar loses the Universal Championship at SummerSlam, he would “leave” WWE. If Heyman is really pushing for Samoa Joe to take the title, it could mean that he knows that the plan is for Brock to lose. Of course, there could also be nothing to this rumor and it could just be a typical suggestion that is casually thrown around backstage, with Heyman personally liking Samoa Joe if the title has to be dropped by Lesnar.

Of course, there has also been a lot of talk about a possible Brock Lesnar vs. Jon Jones UFC fight, so Lesnar dropping the title would allow him to take time off to prepare for that fight. WWE definitely left an opening with Heyman’s promo on Raw, and a four-way match would be an ideal way for WWE to take the title off Lesnar without him being pinned or looking weak. Lesnar is at least six months away from being able to fight, though, due to his suspension, so if he is actually leaving to prepare for that fight, it seems like a long time to have him off TV while under contract. His WWE deal expires after WrestleMania in April.

In his latest blog post, Jim Ross mentioned that he doesn’t think WWE would have a problem with Brock Lesnar leaving to collect a huge UFC payday:

“Also, I don’t see any scenario at this time that would drive any wedges between Lesnar and WWE regarding the WWE star being able to go collect a massive, seven figure plus payday while keeping his name in the public eye.”

JR also mentioned that “word on the street” is that Jon Jones is “interested in a WWE payday some day in the future.”

“Ironically, word on the street is that Jones is also interested in a WWE payday some day in the future which adds some irony to the Bones-Brock UFC scenario.”