Chris Jericho thinks WWE is getting something in return for letting Brock Lesnar return to UFC

Earlier this week, WWE’s Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon said in an interview that her company isn’t promoting Brock Lesnar’s return to UFC next Saturday, July 9. Her explanation made it sound like there wasn’t any quid pro quo between the sports entertainment and mixed martial arts promotions.

A few days later, however, Steph was openly discussing how much she wants to do business with Ronda Rousey, who’s still under contract to UFC.

So which is it?

One long-time employee of Stephanie’s father, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, recently offered his take. Chris Jericho told For the Win he thinks Dana White owes the McMahons a favor, and he specifically mentioned Rousey as a possibility:

I also don’t think Vince (McMahon) allowed him to do out of the goodness of his heart, either. I’m sure he’s going to get something back whether that’s Ronda Rousey or Conor McGregor or something.

While Y2J is more of an insider than the average talent on WWE’s roster, he’s not speaking from first-hand knowledge of the negotiations. But, his opinion on what a loss in the Octagon would do to Lesnar’s standing in WWE might be an indication of why the McMahon’s don’t see the UFC 200 fight against Mark Hunt as much of a risk to their investment:

He could lose in 20 seconds and the next night he could beat the entire roster and he’d still be the most over guy in the company. … (Working with UFC) strengthens his position. There’s nothing to lose. It makes Brock a bigger star, and it makes WWE bigger.

Do you think we’ll see a major UFC draw show in WWE soon as payback for Brock’s MMA comeback? And do you agree with Jericho that even a quick knockout loss next weekend wouldn’t diminish the Beast Incarnate’s star power for SummerSlam and beyond?