Ex-WWE Writer Claims Creative Should Be Fired Over Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania Open Challenge

With WrestleMania drawing closer, criticism over WWE’s creative direction is heating up — and Vince Russo just delivered one of his harshest takes yet.

Speaking on his show, Russo questioned why Brock Lesnar still doesn’t have a defined WrestleMania opponent despite the event being only weeks away. Instead of announcing a marquee feud, WWE has reportedly positioned Lesnar for a series of open challenges, a move Russo believes screams last-minute planning rather than long-term storytelling.

Russo framed it from the perspective of a casual viewer tuning in during WrestleMania season, arguing that “open challenge” doesn’t exactly feel like must-see programming when it involves one of the company’s biggest attractions. After discussing how many weeks remain until WrestleMania, Russo didn’t hold back.

“So now here we are. How many weeks away is WrestleMania? … WrestleMania is five weeks away…whatever. Let’s give them eight weeks. Let’s give them two extra weeks. It doesn’t matter. Here we are, bro. And they don’t have an opponent for Brock Lesnar. He’s going to do the open challenge.”

He went on to explain how casual fans are likely to react, referencing a previous open challenge scenario where Joe Hendry answered the call. In Russo’s view, repeating that formula doesn’t create anticipation — it creates predictability.

“When I hear open challenge, bro, and I’m a casual fan, here’s the first thing I’m saying. When I hear open challenge, the first thing in my mind is, ‘Oh bro, it’s going to be the goof that accepted Randy Orton’s open challenge… what’s his name again?’ … Joe Henry.”

Russo continued, arguing that going back to that same idea doesn’t elevate Lesnar heading into the biggest show of the year.

“Well, the last time they did this, if I’m a casual fan and I’m tuning in, Joe Henry answered the call. So they’re going back to that same well again. And any casual fan who saw the last time is sitting there saying, ‘Oh, who’s it going to be this time?’ They’re just absolutely clueless.”

Then came the line that set social media on fire.

“Bro, if you don’t have an opponent and a program for Brock Lesnar going into WrestleMania, every single person in that freaking room needs to be fired.”

Russo didn’t stop there. He criticized the concept of rotating mystery opponents across multiple shows, suggesting it feels more like a grab bag of quick reactions rather than a properly built WrestleMania storyline.

“They came up with the best they had — open challenge for six different shows upcoming that he’s booked for. So who are the marquee, who’s it going to be matches? And there’ll be a comedy one, there’ll be a serious one, there’ll be a nostalgia one. It’s just for the pops, like opening a present. That’s what it is. Who’s in the mystery box?”

With WrestleMania season traditionally centered around long-term feuds, heated promos, and blockbuster announcements, Russo’s frustration centers on what he sees as a lack of defined direction for one of WWE’s biggest stars. Whether fans agree with his assessment or not, the open challenge format has now become a major talking point on the road to WrestleMania.

WrestleMania is supposed to be where rivalries peak, not where opponents are picked out of a hat. If Lesnar does end up facing a surprise challenger, the pressure will be on for WWE to prove the payoff was worth the gamble.

Do you think an open challenge is the right move for Brock Lesnar heading into WrestleMania, or should WWE have locked in a major feud by now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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