Way-Too-Early Predictions For Brock Lesnar's WWE WrestleMania 39 Match

After wrestling Roman Reigns at SummerSlam for the supposed last time, Brock Lesnar could have retired and never stepped back between the ropes.

Instead, he popped up on the October 10 edition of WWE Raw to pick a fight with Bobby Lashley, setting up their match for Crown Jewel next weekend.

The Beast Incarnate clearly still has a place with the company, which means there may be more matches down the line, including a featured bout at WrestleMania 39.

If Lesnar is going to have a match at SoFi Stadium next April, though, he's going to need an opponent. So, who might WWE have in mind?

Let's take a look at the top five most likely candidates who may take a wrong turn in Suplex City when WWE goes to Hollywood at WrestleMania 39.

Lesnar and Bobby Lashley haven't even had their Crown Jewel clash yet, but there's a chance it ends in enough controversy that WWE can revisit it come WrestleMania.

It would be far from the first time The Beast has fought the same opponent multiple times leading up to The Showcase of the Immortals, notably Roman Reigns for one.

Technically, Lashley and Lesnar have fought three other times in 2022: at WWE Day 1, the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. A fourth attempt would normally be considered as running the rivalry into the ground and another match in April would be overkill.

However, WWE has always asked fans to have a selective memory when it is beneficial. Frequently, it'll be treated as though two of those matches don't count, as others were involved.

Only the one-on-one encounters would be counted for the sake of the story, so it will be 1-1 between the two if Lesnar wins next Saturday in Saudi Arabia. A WrestleMania bout would then be the rubber match.

When looking at the roster for Superstars who could stand toe-to-toe with Lesnar and make it a believable contest, Gunther is a given.

Not only is the Austrian one of the more imposing physical threats out there, but he also has a track record of dominance similar to The Beast.

There are few better ways to put someone over these days than getting a win over Lesnar, so if WWE were looking for a means to position Gunther as a top-level juggernaut, that's the way to go.

This match is less likely, though, as this particular WrestleMania may be a bit too soon for the intercontinental champion. There are still other options for both men to explore before they finally get in the ring together.

This may have to wait until WrestleMania 40, when it could turn out to be one of the most brutal contests of the year.

Similar to Gunther's situation, Karrion Kross is in need of some big wins to catapult him to the top. Drew McIntyre is the first Superstar to work with him, which could lead to a match with Lesnar at WrestleMania 39.

Currently, The Beast is working as the heel in his program with The All Mighty, but it isn't a rigid character. He's arguably doing the same thing he has done throughout 2022 and just happens to be targeting a babyface.

With little effort, WWE could keep Lesnar as a fan-favorite after Crown Jewel to feud with someone like Kross. It would only be a matter of putting the two in the ring together and sparking a conflict.

The former NXT champion has his fair share of potential 'Mania opponents who could preoccupy him, too. It's more likely he'll fight someone like Braun Strowman in a battle of monsters, while Lesnar takes on an opponent with potential for wider media coverage.

Gable Steveson has been touted as one of the biggest signings in recent years.

WWE believes the 22-year-old Olympian can help take the company to new levels once he is able to step in the ring fully.

There are echoes of Lesnar's time as The Next Big Thing that WWE could lean into for this feud.

It makes sense. Steveson is an Olympic gold medalist like one of Lesnar's greatest foes from a previous WrestleMania: Kurt Angle. Their amateur wrestling backgrounds would be a featured part of the story, focusing on their ability to be the best at their time.

What keeps Steveson from being an automatic choice here, though, is that he's perpetually on hold. There's no telling when he'll be ready to go and if WWE will trust him enough to fight Lesnar at its biggest event of the year.

Hands down, the most clear-cut prediction and safe pick for Lesnar to fight at WrestleMania 39 is Logan Paul.

This is easily the biggest match to draw the highest amount of media attention across multiple platforms.

Lesnar appeals to professional wrestling and mixed martial arts fans, while Paul brings in a younger demographic from the world of social media.

It would be foolish of WWE not to capitalize on having these two signed at the same time. This could easily be the main event of the first night at 'Mania.

Paul is fighting Reigns at Crown Jewel, and this is the next logical step for how WWE could further maximize his use. Their feud could start with the YouTuber eliminating The Beast in the men's Royal Rumble match.

It would be shocking if this isn't the game plan for Lesnar at WrestleMania 39.

Anthony Mango is the owner of the wrestling website Smark Out Moment and the host of the podcast show Smack Talk on YouTube, Spotify and everywhere you find podcasts. You can follow him on Facebook and elsewhere for more.