Brock Lesnar is expected to leave the WWE after WrestleMania 31 and there have been reports that the company will stop selling his merchandise while "The Beast" has also been pulled from advertisements for the Jan. 19 RAW which airs six nights before the Royal Rumble.
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There were reports earlier this week that a directive was sent out to the WWE's merchandising department to stop coming up with ideas for new Lesnar apparel since he is leaving soon.
The directive also reportedly was to gear anything conjured for Lesnar toward Sheamus, who is set to return from injury soon.
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The WWE then released a statement saying that there was no truth to that report.
In a recent update of the story, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that a licensing partner of the WWE was told not to produce any more new things for the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
They were also told to replace Lesnar in merchandise that has him alongside a group of Superstars with Sheamus.
While this edict wasn't directed at the WWE's merchandise department, it was handed down to companies that work for the WWE and come up with new merchandise ideas.
The WWE hasn't ruled out Lesnar returning after WrestleMania 31, but the company for now has played it safe by removing him from merchandise past the "Show of Shows" on March 29 at Levi's Stadium in the Bay Area.
Lesnar is set to face John Cena for the third pay-per-view in the last six months for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Lesnar defeated Cena for the gold at SummerSlam in August and then lost to him via DQ at Night of Champions in September after interference from Seth Rollins in "The Beast's" last televised match up to this point.
While Lesnar is booked for the Royal Rumble, he has curiously been pulled from advertisements for the Jan. 19 edition of RAW, though it doesn't mean he definitely won't be there. The original advertising was built around Lesnar, but things have changed.
According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, the WWE is planning a "RAW Reunion" special for that edition of the flagship show as Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan will all be on hand.
A Rollins vs. Cena lumberjack match featuring 30 Superstars -- likely the combatants of the Royal Rumble Match -- is advertised for the episode as well while the WrestleMania 32 location may be revealed as well.
It is expected that Lesnar will beat Cena and go on to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 31, where he is rumored to drop the title.
Lesnar is then scheduled for the post-WrestleMania edition of RAW, which is slated to be his last date under contract with the company. There have been rumors that Lesnar wants to go to UFC, but the WWE is expected to make a play to extend him while Bellator MMA may also get in the mix.
There are big plans for Lesnar in early 2015, but everything beyond that is in doubt.
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