Chicago Sun-Times: Lesner vs. Lewis looks possible

With literally nobody in the WWE having a legitimate chance at taking the World title away from Brock Lesner, and even fewer boxers with even a remote shot at dethroning heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, there is a growing possibility the two could meet in the ring in February.

An announcement could come as early as Monday confirming a shoot fight between the champions at February's "No Way Out" pay per view. The key to pulling off such an event would be convincing the masses this is a real fight without a predetermined outcome. But with Vince McMahon and Don King behind the wheel, that could be a near impossibility.

Lewis has confirmed he will make a WWE appearance in the coming weeks, either as a referee or "manager," but this is just a lead-in to the big payoff in February.

If this match happens, it wouldn't be the first time a pro boxer got involved with the WWE. The first (and most famous) encounter was between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in 1976 at Madison Square Garden. Not as memorable were appearances by Buster Douglas in 1989 during NBC's "Saturday Night's Main Event" and Butterbean at "WrestleMania XV," when he demolished Bart Gunn. Most recently, Mike Tyson laid out Shawn Michaels following his role as enforcer in the Austin/Michaels "WrestleMania" match in 1998.

No doubt Lewis vs. Lesner would be the biggest boxer vs. wrestler match ever--but can the two sides get together, and will fans believe it? If the answers are yes, we then can start asking who is the best.

HEARD AROUND THE RING: Don't be surprised to see some former WWE Intercontinental champions stepping in to save the belt from extinction. The Honkey Tonk Man, considered by many as the greatest Intercontinental champion of all time, is one who was extremely upset with Eric Bischoff's decision to do away with the IC title. ... Perry Saturn's contract expires in January, and it is possible he will not be brought back. ... Just because they are not currently on the card, don't think Rosey and Jamal will be watching tonight's "No Mercy" PPV from home. I expect these two to make a huge impression at the show. ... An update on the 4 Horsemen rumor has writers working on debuting a group that consists of HHH, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista.

HOTLINE: I am in Little Rock, Ark., for the "No Mercy" PPV and have all the up-to-the-minute locker-room news on the two surprises the WWE has planned for tonight's show. It's on the hotline at (900) 990-SLAM ($2 per minute).