If Rory were to have fought Lawler again for the next WW title shot like he should be, it would have been a year and a half from the time they fought the first time. Rory was barely 24 years old when he fought Lawler. He is only now truly coming into his own. No camp is smarter at making adjustments and Rory and the improvements in Rory's skill evolvement combined with his ability to execute make this a completely new fight,
Even as it was, Rory was injured leading up to the first Lawler fight confirmed on the JRE.
He still took Lawler to a split decision, and lost a 3 round fight. At the end of the fight, he was in control, and no one knows what would have happened or who would have won with another 2 rounds. Anyone who denies Rory's chances in a 5 round rematch a year and a half later... Anyone who denies a rematch is a brand new fight.... Is either a stupid fuck.... Or like Dana is a stupid fuck, but also has an absurd, big disgusting boner for Hendricks and Lawler.