Brock Lesnar
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Brock Edward Lesnar (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; born July 12, 1977) is an American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, amateur wrestler and professional American football player. As a professional wrestler, he is signed to WWE, but as of 2023, is on hiatus from active competition. Often regarded as one of the most prolific combat sport athletes in the world, Lesnar is the only person to have won the primary heavyweight championships of WWE, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar competed in collegiate wrestling for the University of Minnesota, winning the NCAA Division I national championship in 2000. He soon signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, renamed WWE in 2002), rising to industry prominence in mid-2002 by winning the WWE Championship at age 25, setting the record for the youngest performer to win the championship. In 2004, Lesnar departed WWE to join the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL), but was cut from the team during pre-season. He returned to wrestling and signed with NJPW in 2005 where he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Lesnar later departed NJPW and continued to be promoted as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in the IGF before taking a hiatus from wrestling to pursue a career in mixed martial arts (MMA). Years later in 2012, he re-signed with WWE; his 504-day first reign with the WWE Universal Championship is the seventh-longest world championship reign in the promotion's history and he holds the record for most reigns as Universal Champion at three. He also won the Royal Rumble match twice (2003 and 2022), the Money in the Bank ladder match (2019), the King of the Ring tournament (2002), and has headlined several pay-per-view events, including WWE's flagship event WrestleMania five times (19, 31, 34, 36 - Night 2, and 38 - Night 2), nine SummerSlams (2002, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022); in addition, he also ended The Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak in 2014.
Lesnar began his MMA career for Hero's in 2007, and signed with the UFC in 2008. He quickly won the UFC Heavyweight Championship, but was sidelined with diverticulitis in 2009. On his return in 2010, Lesnar defeated Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin to unify the heavyweight championships and become the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. After a couple of losses and further struggles with diverticulitis,<ref name="MMAWeekly.com">Template:Cite news</ref> Lesnar retired from MMA in 2011.<ref name="espn.go.com">Template:Cite news</ref> He returned at UFC 200 in 2016 to defeat Mark Hunt, but his victory was overturned to a no-contest after he tested positive for a banned substance on UFC's anti-doping policy. He then retired from MMA for the second time in 2017. A box office sensation, he competed in some of the bestselling pay-per-view events in promotion history, including headlining UFC 91, UFC 100, UFC 116 and UFC 121. He also co-headlined UFC 200, briefly being the main headliner before that spot was given to Amanda Nunes vs. Miesha Tate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Early lifeEdit
Brock Edward Lesnar<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was born in Webster, South Dakota, on July 12, 1977,<ref name="SlamBio"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="deathclutch">Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival by Brock Lesnar (Template:ISBN)</ref> the son of Stephanie and Richard Lesnar.<ref name="deathclutch" /> Even though his surname is Slovenian, he is of Polish descent,<ref>"Edward Lesnor, United States Census, 1930." FamilySearch. Retrieved October 15, 2015.</ref> and grew up on his parents' dairy farm in Webster.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He has two older brothers named Troy and Chad, and a younger sister named Brandi.<ref name="deathclutch"/> At the age of 17, he joined the Army National Guard and was assigned to an office job after his red–green colorblindness was deemed hazardous to his desire to work with explosives.<ref name="deathclutch"/><ref name="Brock Lesnar interview">Template:Cite news</ref> He was discharged after failing a computer typing test and later worked for a construction company.<ref name="deathclutch"/>
Amateur wrestlingEdit
Lesnar attended Webster High School, playing football<ref name="deathclutch"/> and competing in wrestling, placing third in the state championships his senior year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then went to Bismarck State College where in 1997, his freshman year, he placed 5th in the 275 lb. division of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In 1998, his sophomore year, he won the 275 lb championship.<ref name="SlamBio"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After two years at Bismarck State College, Lesnar transferred to the University of Minnesota on a wrestling scholarship, where he was roommates with future WWE colleague Shelton Benjamin, who was also his assistant coach.<ref name="deathclutch"/>
Lesnar won the 2000 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I heavyweight wrestling championship his senior year after being the runner-up to Stephen Neal the year prior. He finished his amateur career as a two-time NJCAA All-American, the 1998 NJCAA Heavyweight Champion, two-time NCAA All-American, two-time Big Ten Conference Champion and the 2000 NCAA Heavyweight Champion, with a record of 106–5 overall in four years of college.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Professional wrestling careerEdit
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World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2000–2004)Edit
Ohio Valley Wrestling (2000–2002)Edit
In 2000, Lesnar signed a developmental contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was assigned to its Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) territory. There, he met Paul Heyman, who would later become his on-screen manager.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1">Template:Cite AV media</ref> Under the direction of OVW booker Jim Cornette, Lesnar was paired with his former University of Minnesota teammate Shelton Benjamin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Competing as the Minnesota Stretching Crew, the duo held the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship three times.<ref name="OVW tag" /> Lesnar also took part in numerous dark matches in 2001 and early 2002 before being called up to the main roster.<ref name="SlamBio" />
Rise to prominence and departure (2002–2004)Edit
Brock Lesnar made his televised WWE debut in March 2002, immediately portrayed as a dominant force under the guidance of Paul Heyman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After winning the King of the Ring tournament that June,<ref name="KOTR02">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar earned a WWE Undisputed Championship opportunity and defeated The Rock at SummerSlam, becoming the youngest WWE Champion in history at age 25.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His win also marked one of the fastest ascents to the title, occurring just 126 days after his debut.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar's initial title reign included rivalries with The Undertaker, and Big Show. He retained the championship against The Undertaker via double disqualification at Unforgiven, and in a Hell in a Cell match at No Mercy,<ref name="pwi111">Template:Cite news</ref> but lost the title to Big Show at Survivor Series following interference from Heyman, in a storyline betrayal that marked Lesnar’s first televised pinfall loss and his transition to a fan-favorite character.<ref name="pwi112">Template:Cite news</ref> At Royal Rumble in January 2003, Lesnar defeated Big Show to enter the Rumble match, which he won by last eliminating The Undertaker, earning a title shot at WrestleMania XIX.<ref name="pwi112" />
At WrestleMania, Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle to win the WWE Championship for a second time. During the match, Lesnar attempted a shooting star press, which resulted in a legitimate concussion. He defended the title against John Cena at Backlash, and against Big Show in a stretcher match at Judgment Day.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He faced Big Show again on an episode of SmackDown! in June, during which a superplex by Lesnar caused the ring to collapse.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Angle returned later in the year, leading to a feud with Lesnar. The rivalry culminated at Vengeance, where Lesnar lost the WWE Championship to Angle in a triple threat match also involving Big Show. Lesnar turned heel shortly after, aligning himself with Vince McMahon.<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He failed to regain the title at SummerSlam,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but defeated Angle in a 60-minute iron man match on the September 18 episode of SmackDown!, winning five falls to four to reclaim the championship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar's third WWE Championship reign included successful title defenses against challengers such as Chris Benoit<ref name="ringcollapse">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and The Undertaker, the latter in a Biker Chain match at No Mercy.<ref name="pwi114">Template:Cite news</ref> At Survivor Series, Lesnar captained a team in a traditional elimination tag team match against a team led by Kurt Angle, which Lesnar's team lost.<ref name="pwi114" />
In late 2003, Lesnar began a cross-brand feud with Goldberg, who interrupted a backstage interview at Survivor Series.<ref name="pwi114" /> He later retained the WWE Championship against Hardcore Holly at Royal Rumble.<ref name="RR2004">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The rivalry with Goldberg escalated when Lesnar interfered in the Royal Rumble match, costing Goldberg a chance at victory.<ref name="pwi114" /> At No Way Out, Goldberg retaliated by attacking Lesnar during his title defense against Eddie Guerrero, leading to Lesnar’s loss and the end of his championship reign.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Lesnar faced Goldberg at WrestleMania XX, with Stone Cold Steve Austin serving as special guest referee. The match was met with a hostile crowd response, as both men were widely reported to be leaving the company.<ref name="DrehsESPN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="PowellWMXX">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Goldberg won the bout, and both he and Lesnar were given Stone Cold Stunners afterward.<ref name="PowellWMXX" /> Lesnar officially left WWE after WrestleMania, later citing burnout, injuries, creative dissatisfaction, and the travel schedule as reasons for his departure.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling / Inoki Genome Federation (2005–2007)Edit
After leaving professional football, Lesnar returned to wrestling in 2005 by debuting in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). On October 8, he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his first bout, defeating Kazuyuki Fujita and Masahiro Chono in a three-way match at the Tokyo Dome.<ref name="IWGP title">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar used the name The Verdict for his finishing move—previously known as the F-5—as a reference to ongoing legal disputes with WWE, who unsuccessfully sought to prevent him from competing in sports and entertainment elsewhere.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar defended the IWGP title against several opponents, including Shinsuke Nakamura at the January 4, 2006 Tokyo Dome event,<ref name="WWE-legal">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Akebono in March,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Giant Bernard in May.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, in July 2006, NJPW stripped Lesnar of the championship, citing visa issues that prevented him from returning to defend it. Despite this, Lesnar retained physical possession of the belt for nearly a year.<ref name="NJPW title">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On June 29, 2007, Lesnar lost the IWGP title to TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle at the debut event of the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF).<ref name="NJPW title" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This marked Lesnar’s final professional wrestling match until his return to WWE in 2012.
Return to WWE (2012–2020, 2021–present)Edit
Return and ending The Streak (2012–2014)Edit
Lesnar returned to WWE on the April 2, 2012, episode of Raw, confronting John Cena and reestablishing himself as a villainous figure.<ref name="Raw040212">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was presented as a destructive force brought in to "legitimize" WWE,Template:Citation needed leading to a match against Cena at Extreme Rules, where Lesnar was defeated despite dominating much of the contest.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Shortly afterward, Lesnar entered a storyline dispute with WWE COO Triple H over contractual demands, leading to a physical altercation that resulted in a kayfabe arm injury to Triple H.<ref name="afterwards">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Raw4-30">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Paul Heyman returned as Lesnar’s legal representative, escalating the angle with a lawsuit and Lesnar’s declared departure.<ref name="afterwards" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The feud culminated at SummerSlam, where Lesnar defeated Triple H by submission.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following night on Raw, it was announced that Lesnar had seemingly quit WWE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He returned on the January 28, 2013, episode of Raw, attacking WWE chairman Vince McMahon,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> resulting in a scripted pelvic injury.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A confrontation with Triple H reignited their rivalry,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> leading to a match at WrestleMania 29, where Lesnar was defeated in a No Holds Barred match with Triple H’s career at stake.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The feud concluded at Extreme Rules, where Lesnar won their final encounter inside a steel cage.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In mid-2013, Lesnar began a feud with CM Punk after attacking him on the June 17 episode of Raw,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> following tension between Punk and Paul Heyman. After Heyman turned on Punk at Money in the Bank,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the rivalry escalated, leading to a no disqualification match at SummerSlam, where Lesnar defeated Punk.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar returned on the December 30 episode of Raw, positioning himself as a contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After attacking Mark Henry and engaging in a brief feud with Big Show,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which ended in a dominant win at the Royal Rumble,<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> Lesnar was granted an open contract for a match at WrestleMania XXX. On the February 24 episode of Raw, The Undertaker returned and accepted the challenge, setting up their match for the event.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At WrestleMania on April 6, Lesnar defeated The Undertaker, ending his 21–0 undefeated streak. The result received widespread media attention and is often cited as one of the most shocking moments in WWE history.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
WWE World Heavyweight Champion (2014–2015)Edit
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At SummerSlam on August 17, Lesnar defeated John Cena to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in dominant fashion, delivering sixteen suplexes and two F-5s with little offense from Cena.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In their rematch at Night of Champions, Lesnar retained the title after Seth Rollins interfered, causing a disqualification.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rollins later aligned with The Authority and was added to Lesnar and Cena's title match at the Royal Rumble on January 25, 2015,<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which Lesnar won.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar's next challenger was Roman Reigns, who won the Royal Rumble match to earn a title shot at WrestleMania 31.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During their match at the WrestleMania main event, Lesnar dominated early and famously uttered "Suplex City, bitch!", which evolved into a popular catchphrase. Midway through the bout, Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract, turning it into a triple threat. Rollins pinned Reigns to win the title.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following night on Raw, Lesnar attempted to invoke his rematch clause but attacked announcers and a cameraman after being denied, leading to a storyline suspension.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar returned on the June 15 episode of Raw and was named the number one contender for Rollins's title at Battleground.<ref name="Raw6152015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On July 4, he appeared at WWE's The Beast in the East special in Tokyo, defeating Kofi Kingston.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Battleground, Lesnar appeared poised to win the title before The Undertaker interfered, resulting in a disqualification and continuing their unresolved feud.<ref name="MITB">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Suplex City (2015–2017)Edit
The following night on Raw, The Undertaker explained that he had attacked Lesnar not for ending his WrestleMania streak, but rather for Lesnar allowing Heyman to constantly taunt him about it, which led to the two brawling throughout the arena and a WrestleMania rematch being scheduled for SummerSlam on August 23,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where The Undertaker controversially defeated Lesnar. The timekeeper rang the bell as The Undertaker had supposedly submitted to Lesnar's Kimura lock, though the referee had not seen any submission. In the ensuing confusion, The Undertaker hit Lesnar with a low blow and applied his Hell's Gate submission hold, in which Lesnar passed out.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following night on Raw, Lesnar and Heyman challenged The Undertaker to an immediate rematch, only to be confronted by Bo Dallas (who mocked Lesnar about his defeat); Lesnar responded with five German suplexes and an F-5.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
At Hell in a Cell on October 25, Lesnar defeated The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match after a low blow and F-5 onto the exposed ring floor, ending their feud.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The match was later voted "Match of the Year" during the 2015 Slammy Awards.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On the January 11, 2016, episode of Raw, Lesnar returned, attacking The New Day, The League of Nations (Sheamus, King Barrett, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio) and Kevin Owens, before performing an F-5 on Roman Reigns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following week on Raw, he brawled with Reigns until they were attacked by The Wyatt Family.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the Royal Rumble on January 24, Lesnar was the 23rd entrant, eliminating Jack Swagger and The Wyatt Family minus Bray Wyatt before being eliminated by the Wyatt Family members he had eliminated first. He later defeated Wyatt and Luke Harper in a two-on-one handicap at the Road Block pay-per-view event.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On the January 25 episode of Raw, Stephanie McMahon scheduled a triple threat match between Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose for Fastlane to determine who would challenge Triple H's for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 32.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the following weeks, Lesnar was continuously provoked by Ambrose, with Reigns saving him from the subsequent attacks by Lesnar.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Fastlane on February 21, Lesnar dominated most of the match before he was put through two broadcast tables by Ambrose and Reigns; he lost the match after Reigns pinned Ambrose.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Because of this, Lesnar attacked Ambrose in the parking lot as he was arriving at the arena. Ambrose returned later in the night, having hijacked an ambulance, and challenged Lesnar to a No Holds Barred Street Fight match at WrestleMania 32 on April 3,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where Lesnar defeated Ambrose after an F-5 onto a pile of chairs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On the July 7 episode of SmackDown, Lesnar was revealed as the returning Randy Orton's opponent for SummerSlam.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two days later on July 9, WWE allowed Lesnar to have a one-off fight for UFC 200. Lesnar failed two of his drug tests for this fight but was not suspended by WWE because he is not a full-time performer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On July 19 at the 2016 WWE draft, Lesnar was the #5 draft pick for the Raw brand.<ref name="2016WWEdraft">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Reports claimed that he would have been #1 had he not failed his UFC drug tests.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Orton was drafted to SmackDown, thus making their match an interbrand match, while WWE billed their face-off as a match fifteen years in the making.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Along with Heyman, Lesnar made his return to Raw on August 1 (his first appearance on WWE programming since WrestleMania 32), but during his segment Orton appeared and attacked Lesnar with an RKO.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar then attacked Orton during his match the following night on SmackDown Live, performing an F-5 on Orton.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At SummerSlam on August 21, Lesnar defeated Orton by technical knockout, leaving Orton with a forehead wound which required ten staples.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then hit SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon with an F-5.<ref name="SSlam2016">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The end made many people believe Lesnar had gone off script due to the severity of Orton's head wound,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> out of which Vince McMahon confirmed that the ending was planned.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar was later storyline fined $500 for delivering an F-5 to Shane McMahon and his assault on Orton.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On September 24 at a house show in Chicago, Illinois, Lesnar defeated Orton in a no-disqualification rematch, with the match being billed as a Suplex City death match.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On the October 10 episode of Raw, Heyman, on Lesnar's behalf, challenged Goldberg to a fight after the pair had been feuding for several months through social media and during promotional work for the WWE 2K17 video game, which featured Lesnar as the cover star and Goldberg as the pre-order bonus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heyman stated that Goldberg was the one blemish on Lesnar's WWE career, as Goldberg had defeated Lesnar at WrestleMania XX in 2004.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the October 17 episode of Raw, Goldberg returned to WWE after a twelve-year absence and accepted Lesnar's request for a fight with their match later scheduled for Survivor Series.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the final Raw before Survivor Series, Lesnar and Goldberg had a confrontation for the first time in twelve years, resulting in a brawl with security after Heyman insulted Goldberg's family.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On November 20 at Survivor Series, Lesnar quickly lost to Goldberg in 1 minute and 26 seconds,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> marking the first time in three years that Lesnar was pinned.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next night on Raw, Goldberg declared himself the first entrant in the 2017 Royal Rumble match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following week on Raw, Heyman addressed the Survivor Series match, stating that they underestimated Goldberg and that the match was a humiliation and embarrassment for him and Lesnar, who would also be in the Royal Rumble as he has something to prove.<ref name="Raw11282016">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar returned on the January 16 episode of Raw to confront other Royal Rumble participants, attacking Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the Royal Rumble on January 29, Lesnar entered at number 26 and went on to eliminate Enzo Amore, Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler before confronting Goldberg, who entered at number 28 and quickly eliminated Lesnar after a spear.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Year-long Universal Championship reign (2017–2018)Edit
The following night on Raw, Lesnar challenged Goldberg to a final match at WrestleMania 33.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the February 6 episode of Raw, Goldberg accepted Lesnar's challenge and was named number one contender for Kevin Owens' Universal Championship,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which he won on March 5 at Fastlane<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> thus turning his match with Lesnar into a title match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At WrestleMania on April 2, Lesnar beat Goldberg to win his fifth world title in WWE and became the first man to have won both the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship. Lesnar also became the second person to kick-out from Goldberg's Jackhammer and gave him the first clean singles loss of his professional wrestling career.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After several weeks of feuding, Lesnar's first title defense came at the inaugural Great Balls of Fire event on July 9, 2017, where he successfully retained against Samoa Joe, before defeating him a second time for the title at a house show.
On the July 31 episode of Raw, Lesnar was scheduled to defend his title in a fatal four-way match at SummerSlam against Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. Lesnar and Heyman stated that both would leave WWE should Lesnar lose the championship in the match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At SummerSlam on August 20, Lesnar retained the title by pinning Reigns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next night on Raw, Lesnar was attacked by Strowman. The subsequent title match at No Mercy on September 24 was won by Lesnar.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar then defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles in an interbrand champion vs. champion non-title match at Survivor Series on November 19. His next title defense was scheduled for the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2018, where he successfully defended the title in a triple threat match against Strowman and Kane. Lesnar then re-ignited his feud with Roman Reigns, who won the Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber on February 25 to become the number one contender to Lesnar's title at WrestleMania 34.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At WrestleMania on April 8, Lesnar pinned Reigns to retain the title in the main event.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rumors arose that Lesnar would leave WWE and rejoin the UFC.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On April 9, Lesnar re-signed with WWE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the Greatest Royal Rumble pay-per-view on April 27, he again defeated Reigns in a steel cage when Reigns speared Lesnar through the cage wall. As Lesnar escaped the cage first, he was declared the winner.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
After the Greatest Royal Rumble, Lesnar was absent from WWE television for nearly three months. At Extreme Rules on July 15, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle threatened to strip Lesnar of the Universal Championship if he did not show up to Raw the following night.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following night on Raw, Heyman agreed that Lesnar would defend his title at SummerSlam; Reigns became the number one contender later that same night.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the July 30 episode of Raw, Lesnar was at the arena but refused to appear in the ring. Angle threatened to fire Heyman if he could not persuade Lesnar to come to the ring. Throughout the broadcast, Heyman's attempts were unsuccessful. At the end of the show, after Angle had fired him, Lesnar appeared to attack Angle and choke Heyman.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two weeks later, the dissension between Lesnar and Heyman was revealed to be just a ruse when Lesnar returning on the August 13 episode of Raw to attack Reigns.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At SummerSlam on August 19, Strowman was at ringside ready to cash in his Money in the Bank contract on the winner. Lesnar incapacitated Strowman, allowing Reigns to capitalize on the distracted Lesnar and win the Universal Championship, ending Lesnar's title reign at 504 days. As of 2018, the reign was the sixth-longest world championship reign in WWE history and the longest since 1988.<ref name="SSlam2018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="UniversalTitleRecord">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
World championship reigns and first retirement (2018–2020)Edit
Lesnar returned at Hell in a Cell on September 16, interrupting the Hell in a Cell match between defending Universal Champion Reigns and Braun Strowman, kicking in the door and attacking both men, thus rendering the match a no-contest and costing Strowman his Money in the Bank cash-in match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next night on Raw, Acting General Manager Baron Corbin scheduled Reigns to defend the Universal Championship in a triple threat match against Lesnar and Strowman at Crown Jewel on November 2.<ref name="Raw09172018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After Reigns relinquished the title due to a legitimate leukemia relapse, the match was changed to a singles match between Lesnar and Strowman for the vacant title.<ref name="Raw10222018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Crown Jewel, Lesnar defeated Strowman in three minutes to become the first two-time Universal Champion, thanks to a pre-match attack from Corbin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
After his title win, Lesnar was scheduled to face WWE Champion AJ Styles at Survivor Series in another champion vs. champion non-title match. Five days before, Styles lost the WWE Championship to Daniel Bryan on SmackDown. At Survivor Series on November 18, Lesnar overcame a late rally from Bryan to defeat him.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar then successfully defended the title against Finn Bálor via submission at the Royal Rumble on January 27, 2019.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next night on Raw, Lesnar attacked 2019 Royal Rumble match winner Seth Rollins with six F-5s, setting up a title match for WrestleMania 35.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At WrestleMania on April 7, Lesnar attacked Rollins before the match. Rollins then attacked Lesnar with a low blow while the referee was down and pinned Lesnar, ending his second reign as Universal Champion at 156 days.<ref name="WM35">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
At Money in the Bank on May 19, 2019, Lesnar surprisingly replaced Sami Zayn in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Before the match, Zayn had been attacked backstage. Later, the match began with only seven of the scheduled eight participants. At the climax of the match, Lesnar ran in, took out Ali, who was on top of a ladder, and won the Money in the Bank contract, granting him either a Universal Championship or WWE Championship match at any time of his choosing within the next year.<ref name="MITB2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After teasing cashing in on Universal Champion Seth Rollins and WWE Champion Kofi Kingston and failing an attempt to cash-in on Rollins at Super ShowDown on June 7, Lesnar successfully cashed in his contract to win the Universal Championship from Rollins at Extreme Rules on July 14 right after Rollins and Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch had retained their respective titles against Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans in an Extreme Rules mixed tag team match.<ref name="ER2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At SummerSlam on August 11, Lesnar lost the title back to Rollins, ending his third title reign at 28 days.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar and Heyman returned on the September 17 episode of SmackDown to challenge Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship. Kingston accepted and Lesnar proceeded to F-5 him.<ref name="SmackDown09172019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On [[WWE SmackDown's 20th Anniversary|SmackDownTemplate:'s 20th Anniversary]] on October 4, Lesnar quickly defeated Kingston in about eight seconds to win his fifth WWE Championship;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> this was Lesnar's first match on SmackDown in 15 years. After his victory, Lesnar was attacked by former UFC opponent Cain Velasquez, making his WWE debut.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar was then scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Velasquez at Crown Jewel on October 31.<ref name="LesnarVelasquezStrowmanFury">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 2019 draft, Lesnar was drafted to SmackDown.<ref name="Raw10142019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the Crown Jewel event, Lesnar defeated Velasquez in under five minutes via submission with the Kimura Lock. After the match, Rey Mysterio attacked Lesnar with a chair.<ref name="CrownJewel2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the November 1 episode of SmackDown, Lesnar and Heyman quit the brand in order to go after Mysterio, who had been drafted to Raw, thus transferring to Raw with the WWE Championship.<ref name="SmackDown11012019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This led to Mysterio challenging Lesnar for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series on November 24, which was made official<ref name="Raw11042019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as a No Holds Barred match,<ref name="Raw11192019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where Lesnar retained, despite Mysterio's son, Dominik's attempt to aid Mysterio during the match.<ref name="SSeries2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar returned on the January 6, 2020, episode of Raw to declare that no one deserved an opportunity at the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, so instead he would enter the Royal Rumble match as entrant number one.<ref name="Raw01062020">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the Royal Rumble on January 26, Lesnar eliminated the first thirteen competitors he faced, tying the record for most eliminations in a Royal Rumble match, before being eliminated by Drew McIntyre, who won the match.<ref name="RR2020">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After retaining the championship against Ricochet at Super ShowDown on February 27,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar ultimately lost the WWE Championship to McIntyre in the main event of WrestleMania 36 Part 2 (which was taped on March 25–26 and aired on April 5).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was his final appearance until 2021 – it was later reported by several sources that Lesnar was not under contract with WWE after the match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar confirmed in March 2022 that he had initially retired from professional wrestling after WrestleMania 36, until deciding to return in 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Second return and feud with Roman Reigns (2021–2022)Edit
Lesnar, now sporting a cowboy/farmer look with a beard and ponytail, returned as a face at SummerSlam in August 2021 and confronted Universal Champion Roman Reigns after Reigns' successful title defense against John Cena.<ref name="SSlam2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 2021 WWE Draft, it was revealed that Lesnar had become a free agent, allowing him to appear on any brand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then primarily appeared on SmackDown, and he and Reigns faced each other for the title at Crown Jewel on October 21, which Lesnar lost after interference from The Usos.<ref name="CrownJewel2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the following episode of SmackDown, he started a locker room-clearing brawl with Reigns, resulting in an indefinite suspension by on-air authority figure Adam Pearce, whom Lesnar attacked.<ref name="SmackDown10222021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the November 26 episode of SmackDown, it was announced his suspension had been lifted.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the December 3 episode of SmackDown, it was announced that Lesnar would once again face Reigns for the title, this time at the Day 1 event.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The match was canceled after Reigns contracted COVID-19, and Lesnar was instead added to Raw's WWE Championship match at the event to make it a fatal five-way match.<ref name="Day1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Day 1 on January 1, 2022, Lesnar won his sixth WWE Championship, defeating Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and defending champion Big E, who he pinned.<ref name="Day1"/> On the following episode of Raw, Lesnar reunited with his advocate Paul Heyman.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
At Royal Rumble on January 29, he lost the WWE Championship to Lashley due to Reigns' interference and Heyman's betrayal (who realigned with Reigns), ending his sixth reign at 29 days, however later that night, he entered the Royal Rumble match as the surprise 30th entrant and won the match by last eliminating Drew McIntyre and becoming the fourth person to win from the #30 spot (after The Undertaker in 2007, John Cena in 2008, and Triple H in 2016). This made Lesnar the ninth two-time Rumble winner, after his first win in 2003, while also making him the first person to lose their world championship and then win the Rumble in the same night. Among the other multi-time Rumble winners, Lesnar also set a record for the longest time between Rumble wins at 19 years. He also set the record for the least amount of time spent in the Rumble before winning it, being in the match for 2 minutes and 30 seconds and beating Edge's 2010 record by 5 minutes and 7 seconds.<ref name="RR2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the following episode of Raw, Lesnar revealed he would challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 38, and was also scheduled to compete in the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship on February 19 at Elimination Chamber.<ref name="Raw01312022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar won the match to win the title for a seventh time by single-handedly eliminating all other opponents (Seth "Freakin" Rollins, Riddle, AJ Styles, and Austin Theory), except Lashley, who was removed early in the match due to a concussion protocol. This also converted his Universal Championship match against Reigns at WrestleMania into a Winner Takes All match.<ref name="EC2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following night on Raw, their Winner Takes All match was then stipulated as a title unification match. Lesnar lost the WWE Championship to Reigns in the unification match at the event on April 3.<ref name="WM38N2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the June 17 episode of SmackDown, Lesnar once again returned to confront and attack Reigns after he successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Riddle, renewing their rivalry.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This resulted in a Last Man Standing match being made for the title at SummerSlam, with WWE billing it as the ultimate finale to the feud.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the event on July 30, Lesnar failed to beat Reigns for the title after interference from The Usos and Heyman.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Various feuds (2022–2023)Edit
On the October 10 episode of Raw, Lesnar made a surprise return, attacking United States Champion Bobby Lashley and injuring his shoulder before his scheduled title defense against Seth "Freakin" Rollins, resuming their feud.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Crown Jewel on November 5, Lesnar defeated Lashley despite Lashley dominating the majority of the match.<ref name="CJ2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar's next appearance occurred on Raw Is XXX on January 23, 2023, where he caused Lashley to lose his United States Championship match.<ref name="RawIsXXX">Template:Cite news</ref> At the Royal Rumble, Lesnar entered the Royal Rumble match at #12 eliminating Chad Gable, Santos Escobar and Angelo Dawkins before being eliminated by Lashley.<ref name="RR2023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Elimination Chamber on February 18, Lesnar lost to Lashley by disqualification after he hit Lashley with a low blow and attacked both the referee and Lashley ending their feud.<ref name="EC2023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On the February 20 episode of Raw, Omos challenged Lesnar to a match at WrestleMania 39.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following week on Raw, Lesnar appeared on the "VIP Lounge" with Omos' manager MVP; Lesnar accepted the challenge, then proceeded to attack MVP with an F-5.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the event, Lesnar defeated Omos.<ref name="WM39N2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On the April 3, 2023, episode of Raw, the day after Night 2 of WrestleMania 39, Triple H introduced Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, accompanied by Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa. Cody Rhodes interrupted and challenged Reigns to a rematch, only for Reigns to decline. Rhodes then challenged Reigns and Sikoa to a tag team match later that night, and Reigns accepted under the condition that Rhodes' partner was someone who competed at WrestleMania 39 but also that person could not challenge Reigns for his title as long as Reigns was champion. Lesnar answered, with the latter stipulation not applying to him as he was already banned from challenging Reigns for the title following their match at SummerSlam in 2022. However, the match never occurred due to Lesnar suddenly assaulting Rhodes before the match could begin, thus turning heel for the first time since 2020.<ref name="Raw04032023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was later reported that Lesnar was mad due to his position on the WrestleMania card, as his match had opened Night 2 instead of being in a main event slot. Rhodes addressed the attack the following week and challenged Lesnar to a match at Backlash.<ref name="Raw04102023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the April 17 episode, Rhodes appeared ready to fight despite not being medically cleared to compete. To keep Rhodes from fighting Lesnar that night, Adam Pearce made the match for Backlash official.<ref name="Raw04172023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar lost to Rhodes at Backlash,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> defeated Rhodes at Night of Champions by submission,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and lost to Rhodes again at SummerSlam to end their feud. After the final match, Lesnar hugged Rhodes and shook his hand.<ref name="SSlam2023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Vince McMahon scandal and hiatus (2024–present)Edit
According to several reports, Lesnar was scheduled to make his return to WWE at the 2024 Royal Rumble event as a participant in the Royal Rumble match. During the match, he would have been eliminated by Dominik Mysterio, as part of the build to a match against Mysterio at Elimination Chamber: Perth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, a lawsuit was filed a few days before the Royal Rumble by Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE global headquarters between 2019 and 2022. Grant alleged that WWE co-founder Vince McMahon had coerced her into a sexual relationship and, along with WWE executive John Laurinaitis and an unnamed WWE wrestler "who was also a former UFC fighter", sexually trafficked her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her in 2020 and 2021. The unnamed talent was later identified by The Wall Street Journal as Lesnar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As a result of the lawsuit, he was removed from the Royal Rumble and replaced by Bron Breakker.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was later reported that he was removed from WWE's creative plans ahead of their WrestleMania XL event, despite originally being planned to have a match against WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther at the event.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February, he was removed from the WWE SuperCard video game.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He would also be removed from the cover of WWE 2K24Template:'s "40 Years of WrestleMania" edition, as well as the playable roster, only being accessible through the game's Showcase Mode.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was also removed from the introduction video of WWE's weekly programming, with LA Knight replacing him.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Professional wrestling style and personaEdit
Since Lesnar's debut, he was portrayed as a powerhouse athlete. He is often called by his nickname "The Beast Incarnate" or simply "The Beast". During his initial run when he was consistently main-eventing, WWE was in what is labeled by the company and fans as the "Ruthless Aggression Era". His go-to finishing maneuver for his entire career has been a fireman's carry facebuster<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> known as the F-5 (or The Verdict when he wrestled outside of WWE).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="blea_Broc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Unreliable source?</ref> After his return in 2012, Lesnar focused on an MMA-oriented gimmick, sporting MMA gloves during his matches and adding the Kimura lock as a submission hold.<ref name="prow_PROW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar is also known for performing several suplexes (especially German suplexes) on his rivals, with these often being described as the opponent being taken to "Suplex City",<ref name="spor_WWEN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Unreliable source?</ref> named after an ad-lib Lesnar delivered to Roman Reigns during their WrestleMania 31 match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar has been managed by Paul Heyman for the majority of his WWE career with Heyman being Lesnar's mouthpiece for storylines and feuds.
Throughout the second half of the 2010s, Lesnar began to receive an increasing amount of criticism for his character and performances. Many reporters thought his Suplex City character "jumped the shark" and his matches had "become formulaic".<ref name="foxs_5Rea">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="roll_WWE'">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He was largely criticized due to his absences from television during his time as Universal Champion. It was pointed out that he had the longest world championship reign since Hulk Hogan, but only defended the title 13 times, all on pay-per-views, with Tim Fiorvanti from ESPN commenting that he had "removed the top title on Monday Night Raw from circulation".<ref name="espn_It's">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The short length of his matches was also criticized by journalists and fans.<ref name="cbss_WWEf">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Former WWE Champion Bob Backlund criticized the fact that Lesnar used mostly suplexes during his matches, saying "it gets old to do the same thing over and over and over again".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Professional football careerEdit
Template:Infobox NFL biography Following his match at WrestleMania XX in March 2004, Brock Lesnar left WWE to pursue a career in professional football, despite not having played the sport since high school.<ref name="start NFL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> WWE publicly acknowledged his departure, stating that Lesnar had decided to pause his wrestling career to attempt a tryout for the National Football League (NFL), and wished him success.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar later explained in interviews that, while he had enjoyed his time in WWE, he had become disillusioned with the lifestyle and wanted to explore football before it was too late. Emphasizing his competitive drive, he stated that the decision was not a publicity stunt, but a serious personal goal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine and drew attention for his athleticism, but his progress was briefly derailed in April 2004 when he was injured in a motorcycle accident, suffering multiple injuries including a broken jaw and hand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite the setback, several NFL teams expressed interest, and Lesnar worked out for the Minnesota Vikings in June.<ref name="kffl">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He signed with the team in late July and appeared in several preseason games as a defensive tackle before being released in August.<ref name="kffl" /><ref name="NFL cut">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Vikings offered Lesnar a spot in NFL Europa to further develop his skills, but he declined the opportunity, citing a desire to remain in the United States with his family.<ref name="NFL cut" /> During his time with the Vikings, several official football trading cards featuring Lesnar were released.<ref name="Cards">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mixed martial arts careerEdit
Hero's (2007)Edit
On April 29, 2006, after the final match of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Las Vegas, Lesnar stated his intent to join K-1's mixed martial arts league, Hero's. He trained with Minnesota Martial Arts Academy under Greg Nelson and Minnesota assistant head wrestling coach Marty Morgan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar signed the deal in August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first fight was scheduled against Hong-man Choi of South Korea on June 2, 2007, at the Dynamite!! USA show.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Prior to the match, Choi was replaced by Min-soo Kim. Lesnar submitted Kim with strikes in 1:09 of the first round to win his first official MMA match.<ref name="MMA1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2008–2011)Edit
Debut and UFC Heavyweight ChampionEdit
During UFC 77 on October 20, Lesnar joined Ultimate Fighting Championship with a one-fight contract.<ref name="411mania.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=mmaf22>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On February 2, 2008, Lesnar made his debut with the promotion at UFC 81 against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir.<ref name="UFC 81">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Due to his large hands,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar was wearing 4XL gloves for the fight, making him the second man in Nevada's combat sports history to wear such gloves, after Hong-man Choi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar secured an early takedown and began landing numerous punches, but was docked a point, after a punch hit Mir on the back of the head. He scored another takedown and continued landing ground and pound, before Mir secured a kneebar and forced a submission at 1:30 of the first round.<ref name="UFC 81"/>
Despite losing on his debut, he was offered a new contract and at UFC 82 on March 1, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Famer Mark Coleman was announced to fight Lesnar at UFC 87.<ref name=mmaf22 /><ref name="UFC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Coleman withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by Heath Herring.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the first round Lesnar scored an early knockdown and went on to dominate the fight winning via unanimous decision by 30–26 on all three judges' scorecards.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar then faced Randy Couture for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 91 on November 15.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He denied Couture's takedown attempts and outstruck him on the feet, eventually knocking him down and landing ground and pound until he was awarded the technical knockout and UFC Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On December 27 at UFC 92, Mir defeated Antônio Nogueira for the Interim Heavyweight Championship and was to face Lesnar for the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 98. Immediately after winning the Interim Heavyweight title, Mir found Lesnar in the crowd and shouted, "You've got my belt". Due to a knee injury to Mir, the title unification match with Lesnar that was originally slated to be the UFC 98 main event was postponed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar instead fought Mir at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009. Mir attempted to grab ahold of Lesnar's leg early in the fight but was denied and Lesnar held top position landing punches for the rest of the round. In the second round, the two traded blows but Mir hurt Lesnar with a knee and a punch, leading him to take Mir down and land heavy ground and pound winning the fight via technical knockout. During his post-match celebration, Lesnar flipped off the crowd who had been booing him. Lesnar also made a disparaging comment about the pay-per-view's primary sponsor Bud Light, claiming they "won't pay me nothinTemplate:' " and promoted Coors Light instead. Lesnar later apologized for his remarks at the post-fight press conference, where he held a bottle of Bud Light and endorsed their product.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On July 1, it was reported that the winner of the Shane Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez fight at UFC 104 would face Lesnar, but the match was scrapped and Lesnar was scheduled to defend the title against Carwin at UFC 106 on November 21.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On October 2, Lesnar pulled out of his Carwin bout due to an illness. UFC President Dana White said Lesnar had been ill for three weeks, claiming he had never been this sick in his life and that it would take him a while to recover, therefore his fight with Carwin was rescheduled for UFC 108 on January 2, 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar initially sought treatment in Canada, but later told reporters that he had received "Third World treatment" at a hospital in Brandon, Manitoba and that seeking better treatment in the United States saved his life. Lesnar went on to criticize Canadian health care further and stated that he shared his experience to speak "on the behalf of the doctors in the United States that don't want health care reform to happen".<ref name="STARTRIBUNE.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On November 4, it was confirmed that Lesnar had mononucleosis and that his bout with Carwin would have to wait a bit longer and the fight for Lesnar's heavyweight championship was canceled.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On November 14 at the UFC 105 post-fight conference, White stated, "[Lesnar]'s not well and he's not going to be getting well anytime soon" and that an interim title match might need to be set up.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In addition to mononucleosis, it was revealed that he had developed a serious case of diverticulitis, an intestinal disorder, which required surgery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After further diagnosis, Lesnar underwent surgery on November 16 to close a perforation in his intestine that had been leaking fecal matter into his abdomen, causing pain, abscesses and overtaxing his immune system to the point that he contracted mononucleosis. From the level of damage to Lesnar's system, the surgeon estimated that the intestinal condition had been ongoing for around a year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In January 2010, Lesnar revealed on ESPN's SportsCenter that he was scheduled to make a return to the UFC in the summer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A match between Mir and Carwin took place on March 27 at UFC 111 to determine the Interim Heavyweight Champion and Lesnar's next opponent.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Carwin defeated Mir via knockout in the first round, becoming the new Interim Champion. After the fight, Lesnar came into the ring and stated, "It was a good fight but he's wearing a belt that's a make-believe belt. I've got the real championship belt".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar faced Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, to unify the heavyweight titles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Early in the first round, Carwin knocked Lesnar down with heavy punches, and continued landing ground and pound throughout the round, opening a cut on Lesnar's eye. In the next round, Carwin was noticeably fatigued and Lesnar scored a takedown, attained full mount, then move into side-control and finish the fight with an arm-triangle choke. With the victory, Lesnar became the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, earning his first Submission of the Night and giving Carwin his first loss. The win also tied a UFC record for most consecutive successful UFC Heavyweight Championship defenses.
Title loss and first retirementEdit
Lesnar's next defense was against undefeated top contender Cain Velasquez on October 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California at UFC 121.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dana White announced via SportsNation that the UFC would bring back UFC Primetime to hype the fight.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the first round, Lesnar scored a takedown and land some heavy knees but eventually succumbed to Velasquez's superior striking and was finished by technical knockout late in the round.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar was advertised as a coach of The Ultimate Fighter Season 13, opposite Junior dos Santos,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with the two expected to fight on June 11 at UFC 131,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but he was struck with another bout of diverticulitis and had to withdraw from the fight on May 12.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was replaced by Shane Carwin, who ended up losing against dos Santos.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Lesnar underwent surgery on May 27 to help battle his problems with diverticulitis. White said that he had a 12-inch piece of his colon removed.<ref name="MMAWeekly.com"/>
In its May 2011 issue, ESPNTemplate:'s magazine published a story listing the highest-paid athlete based on base salary and earnings for the most recent calendar year or most recent season in 30 sports. Lesnar topped the list for MMA at $5.3 million, which included his reported bout salaries and estimated pay-per-view bonuses.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the summer of 2011, Lesnar announced that he was returning to action, stating, "I feel like a new man. Healthy. Strong. I feel like I used to feel".<ref name="mmaweekly1">Template:Cite news</ref> His return match was scheduled to be at UFC 141 on December 30 in Las Vegas against former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Lesnar attempted to takedown Overeem but was unable and ate heavy body shots to his surgically repaired stomach, eventually being finished with a liver kick and punches.<ref name=Wagenheim2>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=ESPNMMA1>Template:Cite news</ref> Lesnar then retired from MMA, mentioning his struggles with diverticulitis and saying "tonight was the last time you'll see me in the octagon".<ref name=Wagenheim2/><ref name=ESPNMMA1/>
Speculation about a return to MMA lasted until March 24, 2015, when Lesnar revealed in an interview on SportsCenter that he had re-signed with WWE and officially closed the door on a return to MMA, even though he was offered a deal "ten times more" than what he had made previously in his MMA career. He further elaborated that, while he was training for months for a return to the UFC, he felt "physically great but something was lacking mentally".<ref name="AP15">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar added that "[he's] an older caveman now, so [he] makes smarter caveman decisions" and that he chose to sign with WWE instead of returning to MMA because he could "work part-time with full-time pay".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Return to the UFC (2016–2018)Edit
Fight against Mark HuntEdit
Though Lesnar said he was "closing the door on MMA" in March 2015,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> UFC announced on June 4, 2016, that he would return at UFC 200 on July 9.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> WWE confirmed it had granted Lesnar "a one-off opportunity" to compete at UFC 200 before he returned to the company for SummerSlam on August 21.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar dominated the first and third rounds, battering Hunt with ground and pound in the third to secure the unanimous decision win. He also was paid a UFC record $2.5 million purse.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This record was broken at UFC 202 by Conor McGregor, who was also the previous holder.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Suspension and second retirementEdit
On July 15, 2016, Lesnar was notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) stemming from an undisclosed banned substance in an out-of-competition sample collected on June 28.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On July 19, a second test sample taken in-competition on July 9 was revealed as positive for the same banned substance discovered in the previous out-of-competition sample.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On August 23, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) confirmed that Lesnar had twice been tested positive for clomiphene and was suspended.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On December 15, it was confirmed that Lesnar was fined $250,000 and suspended from competition for one year by the NSAC. He would be eligible to return in July 2017. As a result of the suspension, the result of his fight with Mark Hunt was overturned to a no contest.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of January 2019, Lesnar has yet to pay the fine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On February 14, 2017, it was reported that Lesnar had notified UFC he was retiring from MMA for the second time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On July 7, 2018, Lesnar stormed the cage after the main event fight at UFC 226 and challenged the new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Cormier.<ref name =UFCreturn>Template:Cite news</ref> On July 8, USADA confirmed that Lesnar had begun the process to get back into their drug-testing pool.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> UFC officials were reportedly targeting a bout between Lesnar and Cormier for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, but Dana White claimed Lesnar told him he was "done" with MMA and the bout ultimately did not occur.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In September 2020, White said he could organize a fight between Lesnar and Jon Jones if both men wanted it.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> That same month, Bellator president Scott Coker expressed interest in booking Lesnar to fight Fedor Emelianenko.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lesnar did not respond to either man's comments, and once again confirmed in March 2022 that he would stay retired.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Other mediaEdit
In 2003, WWE Home Video released a DVD chronicling Lesnar's career entitled Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain. It was re-released in 2012 as a three-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray collector's edition to tie in with Lesnar's WWE return. It was also expanded to include new matches and interviews. In 2016, a new home video was released on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as a collector's edition, called Brock Lesnar: Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat. and includes accomplishments from his second run in WWE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar was featured on the covers of Flex and Muscle & Fitness magazine in 2004<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Minneapolis' City Pages in 2008.<ref name="city pages">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is the cover athlete for the WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, UFC Undisputed 2010 and WWE 2K17 video games.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In 2009, Lesnar signed an endorsement deal with Dymatize Nutrition. A CD containing footage of Lesnar training was included with Dymatize's "Xpand" product.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar co-wrote an autobiography with Paul Heyman, titled Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival, which was published by William Morrow and Company in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In a 2013 post on his blog, Attack on Titan author Hajime Isayama revealed that he drew inspiration from Lesnar for the character of the Armored Titan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Template:Quote box Lesnar married fellow WWE performer Rena Greek, better known as Sable, on May 6, 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They relocated in 2014 to Canada, where they reside on a farm in Maryfield, Saskatchewan.<ref>Brock Lesnar to represent Saskatchewan at UFC 200. Retrieved June 7, 2016.</ref> Together, they have two sons named Turk (born 2009) and Duke (born 2010), both of whom play ice hockey.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With his former fiancée, Nicole McClain, Lesnar also has twins who were born in 2002: a daughter named Mya Lynn, who competes in track and field,<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> and a son named Luke, who also plays ice hockey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He is also the stepfather of Greek's daughter with her first husband.<ref name="deathclutch"/>
Lesnar is an intensely private individual who has expressed his disdain for the media; he rarely participates in interviews and avoids questions pertaining to his private life.<ref name="Iole"/> He is a supporter of the Republican Party<ref name="STARTRIBUNE.com"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made an appearance at the NRA's annual meeting in May 2011 to discuss his passion for hunting and his role as a spokesman for the Fusion Ammunition company.<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is a fan of the Winnipeg Jets ice hockey team<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> and the Saskatchewan Roughriders Canadian football team.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Lesnar developed addictions to alcohol and painkillers during his first run in WWE, later claiming that he would drink a bottle of vodka per day and take hundreds of Vicodin pills per month to manage the pain caused by wear and tear on his body.<ref name="deathclutch"/> He cited the incident in which he botched a shooting star press at WrestleMania XIX and landed on the top of his head as a primary source of pain.<ref name="deathclutch"/> As a result of the addiction and mental exhaustion, he says that he cannot remember the entire two years that made up his first WWE tenure.<ref name="deathclutch"/><ref>Lesnar discussed this on an E:60 episode which aired on October 21, 2008.</ref>
Legal issuesEdit
In January 2001, Lesnar was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky, for suspicion of possessing large amounts of illegal substances. The charges were dropped when it was discovered that the substances were legal hormones. His lawyer described it as a "vitamin type of thing".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lesnar had previously signed a non-compete clause in order to be released from his contract with WWE, which prohibited him from working for any other professional wrestling companies before June 2010. He challenged this ruling in court.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> WWE responded with a counterclaim after Lesnar breached the agreement by appearing at a New Japan Pro-Wrestling show in 2004.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2005, the two sides dropped their claims and entered negotiations to renew their relationship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> WWE had offered Lesnar a contract, but on August 2, their official website reported that Lesnar had withdrawn from any involvement with the company.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The lawsuit began to enter settlement talks on September 21, but did not get solved.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On January 14, 2006, Judge Christopher Droney stated that unless WWE gave him a good argument between then and the 25th, he would rule in favor of Lesnar, giving him a summary judgment. This would have enabled Lesnar to work anywhere immediately.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> WWE was later granted a deadline postponement.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On April 24, both parties reached a settlement. On June 12, a federal judge dismissed the case at the request of both legal parties.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On December 15, 2011, Lesnar was charged with hunting infractions on a trip to Alberta on November 19, 2010. Two charges were dropped, but Lesnar pleaded guilty to the charge of improper tagging of an animal. He was fined $1,725 and given a six-month hunting suspension.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
FilmographyEdit
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2014 | True Giants | Himself | Film debut |
| Foxcatcher | Wrestler | Cameo Uncredited | |
| 2016 | Countdown | Himself | Uncredited |
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | E:60 | Himself | October 21 |
| 2009–2010 | Rome Is Burning | 3 episodes | |
| 2010 | UFC Primetime | Episode: Lesnar vs. Velasquez | |
| 2011 | ESPN Friday Night Fights | January 14 | |
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | March 28 (season 3, episode 49) | ||
| 2012 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | February 21 (season 20, episode 93) | |
| 2016 | Mike & Mike | August 18 | |
| SportsCenter | February 16 (season 38, episode 47) | ||
| UFC Ultimate Insider | July 3 (Season 5, Episode 520) | ||
Video gamesEdit
| WWE video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2002 | WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth | Video game debut Cover athlete (NTSC version) | |
| 2003 | WWE Crush Hour | ||
| WWE WrestleMania XIX | |||
| WWE Raw 2 | |||
| WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain | Cover athlete | ||
| 2011 | WWE '12 | ||
| 2012 | WWE '13 | ||
| 2013 | WWE 2K14 | ||
| 2014 | WWE 2K15 | Motion capture (Next-gen & PC) | |
| 2015 | WWE 2K16 | Motion capture (Next-gen & PC) | |
| 2016 | WWE 2K17 | Motion capture (Next-gen & PC) Cover athlete | |
| 2017 | WWE 2K18 | Motion capture | |
| 2018 | WWE 2K19 | Motion capture | |
| 2019 | WWE 2K20 | Motion capture | |
| 2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | ||
| 2022 | WWE 2K22 | ||
| 2023 | WWE 2K23 | ||
| 2024 | WWE 2K24 | Wrestlemania Showcase only | |
| Madden NFL Video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2005 | Madden NFL 06 | First appearance in a non-wrestling video game, appears as a defensive tackle free agent with a 69 overall rating | |
| UFC Video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2009 | UFC 2009 Undisputed | ||
| 2010 | UFC Undisputed 2010 | Cover athlete | |
| 2012 | UFC Undisputed 3 | ||
| 2014 | EA Sports UFC | DLC | |
| 2020 | EA Sports UFC 4 | DLC | |
Mixed martial arts recordEdit
Template:MMArecordbox Template:MMA record start |- |Template:NocontestNC |align=center|Template:Nowrap |Mark Hunt |NC (overturned by NSAC) |UFC 200 |Template:Dts |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Template:Small |- |Template:No2Loss |align=center|5–3 |Alistair Overeem |TKO (kick to the body and punches) |UFC 141 |Template:Dts |align=center|1 |align=center|2:26 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Template:No2Loss |align=center|5–2 |Cain Velasquez |TKO (punches) |UFC 121 |Template:Dts |align=center|1 |align=center|4:12 |Anaheim, California, United States |Template:Small |- |Template:Yes2Win |align=center|5–1 |Shane Carwin |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |UFC 116 |Template:Dts |align=center|2 |align=center|2:19 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Template:Small |- |Template:Yes2Win |align=center|4–1 |Frank Mir |TKO (punches) |UFC 100 |Template:Dts |align=center|2 |align=center|1:48 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Template:Small |- |Template:Yes2Win |align=center|3–1 |Randy Couture |TKO (punches) |UFC 91 |Template:Dts |align=center|2 |align=center|3:07 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Template:Small |- |Template:Yes2Win |align=center|2–1 |Heath Herring |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 87 |Template:Dts |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |- |Template:No2Loss |align=center|1–1 |Frank Mir |Submission (kneebar) |UFC 81 |Template:Dts |align=center|1 |align=center|1:30 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Template:Small |- |Template:Yes2Win |align=center|1–0 |Min-Soo Kim |TKO (submission to punches) |Dynamite!! USA |Template:Dts |align=center|1 |align=center|1:09 |Los Angeles, California, United States |
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Pay-per-view boutsEdit
Mixed martial artsEdit
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dynamite!! USA | Lesnar vs. Min-soo | June 2, 2007 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | 35,000 |
| 2. | UFC 81 | Mir vs. Lesnar (co) | February 2, 2008 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 650,000 |
| 3. | UFC 87 | Lesnar vs. Herring (co) | August 9, 2008 | Target Center | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | 625,000 |
| 4. | UFC 91 | Couture vs. Lesnar | November 15, 2008 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 1,010,000 |
| 5. | UFC 100 | Lesnar vs. Mir 2 | July 11, 2009 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 1,600,000 |
| 6. | UFC 116 | Lesnar vs. Carwin | July 3, 2010 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 1,160,000 |
| 7. | UFC 121 | Lesnar vs. Velasquez | October 23, 2010 | Honda Center | Anaheim, California, U.S. | 1,050,000 |
| 8. | UFC 141 | Lesnar vs. Overeem | December 30, 2011 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 750,000 |
| 9. | UFC 200 | Lesnar vs. Hunt (co) | July 9, 2016 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 1,009,000 |
| Total sales | 7,889,000 | |||||
Championships and accomplishmentsEdit
Collegiate wrestlingEdit
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
- NCAA Division I All-American (1999, 2000)
- NCAA Division I Heavyweight National Runner-Up (1999)
- NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion (2000)
- Big Ten Conference Champion (1999, 2000)
- National Junior College Athletic Association
- NJCAA All-American (1997, 1998)
- NJCAA Heavyweight Champion (1998)
- North Dakota State University Bison Tournament Champion (1997–1999)<ref name="bison tournament">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mixed martial artsEdit
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Two successful title defenses
- Submission of the Night (One time) Template:Small<ref name=brockbonus>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
- UFC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Fewest MMA bouts to become a UFC champion (4)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- UFC.com Awards
- 2008: Newcomer of the Year,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
- UFC.com Awards
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ranked #7 Fighter of the Year<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> & Ranked #8 Upset of the Year Template:Small<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 2010: Ranked #4 Fight of the Year Template:Small<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Inside Fights
- Biggest Draw (2008)<ref name=WON2008>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Rookie of the Year (2008)<ref name=WON2008/>
- Sherdog Awards
- Beatdown of the Year (2009)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Sports Illustrated
- Top Newcomer of the Year (2008)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- World MMA Awards
- Breakthrough Fighter of the Year (2009)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Box Office Draw (2008–2010)<ref name=WON2010/>
- MMA Most Valuable Fighter (2008–2010)<ref name=WON2010>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Professional wrestlingEdit
- Guinness World Records
- World record: Youngest person to win the WWE Championship (aged 25 years, 44 days)<ref>Youngest person to win the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship | Guinness World Records (posted prior to December 15, 2014, retrieved 9 February 2015) The youngest wrestler to win the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is Brock Lesnar (USA) aged 25 years and 44 days on August 25, 2002.</ref>
- Inoki Genome Federation
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="IWGP title"/>
- New York Post
- Best OMG Moment (2022) Template:Small<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Shelton Benjamin<ref name="OVW tag">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Feud of the Year (2003) Template:Small<ref name="PWI Awards">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Feud of the Year (2015) Template:Small<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
- Match of the Year (2003) vs. Kurt Angle in an Iron Man match on SmackDown! on September 16<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
- Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2018)<ref name="PWI Awards" />
- Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2002)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
- Wrestler of the Year (2002, 2014)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
- Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2003<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Rolling Stone
- Most Unavoidable Face Turn (2015)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Brawler (2003)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Best Wrestling Maneuver (2002) F-5
- Feud of the Year (2003) vs. Kurt Angle<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Most Improved Wrestler (2002, 2003)<ref name="WON improved">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Best Box Office Draw of the Decade (2010s)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2015)<ref name=2015HallofFame>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- WWE/World Wrestling Entertainment/Federation
- WWE Championship (7 timesTemplate:Efn)
- WWE Universal Championship (3 times)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- King of the Ring (2002)<ref name="KOTR02"/>
- Men's Money in the Bank (2019)
- Royal Rumble (2003, 2022)<ref name="RR03">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Slammy Award (5 times)
- Hashtag of the Year (2015) – Template:Small<ref name="2015Slammy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
- Slammy Award (5 times)
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Match of the Year (2015) – Template:Small<ref name="2015Slammy"/>
- Rivalry of the Year (2015) – Template:Small<ref name="2015Slammy"/>
- "Tell Me You Didn't Just Say That" Moment of the Year (2015) – Template:Small<ref name="2015Slammy"/>
- The OMG Shocking Moment of the Year (2014) – Template:Small<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- WWE Year-End Award for Hottest Rivalry (2018) – Template:Small<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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