The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has given birth to many stars who have made a mark of their own in Hollywood. The likes of Dwayne Johnson and John Cena would not be the global stars they are today if it wasn’t for their long stint in WWE where they gained their first shot at stardom. The WWE has also been a launchpad for athletes who have gone on to achieve great feats in other championships.
One such athlete is Brock Lesnar. The pro wrestler rose quickly among the ranks and won several championships in the WWE and the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co. He also made his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as well as the National Football League. Talking about his achievements, his wrestling co-star Dwayne Johnson had many praises to shower on Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar’s Career Before Joining The UFC
Before winning multiple titles, Brock Lesnar started his career in the Army National Guard. He was dismissed after failing a typing test and was not allowed to work with explosives due to his color blindness. He then worked in a construction company.
Lesnar started playing football and wrestling during high school and then in college where he won the championship at the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association. He won the heavyweight championship with the National Collegiate Athletic Association several times and graduated to a career in the World Wrestling Federation.
He started his career in the WWF, later titled WWE, debuting in its main roster in 2002. He had a professional rivalry with then-up-and-comer John Cena. He became the youngest WWE champion after defeating Dwayne Johnson and became the WWE Undisputed Champion. He had many bouts and rivalries with Big Show, The Undertaker, and Kurt Angle. Lesnar left WWE multiple times, once in 2004 and once in 2020, before returning in 2021.
Dwayne Johnson’s Pride In Brock Lesnar’s UFC Career
After his stint in WWE and playing national football with the NFL, Brock Lesnar turned his eyes to an MMA career in the UFC. Many were skeptical about this direction as it was rare for a pro wrestler to succeed in the UFC. In fact, Lesnar lost his first bout in the UFC 2008, with Frank Mir.
However, the wrestler was offered a new contract by the UFC, and after another match, where he won, Lesnar became the UFC Heavyweight Champion defeating Randy Couture. The star had to briefly end his career at the UFC as he contracted diverticulitis, a gastrointestinal disease. He retired from the UFC in 2011 and rejoined the WWE. While he returned in 2016, he was suspended after a doping scandal and retired for the second time in 2017.
Dwayne Johnson in an interview with UFC Fight Pass in 2014, expressed his admiration about his WWE co-star. Talking about Lesnar’s quick rise to championship in the UFC, he said,
“To give Brock Lesnar a shot, who at that time had one win under his belt, it was a risk. It was risky. I don’t know if anybody will ever accomplish what he has accomplished in the heavyweight division in that short amount of time.”
Despite stealing his championship title in 2002, Johnson seems to be proud of his competitor’s victory and has nothing but praise for Lesnar.
Source: UFC Fight Pass
