When Did Brock Lesnar Join The WWE?
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Brock Lesnar’s journey to the WWE was a long and difficult one. He was first signed by the WWE in 2000 and was then sent to their developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
Brock Lesnar’s Early Life
Brock Lesnar was born on July 12, 1977, in Webster, South Dakota, the son ofRichard and Stephanie Lesnar. He has an older brother, Troy, and a younger sister, Dawn. Lesnar was a wrestling fan during his youth, and he began competing in amateur wrestling while he was in high school. After graduating from high school in 1995, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota on a wrestling scholarship.
Lesnar’s amateur wrestling career
Brock Lesnar’s amateur wrestling career began when he enrolled in Bismarck State College and joined the school’s amateur wrestling team. Lesnar was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and a two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight champion. He became interested in professional wrestling while watching matches with his friends, and decided to pursue a career in it. After taking some amateur wrestling classes, Lesnar trained under Shad Gaspard and Curt Hawkins at the Sound and Fury Wrestling Academy in Florida.
Lesnar’s professional wrestling career
Brock Lesnar’s professional wrestling career began when he was just a freshman in college. He was recruited by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) after they saw a video of one of his matches. After being trained by WWF veteran Dwayne Johnson, Lesnar made his debut on an episode of Raw in March 2002. He quickly rose through the ranks of the WWF, winning the Undisputed Championship (the organization’s top title) in just his fourth match.
Lesnar’s time with the WWF was short-lived, however. He left the organization in 2004 in order to pursue a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Lesnar would go on to have a successful MMA career, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2008. He would return to the WWE in 2012 and has been with the organization ever since.
Brock Lesnar’s WWE Career
Lesnar signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 2000. He was assigned to its developmental promotion Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). He won the OVW Heavyweight Championship in February 2002.
Lesnar’s first WWE run
Brock Lesnar first joined the WWE in 2000 after a successful amateur wrestling career, which included winning the NCAA Division I Heavyweight Championship. He was quickly pushed as a dominant heel, winning the WWE Undisputed Championship from The Rock at SummerSlam in 2002. He held the title for approximately four months before losing it to The Big Show at Survivor Series. LesnarLeft the WWE in 2004 due to creative differences, but returned in 2012 at WrestleMania 28.
Lesnar’s second WWE run
Brock Lesnar returned to the WWE on April 2, 2012, at WrestleMania 28, where he defeated Triple H. The following night on Raw, Lesnar announced that he had quit UFC and signed a new multi-year contract with WWE. lesnar made his first appearance since his return on the May 7 episode of Raw in a backstage segment with John Laurinaitis and David Otunga. Laurinaitis announced that Lesnar had quit WWE for a second time, but Lesnar came out and applied the Kimura Lock on Laurinaitis until he was pulled off by referees.
Brock Lesnar’s UFC Career
Brock Lesnar is a professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to WWE. Lesnar is a four-time WWE Champion, a one-time WWE Universal Champion, a one-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, and the 2002 King of the Ring. Lesnar has also won the UFC Heavyweight Championship and is the current record-holder for the shortest reign in UFC history.
Lesnar’s first UFC run
Brock Lesnar made his UFC debut at UFC 81 in 2008, quickly dispatchsing former champion Randy Couture with a first-round TKO. He would go on to win his next two fights against Heath Herring and Kongo before losing to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 in 2010. Lesnar would take some time off after that loss to undergo surgery, but would return to the octagon at UFC 141 in 2011, where he famously lost to Alistair Overeem via first-round TKO.
Lesnar’s second UFC run
Lesnar’s second UFC run lasted only one fight. He defeated Mark Hunt via unanimous decision at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, but tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene in both an in-competition and out-of-competition USADA test surrounding the event. The result of the fight was subsequently overturned to a no contest.