Lesnar Background

A follow up on the Lesnar article, as Brandt beat me to it. Lesnar has not competed in a WWE ring since March of 2004. He will probably be close to four years out by the time he debuts in the octagon. He was nicknamed the “Next Big Thing” by the WWE for marketing purposes, and certainly lived up to that. His entire career in WWE was only 2 years. He started the night after Wrestlemania in 2002 and finished at Wrestlemania in 2004 (a belligerent uninformed crowd heckled him and Pro Elite commentator Bill Goldberg, who was also leaving, with “You sold Out” chants in a unique moment).

Lesnar had been the prize signing of the WWE developmental system (like a baseball farm system; minor league) thanks to Jim Ross, Talent V.P., who liked grabbing athletes from high-level college sports instead of bodybuilders. There had been a bidding war for Lesnar between WWE and then-competitor WCW in 2000, as well as Japanese wrestling promotions and MMA groups (you could have seen Lesnar in Pride as early as 2000).

Lesnar picked up wrestling at a high level the likes of which is rarely seen. He debuted near the top after less then 2 years, and was made the youngest Heavyweight champion in August 2002. He remained in a main event position for the WWE until his departure a year and a half later, when he became burned out by the travel and lifestyle. Oddly enough, today Lesnar’s name is considered a dirty word by WWE officials, who tend to be unappreciative of anyone who wants to leave their cult-like bubble. His contributions are not acknowledged, nor is his name on TV.

Something not mentioned is that Lesnar left to pursue making an NFL team, having never played in college. He was eventually cut by the hometown Minn. Vikings, but coaches did say it was only for time in holding up a roster spot. Lesnar was a few years older then guys playing positions they had played since 14 years old at high levels. They felt Lesnar could be one in a million to make it, but didn’t want to take the 2-3 years to teach him fully.

Lesnar has wrestled sparingly in Japan since 2004. Probably under 10 matches, and usually for big payoffs. The last was shortly after his K-1 Heroes debut in June. He put over Kurt Angle (probably the other most gifted Pro Wrestler to come out of Amateur ranks and pick up Sports Entertainment within two years). At the time Angle was trying to convince Lesnar this could build to an MMA match in Japan between the two.

Maybe most notable regarding the WWE connection is that they sued him for trying to jump to Japan and MMA (White wanted Lesnar in 2004) and tried to enforce a worldwide town year contract not only in wrestling, but to keep him from MMA. It didn’t work, though held up his life, as judges would not enforce what they saw as a slave contract. Couture might face the same battle in Court if he tries to leave his contract to compete elsewhere (Russia), though his will be MMA to MMA.

Lesnar, who was a big Heavyweight star for Minnesota, has trained with several camps, including at Militich Fighting Systems with Tim Sylvia.

E-mail John Philapavage at johnnyp@mmaopinion.com