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Formerly known as the "Next Big Thing" when first debuting in WWE, Brock Lesnar got pushed to new heights as one would assume he'd be the next franchise to lead the company into the 2000s decade. After accomplishing so much in his first year in WWE, Brock Lesnar became an established main-event superstar, only to depart from WWE soon after. After staying away from WWE for almost a decade, Brock Lesnar made a triumphant return to the company in 2012, further cementing his legendary status in professional wrestling. Furthermore, some may wonder what came about Brock Lesnar's return to the WWE after leaving the company eight years earlier.
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Brock Lesnar's Rise To WWE Stardom In His Rookie Year
Physical specimens like Brock Lesnar don't come around much often in the wrestling industry. And that says a lot, considering there was a time the business relied heavily on physically-imposing superstars. As he first signed with WWE in 2000 and was in OVW development, Brock Lesnar made an explosive impact when making his main roster debut on the Raw episode after Wrestlemania 18. Immediately, Brock Lesnar got billed as "The Next Big Thing," representing a new wave of talent that got prominently featured in the launch of the Ruthless Aggression Era.
Only a few months after debuting on the main roster, Brock Lesnar became the 2002 King of the Ring winner, submitted Hulk Hogan on an August 2002 episode of Smackdown, and pinned The Rock to win the WWE Championship at Summerslam 2002. As his rookie year continued, Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker in a classic Hell in a Cell match, won the 2003 Royal Rumble, and defeated Kurt Angle to become a two-time WWE Champion at the main event of Wrestlemania 19.
In one year, Brock Lesnar became one of the most accomplished WWE superstars in history. The way WWE protected his booking showed how much they valued him as an asset to the company.
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Brock Lesnar Leaves WWE And Finds Success In UFC
As Brock Lesnar got scheduled to face Bill Goldberg at Wrestlemania 20, news surfaced online that he'd be on his way out of the company. Brock Lesnar would lose to Bill Goldberg in his final match at Wrestlemania 20 while taking a "stunner" from Steve Austin on his way out, as he received an overwhelming hostile reception from the fans in attendance.
Rejecting a lucrative multi-year deal with WWE, it's simple to understand why Brock Lesnar departed from the company despite being pushed heavily into stardom. It's been well-documented that Brock Lesnar hated the travel schedule, as it eventually burned him out.
Upon leaving, Brock Lesnar attempted to pursue a career in the NFL. After it didn't work out, Brock Lesnar started wrestling in Japan for a couple of years. After his stint with NJPW ended, Brock Lesnar's most noted turn of events since departing from WWE was joining the UFC.
Signing with UFC in late 2007, Brock Lesnar garnered an overwhelmingly successful career in professional Cagefighting as he won the UFC Heavyweight Championship and broke PPV records. However, as Brock Lesnar's health started affecting his UFC career, he retired following his final loss at the hands of Alistair Overeem on December 30, 2011.
Brock Lesnar Returns To WWE The Night After Wrestlemania 28
A few months after retiring from the UFC, Brock Lesnar made his triumphed WWE return on an April 2012 episode of Monday Night Raw, the night after Wrestlemania 28. After eight years of being out of the spotlight in WWE, Brock Lesnar had one of the best returns in Raw history, delivering his signature F-5 maneuver on John Cena as the live crowd in attendance loudly erupted.
Regarding how his return came about, WWE offered him a one-year deal that's said to be worth $5 million. Rather than being given a full-time schedule, WWE offered him to work a few dates on an overwhelming lucrative salary. And considering Brock Lesnar left WWE due to a hectic schedule, the fact that WWE offered him a lucrative one-year deal to work a limited number of dates probably enticed him to come back. It's even worth noting that even before retiring from the UFC, Brock Lesnar has admitted to being open to one day returning to the company.
Brock Lesnar may not be known as the most passionate regarding professional wrestling, but he's a businessman and will do business with the right people at the right price. And despite how Brock Lesnar departed from the company in 2004, considering how good he is at wrestling, it's no surprise WWE offered him a lot to come back.
In the end, it all worked out for both parties. Brock Lesnar's name value in WWE and UFC helped him become even more of a star than he was before. Brock Lesnar's second and third run in WWE allowed him to win multiple world championships, defeat The Undertaker at Wrestlemania, and become one of the most beloved superstars of the modern era. To this day, Brock Lesnar is still one of the biggest current stars in the wrestling industry.
