History of Brock Lesnar in Timeline
Brock Lesnar is an accomplished American athlete known for his achievements in professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Currently signed to WWE as a "free agent," he is recognized for holding championship titles in major wrestling organizations such as WWE, UFC, NJPW, IGF, and NCAA. Considered one of the greatest combat sport athletes, Lesnar's dominance across multiple disciplines distinguishes his career.
July 12, 1977: Birth of Brock Lesnar
Brock Edward Lesnar was born on July 12, 1977. He would go on to have a successful career in professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.
1988: Longest Championship Reign Since 1988
In 1988, Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship reign (which ended in 2018) was the sixth-longest world championship reign in WWE history and the longest since 1988.
1990: Vader vs. Stan Hansen: The last American vs. American title match in NJPW before Lesnar vs. Bernard
Brock Lesnar's successful title defense against Giant Bernard on May 3 marked the first American vs. American title match in NJPW since Vader faced Stan Hansen in 1990.
1997: NJCAA Wrestling
As a freshman at Bismarck State College, Brock Lesnar placed 5th in the 275 lb. division of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) wrestling competition in 1997.
1998: NJCAA Championship and Transfer to University of Minnesota
Brock Lesnar won the 275 lb championship in the NJCAA competition as a sophomore at Bismarck State College in 1998. He then transferred to the University of Minnesota on a wrestling scholarship.
1998: NJCAA Heavyweight Championship and College Wrestling Achievements
During his college wrestling career, Brock Lesnar achieved notable accomplishments, including becoming a two-time NJCAA All-American, winning the NJCAA Heavyweight Championship in 1998, being a two-time NCAA All-American, a two-time Big Ten Conference Champion, and ending his amateur career with a record of 106-5 over four years.
October 2000: Joining OVW and The Minnesota Stretching Crew
Brock Lesnar signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 2000 and was assigned to their developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). There, he met Paul Heyman, who would become his manager. In October 2000, Lesnar was paired with his former college roommate, Shelton Benjamin, to form a tag team known as The Minnesota Stretching Crew.
2000: NCAA Division I Heavyweight Wrestling Championship
Brock Lesnar won the NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling championship in his senior year at the University of Minnesota in 2000.
2000: NCAA Championship and WWE Signing
In 2000, Brock Lesnar won the NCAA Division I national championship in wrestling and signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
January 2001: Arrest and Dropped Charges
Brock Lesnar was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky, in January 2001, on suspicion of possessing large amounts of illegal substances. However, the charges were dropped when it was determined that the substances were legal hormones.
2001: Dark Matches in WWF
Brock Lesnar wrestled in several dark matches for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 2001, gaining experience before his official debut.
March 18, 2002: WWF Television Debut
Brock Lesnar made his impactful debut on WWF television on March 18, 2002, during an episode of Raw. He appeared as a heel, launching an attack on Al Snow, Maven, and Spike Dudley during their WWF Hardcore Championship match. Lesnar was accompanied by Paul Heyman, who was seen giving him instructions, marking the beginning of their on-screen partnership.
June 2002: King of the Ring Victory
Brock Lesnar emerged victorious in the 2002 King of the Ring tournament. He defeated notable opponents, including Bubba Ray Dudley, Booker T, Test, and Rob Van Dam, in a series of matches throughout the tournament, securing his place in WWE history.
August 2002: Feud with Hulk Hogan, WWE Undisputed Championship Win, and Brand Switch
In August 2002, Brock Lesnar engaged in a brief but high-profile feud with wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. He then went on to defeat The Rock at SummerSlam, becoming the new WWE Undisputed Champion and setting a record as the youngest WWE Champion at the age of 25. Additionally, he switched from the Raw brand to the SmackDown! brand during this period.
2002: WWE Championship and Youngest Champion Record
Brock Lesnar achieved a significant milestone in 2002 by winning the WWE Championship at the age of 25, making him the youngest performer to achieve this feat.
2002: Birth of Twins with Nicole McClain
Brock Lesnar became a father to twins, daughter Mya Lynn and son Luke, with his former fiancée, Nicole McClain, in 2002.
2002: Dark Matches and Preparation for Main Roster Debut
Brock Lesnar continued to wrestle in dark matches for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 2002 as he prepared for his official debut on the main roster.
2002: Feud with The Undertaker
In 2002, Brock Lesnar ascended to the top of WWE quickly, leading to a feud with The Undertaker. The rivalry involved several matches, including one at Unforgiven and a Hell in a Cell match at No Mercy, where Lesnar emerged victorious and retained the WWE Championship.
2002: Injury Incident with Hardcore Holly
In 2002, a match between Brock Lesnar and Hardcore Holly resulted in a legitimate neck injury for Holly, sidelining him for a year. This incident would later become part of their storyline.
January 19, 2003: Victory at the Royal Rumble
On January 19, 2003, at the Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar defeated Big Show and secured a spot in the Royal Rumble match. He went on to win the match, guaranteeing him a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XIX.
November 2003: First Encounter with Goldberg
In November 2003, at Survivor Series, Brock Lesnar crossed paths with Goldberg from the Raw brand for the first time, setting the stage for their future rivalry.
2003: First Royal Rumble Victory
Brock Lesnar won his first Royal Rumble match in 2003.
2003: "Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain" DVD Released
In 2003, a DVD titled "Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain" was released, chronicling Lesnar's wrestling career.
January 25, 2004: Royal Rumble and Feud with Hardcore Holly
At the Royal Rumble on January 25, 2004, Brock Lesnar defended his WWE Championship against Hardcore Holly successfully. During the Royal Rumble match, he attacked Goldberg, continuing their rivalry.
March 2004: Brock Lesnar Leaves WWE for NFL
Following his match with Goldberg at WrestleMania XX in March 2004, Brock Lesnar decided to pursue a career in the NFL, putting his WWE career on hold.
2004: Lesnar Featured in Fitness Magazines
Brock Lesnar was featured on the covers of "Flex" and "Muscle & Fitness" magazines in 2004.
2004: Departure from WWE and NFL Endeavor
In 2004, Brock Lesnar left WWE to pursue a career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Minnesota Vikings, but his time with the team was cut short during the pre-season.
2004: WrestleMania XX
In 2004, Brock Lesnar was defeated by Goldberg at WrestleMania XX.
July 2005: Lawsuit and Negotiation Attempts
In July 2005, Brock Lesnar and WWE dropped their respective claims and entered negotiations to renew their relationship after a legal battle over a breached non-compete clause.
October 8, 2005: Brock Lesnar wins IWGP Heavyweight Championship in debut NJPW match
On October 8, 2005, Brock Lesnar debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in a three-way match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Kazuyuki Fujita and Masahiro Chono. Lesnar won the match and the title, becoming one of the few American wrestlers to hold the prestigious championship.
2005: NJPW Signing and IWGP Heavyweight Championship
In 2005, Brock Lesnar signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and went on to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
January 4, 2006: Brock Lesnar successfully defends IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura
On January 4, 2006, Brock Lesnar successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against former champion Shinsuke Nakamura.
January 14, 2006: Judge's Statement and Settlement Talks
On January 14, 2006, Judge Christopher Droney stated that unless WWE provided a compelling argument by January 25, he would rule in favor of Brock Lesnar in their legal dispute. However, WWE was granted a deadline postponement, and a settlement was reached between the two parties on April 24.
April 29, 2006: Brock Lesnar Announces K-1 Intentions
On April 29, 2006, after the K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Brock Lesnar announced his plan to join the K-1 mixed martial arts league.
May 6, 2006: Marriage to Rena Greek
Brock Lesnar married fellow WWE performer Rena Greek, also known as Sable, on May 6, 2006.
June 2, 2007: Brock Lesnar's First MMA Victory
Brock Lesnar won his first official MMA match against Min-soo Kim at the Dynamite!! USA show on June 2, 2007.
June 2007: Brock Lesnar stripped of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
In June 2007, NJPW stripped Brock Lesnar of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship due to visa issues that prevented him from returning to defend the title. A tournament was held, and Hiroshi Tanahashi emerged as the new champion.
June 29, 2007: Brock Lesnar loses IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Kurt Angle in champion vs. champion match
On June 29, 2007, Brock Lesnar defended his IWGP Heavyweight Championship, recognized by IGF, against TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle in a champion vs. champion match at the debut event of the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF). Angle won the match, becoming recognized as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion by both IGF and TNA. This marked Lesnar's last match as a professional wrestler until his return to WWE in 2012.
2007: MMA Debut with Hero's
Brock Lesnar began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career with the organization Hero's in 2007.
2007: The Undertaker Wins Royal Rumble from #30
In 2007, The Undertaker became the first person to win the Royal Rumble match from the number 30 entry spot.
February 2, 2008: Brock Lesnar's UFC Debut
On February 2, 2008, at UFC 81: Breaking Point, Brock Lesnar made his UFC debut against Frank Mir, losing by kneebar submission in the first round.
2008: Lesnar on Minneapolis' City Pages Cover
Brock Lesnar appeared on the cover of Minneapolis' City Pages in 2008.
2008: UFC Signing
Brock Lesnar signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2008.
2008: John Cena Wins Royal Rumble From #30
In 2008, John Cena won the Royal Rumble match from the number 30 entry spot, becoming the second person to achieve this feat.
July 11, 2009: Brock Lesnar Wins UFC Heavyweight Championship
Brock Lesnar defeated Frank Mir by technical knockout at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009, to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Lesnar's post-fight celebration, where he made controversial remarks, generated significant discussion.
2009: Birth of Son, Turk
Brock Lesnar and Rena Greek welcomed their son, Turk, in 2009.
2009: UFC Heavyweight Championship and Diverticulitis
Brock Lesnar quickly rose to prominence in the UFC and won the Heavyweight Championship in 2009. However, he was sidelined due to a bout with diverticulitis.
2009: Lesnar Signs Endorsement Deal
Brock Lesnar secured an endorsement deal with Dymatize Nutrition in 2009, with promotional materials featuring his training footage.
January 2, 2010: Lesnar vs Carwin Rescheduled for UFC 108
On January 2, 2010, the fight between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin was rescheduled for UFC 108 after being postponed due to Lesnar's illness.
January 2010: Lesnar Announces UFC Return
In January 2010, Brock Lesnar announced his return to the UFC during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter, stating his intention to fight again in the summer.
June 2010: Non-Compete Clause and Legal Challenge
Brock Lesnar was bound by a non-compete clause he signed to be released from his WWE contract, preventing him from working for other wrestling organizations before June 2010. He challenged this clause in court.
November 19, 2010: Hunting Trip to Alberta
On November 19, 2010, Brock Lesnar went on a hunting trip to Alberta, Canada, which later led to charges of hunting infractions.
2010: Birth of Son, Duke
Brock Lesnar and Rena Greek welcomed their son, Duke, in 2010.
2010: Lesnar as Cover Athlete for Video Games
Brock Lesnar was chosen as the cover athlete for video games like "WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain" and "UFC Undisputed 2010".
2010: UFC Heavyweight Championship Unification
In 2010, Brock Lesnar returned to the UFC after recovering from diverticulitis and defeated Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin. This victory unified the heavyweight championships, making Lesnar the undisputed champion.
2010: Edge Sets Royal Rumble Record
In 2010, Edge set a record for the shortest amount of time spent in a Royal Rumble match before winning. This record would later be broken by Brock Lesnar in 2022.
May 2011: Appearance at NRA Annual Meeting
In May 2011, Brock Lesnar, a supporter of the Republican Party and a member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), appeared at the NRA's annual meeting to talk about his love of hunting and his position as a spokesperson for Fusion Ammunition.
May 2011: Lesnar Ranked Highest-Paid MMA Athlete
In May 2011, ESPN's magazine ranked Brock Lesnar as the highest-paid MMA athlete, earning an estimated $5.3 million from fight salaries and pay-per-view bonuses.
December 15, 2011: Hunting Infraction Charges
On December 15, 2011, Brock Lesnar was charged with hunting infractions related to a trip to Alberta on November 19, 2010. While two charges were dropped, he pleaded guilty to improper tagging of an animal and received a fine and a six-month hunting suspension.
2011: First Retirement from MMA
After facing losses and continued struggles with diverticulitis, Brock Lesnar made the decision to retire from MMA in 2011.
2011: "Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival" Published
Brock Lesnar co-authored an autobiography, "Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival," released in 2011.
2011: Lesnar Announces Retirement from MMA
In 2011, Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from MMA after a loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141, citing ongoing struggles with diverticulitis.
April 2, 2012: Brock Lesnar returns to WWE, confronts John Cena
On April 2, 2012, Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE as a heel on Raw SuperShow, confronting and delivering an F-5 to John Cena. General Manager John Laurinaitis later revealed that he signed Lesnar to bring "legitimacy" back to WWE and make him the "new face of the WWE." This marked the beginning of Lesnar's return to prominence in WWE.
2012: "Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain" Re-released
A re-release of "Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain" DVD, including additional matches and interviews, coincided with Lesnar's WWE return.
2012: Return to WWE
Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE in 2012 after pursuing a career in mixed martial arts.
2012: Brock Lesnar returns to non-televised WWE events
On July 4, 2012, Brock Lesnar made his first non-televised wrestling appearance for WWE since his return, defeating Kofi Kingston at The Beast in the East live event in Tokyo. After the match, he also delivered F-5s to Kingston's New Day stablemates Big E and Xavier Woods, marking a dominant return to live events.
2012: Brock Lesnar Adopts MMA-Inspired Gimmick
Upon returning to WWE in 2012, Brock Lesnar adopted a more MMA-inspired persona, using MMA gloves and incorporating the Kimura lock into his repertoire.
January 28, 2013: Brock Lesnar attacks Mr. McMahon, setting off a chain of events leading to WrestleMania 29
On the January 28, 2013 episode of Raw, Brock Lesnar made a significant impact by confronting Mr. McMahon, who was about to fire Paul Heyman. Despite Heyman's pleas, Lesnar attacked McMahon with an F-5, breaking McMahon's pelvis in storyline. This event sparked a series of confrontations and matches involving Lesnar, McMahon, Triple H, and Paul Heyman, ultimately leading to a WrestleMania 29 match between Lesnar and Triple H.
2013: Lesnar Inspires "Attack on Titan" Character
Hajime Isayama, the creator of "Attack on Titan," revealed that Brock Lesnar served as an inspiration for the Armored Titan character.
January 26, 2014: Brock Lesnar defeats Big Show at Royal Rumble
At the Royal Rumble on January 26, 2014, Brock Lesnar faced Big Show in a highly anticipated match. Lesnar emerged victorious after attacking Big Show with a steel chair before the match began, utilizing his aggressive style to secure the win.
2014: Ending The Undertaker's WrestleMania Streak and SummerSlam
At WrestleMania 30 in 2014, Brock Lesnar achieved a historic victory by ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak at the event. Lesnar also participated in SummerSlam that same year.
2014: Relocation to Canada
In 2014, Brock Lesnar and Rena Greek relocated to a farm in Maryfield, Saskatchewan, Canada.
January 25, 2015: Lesnar wins WWE World Heavyweight Championship in Triple Threat Match at Royal Rumble
On January 25, 2015, at the Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar participated in a Triple Threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena and Seth Rollins. Lesnar emerged victorious, retaining his championship title despite a storyline rib injury during the match.
March 2015: Lesnar Prioritizes WWE over MMA
In March 2015, despite previous retirement claims, Brock Lesnar decided to prioritize his WWE career over returning to MMA.
March 24, 2015: Lesnar Re-signs with WWE, Closes Door on MMA Return
On March 24, 2015, Brock Lesnar revealed his return to WWE, stating his decision to retire from MMA despite receiving lucrative offers, prioritizing his health and well-being.
2015: Brock Lesnar defeats The Undertaker in Hell in a Cell match, ending their feud
At Hell in a Cell on October 25, Lesnar defeated Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match, ending their feud. Lesnar won the match using a low blow and F-5 onto the exposed ring floor. This match was later voted "Match of the Year" at the 2015 Slammy Awards, highlighting its brutality and significance in their rivalry.
January 11, 2016: Lesnar Returns to Raw
On January 11, 2016, Brock Lesnar made a return to Raw, where he proceeded to attack various wrestlers and factions, including The New Day, The League of Nations (Sheamus, King Barrett, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio), and Kevin Owens. He also delivered an F-5 to Roman Reigns.
June 4, 2016: Lesnar's UFC Return Announced
On June 4, 2016, the UFC announced Brock Lesnar's return to the Octagon, scheduling a fight against Mark Hunt at UFC 200.
July 15, 2016: Lesnar Notified of Potential Anti-Doping Violation
On July 15, 2016, the USADA informed Brock Lesnar of a potential Anti-Doping violation based on a sample collected on June 28, 2016.
2016: "Brock Lesnar: Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat." Released
In 2016, "Brock Lesnar: Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat.", a new DVD highlighting Lesnar's achievements during his second run in WWE, was released.
2016: UFC 200 Return and No-Contest
In 2016, Brock Lesnar returned to the UFC for a one-off fight at UFC 200, where he defeated Mark Hunt. However, the victory was later overturned to a no-contest after Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance under UFC's anti-doping policy.
2016: Lesnar vs. Orton Feud
In 2016, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to fight Randy Orton at SummerSlam. Despite failing two drug tests for a UFC fight, Lesnar was not suspended by WWE because he was not a full-time performer. The Lesnar-Orton match was billed as a match fifteen years in the making. At SummerSlam, Lesnar defeated Orton by technical knockout. Lesnar was fined $500 for attacking Orton and Shane McMahon.
2016: Triple H Wins Royal Rumble From #30
In 2016, Triple H won the Royal Rumble match from the number 30 entry spot, becoming the third person in history to do so.
February 14, 2017: Lesnar Announces Retirement from MMA Again
Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from MMA for a second time on February 14, 2017.
July 2017: Lesnar Eligible to Return After Suspension
Brock Lesnar, after serving a suspension, was eligible to return to competition in July 2017.
2017: Second Retirement from MMA
Brock Lesnar officially retired from MMA for the second time in 2017.
2017: Lesnar vs. Goldberg Feud
In 2017, Brock Lesnar and Goldberg engaged in a feud that culminated in a match at Survivor Series. Lesnar lost to Goldberg in under two minutes. They faced each other again in the Royal Rumble, where Goldberg again defeated Lesnar.
January 28, 2018: Lesnar Defends Title at Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2018, at the Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar successfully defended his Universal Championship title in a triple threat match against Braun Strowman and Kane.
July 7, 2018: Lesnar Challenges Daniel Cormier
On July 7, 2018, Brock Lesnar made a surprise appearance at UFC 226, challenging the new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Cormier.
2018: Lesnar's Championship Reign Ends
In 2018, Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship reign ended at 504 days when he lost the title to Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.
January 2019: Lesnar Yet to Pay NSAC Fine
As of January 2019, Brock Lesnar had not yet paid the fine imposed by the NSAC.
January 27, 2019: Lesnar Defends Universal Title, Attacks Rollins
On January 27, 2019, Brock Lesnar successfully defended his Universal Championship against Finn Balor at the Royal Rumble. Later that night, he would go on to attack Royal Rumble winner Seth Rollins with six F-5s, setting up a title match between the two at Wrestlemania 35.
2019: Lesnar's Return to SmackDown and Feud with Velasquez and Mysterio
In 2019, Brock Lesnar returned to SmackDown, challenging Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship. He won the title but was confronted by former UFC opponent Cain Velasquez. Lesnar also feuded with Rey Mysterio, leading to a No Holds Barred match at Survivor Series, which Lesnar won.
2019: Return to WWE
In 2019, Brock Lesnar returned to WWE after leaving in 2004 to pursue other ventures, marking the end of his hiatus from professional wrestling.
2019: Beginning of Alleged Events
The lawsuit filed against Brock Lesnar and WWE alleged that certain events, leading to Lesnar's removal from WWE plans, began in 2019.
January 6, 2020: Lesnar Enters Royal Rumble, Sets Elimination Record
On January 6, 2020, Brock Lesnar declared he would enter the Royal Rumble as entrant number one. At the event, he tied the record for most eliminations in a Royal Rumble match before being eliminated by Drew McIntyre.
September 2020: Potential Fights for Lesnar Discussed
In September 2020, discussions arose regarding potential fights for Brock Lesnar, including opponents like Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko.
2020: Brock Lesnar's Previous Heel Turn
In 2020, Brock Lesnar had a previous instance of portraying a villainous character, known as a "heel" in professional wrestling.
2020: Alleged Sexual Assaults Occur
The lawsuit against Brock Lesnar and WWE alleges that sexual assaults involving Lesnar took place in 2020 and 2021.
August 2021: Lesnar Returns at SummerSlam, Confronts Reigns
In August 2021, Brock Lesnar made his return at SummerSlam, confronting Universal Champion Roman Reigns after his match against John Cena. Lesnar also revealed a new look, sporting a beard and ponytail.
2021: Lesnar Returns, Confronts Reigns
In 2021, Brock Lesnar returned to WWE at SummerSlam, sporting a new look and confronting Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
2021: Alleged Sexual Assaults Continue
The lawsuit against Brock Lesnar and WWE alleges that sexual assaults involving Lesnar continued into 2021.
January 1, 2022: Lesnar Wins WWE Championship
On January 1, 2022, at Day 1, Brock Lesnar won his sixth WWE Championship in a fatal five-way match.
March 2022: Lesnar Confirms Retirement
Brock Lesnar reaffirmed his retirement from MMA in March 2022.
2022: Brock Lesnar's Last WrestleMania Match Before Lawsuit
As of 2022, Brock Lesnar's last WrestleMania match before being removed from WWE plans due to a lawsuit was WrestleMania XL.
2022: Second Royal Rumble Victory and SummerSlam
Brock Lesnar won the Royal Rumble match for the second time in 2022 and also competed in SummerSlam that year.
January 23, 2023: Brock Lesnar Returns to Raw
On January 23, 2023, Brock Lesnar made an appearance at Raw Is XXX, costing Bobby Lashley his United States Championship match.
April 3, 2023: Brock Lesnar Turns Heel on Cody Rhodes
On April 3, 2023, the day after WrestleMania 39, Brock Lesnar turned heel for the first time since 2020 by attacking Cody Rhodes before their scheduled tag team match. It was reported that Lesnar was unhappy with his position on the WrestleMania card.
August 2023: Brock Lesnar's Hiatus
As of August 2023, Brock Lesnar is on hiatus from WWE, where he is designated as a "free agent".
2024: Brock Lesnar Removed from Royal Rumble Plans
Brock Lesnar was scheduled to return to WWE at the 2024 Royal Rumble but was removed from the event and subsequent plans due to a lawsuit filed against him and WWE.
