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When thinking of the greats in the history of professional wrestling, or more specifically World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Brock Lesnar isn't likely to be a name that pops into your head. Or maybe he would.
That's what has always made him so intriguing. And it was on this date in WWE history (July 12, 1977) that he was born.
Brock wrestled in college before signing a developmental deal with WWE in 2000. After working his way through Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), he wrestled some dark matches on Raw and was called up to the main roster for good in 2002, making his debut on Monday Night Raw on March 18.
He was booked as a monster who would simply destroy people, not in the Ryback/Goldberg blend but far more athletic and versatile in the ring. Lesnar was a freak athlete and could do things those two could only dream of.
Throughout the course of the next two years, Lesnar rose to the top as fast as anyone ever as. He won the King of the Ring in June, the WWE Undisputed championship in August, the Royal Rumble in January 2003 and then main evented WrestleMania 19 in April 2003. Essentially, he did almost everything there was to do within just one year's time.
That's how good he was.
He infamously quit the business in 2004, going out on the lowest note possible by having one of the worst matches in WrestleMania history with Goldberg, in favor of trying out for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). When that didn't pan out, he wrestled in Japan and not long after, he entered mixed martial arts (MMA). Unbelievably enough, he was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after just one bout. Even more unbelievable was that he did incredibly well while he was there, winning the promotions heavyweight title from Randy Couture in just his fourth career fight.
His fall from grace would come fast and furious in 2010, however, as he suffered through multiple bouts of diverticulitis, an intestinal disease, and lost back-to-back embarrassing fights to Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem. Now, he's back with WWE and coasting on a cake schedule that allows him to ply his trade without ever really breaking a sweat.
It's been one hell of a ride with the Brockness Monster.