Brock Lesnar has high respect for one of his former bosses.
Following an exit from the WWE in 2004, Lesnar’s initial plan was to transition to the NFL and play for the Minnesota Vikings. With The Beast unable to accomplish this, a more successful career in MMA would ensue, with the former World Champion dominating The Octagon to become UFC World Heavyweight Champion.
Brock Lesnar Pays Respects To Antonio Inoki At WrestleMania 39
While Lesnar’s WWE and UFC careers are well documented, The Beast’s 2 year run in New Japan Pro Wrestling is less well known amongst casual wrestling fans. During his time in NJPW, Lesnar captured the IWGP Championship in his debut for the promotion, eventually losing the title to long-time rival Kurt Angle. This would be Lesnar’s final wrestling match before a return to WWE in 2012.
NJPW was founded by Antonio Inoki, who sadly passed away in 2022. In a report published recently by Tokyo Sports, somebody who was close to Inoki was seen backstage at WrestleMania 39.
Prior to his match on the grandest stage, Lesnar went out of his way to speak to the person and offer his condolences on the passing of the former president of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
It is also mentioned in the report that somebody attempted to approach Lesnar, but the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion ignored them, instead choosing to listen to stories of Inoki’s last days.
Brock Lesnar competed at WrestleMania 39 in the opening match of Night 2, defeating Omos with multiple suplexes and an F5.
Following the victory over The Nigerian Giant, Lesnar has set his sights on Cody Rhodes. With each man currently holding one victory over the other, a third match is likely to see who will win the rivalry. It is being reported that a stipulation that is rarely used in WWE may be used to culminate the feud.