Lesnar’s Retirement Felt Real

Sunday’s Wrestlemania 42 started a bit different than most people thought. It wasn’t surprising that they started the evening with Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar, nor was it surprising that Oba went over in that match. But what happened next stunned a lot of fans. Myself included.
After the loss, Brock would sit in the ring for a few moments. In an excruciatingly rare show of emotion, Brock began to tear up as he would remove his gloves and boots, leaving them in the center of the ring. A common ritual of showing retirement. He would then exit the ring, waving to fans and shaking hands to the chants of “Thank you, Brock!”

This left us all blindsided. We all knew the end had to be near for him, as he’s been with the WWE for 24 years. But many, myself included, were sure the end would come later this year at SummerSlam. It takes place in Minnesota, a place he has very strong ties to.
But to be fair, it’s not like anything was ever set in stone, or even properly teased. So he can make his decisions as he likes.

Though many people have “fake retired” in WWE before (it is theatrics, after all), this exit didn’t carry the usual signs of a fake retirement. The biggest tell was how emotional he was. Brock doesn’t partake in media very much and lives a rather solitary lifestyle away from work. So he’s not someone we ever see get emotional. On camera, or off it. To see this man we once hailed as “The Alpha Male of Our Species” tearing up and letting his emotions get to him makes me feel this retirement is 100% legit.

If it’s not… then perhaps we have all DRASTICALLY underestimated his acting abilities.

Between John Cena, AJ Styles, Brock Lesnar, and the knowledge that Randy Orton can’t be far behind, it’s been a pretty rough ride for long-time pro wrestling fans.

Though I’ve “hated” Brock for most of his career, now that it’s over, I’ve got two words for him…
Thank you.

COVER PHOTO CREDIT: ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jonathan Bachman