WWE star Brock Lesnar has officially retired from professional wrestling, announcing his decision on Tuesday during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." This announcement comes after his loss to Oba Femi in a Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam on Saturday in Minneapolis.
"I’m here today to do this interview to let the world and everybody know that I am retired, and I wanted to say a big thank you to everybody. Saturday was a very emotional day for me," the 49-year-old Lesnar stated. "Saturday for Brock Lesnar, that’s it. That’s it for me in the squared circle and for everything else too."
Lesnar's WWE career, which began in 2002, included 10 world championships, two Royal Rumble victories, and a King of the Ring win. He also famously ended The Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak in 2014.
Lesnar initially appeared to signal his retirement at WrestleMania 42 after his match against Femi, but returned to the ring a month later. "I spent the last two days in bed," Lesnar told McAfee. "I got run over by a Nigerian Nightmare dump truck Saturday night. It’s time. I’m 49, and I still wanna be able to get around and move."
Before his extensive WWE career, Lesnar excelled in collegiate wrestling, winning the NCAA Division I heavyweight title in 2000. He briefly pursued a career in the NFL, participating in a preseason game with the Minnesota Vikings in 2004 as a defensive lineman, though he did not make the team.
Following his initial WWE tenure and NFL attempt, Lesnar competed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, capturing the IWGP Heavyweight championship. He later transitioned to mixed martial arts, competing in the UFC in the late 2000s and early 2010s, where he won the UFC heavyweight championship and successfully defended it twice.
Lesnar returned to WWE in 2012 and remained a prominent figure. His later career was touched by controversy, including his alleged involvement in a lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant. Grant's lawsuit against former WWE head Vince McMahon included allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault, and claimed McMahon offered Lesnar sexual encounters with Grant to entice Lesnar to re-sign with WWE. Lesnar was not charged or sued directly in the matter. The lawsuit against McMahon was voluntarily dismissed in July and is set for private arbitration.
Lesnar, who is married to former WWE star Sable and has three children, expressed gratitude for his career and fans. "I was just a farm kid with a big dream and big heart and a big-ass chip on my shoulder. I’m just grateful," he said.