Brock Lesnar has officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, concluding a storied 23-year on-and-off career with WWE. The announcement, made on the Pat McAfee show, follows his recent defeat to Oba Femi in a grueling Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam Night 1, a loss Lesnar attributes to the physical toll of the sport at 49 years old.
Lesnar’s final chapter in WWE was defined by an intense trilogy against Oba Femi, known as the “Nigerian Nightmare Dumptruck.” Their rivalry began at WrestleMania 42, where Lesnar suffered his first loss to Femi. Following that defeat, Lesnar left his gloves and boots in the ring, a gesture widely interpreted by fans as a farewell. However, just a month later, “The Beast Incarnate” made a surprising return, attacking Femi and challenging him to a match at Clash in Italy, which Lesnar won.
This set the stage for their rubber match at SummerSlam, a brutal Hell in a Cell encounter that saw Femi emerge victorious. After the bout, Lesnar acknowledged the changing guard, referring to himself as the “past” and Femi as the “future” of WWE.
The physical toll and a new chapter
Reflecting on his final match, Lesnar was candid about the impact. “I spent the last two days in bed, I got run over by a Nigerian Nightmare Dumptruck on Saturday night, and it’s time,” Lesnar told the Pat McAfee show. He further elaborated on his decision, referencing his WrestleMania 42 encounter with Femi: “When Oba Femi slammed me at WrestleMania, I was like, I can’t do this again. I think I’m done. But Saturday for Brock Lesnar, that’s it. That’s it for me in the squared circle and for everything else too.”
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Lesnar’s career was not confined solely to professional wrestling. Sandwiched between his WWE stints, he spent four years competing in the UFC, where he also achieved significant success. His gratitude extended beyond WWE, acknowledging various organizations that shaped his journey.
“I’m 49, and I still want to be able to get around and move, but I’m grateful, very grateful,” Lesnar stated. “Oba was great, and the WWE Universe. I want to thank the promotion itself, TKO, Dana White, the UFC, the Minnesota Vikings, and the University of Minnesota.”
Life after the squared circle
With his professional wrestling career behind him, Lesnar is now looking forward to a different pace of life. He plans to dedicate more time to his family and his passions outside the ring.
“I’m just going to spend more time with the kids and in the woods, and just reap what I’ve sown. Just enjoy life,” he said. Lesnar also mentioned his two sons, who are involved in hockey, and his daughter, who has set her sights on the 2028 Olympics, indicating he will be a supportive presence in their athletic endeavors.
GiveMeSport reported on Lesnar’s retirement, which marks the end of an era for one of professional wrestling’s most dominant and polarizing figures.
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