If ever there was a wrestler who had the world at his feet, it’s Brock Lesnar. The WWE’s “Beast Incarnate” has earned the respect and admiration of wrestling fans worldwide. Lesnar exploded onto Raw in 2002 and tore through his opponents from there. Guided by Paul Heyman, he won the King of the Ring and, after defeating The Rock, became the youngest WWE champion in history at that time.

SummerSlam 2012, which featured a big match between Lesnar and Triple H, is thought to have attracted 350,000 pay-per-view (PPV) buys. This matchup was one of the main reasons. Despite his success in the WWE, it’s thought Lesnar was still trying to see which sport suited him best when he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2008. He was also looking to make his name as a competitor. Below is a look at the crossover and how the WWE, the media and the wrestling world reacted to it, at Brock’s UFC career and at his future with the WWE.

Reluctant to let go of their superstar

When the Beast Incarnate returned to the WWE for SummerSlam 2012, however, the organization had welcomed him back and tried to capitalize on his time in the UFC. They allowed him to wear fight-style shorts and MMA gloves, hoping Brock could attract UFC fans to the WWE.

UFC CEO Dana White is reported as having explained that although the WWE let Lesnar fight in the UFC in 2016, they had no wish to let him do it again while he was under contract with the wrestling organization. That time he’d fought Mark Hunt at UFC 200 and won. On social media, wrestlers and mixed martial artists (MMAs) were excited to see Lesnar step into the UFC for the one-off bout with the New Zealand heavyweight, famous in MMA for his walk-off knockout.

Fighting in the UFC

Lesnar might have taken some vicious beatings during the nine times he stepped into the Octagon, but he also chalked up four wins. Standing at 6’3” and weighing at 265 lbs but moving with the speed and agility of a fighter from a much lighter division, the Minneapolis man cut a gulp-inducing figure in the heavyweight division. If you were into UFC betting, you’d have fancied him for the win.

Lesnar was extremely convincing in his second UFC bout, in August 2008. He dominated his way to a unanimous decision against Heath Herring in his favor.

But it was against “The Natural” Randy Couture that Lesnar would have his moment in the sun. Fighting for the heavyweight title in November 2008, Lesnar managed to keep the fight a mainly standup affair, avoiding the hall of famer’s attempted takedowns and landing some heavy shots of his own before demolishing Couture with brutal ground and pound. The referee had to intervene, stopping the fight and seeing Lesnar become the new heavyweight champion of the world.

Lesnar’s first title defense was against Frank Mir, in July 2009. In February 2008, Mir had made Lesnar’s debut a miserable one by submitting him in the first round. This time, the champion was much more patient and held Mir down on the ground much of the match, smothering with his weight and ramming his hard, heavy fists into Mir’s face at every opportunity. The ref stopped the fight in the second round, sparing Mir any further punishment and allowing Lesnar his revenge.

Lesnar successfully defended his title again in July 2010 against Shane Carwin, a daunting prospect who was undefeated and had 12 wins under his belt, either by knockout or submission. Lesnar survived a first-round onslaught by Carwin and, sensing he might be tired, took advantage of Carwin’s suspected weariness to take him down, submit him with an arm-triangle choke and claim his second title defense.

In December 2011, a loss to Dutchman Alastair Overeem would prompt Lesnar’s retirement from MMA. Several months afterwards, fans were still talking about the WWE star’s battles in the ring. His personality and popularity meant he brought a legion of wrestling fans along with him, loyal to a fault and cheering him on whatever combat sport he went into.

Returning to the WWE

There is talk of Lesnar returning to the WWE. However, some legal issues are delaying the return of the grappler who had captured the attention and admiration of fans in the MMA world.

A good reason to return to the WWE would be to take up an old rivalry. Wrestling star GUNTHER has expressed his wish to get down to business in the ring with Lesnar once he returns.

Brock Lesnar, wherever he has gone, has made his mark. He’s been a champion in the WWE and the UFC and has a legion of fans in both. It seems he’s returning to his old stomping ground of the WWE, where a feud is likely to be waiting for him to start when he arrives. Fans can’t wait!