Brock Lesnar says the wrestling business is much different now than when he started. The former NCAA wrestling star and longtime WWE mainstay called the industry “softer” and said the old ways of paying dues are gone. He made the comments while talking about his career and his upcoming WrestleMania 42 match with Oba Femi.
From Ohio Valley Wrestling to the WWE main roster
Lesnar began his pro career in Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2000 after a strong amateur run at the University of Minnesota. He moved up to WWE’s main roster in 2002. At that time, big names such as The Undertaker, Big Show, Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero were top stars.
Lesnar said he came in as an amateur and a shooter who had to prove himself to veteran wrestlers. He described a tougher locker-room culture where new wrestlers had to “pay their dues” and earn respect.
Road to WrestleMania 42
Lesnar and his long-time on-screen advocate Paul Heyman issued an open challenge on WWE Raw for WrestleMania 42. In the weeks that followed, former NXT Champion Oba Femi answered that challenge. Earlier, Lesnar eliminated Femi from the Royal Rumble, teasing a bigger showdown between the two.
On a later episode of Raw, Femi landed a big Fall From Grace powerbomb on Lesnar. After the move, Lesnar put his foot on Femi’s chest and pointed at the WrestleMania sign. WWE later confirmed the match for WrestleMania 42.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Brock Lesnar | Eliminated Oba Femi from the Royal Rumble |
| Oba Femi | Answered Lesnar’s open challenge; hit Lesnar with a Fall From Grace on Raw |
What Lesnar said about wrestling today
On the podcast Spittin’ Chiclets, Lesnar explained how things changed since his debut. He said, “I was a shooter, an amateur guy. I had a lot of credentials to my name. Of course, I got tested along the way by the old-timers. You have to pay your dues. Back then, you paid your dues and you had to earn your respect. It’s different now, obviously. Things have gotten a lot softer. There isn’t no more kangaroo courts. So, it’s different now. I go there, I’m the old guy, now.” (Quote from Spittin’ Chiclets; h/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.)
Lesnar’s comments underline a larger debate in pro wrestling about how younger talent is introduced and treated. He framed himself as part of an older generation that relied on tests and lessons handed down by veterans.
What to watch
The focus now turns to WrestleMania 42, where Lesnar and Femi will meet. Their recent interactions — the Royal Rumble elimination, the Raw powerbomb and the open challenge — have built a clear personal rivalry. Fans will want to see whether Lesnar’s experience or Femi’s momentum will win the night.
Sources: Comments made on Spittin’ Chiclets; match developments confirmed on WWE programming (h/t Wrestling Inc.).
