Jim Ross Reveals Interesting Facts Concerning WWE’s Initial Signing of Brock Lesnar

In a new article penned on FOXSports.com, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross reveals interesting facts concerning WWE’s initial signing of Brock Lesnar at the turn of the century. In 2000, WWE picked up Lesnar straight out of college, but there would be an ultimatum attached to his deal.

Ross explains the signing process of the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion,

“This yearlong, covert courtship culminated with Lesnar winning the NCAA heavyweight title in the spring of 2000. Coach Robinson kept his word and made the introduction to WWE’s ace recruiter and our No. 1 recruiting priority in 2000.

The only catch was that we needed to also recruit and offer Brock’s Minnesota teammate, Sheldon Benjamin, as well. Benjamin was an amazing athlete, and signing the South Carolina native was a blessing as he had a solid WWE career, arguably underutilized in the opinion of some. Plus, he made Brock’s transition from the amateurs to the pros much easier.

Robinson knew Brock could be a challenging athlete to manage, so having Benjamin in the same training camp was a major positive in the development of Lesnar.

We invited Brock and Sheldon to a WWE event in Minneapolis and as WWE chairman Vince McMahon was power walking to his customary “gorilla position,” the make-ready area for performers to congregate prior to making their entrance to the ring, McMahon noticed Brock standing with Brisco.

Lesnar provided McMahon the perfect answer by saying, “I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer.”

It was the first time that I can recall that Vince stopped dead in his tracks, made his way over to a recruit, introduced himself and asked Brock if he was ready to join the WWE.
Lesnar provided McMahon the perfect answer by saying, “I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer.”

McMahon could not have heard anything sweeter.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Brisco, who became a much-needed ally for Brock, I signed Lesnar to the biggest rookie contract in WWE history and will suggest that no one since has come close to what we paid the “Beast Incarnate” to join WWE.”

Ross also discusses the factors that make Lesnar a formidable “heel” in today’s WWE landscape, most notably his advocate, Paul Heyman. Ross gives Heyman a huge compliment, saying,

“Hmm … arguably the most valid point one can make on this matter is that Lesnar’s “advocate,” a modernized version of what used to be known as a “manager,” Paul Heyman, is a marvelous “heel” whose verbal skills are incomparable in today’s WWE.”

You can read the entire article here.

Editor’s Note:
I love Jim Ross. I loved Shelton Benjamin too. Definitely an under-utilized talent.