5 Real-life Brock Lesnar stories we learned in 2021

#1 Brock Lesnar asked Jim Ross to call him up to WWE's main roster in 2002

As Paul Heyman often says in media interviews: Brock Lesnar gets what Brock Lesnar wants.

Back in 2002, The Next Big Thing was unhappy with his role in WWE’s Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) developmental system. He knew he could succeed on Vince McMahon’s main roster and wanted to receive his call-up to RAW and SmackDown earlier than planned.

Jim Ross, WWE’s former Head of Talent Relations, spoke about Lesnar’s early days with the company on his Grilling JR podcast. The legendary announcer recalled how he allowed the rookie to attend television tapings in the weeks leading up to his debut:

“Lesnar had no background in pro wrestling. He wasn’t a fan, he didn’t watch it on TV. He didn’t know how cyclical it can be and how that manifests itself. He wanted to get called up much earlier than we called him up, so I compromised with him and brought him to TVs [television tapings],” said Jim Ross.

Lesnar made his first main-roster appearance on the post-WrestleMania 18 episode of RAW in March 2002. He attacked Al Snow and Maven before hitting Spike Dudley with three powerbombs.

Just five months later, Paul Heyman’s then-client defeated The Rock in the main event of SummerSlam 2002 to win the Undisputed Championship.