5 surprising WWE WrestleMania facts

#2 Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle was the first WWE WrestleMania main event to feature superstars using their real names

Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle in the main event of WrestleMania XIX to win the WWE Championship

WWE WrestleMania XIX saw a tremendous main event for the WWE Championship. Brock Lesnar, in his WrestleMania debut match, defeated Kurt Angle to capture the WWE Championship.

However, an interesting fact about this match is that it was the first WrestleMania main event to feature two WWE Superstars using their real names.

Historically, performers in the world of professional wrestling do not use their real names for their in-ring personas. Character names, gimmicks, nicknames etc. are created to present a wrestler as larger than life, more entertaining to the audience and easier to market for merchandising opportunities.

However, professional wrestlers such as Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar were both well known before becoming WWE Superstars. Kurt Angle was a former Olympic Gold Medalist, winning gold at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. While Brock Lesnar was also well known for his extensive amateur wrestling success, becoming a 2-time NCAA Division I Heavyweight Wrestling champion.

Therefore, with superstars who have legitimate credible sporting backgrounds, it makes sense to capitalize on their initial fame and continue with their real name for their WWE on-screen persona.