UFC legend praises top WWE star for challenging Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam

Former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar has delivered memorable performances at the SummerSlam Premium Live Event during his decorated career. The Beast Incarnate captured his maiden WWE Title at The Biggest Party of The Summer in 2002.

But arguably his most notable performance at SummerSlam came in 2013 when The Beast stepped into the ring to lock horns with CM Punk. The two Paul Heyman Guys waged war in a visual that echoed a comic book aesthetic. Lesnar eventually pinned Punk to emerge victorious. Recently, UFC's Daniel Cormier cited this bout as his favorite in pro wrestling.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated's Justin Barrasso, Daniel Cormier recalled the 25-minute No Disqualification Match between The Beast and The Best in The World from SummerSlam 2013. He praised CM Punk for giving Lesnar a worthy challenge and making the program ''feel important!'' Daniel further added that Punk and Lesnar ''made magic'' inside the ring.

"When it feels important, you get the very best Brock Lesnar, and CM Punk made that program feel very important. Brock likes to be challenged, and he loves to put on a show when it feels important. Punk was exceptional in that program and in that match. When they were in the ring together, they made magic. Punk is such a great entertainer that he was even able to elevate one of the greats in Brock," he said. [H/T: SI.com]

Cormier added that The Beast and The Straight Edge Superstar had great chemistry and mutual respect for one another.

"The chemistry was great. The respect was there. And it felt important. That’s a recipe for success," he added.

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Daniel Cormier also praised Paul Heyman for his involvement in this WWE rivalry

During the same conversation, the current UFC commentator also heaped high praise on legendary manager and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman for his stellar work during the feud between CM Punk and Brock Lesnar.

Cormier praised Heyman's commitment to the business, highlighting the latter's contributions to The Bloodline story. Notably, the former SmackDown General Manager was kicked out of the heel faction by Solo Sikoa and the new members of The Bloodline 2.0 after the former Wiseman refused to acknowledge The Street Champ as his Tribal Chief.

"And I can’t stress this enough. Paul Heyman, he’s the best. That match was 11 years ago, and he’s more important now than ever. He’s so committed to this business. He adds so much to everything he does–look what he just did for the new Bloodline. I look at them completely differently because of Heyman. There is nobody in pro wrestling like Paul Heyman. He’s just on a different level," he added. [H/T: SI.com]

Lesnar's final WWE appearance was at SummerSlam 2023, where he lost to Cody Rhodes. Meanwhile, CM Punk will compete in his first singles match on WWE TV since 2014 at this year's Biggest Party of The Summer.