When a 6’6″ WWE Hall of Famer gets manhandled like a lightweight, you know you’re dealing with something special. John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield recently shared a fascinating story about discovering just how freakishly strong Brock Lesnar was during The Beast’s early WWE days, and it’s a tale that perfectly captures why Lesnar became such a dominant force in sports entertainment.
The West Texas Revelation
During his appearance on “Something to Wrestle,” JBL painted a vivid picture of working house show loops with the rookie Lesnar. This wasn’t just another training session – it was a moment that would cement JBL’s understanding of what made Lesnar truly different from every other powerhouse he’d faced.
The conversation started simply enough, with Lesnar proposing to execute a belly-to-belly suplex on the veteran wrestler. Given JBL’s imposing frame and experience, his concerns were completely reasonable.
A Suplex That Changed Everything
What happened next became the stuff of wrestling legend. JBL’s account reveals both his initial skepticism and Lesnar’s matter-of-fact confidence:
“Brock was just, god, different level. He told me one time, we’re out in West Texas, and he just got in the company, we’re working the house show loop, me and him, singles matches. And he goes, ‘I’m gonna give you a belly to belly.’ And I said, ‘Okay.’ And I said, ‘Brock, I said, I know you’re strong enough, but I’m 6’6″, I’ve been thrown on my head a couple times, you sure you’re good throwing me straight over?’ And he goes, ‘John, I’ve been suplexing guys since I was 5 years old.'”
Lesnar’s response showcased the kind of supreme confidence that would define his entire career. His casual reference to decades of amateur wrestling experience wasn’t boasting – it was simply stating facts.
Three Times the Shock
The execution exceeded even JBL’s wildest expectations. The former WWE Champion didn’t just get impressed once – he demanded an encore performance that turned into a trilogy of dominance:
“So, go out there, and he grabs me and threw me like I was a child. And I got up, I go, ‘Do that again.’ And he grabbed me and he threw me again.’ I got up and said, ‘Do it again.’ And he grabbed me, same thing just three times. He just launched me. And I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. This guy is a freak.’ Yeah, Brock was unbelievable.”
The repetition wasn’t about punishment – it was about JBL needing to process what he’d just experienced. Having a man of his size “launched” repeatedly created an undeniable impression of Lesnar’s otherworldly abilities.
Elite Company of Powerhouses
JBL’s revelation came during a broader discussion about the strongest competitors he’d faced throughout his career. The conversation included WWE legends Mark Henry and Big Show (Paul Wight), putting Lesnar’s feat in proper context among wrestling’s most powerful performers.
This wasn’t a rookie getting lucky against a veteran – it was a generational talent announcing his arrival in the most convincing way possible. Henry’s “World’s Strongest Man” credentials and Big Show’s massive frame represent the gold standard of WWE power, making Lesnar’s inclusion in this conversation even more significant.
The Making of a Beast
These house show encounters between JBL and Lesnar represent more than just training sessions – they were the forging of a future main event star. JBL’s willingness to put over the newcomer’s abilities helped establish the foundation for Lesnar’s rapid ascent to championship status.
The story also highlights how wrestling veterans recognize and nurture exceptional talent when they encounter it. JBL’s amazement wasn’t just professional courtesy – it was genuine recognition of something special.
Looking back at this West Texas encounter, it’s clear that JBL witnessed the early stages of what would become one of WWE’s most dominant careers. The question remains: how many other wrestling legends have similar untold stories about recognizing greatness before the rest of the world caught on?
