Brock Lesnar appears to have retired from the ring after losing to Oba Fema at WrestleMania 42.
The Beast Incarnate laid his gloves and boots in the ring after losing by pinfall in the opening match of night two.
Stunned fans at the Allegiant Stadium chanted “Thank you Brock” as he stripped his gear off and sat in the ring looking emotional, a move long recognized in wrestling as a sign of retirement.
He then shared a lingering embrace with long-time associate Paul Heyman.
Intense speculation had previously suggested he would call a day on his glittering career at SummerSlam, which takes place in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
But he appears to have hung up his boots now after putting over Oba Femi, who was dubbed by commentator Michael Cole as “the next big thing,” a nickname Brock once had when he first emerged as a star.
The WWE’s X account appeared to add fuel to the fire that his career was over, by posting: “Brock Lesnar leaves his gear in the ring. What’s next for The Beast?”
The veteran burst onto the scene in 2002 and quickly became one of the youngest WWE Champions ever.
Known as “The Beast Incarnate,” he built a reputation for overwhelming opponents with raw strength and explosive athleticism and was one of the most believable fighters in the ring.
He he became a multi-time world champion and headlined numerous WrestleMania events, delivering mammoth matches against top stars such as Kurt Angle, The Undertaker, Roman Reigns, John Cena, and Cody Rhodes.
He was a World Champion in the WWE and the UFC and famously broke the Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak when he returned to the squared circle.
Outside the ring, he is married to Sable, who starred in the WWE between 1996 and 2004, and was one of the most popular stars during the company’s ‘Attitude Era’.
She was featured on the cover of Playboy three times, including one of the highest selling issues in the magazine’s history. The pair married in 2006 and have two kids together.
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