Since his return, Brock Lesnar has consistently served as a force for WWE. He has held numerous WWE Championship reigns, headlined WrestleMania events, had interesting feuds with the likes of Goldberg, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, and most notably, ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. So it’s been a fruitful run for the once dubbed “Next Big Thing.”
Lesnar also faced off with John Cena during this time. At SummerSlam 2014, the 16-time world champion famously took a laundry list of German suplexes from Lesnar while losing the WWE Championship. They also faced off again after the Beast Incarnate’s return to the company in 2012.
In a WWE YouTube video, Cena reflected on his matches with Lesnar, saying he always had to fight for his life. He also praised the former UFC star as not just underrated, but one of the best to ever step into the ring (h/t Fightful for transcription).
Every one of those [elbows] are pretty decent hits [laughs]. Brock is one of a kind, he truly is. I love watching him. I always tell you that I watch the people. It’s really difficult to ignore Brock. You’re in a fight for your life, but he’s also the most giving, gracious performer. He gives it all, and there’s no way for you to question his legitimacy. There’s a ringside sign that says ‘legitimacy has returned.’ That says it all when it comes to him. I love Brock. As a performer, he’s extremely underrated, even though he’s in that conversation of the greatest of all time. I love him as a human being. He is wholeheartedly himself, and he shoots you straight. At least you know where you stand with him at all times, and I really admire that about him. He’s been wonderful to me over the years. Another person that we kind of matriculated together, and we both have our different paths to success, and we’re both rooting for each other constantly.
Despite Lesnar’s stepping away for MMA and other activities and being a part-time performer, he typically doesn’t receive such positive praise. However, Cena clearly sees and respects Lesnar’s talent, and there’s seemingly a mutual admiration between the two, who both began their careers in WWE at a similar time.