Brock Lesnar's return to WWE in 2012 was a mark-out moment. His mission: to 'legitimise' WWE and take down the company's biggest star in the process. Lesnar made his long-awaited return to wrestling on the night after WrestleMania 28. He made Cena - who had just lost the biggest match of his career to The Rock - his target. He'd hit Cena with an F5 as his first port of call, and eventually went on to make his in-ring return against him at Extreme Rules. The build was intense; Lesnar bloodied Cena on Raw in the weeks leading up to the event, and he'd do so again in the opening seconds of the match when it got under way. Brock's ground and pound style carried over from his days in UFC, and an elbow to the head saw Cena bleed early on. It was classic Lesnar, who went on to proudly wipe Cena's crimson across his chest. It was a mauling. And so refreshing to fans to see after a near decade of Super Cena. Or so it seemed. Cena brought his trademark 'Word Life' chain down to the ring for the night, and used it to knock Lesnar down with a huge punch to the head to send Lesnar reeling. An AA on the steel steps in the middle of the ring got him the win. It may not have been the right call at the time to see Cena go over, but this was the first breath of fresh air Lesnar would give to WWE after returning. He's even better now than he was then.
Football writer (predominantly) with work previously published by Mail Online, Manchester Evening News, Daily Mirror, USA Today and Chelsea FC. Regular contributor for Huffington Post, who holds tempestuous relationships with WWE and FIFA 15.
