On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, WWE legend Brock Lesnar was inducted into the University of Minnesota’s M Club Hall of Fame following his professional wrestling retirement at SummerSlam.
The “Beast Incarnate” was one of 10 inductees into the Hall of Fame. He wore glasses and a suit to the induction event, a far cry from his MMA gloves and shorts from his WWE days.
WWE legend Brock Lesnar was inducted into the University of Minnesota’s M Club Hall of Fame for his achievements as a two-time All-American and NCAA heavyweight champion. pic.twitter.com/fDUXtsd2so
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) October 3, 2026
Fellow former WWE Superstar and Lesnar's college roommate, Shelton Benjamin, was at the festivities to celebrate his friend. He posed for a picture with the “Beast” and his family.
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Born in South Dakota, Lesnar attended Bismarck State College before transferring to the University of Minnesota on a wrestling scholarship. He was a decorated wrestler, winning the 2000 NCAA Division I heavyweight championship a year after finishing as the runner-up. Lesnar went 106-5 in his collegiate career.
Brock Lesnar's days at the University of Minnesota propelled his WWE career
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After his collegiate amateur wrestling days, Lesnar transitioned to professional wrestling. He joined WWE's former developmental program, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), in 2000.
In March 2002, he made his main roster debut. Almost immediately, the “Beast Incarnate” was treated as the “Next Big Thing” and won a world championship five months into his main roster career. He beat The Rock at SummerSlam 2002 to win his first of 10 world championships.
He left WWE in 2004, wrestling in other promotions like New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) before trying his hand at professional football and MMA. Lesnar became a decorated UFC fighter before rejoining WWE in 2012.
His return marked a shift in his persona. Lesnar began infusing more MMA moves in his arsenal and wearing MMA gloves to the ring.
Lesnar retired from WWE at SummerSlam 2026 after losing to Oba Femi in a “Hell in a Cell” match. Their feud had been going on for months, and the “Ruler” finally slayed the “Beast Incarnate” for the final time at SummerSlam.