The wrestling world is abuzz today with the news that Brock Lesnar, widely considered to be an indomitable WWE World Heavyweight Champion, was dethroned Thursday night at a non-televised WWE event in Kansas, losing to Kofi Kingston.
In front of 2,400 fans in a dimly lit arena in Wichita, Lesnar’s reign as champion came to an abrupt end after Kingston hit him with his signature “Trouble in Paradise” finisher shortly after the seven-minute mark of the bout.
Kingston’s upset victory proved the old adage that “anything can happen in the WWE,” and demonstrated that important developments can unfold at non-televised “house shows” (like the time Iron Mike Sharpe scored a surprise victory against Terry Taylor in 1989).
Fans who witnessed the match reported that Lesnar looked “tired,” presumably from his endless string of house-show title defences — a gruelling schedule that has given Lesnar the reputation as WWE’s “fightingest champion of all time.”
Immediately following the pinfall, a dejected Lesnar emitted his trademark pterodactyl shriek, but eventually regained his composure and gave Kingston a congratulatory hug.
“Of course I’m disappointed,” Lesnar said after the match, “but it’s not whether you win or lose, as they say, but how you play the game. I just hope the fans were entertained.”
Lesnar said he will now take some much-needed time away from the ring to pursue his other passion, quilting.
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