Brock Lesnar's book, 10 years on: 5 things we learned - Vince McMahon heat, why he envied Kane in WWE

#3 The reason for Brock Lesnar’s sword tattoo

Brock Lesnar’s first run with WWE did not end on good terms. Following his defeat against Goldberg at WrestleMania 20, he stuck his middle finger up to the camera as a sign of disrespect toward Vince McMahon.

The WWE Chairman allowed Lesnar to leave his company in 2004, ending their working relationship for the time being. But as part of the deal, it was agreed that The Next Big Thing would not be allowed to wrestle elsewhere for the next six years.

Lesnar evidently felt like WWE held a sword up against his throat, so he got a sword tattoo as a permanent reminder of that negative feeling.

“I felt like life was holding a sword right up against my throat, so I went under the ink gun because I never wanted to forget exactly how I felt at that time," said Lesnar. "The tattoo on my chest has so much meaning to me. In some ways, it’s funny, because the period of my life that I’m talking about is a time I so want to forget, but I know I can use this memory as motivation."

Despite this contract clause, Brock Lesnar appeared in New Japan Pro-Wrestling shortly after leaving WWE. This decision led to a legal battle between Lesnar and WWE, which was eventually resolved in 2006.