The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 11

Brock Lesnar (August 25, 2002 - November 17, 2002)

Brock Lesnar: Became the youngest WWE Champion in history

Brock Lesnar was 25 years old when he marched into SummerSlam 2002 as the challenger to The Rock's Undisputed Title.

Lesnar had been on a tear since he debuted in WWE five months earlier, decimating former World Champions such as Booker T, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan, most notably as he shot to the top of the card in record time.

He became the youngest WWE Champion in WWE history when he pinned The Rock in the SummerSlam headliner in his finest performance to date.

Lesnar then signed an exclusive contract with SmackDown, making the Undisputed Championship a single brand title. Therefore, Raw created the World Heavyweight Championship, and the Undisputed Title was no more. It was re-named the WWE Championship.

Lesnar was next moved into a feud with The Undertaker with whom he clashed in the main event of Unforgiven.

'Taker had originally been booked to drop the WWE Championship to Lesnar at SummerSlam but had refused.

Therefore, The Rock had been inserted into the title picture instead and ended 'Takers's reign specifically so he could drop the belt to Lesnar.

Two months later and the American Bad Ass's opinion had not changed and he was still reluctant to put the youngster over. This led to a deeply dissatisfying end to the Unforgiven bout, which ended in a Double Disqualification after both men attacked the referee.

In another blow to Lesnar, Undertaker hurled him through the stage after the decision to further demonstrate his superiority. However, 'Taker had a change of heart at No Mercy on October 20, 2002 and put Lesnar over in a big, big way.

The Deadman and Lesnar contested a bloody and dramatic brawl in which Lesnar caused 'Taker to bleed like a faucet from his forehead. Lesnar eventually retained after an F-5.

Lesnar, who had felt dissed by 'Taker at Unforgiven no sold the beating he had suffered in the match and climbed onto the cell roof in seconds to celebrate as the Deadman looked up, visibly annoyed.

Lesnar had had the last laugh.

Surprisingly, Lesnar's reign only lasted another month. However, dropping the title was designed to turn Lesnar face. WWE saw him as the next superstar babyface to follow in the footsteps of Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold and The Rock.

In order to turn face, he had to split with his manager, the reviled Paul Heyman. That turn took place at Survivor Series in Lesnar's shock title loss to Big Show.