What’s the story?
Former WWE Superstar Heidenreich recently spoke to Hannibal TV about working with Brock Lesnar; he also discussed his backstage experiences with The Beast Incarnate.
In case you didn’t know...
Jon Heidenreich, better known simply as Heidenreich, performed for the WWE from 2003-06, and is best remembered for his feud with the Undertaker.
The 6’8” 300+ pound athlete also worked several matches in WWE’s developmental territory OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling where he performed alongside notable WWE stars with the most prominent among them being Brock Lesnar.
The heart of the matter:
Heidenreich praised Lesnar’s athleticism and wrestling prowess, calling him a more genetically-gifted version of John Cena. Here are a few excerpts from his statements:
"I worked with him one time, I always tell this story, he gave me a belly-to-back suplex which I've taken before. But I've never had anyone just pick me up and like hold me. It felt like a rollercoaster, you know when you're at the top and it's like click click click click click, he hooked me and went up and it was like slow motion.”
“That's how strong he was. I was like 'Oh god I feel like I'm about to break my neck and my back.' And it was the perfect bump because he laid me out flat. But I had never been picked up like that, being a big guy. He's a freak, like (John) Cena in his own way, but even bigger and more genetically gifted. He's a monster."
Furthermore, when probed about his backstage camaraderie with Lesnar, Heidenreich asserted that the two of them weren’t particularly close because of their different upbringings.
The 44-year old former WWE tag-team champion also revealed that Lesnar was the alpha male during their time in OVW and noted that despite being the leader of the locker room, Brock wasn’t rude or mean to anyone
Also read: Ranking Brock Lesnar’s 5 WrestleMania matches since his return
What’s next?
Jon Heidenreich is one of the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the WWE, joining several other ex-WWE performers in their crusade against the company’s alleged concealment of potential brain injuries and long-term health issues from its performers. He retired from the sport back in 2009.
Author’s take
Heidenreich had a brief run with the cream-of-the-crop in WWE, however, he slowly faded and departed from the company in 2006; he would go on to bid adieu to the ring in ’09. His involvement in the class action lawsuit against the WWE notwithstanding, fans will always remember him for his psychopath gimmick that saw him recite his ‘Disasterpieces’.
As for him being outwrestled by Brock, well, when you take on the Beast, you’d better believe- You’re going to Suplex City!!!
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