Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura

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In 2005, Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura entered into a bitter real-life rivalry over who would be Antonio Inoki’s next big star, and more importantly, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

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Shinsuke Nakamura made his New Japan Pro Wrestling debut in 2002 after training in the New Japan LA Dojo under founder Antonio Inoki.

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Shooting to the top of the card and winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship only one year and four months after his debut (becoming the youngest ever IWGP champion at age 23).

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Lesnar, desperate to earn some money to pay for his legal fees, saw an opportunity to work with the Inokis in New Japan.

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Brock Lesnar: "I figured going to Japan would be a great experience. I’d pick up some excellent coin, eat some fresh sushi, have some good times with Brad, and deliver a great big ‘screw you’ to Vince."

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Brock Lesnar fought Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, in which Lesnar defeated Nakamura with his newly named finisher.

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Shinsuke Nakamura: "That was the first time I cried at pro wrestling after a match."

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Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura

Their Bitter Real-Life Battle

In 2005, Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura entered into a bitter real-life rivalry over who would be Antonio Inoki’s next big star, and more importantly, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Shinsuke Nakamura made his New Japan Pro Wrestling debut in 2002 after training in the New Japan LA Dojo under founder Antonio Inoki.

Shooting to the top of the card and winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship only one year and four months after his debut (becoming the youngest ever IWGP champion at age 23).

Lesnar, desperate to earn some money to pay for his legal fees, saw an opportunity to work with the Inokis in New Japan.

Brock Lesnar – The Beast in the East

Brock Lesnar: "I figured going to Japan would be a great experience. I’d pick up some excellent coin, eat some fresh sushi, have some good times with Brad, and deliver a great big ‘screw you’ to Vince."

Brock Lesnar fought Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, in which Lesnar defeated Nakamura with his newly named finisher.

Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura – The Showdown

Shinsuke Nakamura: "That was the first time I cried at pro wrestling after a match."

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