Brock Lesnar: Power Ranking His Best WWE Matches of All Time

Before Brock Lesnar became the most must-see champion in UFC, he became "The Next Big Thing" in the WWE.

His meteoric rise to the top of pro wrestling made him an instant hit among fans, because of both his intimidating physical appearance and his stellar in-ring skills.

And quite simply, it was a treat to watch Lesnar in the ring, even though he wasn't with the company very long. 

His amateur wrestling skills shined as he wowed the live crowd, the announcers, the viewing audience at home and even the guys he wrestled against.

So to celebrate Lesnar's great WWE career, let's take a look at his top 10 matches of all-time.

10. Royal Rumble 2003: The 30-Man Royal Rumble Match

In the 2003 Royal Rumble, 28 participants had already entered the match before Lesnar made his way to the ring and began clearing house.

He eliminated Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin and Matt Hardy before it came down to The Undertaker and Lesnar as the final two participants.

Yes, The Deadman vs. The Next Big Thing. The dream matchup.

But this didn't last very long, as a just-eliminated Batista distracted Undertaker and allowed Lesnar to toss him over the ropes for the win.

Lesnar's Royal Rumble victory would lead to a historic WrestleMania matchup against Kurt Angle.

9. Smackdown (6/12/03): Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show for the WWE Championship

Brock Lesnar and The Big Show put on a ton of good matches together over the course of their feuds.

This one definitely wasn't the best of the bunch in terms of wrestling quality.

But the most memorable? You better believe it.

Watch the video above and you'll see why.

8. Smackdown (8/8/02): Brock Lesnar vs. Hulk Hogan

Someone please explain to me why this wasn't on PPV, because I really have no idea.

Anyway, this epic clash between Brock Lesnar and Hulk Hogan featured two opposite ends of the wrestling spectrum.

It was the seasoned vet vs. the young upstart, the legend vs. the legend-in-the-making.

And it delivered.

Though Hogan was never the greatest in-ring competitor, the anticipation and excitement surrounding this match was nearly unparalleled and made the bout ridiculously entertaining.

The crowd ate this match up, and any match with an electric atmosphere is much more enjoyable. 

7. Judgment Day 2003: Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show in Stretcher Match for WWE Title

I don't know what it is about these two, but for some reason, Brock Lesnar and The Big Show always clicked in the ring.

And that was true at Judgment Day 2003, when the two behemoths put on an extraordinary showing in a Stretcher Match for the WWE Championship.

Though I'm usually not a big fan of gimmick matches like this one, Lesnar and Big Show tore the house down in the main event.

I could have done without the interference from Rey Mysterio as well, but hey, the match was still a sight to see, as Lesnar retained his title in a spectacular 16-minute bout. 

6. Vengeance 2003: Lesnar vs. Big Show vs. Angle for WWE Championship

What do you get when you combine two guys who can actually wrestle and the greatest big man in WWE history?

One hell of a wrestling match.

And this amazing bout finished with a finisher-fest.

The Big Show hit a double choke slam on Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle and Angle put the ankle lock on Big Show (which Show broke). Then, in an unbelievable display of strength, Angle hit the Olympic Slam on Big Show, then again on Lesnar.

Angle then pinned Lesnar to win the WWE Championship.

Unreal.

5. SummerSlam 2002: Brock Lesnar vs. the Rock for Undisputed WWE Championship

It doesn't get much bigger than this.

The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar headlined what I consider the greatest SummerSlam PPV ever with their match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The Rock, already a superstar, helped turn Lesnar into one too, as the crowd eventually began booing "The People's Champ" and cheering for "The Next Big Thing" as the match wore on.

Though the bout lasted less than 15 minutes, it was the culmination of Lesnar's lightning quick rise to the top of the WWE, as his victory—a clean one, I might add—made him the youngest WWE Champion in history.

And that mark still stands today. 

4. No Way Out 2004: Brock Lesnar vs. Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship

A true example of a David vs. Goliath story, Brock Lesnar lost his WWE Championship to Eddie Guerrero in a match that would make fans of incredible in-ring action drool.

Though this match lost a little of its luster thanks to interference by Goldberg, there weren't other major hiccups in this bout.

Lesnar and Guerrero showed why today's WWE fans love to live in the past.

We miss matches like this, when two guys go balls to the wall and keep fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

3. Smackdown (9/8/04): Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle: Iron Man Match for WWE Title

Two men. 60 minutes. The WWE Championship on the line. On free TV.

Not putting this match on pay-per-view may have been a huge mistake on the WWE's part, but having the match definitely wasn't.

Arguably the two greatest pure wrestlers of all-time, Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar battled for one hour in what proved to be a downright amazing match.

After Lesnar jumped out to a 5-2 lead, Angle scored two quick pins to close the gap to 5-4 with the clock winding down.

Angle then locked in his patented ankle lock, and it appeared that Lesnar would tap out just before time expired.

However, he gutted it out and wound up winning the match and his third WWE Championship.

2. No Mercy 2002: Brock Lesnar vs. the Undertaker in HIAC Match for WWE Title

Before the recent chatter of Brock Lesnar facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27, these two wrestling greats actually did meet in the ring.

And put on a classic in the process.

For 27 grueling minutes, Lesnar and Taker battled back and forth inside the ominous structure known as Hell in a Cell before Lesnar got the win.

This epic encounter is considered by many to be one of the best HIAC matches in WWE history.

1. Wrestlemania XIX: Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship

In terms of wrestling quality, it doesn't get any better than this.

On one side, you have Brock Lesnar, a two-time All-American and the 2000 NCAA Heavyweight Champion.

On the other, you have Kurt Angle, a two-time NCAA Champion and the 1996 Olympic Gold medalist.

Of course, we all remember this match for Lesnar's famously botched Shooting Star Press.

But that very noticeable screw-up may have made this stellar match even more unforgettable.