The status of Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE remains uncertain, leaving both the company and his legion of fans eager for his comeback.
As a mainstay of WWE programming over the past decade, Lesnar has been a central figure in numerous headline-grabbing storylines on the grandest stages of sports entertainment.
Reflecting on the wrestling landscape of 2002, a pivotal year for the industry, it’s impossible to overlook the impact of the Ohio Valley Wrestling’s class of 2002.
Among the standout names of that era were Brock Lesnar, Batista, John Cena, and Randy Orton. However, in a surprising revelation, Jim Ross recently hailed Shelton Benjamin as the most exceptional athlete among them.
Benjamin’s journey paralleled those of his contemporaries, yet his trajectory didn’t ascend to the same heights. Notably, he shared the ring with Lesnar as his tag team partner in OVW.
Speaking on his podcast Grillin’ JR, Jim Ross lauded Benjamin for his athleticism, team spirit, and invaluable contributions to the industry:
“I’m a big fan of Shelton Benjamin. When we recruited Cena [John Cena], Brock [Brock Lesnar], Orton [Randy Orton], and Batista, the best athlete of that group was Shelton,”
Ross remarked, highlighting Benjamin’s prowess.
“Shelton’s issue was personality, connecting with the audience. I love Shelton. A company guy, a team player, he came from a team environment, which is always important to me. I’m a big fan of his work and him as a man.”
Ross continued, envisioning Benjamin’s potential as a mentor to budding talents across all demographics, underscoring his positive impact on the wrestling community.
While Benjamin explores opportunities beyond WWE, including the possibility of joining AEW, his return to the independent circuit signals a new chapter in his storied career.
Scheduled to debut for Prestige Wrestling on May 16, Benjamin’s presence promises to invigorate the independent scene with his veteran expertise.
Meanwhile, WWE stalwart Randy Orton remains a beacon of longevity in the industry, recently expressing his intent to continue wrestling for another decade.
As WrestleMania XL approaches, Orton is poised to challenge United States Champion Logan Paul in a highly anticipated triple threat match, also featuring Kevin Owens.
As the wrestling landscape continues to evolve, the legacies of icons like Lesnar, Benjamin, and Orton endure, leaving fans captivated by the ongoing narrative of sports entertainment.
