WWE Star Adam Pearce recalls how a startling attack by Brock Lesnar resulted in a humiliating wardrobe malfunction.
Few moments in the thrilling history of the WWE are as memorable as the one when the beast incarnate, Brock Lesnar, transformed SmackDown into his own playground and caused mayhem and a wardrobe malfunction in the process. On October 22, 2021, during a heated segment that had fans buzzing and one WWE official’s pants in shreds, the legendary incident took place.
Everything was in place for a high-stakes match. Famous for his brutality and unwavering strength, Lesnar was involved in a rivalry with the WWE Universal Champion. As SmackDown’s October 22 show progressed, emotions reached a breaking point. Lesnar lost control of his rage and attacked officials, referees, and a camera operator. Adam Pearce, a former WWE employee and current General Manager of Raw, had to intervene because the rampage was so severe.
Assigned the duty of reestablishing order, Pearce fearlessly faced Lesnar only to be the target of the beast’s fury. Lesnar grabbed Pearce by the collar as the fans exploded into shouts of “Suplex City,” his mere presence sending shockwaves through the arena. Remaining calm, Pearce told Lesnar that his conduct earned him an indefinite suspension. However, this just made Lesnar more enraged.
One of the most dangerous moves in WWE history, the F5, was unleashed when Lesnar threw Pearce into the turnbuckle in a move that has since become legendary. Enthralled by the intense intensity of the moment, the throng cried out for more. Never one to let everyone down, Lesnar obliged with another F5, sending Pearce flying to the mat once more. However, in the middle of the mayhem and the clamor of the audience, Pearce’s pants tore, causing a wardrobe malfunction that abruptly heightened the tension in the already intense scenario.
In a candid interview with Chris Van Vliet, Adam Pearce recently opened up about the incident that left fans and colleagues alike in stitches—literally and figuratively. Reflecting on the moment, Pearce recalled, “That was amazing. They split on the first one, which was hilarious. I remember saying to Brock, ‘Hey, how do you grab for the F5? I know it’s a fireman’s carry.’ So he showed me how he’s gonna grab me, and I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get light for you.’ He goes, ‘You don’t have to.’ I said, ‘I know I don’t have to, but I will. Brother, I got you.’”
The camaraderie between the two professionals was evident, even in such a physically intense moment. Pearce, who had taken countless bumps in the ring over his career, wasn’t expecting the added surprise of a wardrobe malfunction. “What a pro. What a freak athlete,” Pearce continued, laughing as he recalled the unexpected outcome. “No, I didn’t know they split until I got in the back and everyone was laughing at the fact that I split my pants, and I was like, why don’t you take two F5s and see what happens?”
The second F5 wasn’t part of the original plan but was prompted by the crowd’s insatiable appetite for more action. Pearce explained, “He listened to the crowd because they started chanting ‘One more time. One more time.’ I’m laying there and kind of look up and again, professionalism, we made eye contact. When the eye contact was sustained for longer than two or three seconds, I knew that ‘one more time’ was gonna happen, which is cool.”
This spontaneous exchange turned into one of the night’s highlights, demonstrating the special fusion of entertainment, athleticism, and spontaneity that makes WWE a worldwide sensation. Even though the moment will always be remembered, it also served as a reminder of how unexpected live television can be and how physically taxing competing against a fighter like Brock Lesnar can be.
Lesnar’s future in the WWE is still up in the air. The last time fans witnessed him compete was in a taxing battle against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2023. A legal tempest caused the arrangements for Lesnar’s return at the Royal Rumble to fall through. A few days prior to the event, Lesnar’s name was connected to a well-known legal case in which Vince McMahon was accused of sex trafficking by Janel Grant, a former employee of the WWE.
WWE’s legal staff apparently decided to keep Lesnar off television in light of the accusations; this decision has left fans wondering whether or when the Beast Incarnate will make a comeback to the squared circle. Even while Lesnar’s absence has given rise to a ton of conjecture, it’s obvious that he had little control over the choice, as WWE works through the legal and PR issues raised by the lawsuit.
For the time being, the WWE Universe will always remember events like the one that occurred on October 22, 2021, when the boundaries between truth and entertainment were broken. Fans will be able to retell this tale of strength, unpredictable behavior, and a historic wardrobe malfunction for years to come.
