20 years ago today at the Royal Rumble, Hardocre Holly finally got a shot at the WWE Title against Brock Lesnar

On January 25, 2004, at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Hardcore Holly faced Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship. This was a significant match in Holly's career, as it marked his first and only opportunity to hold the top title in WWE. Holly had been a journeyman wrestler for many years, working his way up through the ranks of the organization. He was known for his hard-hitting style and his willingness to do anything to win. In 2003, he returned from a long injury layoff and began to make a name for himself as a contender for the WWE Championship. At the Royal Rumble, Holly was able to put up a valiant fight against the dominant Lesnar. He even managed to land a few surprise attacks, but Lesnar's strength and power were too much for him to overcome. Lesnar eventually won the match with his signature F-5 move. Despite the loss, Holly's performance at the Royal Rumble was met with rave reviews. He showed that he could hang with the best in the world, and he proved that he was a true competitor. This match helped to solidify Holly's reputation as one of the toughest and most respected wrestlers in WWE history. Here are some of the highlights of the match: Holly started the match aggressively, trying to take advantage of Lesnar's inexperience. Lesnar eventually took control of the match, but Holly continued to fight back. Holly hit Lesnar with a series of punches and kicks, but Lesnar was able to no-sell them. Lesnar hit Holly with his signature F-5 move to win the match. The match was a thrilling and back-and-forth affair that showcased the best of both wrestlers. It is a match that is still fondly remembered by fans today.