FALSE: Mayor of Suplex City praises Duterte

Claim:

WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar, the “incumbent mayor of Suplex City,” praised Duterte, saying he wishes he can transform his city like the city of Davao.

This claim was sent by a Rappler reader for verification. Rappler’s fact check team searched through Facebook and found 8 posts containing this graphic.

Several people who believed the claim posted comments, calling Lesnar “Hon. Lesnar,” and saying things like, “[Bakit] pagopposition puro batikos [kay] prrd pero ang ibang lahi ay panay papuri [kay] prrd?” (Why does the opposition keep criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte when foreigners keep on praising him?)

Rating: FALSE

The facts:

Suplex City is a wrestling catchphrase, not an actual city. The title “incumbent mayor of Suplex City” refers to Brock Lesnar’s signature use of suplexes in wrestling matches.

Multiple Facebook users posted a graphic with a photo of Lesnar, quoting him as saying, “I love President Duterte. I look up to him as an inspiration. He is ruthless to criminals and yet a very kind and loving father to a nation. I wish I can transform my city like Davao.” The attribution read, “Hon. B.E. Lesnar, Incumbent Mayor of Suplex City.”

Rappler found no reports, statements, or videos that prove Lesnar said this quote.

In the past, Rappler has debunked other false quotes in praise of Duterte, attributed to international figures, misrepresented celebrities, and even fictional characters. – Loreben Tuquero/Rappler.com

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.