Credit: WWE
The wrestling world was set ablaze on August 3, 2025 when Brock Lesnar, “The Beast Incarnate”, made a return to WWE at SummerSlam 2025, marking his first appearance in the company since August 2023. The former UFC Heavyweight Champion and 10-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion stormed the ring at MetLife Stadium, delivering his trademark F-5 to John Cena to close the two-night extravaganza. For nearly two years, Lesnar’s absence from WWE programming had sparked many speculations. Even after his defeat in 2023 against Cody Rhodes, Lesnar shook Rhodes’ hand in a rare show of respect, leaving the door open for a potential return as a fan-favorite.
During this hiatus, many assumed Brock Lesnar was still under contract, being paid to stay on the sidelines while WWE navigated the legal storm. However, Wrestling Observer Newsletter has clarified that this was not the case. Lesnar’s previous WWE contract had fully expired, making him a free agent for several months. Unlike situations where contracts are extended due to injury, WWE could not freeze Lesnar’s deal, as he was not sidelined by physical limitations. The decision to keep him off television was entirely WWE’s, a cautious move in light of the ongoing lawsuit and public scrutiny. “Lesnar actually just signed a new contract to return,” the report claims, correcting earlier assumptions that he had been under contract during his absence.
Brock Lesnar’s inclusion in the lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant is also said to derail his comeback
Brock Lesnar’s comeback was reportedly derailed in January 2024 when Lesnar was named in a high-profile lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. The lawsuit, which alleged sexual abuse and trafficking, implicated Lesnar in claims that McMahon used Grant as a “sexual pawn” to entice him to sign a new contract in 2021. Though Lesnar was not a defendant, the controversy led WWE to pull him from planned appearances, including the 2024 Royal Rumble and a rumored WrestleMania XL match against Gunther. According to Meltzer, WWE’s legal team cleared Lesnar for a return approximately four weeks before the August 3 event, either due to confidence that the lawsuit would move to arbitration or a potential settlement that would minimize Lesnar’s involvement.
Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam was reportedly a masterclass in storytelling. As Cody Rhodes celebrated reclaiming the Undisputed WWE Championship from John Cena in a “street fight” main event, Cena soaked in the crowd’s adulation, chanting “Thank you, Cena!” for what many believed was one of his final performances before his announced retirement in December 2025.
As Cena knelt in the ring, Brock Lesnar’s entrance music hit, sending MetLife Stadium into a frenzy. The 48-year-old marched to the ring, stared down Cena, and delivered his signature F-5, leaving the 17-time world champion sprawled on the mat. The angle not only reignited one of WWE’s most storied rivalries but also set the stage for a match scheduled to take place at WrestlePalooza on September 20, 2025.
