Brock Lesnar made a surprising comeback at SummerSlam 2025, after plans for his return were stalled due to a lawsuit involving former WWE employee Janel Grant and Vince McMahon. This unexpected move immediately ignited speculation and concern within the WWE community over how his return would be handled.
The focus on Brock Lesnar’s SummerSlam 2025 return has sparked a debate about the direction of WWE’s storylines, especially regarding John Cena and Cody Rhodes. Fans had anticipated a different outcome heading into SummerSlam, with hopes for a significant character shift that ultimately did not materialize.
Fan Expectations vs. Reality in WWE’s Storytelling
In the lead-up to SummerSlam 2025, many fans were leaning toward the idea of Cody Rhodes turning heel, possibly in a double turn with John Cena. Such an angle was widely believed to be the perfect sendoff for Cena and a fresh new chapter for Rhodes. However, this storyline never came to fruition, leaving many viewers dissatisfied.
Critics and insiders like Vince Russo, Stevie Richards, and Bin Hamin have analyzed Triple H’s limited approach to booking these events. Richards pointed out that this strategy may have trapped The Game in a difficult situation creatively and financially, as the current path offers limited compelling options.
“The double turn would have worked great because Cena gets the final baby face sendoff. Cody finally has that new layer of paint on him with a new look and a really the same truth, but people hate him for it. Now, what we got is who’s Cody going to defend the title against? Even more importantly, you’re going to spend your last few months of your career working an angle and a story line with Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar just came back. How are you gonna have him run through everybody right off the bat? So, is Lesnar going to do the job, or is Cena going to do the job for Lesnar before he retires? You booked yourself into a really bad corner right now where the simplest solution was exactly what everyone was expecting and would have drew more money.”
—Stevie Richards, Wrestling Analyst
The question remains: with Lesnar’s sudden return, will he dominate everyone immediately, or will Cena have to lose to Lesnar before exiting his career? The confusion over who will carry the story ahead has created tension among fans and insiders alike.
Most recently on WWE SmackDown, Cena and Rhodes teamed up in a tag match against Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul, but the larger storyline involving Lesnar remains unresolved, adding to the unease over the creative direction.
Additional WWE Storylines Creating an Unsteady Atmosphere
Other WWE narratives also reflect a similarly uncertain environment. Drew McIntyre has issued a stern warning to Cody Rhodes after a brutal attack on SmackDown, signaling that the title chase is heating up aggressively. Meanwhile, rumors swirl about backstage confrontations possibly involving two WWE stars over issues related to Roman Reigns.
Fans are also awaiting details about Roman Reigns’ next opponent, as the Clash in Paris event approaches on August 31, 2025. These events have combined to create a volatile atmosphere that threatens to distract from Brock Lesnar’s return.
Theories Surrounding Brock Lesnar’s Unexpected Comeback
Questions have arisen about who might be behind Lesnar’s sudden return. A wrestling expert has speculated on The Rock’s possible involvement in orchestrating this surprising reappearance, adding intrigue as fans wonder what motivations lie behind the scenes.
Talent Dynamics and John Cena’s Retirement Plans
John Cena’s plans to retire from WWE are also influencing how storylines are being developed. Cena has expressed a desire to step back in order to create space for other talents to shine, which adds complexity to the current booking decisions involving Rhodes and Lesnar.
The pressure on Triple H to balance these competing priorities is evident, as WWE navigates this troubled transition period while attempting to maintain fan interest and ensure successful pay-per-view events.
Significance of Booking Decisions on WWE’s Future
Brock Lesnar’s SummerSlam 2025 return, managed under Triple H’s booking, comes with significant risk. The inability to deliver anticipated storylines has left audiences frustrated, raising concerns about how sustainable WWE’s current creative direction is. The clash between established stars like Lesnar and Cena versus emerging talents such as Rhodes and McIntyre highlights the challenge of balancing legacy with innovation.
Looking ahead, WWE must address these narrative uncertainties quickly to avoid further fan disengagement. The handling of Lesnar’s role will be crucial for setting the tone of the company’s major story arcs through the remainder of the year and beyond.
