Brock Lesnar made a shocking return at SummerSlam 2025 Night 2 on Sunday, August 3, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. His appearance came immediately after Cody Rhodes triumphed over John Cena in a grueling Street Fight to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
After Rhodes celebrated with the crowd in the ring, Lesnar rushed out, lifted Rhodes, and delivered a powerful F-5, closing the event on a dramatic note. This marked Lesnar’s first WWE appearance since SummerSlam 2023, where he lost a singles match to Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare.
The surprise return quickly captured widespread attention and dominated conversations across social media platforms, overshadowing the intense Rhodes versus Cena encounter and hinting at a forthcoming rivalry between Lesnar and Cena.
Concerns Raised Over Impact on Main Event’s Reception
Veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter expressed criticism regarding the timing of Lesnar’s comeback during The Wrestling Time Machine podcast with host Mac Davis. Apter argued that Lesnar’s return took away from the spotlight that the Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena match deserved at the WWE summer event.
He suggested that the return would have been better suited for Monday Night RAW, allowing Rhodes and Cena’s match to receive full recognition without being overshadowed.
Cody Rhodes and John Cena put on a 10-star match in my opinion. The next day, all the internet fans and everyone else, all they were talking about was Brock Lesnar coming back. It slapped Cody and Cena in the face.They could’ve done that Monday night. They could have brought Brock Lesnar back. It was great shock value. But again, I just think it slapped that main event that was so fabulous in the face. I wish they wouldn’t have done it at SummerSlam.” —Bill Apter, Wrestling Journalist
Broader WWE Updates Surrounding SummerSlam 2025
Alongside Lesnar’s unexpected return and the Rhodes-Cena showdown, WWE announced several other significant developments during this period. A 32-year-old star surprised fans by announcing his departure after a six-year tenure with the company.
Meanwhile, CM Punk shared insights on how the WWE: Unreal documentary series helped audiences better understand wrestlers, humanizing their stories and challenges.
WWE veteran Drew McIntyre criticized the newer generation of WWE performers, noting their reluctance to heed advice and improve their craft.
The company also confirmed the shocking exit of Karrion Kross and Scarlett, and announced that Corey Graves will serve as the lead English commentator for AAA’s Triplemania XXXIII event on August 16.
Further backstage drama surfaced with reports that Triple H took significant steps to secure his position amid WWE exit rumors, while WWE kept its ESPN broadcasting deal confidential from top talent.
In other personal news, an injured WWE star shared an emotional update about their recovery journey, expressing hope and determination as they announced, “I’m walking again.”
Implications for WWE and SummerSlam’s Future Storylines
Brock Lesnar’s SummerSlam 2025 return, while generating substantial buzz, had the unintended effect of eclipsing the critical narrative established by Cody Rhodes and John Cena’s match. This sequence of events raises questions about WWE’s strategic choices in balancing shock moments with showcasing in-ring storytelling.
Lesnar’s return sets up a potential fresh storyline, presumably targeting John Cena, but it may also lead to a reassessment of how major surprises are integrated into marquee events to preserve the spotlight for championship matches.
Ultimately, this episode of SummerSlam highlights the challenge WWE faces in managing audience attention and maximizing the impact across its top-tier talent and storylines moving forward.
