Reports confirm that Brock Lesnar continued to receive substantial payments from WWE throughout his two-year hiatus, despite being implicated in the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon. His return to the ring at SummerSlam 2025 came after WWE’s legal team reportedly cleared him to compete, allowing him to resume action amid ongoing controversy.
Lesnar Maintained High Earnings During WWE Absence
Brock Lesnar remained one of WWE’s highest-paid performers even though he was absent from all events for the past two years. Following his loss to Cody Rhodes in 2023, Lesnar took an extended break from WWE programming. Despite this, multiple sources indicate that he continued to draw a significant salary from the company as part of his contract.
The wrestler’s name surfaced in the legal battle involving Janel Grant and WWE chairman Vince McMahon, adding complexity to Lesnar’s status with the promotion. However, WWE did not suspend or terminate Lesnar during this period. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Lesnar
“was still, even though not used, fully paid during that time period and was among the highest paid wrestlers in the company. He was never suspended, and obviously kept under contract.”
Legal documents reveal accusations that McMahon attempted to pressure Grant as a bargaining chip during contract talks with Lesnar in 2021. Despite the tension surrounding these allegations, WWE seemingly kept Lesnar under contract, hoping that their legal team would eventually clear him for a return to wrestling events.
Meltzer further explained,
“If what he did was going to end their relationship with him, he’d have been let go. That’s the reality. He was always going to return when legal cleared him. Legal cleared him about one month prior to the show, which was kept secret, and allowed for the return.”
Reports from Sports Illustrated and Fightful add financial insight, suggesting Lesnar was earning an estimated $5 million annually and potentially making between seven and eight figures per year despite not competing. Though his contract reportedly expired in 2023, it remains unconfirmed whether WWE formally renewed it during his hiatus.
WWE Approved Lesnar’s Return for SummerSlam 2025
Brock Lesnar’s recent entry at SummerSlam 2025 marked his first in-ring appearance after two years away. Following Cody Rhodes’ victory over John Cena in a grueling street fight, Lesnar made a dramatic entrance that stunned the crowd and set up a possible future rivalry with Cena, who is nearing retirement.
As Lesnar circled the ring and measured Cena with intense focus, he swiftly executed his signature move, the F-5, flooring his opponent before the event concluded. This comeback was not just a surprise to fans but a sign that WWE had effectively resolved the legal hurdles preventing Lesnar’s return.
Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE’s legal department had given approval roughly a month ahead of the event, commenting,
“Four weeks ago, WWE Legal cleared him. As far as why, I don’t know. And that’s something to speculate on, because there’s a lot of stuff. Obviously, everything relates to the Janel Grant lawsuit, and WWE Legal is either confident that their thing goes to arbitration and Lesnar’s not a factor at that point.”
Meltzer speculated that the lawsuit might be nearing a settlement or that changes in the case reduced Lesnar’s involvement, enabling WWE to move forward with his return. Analysts Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm noted inconsistencies in WWE’s public narrative regarding Lesnar’s comeback, reflecting the delicate nature of the situation.
Mixed Messages on the Reason Behind Lesnar’s Return
After SummerSlam, WWE officials provided differing accounts of why Lesnar was brought back. Triple H suggested that John Cena himself requested Lesnar’s return as part of his retirement tour plans, stating,
“This is John Cena’s wishlist. John Cena’s… It’s him writing the last chapter of his book, and I think people saw a conversation with us where he said we’d have to screw it up pretty badly to ruin his career. But it’s not about that for me. It’s about John being able to go out the way he wants to go out.”
However, John Cena later contradicted this, downplaying any direct involvement in booking Lesnar. During his appearance on Adam’s Apple, Cena said,
“So, they’re just trying to make the most exciting show for the fans, man. I got a dozen of them left. They deal ’em, I play ’em.”
Further clarification came from WWE commentator Michael Cole, who on the August 4 episode of Raw shared that WWE’s top executives initiated contact with Lesnar. Cole explained,
“They told me they reached out to Brock a number of weeks ago, and said, ‘We believe it’s time for you to come home’. Brock Lesnar said, ‘Let’s do it’, and here we are.”
Triple H reaffirmed this version in a later interview on ESPN’s Get Up, remarking,
“So we’re thrilled to have The Beast back. You know, we hit him up and said, ‘Time to come home.’ And he was into it, and here we are.”
Notably, he omitted any mention of Cena in this account.
Impact and Implications of Lesnar’s WWE Comeback Amid Lawsuit
Brock Lesnar’s ongoing contract payments during his WWE hiatus and high-profile return despite being linked to a serious lawsuit raise questions about the company’s internal decision-making and legal risk management. The situation highlights how WWE balances star power and controversy, prioritizing business and audience engagement over unresolved legal issues.
Lesnar’s first appearance back set the stage for a possible high-stakes matchup with John Cena before the veteran legend’s retirement, adding excitement and speculation among fans. Meanwhile, WWE’s willingness to continue paying Lesnar millions during his absence signals the immense value they place on his drawing power and marketability.
The evolving narratives from WWE officials and wrestlers offer insight into the complex negotiations and image management behind the scenes. As the Janel Grant lawsuit continues to unfold, Lesnar’s status within WWE will likely remain a subject of close attention, influencing the company’s legal strategies and future talent relations.
