Brock Lesnar made a surprising comeback to WWE after a two-year absence during SummerSlam Night Two, reigniting his fierce rivalry with John Cena. Lesnar’s previous WWE appearance ended in a loss to Cody Rhodes at The Biggest Party of the Summer in August 2023, but this return marked a pivotal moment for the WWE universe.
His renewed focus on Cena came as part of Cena’s farewell tour, setting the stage for a much-anticipated final clash at Clash in Paris on August 31. This moment is one of several in recent years where Brock Lesnar WWE key moments have disrupted the status quo of the wrestling world.
How Lesnar’s Royal Rumble Victory Set Up WrestleMania 38
Earlier, Lesnar attempted to reclaim the WWE Championship and secure a Champion vs. Champion showdown with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38. After losing the WWE title to Bobby Lashley at the Royal Rumble, Lesnar shocked fans by entering the Royal Rumble Match later the same night at number 30.
His dominance in the match earned him a title shot at WrestleMania, which he complemented by entering the Men’s Chamber Match against Lashley and four other contenders. Lashley, however, was forced out due to injury, enabling Lesnar to walk out as the WWE Champion and move toward a title unification bout with Reigns.
The WrestleMania 38 main event became a Winner Takes All Match, with Reigns ultimately claiming both the WWE and Universal Championships. This result significantly altered the title landscape and affected the trajectories of several WWE stars who were sidelined from marquee matches as a result.
Lesnar’s Role in Shaping WWE Championship Storylines
Throughout 2022, Lesnar’s clash with Bobby Lashley redefined the WWE Championship scene. Lashley defeated Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, becoming the new WWE Champion. In response, Lesnar entered the Royal Rumble Match, defeating all other competitors and setting himself up for a WrestleMania title shot.
The buildup to WrestleMania replayed a familiar storyline featuring Lesnar and Reigns, culminating in the much-anticipated championship unification match. Fans expressed mixed feelings about revisiting this rivalry, given its repetitive nature and how it limited opportunities for other wrestlers to ascend to top-tier spots during the biggest event of the year.
Lesnar’s Extended Universal Championship Reign and Its Impact
Brock Lesnar’s lengthy Universal Championship reign began with his victory over Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 on April 2, 2017. As a part-time competitor, Lesnar defended the title infrequently, appearing primarily at major pay-per-view events such as SummerSlam, WrestleMania, and the Royal Rumble.
The championship run lasted an impressive 504 days, concluding when Roman Reigns dethroned him at SummerSlam on August 19, 2018. Lesnar’s sporadic schedule frustrated some fans but underscored his status as a dominant yet elusive champion.
As Brock Lesnar gears up to face John Cena at Clash in Paris, fans and analysts alike remain uncertain about WWE’s creative direction for The Beast Incarnate and how this rivalry will influence future storylines.
“Lesnar lost the title to Bobby Lashley a few weeks ago at Royal Rumble. He then entered the Men’s Royal Rumble Match later in the night and won the contest to get a title shot at ‘Mania.” —Source
“Lesnar went on to face Reigns at WrestleMania 38 in a Winner Takes All Match, where the latter earned the victory and claimed both titles. The match and its outcome ruined the title picture and changed the trajectory of several stars.” —Source
“Lesnar was furious after his loss and entered the Men’s Royal Rumble Match at number 30, wreaking havoc in the ring and winning the match to get a title shot at ‘Mania.” —Source
“The problem with the schedule was that he didn’t show up on RAW or SmackDown consistently and wasn’t a fighting champion. He defended the title only at major premium live events like SummerSlam, WrestleMania, and Royal Rumble.” —Source
