Brock Lesnar made a shocking return to WWE during SummerSlam 2025, interrupting John Cena’s farewell segment and instantly dominating the conversation across wrestling circles. This comeback has reignited the Brock Lesnar WWE return controversy, especially due to the ongoing legal issues surrounding Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE.
Lesnar’s return came after nearly two years away from WWE programming, a period marked by his removal from key WWE projects following the public revelation of the lawsuit’s allegations. Fans and critics alike were stunned by the timing and implications of his comeback given the sensitive legal backdrop.
Background on Brock Lesnar’s Absence and Relation to the Janel Grant Lawsuit
Brock Lesnar had last appeared on WWE television at SummerSlam 2023, where he lost a major feud to Cody Rhodes. Their rivalry began after Lesnar turned heel on the night following WrestleMania 39, attacking Rhodes prior to a prominent tag team match. Despite his loss, Lesnar showed respect for Rhodes to the crowd, signaling a passing of the torch.
Following that exit, there were rumors of Lesnar’s planned return for the 2024 Royal Rumble, potentially involving a storyline with Dominik Mysterio. However, this was halted abruptly as the Janel Grant lawsuit came to light. The lawsuit accused WWE executives Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis of sexual trafficking and assault, with implications involving an unnamed WWE wrestler who was also a former UFC fighter. The Wall Street Journal identified this wrestler as Brock Lesnar.
As a result, Lesnar’s WWE appearances were effectively blocked: he was removed from the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania lineups, taken off the cover of WWE 2K24, excluded from the WWE SuperCard mobile game, and omitted from WWE’s prominent “Then. Now. Forever.” video packages. This sudden and severe fallout suggested that Lesnar’s WWE career, at age 46 and primarily as a special attraction, was potentially finished.
Impact of the Lawsuit on Lesnar’s Career and WWE’s Response
Lesnar’s two-year absence was largely confirmed by industry insiders and wrestling journalists, who reported no active plans to reintegrate him into WWE storylines. This hiatus came amid mounting criticism targeting WWE’s corporate relationships, including business dealings with controversial figures like Donald Trump and the Saudi Arabian government.
Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam caught most observers off guard. The suddenness of his appearance, interrupting John Cena’s retirement sendoff, was unlike any build-up expected from months of planning. There were no credible rumors predicting his presence at SummerSlam, much less his active involvement in storylines moving forward.
The Role of John Cena and Dwayne Johnson in Lesnar’s Return
Several key backstage figures likely influenced Lesnar’s unexpected comeback, chief among them John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Cena’s ongoing retirement tour, filled with high-profile opponents from his personal wishlist, made Lesnar an attractive booking option for a final marquee match. Cena’s respect for Lesnar’s legacy and rivalry history supports why he would request Brock as an opponent for his farewell.
At the same time, Dwayne Johnson’s limited involvement with WWE programming is a significant factor. Johnson’s absence, following backstage power struggles with WWE executive Paul Levesque, left a void in major storylines, particularly Cena’s heel turn that had been built around Johnson’s “Final Boss” character. With Johnson choosing to distance himself from WWE, management appeared to be compelled to pursue alternative star-filled moments to maintain viewer interest.
This void culminated in WWE’s decision to invoke a last-minute
“In Case Of Emergency, Break Brock Lesnar Glass”
move, bringing Lesnar back as a shock factor. An insider’s perspective doubts claims that Lesnar’s return was planned months in advance, evidencing the surprise felt across the wrestling community, including experts and journalists.
WWE’s Decision to Limit Media Exposure After Lesnar’s Return
Following SummerSlam’s first night, WWE announced it would cease post-show press conferences with wrestling media—an unprecedented move likely motivated by efforts to avoid difficult questions surrounding Lesnar’s reappearance amidst the Janel Grant lawsuit. This sudden change was revealed during the actual post-show, indicating WWE’s anticipation of negative scrutiny and a desire to control the narrative.
Optics and Controversy Surrounding Lesnar’s Return
The return has generated intense debate around WWE’s prioritization of business and star power over public perception and fan sensitivities. WWE has a history of controversial associations, including partnerships with Donald Trump, ongoing relations with the Saudi Arabian government, and past collaboration with Hulk Hogan, whose legacy remains divisive. These associations contribute to concerns over WWE’s apparent disregard for negative optics.
The decision to bring back Lesnar, with the public knowledge of his involvement in the lawsuit’s allegations, further fuels the perception that WWE is willing to risk alienating segments of its fan base for short-term gains.
Perspectives on Lesnar’s Legal Position and Accountability
Some argue that Brock Lesnar was never a direct target of Janel Grant’s lawsuit, pointing out that she is not suing him personally. According to legal details, though Lesnar was implicated as the former UFC fighter set up to meet Grant as part of contract negotiations, he never personally broke laws such as trafficking or prostitution, largely because the meetings reportedly never materialized.
Nonetheless, critics emphasize that Lesnar was aware of the circumstances surrounding these allegations and engaged willingly, raising questions about his moral and professional responsibility. The controversy centers on whether Lesnar’s actions or inactions contribute to complicity, despite the absence of a direct legal charge against him.
Fan and Audience Reactions to Lesnar’s Return
Live audiences at SummerSlam gave Brock Lesnar a historically strong reaction, reflecting the appeal of his wrestling character and star power rather than the surrounding controversy. The general public attending WWE shows may not be fully aware of the lawsuit or its complexities, contrasting sharply with highly informed online wrestling communities and journalism circles that have expressed criticism and unease.
This divide highlights a phenomenon where online fan discourse and live event reception differ significantly, complicating WWE’s assessment of the risks and benefits of Lesnar’s return.
Concerns Over WWE’s Creative Direction and Future Storylines
The return has also sparked debates about WWE’s storytelling decisions, especially the role of Brock Lesnar in John Cena’s farewell arc. Some analysts argue that if Dwayne Johnson had remained involved in WWE’s central narratives, Lesnar’s return might not have been necessary or approved. Cena’s heel run, built on complex setups involving Johnson’s character, suffered from inconsistencies that Lesnar’s comeback now complicates further.
Critics warn that Lesnar’s reintroduction could be a misstep, potentially undermining ongoing storylines and alienating fans sensitive to the lawsuit’s implications.
Weekly Power Rankings Highlight Key Matches and Performances
Alongside Brock Lesnar’s controversial return, recent wrestling shows have featured several standout matches. John Cena’s bout with Cody Rhodes was widely praised, regarded as superior to their previous WrestleMania encounter. Similarly, Hangman Adam Page and Jon Moxley delivered a strong match, even if fans doubted any title change.
Other notable matches included Gunther versus CM Punk, which was methodically paced but effective, along with Naomi’s victory over Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, reinforcing her character’s strong momentum.
The tag team TLC match, by contrast, was criticized as chaotic, with many viewing it as a mishap rather than an entertaining spectacle.
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Future for Lesnar and WWE Programming
The long-term implications of Brock Lesnar’s WWE return remain unclear. While live audiences have enthusiastically received him for now, the backlash over his association with Janel Grant’s lawsuit and WWE’s challenging business relationships could influence viewership and fan loyalty moving forward. WWE appears willing to accept some backlash in exchange for maintaining its financial success and star power.
Wrestling fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Lesnar’s involvement develops and how WWE manages the ongoing controversy. Whether Lesnar’s comeback endures or falters could shape the company’s approach to balancing star appeal against public accountability in the years ahead.
