Brock Lesnar is preparing for his return to WWE television on next week’s episode of WWE RAW. Known as The Beast Incarnate, Lesnar last appeared at the Royal Rumble but fell short of winning the main event, setting the stage for upcoming confrontations in WWE.
Tommy Dreamer Issues a Challenge for a Long-Awaited Rematch
Before Lesnar’s televised return, veteran wrestler Tommy Dreamer has publicly challenged him to a match. Dreamer, who has not faced Lesnar on WWE’s red brand for 23 years and on SmackDown for over six years, referenced their previous encounter to build anticipation. Dreamer pointed out his presence in Atlanta during Lesnar’s comeback, hinting strongly at a showdown on RAW.
The proposed match would be a rematch more than two decades in the making, tracing back to their Singapore Cane Match on the July 22, 2002, episode of RAW. This lengthy gap between clashes adds significant intrigue to the potential bout.
“I’m in ATL that week. The rematch 24 years in the making,” Tommy Dreamer said.
John Cena Explains Why Brock Lesnar Dominated Their Last Meeting
Brock Lesnar previously made a surprising comeback during the closing moments of SummerSlam night two, when he aggressively took out John Cena with his signature F-5 move. Their final encounter at Wrestlepalooza ended decisively in Lesnar’s favor, with an overwhelming victory over Cena.
On the No Contest Wrestling podcast, John Cena shared his perspective on why the match was structured that way. He explained that while there was potential for a more balanced performance, the creative decision aimed to reestablish Lesnar’s dominance and seriousness in WWE storylines.
“Could I have put together a better performative match with Brock Lesnar? Sure. But it doesn’t tell the story, doesn’t creatively tell the story. We got to reintroduce this guy. Everybody needs to know he means business. How do you do that? By taking the one entity that can lose, not lose steam. It’s like an exhibition match,” John Cena said.
Cena officially retired from in-ring competition on the December 13 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he was defeated by Gunther in his final WWE match.
Why Brock Lesnar’s Return Could Reshape WWE’s Future
Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE RAW marks a pivotal moment that could influence the brand’s direction moving forward. With his past opponents like Tommy Dreamer stepping forward and Cena’s recent reflections on their encounter, anticipation builds around Lesnar’s role in upcoming storylines. The potential for a nearly quarter-century rematch adds emotional weight and historical significance, likely attracting viewers eager to see if The Beast Incarnate can maintain his reputation in new high-stakes battles.
I’m in ATL that week
The rematch 24 years in the making https://t.co/9Bln3QLbs2— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) February 18, 2026
