Brock Lesnar’s continued absence from WWE programming remains a major topic, especially after Daniel Cormier stated on Demetrious Johnson’s podcast that Lesnar had been placed on a banned list due to getting into significant trouble. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has now clarified that Lesnar’s WWE status has not changed and remains on hold. This suspension is tied directly to Lesnar’s involvement in legal troubles connected to the Janel Grant lawsuit filed earlier this year against Vince McMahon and WWE.
Impact on WWE Creative Storylines
Lesnar’s unavailability had immediate consequences for WWE’s creative plans in early 2024. Originally, Lesnar was scheduled to participate in the Royal Rumble and was lined up to start a major storyline leading into WrestleMania 40. This storyline was set to include a rivalry with Dominik Mysterio culminating at a pay-per-view event and a featured match against Gunther at WrestleMania. After the lawsuit emerged, WWE cancelled all plotlines involving Lesnar. As a result, Bron Breakker replaced him in the Royal Rumble.
“The plan was for him to then beat Dominik Mysterio on a PPV and face Gunther at Mania,”
Meltzer revealed. —Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Current Status and Future Outlook for Brock Lesnar
Despite Daniel Cormier’s comments referring to Lesnar’s situation as being on a banned list, Meltzer emphasized that this description was Cormier’s personal interpretation and not an official WWE designation. WWE’s legal department made the initial decision to keep Lesnar off television when the Janel Grant lawsuit was filed, and no new developments have changed that stance.
“There is nothing new on the Lesnar front,”
Meltzer reported.
“WWE legal made the call at the time Janel Grant filed her lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE to not allow Lesnar to be used.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
“Nothing has changed and the situation remains the same,”
Meltzer concluded. —Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Lesnar has not appeared on WWE programming throughout 2025, and there is no clear indication of if or when he will return to the company. WWE fans and industry watchers are left uncertain as Lesnar’s situation remains stalled amid ongoing legal complications.
