At WWE Wrestlepalooza in Indiana, Brock Lesnar secured a decisive victory over John Cena, marking a significant moment during Cena’s final stretch on his retirement tour. This outcome, informed by backstage decisions, highlights the company’s plans involving Brock Lesnar WWE Wrestlepalooza and Cena’s intention to elevate new talent before stepping away from competition.
The Strategy Behind Cena’s Defeat to Brock Lesnar
John Cena’s WWE retirement tour, which wraps up in December 2025 with only five remaining appearances, has been characterized by a deliberate effort to pass the torch to emerging stars. Usually, wrestling veterans lose matches to boost younger talent as they exit in-ring action. Cena followed this pattern with his matches earlier in the year, including a notable rivalry with Cody Rhodes and his one-on-one victory against Logan Paul at Clash in Paris 2025.
Nevertheless, the decision for Brock Lesnar to defeat Cena at Wrestlepalooza was reportedly made by WWE executive Triple H rather than Cena himself. Though Cena wanted to spotlight new stars on his way out, the company’s leadership saw value in having Lesnar triumph over him. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, this was part of UFC Hall of Famer Brock Lesnar’s ongoing role in WWE, as he has no plans to retire soon.
This direction diverged from Cena’s broader retirement plan, which involved surrendering wins to help elevate up-and-coming wrestlers. With Lesnar still in the prime of his WWE tenure, the company prioritized strengthening his dominance by giving him a convincing win over one of its most iconic figures, the 17-time WWE World Champion.
Events Following Wrestlepalooza: Cena and Lesnar’s Future On-Screen
John Cena shifted to a heroic “face” character after WWE SummerSlam 2025 before reigniting a feud with Logan Paul. Following a win over Paul in France, Cena resumed conflict with Brock Lesnar, culminating in the Wrestlepalooza match in Indiana. The contest was notably one-sided, with Lesnar overwhelming Cena using six F-5 finishing moves and limiting Cena’s opportunities to fight back.
After the match, Cena hinted at the possibility of one final encounter against AJ Styles before concluding his active WWE run. Although Cena’s remaining schedule is tight, this bout could be staged on Monday Night RAW or during the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Perth next month.
In contrast, details about Brock Lesnar’s next WWE appearance remain undisclosed. Given the company’s intentions for him, fans anticipate Lesnar will continue to be a major presence in WWE storylines, while Cena’s farewell tour draws nearer to completion.
How This Moment Fits Into WWE’s Larger Plans
The decision to have Brock Lesnar dominate John Cena at Wrestlepalooza reflects WWE’s intention to maintain and build on Lesnar’s star power amid Cena’s gradual exit. With five dates left on Cena’s retirement tour, the company appears focused on ending his in-ring career with high-profile matches, including potential showdowns against prominent past rivals.
Brock Lesnar’s role as a veteran yet active competitor ensures he remains a key part of WWE’s programming and business strategy. By decisively winning against Cena, Lesnar reinforces his position as a dominant force, helping WWE shape future storylines and maintain fan interest in its top-tier talent.
THANK YOU CENA 😮💨🫶 pic.twitter.com/kW1w8OYhDl
— WWE (@WWE) September 21, 2025
