Since Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE at SummerSlam 2025, expectations have mounted for his performances in the ring. Lesnar has participated in three bouts so far, securing two victories. With WrestleMania 42 approaching, he has issued an open challenge for any competitor willing to face him, which has sparked widespread anticipation. However, WWE is facing a significant dilemma regarding how to handle Lesnar’s match outcomes moving forward, especially considering his projected retirement.
Concerns Over Lesnar’s Win-Loss Record Before Retirement
According to the Self Made Pro podcast, insider reports suggest that Brock Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman have informed WWE’s creative team that Lesnar should avoid losses until he officially retires. This directive complicates WWE’s booking plans, particularly for anticipated matchups like GUNTHER vs. Brock Lesnar and Oba vs. Brock Lesnar. Booking those matches could result in Lesnar losing one or both, which conflicts with the demand for his undefeated status prior to retirement.
So here’s the problem. They know that the audience wants Oba. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman have essentially communicated to WWE and creative that Brock should not lose until his retirement. That puts WWE in a tough spot because Triple H would like to book GUNTHER vs. Brock and Oba vs. Brock at some point. But if those matches happen, Brock would likely lose in both. So it creates a real dilemma.
– Self Made Pro podcast
WrestleMania 42 Match Confirmations and Wrestler Perspectives
Additional insights from the podcast revealed that Cody Rhodes proactively campaigned for Randy Orton to be his opponent at WrestleMania 42. Reports indicate Rhodes understood the match was set early in the year and saw this pairing as a major opportunity.
Cody Rhodes knew that that was the match that was happening for a while. Cody Rhodes, as early as February, knew he was facing Randy. And I can tell you that Cody Rhodes did push for Randy because he believed that was a big-time matchup.
– Self Made Pro podcast
Regarding Drew McIntyre, close sources indicate he was mentally prepared to lose his championship during the WrestleMania season. His victory over Cody earlier in the year influenced his decision to remain active rather than take time off, despite anticipating a title loss.
Drew McIntyre, according to sources close to him, would have contemplated maybe just taking some time off had he not beaten Cody for the belt at the start of the year. Throughout this entire process, Drew was very much aware of the possibility, and in some cases even the likelihood, that he was going to drop the championship during Mania season. So he’s not surprised or mind-blown that it’s happened. He was aware of what this reign was going to be.
– Self Made Pro podcast
The Impact of Lesnar’s Booking on WWE’s Creative Direction
The constraints around keeping Brock Lesnar undefeated until retirement place WWE in a challenging creative position. While major rivalries with wrestlers like GUNTHER and Oba could draw significant fan interest, the unwillingness to have Lesnar lose limits storyline development. This tension reflects broader uncertainties in WWE’s future booking strategies, particularly with WrestleMania 42 on the horizon. Fans and insiders alike await clarity on how WWE will resolve these competing demands and what it means for Lesnar’s legacy in the company.
