John Cena’s match against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza became one of the most underwhelming moments during Cena’s WWE Farewell Tour, as Lesnar decisively defeated the 17-time world champion. A WWE Hall of Famer has voiced that the match should have been booked to favor Cena, challenging the way the segment unfolded and the direction of the rivalries linked to Brock Lesnar Wrestlepalooza booking.
Arn Anderson Critiques Lesnar-Cena Match Outcome
During their Wrestlepalooza bout, Brock Lesnar dominated John Cena with several F-5 finishers in a fast-paced, approximately eight-minute contest, leaving many fans disappointed. The plan appeared to be crafting Lesnar as a formidable force, setting him up for a significant boost from defeating a legendary opponent like Cena. However, this booking choice raised questions about whether it truly honored Cena’s status or satisfied fan expectations nearing the end of his career.
If the WWE does not revisit the feud before Cena officially retires on December 13, the win–loss record between these two icons will stand firmly in Lesnar’s favor, concluding their long-running rivalry on a one-sided note. A future rematch seems unlikely, as it could prevent other rising stars—such as Bron Breakker or Dominik Mysterio—from securing a meaningful contest against Cena in his farewell period.
Arn Anderson, a respected WWE Hall of Famer, shared his perspective on how the match should have been handled, arguing that Cena ought to have held the upper hand in the encounter:
“I would have said, ‘Brock, you are an absolute gorilla, you’re a beast, you have beaten everybody that you’ve ever touched half to death, and the audience gets it. How would you feel about giving – in a shorter match, four to five minutes – giving Cena the entire match, and you catch him out of somewhere with a cheap shot and you hit your finish.’ And both guys win.”
—Arn Anderson, WWE Hall of Famer
Historically, Lesnar’s dominance over Cena is not new. Their first notable squash match occurred at SummerSlam 2014, where Lesnar’s unexpected method of overwhelming Cena thrilled audiences, especially during his “Suplex City” assault. Yet Anderson argues that changing the script now would have been more beneficial for the fans and the legacy of both wrestlers.
He further elaborated on how his proposed booking would have satisfied fans’ expectations:
“That would have been my recommendation on how to structure it. Everybody wins. I’ve still got it mentally, I know what’s right and what’s wrong, and what you can do and get away with, and who lives in the mind of a wrestling fan, what they will accept and what they won’t, and what they appreciate. That just covered all the bases.”
—Arn Anderson, WWE Hall of Famer
Despite Lesnar’s decisive win, many believe his recent return to WWE lacked proper buildup, as the two superstars barely interacted outside constant attacks prior to their match. This lack of narrative depth left fans confused and disappointed that the final Wrestlepalooza showdown went to Lesnar, missing the opportunity to elevate a younger powerhouse such as Bron Breakker or Jacob Fatu.
Possible Moments for Cena to Settle Score with Lesnar
With only a few events remaining on Cena’s farewell itinerary, speculation grows over when or if he might get a rematch against Brock Lesnar. Booking Cena’s last outing against the 48-year-old Beast at something like Saturday Night’s Main Event could be poorly received, given both are heading toward retirement, and Cena’s legacy arguably deserves fresher challengers.
John Cena will appear next at Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia on October 11, facing off against longtime adversary AJ Styles. His final pay-per-view showcase is scheduled for Survivor Series in San Diego, California, on November 29. These dates narrow the window for a meaningful showdown with Lesnar.
Insiders hint that Brock Lesnar could soon join Seth Rollins’ faction, known as “The Vision,” alongside wrestlers like Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, under the guidance of manager Paul Heyman. This alliance would pit them against a rival team featuring Cena, Rollins’ opponents CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and Jey Uso.
Within this setup, Cena might finally overcome Lesnar during a WarGames match, perhaps by scoring the deciding pinfall. This scenario would allow WWE to conclude the heated rivalry properly while preserving the limited remaining opportunities left on Cena’s Farewell Tour for more impactful moments.
