WWE presented Night 2 of SummerSlam 2025 this weekend. The main event saw Cody Rhodes dethrone John Cena as the Undisputed WWE Champion. In the aftermath, Rhodes praised Cena, with The American Nightmare raising his foe’s hand in respect. The fans loved it and cheered for Cena, but everything changed in the blink of an eye. As Cena was returning the favor, surprise music hit, and everyone was stunned.
Brock Lesnar returned to WWE after two years
Brock Lesnar last competed at SummerSlam 2023 against Cody Rhodes in a losing effort. The Beast Incarnate was later named in a sex trafficking scandal when former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against then-Chairman Vince McMahon, hinting at Lesnar’s alleged involvement.
This led WWE to distance itself from the former WWE Champion for a time. However, time may not heal all wounds, as fans certainly have not forgotten or absolved Lesnar for his alleged wrongdoing.
Triple H faced backlash for praising Brock Lesnar’s return
The Beast is back. #SummerSlam https://t.co/e5xMasT6pO
— Triple H (@TripleH) August 4, 2025
WWE posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Brock Lesnar was back, captioning it, “Here Comes The Pain.” Triple H seized the opportunity, quoting the post with, “The Beast is Back.” Fans did not respond kindly to the reference or Lesnar’s return, criticizing the former World Heavyweight Champion.
Some fans labeled Lesnar a sex offender. One user wrote, “You mean the sex offender is back,” while another user used derogatory language to call out Triple H for bringing Lesnar back. Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston detailed Lesnar’s involvement in the lawsuit on X.
Here's what Janel Grant's lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon alleges about Brock Lesnar.
(These pages contain detailed descriptions of alleged sexual abuse by McMahon and what Grant says was his attempt to traffic her to Lesnar during a contract negotiation.) pic.twitter.com/kNec9A9s2t
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) August 4, 2025
Triple H, however, turned the tables during the post-show press conference, implying that John Cena wanted to work with Lesnar during his final run. Despite Triple H’s comments, the majority of fan responses remain critical of him and WWE for supporting someone named in a serious, ongoing legal matter.
Triple H states that John Cena essentially wanted Brock Lesnar during his retirement tour:
“One of the first things I said to him [Cena] is who do you want, and how, and we’re working through that.” pic.twitter.com/ShlYPkGerW
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) August 4, 2025
WWE appears to be using bad publicity as fuel
The company knows its actions generate headlines, and with Lesnar absent from television for two years, they likely saw his return as a way to capitalize on the moment. Triple H is aware that John Cena has only four months left in his final WWE run. To make Cena’s last year in the ring memorable, the company may have taken a risk by bringing back one of his biggest rivals.
What’s next for John Cena and Brock Lesnar?
Brock Lesnar returned during the closing moments of SummerSlam 2025, attacking Cena with an F5. This suggests Lesnar will be Cena’s next challenger. With no championship in sight for The Beast Incarnate, it remains to be seen what Lesnar will say on Raw or SmackDown. Will this be another battle that Cena loses, or will The Beast finally be conquered?
BROCK. LESNAR. IS. BACK.
HERE COMES THE PAIN! 👊 pic.twitter.com/uR2z9RVoZu— WWE (@WWE) August 4, 2025
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