Brock Lesnar is officially back in WWE but his return didnt come without serious questions and behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
After being completely removed from television, video packages, and internal mentions for over a year, Lesnar made his surprise return during WWE SummerSlam 2025 in a moment that rocked fans. But his comeback wasnt just about timing it was about clearance.
On the August 4 episode of RAW, Michael Cole addressed Lesnars return directly during the second hour of the show. Cole said he spoke with WWE CEO Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Triple H earlier in the day and asked when the decision was made to bring The Beast back.
Lesnars return at SummerSlam Night Two wasnt just a surprise for fans it was one of WWEs most tightly guarded secrets in recent memory.
The company flew Lesnar into New Jersey the night before the show under the cover of darkness and kept him completely hidden all day. Even WWEs own writing team wasnt clued in. There had been backstage talk of a surprise for the event, but almost no one knew what it was.
When Lesnars music hit after Cody Rhodes defeated John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship, the MetLife Stadium crowd erupted in chants of holy sh*t as the Beast stormed the ring. Lesnar locked eyes with Cena before delivering a sudden F5, leaving the 16-time world champion laid out as the show went off the air.
The return is especially shocking given Lesnars removal from WWE programming earlier this year after being named in Janel Grants lawsuit against Vince McMahon a move that also derailed his planned WrestleMania feud with GUNTHER.
By keeping his comeback a complete mystery, WWE delivered one of the most jaw-dropping moments of the year, and now the question becomes how Lesnar will fit into the companys plans with John Cenas farewell tour winding down.
Lesnars return marks a massive shift, especially considering WWE had pulled him from all programming after he was named though not accused in the explosive lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant. The suit alleges that Vince McMahon ordered Grant to send sexually explicit content to Lesnar, including a disturbing request for urination videos during contract negotiations. While Lesnar hasnt been charged or formally accused of wrongdoing, the claims sent WWE into damage control.
At the time, Ringside News confirmed with a WWE source that Lesnar will not return to WWE television until this legal situation is over. WWE went as far as banning his name from being spoken on air a ban that slowly lifted after Paul Heyman repeatedly referenced him during his WWE Hall of Fame induction speech.
According to a WWE source who spoke with Ringside News: Heyman mentioned him several times during his Hall of Fame speech and I think the ban on his name was lifted from that.
That was followed by Michael Cole name-dropping Lesnar during King and Queen of the Ring, sending fans into speculation mode. From there, WWE quietly began adding Lesnar back into legacy footage and promotional packages.
Earlier this year in March, Lesnar was spotted by a Ringside News correspondent at a steakhouse in Austin, Texas. When asked about a return to WWE, Lesnar simply responded: Well see.
Behind the scenes, WWEs legal department gave the green light to reintroduce Lesnar, but that doesnt mean the lawsuit is over. A spokesperson for Grants legal team provided a statement to Ringside News, condemning WWEs decision to move forward without accountability.
So while Brock Lesnar is officially back in WWE, the legal shadow around his return remains. Lesnars reappearance at SummerSlam might answer one question, but it opens the door to many more about what WWE knew, when they knew it, and why now.
Do you think WWE made the right move by bringing Brock Lesnar back while this lawsuit is still active? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
