News

ESPN Sets The Record Straight On Brock Lesnar’s WWE Return

By Ahmed Hamdy • Published Sep 17, 2025 15:16 EDT
Brock Lesnar WWE SmackDown

ESPN has clarified whether they demanded Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE.

The Beast Incarnate last competed in August 2023, when he lost to the current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. He then went on a two-year hiatus after being named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon.

Nevertheless, Lesnar made a shocking return at this year’s SummerSlam following John Cena’s Undisputed WWE Championship loss to The American Nightmare to take out The Never Seen 17 with a devastating F-5.

A couple of weeks ago, the 48-year-old made another appearance on SmackDown, attacking Sami Zayn and Cena during their United States Championship match. The following week, The Beast Incarnate F5’ed R-Truth, who confronted him to defend his “childhood hero.”

ESPN Denies Requesting Brock Lesnar’s WWE Comeback

Brock Lesnar is set to return to the squared circle for the first time in three years when he goes head-to-head against John Cena at Wrestlepalooza, the first premium live event to be aired on ESPN.

Ahead of the show, reporter Jon Alba asked ESPN executives during the WWE-ESPN media call whether they requested The Beast Incarnate’s involvement in Wrestlepalooza. They clarified that WWE has all creative control.

“I asked about Brock Lesnar’s involvement in WWE WrestlePalooza. ESPN says WWE has full creative control over who appears on shows, and it falls within their jurisdiction, not ESPN’s,” Alba tweeted.

WWE analyst Sam Roberts recently predicted the outcome of Brock Lesnar’s Wrestlepalooza match against John Cena. He claimed the Leader of the Cenation is owed a win against The Beast Incarnate on his retirement tour. Meanwhile, the 42-year-old suggested the square off could later lead to a WarGames match between team Cena and team Lesnar.

Also read: Speculated Members For Team John Cena Vs. Team Brock Lesnar WarGames Match