When Did WWE Legal Clear Brock Lesnar For His Return At SummerSlam? Here’s What Was Revealed
Brock Lesnar made a grand return to WWE at SummerSlam 2025 following a two-year break due to legal troubles, hinting at a possible rivalry with John Cena as part of Cena’s farewell tour.
Brock Lesnar has returned to WWE in a spectacular manner, concluding his two-year absence with a shocking appearance at the end of SummerSlam 2025. Famously known as “The Beast Incarnate,” Lesnar had remained away from wrestling owing to his involvement in the Janel Grant–Vince McMahon legal case. Now that the legal hurdles have been addressed, Lesnar has resumed his role in WWE storylines, generating immense buzz.
According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, Lesnar was given legal clearance to return by WWE roughly four weeks prior to his SummerSlam comeback. Meltzer said, “Four weeks ago, WWE Legal cleared him (Brock Lesnar),” and added that WWE skipped press conferences to maintain secrecy around his return.
Lesnar was last seen in WWE at SummerSlam 2023, where he lost to Cody Rhodes. Fittingly, he returned just after Rhodes defeated John Cena in a fierce Street Fight to win the Undisputed WWE Championship on Night 2 of SummerSlam 2025. As Cena remained in the ring, Lesnar’s entrance music suddenly hit, leaving fans stunned. He entered the ring and delivered a powerful F-5 to Cena, setting up what appears to be a marquee feud.
Triple H later disclosed that Cena himself had requested to work with Lesnar during his farewell tour. A clash between Lesnar and Cena is now expected to be the first major storyline of that tour. However, Cena may not be Lesnar’s only possible rival.
What Is the Controversy Around Brock Lesnar?
In January 2024, former WWE staffer Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, accusing the WWE founder of sex trafficking and subjecting her to sexual abuse described as “extremely cruel and degrading.” The case also named Lesnar, alleging that McMahon offered Grant to him for sexual activities.
A representative told USA TODAY Sports that Lesnar’s return represents an “effort to hide misconduct.”
“For too long, abuse has been allowed to continue under WWE’s leadership. Rather than taking responsibility, WWE has failed to act against those involved. This effort to cover up wrongdoing will not succeed,” the spokesperson said. “We are eager for the full truth, including details involving Mr. Lesnar, to emerge in a court of law, where they rightly belong.”
