Brock Lesnar made a breathtaking WWE return at SummerSlam 2025 only hours after Cody Rhodes beat John Cena in a grueling Street Fight to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship. Despite being named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit Lesnar delivered an F‑5 and reignited WWE’s chaos. Full results, lawsuit background, Rhodes vs Cena and the fallout.
🎬 SummerSlam 2025 : Night 2 Main Event
- Cody Rhodes defeated very badly John Cena in a brutal Street Fight avenging WrestleMania defeat and reclaiming the Undisputed WWE Title. Rhodes executed a decisive Cross Rhodes after an avalanche Cody Cutter. Cena later embraced Rhodes and quietly passed the torch.
- Immediately after Cena’s farewell moment Brock Lesnar’s theme hit marking his first WWE appearance since SummerSlam 2023. He stormed the ring and delivered an F‑5 to Cena ending Night 2 on a shocking note.
⚖ Legal Turmoil: The Janel Grant Lawsuit
- In January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault and trafficking involving Vince McMahon. Though initially unnamed Brock Lesnar was later identified in an amended 2025 complaint.
- Grant alleges McMahon offered to arrange a sexual encounter with Lesnar and requested personalized sexual content. Lesnar is not a defendant and WWE and McMahon have denied all allegations.
- Lesnar was quietly removed from WWE programming and merch until his surprise return.
🎤 WWE’s Official Take & Creative Shift
- Triple H who is WWE’s Chief Content Officer called Lesnar’s return a “dynamic shift” and validated its impact: “It makes it unpredictable.” He acknowledged that returning Lesnar was John Cena’s request for his farewell tour.
🔁 Cody Rhodes vs John Cena: Street Fight
- The match was one of the most physical of the year: weapons, high-risk spots and emotional investment. Cody Rhodes ultimately regained gold with a savage Cross Rhodes through a table.
- ESPN highlighted this bout as a defining moment in Cena’s retirement tour.
Shit about to go down he’s back !! #SummerSlam #BrockLesnar #Cena pic.twitter.com/9HDGCjz258
— MrB (@MrTDW_) August 4, 2025
🧠 Fan & Media Response
- Reddit’s /r/SquaredCircle exploded: “CODY RHODES IS CHAMP!!!” accompanied by heavy praise for the match’s storytelling and brutality.
- Social media backlash over Lesnar’s return grew swiftly many criticizing WWE’s handling of the Janel Grant allegations and questioning the ethics of Lesnar’s comeback.
🌐 Brock Lesnar Legacy
- Lesnar had been “persona non grata” following lawsuit implications his character was removed from video games and promotions. UFC legend Daniel Cormier even joked Lesnar was “banned.”
- His return while controversial signals WWE’s confidence in him as a draw under Triple H’s leadership.