WWE SummerSlam 2025 ended with quite the headline as Brock Lesnar returned to the company for the first time in 2 years, almost to the day. The reason he’s been absent is that Lesnar is named in the Janel Grant lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. This was a wild way to close the show and viewers across social media expressed their outrage.
Janel Grant’s original lawsuit described an individual who was involved as a former UFC and WWE Champion. In an amended lawsuit, it became clear that the individual was none other than Brock Lesnar. Before that amendment, WWE took measures to remove Lesnar from creative plans and even pulled him almost completely out of the latest WWE video game. Since the initial accusations and Lesnar’s removal from television, several outlets reported that WWE had no plans for Lesnar to return.
B.J. Bethel tweeted out multiple instances in which Lesnar was mentioned by name in the amended lawsuit. The news and reactions of Lesnar’s return caused a wave of backlash online.
Brock Lesnar's name is mentioned and cited 44 times in Janel Grant's amended complaint against WWE and Vince McMahon. The complaint alleged Vince McMahon tried using Grant for sex favors to get Lesnar under a new contract. pic.twitter.com/BhF1BOb98N
— B. J. Bethel (@BJBethelTweets) August 4, 2025
This also comes on the same weekend in which WWE announced that it will no longer hold press conferences. It is clear why the company made the decision to do that, because it takes away the opportunity to be asked questions about this moment. Triple H has consistently struggled to provide effective answers to hard questions during the press conferences. Cancelling completely dodges the chance of a viral moment being created that could impact sponsors and other business opportunities.
“Three nights of Trump on your programming in a row,” said media member Phil Lindsay. “Why not just add a Brock Lesnar return for good measure.”
Three nights of Trump on your programming in a row. Why not just add a Brock Lesnar return for good measure lol
— Phil Lindsey (@PhilDL616) August 4, 2025
“Well we didn’t expect this…did we want it? Also no,” tweeted Cultaholic Wrestling.
Well we didn't expect this... did we want it? Also no. #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/NXIFndsnoN
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) August 4, 2025
“Lesnar is not a defendant in the suit,” tweeted Jon Alba. “But he is mentioned in it, with Grant claiming McMahon offered her to Lesnar for sex.”
Lesnar is not a defendant in the suit. But he is mentioned in it, with Grant claiming McMahon offered her to Lesnar for sex.
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) August 4, 2025
WWE and professional wrestling do not need Brock Lesnar
Professional wrestling continues to struggle to remove bad actors from its midst. WWE welcoming Brock Lesnar back as he faces serious allegations in a pending legal case seriously flies in the face of any progress this company has made in efforts to improve its culture. It is a serious matter that should be covered as such by all the media and journalism outlets that cover this business.
While the in-ring possibilities aren’t the most important part of this situation, Lesnar isn’t necessary in that aspect of the business either. There are so many different ways John Cena’s retirement tour could and should end. It does not need Lesnar’s involvement in any fashion. Nothing on either show needs the former champion, and this is yet another example of the same tired and lazy booking.
Negative responses came in fast after Brock Lesnar’s return during SummerSlam 2025. This was an unforced error and one that the company should be held accountable for every day.