Brock Lesnar’s Unexpected Comeback
Brock Lesnar made a surprising return to WWE at SummerSlam after a two-year hiatus, coinciding with his name emerging in a high-profile lawsuit against former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
Dominating Presence at SummerSlam
Lesnar’s entrance music echoed throughout MetLife Stadium as he reappeared following the conclusion of Night 2 of SummerSlam, where Cody Rhodes had just claimed the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating John Cena. The former UFC Heavyweight Champion stunned the audience by executing his iconic F5 on Cena, setting the stage for a potential matchup later this year as part of Cena’s retirement tour.
Involvement in Legal Troubles
This marked Lesnar’s first appearance since he was mentioned in a civil lawsuit filed in January 2024 by former WWE employee Janel Grant, who accused McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Initially, Lesnar was not named in the original complaint, which referred to him as a “world-famous athlete.” However, an amended complaint in February identified Lesnar directly.
Grant alleges that McMahon asked her to create “personalized sexual content” for Lesnar during his contract negotiations in July 2021. She also claims that McMahon arranged to fly Lesnar to Connecticut for a sexual encounter that ultimately did not take place.
Reactions to the Allegations
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s attorney, dismissed the allegations, labeling Grant’s decision to name Lesnar in the lawsuit as a “publicity stunt.” She stated that the amended complaint is “filled with desperate falsehoods” and part of a smear campaign.
Impact on Lesnar’s WWE Presence
Since the lawsuit emerged, Lesnar’s merchandise has been removed from the WWE Shop, and he, along with McMahon, has been excluded as a character in the upcoming WWE 2K24 video game. There were expectations for Lesnar’s return at the 2024 Royal Rumble, but those plans changed following the lawsuit’s revelation.
The lawsuit includes severe allegations against McMahon, including claims of physical assault and forcing Grant into sexual relationships as a condition of her employment. McMahon has publicly denied all charges, with his legal team condemning the accusations as baseless and distorted.
Lesnar’s Return Changes the Dynamics
WWE’s chief content officer, Triple H, shared his thoughts during the post-SummerSlam show, emphasizing the transformative effect of Lesnar’s presence. “The dynamic in the room in WWE changes when The Beast is here,” he remarked, noting that Lesnar’s return alters the unpredictability of the organization.
Triple H acknowledged that Cena had an interest in facing Lesnar during his farewell run, referring to it as part of Cena’s “wish list” for his final opponents. “One of the very first things that I said to him was ‘Who do you want and how?’” he stated, highlighting the importance of Cena’s preferences in concluding his storied career.
