Brock Lesnar's Shock WWE Comeback at SummerSlam
Brock Lesnar Returns to WWE Programming at SummerSlam
Brock Lesnar made his comeback to WWE programming at SummerSlam after a two-year absence related to his alleged connection to the Vince McMahon lawsuit. Lesnar, a prominent WWE star, had last appeared at SummerSlam in 2023 before being written off television due to his suspected involvement in the McMahon litigation.
Despite being mentioned in court filings, Lesnar is not a defendant in the lawsuit and has not publicly addressed the matter since being linked to it in February. The Daily Mail sought WWE's comment on Lesnar's status following his return amid the ongoing McMahon lawsuit but received no immediate response.
During the main event at SummerSlam between John Cena and Cody Rhodes, after Rhodes lost his championship to Cena, Lesnar's entrance music played, signaling his return and exciting WWE fans in attendance.
The lawsuit against McMahon, filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, was amended in February, accusing McMahon of sex trafficking. The updated complaint included disturbing allegations involving McMahon and other wrestling company members, implicating Lesnar as the wrestler allegedly persuaded to stay under contract through inappropriate means.
The lawsuit claimed that McMahon had engaged in discussions with Lesnar in 2021 about a WWE return, offering her to Lesnar and instructing her to create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar. McMahon allegedly shared explicit photos with Lesnar and made inappropriate remarks, leading to a controversial agreement upon Lesnar's WWE contract renewal.
McMahon was accused of providing Grant's phone number to a WWE star who requested a video of her urinating, followed by derogatory comments. Additionally, McMahon reportedly arranged a meeting between Grant and Lesnar, which did not result in a sexual encounter as Lesnar was escorted back to his plane intoxicated.
Lesnar's return to WWE coincided with the company's decision to discontinue live press conferences for local media after premium live events, following the lawsuit filed in January 2024 around the time Lesnar was expected to return to television.
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier revealed that Lesnar was on WWE's list of banned performers, adding to the mixed reactions from WWE fans regarding Lesnar's return and the legal implications surrounding it. WWE executive Paul 'Triple H' Levesque addressed Lesnar's comeback, emphasizing the company's efforts to provide a fitting farewell for Cena during his retirement tour.