Brock Lesnar Potentially Retiring from WWE in 2026

At September’s Wrestlepalooza PLE, John Cena went head-to-head with Brock Lesnar in a match that quickly turned into a dominant showcase for the returning Beast. Lesnar overwhelmed the 17-time WWE Champion with ease, and with Cena’s retirement just hours away, it was clear there was never any plan to extend their latest—and final—encounter beyond that night. The bout felt less like a competitive clash and more like a statement, reinforcing Lesnar’s aura as WWE’s ultimate final boss rather than serving as a sentimental farewell for Cena.

In the weeks since, it’s been widely reported that WWE was intent on reestablishing Lesnar as a force after his two-year absence. That approach has continued, with Lesnar taking part in the WarGames match at Survivor Series, even as speculation grows that his own in-ring career may be nearing its end. His limited but impactful appearances suggest a carefully managed schedule designed to preserve his mystique while maximizing his value for major events.

Dave Meltzer added fuel to that discussion in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that WWE is quietly laying the groundwork for Lesnar’s eventual farewell. Meltzer also suggested that 2026 could be a pivotal year, potentially seeing not one, not two, but three major stars step away from active competition.

“I didn’t get the impression it was locked in except for Styles, who has made it clear it will be in 2026 but not when. But the Lesnar name has been talked about, which is probably where the story came from.”

Chris Jericho is expected to return to WWE for one final run, if he hasn’t already signed, while AJ Styles—currently holding the World Tag Team Championships on RAW—has been open about the end of his in-ring career drawing closer. Together, those departures would mark a symbolic changing of the guard, closing the book on an era defined by larger-than-life personalities.

As for Lesnar, Cena may have offered the strongest hint yet during a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet. In that conversation, Cena appeared to confirm that Lesnar is set to ride off into the sunset following SummerSlam 2026. The event is scheduled to take place over two nights, August 1 and August 2, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Who Lesnar will face in his final match remains an open question. It’s far too early to say for certain, but Bron Breakker stands out as a logical choice, representing the next generation of WWE’s power-based main event stars. WWE positioning Cena as a final hurdle on the road to the end of Lesnar’s career is a decision that’s likely to remain divisive among fans, particularly those who hoped Cena’s final matches would focus more on competitive balance than spectacle.

It is somewhat surprising that Lesnar wouldn’t hold on for what would almost certainly be a massive WrestleMania payday in Saudi Arabia in 2027. Still, a SummerSlam farewell makes sense, especially given Lesnar’s deep ties to Minneapolis, making it a fitting location for the final chapter of his storied WWE career.

Beyond the opponent and location, the bigger question is how WWE chooses to frame Lesnar’s exit. Unlike Cena or Styles, Lesnar has never been driven by emotional promos or extended farewell tours, and that likely won’t change at the end. His legacy has always been about impact over sentiment, destruction over nostalgia. A short, violent final run that elevates a future cornerstone may ultimately be more in line with who Lesnar has been for the past two decades. If SummerSlam 2026 is truly the end, fans should expect something decisive, physical, and unmistakably Brock—no speeches, no curtain calls, just one last dominant statement before the door finally closes.