Brock Lesnar was a free agent for several months before his return to WWE, as previously reported. His previous contract with the company had fully expired during his extended absence from television. Lesnar has since signed a completely new deal for a limited number of appearances.
The situation stemmed from WWE’s choice not to use him. This decision followed the mention of his name in a lawsuit filed by Janel Grant against Vince McMahon and the company. The suit alleges McMahon offered Lesnar s—x with Grant as an incentive to sign a contract in 2021. Lesnar is not a defendant in the lawsuit.
Because Lesnar was not injured, WWE could not legally freeze his existing contract, which allowed it to expire.
Now, in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided a correction on Lesnar’s status. “Lesnar actually just signed a new contract to return. He was getting paid on his prior contract long after they stopped using him, but that deal did expire and he actually was a free agent for months until the new deal was signed,” Meltzer wrote. “They couldn’t extend the prior deal due to injury like with others because he wasn’t injured and it was their choice not to use him.” (h/t Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
WWE’s legal team eventually cleared Lesnar for a return. The company then presented a new offer, and both parties agreed to terms just before SummerSlam.