The power dynamics in WWE shifted significantly last Friday when The Rock approached Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes with a provocative proposal on SmackDown. The Final Boss invited Rhodes to “sell out his soul” and become “his champion,” creating an intriguing situation that could potentially serve as a catalyst for Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE programming.
Lesnar has been conspicuously absent from WWE since his defeat at SummerSlam 2023, where Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in their trilogy-concluding match. The prolonged 18-month hiatus marks one of the longest periods fans have gone without seeing The Beast Incarnate in action during his modern WWE tenure.
While initial plans reportedly included Lesnar’s participation in the 2024 Royal Rumble, these arrangements were abandoned after he was mentioned in legal proceedings involving Vince McMahon. This development significantly complicated Lesnar’s status, with no clear timeline established for his eventual return to the company.
During Lesnar’s extended absence, WWE’s landscape has undergone substantial transformation. Most notably, Cody Rhodes fulfilled his long-pursued goal of capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship, cementing his position at the top of the company’s hierarchy. This championship achievement represents the culmination of the storyline that directly involved Lesnar during their trilogy of matches in 2023.
The Rock’s recent confrontation with Rhodes creates a fascinating potential scenario where these separate narrative threads could converge. While Rhodes appears unlikely to accept The Final Boss’s offer to turn heel, the storyline opens alternative possibilities – particularly one where The Rock might recruit a returning Lesnar as his representative to target Rhodes.
This theoretical alliance would provide Lesnar with immediate high-profile positioning upon his return while simultaneously offering a logical motivation – seeking revenge against Rhodes for his previous defeat at SummerSlam 2023. The scenario would elegantly connect multiple storylines while giving Lesnar a clear championship-focused direction aligned with The Rock’s current machinations.
However, it’s important to note that this potential return scenario remains purely speculative at this point. WWE has not offered any official indication regarding plans for Lesnar’s comeback, and recent developments have suggested his return timeline remains uncertain at best.
