Brock Lesnar is expected to step away from WWE television for the immediate future, following his dominant return match at Wrestlepalooza. A report from Fightful Select states that Lesnar will be off-camera “for a while,” with no confirmed timeline for his next appearance or program.
Internally, Lesnar is listed for two marquee events in 2026: the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and WrestleMania 42. While speculation continues regarding a possible WrestleMania showdown with Bron Breakker, no match has been officially confirmed.
Lesnar’s current hiatus comes after his decisive victory over John Cena on September 20 in Indianapolis. The contest, his first in two years, was booked to re-establish him as an unstoppable force and launch a long-term creative direction centered on his aura of dominance.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE’s plan is to build Lesnar’s kayfabe strength before eventually using his defeat to elevate a rising star. Jacob Fatu, Bron Breakker, and Cody Rhodes have all been discussed as potential opponents positioned to “slay the monster.” Dave Meltzer explained, “The match was all about making Lesnar as strong as possible, getting a last match with Cena, and the feeling Cena more than anyone is bullet proof no matter what they do with him. They are spending a ton to get Lesnar and the idea is to make him a monster and have someone slay the monster. It would be more valuable saving the big and first Lesnar loss for Jacob Fatu or Bron Breakker, unless Cody Rhodes needs a challenger and if they feud, in the end, Rhodes does have to get a win.”
Rumors suggesting Cena was originally booked to win have been firmly denied. Billi Bhatti of the Wrestling Informer podcast stated, “I can tell you that that story is 100% bulls–t. Brock Lesnar was winning that match all the time, throughout the entire time Brock Lesnar was winning. John Cena did not need to come to television or come to the show on Saturday and say that he wanted the finish changed to Brock Lesnar winning.”