Brock Lesnar’s WWE return at SummerSlam was one of the most shocking moments of 2025, but the case of whose decision it was to bring him back is still up in the air.
Lesnar attacked John Cena at SummerSlam, seemingly setting up one final clash between the two legends in 2025.
The two men have a storied rivalry, having met in the main events of Extreme Rules, SummerSlam, and Night of Champions.
Triple H claimed Cena requested Lesnar for his WWE retirement tour, but previous quotes from the 17-time champion are in contrast to The Game’s.
John Cena said he wouldn’t pick his WWE retirement tour opponents back in 2024
Back in 2024, during Cena’s retirement tour inception, he fielded several questions from journalists about the unique swansong.
Naturally, the 17-time champion was asked about who he might face in 2025, but Cena was adamant he wouldn’t be picking them.
“I don’t and never put much stock in expectations that are beyond my control,” Cena said after announcing his retirement tour at the 2024 Money in the Bank.
Asked by a reporter if he had any opponents in mind for his retirement tour, Cena said that was completely down to the people in charge.
“I’ve tried to lead an existence where I can control what I can, and I am in no position to hand-pick opponents,” explained Cena.
These comments are the exact opposite of what Triple H claimed at SummerSlam when he said the 17-time champion hand-picked Lesnar for a match on his retirement tour.
Cena has faced Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, R-Truth, and Randy Orton in singles matches in 2025, as well as taken part in the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber.
What has John Cena said about Brock Lesnar?
Despite claiming he doesn’t pick his WWE opponents, Cena must be very happy to collide with The Beast one more time.
The star has heaped praise on Lesnar in the past, including calling him the “best in-ring performer of all time” in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
I really do think so,” explained Cena. “I genuinely think he has a good understanding of who he is. I think he’s the best at when he needs to be dominant, he’s the best in situations of jeopardy.”
The location for Cena and Lesnar’s final bout is yet to be decided, but the 17-time champion’s confirmed PLEs for the rest of the year are Clash in Paris, Survivor Series, and Crown Jewel.