ALL OF BROCK LESNAR'S WWE RETURNS
FIRST RETURN – APRIL 2012 (RAW AND RIVALRY WITH CENA)
After years of inactivity, Lesnar returned to WWE on the April 2, 2012, episode of RAW, reigniting his rivalry with John Cena. The overwhelming presence of the "Beast Incarnate" brought a new rhythm to the weekly programming and paved the way for bigger clashes that culminated at that year's SummerSlam.
SUMMERSLAM 2012 – CELEBRATED WITH THE KIMURA LOCK
At SummerSlam 2012, Lesnar returned with a vengeance: he faced Triple H and used the Kimura Lock to secure the victory, showcasing a brutal new version of his arsenal. This return not only introduced an iconic move but also repositioned Lesnar as a dominant and relentless force within the roster.
SPECIAL EPISODE – SMACKDOWN 20TH ANNIVERSARY (OCTOBER 2019)
On the October 4, 2019, episode celebrating SmackDown's 20th anniversary, Lesnar accomplished what many considered impossible: he defeated Kofi Kingston in about eight seconds, winning his fifth WWE title. This lightning-fast return shocked the entire audience, reaffirming his aura of instant destruction.
ROYAL RUMBLE 2020 – DOMINATION AND NUMBER 1
At the 2020 Royal Rumble, Lesnar appeared to declare that no one deserved to challenge for the title, so he entered as number 1. He eliminated the first 13 entrants, tying a record, before being eliminated by Drew McIntyre. It was a display of absolute power, reinforcing his image as an insatiable competitive beast.
SWAKENINGS AND DEPARTURE (2020–2021)
After losing the title at WrestleMania 36 (taped in March and aired in April 2020), Lesnar announced that he was no longer under contract with WWE. His "retirement" seemed definitive... until a turnaround in 2021, when he returned and cemented a new phase as a part-timer, but with each appearance duly impactful.
THE CONTROVERSIAL RETURN — SUMMERSLAM 2025
Brock Lesnar, absent since SummerSlam 2023, was secretly transported to New Jersey and kept completely under wraps until his surprise appearance. Even writers and production staff were in the dark, and many bet that the return would be The Rock's, not Lesnar's.
After Cena lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes, Lesnar emerged from the ring and delivered a devastating F-5 before Cena could even recover, ending the event with shock and maximum intensity.
His absence was motivated by his involvement in a widespread sex trafficking accusation involving Vince McMahon and Janel Grant. Although Lesnar is not a defendant, reports indicate that he was granted judicial clearance weeks before the event, allowing his return, a controversial decision that sparked widespread debate about ethics and entertainment.
From his most iconic returns to dramatic twists and killer stealth moves, Brock Lesnar has established himself as the master of impactful comebacks. Each of his returns has not only rekindled his aura of menace, but also redefined WWE's creative landscape. SummerSlam 2025 was marked by backstage tensions and repercussions outside the ring, perhaps becoming his most iconic and controversial return.
