Clarification on Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena WWE Wrestlepalooza finish

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer clarified some rumors surrounding the finish of Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

The match — which was Lesnar’s first time competing since 2023 — saw Lesnar pick up a dominant victory reminiscent of his win over Cena from SummerSlam 2014. While there are rumors that Cena was originally intended to win until a late change in plans, Meltzer says there were never any serious discussions about Lesnar losing.

“We were told that was not the case, and that Lesnar was not brought back to lose his first match. There are always discussions and the idea may have been broached for Cena to win, as most expected, but it was never a serious discussion or ever the planned finish,” Meltzer wrote.

“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.”

Lesnar vs. Cena opened the Wrestlepalooza card as the first match of WWE’s new PLE era on ESPN. There was a reunion between Lesnar and Paul Heyman as Heyman did Lesnar’s ring introduction for the match. Heyman currently manages The Vision — a faction with Breakker, Bronson Reed, and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.

WWE is reportedly not planning for there to be another Lesnar vs. Cena match before Cena retires. After Wrestlepalooza, Cena only has five dates left on his WWE retirement tour. Up next for Cena is a match against AJ Styles at Crown Jewel: Perth on October 11.