Rumors are circulating that Brock Lesnar may retire at WWE SummerSlam 2026. While the date hasn’t been officially confirmed, reports suggest that 2026 is shaping up to be a year of major farewells for the company, with retirement runs planned for Lesnar, AJ Styles, and potentially Chris Jericho if he signs.
Dave Meltzer addressed the speculation in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that while he couldn’t confirm the specific SummerSlam date, he had heard talk of 2026 being the target year for these retirements. “I didn’t get the impression it was locked in except for Styles, who has made it clear it will be in 2026 but not when. But the Lesnar name has been talked about, which is probably where the story came from,” Meltzer wrote.
John Cena added fuel to the fire during a recent interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. Discussing his own recent match with Lesnar, Cena alluded to a long-term plan culminating in Lesnar’s home state. “In his return again, only my perspective, [this is an] attraction where we are going to build until he goes into the sunset, which is, I think, in Minnesota,” Cena stated.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been confirmed as the host city for SummerSlam 2026, which will take place over two nights on August 1 and August 2 at US Bank Stadium. Given Lesnar’s history as a former NCAA Heavyweight Champion for the University of Minnesota and his residence in the area, the location offers a fitting backdrop for a potential farewell.
Regarding his recent loss to Lesnar, Cena explained that it was a strategic move to build Lesnar back up as a “mountain” for a future star to climb. He described Lesnar as “once in a genre,” praising his unique presence in the industry. “There will be one Brock Lesnar in wrestling, and that’s from like carnival time to the time we shut the lights out,” Cena said.
Meanwhile, the situation with Chris Jericho remains a topic of discussion. Reports indicate that his current contract is set to expire soon, and WWE has expressed interest in bringing him back for a retirement tour in 2026. While nothing is official, the alignment of these potential farewells could make 2026 a historic year for WWE legends.
