A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has shed more light on the status of Brock Lesnar during his recent two-year absence from WWE, revealing that “The Beast Incarnate” was actually a free agent for a period of time before his shocking return at SummerSlam.
In the latest edition of the newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that while Lesnar was being paid on his previous contract long after the company stopped using him on television, that deal eventually expired, leaving him as a free agent for several months. “A correction regarding Brock Lesnar. Lesnar actually just signed a new contract to return,” Meltzer wrote. “He was getting paid on his prior contract long after they stopped using him, but that deal did expire and he actually was a free agent for months until the new deal was signed.”
The report also clarified why WWE could not simply extend his previous contract due to the time he missed, as is often the case with injured talent. “They couldn’t extend the prior deal due to injury like with others because he wasn’t injured and it was their choice not to use him,” Meltzer explained. Lesnar’s absence was a direct result of the company’s decision to keep him off of television following his name being mentioned in the Janel Grant lawsuit.
Lesnar’s return to WWE at the end of the SummerSlam premium live event on August 3 was a shock to the wrestling world. He appeared after the main event and attacked John Cena, reigniting their rivalry. It had been previously reported that WWE’s legal team had given the okay for his return about a month prior to the show, a decision that was kept a closely guarded secret.
The new contract is reportedly for a limited number of dates, which is in line with Lesnar’s schedule for the past several years. His next match is expected to be the first time he has competed since SummerSlam 2023. Lesnar’s next match is expected to be a singles encounter with John Cena at the inaugural Wrestlepalooza premium live event on September 20.
He is rumored to be appearing on tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Chicago to continue the build to that match. The full report on his contract status can be found in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
