Brock Lesnar is bringing the pain once more.
After a two-year hiatus from the WWE, the seven-time world champion surprised fans at SummerSlam 2025 in New Jersey on Aug. 3, where he went up against his old wrestling foe John Cena.
And the WWE went to great lengths to keep Lesnar’s appearance a total surprise—even to many folks who were working the event.
“The Beast Incarnate” was flown into Teterboro airport on Aug. 2, according to a report from Fightful, per Newsweek, as the smaller airport would likely attract less attention. The 48-year-old was then hidden throughout the day to avoid anyone accidentally seeing him.
Multiple WWE writers and producers weren’t told he would be part of the SumerSlam finale, with the report noting that the organization even canceled its post-show press conference so as to prevent any leaks.
Luckily, it all went to plan, as Lesnar entered the ring to thunderous applause. The surprise occurred just as Cena—who has said he’ll be retiring as a WWE performer at the end of the year—was taking a moment by himself after losing to CodyRhodes.
The fans were chanting, “Thank you, Cena” as Lesnar’s entrance music, “Next Big Thing,” started playing.
And despite Cena’s loss, Lesnar showed him no mercy, delivering his “F-5” finishing move on Cena to end the show.
Following the face-off, fans were overjoyed to have the WWE icon back in the ring.
“I woke my parents up screaming,” one commented on an Aug. 3 Instagram post from the WWE. Another added, “WWE, YOU HAVE WON MY HEART AGAIN.”
Another fan added, “I SCREAMED SO LOUD I THINK I WENT DEAF.”
One fan—who is known online as “Brock Lesnar Guy” for his enthusiastic reaction to Lesnar’s return to the WWE in 2012—shared a video to Instagram of his elated reaction to the most recent return, captioning it, “WE ARE SO BACK!!!!!!!!!!!”
Lesnar’s last SummerSlam appearance was in 2023, when he also lost to Rhodes during their matchup.
