Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 plans have been unveiled, revealing that The Beast will assume the role of a babyface at the event. Lesnar made a shocking comeback at SummerSlam this past August by ambushing John Cena and then decisively defeating the 17-time world champion at Wrestlepalooza. Since his return, Lesnar has primarily appeared as a heel, participating in two matches including a win over Cena, and teaming with The Vision and Drew McIntyre to triumph over CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and The Usos at Survivor Series War Games. Now 48, Lesnar continues to participate part-time, making occasional appearances on WWE RAW and SmackDown, and has featured in promotions for WrestleMania 42 and next April’s major event.
According to Self Made Pro via Last Word on Sports, Lesnar is set to face Gunther at WrestleMania, taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. This matchup replaces the originally planned bout against Bron Breaker, changed due to Seth Rollins’ injury. Breaker is now expected to challenge Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship in a probable rematch, which will be showcased on the upcoming RAW premiere on Netflix. This will be the inaugural encounter between Lesnar and Gunther, a bout eagerly anticipated since Gunther’s arrival in WWE. The storyline could be intriguing, with the Austrian challenger aiming to force the former UFC Champion into submission, a scenario reminiscent of how Lesnar ended Cena’s career.
If Lesnar does face Gunther at WrestleMania, it could signal a shift in his character. WWE is likely motivated to maintain Lesnar’s status as the ultimate supervillain. Recently on WWE RAW, Lesnar faced heavy boos during his first appearance after defeating Cena. Lesnar is accustomed to playing a babyface, such as in his WrestleMania 38 clash with Roman Reigns, and his recent antics have sparked some accidental comedic fan reactions, like his torn jeans and a fall during an entrance. Lesnar excels at portraying a good character who quickly turns destructive, making a confrontation with Gunther—one of WWE’s premier big men—captivating. Speculation suggests 2026 could be Lesnar’s final year competing, with Gunther positioned as a fitting final opponent to follow in the footsteps of retiring legends Cena and Goldberg, though this confrontation may not occur as soon as WrestleMania.
Fan Take: This news is huge for WWE fans as it marks a potential new chapter for Brock Lesnar, transitioning him into a heroic role against a formidable adversary in Gunther. Their showdown promises to be a career-defining moment that could shape the future landscape of WWE’s heavyweight division.
