Brock Lesnar is reportedly being lined up as the next major WWE star to retire, following the footsteps of John Cena and AJ Styles, with 2026 possibly marking his final year. Since returning at SummerSlam, Lesnar has competed in a couple of matches while maintaining a part-time schedule. He notably bested Cena at Wrestlepalooza in September and was part of the winning team at Survivor Series: War Games recently. Although his appearances have been sporadic, he seems to be on a farewell tour akin to Cena’s, signaling the imminent end of his wrestling career.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer noted that Lesnar might participate in key events like the Royal Rumble on January 31 and WrestleMania 42 in April before retiring. Like Cena’s exit, Lesnar’s final run could involve bouts against former rivals and new talents. Cena ignited retirement rumors by suggesting Lesnar might soon be “going into the sunset, maybe in Minnesota,” which is both Lesnar’s hometown and the location for next year’s SummerSlam. Lesnar has not been heavily promoted before the Royal Rumble and is typically used as a major attraction at big events, though he is unlikely to contend for world titles.
In addition to Lesnar, WWE plans to retire AJ Styles next year, who has already confirmed his intention to end his wrestling career. Styles will face Cena at Crown Jewel and may conclude his career as World Tag Team Champion alongside Dragon Lee. There are also talks about Chris Jericho potentially retiring after his AEW contract ends this year, with rumors suggesting he might return to WWE for a final run. While Jericho’s comeback and retirement plans aren’t guaranteed, Styles’ announced retirement makes these developments plausible. If Jericho returns, his final tenure might extend beyond 2026.
Fan Take: This impending wave of retirements marks a significant transition period for WWE fans, closing the chapter on some of the industry’s biggest legends. It also opens up exciting opportunities for fresh talents to rise and shape the future of professional wrestling.
