John Cena is gearing up for the final match of his iconic WWE career scheduled for a Saturday night main event. Meanwhile, another major star of the same era, Brock Lesnar, might also be approaching retirement, with 2026 being a potential year for his exit according to recent reports.
Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter shared that there is speculation Lesnar’s last match could happen at SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis. Meltzer noted, “There’s talk that Lesnar will retire at SummerSlam 2026. While I can’t officially confirm that date, I’ve heard for over a month that WWE’s plan for 2026 includes retirement runs for Lesnar, AJ Styles, and possibly Chris Jericho if he remains signed.” He added that this plan isn’t fully finalized, except for Styles, who has openly announced his intention to retire in 2026, although the exact timing is unclear. Lesnar’s retirement is still a subject of discussion and not yet confirmed.
WWE reportedly has a strategic plan to mark 2026 as a significant year where several top stars, including Styles, Lesnar, and Jericho, could wrap up their careers, making it a notable period in wrestling history.
Speculation around Lesnar’s retirement gained further momentum following comments from John Cena during a recent appearance on Insights by Chris Van Vleet. Reflecting on his strong loss to Lesnar at WrestlePalooza last September, Cena hinted that the defeat might fit into a larger storyline, possibly setting up Lesnar for a grand final run at SummerSlam 2026. Cena, already deep into his retirement, expressed that losing to Lesnar wouldn’t diminish his legacy but rather enhance the narrative.
At 48 years old, both Cena and Lesnar are at an age where retirement discussions are natural. Lesnar, who has no immediate plans for Hollywood or other ventures outside WWE, seems content with his career accomplishments and may see no reason to continue wrestling if he chooses not to. Additionally, some uncertainty regarding his relationship with Vince McMahon may also be influencing his potential decision to step away.
Fan Take: This news is huge for WWE fans as it signals the possible end of an era marked by powerhouse performers like Lesnar and Cena. Their retirements would majorly impact the sport, paving the way for new stars to rise while honoring the legacy of these legends.
