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- Lesnar returns, Cena's retirement match & AJ Lee twist
Lesnar returns, Cena's retirement match & AJ Lee twist
Inside: Lesnar ruins major match and more
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Brock Lesnar made his long-awaited return on the September 5 episode of SmackDown, his first appearance since SummerSlam 2025. The Beast Incarnate shocked fans by targeting a surprising name before going after John Cena. During Cena’s emotional farewell to the blue brand in Chicago, he was confronted by 41-year-old United States Champion Sami Zayn, creating a full-circle moment as Zayn had once shared the ring with Cena in his 2015 debut. Their clash, however, never reached a conclusion.
Lesnar stormed the ring, turning the match into chaos. In a surprising twist, he attacked Sami Zayn first, planting the U.S. Champion with a crushing F-5, before delivering the same fate to Cena moments later. After the carnage, Lesnar sent a chilling eight-word message, leaving the WWE Universe stunned and speculation running wild about his true intentions. His shocking return now sets the stage for a potentially explosive rivalry on the road to Wrestlepalooza.
 AJ Lee has officially returned to WWE after more than a decade away, marking her first appearance in nearly 4,000 days. The shocking comeback took place in the main event of SmackDown in Chicago, where tensions between CM Punk and Becky Lynch boiled over. Earlier in the night, General Manager Nick Aldis warned Lynch not to cause trouble, but she ignored the order and continued to provoke Punk alongside her husband, Seth Rollins, who crossed over from RAW to back her up. As Becky repeatedly slapped Punk, he stood his ground, insisting he would never strike a woman, but teased that he knew someone who would. In a stunning twist, that someone turned out to be AJ Lee, who stormed back to WWE after 10 years. She floored Becky Lynch, embraced her husband in the ring, and soaked in the deafening ovation from the Chicago crowd. The emotional return not only reignited AJ’s career but also set the stage for a blockbuster mixed tag feud between Punk & Lee and Rollins & Lynch. |  On SmackDown, WWE officially confirmed the return of a classic stipulation match not seen in over a decade: the United States Open Challenge. Sami Zayn, fresh off his career-defining victory to win the U.S. Title, announced he would honor tradition by defending the championship in open challenges, just as John Cena did in 2015 following WrestleMania 31. Cena’s run produced some of the most iconic matches of the era, helping elevate stars like Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn himself. Now, Zayn is set to carry on that legacy, inviting mystery opponents to step up until someone takes the gold from him. However, the excitement was quickly overshadowed by the looming shadow of Brock Lesnar. The Beast has already made his presence felt in Zayn’s path, brutally attacking him alongside John Cena during his shocking return. With Lesnar back and chaos surrounding the U.S. Title scene, Zayn’s noble gesture of reviving the Open Challenge could quickly descend into mayhem, leaving fans questioning how long he’ll be able to uphold the tradition. |
FROM THE RUMOR MILL
John Cena is officially set to bring his legendary WWE career to a close before the end of the year, with his retirement match scheduled for December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event inside the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The 17-time World Champion revealed his plans to retire during the 2024 Money in the Bank Premium Live Event, beginning a farewell tour filled with history-making moments.
In the past year alone, Cena competed in his final Royal Rumble, where he finished as the runner-up to Jey Uso, and also secured a victory in his last Elimination Chamber Match. His final WrestleMania appearance was equally dramatic, as he shockingly turned heel by aligning with The Rock and dethroning Cody Rhodes to become a record 17-time world champion. According to WrestleVotes, his farewell bout in Washington, D.C., will mark the definitive end of one of the greatest careers in professional wrestling history.
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Drew McIntyre has long been one of WWE’s premier superstars, rising to the top after winning the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Match and defeating Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania 36 to capture his first WWE Championship. That victory cemented him as a main-event fixture and a fan favorite during one of the company’s most challenging eras.
However, McIntyre dramatically shifted gears on the November 13, 2023, episode of RAW, when he turned heel by aligning with The Judgment Day. On that night, he interfered to help Finn Bálor and Damian Priest retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship against Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. His villainous run was cut short, though, when he lost to Priest in a Steel Cage Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event 39, after which he quietly went on hiatus from WWE programming.
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ANALYSIS CORNER
The life of a WWE Superstar is often portrayed as glamorous, with the roar of the crowd, championship gold, and global recognition. Yet behind the spectacle lies a grueling lifestyle—constant travel, weekly performances, and long stretches away from family and friends. The demands of the road test both physical endurance and emotional resilience, shaping the day-to-day reality of professional wrestlers far beyond what fans see on television.
In that whirlwind, superstars often form deep connections with their colleagues, who share the same relentless schedule and pressures. These bonds, forged through years on the road together, can sometimes blossom into romance. Fans usually discover these relationships through social media posts or industry reports, sparking curiosity and conversation about the personal lives of their favorite WWE performers.
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