Brock Lesnar has been used as a special attraction since his WWE return in 2012. However, The Beast Incarnate has been used even more sparingly since his shocking return at SummerSlam last year. Since returning from his two-year absence, Brock Lesnar has only wrestled two matches, one against John Cena at Wrestlepalooza and a short stint in the 2026 Royal Rumble. Paul Heyman announced an Open Challenge for Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42. Unfortunately for the scrambling WWE Creative Team, Brock Lesnar complicates things with his latest demand.
Who Will Brock Lesnar Face At WrestleMania 42?
The Road to WrestleMania 42 has taken more twists and turns than a Big Show heel-face turn. With injuries plaguing The Vision, the entire card has been reformatted on numerous occasions.
Some matches are being set in stone, such as Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill and CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns. At the same time, other WrestleMania matches are up in the air.
For instance, Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania match hasn’t been confirmed. Determining who will fill that slot might come down to the wire.
Royal Rumble Fallout with Oba Femi and LA Knight
After their faceoff in the Royal Rumble, it seems like the WWE Universe is clamoring for Oba Femi.
Meanwhile, seeds for a Brock Lesnar vs. LA Knight match were planted when The Mega Star teamed with Cody Rhodes to eliminate the former UFC star in the Royal Rumble.
Seth Rollins Returning from Injury
Lastly, some people are considering Seth Rollins to answer the Brock Lesnar Open Challenge. Adam Pearce revealed on Raw that Seth Rollins isn’t cleared to compete yet.
There is hope that The Visionary can be cleared by Mania. WWE may keep Seth Rollins’ status under wraps as a surprise for Brock Lesnar’s Open Challenge.
Seth Rollins was originally penciled in for Roman Reigns. After injuries had shaken up the Mania card, Seth Rollins was temporarily slotted against Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and even Logan Paul at one point.
WWE is also considering dropping the Open Challenge and announcing Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar in advance. Ticket sales are sluggish for WrestleMania, and WWE needs more marquee matches. With Seth Rollins taking out Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar may issue the challenge to the former Vision leader. Brock Lesnar is scheduled for this Monday’s Raw.
Either way, WWE isn’t sure which direction to go as WrestleMania looms. That’s because Brock Lesnar complicated the WrestleMania card with a monstrous ultimatum.
Brock Lensar Refuses to Lose Before Retirement
As we first reported here, Brock Lesnar is eyeing a 2026 retirement. Many WWE Superstars will put over various talents on their way out.
Case in point, John Cena did the honors for Cody Rhodes, Dominik Mysterio, and Gunther. Apparently, Brock Lesnar isn’t as giving as Big Match John.
Reports backstage indicate that Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar informed Paul Levesque that Brock will not lose any matches leading into his final one. That demand puts WWE in quite a predicament.
Brock Lesnar complicates the booking for WrestleMania, as many top Superstars are still left without matches. A majority of these stars could be hurt if they end up losing to Brock Lesnar on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
How Brock Lesnar Complicates WrestleMania 42 Plans
WWE clearly wants to book Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi at WrestleMania. However, Brock isn’t retiring yet. So, Brock Lesnar would have to defeat Oba Femi, and WWE is afraid that it will derail The Ruler’s momentum. They’re afraid of Oba Femi falling to the wayside after a Brock Lesnar loss, much like what happened to Omos after WrestleMania 39.
Slotting Seth Rollins in against Brock Lesnar could also be detrimental to The Visionary. That would mean Seth Rollins would lose his first match back from an injury.
Lastly, LA Knight is another Superstar who might be hurt by a loss to Brock Lesnar. Many believe it’s now or never for The Mega Star, as he’s failed to break through to the next level time and time again. Those same critics fear that a Brock Lesnar vs. LA Knight showdown would end up as a burial, much like WrestleMania 32 was for Dean Ambrose.
Lastly, WWE really wants to book Brock Lesnar vs. Gunther later in the year. So, if The Beast is to lose to Gunther, then Gunther would most likely have to be the final opponent of Brock Lesnar. WWE has to consider if they really want Gunther to be the man to retire Goldberg, John Cena, AJ Styles, and Brock Lesnar.
So, Brock Lesnar not doing business heading into WrestleMania throws yet another curveball onto the windy Road to the Showcase of the Immortals.