Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE on Sunday night, confronting John Cena, an unexpected move ahead of Summer Slam. Many fans expressed disdain for what they saw as a questionable decision by the wrestling organization, drawing parallels to Vince McMahon’s controversial leadership. Triple H’s approach seems not too far removed from McMahon’s style.
The 48-year-old former WWE and UFC star hadn’t been seen on screen since early 2023, owing to his involvement in an ongoing lawsuit linked to employee Janelle Grant, which began in January 2024. Nevertheless, fans erupted in excitement at MetLife Stadium upon his comeback.
This return follows a rather troubling trend for WWE. In the lead-up to Summer Slam, the company pressured talent to celebrate Hulk Hogan’s legacy during live broadcasts, disregarding personal wishes. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer critiqued WWE for altering their shows to prioritize certain performers, indicating a shift in focus under Triple H’s watch. Recently, WWE has opted to bypass post-event press conferences with independent media, choosing instead to control the narrative themselves, shifting from a free press to what some might call propaganda.
After Lesnar’s appearance at Summer Slam, the cancellation of the press conference seemed to fit this new strategy. Lesnar is a significant figure in the ongoing lawsuit; his identity was originally referenced only as a “WWE wrestler and former UFC fighter,” but it was updated to call him out specifically in subsequent filings. The lawsuit accuses Grant, a former WWE employee, of experiencing physical and sexual abuse, as well as being exploited in a form of internal trafficking.
Grant alleges that she was manipulated during negotiations to have Lesnar sign a new contract, being treated as an object rather than a person. McMahon reportedly arranged various scenarios where Grant was coerced into developing a sexual relationship with Lesnar, often being transported to different states in the process.
The lawsuit paints a stark picture, illustrating how McMahon allegedly exploited Grant’s vulnerabilities to use her as leverage, not only involving sexual encounters but also demanding explicit material as part of the negotiations. At one point, Lesnar supposedly expressed disinterest in Grant, dismissively calling her names when she failed to comply with his demands. Astonishingly, Lesnar’s name appears 44 times throughout the lawsuit, underscoring his prominent role.
In response to the allegations and pending lawsuit, WWE had distanced itself from Lesnar prior to his return. By January 2024, he was taken off the roster for the Royal Rumble, stripped from merchandise, and his likeness was removed from WWE’s promotional content. Clearly, there was an effort to separate the company from any negative associations with Lesnar amid the ongoing legal troubles.
It seems that WWE is now trying to rewrite its history and draw attention away from controversy. However, this strategy feels almost predictable, feeding into yet another Lesnar vs. Cena plot. This approach reflects an exceptionally McMahon-like decision during Triple H’s time in creative, effectively ignoring the serious issues at play in favor of nostalgia and established names. The lawsuit argues that Grant is in a precarious financial situation, grappling with the loss of her parents, and it suggests that McMahon financially capitalized on that vulnerability to exploit her relationships.
Moreover, it’s crucial to note that Grant has provided numerous text messages from McMahon and other WWE figures as part of her evidence, appearing to bolster her claims. Currently, the lawsuit is still unfolding, and no criminal action has been taken against Lesnar. However, the contrast between WWE’s intended image—one that markets to a young audience—and the serious allegations against it complicates the narrative considerably.
In light of recent events, WWE’s decision to bring back Lesnar while simultaneously curbing independent journalism raises eyebrows. It’s apparent that this move aims to control the narrative rather than address any scrutiny. WWE has forged partnerships with various broadcasters to push for broader audiences, seemingly relying on fans to justify their controversial actions.
Historically, WWE has adapted through various eras—the Golden Age, New Generation, Attitude Era. Now, it seems to be trying to pivot once again. Whether Triple H can genuinely bring change after McMahon’s era or not remains uncertain. Some believe he might only perpetuate existing issues.
