How Brock Lesnarâ€s Return Changed John Cenaâ€s WWE Farewell Plans

John Cena was reportedly lined up for a history-making moment during his farewell run—but plans may have changed after Brock Lesnar stepped back into the picture.

According to Billi Bhatti on The Dirty Sheets Wrestling Informer podcast, WWE was preparing for Cena to finally win the Intercontinental Championship from AJ Styles at Crown Jewel in Perth. That win would have made Cena a career Grand Slam Champion, filling the last gap in his Hall of Fame resume. But the return of Brock Lesnar at WrestlePalooza may have thrown the entire arc off course.

Bhatti explained that Cena was scheduled to work a storyline-heavy feud with Styles for the IC title. Instead, he ended up in a surprise match with Lesnar—one that reportedly wasnâ€t part of WWEâ€s long-term creative direction.

“Crown Jewel was originally supposed to be a show where John Cena won the Intercontinental Championship from AJ Styles. Now, I was led to believe that because that wasnâ€t happening, that the match was done — and we never saw AJ Styles win the championship from Dominik Mysterio and carry the Intercontinental Championship on the show.â€

That match with Lesnar came at a cost. According to Bhatti, it may have burned through three of Cenaâ€s limited contractual appearances—two for the build, one for the match—leaving no room to build or drop the IC title.

“Because of this entire situation where John Cena doesnâ€t have time to lose the Intercontinental Championship, he also doesnâ€t have time to build up this match. The AJ Styles match, in terms of it being for the Intercontinental Championship, seemingly was canned.â€

Bhatti theorized that WWEâ€s original vision had Cena winning the title, defending it in a rematch against Dominik Mysterio, and eventually putting someone over at Survivor Series or in his final match on December 13. Dominik, who currently holds both the Intercontinental and AAA Mega Championships, could have been positioned as a key part of Cenaâ€s farewell arc.

“I think you would have circled back to Dominik Mysterio ending up winning the Intercontinental Championship back from John Cena — which would have meant John Cena would have been able to put over somebody whoâ€s the son of one of his very close friends, Rey Mysterio. It all made sense and it would have elevated Dominik Mysterio.â€

While Bhatti made it clear that not all parts of the arc were confirmed, he did stand firm on one key point:

“The part where John Cena was supposed to win the Intercontinental Championship from AJ Styles was 100% happening.â€

With Cena vs. AJ Styles now confirmed for Crown Jewel as a non-title match, Bhatti said the match seems to be happening with “absolutely no build,†likely because of how Lesnarâ€s surprise return consumed Cenaâ€s remaining schedule.

Itâ€s unclear if WWE might revisit the Grand Slam angle or if that opportunity has quietly slipped away forever.

Do you think WWE should still find a way to give John Cena the Grand Slam before he retires? Or is the moment already gone? Let us know your thoughts below.

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September 25, 2025 7:36 pm

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