Brock Lesnar Retiring in 2026? WWE’s Plans For Three Top Stars Revealed
Brock Lesnar could be the next top WWE star to retire following John Cena and AJ Styles amid reports suggesting next year could be his final year competing. The Beast Incarnate returned at SummerSlam and has competed in two matches while continuing on a part-time schedule.
WWE Planning Brock Lesnar Retirement
Lesnar defeated Cena, who retires tomorrow night, at Wrestlepalooza in September before ending up on the winning team at Survivor Series: WarGames earlier this month. He has made sporadic appearances since returning, and it seems he could soon be finishing up his career by taking on a similar farewell journey as Cena.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the plan for 2026 is a potential retirement run for Lesnar, who is advertised for the Royal Rumble on January 31st and WrestleMania 42 in April. What that run looks like remains to be seen, but it could involve him facing past foes and upcoming talent, much like Cena has throughout his farewell tour.
Cena fuelled talk of a Lesnar retirement earlier this week when he suggested that he would soon be going “into the sunset, which is, I think, in Minnesota.” This is the 48-year-old’s hometown and also where next year’s SummerSlam PLE takes place.
Lesnar isn’t advertised for any shows leading up to the Royal Rumble and is being used as a box-office attraction, with his appearances pre-announced and at major events. Speculation is growing over his match at WrestleMania next year, but he isn’t expected to be in either of the world title pictures.
WWE Also Planning AJ Styles and Chris Jericho Retirements
Another member of WWE’s current roster set to retire next year is AJ Styles, who has confirmed his intentions to call time on his career. The Phenomenal One faced Cena at Crown Jewel and could enter his retirement year as World Tag Team Champion alongside Dragon Lee.
The report also suggests WWE have plans for a Styles retirement run and this has been suggested for quite some time. The 48-year-old is another legendary name who could similarly fit the criteria for a farewell tour.
Chris Jericho continues to be rumored to return to WWE once his contract with AEW expires at the end of this year. There are thought to be similar talks taking place over the 55-year-old bidding farewell to pro wrestling with one last run with the company.
That will only happen if Jericho signs with the promotion, and speculation continues to suggest he is leaning towards a return to WWE. He hinted at an interest in doing so back in September and hasn’t been seen on AEW TV since April.
Meltzer noted that Lesnar and Jericho’s potential retirement runs aren’t “locked in”, but Styles’ is set in stone, given he announced his plans to retire. Of the three, if Jericho were to sign, it feels as though his possible last run could extend further than 2026, although this isn’t being reported.