Is Brock Lesnar planning to retire at WWE WrestleMania 42? Latest comments fuel speculation

The Beast Incarnate will take on Oba Femi at WrestleMania 42.

‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar issued an open challenge for WrestleMania 42, which Oba Femi answered. Femi also got the upper hand in their two back-to-back physical confrontation, making it clear that he has no fear of the Beast.

A clash for Mania is now set between the two. Ahead of the clash, Lesnar made an appearance on Spittin’ Chiclets podcast to discuss multiple things, among which was his highly anticipated return last year. However, Lesnar said something while discussing his return that sparked rumors of his retirement.

Brock Lesnar is only back for a short time

Lesnar made his appearance during the closing moments of SummerSlam 2025, attacking John Cena, leading to a clash between the two at Wrestlepalooz, which marked Lesnar’s in-ring return.

Discussing his return, Lesnar joked that he came back so that he could feed his kids and then revealed that he is back in WWE for a short time.

“I went back to work there so I could feed my kids. You guys should see my grocery bill. I had left the company years ago, and I’m grateful that I’m back for a short time here, so I’m really grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve had in my life.”

These comments have led many to speculate that Brock could retire at WrestleMania after a potential torch-passing match with Oba Femi. Lesnar’s retirement has been rumored to take place at SummerSlam 2026, which will take place in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

That said, a short time can mean anything, and there is no clear indication of his retirement at either Mania or SummerSlam, and these are just speculations. Additionally, if his return is really about the money, then he might like to compete at WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, a PLE that likely guarantees a massive payday.

The former World Champion believes the WWE environment has gotten ‘a lot softer’

During the conversation, Lesnar remarked that today’s WWE locker room feels far less intense than when he first arrived. He noted that in his early days, he had to earn his place the hard way, going through tough initiation from seasoned veterans.

“Yeah, definitely,” Lesnar remarked while responding to claims that veterans were eager to put him to the test during his initial run in WWE.

“I was a shooter, an amateur guy. I had a lot of credentials to my name. Of course I got tested along the way by the old timers. You have to pay your dues. Back then, you paid your dues and you had to get your respect. It’s different now, obviously. Things have gotten a lot softer. There isn’t no more kangaroo courts… It’s different now but, I go there, I’m the old guy now.”

[H/T: Fightful]

The former UFC and WWE World Champion also shared the story behind his iconic sword tattoo on his chest. Lesnar admitted he hadn’t planned on getting it at all, explaining that a drunken night out after leaving WWE to pursue an NFL career in 2004 resulted in him getting the tattoo.

“I got that tattoo, I was s***-faced drunk in Scottsdale, [Arizona]. I was in Scottsdale, training for the NFL, had just gotten in a motorcycle accident. I was just kicked down hard. I was going through all that stuff.

There was a tattoo shop across the street from the biker bar, and that’s not a good place to have a tattoo shop. I got this tattoo — I didn’t even know I got the damn thing.

I wake up the next day, and I’m like, ‘What in the [expletive] is this thing?’ No planning whatsoever. It was half a gallon of vodka and maybe a few Vicodin.”

Despite the impulsive decision, Lesnar believes the tattoo, now iconic and instantly recognizable to fans, still carries personal significance for him.

“The meaning behind it was, I felt like my back was against the wall and somebody had a sword, a knife stuck to my throat. Like, what are you going to do now? I walked over there, and I said, ‘Let’s put a big-a** ugly sword on my chest.’”

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