Brock Lesnar’s next WWE appearances may have just been revealed — and the news comes straight from WWE’s own promotional material.
A screenshot circulating online, reportedly from an official WWE email advertisement, lists The Beast Incarnate for the September 12 episode of SmackDown at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, and the September 19 episode at The Huntington Arena in Toledo, Ohio. While WWE has yet to make a formal announcement, the email placement strongly suggests these dates are locked in.
Lesnar made his shocking return at SummerSlam earlier this month, blindsiding John Cena following Cena’s main event against Cody Rhodes. Triple H hinted the return may have been at Cena’s request, but the 17-time world champion has since denied wanting the Beast back — making the move all the more controversial. Fans were puzzled when Lesnar didn’t show up on the following Raw or SmackDown, especially with a teased match against Cena looming.
Insiders have reported that WWE is building toward a John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar clash as the main event for a yet-to-be-announced pay-per-view on September 20 — the same night AEW will run All Out. If that’s the case, the two advertised SmackDown appearances would be perfectly timed to hype the blockbuster showdown.
Wrestling.news | Backstage Take If these advertised dates hold true, the timing couldn’t be more deliberate. By slotting Brock Lesnar on SmackDown for September 12 and September 19, WWE would be maximizing his star power to drive two straight weeks of build toward a blockbuster match against John Cena. And with the rumored premium live event set for Saturday, September 20, 2025 — the very same night AEW will run All Out — the chess pieces line up perfectly.
With Cena reportedly having just 11 appearances left in his WWE career, the company will have limited opportunities to set the stage for his eventual retirement match after this bout with Lesnar — a match that, according to early word, might not take place at a pay-per-view at all.
📌 Important Note: This report is based on a print screen from an email advertisement sent directly by WWE (h/t to Aaron Rift over at NoDQ.com), as pictured below. We will provide updates as soon as WWE officially confirms these appearances. This is an ongoing, developing story.WWE E-Mail AdFinal Take This isn’t just about delivering a dream match; it’s about owning the wrestling conversation that weekend. Lesnar’s return, coupled with Cena’s limited remaining appearances, gives WWE the kind of headline-grabbing main event that can siphon buzz, ticket sales, and pay-per-view buys away from AEW’s biggest annual show. If this plays out as expected, it’s vintage WWE counter-programming at its sharpest.
