Brock Lesnar's Updated WWE Schedule Revealed amid John Cena Rumors After Return

Following his unexpected return to WWE programming at SummerSlam this month, Brock Lesnar is being advertised to appear on consecutive episodes of SmackDown in September.

According to Wrestle Ops, WWE is advertising Lesnar for the Sept. 12 SmackDown in Norfolk, Virginia, and the Sept. 19 SmackDown in Toledo, Ohio.

After two years away from WWE, Lesnar resurfaced at the end of SummerSlam by hitting John Cena with an F-5 following Cena's loss to Cody Rhodes in a WWE Championship match.

Lesnar has not appeared since then, but Cena acknowledged what happened at SummerSlam during a promo last week on SmackDown, and all signs point toward them facing each other in a match in the near future.

This week, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestlePurists) reported that WWE is planning for Lesnar vs. Cena to headline a yet-to-be-announced premium live event.

Per Meltzer, that PLE will take place on Sept. 20, which is the same day AEW is holding All Out in Toronto.

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston of Post Wrestling reported this week that the Sept. 20 WWE event will be held in Indianapolis.

If reports of the Sept. 20 show are correct, Lesnar's two advertised appearances on SmackDown will be the final two episodes of SmackDown prior to the PLE.

That could represent the final build toward a Lesnar vs. Cena match, which will be significant when it happens since they have not faced each other in over a decade.

Cena is in the midst of his retirement tour and will step away from wrestling for good at the end of 2025, adding even more importance to a potential final encounter with The Beast Incarnate.

Until then, Cena is embroiled in a rivalry with Logan Paul, and they are set to meet in a singles match at Clash in Paris on Aug. 31.