Brock Lesnar retired: 5 dream matches for The Beast that didn't happen in WWE
Brock Lesnar closed the chapter on his iconic WWE career following the events of SummerSlam 2026. In the main event of Night 1 of the show, The Beast Incarnate suffered a huge defeat at the hands of Oba Femi inside Hell in a Cell. Following the bout, Lesnar endorse Femi as the future. Furthermore, he appeared on the Pat McAfee Show to announce his retirement. This meant that the WWE Universe had seen the last of Lesnar and here are five top dream matches for him that will never take place now:
5. Stone Cold Steve AustinDuring his early start in WWE, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to battle then-top star, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Moreover, Vince McMahon wanted to put him over, but Austin refused and walked out. This led to the fans missing out on one of the top WWE matches and never got a chance to do it again as Austin retired in 2003 and Lesnar left WWE in 2004.
4. Shawn MichaelsShawn Michaels was an active in-ring performer during Brock Lesnar's first stint in WWE. Despite Michaels being a top attraction and Lesnar perceived as the next major star, the two never crossed paths or had a match. The only time Lesnar and Michaels stood across each other was during Lesnar's rivalry with Triple H, as Michaels had been in the corner of his best friend.
3. Bron BreakkerBron Breakker drew major comparisons from Brock Lesnar and was even called 'The Next Big Thing' by many including Lesnar's own manager, Paul Heyman. Despite his rising momentum, Breakker never got a crack at The Beast during his active run; however, he did share the ring with Lesnar as they were on the same team for the War Games match at Survivor Series 2025.
2. BatistaThe WWE Universe saw the rise of both Brock Lesnar and Batista around the same time. However, WWE chose not to book these two titans for a match. Even when they were in their prime and in WWE in 2014, the company again failed to slate this dream showdown for a marquee event and missed out on a huge bout.
1. GuntherBrock Lesnar and Gunther were reported to have a feud heading into WrestleMania 39 and even had a face-off at that year's Royal Rumble. However, The Beast was taken off television after his name came up in the controversial Vince McMahon Janel Grant scandal. The duo were again reported to have a match at SummerSlam this year; however, WWE changed plans and decided to let Oba Femi have that slot, leading to the fans to not experience this clash between two of the hard-hitting WWE superstars of all time.
Also read: Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio vs Maxxine Dupri & Austin Theory: Which WWE couple is more famous in 2026?
5. Stone Cold Steve AustinDuring his early start in WWE, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to battle then-top star, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Moreover, Vince McMahon wanted to put him over, but Austin refused and walked out. This led to the fans missing out on one of the top WWE matches and never got a chance to do it again as Austin retired in 2003 and Lesnar left WWE in 2004.
4. Shawn MichaelsShawn Michaels was an active in-ring performer during Brock Lesnar's first stint in WWE. Despite Michaels being a top attraction and Lesnar perceived as the next major star, the two never crossed paths or had a match. The only time Lesnar and Michaels stood across each other was during Lesnar's rivalry with Triple H, as Michaels had been in the corner of his best friend.
3. Bron BreakkerBron Breakker drew major comparisons from Brock Lesnar and was even called 'The Next Big Thing' by many including Lesnar's own manager, Paul Heyman. Despite his rising momentum, Breakker never got a crack at The Beast during his active run; however, he did share the ring with Lesnar as they were on the same team for the War Games match at Survivor Series 2025.
2. BatistaThe WWE Universe saw the rise of both Brock Lesnar and Batista around the same time. However, WWE chose not to book these two titans for a match. Even when they were in their prime and in WWE in 2014, the company again failed to slate this dream showdown for a marquee event and missed out on a huge bout.
1. GuntherBrock Lesnar and Gunther were reported to have a feud heading into WrestleMania 39 and even had a face-off at that year's Royal Rumble. However, The Beast was taken off television after his name came up in the controversial Vince McMahon Janel Grant scandal. The duo were again reported to have a match at SummerSlam this year; however, WWE changed plans and decided to let Oba Femi have that slot, leading to the fans to not experience this clash between two of the hard-hitting WWE superstars of all time.
Also read: Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio vs Maxxine Dupri & Austin Theory: Which WWE couple is more famous in 2026?
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