Brock Lesnar makes shocking SummerSlam return in first WWE appearance since being named in bombshell Vince McMahon lawsuit
Lesnar's music hit for his stunning return after Cody Rhodes defeated John Cena to win the Undisputed WWE championship in the main event of Night 2 at SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night.
Lesnar, whose last appearance was at SummerSlam in 2023, delivered his F5 finisher to a stunned Cena to set up a match later this year during the 'Peacemaker' star's retirement run.
4 Brock Lesnar makes his first appearance at SummerSlam on Sunday night since his name was involved in a sexual lawsuit.
X @WWE
It's the former UFC heavyweight champion's first time on the company's programming since his name came up in allegations made against the former WWE boss, McMahon, made by ex-employee Janel Grant. She accuses him of sexual assault and sex trafficking.
Grant filed the suit in January 2024. The original complaint did not include Lesnar's name, only referencing a 'world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion' whom McMahon was trying to sign at the time. Lesnar, who is not a defendant in the case, was officially named by Grant in federal court in an amended complaint in February.
Grant accused McMahon of asking her to create 'personalized sexual content' for Lesnar in July 2021 during his contract negotiations. She also alleges McMahon flew Lesnar to Connecticut in 2021 for a sexual encounter that ended up not happening.
4 Brock Lesnar wrestles Omos during WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California.
Getty Images
4 Brock Lesnar wrestles Omos during WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
McMahon's attorney, Jessica Rosenberg, called Grant naming Lesnar in the suit, a 'publicity stunt' in February.
'As expected, the proposed amended complaint is nothing more than the latest publicity stunt in an ongoing smear campaign,' McMahon attorney Jessica Rosenberg said in a statement to ESPN at the time. 'It is filled with desperate falsehoods from a team that continues to disregard the law and the truth.'
Lesnar has been persona non grata around WWE since then, with his merchandise being taken down from WWE Shop and his playable character, along with McMahon's, being removed from the WWE 2K24 video game. Lesnar was rumored to be returning at the 2024 Royal Rumble, but the appearance was scrapped after the news of the lawsuit broke
4 WWE champion Brock Lesnar is introduced at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
The lawsuit accuses McMahon of causing her physical harm with his fists and other objects, including sex toys, along with locking her in a WWE office before he and another WWE executive took turns sexually assaulting her. She also accused McMahon in the lawsuit of forcing her into sexual relationships to keep her job.
McMahon has denied the allegations against him,
At the time, his legal team called the lawsuit 'replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
43 minutes ago
- New York Post
Brad Pitt leaning on girlfriend Ines de Ramon as he grieves his mom Jane Etta Pitt's death
Brad Pitt's girlfriend is being his person in the star's time of need. The 'F1' actor, 61, is mourning the loss of his beloved mother, Jane Etta Pitt, who died earlier this week at age 84. Sources are now sharing how Pitt is leaning on Ines de Ramon as he continues to grieve. Advertisement 11 Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon in New York on June 16, 2025. 11 Jane Pitt and Brad Pitt at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on February 26, 2012. FilmMagic She 'is supporting Brad as he grieves his mother's loss. She wants to be there for him and Brad is very much letting her be that person,' an insider told People. Advertisement De Ramon, 35, who began dating Pitt in 2022, is also extending her support to Pitt's loved ones. 'Ines is really close with Brad's family as well,' the source shared, adding that the jewelry designer 'immediately reached out to send her condolences as soon as she heard the news.' 11 Jane Etta Pitt, and Brad Pitt attend the local premiere of 'The Devil's Own' at Cinema One in New York City, on March 14, 1997. Penske Media via Getty Images 11 Ines de Ramon and Brad Pitt celebrate the European Premiere of 'F1' in London, England, on June 23, Apple TV+ Advertisement News of Jane's death broke earlier this week, with the movie star's niece, Sydney Pitt, confirming her passing in a heartbreaking post on social media. Sharing several never-before-seen photos of the retired school counselor, Sydney wrote, 'My sweet Grammy, Jane Etta, we were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier.' Sharing that her grandma 'had the biggest heart,' Pitt's niece said, 'She cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked.' 11 Brad Pitt's mom, Jane Etta Pitt, holding a red cup while rafting. pidney/Instagram Advertisement 11 Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt with his parents, William and Jane Pitt, at 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' premiere in Los Angeles, California, on December 8, 2008. AFP via Getty Images 11 Brad Pitt's father, William, hugging his giggling wife, Jane. pidney/Instagram 'She taught me how to paint, how to be strong, how to lead with kindness, to love Jesus through everything, and to find joy in the smallest things. She made up the silliest games just to make us laugh, and she believed in fairness, in putting others first, and doing good simply because it was the right thing to do,' she continued. 'I don't know how we move forward without her. But I know she's still here in every brushstroke, every kind gesture, every hummingbird. She was love in its purest form,' Sydney concluded. 'We were truly blessed to have her to love on growing up and I know she lives on through each of us.' Jane married Pitt's father, William Pitt, in 1962. They shared three children: the movie star and his two siblings, Doug and Julie, whom she raised in Springfield, Missouri. 11 (L to R): William Pitt, Jane Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in New York on December 11, 2005. Getty Images 11 (L-R) Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouve Jolie-Pitt, actor Brad Pitt, Maddox Jolie Pitt, Jane Pitt and William Pitt attend the premiere of 'Unbroken' at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood, California, on December 15, 2014. FilmMagic While Pitt's parents tried to stay out of the spotlight, both Jane and William accompanied their famous son at the 2014 premiere of his then-wife Angelina Jolie's movie 'Unbroken.' Advertisement Julie also attended several red carpet events with the star over the years, including the 2012 Academy Awards. In June, Pitt gave his mother a sweet shout-out during an interview with Savannah Guthrie on 'Today' while promoting 'F1.' 11 Brad Pitt's mom, Jane Etta Pitt, with some of her family members. pidney/Instagram 11 Jane Etta Pitt with her husband, William, and three of their 14 grandkids. pidney/Instagram Advertisement 'I gotta say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning,' he told Guthrie. 'To Jane Pitt. Love you, Mom,' he added while blowing Jane a kiss. Pitt's rep declined to comment on his mother's passing; however, around the time of her death, he had been shooting Netflix's 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth,' a sequel to 'Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood' that won him an Oscar. Jane's cause of death is not yet known. Advertisement In 2009, Pitt, along with his brother and sister, donated $1 million to a Missouri hospital to open a new wing named the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center, but it's unclear whether it is somehow related. Pitt's mom left behind three children, her loving husband, and 14 grandkids.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Chad Michael Murray reveals near-death health scare that led to blood transfusion, 2-month hospitalization
Chad Michael Murray almost didn't make it to Hollywood. The 'Freakier Friday' actor, 43, revealed he suffered a near-death experience at age 15 that involved an emergency blood transfusion and a lengthy hospital stay. Opening up about the terrifying health scare, Murray — who got his big break as heartthrob Lucas Scott in 'One Tree Hill' — shared that his intestines 'had twisted' when he was just a teen. 9 Chad Michael Murray at the UK premiere of 'Freaky Friday' in London. Brett D. Cove / 9 Chad Michael Murray arrives at the annual TV Guide Awards. Corbis via Getty Images 'I was hospitalized for two and a half months. It was a lot,' he recalled on the Friday, August 8, episode of the 'Great Company' podcast. 'We had surgery. I had internal bleeding, [and] I lost 50 percent of my blood. I was on my deathbed,' the actor explained, adding he was 'in and out of consciousness' and doesn't have many memories from that time. 'I just remember seeing my father, the weakest I'd ever seen him, and a priest at the end of my bed,' Murray said. 'They're talking about last rites and all that stuff, and [the nurse] gave me a blood transfusion to save my life. It saved my life.' 9 One of Chad Michael Murray's headshots from his earlier acting days. Corbis via Getty Images 9 Chad Michael Murray played teen heartthrob Lucas Scott in 'One Tree Hill.' Corbis via Getty Images However, Murray wasn't out of the clear just yet. 'Regardless, you're in there for two months and, you know, my organs shut down because you have blood all coagulated around them, and they had to wait till everything. So, anyway, I had to have a second surgery to clean everything up,' he stated. He also disclosed that his two nurses, Sandy and Alana, inspired him to pursue his Hollywood dreams. 9 Chad Michael Murray takes a selfie. chadmichaelmurray/Instagram 'Alana says to me, 'Oh gosh, you should model,'' he reminisced. 'I was like, 'I don't want to model. I want to be an actor. Like, I love film and television. I want to give this gift to other people.' She's like, 'Well, you can segue from modeling into acting. Look, when you get out, I'm hooking you up with a modeling company I know.' And she meant it.' Murray said he hardly recognized himself after the scary ordeal. 'I got out. I went from, like, 180 to 118 pounds. I was a skeleton when I got out,' he said of being discharged from the monthslong hospital stay. 'It was the scariest thing ever. I remember looking in the mirror the first time going, 'Who is that?' I cried [and] I couldn't believe that I was looking back at that guy.' 9 Chad Michael Murray said his nurses pushed him to pursue his dreams of going to Hollywood. Corbis via Getty Images 9 Chad Michael Murray starred in the first six seasons of 'One Tree Hill' before leaving the successful series. Corbis via Getty Images That experience, though, strengthened his bond with his father. 'I started my relationship with God, and my relationship with my father became really close,' Murray recalled. 'My dad [was] raising five kids on his own [and] came to the hospital every single day, and he spent countless nights with me when he had four more kids at home.' 'The man is tough as nails, and he did that for us. I'm overly, like, beyond grateful. That's when our relationship really bonded,' he added. 9 Lindsay Lohan, left, and Chad Michael Murray in a scene from 'Freakier Friday.' AP 9 Chad Michael Murray as Jake in 'Freakier Friday.' Glen Wilson Years after his near-death health scare, Murray's career skyrocketed. He starred in the CW's 'One Tree Hill' from the pilot in 2003 to 2009, departing from the popular teen drama after Season 6 over an alleged contract negotiation dispute. Murray later returned to the series for one episode of the final season in 2012. The star's other major role included starring alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as the latter's interest, Jake, in 'Freaky Friday' (2003). Murray reprised his role as the hunky bad boy for the film's sequel, 'Freakier Friday,' out in theaters now. The Post's movie critic Johnny Oleksinski gave the follow-up film a two-and-a-half out of four stars rating, noting that while the sequel was a decent comeback for Lohan, Murray's appearance 'was shoved in like a book under a wobbly table.'
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Labubu craze could be a recession indicator, economist says
Labubu dolls have been spotted dangling from Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent purses as fashion's quirky new status symbol, but their popularity could soon spell doom for the economy, an expert warns. During economic downturns, consumers gravitate toward what experts call 'affordable luxuries' — small, dopamine-spiking splurges that don't break the bank — like lipstick, ice cream or movie tickets, studies have shown. 5 A New York woman walks with a Labubu hanging from her gold studded Miu Miu bag. Getty Images It's sometimes called the 'lipstick index' — and the creepy but cute mischievous dolls could be its latest iteration. 'When we're seeing this kind of a craze in an uncertain economic climate — where consumer confidence is at best uneven and filled with anxiety — it's hard not to look at this and try to think, 'well, are people being rational?'' said David Lang, Sacramento State Economics Department chair. As tempting as it is to say 'hell no' — some economists beg to differ. 'Most behavioral economists' answer to that would be — they're acting completely rationally,' Lang added. 5 People have been attaching Labubus to their expensive designer bags like it's going out of style. Getty Images So pausing on the extra vacation or next designer bag buy, consumers instead might go for the 'accessory for the designer purse, which might be the Labubu.' 'And they feel like that's an acceptable, reasonable thing to do when they see the likes of Rihanna walking around with one attached to her purse,' Lang added. As the viral little monsters flood the streets of the Big Apple and other cosmopolitan cities, economists believe the out-of-control spending spree — with the creatures typically selling for $20 to $40 — for the trendy dolls could actually be a sign that a recession is around the corner. 5 Lang said Labubus are considered 'affordable luxuries.' LinkedIn The toothy creatures — first designed a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and inspired by Nordic mythology — have blown up in the past year, with people lining up before dawn on their release days and even sparking the occasional brawl. Their popularity skyrocketed overnight, after K-pop star Lisa was seen with a Labubu hanging from her purse. 'Labubus are not really just a toy, but more of a tiny, tangible flex that people get to walk around with,' the economist said. 5 Labubus are a flex, not a toy, says Lang. Getty Images As for the next recession, Lang said one is on the way — it's just a matter of when. 5 The small Labubu averages between $20 and $40 for those able to get it directly from Pop Mart. TNS Close to two million Americans are currently collecting unemployment, the most since the COVID-19 pandemic threw the economy into its last recession, new Labor Department data released Thursday revealed.
