With John Cena’s brutal loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, it looked like WWE was setting Lesnar up as Cena’s final obstacle before retirement. But then came reports that this was their last match
— with Cena allegedly opting to put others over on his way out.
WWE’s quick pivot this week to Cena vs. AJ Styles at Crown Jewel adds weight to the report. And it raises the question: if Cena wasn’t meant to slay “The Beast,” then who will?
One of the first names floated was Bron Breakker. Since aligning with Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins, he’s been billed as a future WrestleMania main eventer. He has wins over LA Knight and has shared the spotlight with Roman Reigns and CM Punk.
But after last week — first on SmackDown, then at Wrestlepalooza — it seems Lesnar and Heyman have reconciled, at least in storyline. While they’re not officially back together (yet), their renewed respect makes a Lesnar–Breakker feud unlikely. Undermining that goodwill would also squander a chance to potentially use Lesnar in a bigger moment during Rollins’ World Title reign.
Another potential opponent? Gunther.
Before Lesnar’s name was linked to former WWE boss Vince McMahon in a lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant, reports suggested that a match between Lesnar and Gunther was in the works. While that showdown would’ve elevated Gunther sooner, a decisive win over Lesnar now could go a long way in re-establishing “The Ring General” as a top-tier threat.
This year, Gunther lost the World Title twice — first to Jey Uso at WrestleMania, then to CM Punk at SummerSlam. In both matches, he played the classic bully, using fear and intimidation to control the ring — until someone stood their ground, causing him to collapse under pressure.
To shed that image, Gunther needs to face a credible threat, survive their rally, and win decisively. Doing so would launch him back into the world title picture — and possibly set up future showdowns with Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns.
Another name gaining traction is Oba Femi, the reigning NXT Champion. He defends his title this Saturday at No Mercy against Ricky Saints — and if oddsmakers are right, he’s expected to drop it.
After nearly two years of dominance in NXT, Femi looks ready for a main roster call-up. In 2025, he delivered standout matches against veterans like TNA’s Moose and breakout star Je’Von Evans. Outside the ring, “The Ruler” has shown the poise and presence that WWE looks for in a leading star.
Still, he’s largely unknown to the wider WWE audience. How he’s introduced will be crucial. A strong first impression — say, a dominant exchange with Lesnar at the Royal Rumble — could be the start. A decisive WrestleMania win over Lesnar — even a squash — could mark the arrival of WWE’s next true conqueror.
