Paul Heyman has reacted to Brock Lesnar’s surprise retirement after WrestleMania 2026, admitting he did not see the decision coming
WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman has expressed shock over Brock Lesnar’s unexpected retirement following his defeat at WrestleMania 2026, saying the decision came as a complete surprise to him.
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Speaking in an interview with TMZ Sports, Heyman revealed that he had no prior knowledge of Lesnar’s plan to step away from professional wrestling and had instead expected the former champion to continue dominating the sport for years.
He admitted that his earlier predictions about Lesnar’s longevity in WWE were made in full confidence, adding a lighthearted remark about the surprise nature of the announcement.
“If I knew he was gonna retire, would I have gone on record saying he was gonna dominate for the next 15 years?” Heyman said, while joking about the situation during the interview.
Lesnar reportedly announced his retirement after his loss to Oba Femi at WrestleMania 2026 in Las Vegas, bringing an emotional end to a high-profile match that ended with a heartfelt in-ring moment between him and Heyman.
Heyman described the farewell scene as deeply emotional, noting that he did not anticipate Lesnar’s decision until it was publicly revealed in the ring.
Despite the shock, Heyman expressed confidence in WWE’s future, stating that the organisation remains in strong hands as it transitions into a new era of talent.
He highlighted emerging stars such as Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, Bronson Reed and Austin Theory as part of what he described as “The Vision” shaping the next phase of the company.
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Heyman added that while Lesnar’s departure marks the end of an era, WWE is positioned for continued growth with a new generation of performers ready to take centre stage.
