Why Brock Lesnar Suddenly Became a Fan Favorite After SummerSlam

SummerSlam 2026 night one will be talked about for years – not just because Liv Morgan finally defended the Women’s World Title, but also because the main event saw Brock “The Beast Incarnate” Lesnar locked inside a Hell in a Cell with Oba Femi. The match was a wild, blood‑splattered roller‑coaster, and when the dust settled Lesnar did something you rarely see from the ruthless heel: he raised Femi’s hand, smiled, and whispered that the future belonged to “The Ruler.”

Fans were left scratching their heads. Was this a genuine change of heart, or just a clever swerve? Below are three reasons that make the babyface turn feel less like a random stunt and more like a calculated move by WWE’s creative machine.

#3 – Kicking Off A Retirement Tour. Rumors have been swirling for weeks that Lesnar is planning his final run, culminating at WrestleMania 43. If that’s true, a rare babyface promo on RAW – where he finally looks past the monster mask and thanks the audience – would give his farewell a sentimental hook. Think of it as John Cena’s farewell tour, but with more suplexes and fewer “You can’t see me” hand gestures. A heartfelt goodbye could boost ticket sales and make the eventual ‘last match’ feel emotionally weighty.

#2 – Preserving The Beast’s Heel Aura. Let’s be honest: the sheer terror of a Lesnar heel is part of why he’s a draw. By conceding defeat in a dignified way, he protects that aura. Instead of being crushed by a heel loss (which would dilute his menace), a respectful loss to a rising star lets him stay “the monster” while still giving the crowd a reason to cheer. It’s a classic wrestling psychology trick: show a softer side just enough to keep fans invested, but never so much that the character loses its edge.

#1 – Setting Up A Dream Feud With Gunther. Fans have been begging for Lesnar vs. The Ring General for years. Gunther’s recent kill‑the‑legend streak (taking down Goldberg, Cena, AJ Styles) makes him the perfect heel foil. By painting Lesnar as a babyface now, WWE can build a blockbuster confrontation where the audience roots for the beloved beast against the cold, relentless Gunther. It’s the kind of marquee matchup that can sell arenas and PPV buys for months.

So, whether it’s a genuine retirement send‑off, a smart character preservation, or the first chapter of a new marquee rivalry, the turn makes sense in the grand tapestry of WWE storytelling. Only time will tell if Lesnar stays a beloved hero or flips the switch again – but for now, the fans are definitely enjoying the rare glimpse of The Beast with a softer heart.