Brock Lesnar appeared to retire from professional wrestling at WrestleMania 42, leaving his MMA gloves and boots in the ring following his loss to Oba Femi before embracing Paul Heyman and waving to the crowd as they chanted his name. The moment had all the hallmarks of a farewell, but new reports suggest the situation may be more complicated than it appeared.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE believes Lesnar has not actually retired, despite what unfolded in Las Vegas. Meltzer noted that multiple people inside the company share the view that Lesnar is not done yet, while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Internally, the feeling is that retirement is likely coming at some point this year, with no confirmed timeline beyond that.

Bodyslam reported that only a small number of people knew Lesnar would be removing his gear and leaving it in the ring at WrestleMania, while many inside WWE assumed a formal retirement would come later this year at SummerSlam in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The surprise nature of the gesture caught a significant portion of the company off guard.

On the Raw after WrestleMania, WWE aired a video package celebrating Lesnar's career. Heyman, in an emotional segment, praised his long-time friend and advocated for Lesnar to be placed in the permanent section of WWE's Then. Now. Forever. opening, arguing that Lesnar would forever be the most dangerous man to step inside a WWE ring.

Meltzer also reported that the program between Lesnar and Femi was originally conceived as a multi-match feud before the creative direction shifted in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, ultimately becoming a one-and-done affair with Femi defeating Lesnar in four minutes on Night Two.