The WWE Universe was left stunned after Brock Lesnar thoroughly dominated John Cena in a one-sided squash match at WrestlePalooza 2025. The quick and brutal defeat of the 17-time world champion sparked significant backlash, particularly coming from Cena’s own family. Most notably, John Cena’s father publicly criticized WWE’s handling of the bout, accusing the company of disrespecting his son’s legacy.
A Shocking Outcome at WrestlePalooza
Fans and analysts alike were expecting a highly competitive, back-and-forth encounter between two of WWE’s biggest icons. Instead, Brock Lesnar came out with overwhelming aggression, inflicting heavy punishment on Cena from the outset. Lesnar’s raw power and dominance were on full display, executing multiple power slams, suplexes, and relentless strikes that left Cena visibly battered and unable to mount a credible offense. The match was over in a matter of minutes, with Lesnar decisively imposing his will without giving Cena any meaningful momentum[1][2].
This rapid dismantling was especially surprising given Cena’s legendary status and the anticipation surrounding what many thought could be a marquee clash marking one of Cena’s final runs in WWE. Fans had hoped to see the Cena they remembered—resilient and fighting back against “The Beast.” Instead, Lesnar’s squash-style win seemed to reduce Cena to little more than a punching bag on the big stage at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis[3].
Cena’s Father Speaks Out Against WWE
In the days following WrestlePalooza, John Cena’s father voiced strong disapproval of WWE’s booking decision. According to sources close to the Cena family, he felt the company treated his son unfairly by making him look weak in front of a worldwide audience. He was quoted expressing disappointment that Cena wasn’t given a chance to showcase his fighting spirit or go toe-to-toe with Lesnar in a competitive setting, as fans and insiders had hoped.
The criticism highlights a growing frustration among Cena’s camp about WWE’s current creative direction regarding the veteran star. One WWE insider revealed, “There’s a real sense backstage that John Cena deserved better. He’s given decades to this company, and many thought this match would be a celebration of that. Instead, it felt like WWE was rushing to bury the match—and John—in the process.” The insider added that this reaction is fueling discussions about Cena’s future role in the company[4].
Fans React: Divided Opinions on the Match
The reaction from the WWE fanbase has been sharply divided. Many longtime followers of both Cena and Lesnar voiced their shock and disappointment with the match outcome, echoing the sentiment that Cena deserved a more competitive showing honoring his legacy. Social media and wrestling forums lit up with debates over WWE’s storytelling choices and whether this kind of swift squash was appropriate for such a high-profile encounter.
Conversely, some fans argued that Lesnar’s victory only reinforces his image as an unstoppable force in WWE, and that Cena’s role in this chapter may have been to elevate Lesnar’s dominance moving forward. This latter view points to WWE’s apparent focus on pushing the “Beast Incarnate” as virtually unbeatable in the current era, even if it means sidelining established stars[2][6].
What This Means for John Cena’s WWE Future
Speculation is mounting over what WrestlePalooza’s fallout means for John Cena’s future with WWE. Cena, who has balanced his WWE commitments with a thriving Hollywood career in recent years, has hinted at winding down full-time wrestling. Reports suggest WWE is carefully considering future stories that might provide him with a dignified send-off or a few carefully placed appearances that keep his legacy intact but don’t overexpose him physically[4].
One source close to WWE noted, “Cena remains a giant in the eyes of WWE management, but the company is also aware of his evolving priorities outside the ring. Creatively, there’s a desire to protect his name while building new stars like Cody Rhodes and Bron Breakker. That balance is tricky but necessary.” Cena’s father’s comments may add pressure on WWE to reassess how they handle legacy stars going forward.
Backstage Insights: WWE’s Booking Rationale
While WWE has not officially commented on the controversy, insiders suggest Lesnar’s dominant win was designed to send a message—reinforcing Brock’s status as the company’s ultimate carnivore and hinting at potential upcoming storylines where his unstoppable force sets up future main event feuds. The use of a squash match is a classic booking tool in wrestling to quickly establish dominance and create anticipation for what Lesnar might do next[1][3].
A WWE creative source revealed anonymously, “Lesnar is being positioned as the ‘last real ass kicker,’ and putting Cena away swiftly was part of that vision. There’s no disrespect intended, but it’s about storytelling and business. Cena remains a huge star, but this was about shifting the narrative.”
Conclusion: A Controversial Chapter in WWE History
Brock Lesnar’s astonishing squash of John Cena at WrestlePalooza has created a seismic ripple throughout WWE’s fanbase and backstage community. With criticism coming from unexpected places—including Cena’s father—WWE faces the challenge of balancing respect for its legends with the need to push new storylines and characters. How WWE responds to this backlash may shape the company’s direction in storytelling and legacy management for years to come.
As the wrestling world digests this controversial match, all eyes remain on how both Cena and Lesnar will be featured in the upcoming months and whether WWE can navigate the fine line between honoring its past and forging its future.