After more than a month away from WWE programming due to a storyline suspension, Brock Lesnar will return on tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
Last week, Kayla Braxton announced that Lesnar's suspension has been lifted, and that he would make his return for this week's show. Lesnar was suspended by Adam Pearce on the Oct. 22 episode of SmackDown for attacking Roman Reigns and The Usos, one day after losing to the Universal Champion at Crown Jewel.
Following Pearce's announcement, Lesnar returned to the ring and delivered an F5 to the WWE official. The former Universal Champion was issued a storyline fine of $1 million for his actions.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the initial plan for Lesnar's suspension storyline was for him to purchase a ticket to next week's SmackDown show at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Last month, the Staples Center announced that Lesnar had promised to purchase a ringside seat for the event.
Instead, Braxton made the announcement moments after Sami Zayn won the battle royal to become the new No. 1 contender for Reigns' Universal Championship. Pearce expressed frustration and concern over Lesnar's suspension getting on Talking Smack.
WWE's Reported Long-Term Plans For Lesnar
WWE reportedly isn't planning to have Lesnar wrestle again until the Royal Rumble 2022 pay-per-view on Jan. 29 in St. Louis, Missouri. It is also widely assumed that The Beast Incarnate will go up against Reigns at WrestleMania 38 weekend on Apr. 2-3 in Arlington, Texas.
Lesnar and Reigns have headlined two WrestleMania events together, in 2015 and 2018. Lesnar's babyface run has been a giant success thus far, and Reigns is shining as the top heel in the company. As such, it would be a surprise if WWE moved away from the planned WrestleMania program here. The show is still is four months away, however, and of course plans can always change.