Despite numerous reports claiming he had walked out, Brock Lesnar appeared on SmackDown to send a message to Roman Reigns!
July 22nd will go down as one of the craziest days in WWE history. The insane day was kicked off by the news that Triple H was taking over as Head of Talent Relations from Bruce Prichard who had been working in the role on an interim basis.
This was followed by the bombshell that Vince McMahon is retiring as WWE CEO and Chairman of the Board. McMahon will be replaced by co-CEO’s Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan. Then in a bizarre twist, that news was followed by reports claiming that Brock Lesnar had walked out of SmackDown just hours before the show went on the air.
The reports claimed that Lesnar was “p*ssed off” and left as a result of McMahon’s retirement.
SmackDown opened with a tribute to Vince McMahon from Stephanie who led the crowd in chants of “Thank you Vince.” However, for approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes, as reported, there was no sign of Lesnar. And then to the shock of everyone in attendance that familiar entrance music thundered around the area.
Lesnar came to the ring after The Usos and Theory had lost to The Street Profits and Madcap Moss, with Theory deliberately getting disqualified.
F-5 on the #MITB briefcase! #SmackDown@BrockLesnar@_Theory1pic.twitter.com/EzSJ2unmKM
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2022
Seemingly fully aware of the gravity of the situation, Lesnar grinned all the way down the isle before entering the ring and delivering an F-5 to Theory onto the Money In The Bank briefcase. The action was called by a stunned Michael Cole and Pat McAfee with The Beast standing tall to end the show.