WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Brock Lesnar set to retire from wrestling? Hall of Famer on last-ever match, Major change to SmackDown

Welcome to Sportskeeda Wrestling's WWE News and Rumor Roundup for 13th December 2025. Today, we'll cover a Hall of Famer's dream last-ever match, a major change to Friday Night SmackDown, and a discussion around Brock Lesnar's reported in-ring retirement for next year.

Let's get started:

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#5. Major change announced for WWE SmackDown in 2026

SmackDown became a well-established brand and competed with its counterpart on Mondays when the company secured a major deal with Fox in 2019. After the deal ended, the blue brand went to the USA Network, which was the former home of Monday Night RAW.

On the latest edition of WWE SmackDown, Michael Cole revealed that starting January 2026, the blue brand will return to its previous three-hour slot. Initially, there were reports about the particular change, but the company went ahead and announced the change, which starts from the 2nd of next month.

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#4. Terror Twins reunited on WWE SmackDown

Last year, the Terror Twins, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley, dominated the red brand in their war against The Judgment Day. After the two had defeated the faction on different occasions, Priest and Ripley focused on their individual careers, and The Archer of Infamy was moved to Friday Night SmackDown.

Lately, the former World Heavyweight Champion was in a feud with Aleister Black alongside Zelina Vega. To neutralize the former Women's United States Champion, Mami showed up to help him. The Terror Twins defeated Aleister Black and Zelina Vega in a Mixed Tag Team match to close the show.

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#3. WWE legend picks Rhea Ripley as final-ever opponent

Earlier this year, Nikki Bella returned to the Stamford-based promotion for a lengthy run on the red brand. The leader of the Bella army locked horns with Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer for their respective titles and also faced The Judgment Day's Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez.

In an appearance on Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos, the multi-time Divas Champion was asked about a potential retirement match, and the Hall of Famer picked Rhea Ripley as her final-ever opponent in the Stamford-based promotion. Bella is still in the women's division on the red brand under the new regime.

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#2. John Cena will close WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

John Cena's illustrious in-ring career comes to an end tonight in Washington, where he faces Gunther in his final match. Meanwhile, there was a lot of uncertainty around The Franchise Player's position on the card in his final-ever wrestling match in the company.

However, the speculations were put to rest when the 17-time WWE World Champion appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. The 48-year-old legend clarified that he would go last in Washington and would close the show with his match against The Ring General.

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#1. Brock Lesnar's WWE retirement was reportedly discussed for 2026

Brock Lesnar has dominated the sporting industry in every imaginable way possible and made the Stamford-based promotion his home for over a decade as an in-ring performer. However, The Beast Incarnate won't continue to wrestle forever, and those talks have reportedly taken place behind the scenes.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), the multi-time WWE World Champion's name was discussed internally for retirement next year. While Lesnar hasn't spoken about it, there are no confirmed plans as of now for The Beast Incarnate.

The report further claims that only AJ Styles' plans are locked in for next year. With Chris Jericho reportedly returning for a retirement run, it'll be interesting to see if Brock Lesnar joins the list next year and rides into the sunset as an in-ring performer in the company.