Bully Ray Voices Disinterest in Extended John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar WWE Feud: “It Needs to End After Wrestlepalooza”
WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray (f.k.a. Bubba Ray Dudley) has made his stance clear on the highly anticipated John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar rivalry: He wants it wrapped up quickly, not dragged out across multiple matches. Speaking on the latest episode of “Busted Open Radio” on September 17, 2025, Bully expressed frustration with the idea of extending the storyline beyond this weekend’s Wrestlepalooza premium live event, arguing it would waste Cena’s final in-ring moments on a matchup that doesn’t build the next generation.
The Cena-Lesnar Feud: Building to Wrestlepalooza
The bad blood between Cena and Lesnar reignited earlier this year amid Cena’s retirement tour, with Lesnar positioning himself as the ultimate obstacle to Cena’s farewell. Their Wrestlepalooza clash, set for September 21, 2025, in Las Vegas, is billed as a no-holds-barred showdown, pitting the 16-time world champion against the Beast Incarnate in what could be Cena’s penultimate match. With Cena announcing he’ll retire after WrestleMania 42 in 2026—leaving just five dates post-Wrestlepalooza—the stakes feel monumental.
WWE has teased high drama, including Lesnar’s brutal interruptions on recent “SmackDown” episodes and Cena’s defiant promos vowing to go out on his terms. Fans are buzzing about the potential for epic violence, but Bully Ray believes prolonging it would dilute the impact.
Bully Ray’s Critique: Why Multiple Matches Miss the Mark
On “Busted Open Radio,” co-host Dave LaGreca suggested Cena and Lesnar could deliver several bangers before year’s end, capitalizing on their star power. Bully Ray shot that down immediately: “I’m really not that interested,” he stated bluntly. He argued that with Cena’s limited time left, WWE should prioritize storylines that elevate younger talent, not recycle a rivalry between two part-time legends.
Bully elaborated that Cena’s swan song should feature rising stars like Bron Breakker or Carmelo Hayes claiming a victory over the GOAT, creating “I beat John Cena” moments that launch careers. “So if Cena and Brock play this out for the rest of Cena’s appearances, who really wins? Yes, the fans get entertained by it but no younger wrestler gets to say ‘I beat John Cena, I wrestled John Cena in his last match,'” he explained. Drawing from his ECW and WWE experience, Bully emphasized storytelling over spectacle: “End it clean after Wrestlepalooza—let Cena pass the torch.”
This isn’t Bully’s first critique of WWE booking. He’s previously slammed storylines like Rhea Ripley’s interference in Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky and questioned the Bloodline’s direction, showing his passion for logical, forward-thinking narratives.
Broader Context: Cena’s Retirement Tour and WWE’s Booking Philosophy
Cena’s 2025-26 farewell arc has been a mix of nostalgia and innovation, blending dream matches with fresh rivalries. His Lesnar feud echoes their iconic 2014 SummerSlam and Extreme Rules bouts, which drew massive ratings. However, with WWE under Triple H’s creative reign focusing on long-term builds, Bully’s concern is that overextending high-profile clashes could overshadow emerging talent amid a stacked roster.
WWE’s recent expansions, like the international WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, prioritize global spectacles, but Bully advocates for domestic storytelling that invests in the future. His comments align with fan debates on platforms like Reddit, where users worry Cena’s run might eclipse midcard development.
Fan and Industry Reactions: Divided on the Feud’s Future
Wrestling fans have mixed feelings. On X and Reddit, some echo Bully’s sentiment, praising the torch-passing idea: “Bully’s right—let Cena put over a young gun at Mania!” Others crave more Cena-Lesnar violence, citing their chemistry as box-office gold. Industry vets like Eric Bischoff have supported multi-match feuds for drawing power, but Bully’s old-school perspective resonates with purists who value legacy-building.
Podcasters and analysts on shows like “Wrestling Inc.” note that WWE’s Netflix deal starting 2026 could influence pacing, potentially favoring shorter, intense arcs to hook streaming audiences.
Impact on WWE Fans and U.S. Wrestling Landscape
For U.S. WWE enthusiasts, Bully Ray’s take highlights a tension in modern wrestling: balancing fan service with roster evolution. Cena’s retirement could boost younger stars’ profiles, aiding WWE’s $1 billion+ domestic revenue from tickets and merch. Economically, Wrestlepalooza’s Vegas hosting is projected to generate $50 million in local impact, underscoring big matches’ draw—but Bully warns against over-reliance on veterans, which could stagnate growth in a competitive era with AEW’s rise.
This storyline also ties into broader sports entertainment trends, where retirements like Cena’s (mirroring The Rock’s selective appearances) shape narratives that engage millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize character depth over endless rematches.
Conclusion: Time to Pass the Torch?
Bully Ray’s disinterest in a prolonged Cena-Lesnar saga underscores a call for WWE to evolve beyond nostalgia. With Wrestlepalooza looming, a decisive end could set the stage for Cena’s meaningful exit, benefiting the next era. As Bully puts it, true success lies in creating stars, not just entertaining momentarily—WWE would be wise to listen as Cena’s final chapter unfolds.
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