In April 2020, Cain Velasquez was released from his WWE contract due to budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The former UFC athlete then went on to return to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
At the 2019 Crown Jewel pay-per-view event, Velasquez made his in-ring debut for WWE in a losing effort against Brock Lesnar. While fans had expected Velasquez to dethrone Lesnar, The Beast reigned supreme and retained the WWE Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on the K100 podcast with Konnan, Velasquez reflected on his WWE debut against Lesnar. Although Velasquez had bested Lesnar at UFC 121, the outcome was the complete opposite in the Middle East. Velasquez said,
“[Working with Brock was] professional and I would say it was a little uncomfortable. I guess you know, I’m just so new to the wrestling world and everyone that I’ve worked with has been amazing as far as, like you said, we take care of everybody we do really like try to put in some good things in there where everyone gets what they want out of it and making it just for the fans. Working with Brock was interesting, man, that’s all I’m gonna say. It was very different. Again, you try to just learn from your life, you know, and like, ‘Okay, this is what this was. I know for next time,’ if something else ever happens for next time.”
In March 2022, Velasquez was charged with attempted murder and additional gun assault charges following his involvement in a car chase and shooting at a man who had allegedly molested one of Velasquez’s 4-year-old relatives. The former UFC star missed his target and ended up shooting the man’s father instead.