Wrestlepalooza 2025: WWE's Inaugural ESPN Broadcast Set to Deliver High-Stakes Championship Bouts and Legend Showdowns

Indianapolis, IN – World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is poised to inaugurate its landmark partnership with ESPN this Saturday, January 18, 2025, with Wrestlepalooza, an event resurrected from the annals of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). This marks the first occasion the Wrestlepalooza moniker has been utilized under the WWE banner, signaling a new era for professional wrestling’s global leader. The event is scheduled to emanate live from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, a venue accustomed to hosting major sporting spectacles. The card features a blend of generational talent, returning legends, and pivotal championship encounters, setting a precedent for WWE’s enhanced mainstream visibility through its new broadcast agreement.

The ESPN partnership represents a significant strategic pivot for WWE, expanding its reach beyond traditional sports entertainment networks to a broader athletic audience. This move is anticipated to elevate WWE’s programming, particularly live premium events, to a platform historically reserved for major sports leagues. Wrestlepalooza, by inheriting a name synonymous with ECW’s gritty, fan-driven events of the late 1990s, also subtly acknowledges wrestling history while pushing forward with WWE’s polished, global production values. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with its capacity for over 18,000 spectators, provides an imposing backdrop for this inaugural event, reflecting the magnitude of the occasion.

Headlining the card are several high-profile contests, including a generational clash that will serve as a definitive closing chapter for a storied rivalry.

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: The Final Encounter

Related News :

The event is set to commence with a highly anticipated bout between two of the most dominant figures of the 21st century: John Cena and Brock Lesnar. This will be the latest, and potentially final, chapter in a rivalry that ignited upon their respective main roster debuts in 2002. Cena, a 16-time World Champion and global icon, is currently on a limited schedule, with Wrestlepalooza representing one of his final handful of appearances before his official retirement from professional wrestling at the close of 2025. Lesnar, a multi-time WWE and Universal Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, recently made his return to WWE programming, continuing his trajectory as a force of nature.

Their history is marked by brutal encounters, including their pivotal clash at SummerSlam 2014, where Lesnar decisively defeated Cena to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Their overall head-to-head record stands at 4-2 in favor of Lesnar in televised singles matches, with Cena’s last victory over "The Beast Incarnate" dating back to their 2012 Extreme Rules encounter. The narrative for this match centers on Cena’s quest for a sentimental victory on his farewell tour, against a Lesnar who rarely concedes defeat. The bout is expected to be a physically demanding affair, typical of their previous encounters, showcasing a clash of styles between Cena’s resilience and Lesnar’s overwhelming power.

CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch: A Decade-Plus Return

Adding significant intrigue to Wrestlepalooza is the mixed tag team match featuring CM Punk and the returning AJ Lee, who will compete for the first time in WWE in over a decade. They will face reigning World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. Lee, a former three-time Divas Champion, departed WWE in 2015, making her return a highly anticipated moment for long-time fans. Her husband, CM Punk, has been embroiled in a bitter, personal rivalry with Rollins since his controversial return to WWE in late 2023.

The storyline has seen Rollins and Lynch consistently outmaneuver Punk in the build-up, necessitating Lee’s intervention to even the odds. However, on the final edition of Monday Night Raw before Wrestlepalooza, Lynch managed to deliver a "Manhandle Slam" to Lee, regaining momentum for the champions. This match not only marks Lee’s comeback but also serves as another flashpoint in the deeply personal and often chaotic feud between Punk and Rollins. The stakes are elevated by the presence of both Rollins and Lynch’s respective championships, though neither title will be on the line in this mixed tag contest. The contest promises a blend of high-flying action and intense personal animosity.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre

The Undisputed WWE Championship will be defended as reigning champion Cody Rhodes puts his title on the line against Drew McIntyre. Rhodes, who captured the championship at WrestleMania 40, has maintained a strong hold on the title since, emblematic of his "finish the story" narrative. His opponent, Drew McIntyre, a former two-time WWE Champion, has recently adopted a more aggressive, often underhanded, approach in his quest for championship gold.

The rivalry intensified two weeks ago when Rhodes made a surprise return to television, saving Randy Orton from a brutal beatdown by McIntyre. This intervention directly led to Rhodes challenging McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Wrestlepalooza. On the go-home edition of Friday Night SmackDown, the two signed the official contract for the match. However, the segment concluded with McIntyre launching a vicious post-signing attack on Rhodes, leaving "The American Nightmare" laid out as the show went off air.

This match carries additional layers of complexity due to the ongoing animosity between McIntyre and Randy Orton. Orton, a former ally of Rhodes, has also been a target of McIntyre’s recent aggression. This creates a potential third-party interference scenario, which has been a point of discussion among experts regarding the match’s potential outcome. McIntyre’s relentless pursuit of a world title, coupled with Rhodes’s resilience, sets the stage for a physically demanding and potentially chaotic championship encounter.

Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer

In a significant championship defense, Iyo Sky will put her Women’s World Championship on the line against the formidable Stephanie Vaquer. Sky, who captured the title at SummerSlam, has enjoyed a critically acclaimed reign, with many experts considering her one of the top in-ring performers globally. Her reign, however, has been punctuated by escalating internal friction within Damage CTRL, particularly with her stablemates, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane).

Stephanie Vaquer, a rising star known for her technical prowess and hard-hitting style, presents a fresh challenge for Sky. Vaquer’s emergence as a contender represents a strategic move by WWE to introduce new talent into the championship picture, potentially diversifying the top tier of the women’s division. The match offers a clash of styles, with Sky’s high-flying and agile offense pitted against Vaquer’s grounded, submission-based approach. The ongoing drama within Damage CTRL could play a pivotal role, potentially distracting Sky or leading to external interference.

The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)

The tag team division will see a compelling contest between the reunited Usos, Jimmy and Jey, and the dominant duo of The Vision, comprised of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Jey Uso has experienced a tumultuous period since losing the World Heavyweight Championship, characterized by a series of high-profile failures and a noticeable shift in his demeanor, leading to speculation about his psychological state. His relationship with his brother Jimmy has also remained fragile, despite their recent on-screen alliance.

Adding another layer to this contest is Jey Uso’s burgeoning rivalry with LA Knight, who has been a vocal critic of Jey’s recent actions and attitude. The Vision, a relatively new but impactful team, brings a formidable combination of power and agility to the tag team ranks, with Breakker’s explosive athleticism and Reed’s sheer strength. The match’s outcome may hinge on the dynamics within The Usos, and the potential for outside interference from LA Knight, whose presence could decisively swing the momentum of the contest.

Expert Picks and Analysis

CBS Sports wrestling experts Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri have weighed in with their predictions for Wrestlepalooza’s key matchups:

CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch: Both experts predict a victory for CM Punk & AJ Lee. The reasoning centers on the continuation of the Punk-Rollins rivalry, suggesting that a loss for the challenger (Punk) in his wife’s return match would undermine the ongoing narrative. Lee’s return, after over a decade, is seen as a moment designed for a triumphant outcome.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: Both Mahjouri and Brookhouse select John Cena to secure the victory. Despite Lesnar’s historical dominance over Cena (a 4-2 series lead in Lesnar’s favor) and his general rarity in suffering defeats, the sentimental value of Cena’s retirement tour is cited as a key factor. A victory over Lesnar is believed to add significant weight to Cena’s eventual final loss, providing a powerful moment in his concluding appearances.
Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer: The experts unanimously predict a title change, with Stephanie Vaquer becoming the new Women’s World Champion. Brookhouse points to Sky’s escalating drama with The Kabuki Warriors as a narrative avenue independent of the championship. Vaquer, seen as a deserving and capable new face, is positioned to elevate the women’s locker room with a fresh championship reign.
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Both experts foresee Drew McIntyre winning by disqualification, with Cody Rhodes retaining the title. Mahjouri argues that McIntyre, despite his recent strong performances, may not have sufficient momentum for a proper world title reign at this juncture. The predicted interference from Randy Orton, who has feuded with both men, is expected to result in McIntyre winning the match but not the championship. This outcome would also serve to build further tension between Orton and Rhodes, potentially leading to a future triple threat match and an Orton heel turn.
The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed): The experts both pick The Vision to secure the victory. Brookhouse highlights Jey Uso’s recent struggles and the fragile nature of his connection with Jimmy. The presence of LA Knight as a potential disruptor for Jey is also noted, suggesting that a loss would further Jey’s current storyline trajectory towards a downward path, while simultaneously elevating the emerging team of The Vision.

Wrestlepalooza 2025 is positioned as a pivotal event for WWE, marking a new chapter in its broadcast history with ESPN and delivering a card packed with compelling narratives and high-stakes contests. The outcomes of these matches are expected to have significant implications for championship pictures and ongoing storylines as WWE moves further into its 2025 calendar.