WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025: ESPN Partnership Kicks Off with Star-Studded Card and High-Stakes Bouts

WWE’s Wrestlepalooza 2025 event marks a pivotal moment for the sports entertainment giant, serving as the inaugural showcase for its new partnership with ESPN. The event, which revives a name previously associated with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), is the first under the WWE banner and is scheduled to emanate from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday. This debut aims to set a definitive tone for the collaboration, featuring a card replete with high-profile matchups and significant storyline advancements.

The main card is headlined by a series of anticipated encounters, including a high-stakes championship defense, a legacy-defining clash, and a mixed tag team contest with deep personal rivalries. The full lineup and expert projections from leading wrestling analysts are detailed below.

Featured Match: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

The event is set to open with a monumental encounter between two of WWE’s most iconic figures, John Cena and Brock Lesnar. This match holds particular significance as it is positioned as one of John Cena’s final appearances before his announced retirement from professional wrestling at the close of the year. The rivalry between Cena and Lesnar dates back to their respective WWE main roster debuts in 2002, evolving into a storied and often brutal saga over two decades. Their series record currently stands at 4-2 in favor of Brock Lesnar, with key victories for Lesnar including their dominant SummerSlam 2014 main event and a brutal encounter at Extreme Rules 2012. Cena’s last victory over Lesnar in a singles match occurred in 2012.

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Lesnar, who recently made his return to WWE programming, typically maintains a formidable win-loss record, portraying a nearly unstoppable force. Cena, while portrayed as an aging warrior on his retirement tour, remains a formidable competitor with a career defined by resilience. Analysts suggest a Cena victory here, despite Lesnar’s usual dominance, could provide a sentimental high point in Cena’s farewell run and add greater weight to his eventual final defeat. It would also narrow the historical gap in their series, making his final matches even more compelling.

Expert Pick (Brent Brookhouse, Shakiel Mahjouri): John Cena wins.
- Rationale: While Lesnar’s infrequent losses make a defeat rare, Cena’s retirement tour provides a unique narrative opportunity for a sentimental victory. A win against a competitor of Lesnar’s caliber would enhance the gravitas of Cena’s final exit, allowing him to potentially lose his official retirement match with elevated prestige. Both competitors are considered "bulletproof" from the impact of a loss, making the outcome less about preserving their standing and more about storyline progression.

Mixed Tag Team Match: CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

A highly anticipated mixed tag team match will see the return of AJ Lee to a WWE ring after an absence of over a decade. She will team with her husband, CM Punk, to face the formidable duo of World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. This contest is a direct continuation of the intense rivalry between CM Punk and Seth Rollins, which has been brewing since Punk’s return to the company.

The build-up to this match has been characterized by strategic maneuvers and psychological warfare. Rollins and Lynch have consistently appeared one step ahead of Punk in recent weeks. On the final episode of Raw preceding Wrestlepalooza, Lynch delivered a "Manhandle Slam" to AJ Lee, underscoring the champions’ tactical advantage. AJ Lee’s return marks her first competitive match since 2015, adding a layer of unpredictability and emotional resonance to the bout. While the championships held by Rollins and Lynch are not on the line, their status as reigning champions adds significant prestige to their side of the contest.

Expert Pick (Brent Brookhouse, Shakiel Mahjouri): CM Punk & AJ Lee win.
- Rationale: The prevailing narrative suggests WWE aims to extend the rivalry between Seth Rollins and CM Punk. A victory for Punk and Lee, especially given Lee’s high-profile return after a long hiatus, would provide momentum for the challenger and maintain the integrity of their ongoing feud. A loss for Punk and his returning wife would likely diminish the storyline’s impact at this stage.

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

The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line as Cody Rhodes defends his title against Drew McIntyre. This match follows a rapid escalation of hostilities between the two competitors. Rhodes made his return to television two weeks prior to Wrestlepalooza, intervening to save Randy Orton from a brutal assault by McIntyre. This led to Rhodes issuing a direct challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

On the go-home edition of SmackDown, a contract signing segment for the match quickly devolved into a brawl, with McIntyre launching an underhanded attack on Rhodes, leaving the champion laid out as the show concluded. Drew McIntyre has recently adopted a more aggressive and cynical persona, often expressing disdain for the current landscape of WWE. His history with world championships includes reigns during the pandemic era and instances where he felt he was unfairly denied a celebratory moment with fans. Cody Rhodes, meanwhile, continues his reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, having "finished the story" at WrestleMania, and aims to solidify his legacy.

A significant wildcard in this contest is Randy Orton, who has his own ongoing feud with Drew McIntyre. Orton’s potential interference has been a point of speculation, creating a complex dynamic where a third party could directly influence the outcome.

Expert Pick (Shakiel Mahjouri, Brent Brookhouse): Drew McIntyre wins by disqualification (Cody Rhodes retains the title).
- Rationale: Analysts project that while Drew McIntyre is unlikely to secure a clean world title victory at this juncture, a disqualification win offers a means to extend the feud without ending Rhodes’ championship reign. The most probable scenario for a DQ involves Randy Orton interfering, attacking McIntyre to avenge past grievances. This outcome would not only protect McIntyre’s momentum but also sow seeds of tension between Orton and Rhodes, potentially leading to a triple threat match in the near future and a potential heel turn for Orton against his former protégé.

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

The Women’s World Championship will be contested as Iyo Sky defends her title against the challenging Stephanie Vaquer. Iyo Sky has maintained a robust reign as champion, consistently proving herself as a top-tier competitor within the women’s division, with many considering her one of the best wrestlers in the world over the past year. Her championship defenses have been noteworthy, solidifying her standing as a dominant force.

Stephanie Vaquer, a relative newcomer to WWE’s main roster, brings a diverse international background, having held the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship and competed extensively in promotions like Stardom and CMLL. Her technical prowess and hard-hitting style position her as a credible threat to Sky’s reign. The storyline surrounding Iyo Sky currently involves escalating drama with her Damage CTRL stablemates, specifically the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), which could present a distraction or open opportunities for a title change.

Expert Pick (Brent Brookhouse, Shakiel Mahjouri): Stephanie Vaquer wins the title.
- Rationale: A title change is predicted to serve multiple narrative purposes. For Iyo Sky, losing the championship could intensify her ongoing drama with the Kabuki Warriors, allowing her character to evolve beyond the title picture. For Stephanie Vaquer, a championship win would immediately elevate her status as a formidable presence in the women’s locker room, putting the belt on a fresh face capable of delivering high-quality matches and further diversifying the division’s top tier.

Tag Team Match: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)

A significant tag team contest will feature the storied duo of The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) against the formidable new pairing of The Vision, comprised of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The Usos, despite their legendary status, have been experiencing internal strife and a period of instability. Jey Uso, in particular, has displayed signs of snapping under pressure, with a series of failures and a rocky connection with his brother Jimmy. This internal conflict has been exacerbated by his ongoing animosity with LA Knight.

The Vision, a relatively new but physically imposing tag team, has quickly established itself as a dominant force in the tag team division, leveraging the power and athleticism of both Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Their combined strength and aggressive style make them a significant threat to any team. The involvement of LA Knight, who has a personal vendetta against Jey Uso, is expected to play a crucial role in the outcome of this match, potentially influencing the result either by aiding or hindering The Usos.

Expert Pick (Brent Brookhouse, Shakiel Mahjouri): The Vision wins.
- Rationale: The most coherent storyline progression points towards a victory for The Vision. This outcome would further Jey Uso’s descent into his current troubled path, intensifying the internal struggles within The Usos and potentially deepening his feud with LA Knight. A win for Breakker and Reed would solidify their position as a rising force in the tag team ranks, providing them with a significant victory over a historically dominant team.

Wrestlepalooza 2025 represents more than just a single event; it is a declaration of intent for WWE’s future, kicking off a new era of broadcasting with ESPN and setting the stage for numerous high-stakes rivalries and championship pursuits in the months to come. The outcomes of these matches are poised to shape the narratives for some of WWE’s most prominent Superstars.