WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025: Card Preview, Expert Analysis, and Key Matchups for Inaugural ESPN Event

Indianapolis, IN – World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is set to embark on a new era this Saturday with the inaugural Wrestlepalooza, marking the official commencement of its landmark partnership with ESPN. The event, held at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, pays homage to a classic Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) spectacle, bringing a storied name back into the wrestling lexicon under the WWE banner for the first time. This highly anticipated show is designed to be a declaration of intent for the new broadcast agreement, featuring a stacked card headlined by a mix of returning legends, established champions, and rising stars. SportsBreakNews.com’s wrestling experts provide their in-depth analysis and predictions for the evening’s pivotal encounters.

The card is laden with high-stakes contests, beginning with a marquee clash that promises to ignite the new partnership with historical significance. Two titans of the industry, John Cena and Brock Lesnar, are scheduled to open the event in what is being billed as a brutal, career-defining encounter. Their rivalry, which traces its origins back to their simultaneous WWE debuts in 2002, has spanned two decades, punctuated by numerous intense confrontations. This match holds particular weight as it is anticipated to be one of John Cena’s final appearances before his official retirement from professional wrestling at year-end, with only a handful of dates remaining on his schedule. Cena, a 16-time World Champion, has faced Lesnar six times in singles competition on WWE pay-per-view, holding a 2-4 record against "The Beast Incarnate." His last victory over Lesnar came at Extreme Rules in 2012. Lesnar, meanwhile, recently made his return to WWE programming after a period of absence, and historically, he rarely suffers defeat, especially in high-profile situations. The emotional stakes for Cena’s "farewell tour" add a layer of unpredictability to a contest between two individuals who have defined eras.

The CBS Sports wrestling experts, Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri, have weighed in on this iconic battle. Mahjouri posits, "Lesnar beating Cena is the sensible choice. The former UFC heavyweight champion recently returned and rarely loses. Cena’s retirement tour lets him lose gracefully; he’s portrayed as an aging warrior, though Cena’s technically a few months younger than Lesnar." However, Mahjouri ultimately sides with Cena, stating, "Nevertheless, I’m siding with Cena. He’s already down 2-4 in his series with Lesnar, winless since reverting to a good guy, and should presumably lose his retirement match. Beating Lesnar gives more weight to him to Cena’s final loss, and gives Cena a sentimental victory in their saga. Really, both men are bulletproof from defeat so the outcome doesn’t matter, but I think there’s more benefit to having Cena’s hand raised." Brookhouse concurs with Mahjouri’s sentiment, emphasizing the narrative impact of a Cena victory.
Expert Pick: John Cena wins

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Another highly anticipated return sees AJ Lee step back into a WWE ring after more than a decade away. Lee will team with her husband, CM Punk, in a mixed tag team match against the reigning World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and his wife, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. The feud between CM Punk and Seth Rollins has been simmering for months, characterized by psychological warfare and Rollins consistently staying a step ahead of Punk. Rollins, who successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor at the recent Clash at the Castle event, has been vocal about his disdain for Punk, accusing him of being a locker room disruptor. Becky Lynch, having recently captured the newly inaugurated Women’s Intercontinental Championship, brings an added layer of prestige to her team. Her reign has seen her successfully defend the title twice, establishing it as a significant prize in the women’s division.

The inclusion of AJ Lee, a former three-time Divas Champion and one of the most influential female wrestlers of her era, adds an intriguing dynamic. Her return was prompted by Punk’s need to "even the odds" against the unified front of Rollins and Lynch. However, on the final pre-Wrestlepalooza Raw, Rollins and Lynch once again demonstrated their cunning, outsmarting Punk and Lee, culminating in Lynch delivering a decisive Manhandle Slam to Lee. This pre-event maneuver suggests that the champions are still very much in control of the narrative. Brookhouse elaborates on the expert pick, stating, "WWE clearly isn’t done with Rollins and Punk’s entanglement and if they want to continue down that path, it doesn’t make much sense for the challenger to lose — especially alongside his wife, who is returning to the ring for the first time in more than a decade." Mahjouri echoes this sentiment, recognizing the long-term storytelling implications.
Expert Pick: CM Punk & AJ Lee win

The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line as Cody Rhodes defends his title against Drew McIntyre. Rhodes, who dramatically completed his "story" at WrestleMania by winning the Undisputed WWE Championship, has been a fighting champion, successfully fending off challenges from the likes of Gunther and Roman Reigns in recent months. His return to television two weeks ago was met with thunderous applause as he intervened to save Randy Orton from a brutal beatdown at the hands of McIntyre. This act of heroism immediately set the stage for their championship clash, with Rhodes issuing a direct challenge to the Scottish Psychopath. McIntyre, known for his aggressive style and recent string of victories, has adopted an increasingly underhanded approach in recent weeks, drawing criticism for his tactics. His pursuit of a world title has been a consistent narrative throughout the year, but he has often fallen short in crucial moments.

The rivalry intensified on the go-home edition of SmackDown, where Rhodes and McIntyre signed the contract for their Wrestlepalooza showdown. However, McIntyre’s volatile nature once again surfaced as he launched a post-signing assault on Rhodes, leading to a chaotic brawl that saw the show go off the air with Rhodes laid out. This incident has only fueled the animosity between the two competitors. The potential involvement of Randy Orton, who has his own unresolved issues with McIntyre, adds another layer of complexity to this championship bout. Mahjouri predicts a contentious outcome, stating, "I’ve lost hope that WWE will reward McIntyre with a proper world title reign. Especially right now when he doesn’t have much momentum. I don’t think WWE puts the undisputed WWE title on McIntyre, but he might sneak out a win to extend the feud. There’s a third party involved in this match: Randy Orton. McIntyre is feuding with both men, mostly independent of one another. I suspect Orton attacks McIntyre, awarding the Scotsman a disqualification win. Orton’s actions will build tension between him and Rhodes, leading to a triple threat match and Orton turning heel on his former pupil." Brookhouse aligns with this prediction, acknowledging the ongoing narrative threads.
Expert Pick: Drew McIntyre wins by DQ, Cody Rhodes retains the title

In the Women’s World Championship match, Iyo Sky will defend her title against the formidable Stephanie Vaquer. Sky, who captured the championship at SummerSlam, has cemented her status as one of the most dynamic and capable champions in recent memory, with many experts considering her among the best wrestlers in the world over the past year. Her reign has been characterized by high-octane performances and successful defenses against a diverse range of challengers, including Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. However, her ongoing drama and internal conflicts within the Kabuki Warriors faction, particularly with Kairi Sane and Asuka, have created a compelling subplot that could impact her focus.

Stephanie Vaquer, a rising star, has earned her shot at the championship through a series of impressive victories on both Raw and SmackDown. Known for her unique blend of technical prowess and aggressive striking, Vaquer has quickly established herself as a credible threat to the established order. Her recent form includes decisive wins over Dakota Kai and Chelsea Green, solidifying her position as the number one contender. Brookhouse argues for a changing of the guard, stating, "Sky has proven a more than capable champion — which isn’t hurt by the fact she’s had a case as the best wrestler in the world for the past year. But there are plenty of things for Sky to do without the belt as her drama with the Kabuki Warriors is ramping up. Vaquer winning puts the belt on a relatively new face who can more than hold up her end in the ring and continue to build up the top end of the women’s locker room." Mahjouri supports this analysis, seeing the potential for a fresh champion to elevate the division.
Expert Pick: Stephanie Vaquer wins the title

The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) will face the burgeoning tag team of The Vision, comprised of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The Usos, perennial contenders and former record-breaking Tag Team Champions, have been navigating a tumultuous period. Jey Uso, in particular, has displayed signs of snapping, with his recent failures in singles competition—including a failed bid for the World Heavyweight Championship—and a rocky relationship with his brother Jimmy, contributing to his instability. Furthermore, Jey has made an enemy of LA Knight, adding another layer of complexity to his current emotional state. The Usos’ once-unbreakable bond has shown cracks since the dissolution of The Bloodline, and their recent performances have been inconsistent, indicating a potential crisis of confidence.

The Vision, consisting of the powerhouse Bronson Reed and the explosive Bron Breakker, represents a new force in the tag team division. Breakker, a former NXT Champion, brings unparalleled athleticism and intensity, while Reed’s sheer size and power make them a formidable duo. Since their recent formation, The Vision has been on an undefeated streak, quickly ascending the ranks with dominant victories over teams like Alpha Academy and Pretty Deadly. Their cohesion and raw power present a significant challenge to the veteran Usos. Brookhouse suggests that external factors will play a crucial role, stating, "Jey Uso seems to be snapping as his failures have added up since dropping the world heavyweight championship. His connection with Jimmy is rocky and now he has made an enemy of LA Knight. It’s probably Knight who decides who wins this one, either aiding the Usos or somehow costing them the match. It feels the most coherent story beat is for The Vision to get the win and Jey to slide further down whatever path he is on." Mahjouri agrees, highlighting the narrative progression for Jey Uso.
Expert Pick: The Vision win

Wrestlepalooza 2025 marks a pivotal moment for WWE, initiating its new partnership with ESPN and setting the stage for numerous storylines to unfold. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse is poised to witness a night of high drama, emotional farewells, and potential championship changes, signaling a vibrant new chapter for professional wrestling.