WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025: ESPN Debut Set to Unfold with High-Stakes Bouts and Championship Clashes

WWE is scheduled to inaugurate its new partnership with ESPN on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with Wrestlepalooza, an event resurrected from its ECW origins. This marks the first occasion the Wrestlepalooza moniker has been utilized under the WWE banner, signifying a strategic move to leverage established intellectual property for a landmark broadcast. The event is slated to take place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, a venue known for hosting major sporting and entertainment spectacles. The new ESPN agreement is anticipated to significantly broaden WWE’s reach, introducing its programming to a wider mainstream sports audience and potentially influencing future content development and talent acquisition.

The inaugural WWE Wrestlepalooza card is structured with several high-profile contests, including two encounters featuring returning legends and multiple championship defenses. The event is positioned as a pivotal moment for the company’s broadcast strategy.

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: A Final Chapter in a Two-Decade Rivalry

The evening is expected to commence with a highly anticipated encounter between two of WWE’s most decorated performers, John Cena and Brock Lesnar. This match is billed as one of John Cena’s final scheduled appearances before his announced retirement from professional wrestling later in the year, adding significant weight to the contest. The rivalry between Cena and Lesnar spans more than two decades, originating from their respective main roster debuts in 2002. Their history includes numerous confrontations, often characterized by Lesnar’s dominant physicality against Cena’s resilient hero persona.

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Notable clashes include their critically acclaimed no-holds-barred match at Extreme Rules 2012, which marked Lesnar’s return to WWE after an eight-year absence, and their Undisputed WWE Championship bout at SummerSlam 2014, where Lesnar delivered a decisive defeat to Cena. Over the course of their careers, Cena has accumulated 16 world championships, tying Ric Flair’s record, while Lesnar has held the WWE/Universal Championship ten times, in addition to his decorated career in mixed martial arts, including holding the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Analysts from CBS Sports, Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri, have both indicated a belief that Cena will secure a sentimental victory in this penultimate encounter. This outcome, they suggest, would provide Cena with a significant win in their historical series (currently 4-2 in Lesnar’s favor) and add further gravitas to his eventual retirement match. Lesnar, known for his infrequent appearances and dominant booking, remains a formidable opponent whose defeat is rare, yet Cena’s impending retirement tour provides a narrative framework for such an outcome.

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

Another featured bout involves the unexpected return of AJ Lee, marking her first in-ring appearance for WWE in over a decade. Lee is set to team with her husband, CM Punk, to face World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team match. AJ Lee, a former three-time Divas Champion, departed WWE in 2015, making her return a subject of considerable speculation and anticipation within the wrestling community. Her return parallels that of her husband, CM Punk, whose own high-profile return to WWE in late 2023 ended a contentious nine-year absence from the promotion.

The storyline leading into this match has been heavily focused on the ongoing animosity between CM Punk and Seth Rollins, a rivalry that intensified following Punk’s return. Rollins has consistently positioned himself as an antagonist to Punk, often questioning his sincerity and commitment to WWE. The involvement of their respective wives has escalated the personal stakes. In the final pre-Wrestlepalooza edition of Monday Night Raw, Rollins and Lynch reportedly outmaneuvered Punk and Lee, culminating in Lynch delivering her signature "Manhandle Slam" to Lee, further fueling the tension. Both Brookhouse and Mahjouri predict a victory for CM Punk and AJ Lee. Their rationale hinges on the desire to continue the prominent Rollins-Punk storyline, suggesting that a loss for the challenger (Punk), particularly alongside his returning wife, would undermine the ongoing narrative. A victory for Punk and Lee would maintain the momentum of their feud with the reigning champions.

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

The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line as Cody Rhodes defends his title against Drew McIntyre. Rhodes, who "finished the story" at WrestleMania by capturing the championship, has established himself as a prominent figure and a strong champion. His return to television two weeks prior to Wrestlepalooza saw him intervene to save Randy Orton from a McIntyre beatdown, subsequently issuing a challenge for the championship. The rivalry intensified on the go-home edition of SmackDown, where the two signed the contract for their match. Following the signing, McIntyre reportedly launched a surprise attack on Rhodes, culminating in a brawl that saw Rhodes laid out as the broadcast concluded.

Drew McIntyre’s recent character development has seen him embrace a more antagonistic role, often utilizing social media to antagonize opponents and express his grievances, particularly towards CM Punk. McIntyre is a two-time WWE Champion, though his previous reigns notably occurred during the pandemic era without live audiences. The involvement of Randy Orton, who has a history with both competitors, introduces a crucial third-party element to this championship encounter. Analysts Brookhouse and Mahjouri concur on a specific outcome for this match: a disqualification victory for Drew McIntyre, allowing Cody Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. This prediction is predicated on the likely interference from Randy Orton, who is feuding with McIntyre. Such an outcome would serve to extend the rivalry between Rhodes and McIntyre while simultaneously building tension between Rhodes and Orton, potentially leading to a future triple threat match or even an Orton heel turn against his former mentee. This complex narrative suggests that WWE is aiming for a long-term storyline involving all three men.

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

The Women’s World Championship will be contested between reigning champion Iyo Sky and challenger Stephanie Vaquer. Iyo Sky has maintained a notable reign as champion, often receiving praise for her in-ring capabilities and consistent performances. Her championship tenure has coincided with ongoing internal drama within her faction, Damage CTRL, particularly involving her stablemates, the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). This internal conflict has been a recurring subplot, potentially impacting Sky’s focus.

Stephanie Vaquer, making her challenge for the Women’s World Championship, represents a new face in the WWE main roster championship picture. Vaquer has garnered international acclaim for her work in promotions such as NJPW STRONG, where she held the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, and CMLL. Her technical proficiency and aggressive style position her as a credible threat to Sky’s reign. Both Brookhouse and Mahjouri have predicted that Stephanie Vaquer will emerge victorious, capturing the Women’s World Championship. Their reasoning suggests that while Sky has been a capable champion, her ongoing storyline with the Kabuki Warriors could provide a narrative avenue for her to lose the title without diminishing her standing. A victory for Vaquer would introduce a fresh champion, allowing WWE to elevate a new talent to the top of the women’s division and continue to diversify its championship landscape.

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

A significant tag team match is also scheduled, pitting the reunited Usos against the formidable duo of The Vision, comprising Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The Usos, Jimmy and Jey, boast a storied history as one of WWE’s most successful tag teams, with multiple championship reigns. However, their recent narrative has been characterized by Jey Uso’s struggles and perceived failures since his separation from his brother and subsequent pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship. His current connection with Jimmy is depicted as rocky, and he has recently made an adversary of LA Knight.

The Vision, consisting of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, represents a powerful and relatively new tag team. Breakker, a former NXT Champion, brings a strong athletic background and intensity, while Reed offers immense power and a dominant presence. The pairing has quickly established itself as a force within the tag team division. The potential involvement of LA Knight in this contest adds another layer of unpredictability. Knight’s feud with Jey Uso could manifest as direct interference, potentially aiding or costing The Usos the match. Analysts Brookhouse and Mahjouri both project a victory for The Vision. This outcome, they suggest, would align with the ongoing storyline of Jey Uso’s continued struggles and his apparent descent down a challenging path, while simultaneously solidifying The Vision as a credible and dominant force in the tag team division. The match is anticipated to further the narrative surrounding Jey Uso’s character development and his complex relationship with both his brother and his new adversary, LA Knight.