Your Official Preview and Guide to the Upcoming WWE Wrestlepalooza
For longtime wrestling fans, the buzz around Wrestlepalooza is fresh again. It’s that same anticipation you felt waiting for WrestleMania’s main event years ago, or the goosebumps when two rivals finally squared off after months of teases. This time, though, the stage is Wrestlepalooza, and it’s carrying storylines with grudges, comebacks, and legends on their way out.
On September 20, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis hosts a night packed with new chapters. Some fans see this as one last chance to watch John Cena battle Brock Lesnar and see CM Punk and AJ Lee step back into the spotlight together. Here’s what to expect.
A Night Of Grudge Matches
Few storylines in recent memory have carried as much fire as CM Punk’s battles with Seth Rollins. After Rollins cashed in on Punk at SummerSlam, the rivalry grew more personal by the week. Becky Lynch’s involvement only added fuel until AJ Lee’s surprise return shifted the balance. Now Punk and Lee face Rollins and Lynch in a mixed tag team match.
Prediction: With Lee’s big return, this feels like a setup for Punk and Lee to score the win. WWE loves a crowd-pleasing moment when a fan favorite returns, and seeing the married pair triumph would deliver exactly that.
If that isn’t enough drama, John Cena and Brock Lesnar are set for what’s billed as their final clash. Their history stretches back over a decade, with Lesnar holding the edge in victories. Cena, in the middle of his farewell run, knows this may be his last chance to settle the score. Fans who remember their wild battles in the early 2010s know just how punishing this encounter could be.
Prediction: As tempting as it would be for Cena to go out with one more victory, Lesnar probably wins here. A dominant finish for “The Beast” lines up with his returning push, while Cena can still leave to a hero’s ovation.
Titles On The Line
While the grudges draw attention, championship gold is also up for grabs. IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer will meet for the vacant Women’s World Championship after Naomi stepped away due to pregnancy. Whoever wins will step into a spotlight neither has entirely held before.
Prediction: SKY’s experience and popularity make her the safer bet, but don’t count out WWE handing Vaquer a shock win to create a new star. Still, SKY walks in with the edge.
Then there’s Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre. McIntyre’s brutal attack that sidelined Rhodes set the tone for this feud, and Rhodes’ fiery return only raised the stakes. For fans invested in Rhodes’ climb to the top, this bout represents a chance to see how he handles his toughest challenge yet.
Prediction: Rhodes’ run as champion feels far from over, and Wrestlepalooza is more likely to showcase his resilience than the end of his reign.
Family, Factions, and Fallout
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Zippo9310
Wrestlepalooza also brings a family reunion with The Usos joining forces again to face Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Reed and Breakker have been wreaking havoc under Rollins’ banner, even targeting Roman Reigns. Considering that LA Knight is rumored to have a role in the mix, this match has plenty of moving pieces and a lot of pride at stake.
Prediction: The Usos winning their reunion match makes too much sense. It gives fans a feel-good moment, re-establishes their legacy, and sets up bigger stories down the road.
Altogether, the card mixes every ingredient wrestling fans love: personal rivalries, title matches, legends, and surprise twists. Wrestlepalooza will stream on ESPN in the U.S. and Netflix internationally, and it’s clear WWE wants this show to feel like more than just another stop on the calendar. It’s shaping up to be one of those nights fans talk about for years.