Final Preview + Predictions: WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 — Triple H Promises Surprises, Cena vs. Lesnar Opens, Cody vs. Drew Headlines

This is it. WWE Wrestlepalooza has finally arrived. Tonight, WWE and ESPN break new ground as the first-ever premium live event airs on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer app (and internationally on Netflix), with the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN playing host to one of the most anticipated cards of the year.

At 8:27 a.m. PT this morning, WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque released the official cold open on X, highlighting the parallel legacies of ESPN and WWE while promising that fans can expect “spectacle, surprises, and history.” That cold open set the tone: tonight is about more than just matches — it’s about cementing a new era.

Below is your final preview with match-by-match predictions, plus our Wrestling.news | Backstage Take.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
• Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
• Start Time: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT (doors open at 5:00 PM local)
• Streaming: ESPN App (U.S.), Netflix (International)

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (Opener)

Triple H confirmed Cena vs. Lesnar will kick off the night — a bold decision for two icons. Lesnar has been in full Beast mode since his surprise SummerSlam return, leaving Cena bloodied in shocking fashion.

Prediction: John Cena wins.
Lesnar rarely loses, but Cena is on the tail end of his farewell tour, and giving him a legacy-defining victory here sets up his final WWE match on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Expect a war — and maybe one last heroic moment for Big Match John.

Undisputed WWE Championship

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
This is the official main event. Cody is Hollywood-bound with projects like Street Fighter, while McIntyre is desperate to cement his legacy beyond his pandemic-era title run.

Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins the title.
Whether it’s with “questionable tactics” or clean, Drew walking out with the gold feels right. Cody can afford the loss, and Drew finally gets the reign that eluded him. Don’t be surprised if Randy Orton inserts himself into this story down the line — setting up a potential triple threat.

CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch (Mixed Tag)

This is AJ Lee’s first in-ring match in over a decade. Punk has been goaded at every turn by Rollins and Lynch, and the addition of AJ evens the score.

Prediction: CM Punk & AJ Lee win.
This result extends both feuds: Punk vs. Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship and AJ vs. Becky for the Women’s Intercontinental Title. A clean victory for the returning couple builds momentum for both stories.

WWE Women’s World Championship

Iyo Sky (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Iyo has been phenomenal, but Stephanie Vaquer’s rise through AAA and CMLL has made her an international star with crossover appeal.

Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer wins the title.
This would mark a new chapter for the division, bridging WWE with Latin America’s fanbase. Iyo doesn’t need the belt to remain relevant — her ongoing tension with the Kabuki Warriors gives her plenty to do.

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

Family drama versus raw power. The Usos are reunited, but there are already signs of cracks in Jey’s focus and ambitions for Jimmy.

Prediction: The Vision wins.
Expect interference, surprises, or even Paul Heyman’s shadow looming large. This match feels designed to plant seeds for an eventual Uso vs. Uso program. Breakker and Reed, meanwhile, get the rub of beating one of WWE’s greatest teams.

Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

Triple H’s decision to reveal the cold open early this morning was no accident. WWE is treating Wrestlepalooza as a landmark broadcast — the start of a long-term partnership with ESPN and the possible birth of a new annual tentpole event. Backstage chatter suggests the company deliberately stacked this card while saving certain surprises for TV fallout, a balance between ESPN’s streaming spotlight and WWE’s weekly programming.

With AEW All Out running the same day, WWE is making sure Wrestlepalooza feels like the true “can’t-miss” show. Expect major production values, maybe even a shock return (Gunther?) to give ESPN subscribers that “you had to see it live” feeling.

One thing’s clear: Wrestlepalooza isn’t just a show. It’s WWE staking its claim as the biggest attraction in sports entertainment — on a brand-new stage.

#WWENews #Wrestlepalooza