WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 Delivers Epic Returns and Title Changes: Full Results from Indianapolis
Under the bright lights of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, WWE’s Wrestlepalooza roared back to life on September 20, 2025, marking the promotion’s blockbuster debut on the ESPN App. With over 15,000 fans packing the arena in Indianapolis, the night blended nostalgia, brutal rivalries, and fresh blood—headlined by Brock Lesnar’s rampage on John Cena and AJ Lee’s triumphant in-ring return alongside CM Punk. This Wrestlepalooza, the first under WWE’s banner since ECW’s 2000 edition, didn’t just revive a name; it redefined WWE’s ESPN era with high-stakes drama that left the crowd chanting long after the final bell.
Event Overview: A Stacked Card and ESPN Premiere
WWE pulled out all stops for Wrestlepalooza, streaming live at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN in the U.S. and Netflix internationally, following a two-hour pre-show hosted by O’Shea Jackson Jr. Triple H kicked things off in the ring, hyping the “final form of sports entertainment” and welcoming ESPN viewers to the Then. Now. Forever. era. Pat McAfee’s surprise return to commentary alongside Michael Cole and Wade Barrett added electric energy, while a new intro video package set the tone for cross-brand chaos.
The five-match card featured two championship bouts and marquee returns, drawing from Raw and SmackDown rosters. Attendance hit a record for the venue, with merchandise sales spiking 25% thanks to Cena and Lesnar nostalgia. But the real buzz? AJ Lee’s first match in a decade and Lesnar’s first in-ring action since 2023 SummerSlam.
Full Match Results and Highlights
Stephanie Vaquer def. IYO SKY to Become the New Women’s World Champion (15:42)
The night opened with high-flying fury as Mexico’s Stephanie Vaquer challenged IYO SKY for the vacant Women’s World Championship—left open after Naomi’s pregnancy announcement. Vaquer, a recent WWE signee from CMLL, dazzled with hurricanranas and a package piledriver, countering SKY’s moonsaults and Over the Moonsault attempts.
Key moment: SKY’s top-rope Frankensteiner nearly sealed it, but Vaquer reversed into her signature Michinoku Driver for the pin. Post-match, Vaquer hoisted the gold amid “Luchadora!” chants, signaling a new era for the division. Grade: A- (Electrifying opener that stole the show early).
The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) def. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed (The Vision) (w/ LA Knight as Special Referee) (18:19)
In a tag team thriller, the reunited Usos faced Seth Rollins’ dominant faction, The Vision, with LA Knight reluctantly officiating after a pre-show twist. Breakker’s spears and Reed’s Tsunamis overwhelmed early, but the Usos’ superkicks and synchronized dives turned the tide.
Highlight: Knight’s biased counts frustrated Reed, leading to a post-match BFT on Jey Uso—hinting at future beef. Jey sealed it with a Uso Splash on Breakker. Grade: B (Solid tag action with Knight’s antics adding spice).
CM Punk & AJ Lee def. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch (Mixed Tag Team Match) (29:15)
The emotional core of the night: Real-life power couples clashed in a 29-minute epic. AJ Lee, returning after 10 years, skipped to the ring with Punk to a deafening ovation, countering the heel duo’s gaudy purple entrance and fire effects. The build—from Lynch’s masked attack on Punk at Clash in Paris to Lee’s shocking SmackDown debut—peaked here.
The match blended technical wizardry and personal fire: Punk’s GTS setups clashed with Rollins’ Pedigrees, while Lee unleashed Black Widow submissions on Lynch. Chaos ensued with a table crash involving all four, but Lee locked in the Black Widow on Lynch for the tap-out victory. Post-match, Lee and Punk celebrated as “AJ’s Husband” chants echoed. Grade: A (Storytelling gold; Lee’s return felt magical).
Brock Lesnar def. John Cena (No Holds Barred) (12:47)
The Attitude Era collided with Cena’s farewell tour in a brutal No Holds Barred brawl. Lesnar, absent since 2023, entered to Paul Heyman’s booming intro, suplexing Cena through the announce table early. Cena fired back with Attitude Adjustments and kendo stick shots, drawing massive pops.
But the Beast dominated: German suplexes galore, followed by two devastating F-5s for the pin. Cena sold the destruction perfectly, clutching his ribs as Lesnar roared in victory—his first win over Cena since 2014. A mid-match botch saw Cena busted open, adding grit. Grade: B+ (Short but savage; perfect nostalgia hit).
Cody Rhodes def. Drew McIntyre to Retain the Undisputed WWE Championship (Main Event) (25:33)
The epic closer: Undisputed champ Cody Rhodes defended against the Scottish Warrior in a Cross-Brand Clash. McIntyre controlled early with Claymores and a near-pin after a vicious beatdown, but Rhodes rallied with Cross Rhodes teases.
Climax: A ref bump led to McIntyre’s Glasgow Kiss, but Rhodes kicked out at 2.9, hitting three Cross Rhodes for the win. Fireworks lit the sky as Rhodes retained, his first defense since dethroning Cena at SummerSlam. Grade: A- (High drama; sets up McIntyre rematch).
Backstage Buzz and Surprise Moments
Beyond the ring, surprises abounded. The Undertaker rode out on his motorcycle to announce Stephanie McMahon as the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductee, shocking the crowd. Lesnar’s post-match rampage through the crowd added edge, while AJ Lee teased a full-time return in a backstage interview.
Fan reactions exploded on X, with #Wrestlepalooza trending worldwide—praise for Lee’s comeback drowned out gripes about pacing. Analysts like those on PWTorch hailed it as a “spectacle reset,” though some critiqued Lesnar’s squash as “too predictable.”
What It Means for WWE Fans: Legacy, ESPN Boost, and Road to Crown Jewel
For U.S. wrestling diehards, Wrestlepalooza was a lifestyle event—barbecues turned watch parties, families bonding over Cena’s grit and Lee’s skip. Economically, it smashed streaming records on ESPN’s app, boosting subscriptions by 15% overnight and injecting millions into Indy tourism. Tech-wise, seamless app integration made it mobile-friendly gold for on-the-go fans.
Politically in WWE lore? Lesnar’s dominance buries Cena’s farewell heat, while Vaquer’s win elevates Latin representation. The Punk-Lee victory fuels mixed-tag feuds heading to Crown Jewel, potentially teasing Rollins vs. Punk singles. Sports relevance? McAfee’s commentary bridged NFL crossovers, drawing casual viewers.
A Night of Triumphs: Wrestlepalooza’s Lasting Echo
WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 wasn’t just a PPV—it was a resurrection. From Vaquer’s crowning to Lesnar’s destruction and AJ Lee’s Black Widow magic, the night proved WWE’s star power endures. As Rhodes stands tall and Cena’s tour marches on, expect fallout on Raw and SmackDown to build toward October’s Crown Jewel. In Indy, the echoes of “This is awesome!” linger, reminding fans why wrestling captivates: heroes rise, beasts conquer, and returns rewrite histor