WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 Match Card Predictions After Clash in Paris
On the heels of Clash in Paris, which saw Seth Rollins retain the World Heavyweight Championship with the help of Becky Lynch, WWE turns its attention to Wrestlepalooza.
What might fans expect from that event on September 20, which will mark the debut of ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming service?
Find out with this preview of the show, including early match card predictions for the broadcast.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
1 of 5
Brock Lesnar and John Cena not only define an entire era of WWE programming, but they are also among the most recognizable names ever in the industry.
People outside of pro wrestling know who they are, thanks to Lesnar's success in UFC and Cena's crossover Hollywood career.
That makes their match the perfect first main event on ESPN.
Lesnar's return to WWE has its critics, but it's unlikely he has returned just to lose his first match back.
Regardless, the star power and mainstream appeal makes this a worthy marquee matchup and the first real follow-up to Lesnar's unexpected return at SummerSlam.
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
2 of 5
Drew McIntyre attacked Cody Rhodes on the Aug. 8 edition of SmackDown, forcing The American Nightmare to the sidelines and igniting a rivalry that will conclude with the Scot's first shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship for three years.
While crowning McIntyre would make major headlines, Rhodes only just regained the title at SummerSlam. He still has an anticipated rivalry with his mentor and friend, Randy Orton, on the horizon.
The match should be great, with two of the best main event talents in WWE squaring off on a big stage, with the biggest prize in the industry at stake.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors
3 of 5
Rising tension between Rhea Ripley and Asuka, along with the Kabuki Warriors' jealousy of Iyo Sky, sets up an intriguing women's tag match. This could be a turning point in their ongoing rivalry.
Asuka has repeatedly focused her disdain on Ripley for coming between her and former Damage CTRL teammate Sky, while Kairi Sane has remained loyal to The Empress of Tomorrow, despite the obvious discomfort this is causing her.
On the other hand, Ripley has tried to convince Sky not to trust her friends, who she does not believe have her best interests in mind.
While it may be too early to bring the match to the ring, it gets Ripley and Sky on the card in a match outside of the women's world title picture, something that both need to avoid for a while.
It also gets them on the debut ESPN show, sets the stage for more to come from the rivalry, and likely results in a great match.
WWE Women's Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
4 of 5
Cargill informed Tiffany Stratton on the August 22 episode of SmackDown that, by way of her winning a high-profile tag team match for their team, she is again the No. 1 contender to the WWE Women's Championship.
After losing to Stratton at SummerSlam, The Storm will be looking for a measure of revenge and her first singles gold in the company.
If the plan is to have Cargill win the title, crowning her in a high-profile match against Stratton—who previously defeated her—on ESPN's first live event would make sense.
Are there better options? Most certainly, but it feels like the opportune time to get there if that is the endgame.
CM Punk and Jey Uso vs. Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker
5 of 5
On the surface, this feels like any main event on Raw, a tag team match featuring the same crop of Superstars we have seen do battle over the last three months. Beyond that, though, there are two larger stories at play.
Breakker caused Roman Reigns' beatdown Sunday in Paris, driving him through an announce table. Uso made the save but was too late and felt Breakker's wrath, too, meaning he will be out for a measure of revenge.
Punk, on the other hand, has been repeatedly downed by superkicks from Uso, who has listened to Reigns' warnings not to align himself with anyone.
Mounting mistrust between them, despite their shared hatred for The Vision, sets up a tension-packed tag team match featuring four top stars WWE will likely want to get on the card in some form or fashion.
