Predicting WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 Winners, Surprise Returns and Bold Booking Calls
WWE makes its ESPN debut Saturday night from Indianapolis with Wrestlepalooza, the first premium live event to broadcast on the cable sports network's direct-to-consumer app.
Headlined by the returns of Brock Lesnar and AJ Lee to the squared circle, the latest chapter in John Cena's retirement tour, and an Undisputed WWE Championship defense, it has the potential to be a turning point in what has been a so-so year for the company creatively speaking.
Who will leave each of the announced matches victoriously, what surprise return should fans expect (if any), and what booking calls might leave fans buzzing?
Find out in this preview.
Women's World Championship Match: Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer
1 of 5
When Naomi's pregnancy forced her to vacate the Women's World Championship, it created an opportunity for the No. 1 contender, Stephanie Vaquer, and former champions, Iyo Sky, to vie for the top prize in the Raw women's division.
Both are popular babyfaces and either could conceivably walk away from Indy with the gold.
Vaquer, though, has seen her momentum halted exponentially by quizzical creative and a noticeable absence from the flagship show. While she has appeared in backstage segments, she has been kept away from appearing in front of the live audience.
Still clearly a performer WWE believes has a bright future, not to mention one of the most talented wrestlers on the roster, a championship victory would go a long way in reminding fans that she is the face of the division's future.
Sky, conversely, does not need a championship at this point. She is in the midst of an intensifying rivalry with her former Damage CTRL teammates, The Kabuki Warriors, and appears poised to partner with Rhea Ripley to settle it.
Prediction: Vaquer wins the title
Bolder Prediction: Vaquer wins cleanly, with no interference
The Usos vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed
2 of 5
Jimmy and Jey Uso are back together, competing as a tag team for the first time since last March. It is a momentous moment for longtime fans of the twins but recent character development on the part of the latter suggests there is a greater purpose that just to continue the duo's rivalry with The Vision's Breakker and Reed.
Jey's recent actions have the former world champion looking and sounding more like The OTC, Roman Reigns, than ever before. His brother called him out for it last week and he did nothing to quell that speculation with his spear to LA Knight in the closing moments of Raw.
The latest chapter in the Bloodline Saga appears to be underway, which will impact the outcome of Saturday's match.
All signs would seemingly point to The Usos winning in their first match back, but not so fast.
Jey's changing attitude, his ongoing rivalry with Knight, and a desire on the part of the creative team to keep The Vision strong means the fans do not get sent home happy here.
Prediction: Breakker and Reed following interference from Knight
Bolder Prediction: Uso's frustration gets the best of him and he takes out Jimmy to set up the finish
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
3 of 5
The American Nightmare returned Friday night to avenge the brutal beatdown by Drew McIntyre that left him sidelined. He also laid down the challenge for a match, with his Undisputed WWE Championship on the line.
Having just regained the title at SummerSlam, all signs would seemingly point to him retaining the title over The Scottish Warrior and continuing his latest run with the gold as the face of WWE.
And that is the likely outcome.
Still, there is an outside factor in the form of Randy Orton, who bears watching.
The Viper has unsettled business with McIntyre but there have been a few teases of the 15-time champion eyeing the top prize in the company, even if it means betraying his friendship with Rhodes.
While the heel turn to set up that inevitable program may not happen as soon as Saturday, do not be surprised to see Orton make his presence felt in some form or fashion that lets the WWE Universe know that he is firmly implanted in this ongoing rivalry.
Prediction: McIntyre defeats Rhodes via disqualification after Orton interferes
Bolder Prediction: The disqualification finish happens, but Orton drops Rhodes with an RKO to signify his upcoming heel turn
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CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch
4 of 5
The most anticipated Mixed Tag Team Match in at least a decade will take place Saturday in Indianapolis when AJ Lee wrestles her first match in a decade, teaming with husband CM Punk to battle world heavyweight champion Seth "Feakin" Rollins and women's intercontinental champion Becky Lynch.
The feud between Punk and Rollins dates back to the former's return to the company in November of 2023. Their hatred for one another is well documented and recently intensified with the emergence of Lynch as the newest member of The Vision.
Punk did the only thing he could think of to help thwart the married couple, turning to his wife, Lee, to help counter The Man.
Their match, regardless of where it takes place on the card, is arguably the real main event of the show and should have the loudest, hottest crowds behind it. Unlike others, in which there is the slightest hint of a potential surprise, this one feels relatively straight forward.
After all, WWE did not bring Lee back to much fanfare to have her lose her first match back.
Prediction: Lee and Punk win
Bold Prediction: none
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
5 of 5
One of the great rivalries of the last two decades will write its latest, potentially final, chapter when John Cena and Brock Lesnar square off in the marquee match of the ESPN debut.
On the surface, this one is easy to predict.
Lesnar is fresh off a comeback, has a rich history of obliterating Cena, and should F-5 his way to victory.
Cena is in the midst of a retirement tour, though, and after an ill-advised heel turn proved just how much fans want to cheer him in this final run with the company, odds are they will not be all that thrilled to watch him get rag-dolled by The Beast.
That there is a significant part of the fandom that is not happy to have Lesnar back at all only heightens the possibility that Cena gets his arm raised here.
Still, this current incarnation of WWE loves having the big bad at the top of the company, as we see on Raw with The Vision. Assuming Lesnar sticks around past Cena's retirement in December, him winning makes more sense.
Prediction: Lesnar wins
Bold Prediction (Certain Not to Happen): Cena squashes Lesnar, wins in minutes
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