John Cena’s Wrestlepalooza decision as WWE star | Sports News

Wrestlepalooza marked the launch of WWE‘s partnership with ESPN in thunderous pyro fashion. The occasion, which was streamed stay on the community for the primary time, delivered a night time stacked with historical past, controversy, and headline-worthy returns and got here after wrestling legend Kevin Nash made the decision to boycott ABC following their decision to cancel Jimmy Kimmel.

From AJ Lee’s in-ring comeback to Stephanie McMahon’s Hall of Fame induction and John Cena persevering with his farewell tour towards Brock Lesnar, the occasion at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis demanded consideration far past the squared circle. The show opened with a punchy ESPN-style bundle that mashed iconic sports activities highlights with many years of WWE pyro and video vignettes, giving the crossover its first assertion second.

Indianapolis sports activities followers had been handled to the looks of metropolis legends from ex-Colts kicker turned broadcaster Pat McAfee returning to commentary and Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton showing on the show to show off his wrestling fandom. Pre-show buzz revolved round whether or not injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark would pop up, however the WNBA star is prepping for her staff’s playoff sequence with the Las Vegas Aces from the bench.

Instead, Cena and Lesnar kicked off the cardboard, and the Beast Incarnate’s return introduced heavy boos and sharp reminders of his title surfacing in a lawsuit towards Vince McMahon. Fans clarified their emotions, waving indicators like “He shouldn’t be here, and we all know why.”

Despite the backlash, Lesnar put Cena down within the shortest squash match of the night time, one of the final matches of Cena’s retirement tour. The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed) defeated The Usos of their reunion match as a tag staff officiated by LA Knight.

Stephanie Vaquer defeated IYO SKY to seize the vacant Women’s World Championship. Vaquer’s win immediately positioned her as the latest breakout star, and her post-match celebration included handing the belt to her father within the crowd, giving the occasion one of its most healthful moments.

The night time’s emotional core belonged to CM Punk and AJ Lee. In her first match since March 2025, Lee teamed together with her real-life husband Punk to defeat married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a combined tag bout. It was additionally Lee’s first premium stay occasion match since WrestleMania 31, and the gang welcomed her back with deafening cheers.

The roof practically blew off the venue for The Undertaker’s return, rolling into Gainbridge on a motorbike as the American Badass. He introduced the home down even additional earlier than a uncommon breaking of character, revealing to a shocked Stephanie McMahon that she can be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026.

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With her father, Vince, and grandfather already enshrined, Stephanie will develop into the third member of the McMahon household within the Hall. WWE stars Michin and Natalya shortly praised the transfer online.

Closing the night time, Cody Rhodes defended his Undisputed WWE Championship in a slugfest with Drew McIntyre. Haliburton even joined WWE’s commentary desk for the post-match recap, displaying professional wrestling’s rise back into mainstream popular culture.