WWE's Wrestlepalooza returns to Indianapolis with a historic streaming shift
In short: After a 25-year hiatus, the Wrestlepalooza name has returned to the WWE roster. This 2025 edition marks a significant turning point for the company, serving as the first major event to stream on ESPN in the United States following the conclusion of WWE's long-standing contract with Peacock.
The 2025 Wrestlepalooza, held on September 20 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, represents a major branding shift for WWE. While the name was originally used by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) for events in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, and a fifth iteration, this is the first time the event has been produced under the WWE banner. This transition follows WWE's 2003 acquisition of ECW's assets. The event also highlights a significant change in media distribution; it was the first main roster premium live event to be livestreamed on ESPN's direct-to-consumer service in the U.S., succeeding a contract with Peacock that ended the previous month.
The match card featured several significant milestones and returns. Brock Lesnar made his first appearance since SummerSlam 2023, defeating John Cena in the opening bout. This was Cena's only Wrestlepalooza appearance as an in-ring performer, occurring before his scheduled retirement at the end of 2025. Furthermore, AJ Lee returned to the ring after more than ten years, joining CM Punk to beat Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch during a mixed tag team bout. Other notable results included Cody Rhodes retaining the SmackDown Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre and Stephanie Vaquer winning the vacant Raw Women's World Championship by defeating Iyo Sky.
The event's scheduling was also a point of strategic interest. Originally intended to counterprogram All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) All Out PPV, the companies avoided a direct conflict when AEW announced a 3 p.m. Eastern Time start time on September 3, 2025. The event was part of a broader partnership between WWE and the Indiana Sports Corp, which includes hosting future major events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam in Indianapolis.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wrestlepalooza (2025)
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