The first WWE Wrestlepalooza will be held in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana. This will be a major breakthrough in the media strategy of WWE, as it will be aired on the new direct-to-consumer streaming platform of ESPN, ESPN Unlimited. The performance will start at 6.30 PM ET and the pre show will start at 5.00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- United States: ESPN: Espn live on ESPN unlimited subscribers. The event is available to subscribers through providers such as Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV (streaming only), Fubo TV, Verizon Fios and Spectrum TV without any extra charges in case their subscriptions are activated. Nonetheless, those customers who have ESPN+ subscriptions with other providers have been moved to ESPN Select and have to upgrade to ESPN Unlimited at a price of 29.25 per month to access the premium content.
- International: Netflix can be streamed live in some countries.
Main Event
The long awaited contest between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, will now come as the opening act of the show. This strategic position will be used to attract attention to the audience as early as possible and push ESPN streaming subscriptions.
Featured Matches:
- John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
- Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre in the title match of the undisputed WWE Championship.
- AJ Lee and CM Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
Confirmed Participants
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
- John Cena The WWE legend and 16-time World Champion.
- Brock Lesnar – Previous Universal Champion and UFC Heavyweight Champion.
CM Punk and AJ Lee vs Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
- CM Punk – Former WWE Champion.
- AJ Lee – Former Divas Champion.
- Seth Rollins -The Current World Heavyweight Champion.
- Becky Lynch -The former winner of Raw Women.
Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Drew McIntyre.
- Cody Rhodes- Current WWE Champion without any challengers.
- Drew McIntyre – The former WWE champion.
IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
- IYO SKY -Women World Champion.
- Stephanie Vaquer- is a challenger to the Women world championship.
The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) vs. Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker.
- The Usos- Jey and Jimmy Uso former SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
- Bronson Reed –Member of The Vision camp.
- Bron Breakker – A member of the “The Vision” group.
Diverse Participation
- This includes wrestlers in the men and women division, as well as tag teams.
- The global representation is offered by international talents such as Stephanie Vaquer and contemporary stars such as IYO SKY.
Entertainment and Branding
- Drake performs the theme song, which is called NOKIA, which helps to connect the event to pop culture, improving the crossover appeal.
- Well-known matches were also strategically located in advance by WWE, which could attract streaming subscriptions, and it offers a demonstration of the changing business model of live events.
These are matches that are the current lineup of Wrestlepalooza 2025. More actors and surprises can be revealed closer to the event.
WWE Revives Wrestlepalooza (2025)
In August 2025, WWE declared the re-establishment of Wrestlepalooza that will be held in September 2020 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. It is the start of the new broadcasting relationship between WWE and ESPN, where all the premium live events are moved to the ESPN platforms.
Legacy and Impact
- Wrestlepalooza became the period of innovation, extreme matches and cult-favorite plots during the ECW era.
- The 2025 redefined WWE is expected to turn the event into a blend of nostalgia and contemporary spectacle, appealing to not only the old generation but also the young generation.
- It is indicative of WWE strategy of using media alliances (with ESPN) and mainstream music to increase coverage.
ECW’s Wrestlepalooza (1995–2000)
In 1995 ECW established a special event called wrestlepalooza which was held annually through to 2000. It was a characteristic of matches of high-energy and an unusual storytelling, the matches were usually marked with extreme stipulations.
Key Editions:
- 1995: This first event was held at the ECW arena in Philadelphia and it saw a famous Singapore Cane match between The Sandman and Mikey Whipwreck.
- 1997: This year was also staged at the ECW Arena where a Loser Leaves Town was held between Tommy Dreamer and Raven, ending their years of feud.
- 1998: It was the only Wrestlepalooza to be aired on pay-per-view and it took place in Marietta, Georgia. It saw a time-limit draw between 30 minutes between Rob Van Dam and Sabu.
- 2000: ECW on TNN and Hardcore TV taped the last ECW Wrestlepalooza that took place in St. Charles, Missouri.
ECW Wrestlepalooza 1995
Date: August 5, 1995
Location: ECW arena, Philadelphia, PA.
Notable Match Results:
- JT Smith beats Hack Meyers.
- Val Puccio overthrew Tony Stetson through disqualification.
- Raven, Stevie Richards and The Dudley Brothers (Big Dick Dudley and Dudley Dudley) won an eight man tag team match against Tommy Dreamer, Cactus Jack, and The Pitbulls (Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2).
ECW Wrestlepalooza 1997
Date: June 6, 1997
Location: ECW arena, Philadelphia, PA.
Notable Match Results:
- Chris Chetti lost to Shane Douglas (with Francine) in a title match with the ECW World Television Championship.
- The Pit Bulls (Pitbull 1 and Pitbull 2) overcame The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Sal E. Graziano).
ECW Wrestlepalooza 1998
Date: May 3, 1998
Stadium: ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA.
Notable Match Results:
- The bWo (The Blue Meanie and Super Nova) overcame The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers).
- Justin Credible (along with Jason and Chastity) defeated Mikey Whipwreck.
ECW Wrestlepalooza 2000
Date: April 16, 2000
Place: Family arena, St. Charles, MO.
Notable Match Results:
- HC Loc overcame Simon Diamond.
- Chilly Willy overthrew Johnny Swinger.
- Nova and Chris Chetti overcame The New Dangerous Alliance (C.W. Anderson and Bill Wiles).
- Super Crazy and Kid Kash defeated each other.
- Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill, beat The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Sal E. Graziano).
- ECW World Tag Team Justin Credible and Lance Storm (c) Lance Storm and Mikey Whipwreck match ECW World Tag Team is a match in which the ECW World Tag Team is assigned to defend their title against Mikey Whipwreck and Raven.
- Dusty Rhodes, New Jack, Sandman, and Tommy Dreamer turned back Steve Corino, Jack Victory, Yoshihiro Tajiri and Rhino.
Conclusion
The Wrestlepalooza 2025 is not just any WWE show but is an indication of continuity and development. It celebrates the outlaw attitude of ECW with the addition of the star power, production style and streaming approach of the present WWE. The event will have competitive matches; it will have iconic encounters that will cement its place in the history of wrestling both to the old fans and the new ones.
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