Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the main event of Wrestlepalooza 2025, closing the show with a straightforward, no-frills finish. Despite the clear outcome, Rhodes faced a momentary wave of boos from the Indianapolis audience after the pay-per-view event (PLE) went off the air, a reaction tied closely to ongoing fan frustrations surrounding the new broadcast setup.
Fans Displeased with ESPN’s Pricing and Streaming Shift
The event lacked unexpected twists or heel turns, contrasting with many fans’ hopes for a memorable conclusion, especially since this was WWE‘s debut PLE on ESPN. Viewers in the United States expressed dissatisfaction with ESPN’s $30 fee per event, seeing it as a downgrade from the more accessible Peacock streaming service. This backlash contributed to the unease among the crowd during Rhodes’ post-event promo.
Indianapolis Crowd Responds to Cody Rhodes and ESPN Partnership
When Rhodes addressed the audience after Wrestlepalooza ended, he referenced WWE’s new broadcast partner ESPN, prompting audible boos from the Indianapolis crowd. Rhodes had to specifically mention the city’s name to regain their support and smooth over the tension. This incident highlighted the challenges WWE faces in transitioning to the new platform.
Cody Rhodes Remains WWE’s Leading Figure Amidst Uncertainty
As the primary spokesperson for WWE, Cody Rhodes continues to shoulder significant responsibility in promoting the company’s product. He regularly makes media appearances and remains the face of the organization, which partly explains why WWE has not pursued any dramatic title changes. Rhodes’ role as the company’s “Quarterback 1” is vital during this period of change.
WWE’s Efforts to Educate Fans on ESPN Access
The ESPN era for WWE programming has officially begun, though fans initially faced confusion regarding how to access the new platform. Ahead of Wrestlepalooza, WWE dedicated multiple segments on SmackDown to walk viewers through the process of finding ESPN Unlimited, ensuring audiences knew where to watch PLEs like Wrestlepalooza moving forward. The company hopes that these explanations will ease the transition despite the current skepticism.
cody after tonight’s historic event with espn after they went off air 💫 QB1#Wrestlepalooza x @CodyRhodes x @espn pic.twitter.com/ss7j2T1NYy
— S 🍒❤️🔥 (@soitgoesrhodes) September 21, 2025
