At WWE Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis on September 20, 2025, Brock Lesnar delivered a crushing defeat to John Cena in a highly anticipated showdown that left fans stunned. As the first-ever WWE live event broadcast on ESPN, this marked a historic night where Lesnar’s overwhelming performance against Cena became the defining moment of the evening.
Dominant Performance Sets the Tone: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
The opening match between Brock Lesnar and John Cena showcased Lesnar’s intensity from the start. After Paul Heyman’s introduction of Lesnar to the roaring crowd, The Beast Incarnate wasted no time, hitting Cena with a commanding clothesline followed by a powerslam and a brutal German Suplex. Cena fought back, executing several shoulder tackles and landing three consecutive Attitude Adjustments, though Lesnar kicked out each time.
Lesnar regained control by dodging Cena’s signature Five Knuckle Shuffle and delivering a relentless sequence of F5 finishers. After six successive F5 moves, the veteran Cena was visibly incapacitated, allowing Lesnar to score a decisive pinfall victory. The audience erupted in shock as Lesnar momentarily exited the ring but returned to assault the referee with an F5 and then landed another crushing F5 on Cena before finally leaving. Despite the devastation, Cena managed to rise and wave to fans, receiving a heartfelt ovation as he exited the arena.
Result: Brock Lesnar defeated John Cena in a match that stunned the Wrestlepalooza crowd.
The Vision Overcomes The Usos with Assistance from LA Knight
The tag team contest featured The Vision, represented by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, facing off against The Usos with LA Knight serving as guest referee. The Vision quickly dominated, isolating Jimmy Uso early on. Bron Breakker distracted the referee, allowing Bronson Reed to attempt a steel chair attack on Jimmy, which Knight skillfully turned against Reed.
The match intensified as Breakker delivered a running shoulder tackle to Jey Uso outside the ring and assisted Reed with a blockbuster on Jimmy. The Usos countered with rapid strikes and a barrage of superkicks, nearly securing a victory after Jimmy’s signature 1D move on Breakker. However, the Vision regained momentum with Breakker delivering spear attacks both inside and outside the ring, culminating in both Usos being driven through a table. Reed finished the match by hitting his Tsunami finisher and securing the pinfall.
Result: The Vision defeated The Usos in a chaotic match marked by referee interference and brutal weapon use.
Stephanie Vaquer Captures Women’s World Championship from IYO SKY
The Women’s World Championship match saw Stephanie Vaquer defending against IYO SKY in a highly competitive battle. Vaquer took early control, but SKY responded with a basement dropkick and exchanged submission holds mid-ring, including counters to the Devil’s Kiss move from both sides. IYO SKY showcased resilience with a backbreaker knee and executed a Spanish Fly, though she sustained a knee injury during the move.
Vaquer capitalized on the injury, dodging SKY’s moonsault and delivering a decisive dive of her own to claim victory. The champion also employed strategic knee strikes and submission holds like the Dragon’s Kiss and SVB to wear down SKY before landing the winning maneuver.
Result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated IYO SKY to become the new Women’s World Champion at Wrestlepalooza.
CM Punk and AJ Lee Best Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in Energetic Tag Match
In a heated tag team battle, CM Punk and AJ Lee faced Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. The match began with Rollins being thrown over the announce table before returning to the ring. Becky Lynch targeted Punk with cheap shots, which were met by AJ Lee’s counterattacks on Rollins. The contest featured a mix of individual and double-team maneuvers, including a near fall after Punk’s GTS and numerous submission attempts.
The momentum swung back and forth, highlighted by aggressive exchanges, double bulldogs, shining wizards, and multiple submission holds like the Black Widow and Sharpshooter. Despite Rollins and Lynch’s attempts to incapacitate their opponents through announce table smashes, Punk and Lee ultimately secured victory when Lee locked the Black Widow on Lynch, forcing a submission.
Result: CM Punk and AJ Lee triumphed over Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a thrilling tag team encounter.
The Undertaker Returns to Announce Stephanie McMahon’s Hall of Fame Induction
Adding to the event’s intensity, The Undertaker made a dramatic entrance, riding his motorcycle to the ring accompanied by his iconic American Badass theme. He took a seat beside Stephanie McMahon in the front row and engaged in conversation before announcing her upcoming induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. This moment added a significant highlight to the event’s narrative before the show resumed with further matches.
Cody Rhodes Retains Undisputed WWE Championship Against Drew McIntyre
The final championship match of the evening featured Cody Rhodes defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre. McIntyre started aggressively but Rhodes countered with a Cody Cutter and applied a submission hold. The battle saw high-risk maneuvers, including dives onto the floor and brutal outside attacks, like McIntyre hitting an Alabama Slam onto steel steps and executing a White Noise into the ropes.
Drew attempted to deliver a decisive Claymore Kick through the announce table, but a referee distraction allowed Rhodes to evade the strike, resulting in McIntyre injuring his leg. Back in the ring, the injury hampered McIntyre’s performance. Rhodes seized the opportunity to hit a Super Cutter followed by Cross Rhodes to secure the pinfall and retain the title. Post-match, Rhodes celebrated while medics attended to the injured McIntyre.
Result: Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating Drew McIntyre in a physically demanding match.
Wrestlepalooza’s Impact and Future Outlook
Wrestlepalooza 2025 delivered an intense and chaotic night of wrestling with surprises that will likely influence WWE storylines moving forward. Brock Lesnar’s decisive dismantling of John Cena has immediate ramifications, underscoring Lesnar’s dominance and casting doubt on Cena’s future in the ring. The night’s mix of title changes, returns, and dramatic moments such as The Undertaker’s appearance and Stephanie McMahon’s Hall of Fame announcement signals a period of transition and anticipation for WWE.
As the first WWE event streaming on ESPN, Wrestlepalooza also marks a milestone in WWE’s broadcast strategy, potentially attracting wider audiences. The outcomes from this event set the stage for new rivalries and alliances and foreshadow what promises to be a highly charged WWE season ahead.
Stop this man! 😱
Brock Lesnar has the kids crying at #Wrestlepalooza!
Stream Wrestlepalooza RIGHT NOW on the @espn App: https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxt pic.twitter.com/NqBOSfmsb0
— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2025
