John Cena faced an overwhelming defeat in the opening match of Wrestlepalooza 2025, leaving fans shocked and emotional. The event, held in Indianapolis, was charged with anticipation as Cena, wearing exclusive city merchandise, entered the ring for what many expected to be a memorable victory as part of his retirement tour.
Lesnar’s Dominance Echoes Past Rivalry
The crowd’s support for Cena was nearly unanimous, eager to witness him overcome Brock Lesnar. Instead, Lesnar dominated the bout, handily defeating Cena in a fashion reminiscent of their intense SummerSlam 2014 encounter. Following the match, Lesnar continued his assault by delivering an additional F5 move, striking both Cena and an unfortunate referee. This brutal display left many spectators, especially young fans, visibly upset.
Impact on Fans and Future of Cena’s Career
The decision to portray such a one-sided loss has raised questions among WWE viewers. Cameras focused on numerous children in attendance, highlighting the emotional toll on those witnessing their hero taken down so decisively. With only five more scheduled appearances remaining before Cena’s retirement, the handling of his final run has sparked debate about WWE’s creative direction.
Ongoing Debate Over WWE’s Booking Choices
The way Cena’s storyline has unfolded—including key moments such as this overwhelming defeat—has polarized the fanbase. Some critics argue that Lesnar’s heel tactics and Cena’s portrayal as decisively beaten diminish the legacy of the iconic wrestler. Nonetheless, the show in Indianapolis underscored the enduring rivalry between Cena and Lesnar, as well as the strong emotions involved in the closing chapter of Cena’s career.
“The crowd in Indianapolis at Wrestlepalooza was almost unanimously pro-Cena, with what looked like a majority of the crowd wearing the city-exclusive Cena merchandise.” – WWE Commentator
“The cameras highlighted the number of children in the crowd who were there to see Cena, and it was shocking to see that WWE chose the route of Lesnar burying him instead of a more even battle.” – Wrestling Analyst
“WWE’s handling of John Cena’s retirement tour will be a topic of discussion for years to come.” – Wrestling Journalist
“There were a lot of heartbroken fans in Indianapolis, as they witnessed the greatest to ever do it get decimated by one of his oldest rivals.” – Fan Reaction Specialist
Brock Lesnar making a kid in the crowd cry 😢 with another F5 to John Cena. What was that. #WrestlePaloozapic.twitter.com/xv8aaZJW4E
— ᴠɪᴄᴛᴏʀ (@Victor_twtz) September 20, 2025
