Brock Lesnar secured a decisive victory over John Cena in a nine-minute match at WWE’s first Wrestlepalooza event held on September 20, delivering a performance that left some wrestling experts unimpressed. The focus on the Brock Lesnar vs John Cena matchup stirred strong reactions due to its swift conclusion and lack of variety in moves.
Detailed Breakdown of Lesnar’s Dominance Over Cena
Throughout the match, Lesnar clearly controlled the action, repeatedly overpowering Cena until landing six straight F-5 moves to clinch the win. Following the bout, Lesnar intensified his persona as “The Beast Incarnate” by aggressively assaulting both John Cena and the referee, reinforcing his dominant image in WWE.
This victory added to a pattern, as Lesnar had previously overwhelmed Cena in 2014 at SummerSlam with a barrage of 16 German Suplexes, underscoring their long-standing rivalry and Lesnar’s sheer physical dominance.
Expert Criticism Highlights Disappointment with Wrestlepalooza’s Main Event
Dutch Mantell, known in WWE as Zeb Colter, shared his view on the match during his podcast, Story Time with Dutch Mantell, describing it as dull and predictable. He specifically criticized the repetitive use of F-5s, highlighting a lack of dynamic action throughout the encounter.
“I did watch the John Cena and Lesnar match. You talk about boring. I mean, it was a straight up, what’s he call them, F-5s? He gave them four or five of them, and then he laid there, so what’s exciting about that?”
— Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Analyst
In addition to disparaging the match’s pace, Mantell expressed disappointment with the overall show, noting that despite having three and a half hours and only five matches scheduled, the event failed to meet expectations set for WWE’s ESPN debut.
“I wasn’t really impressed by the show. They had three and a half hours for five matches.”
— Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Analyst
Other Wrestlepalooza Highlights and Upcoming Cena Match
Besides the main event, Wrestlepalooza featured notable moments like Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed defeating The Usos in a tag team contest. Stephanie Vaquer captured the vacant Women’s World Championship by defeating IYO SKY. The event also saw AJ Lee and CM Punk team up to overcome Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, while Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre.
Looking ahead, John Cena is set to face AJ Styles at Crown Jewel on October 11 in Perth, Australia. Their rivalry includes memorable contests at SummerSlam 2016 and the 2017 Royal Rumble, promising another intense encounter in front of a large crowd.
Implications and Future Prospects Following Wrestlepalooza
The reaction to Brock Lesnar vs John Cena’s match highlights ongoing debates about match length and excitement in modern WWE events, especially with high-profile talent like Lesnar and Cena involved. Mantell’s criticism could influence how future bouts are booked to balance spectacle and athleticism.
Meanwhile, Cena’s upcoming event against AJ Styles provides an opportunity to showcase a different dynamic and rekindle fan enthusiasm, with the potential to deliver the thrilling encounter many viewers expect from such established competitors.
