The first major match of WWE‘s new ESPN Era featured John Cena facing Brock Lesnar, reigniting their longstanding rivalry on a grand stage. This highly anticipated John Cena Wrestlepalooza match took place amid immense excitement from fans worldwide as the two legends clashed once again.
From the opening bell, Brock Lesnar dominated the encounter, overwhelming Cena and making his presence felt decisively. The event, held in Indianapolis, quickly became a global headline as Lesnar’s performance overshadowed the anticipated comeback of the Franchise Player during his Retirement Tour.
Reasons Behind Lesnar’s Commanding Victory
The surprising outcome, with Lesnar clearly overpowering Cena, left many fans puzzled since Cena is currently on a Retirement Tour, a narrative that suggested he might control the matches. Several factors help explain why Brock Lesnar asserted such dominance at Wrestlepalooza and crushed the hopes of those expecting Cena to fight back harder.
John Cena’s Upcoming Absence from Weekly Shows
John Cena is scheduled to return at WWE Crown Jewel 2025, meaning this Wrestlepalooza match likely serves as a reason to write him off television until his reappearance. Following the defeat, Cena is not expected to appear on RAW or SmackDown for an extended period, making his next official match uncertain. WWE appears to have designed this loss to justify Cena’s absence, allowing Lesnar’s victory to enforce that storyline gap until Cena’s dramatic return in Perth.
Brock Lesnar’s First Match Since His Return
This Wrestlepalooza bout marked Brock Lesnar’s first in-ring appearance since his comeback at SummerSlam just a few months ago. Lesnar reestablished himself as a ruthless force, signaling his intent to regain top position among WWE’s elite superstars. In contrast, while Cena’s Retirement Tour carries sentimental weight, Lesnar’s return required a powerful win to build momentum and possibly aim for future challenges against current World Champions. Lesnar’s victory over Cena effectively reclaimed his status and sent a strong message to all competitors.
The Rivalry Between Lesnar and Cena Is Far from Finished
Their rivalry runs deep, and many believe this Wrestlepalooza confrontation is only one chapter in a larger story. Lesnar’s overwhelming win might be a way to set up a future rematch, keeping fans eager for what’s next. Cena, known for never backing down, is likely to seek redemption and respect before concluding his Retirement Tour. This match could have been designed to build anticipation for a renewed showdown, where the “Greatest of All Time” aims to reclaim the spotlight.
“The Franchise Player’s Retirement Tour featured an unexpected fall at Wrestlepalooza, and all fans could do was pray for him.” – Ishaan Rathi
“Brock Lesnar undoubtedly made a statement at the PLE, and his dominance broke all the barriers.” – Ishaan Rathi
“While Cena is on his Retirement Tour, Lesnar returned to action for the first time in 2 years, and needed some momentum to get back on top to possibly challenge the World Champions of the company at one point.” – Ishaan Rathi
“John Cena has made a name for himself for not backing down from any challenges, and with the legend on his Retirement Tour, it is clear that the Franchise Player wants to earn the respect of everyone, including Lesnar.” – Ishaan Rathi
What This Means for WWE and the Future of Both Superstars
Lesnar’s decisive win at Wrestlepalooza not only reasserts him as a dominant force in WWE but also highlights the careful storytelling behind Cena’s phased Retirement Tour. By putting Lesnar back at the forefront, WWE can cultivate fresh rivalries and story arcs while building anticipation for Cena’s eventual return. Fans should watch upcoming events closely, particularly WWE Crown Jewel 2025, where Cena’s reappearance might spark another thrilling chapter in his legendary conflict with Lesnar.
This John Cena Wrestlepalooza match showcased both the passing of a torch and the continuing saga between two of WWE’s most monumental figures, ensuring their rivalry remains a central and exhilarating part of WWE storylines for the near future.
John Cena has FIVE dates left. That's it.
– Oct 11 – Crown Jewel Perth
– Nov 11 – RAW
– Nov 17 – RAW
– Nov 29 – Survivor Series WarGames
– Dec (TBD) – SNME pic.twitter.com/h0eV7Ciq2L— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) September 20, 2025
Brock Lesnar has the kids in the audience crying after delivering 6 F5’s to John Cena. 😭#Wrestlepalooza pic.twitter.com/F3DVbYMAbP
— PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) September 20, 2025
