Roman Reigns Wrestlepalooza Absence sparked plenty of speculation after the WWE event concluded on September 21, 2025. While many fans expected to see Reigns, he was notably missing, as confirmed by reports explaining that he was occupied with filming the upcoming Street Fighter movie in Australia.
Background on Wrestlepalooza and Key Appearances
Wrestlepalooza 2025, promoted heavily in partnership with ESPN, was one of WWE’s major showcases. Although stars like John Cena took center stage, Reigns’ absence was immediately felt. Cena faced Brock Lesnar in a decisive match, suffering a one-sided loss but remaining a featured name for future events. Cena’s schedule includes only a handful of appearances between Wrestlepalooza and the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia, including two RAW episodes in November, Survivor Series, and finally his planned retirement match in December.
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins Set Up for Crown Jewel Showdown
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes stood out at Wrestlepalooza with a successful title defense against Drew McIntyre. The night ended with an intense staredown between Rhodes and Seth Rollins, hinting at future conflict. WWE officially announced that Rhodes and Rollins will meet in a singles match on October 11 at Crown Jewel 2025, marking their first one-on-one contest since Hell in a Cell 2022. This bout will take place in Perth, adding extra prestige to the event.
John Cena’s Continuing WWE Journey
Despite his loss to Brock Lesnar, John Cena remains a key WWE figure, with scheduled appearances limited but significant over the coming months. After Wrestlepalooza, Cena is not expected to feature again until Crown Jewel and two RAW episodes in November. His career is approaching a climax with his retirement match booked for December, ensuring fans will see him in action sparingly but meaningfully.
Inside WWE’s Conflict Over Andrade’s Return
Former United States Champion Andrade was recently released following internal controversies. Reports indicate WWE regretted bringing back the wrestler due to his failure to progress in certain areas, including English language skills, which hindered character development. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Andrade’s return in 2024 did not generate the expected excitement, especially when compared to other Mexican talents like Penta and Rey Fenix, who gained more prominence in the company’s eyes.
Roman Reigns’ Absence Linked to Movie Commitment
Roman Reigns’ no-show at Wrestlepalooza caused much buzz, explained by his current role filming the Street Fighter movie, where he plays the character Akuma. According to Fightful Select, Reigns’ involvement in this project is the sole reason for his absence. He last wrestled at Clash in Paris, where, as part of a storyline, he was injured by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Reigns’ focus on the movie reflects his increasing role outside the ring, while his WWE status remains highly anticipated by fans.
“It will be interesting to see what’s next for Roman Reigns in wrestling.”
– Kartik Arry, WWE Editor
What This Means for WWE’s Upcoming Events
Reigns’ current focus on filming limits his WWE presence but does not diminish his importance to the company’s storylines. His absence at Wrestlepalooza opened the door for other stars like Cena and Rhodes to take spotlight moments. The upcoming Crown Jewel event in Perth promises exciting matchups, particularly with the return of Rollins challenging Rhodes for the title. Cena’s remaining scheduled appearances and Andrade’s release signify WWE’s shifting roster dynamics as it heads towards the year-end pay-per-views.
AKUMA! ☝🏽@Street_Fighter @Legendary pic.twitter.com/fwJfGq28Oa
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) September 19, 2025
