The Brock Lesnar Wrestlepalooza opener drew significant criticism for failing to energize the audience as expected. The match between Lesnar and John Cena kicked off the show but left fans and insiders questioning the booking decisions made by WWE on that night. Former WWE head writer Vince Russo publicly expressed his disappointment with the match’s placement, stating it damaged the overall momentum of Wrestlepalooza.
Lesnar’s Dominance Overshadows Cena’s Effort
In the opening contest, Brock Lesnar overwhelmingly overpowered John Cena in a one-sided battle. Lesnar’s six consecutive F5 finisher moves decisively ended the match, leaving Cena thoroughly defeated. The decisive nature of the bout was especially hard on younger fans, some of whom were visibly upset as their favored wrestler was dominated. This outcome set a bleak tone for the rest of the event rather than building excitement.
Expert Opinion on Match Placement and Showflow
During a recent Brodown podcast episode hosted by Mac Davis, Vince Russo critiqued the choice of starting the show with such a brutal match. He highlighted common booking strategies used to pump up audiences at the beginning of wrestling pay-per-views. According to Russo, high-energy and fast-paced matches are traditionally placed early to boost crowd enthusiasm. The Lesnar-Cena contest, in stark contrast, dampened the atmosphere and made it harder for subsequent segments to regain energy.
“That first show is supposed to get people up. Guys, I was in TNA for ten years. How did every TNA PPV start? With an X-Division match. How did Eric Bischoff start a lot of the Nitro shows? With the luchas. Because you want that first match to get the people up and get them all excited. You do all these high spots. Everybody knows. That’s booking 101, that’s formatting 101. We open a show with Brock Lesnar destroying John Cena, kids crying in the crowd and then you gotta get these people up all over again? Does that make any sense?”
– Vince Russo, Former WWE Head Writer
Upcoming Matches and Future Prospects for John Cena
Looking ahead, WWE has already lined up the next opponent for John Cena. Cena will face AJ Styles in a singles match scheduled for Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia. This match offers Cena a chance to regain momentum after the Wrestlepalooza setback and brings anticipation for a more balanced and competitive encounter. The outcome of this upcoming duel could significantly affect Cena’s trajectory within WWE storylines.
Significance of Booking Decisions on Event Atmosphere
The controversy surrounding the Brock Lesnar Wrestlepalooza opener highlights how crucial match order and pacing are to shaping the energy of professional wrestling events. Poor placement of dominant matches can sap crowd enthusiasm and impact the audience’s overall experience. Careful planning to balance excitement and drama throughout a show remains essential to maintaining fan engagement. WWE’s response to this feedback may influence how future events are structured to optimize crowd response and narrative flow.
