Both the Tribal Chief and his arch-rival Cody Rhodes took time off from WWE recently for filming their roles in the upcoming Street Fighter movie.
The American Nightmare, who holds the Undisputed WWE title, returned to the company last week to build his WrestlePalooza match. Since then people have been wondering about the status of the Head of The Table.
PWInsider provided an update on the status of the former Champion ahead of tonight’s PPV and revealed that Roman Reigns is expected to wrap up filming towards the end of September.
This means that the Big Dog is unlikely to make an appearance at WWE’s ESPN debut show tonight, despite Triple H teasing some big surprises for the PLE.
Though it also confirms that Reigns will be free to show up on WWE TV at the start of next month, just in time for the Crown Jewel: Perth event set for October 11.
It’s unknown if the company is actually planning to book him for the Australian PPV but it seems unlikely that he will miss the Survivor Series: WarGames event following the Perth show in November. So we should see the former world champion returning to TV in the coming weeks one way or the other.
WWE Wrestlepalooza will see the in-ring return of AJ Lee, who’ll team with her husband CM Punk to battle the championship power couple of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Not only will this match mark AJ’s first wrestling match since March 2015, but it will also mark the end of one of two streaks.
Both couples have teamed together in the past to much success. Punk and AJ are 2-0 after teaming in 2012, while Lynch and Rollins went 3-0 during a series of matches in 2019. Now, one of these streaks will be broken as the two teams prepare to battle in Indianapolis.
H/T to@WrestleStatcast for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.
For Punk and Rollins, this match will be the latest chapter of their feud in WWE. Rollins infamously called Punk a ‘cancer’ during the Chicago-Made star’s first suspension from AEW, and they have feuded for much of Punk’s return to WWE. Punk would win their steel cage match during Raw’s debut on Netflix, but Rollins would emerge on top during WrestleMania 41: Saturday’s main event.
Now, the wives of Rollins and Punk have been added to the mix, setting up one of this year’s hottest anticipated matches at Wrestlepalooza. WWE Wrestlepalooza will take place on September 20, from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Wrestlepalooza, including breaking news and live results.
The incident involving Raja Jackson has sparked widespread reaction after he delivered a series of blows to the head of a seemingly unconscious Syko Stu during a wrestling event. Speaking to UNSCRIPTED, Bryan Danielson weighed in on the situation. While noting that he doesn’t know the full context, Danielson said the matter “seems pretty irresponsible on a lot of different levels.”
Bryan recalled being in the ring with people who didn’t always get along, but stressed that professionalism must always take priority. He added that he doesn’t view Raja Jackson as a professional wrestler, explaining that the business requires “a certain degree of professionalism”—something he believes Jackson lacks.
This incident shows why trust between wrestlers is essential as those in the ring need to know that the other is prioritizing their safety. With Stu still recovering, Jackson will now work his way through the legal process.
Andrade is wasting no time getting back in the ring following his recent WWE exit. It has been confirmed that he will appear for The Crash Lucha Libre on October 3 at the Municipal Auditorium Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana. The announcement came via Instagram, where The Crash asked fans who they’d like to see Andrade face.
Andrade has not wrestled since WWE SummerSlam, where he teamed with Rey Fenix in a six-pack TLC match for the WWE Tag Team Championships. His departure from WWE in September 2025 ended his second run with the company, which began with a surprise return in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match.
Questions remain as to what the future holds for Andrade, but fans in Tijuana will get to see the former WWE Superstar within a matter of weeks. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Andrade.
WWE Wrestlepalooza is finally upon us, ushering in a new era as WWE Premium Live Events debut on ESPN. Taking place live at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, this iconic venue – home to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers – sets the stage for history on Saturday, September 20. Known for hosting some of the biggest sports and entertainment events in the Midwest, Gainbridge Fieldhouse provides a vibrant atmosphere in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, making it a fitting location for WWE’s first-ever PLE on ESPN platforms.
This event also marks the highly anticipated beginning of WWE’s blockbuster $1.6 billion with ESPN, bringing wrestling’s biggest spectacles to one of the world’s leading sports networks.
Starting with Wrestlepalooza, fans can stream all major WWE shows live on the ESPN Unlimited app, blending the action of sports entertainment with ESPN’s unmatched coverage and accessibility.
Wrestlepalooza Match Card
Here’s the updated match lineup:
Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs. CM Punk & AJ Lee A true dream mixed tag team match headlines WrestlePalooza. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, WWE’s power couple, take on the reunited duo of CM Punk and the returning AJ Lee. Expect high drama, technical excellence, and major storyline ramifications as two of wrestling’s most iconic couples square off for the first time ever.
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE Championship) Drew McIntyre gets another shot reaching the top of the mountain, while the American Nightmare looks to write the next chapter of his story and solidify his second WWE title reign.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar Two legends collide once again as John Cena takes on Brock Lesnar in what could be their final encounter. Every meeting between these two icons has delivered intensity and unpredictability, and with both men’s legacies on the line, expect a clash for the ages.
IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer (Women’s World Championship) IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer battle over the vacant Women’s Championship.
The Usos vs. The Vision Tag team supremacy is at stake in this hard-hitting bout. The Usos, perhaps the most decorated tag team of their generation, are reunited and set to collide with the powerhouse pairing of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
Stay tuned to SEScoops all weekend for the latest WWE news throughout WWE Wrestlepalooza weekend!
WrestlePalooza 2025 will be available to stream live on the ESPN Unlimited app. Simply log in with your TV provider or streaming credentials to access the event.
Will Wrestlepalooza air live on cable television?
WrestlePalooza will primarily stream on ESPN’s digital platforms and may not be available as a traditional live cable pay-per-view in all markets. Check your local TV listings or cable provider for availability.
What time does WWE Wrestlepalooza Start?
Here are the start times for WWE Wrestlepalooza across different regions
Location
Start Time
Date
Indianapolis (USA)
7:00 PM ET
Saturday, Sept 20
Vancouver (Canada)
4:00 PM PT
Saturday, Sept 20
Mexico City (Mexico)
5:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 20
São Paulo (Brazil)
8:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 20
London (UK)
12:00 AM
Sunday, Sept 21
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
2:00 AM
Sunday, Sept 21
Mumbai (India)
4:30 AM
Sunday, Sept 21
Sydney (Australia)
9:00 AM
Sunday, Sept 21
What is the price of WWE Wrestlepalooza?
Pricing can vary by platform and region, but expect standard pay-per-view or streaming event pricing on ESPN’s app. Check the ESPN app or your cable provider for the latest purchase details.
Final Hype for Wrestlepalooza
Ahead of WWE Wrestlepalooza, WWE has produced two excellent videos detailing the entire rivalries between the participants of tonight’s two most anticipated bouts.
Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins
MJF was dressed to make a statement when he appeared at the CMLL 92nd Anniversary event. For his mask vs. title match against Mistico, the former AEW World Champion arrived dressed as Homelander from the hit series ‘The Boys.’ MJF arrived in full Homelander garb, including American flag cape, while a person dressed as Abraham Lincoln waved the flag of the United States.
Despite MJF’s bravado, he would lose the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship to Mistico. Mistico fought back from being busted open early in the match after getting thrown into a steel post. MJF would tap to Mistico’s La Mistica, keeping his mask and kicking off his first reign as CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion.
MJF will have little time to recover from this defeat at the hands of Mistico. Instead, the former champion will now turn his attention to Toronto to face Mark Briscoe in a Tables N Thumbtacks match at AEW All Out on September 20.
While MJF didn’t leave Mexico with the gold or Mistico’s mask, he certainly made an impression with his match and his attire. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on MJF’s work both in and out of AEW.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque retired from in-ring competition at WrestleMania 38 after a heart issue in 2021 forced him to undergo surgery. While his health forced an abrupt end to his wrestling career, WWE’s Chief Content Officer admitted he had already begun to recognize his decline as an in-ring performer.
Speaking on Good Morning America while promoting Wrestlepalooza, Levesque addressed John Cena’s ongoing retirement tour. When asked about his own decision to step away, he revealed that he realized his speed and sharpness weren’t the same.
“You start to get to a place where you’re questioning ‘Can I do what I do anymore, the way I used to?’… When you’re out there doing it, you feel like your moving quick. And then you watch it back and you’re like ‘Why am I running so slow? Why am I moving like that?’ You definitely know it’s there.”
There are some wrestlers who have continued competing well past what fans consider their prime, and Levesque admitted that stepping away is one of the toughest choices a wrestler can make.
“It’s tough to give up. And this business is really tough to give up. This spotlight is bright, and that fanfare.”
Today, Levesque remains a central figure in WWE’s creative direction and occasionally appears on-screen. With Wrestlepalooza approaching, he’s focused on delivering high-profile events for WWE—this time from behind the scenes rather than inside the ring.
Jimmy Uso has an interesting claim about his brother.
The last couple years has seen Jey Uso reaching a new level in his career and becoming a certified main eventer. One of the biggest reasons behind his success has been his electrifying entrance, which forces everyone present to get on their feet and enjoy the whole thing together.
During a recent panel appearance to promote the WrestlePalooza PPV, Jimmy Uso talked about the success of his brother. He interestingly claimed that Jey’s entrance is now bigger than people such as The Rock and The Undertaker:
For me, I think now it’s all about their present, it’s all about being present in there. You see, he’s got the hottest intro in the game.
I sit here today and never thought it would get bigger than The Undertaker. Yeah, I said it. I thought this entrance would never get bigger than The Rock. Yeah, I said it.”
Jimmy Uso later explained that Jey Uso brings hope to people with his entrance. He also said that The Usos are now finally getting the respect they’ve been searching for all their career as the fans yeet with them in every city they go to.
The Usos are set to reunite as a team after 6 months at the WresltePalooza PPV this Saturday night. The duo will square off against the team of Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker in a tag team match at the show.
Reigning NXT Champion Oba Femi has made a bold statement about the current state of WWE’s developmental brand, stating that he believes today’s version of NXT is superior to the “Black and Gold” era. Femi’s comments come after a statement made last month by NXT’s head of creative, Shawn Michaels, who called the show the “best two-hour show on television.”
Speaking with Good Karma Wrestling, Oba Femi explained why he agrees with his boss’s assessment and why he feels the current product has surpassed its predecessor.
“I mean, I agree. I agree with Shawn, in the sense that the brand is doing the best work it’s done forever. We’re on The CW Network, which is huge for us. Our partnership has been going on for the first year. We’re going into year two now so we’re expecting very big things, and I do understand that there is an era of NXT and Black and Gold which is like revered by the fans and that’s what they remember but, it’s very hard to understand that right now, we’re doing a lot better than back then. The version of NXT that is romanticized by the fans is not even doing as well as we are today. I do appreciate all the effort that the Black and Gold brand put forth. Without them, there is no NXT today, but, we have to understand that this, right now, is the best two hours of wrestling on television.”
He further elaborated on his point, arguing that the current version of NXT has successfully blended the best aspects of the Black and Gold era’s in-ring action with the entertainment-focused style of the main roster.
“So of course, the Black and Gold era was defined by the introduction of a lot of the independent wrestlers that came with all the experience and all that. It was fast-paced action and you know, it was bang, bang, bang. The main roster has a little bit of a slower pace, where it is more entertainment-based and more about the moments and stuff like that. So, I believe that NXT today has found a way to successfully merge the two because there’s people who are like, ‘It’s too slow. I want more action’ and there’s people who is like, ‘Oh, this is too fast. We need more stars and moments.’ So NXT right now is the perfect combination of both styles, where you do have stars, big stars like Oba Femi and Trick Williams and you still have that fast-paced action by Oba Femi and Trick Williams so, this is the best version. The best possible version of NXT that we can have.”
A live-action feature film based on the iconic 1980s animatronic toy, Teddy Ruxpin, is officially in development at Amazon MGM Studios. The project is a collaboration between two powerhouse production companies, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions partnering with Dmitri M. Johnson and Michael Lawrence Goldberg’s Story Kitchen to produce the film.
The news, which was first reported by Variety, confirms that the beloved character will be brought to the big screen for a new generation. The script for the film is set to be written by Chris Hazzard and Mike Fontana.
According to the report, Amazon secured the rights to the project following a competitive bidding war with multiple other studios. While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, the pitch for the film’s tone has been described as a blend of “‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ meets ‘Elf’,” suggesting a family-friendly adventure that will likely use a mix of live-action and CGI to bring the talking bear-like creature to life.
Teddy Ruxpin was first released in 1985 and became a global cultural phenomenon as the world’s first animated talking toy, selling over eight million units. The toy’s success spawned a massive franchise that included books, games, and the popular animated television series, “The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin.” The new film marks another collaboration between Seven Bucks Productions and Story Kitchen, who are also partnered on a film adaptation of the video game “It Takes Two,” which is also in development at Amazon MGM Studios.
A new report has come that could indicate a surprise appearance at tonight’s WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event. According to a report from PWInsider, WWE superstar LA Knight has been spotted in Indianapolis, Indiana, the host city for the inaugural event. Knight is not officially scheduled to compete on the show, but his presence has fueled speculation that he may get involved at the show in some capacity.
While his involvement is not confirmed, the most logical place for a potential appearance would be during the tag team match pitting The Usos against The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. LA Knight has been involved in a heated feud with the entire Vision faction for several months on Monday Night Raw. The rivalry recently kicked up another notch when Breakker and Reed attacked Knight and cost him a number one contender’s match for the World Heavyweight Championship, giving him a clear motive for revenge.
However, the situation is complicated by a new feud that has developed between LA Knight and Jey Uso. On the past two episodes of Raw, the two stars have come to blows and laid each other out with their finishing moves. Here is the card for the show:
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Drew McIntyre
Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Toni Storm has revealed how much freedom she gets from Tony Khan.
The AEW Women’s World Champion recently had an interview with TVInsider to promote All Out. She talked about things such as potentially sharing the screen with her husband, her crazy travel schedule, potential future movie roles and more.
During the talk, Storm was also asked about the nuances of her presentation on TV and how much say she has in her own gimmick. The Australian star provided an insight on her relationship with the AEW President, saying that Tony Khan actually has to say no to a lot of her eccentric ideas:
“I think you might actually be surprised. There have been a lot of ideas shot down. A lot of wild ideas that our President Tony Khan has been just horrified and disgusted by. He really has to work hard to keep it all together, God bless him.”
Toni Storm mentioned how they have a massive team consisting of people from both All Elite Wrestling and WBD behind-the-scenes and Tony Khan is constantly working with all of them. She then also cleared up a misconception about RJ City’s involvement with her own storyline as well as his overall backstage role:
“There is a misconception as well that RJ City…I don’t know if you’ve heard of him. Probably not, but there is this misconception that he is the brain behind this whole thing.
I must put the rumors to rest. He does absolutely nothing. I think they just keep him around so if something goes wrong, we have someone to blame.”
The Women’s Champion later reiterated that she does not have as much creative freedom as people think and Tony Khan has been ‘horrified’ with a lot of her ideas that he has rejected.
The All Out PPV this Saturday will see Storm defending her Women’s World Title in a Fatal Four-Way against Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander and Thekla. The show will have a special start time of 3PM ET.
WWE has confirmed the main event of WrestlePalooza.
With stars such as Brock Lesnar and AJ Lee set for their in-ring return on the show this weekend, there had been a lot of talk on which match would main event the first WWE PPV on ESPN.
Pat McAfee on his show this week first confirmed that the match between the Beast Incarnate and John Cena will officially open the ESPN era of the company.
This week’s episode of SmackDown then featured a contract signing segment between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
While warning Paul Heyman to stay away from this segment, General Manager Nick Aldis said that it was for the main event of WrestlePalooza.
The same was repeated during the segment between Cody and Drew that closed the final episode of SmackDown before the WWE PLE, confirming that it will be the match that will be closing the show this Saturday.
This is an interesting reveal as it means that AJ Lee’s in-ring return match also featuring CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch will be placed somewhere in the middle of the PPV card.
WWE Creative Head Triple H recently talked about the WrestlePalooza PPV as well and promised surprises for the fans. You can check out what those surprises could be here.
Brock Lesnar might be reuniting with an old friend soon.
The Beast Incarnate made an appearance on this week’s episode of SmackDown, before his scheduled match against John Cena at WrestlePalooza tomorrow night.
The former UFC Champion came out during the opening moments of the show as Michael Cole was heading to the back to take his interview before the PLE match. Lesnar scooped Cole up and marched into the ring.
As Brock looked to do some damage to the WWE announcer, his partner Corey Graves got into the ring, trying to calm the Beast down. The former World Champion, however, ended up taking out his anger on Graves instead, and he delivered a big F5 to the former NXT star.
— Anutosh Bajpai || SEScoops || Wrestling News (@AuthorAnutosh) September 20, 2025
Brock Lesnar then destroyed some things at the ringside before getting into the ring again and delivering another F5 to Graves. The former champion then finally headed to the back, where he ran into Paul Heyman.
The advocate was accompanied by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. The two former partners smiled at each other and Lesnar told Heyman that they ‘should talk’ before walking away.
Heyman last worked with Lesnar leading up to Brock’s WrestleMania 38 match with Roman Reigns. Paul had helped the Tribal Chief beat Lesnar at the time. It’s unknown what a potential reunion between the two means for Heyman’s partnership with Seth Rollins but we should get an idea in coming weeks.
Tiffany Stratton will be defending her title soon, but not at WrestlePalooza.
People had been worried about the status of the current Women’s Champion after she was pulled from her scheduled NXT Homecoming match earlier this week.
Some leaked merchandise then revealed that the company was originally planning for her to defend her title at the PPV this Saturday in a big triple threat match, making fans speculate about her health some more.
The Buff Barbie Doll finally put these concerns to rest when she made an appearance on this week’s episode of SmackDown. The Women’s Champion interrupted Nia Jax, who was cutting a promo on her former partner.
As Tiffany tried to get into the ring to confront Jax, the security came down running to stop the fight. Jade Cargill then made an appearance as well and started taking out the security guards until Nick Aldis interfered.
The SmackDown General Manager warned the three stars about consequences if they got into a fight. He then announced the expected Triple Threat Championship match for next week’s episode of the Blue Branded show.
This isn’t the only match officially announced for the September 26 show. Michin and B-Fab are also scheduled to team up to face Kiana James and Women’s US Champion Giulia on the same night.
El Grande Americano made an appearance after SmackDown.
WWE presented the final episode of the Blue Branded show before tomorrow’s WrestlePalooza PPV from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, tonight.
The show featured a number of big names, including Brock Lesnar. The Beast opened the night with a destructive segment before his PLE match with John Cena, and he ended up taking out Corey Graves with a couple of F5s.
The main event of the episode was a contract signing segment between Drew McIntyre and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. McIntyre got the upper hand in the inevitable brawl after the deal was signed. The show went off air with the Scottish Warrior laying out his WrestlePalooza opponent.
Raw’s El Grande Americano made a surprise appearance on SmackDown for a match after the broadcast ended, and the ringside area was cleared following the destructive main event.
Ludwig Kaiser, in the mask, teamed with Judgment Day’s Finn Balor for a tag team match against the duo of Penta and AJ Styles. The two teams brawled on the entrance ramp before the match officially went underway.
The ending of the bout saw Balor getting in a brawl with Penta when Finn tried to stop the masked star from tagging into the match. AJ then hit the Styles Clash on El Grande to win the match for his team.
Shayna Baszler’s return during this week’s NXT Homecoming special surprised many wrestling fans. Now, new reports have provided clarity on what may be next for the former NXT Women’s Champion in WWE. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Baszler’s appearance was a one-off. While some in WWE hope she eventually transitions into a backstage role, Meltzer added that “nothing is in place” at this time.
Fightful Select later offered an update, noting that Baszler has “been backstage at NXT fairly regularly,” despite no official deal being signed. A WWE source told them the company is simply “seeing how things go” with the Queen of Spades — leaving the door open for more appearances, whether on-screen or behind the scenes.
For now, Baszler remains a free agent on paper, though her consistent presence at NXT tapings shows she is still connected to WWE. The MMA fighter-turned-wrestler was released in early 2025 during one of the year’s larger roster cuts. She had most recently been featured on WWE TV as part of the Pure Fusion Collective before her departure, making her release all the more surprising.
With years of in-ring experience and a toughness few others in WWE can match, Baszler has all the tools to succeed as a producer or agent. For now, WWE and Baszler appear to be taking things step by step following her unexpected NXT Homecoming cameo.
Adriana Rizzo promised herself she wouldn’t date anyone within WWE when she first joined, but that vow proved easier said than done. Speaking with sports media personality Justin Stuckley, Rizzo revealed that she has broken her rule and is now in a relationship with Cutler James of Dark State.
Rizzo’s relationship flies in the face of the rule she made not to date anyone. For Rizzo, she felt it was best to avoid any potential drama in the work place.
“I actually had the plan to not date anyone in there because I had previously, you know, tried to date someone on a team in the past and I was like, ‘Oh, this is too much. Too much.’ So I thought, ‘Let me not get into that.’“
That rule held firm for two years until Rizzo found herself spending more time with James. According to her, James “had a crush on me for the longest time,” while she had “really liked him” for about a year despite her no-dating policy. Eventually, their feelings won out.
“Finally, I thought, ‘All right, I’ve had a crush on him for over a year. He’s been trying to date me. Let me give it a shot.’ And it turned out to be the best thing.“
Now, Rizzo and James join WWE’s list of power couples, alongside CM Punk & AJ Lee, Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch, and Jimmy Uso & Naomi. The pair can now look forward to growing together, both personally and professionally, as part of WWE NXT.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton has dominated in 2025, but the ‘Buff Barbie’ is now facing a serious obstacle. Stratton is currently dealing with an injury, one that prevented her from competing in a six-woman tag-team match at the WWE NXT Homecoming special. In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter Dave Meltzer reports Stratton’s setback could force WWE to alter creative plans.
One possibility would see the company scrap the originally planned triple threat match, which was set to feature Stratton defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill and Nia Jax. While WWE has yet to officially announce the match, a promotional t-shirt for Wrestlepalooza hinted that this was the planned direction for the title picture.
Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline adds that Stratton’s injury occurred during a moonsault off the post on the September 12 episode of WWE SmackDown. The match against Jade Cargill ended shortly after in a double count-out, and Nia Jax appeared noticeably cautious during her post-match attack on Stratton.
2025 has been a career-defining year for Stratton, highlighted by her successful Money in the Bank cash-in and WrestleMania victory. With her recovery timeline still uncertain, fans are concerned that this setback could derail both her momentum and her championship reign.
For now, Stratton remains recognized as WWE Women’s Champion. However, defending the title in a triple threat would already put her at a disadvantage — and not defending it at all could create even bigger challenges for the young star.
In a new interview on Busted Open Radio with host Dave LaGreca, WWE’s Bronson Reed shared insights on his journey back to the top ahead of his high-profile tag match at Wrestlepalooza, where he will team with Bron Breakker to take on The Usos.
Reed discussed overcoming a serious injury and described this past year as a culmination of years of hard work, stating, “I’ve never been hots-hotted into a position. I’ve always had to work my way up the ladder, whether that was the independents, NXT, or during my time away in Impact and New Japan.”
He credited a grueling rehab regimen and self-discipline for returning at a higher level than before, with the support of a strength and conditioning coach.
Reed & Bron Breakker
Reflecting on his on-screen partnership with Bron Breakker, Reed acknowledged there was an adjustment period but emphasized their strong chemistry as two singles stars who have come together as a formidable tag team.
Reed also expressed excitement about WWE’s growing relationship with ESPN, calling it “very exciting times” and highlighting the company’s global expansion.
Looking to tomorrow’s Wrestlepalooza bout, Reed said he and Breakker are ready to make a statement against the renowned Usos tag team.
He ended with gratitude for the opportunity, crediting WWE for recognizing his value and reinforcing his “don’t quit” approach to the wrestling business.
Triple H is making big promises for WrestlePalooza.
The PPV this Saturday is going to be the first show of WWE’s new partnership with ESPN. Both Brock Lesnar and AJ Lee are set to make their in-ring return at the event and many other big names are also advertised for this PLE.
Though the WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H is suggesting that they have some tricks hidden up their sleeve as well. The Game talked about the PPV during his appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, and claimed that fans can expected a spectacle filled with surprises this weekend:
“Nobody does big events like WWE, with possibly the exception of ESPN. What you guys do, the hype that you put around it— shows like this, coming up here and having the honor of being here with you.
All of this, First Take, ESPN, it builds those events to be bigger than anything. Then, we deliver on them bigger than anybody. Expect spectacle, expect surprises, expect to have a lot of fun and ESPN is going to deliver.”
While Triple H did not reveal many details on what kind of surprises fans can expect, reports from different sources have revealed a couple of potential returns that could take place at the PLE.
The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that former World Champion Gunther is expected back on TV soon. Similarly a WWE source has told Fightful Select that Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is also gearing up for a return.
The Ring General has not been seen on WWE TV since he dropped the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk at SummerSlam last month. Seth Rollins ended up cashing in his MITB contract on Punk right after the Gunther match.
Mysterio on the other hand has not wrestled since April this year due to multiple injuries. He was present for the Worlds Collide event earlier this month where Rey presented the AAA Mega Championship to his son Dominik Mysterio.
AEW star Eddie Kingston has pulled back the curtain on the immense personal struggles he faced during his lengthy injury absence, revealing that he seriously contemplated retiring from professional wrestling. In a candid interview with CBS Sports, Kingston detailed the dark days of his recovery from a severe leg injury, a period in which he battled mentally and physically before finding the inspiration to make his return.
Kingston has been sidelined since May 2024, after suffering a torn ACL, torn meniscus, and a fractured tibia during a No Ropes Last Man Standing match against Gabe Kidd at an NJPW STRONG event. He explained that the physical pain was manageable compared to the mental toll of the recovery process. “The hardest part of anything in life is the mental game. Pain is whatever. I’ve had eight or nine surgeries already,” Kingston said. He revealed he spent a significant portion of his recovery in isolation. “I told her to get out and that I’d be alright, lying, of course. For two months, I was by myself. I wasn’t doing PT, sitting there days in the dark by myself. Thank God I don’t really drink much anymore. I coped with food, which didn’t help”.
The mental and physical challenges led Kingston to a point where he was unsure if an in-ring return was possible, and he began trying to talk himself into retirement. “I went from beating myself up, not knowing if I’d get back in the ring, and trying to be satisfied. I told myself, ‘Well, I reached this goal and I reached that goal.’ I was trying to convince myself that it’s OK to call it,” he stated. However, when asked if he could find closure with that decision, Kingston’s response was blunt. “I couldn’t (find closure). Nothing. Death. Honestly. I tried to find everything. I would lie to myself”.
Ultimately, Kingston found his motivation to return from his mentor and friend, Homicide, who was forced into retirement due to his own health issues earlier in 2025. “He didn’t get to go out his way. So he’d tell me, ‘Go out your way. I know this is not the way you want to go out.’ I want to go out on my shield. I want to go out swinging to the end,” Kingston recalled. “People can say whatever they want about Eddie Kingston, but one thing they can’t say is that I wasn’t defiant to the end. That’s what kept me going”.
Kingston is now scheduled to compete for the first time in over a year this Saturday, September 20, at the AEW All Out pay-per-view, where he will face Big Bill.
An former WWE star has shared the difference between WWE and TNA creative processes.
The duo of Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay, collectively known as The IInspiration recently had an interview with TMZ Sport. The current TNA stars talked about things such as their childhood wrestling crushes, setting boundaries for fans at Meet & Greet events and more.
The tag team formerly known as The IIconics in WWE also detailed the difference in the creative process of their former and current wrestling home. Cassie Lee who was known as Peyton Royce in the Endeavor owned promotion, explained that TNA officials trust them to deliver a message as it fits their character:
“I think that’s one of the reasons why we have so much fun at TNA, they just trust us. When we are able to cut a promo, or if we are doing a backstage segment, they just trust that we know ourselves well enough to deliver the message in a way that we truly would.”
She then went on to explain how things were a lot more complicated in WWE. According to Lee, they had to get approval from higher ups for any and all changes they felt were needed back then:
“It was somewhat of a battle at WWE when we were still there where, like, one little word would have to be approved and that would take an hour to get approval and it’s like, do you go wait outside of an office for six hours to see if you can get this line changed because it doesn’t really fit us?”
The IIconics were part of the WWE roster from 2015 to 2021 starting their run in NXT. They were called up to SmackDown in 2018 and had a run with the Women’s tag titles before their release during the COVID era.
Notably, the two only got to work under the Vince McMahon regime on main roster and many current stars have said that they have a lot more freedom since Triple H took over the creative.
AJ Lee rocked the wrestling world with her return to WWE on the September 5 edition of SmackDown, and it didn’t take long for WWE to confirm the presumptive plans—that she would team up with her husband CM Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins for a mixed tag team match of epic proportions at Wrestlepalooza.
With the possible exception of Triple and Stephanie McMahon vs. Kurt Angle and a debuting Ronda Rousey, this would have to be considered the biggest mixed tag team match WWE has ever built to. Between the buzz of Lee’s return, and the three other performers all being well-respected talents at or around the top of their game, anchored by a long, hot feud between Rollins and Punk, this bout has the makings of something special. While the presumptive main event for Wrestlepalooza will be the final match between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, the mixed tag really should close the show.
AJ Lee’s Surprise Return Outperformed Brock Lesnar’s
AJ Lee. Photo: WWE.com
Brock Lesnar made a splash with a surprise return at the end of SummerSlam and, surely, a lot of the buzz there came down to legitimate surprise as most indications suggested the fall out from the Janel Grant situation and The Beast’s advancing age meant he was done in WWE. WWE touted that over 75 million people watched clips of Lesnar’s return across their social media channels.
AJ Lee’s return was—by the time it happened—less of a shock, as WWE had planted clear seeds and the rumor mill was working overtime. Nonetheless, the moment tallied nearly three million views in the first hour and was cited to have garnered 130 million views on socials in the first 24 hours.
There are factors that complicate the statistics, like a widely watched SummerSlam streaming on Peacock versus a SmackDown episode that was not streaming in most markets. Still, there’s also the reality that while Lesnar is at best polarizing both on account of the scandal and arguably feeling played out as a WWE Superstar, Lee is beloved and fans were all to excited to see the trailblazer back in WWE. The pops in the live venues themselves attest to these reactions as well.
There’s More Buzz Around The Mixed Tag Team Feud Than John Cena Vs. Brock Lesnar
Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Photo: WWE.com
Blame it on the controversy surrounding Brock Lesnar, on fans tiring of John Cena’s farewell tour, or on the booking. Whatever the case may be, there’s simply not a lot of buzz around Lesnar vs. Cena at Wrestlepalooza.
To be fair, the two have established chemistry, including a great match at Extreme Rules 2012 and a very memorable outing at SummerSlam 2014. As such, it’s possible they’ll turn fan perceptions around in the late stages of the build to this match or after the opening bell rings. Still, WWE may be swimming upstream if tries to program this match after what’s sure to be a white hot reaction for the mixed tag.
The Stakes Are Higher If Fans Reject Brock Lesnar In The Main Event
Photo: WWE
It’s entirely possible the live audience and social media alike will turn on Brock Lesnar. Besides the aforementioned reasons for him registering as, at best, polarizing right now, there’s the history of his outing at WrestleMania 20 to reckon with—a showdown with Goldberg that got totally overshadowed by boos and catcalling.
Yes, Lesnar is playing a heel, so there’s room for him to absorb or even feed off a poor reaction. That’s not to mention that he’s much more experienced than he was in 2004 and will share a ring with John Cena, one of the very best at working an opinionated live crowd.
Still, WWE is clearly investing a lot in Wrestlepalooza as a stadium show and the launch of a new PLE deal with ESPN. The stakes are high if the crowd really turns on Lesnar, and that goes double if its in the last match of the show.
AJ Lee And CM Punk Vs. Becky Lynch And Seth Rollins Will Be More Reliably Great In The Ring
Image credit: WWE
Brock Lesnar hasn’t wrestled in two years and John Cena is not the in-ring performer he once was. While Cena’s capable of flashes of greatness—indeed, his last two PLE performances were significantly better than his preceding ones in 2025—and Lesnar is a freakish athlete, it still feels far from certain that the match between the two will deliver in 2025.
By contrast, Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins are at the top of their game, turning in consistently strong in-ring performances on top of drawing good heat. CM Punk has proven his haters wrong for the most part in this WWE run as well, not only holding up his end of hot feuds but doing his share to deliver in big match scenarios time and again. AJ Lee is the ex-factor, but she was a strong worker, looks to have stayed in incredible shape, and the fan enthusiasm behind her should be more than enough to cover for any ring rust in this first match back.
The Mixed Tag Team Feud Has More “Juice” Looking Ahead
CM Punk and AJ Lee on SmackDown. Photo: WWE
Even for those fans who are sold on John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, the reality is that this stands to be their last match with one another. Alternatively, if it is just chapter one of a new story between them, WWE is entering dicey territory as so much of the audience isn’t sold on Lesnar being part of the show anymore and, more so, fans have other opponents they’re more excited to see Cena face as he burns daylight on this retirement tour.
So, whereas Cena vs. Lesnar is a one-off novelty, AJ Lee and CM Punk vs. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins has legs. There’s no telling for sure what WWE has planned, but it’s not unrealistic to imagine this being one more installment in a journey that arrives at Rollins and Punk main eventing WrestleMania 42 with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line, while AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch, perhaps for the Intercontinental Championship climaxes at the same super show. Even if the feuds don’t run that long, Wrestlepalooza all but certainly doesn’t spell the end, and WWE would be well served to spotlight a feud among top stars who are going to keep beefing over a one-and-done encounter.
AEW’s Brody King sparked significant discussion earlier this year when he wore an “Abolish ICE” shirt at AEW Grand Slam Mexico. The shirt and its message quickly drew attention not only in wrestling circles but also in mainstream media, with major outlets such as TMZ, CNN, and Fox News covering the story.
During the AEW All Out media call, Jonathan Ore of CBC asked Tony Khan about how AEW differs from WWE, a company known for its ties to former President Donald Trump. Khan emphasized that AEW is a place where wrestlers are encouraged to be their authentic selves.
“It’s really important to note that the wrestlers in AEW are presented very much so as their authentic selves. In the case of Brody King and Hangman Page, that’s who those guys are. That’s them being themselves,” Khan explained.
He went on to reflect on how professional wrestling brings together people from diverse backgrounds. However, Khan clarified that King’s role in AEW isn’t defined by political views. Instead, he stressed that King and Page are part of the company “because they are awesome wrestlers.”
Any backlash King may have faced for expressing his views on AEW programming hasn’t slowed his momentum. He is a former Trios Champion and currently holds the AEW World Tag Team Championship alongside Bandido.
As for as Khan is concerned, King will continue to be his authentic self for as long as he is part of AEW. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on Brody King.
