Wrestlepalooza: Full Results, Highlights, and Must-See Moments from WWE’s Debut PLE Event on ESPN

All five matches on the Wrestlepalooza card delivered in a big way, featuring thrilling finishes and triumphant moments.

Wrestlepalooza: Full Results, Highlights, and Must-See Moments from WWE’s Debut PLE Event on ESPN

Wrestlepalooza results (via WWE)

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Wrestlepalooza opened a new era for WWE with its first-ever premium live event partnership with ESPN, kicking off in Indianapolis before over 15,000 fans. The night was full of surprises, drama, and emotional moments. After a pyro-filled intro and a welcome from Triple H, the show began with a blockbuster match: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena, one of the final stops on Cena’s retirement tour.

The bout immediately drew comparisons to their infamous 2014 SummerSlam clash, where Lesnar laid the foundation of ‘Suplex City.’ History repeated itself in Indianapolis, but with an added twist. Paul Heyman made his return as Lesnar’s official announcer, signaling that their dangerous alliance may be back on.

Cena’s entrance was emotional, as he walked to the ring alongside a group of children and was introduced by Alicia Taylor. When the bell rang, Lesnar wasted no time. He floored Cena with a clothesline and started the suplex onslaught. Cena fought back with shoulder tackles and managed to hit three straight Attitude Adjustments, but Lesnar shockingly kicked out.

‘The Beast Incarnate’ responded with a devastating flurry, six F5s in total, pausing in between to taunt Cena. After the sixth, he pinned the 17-time World Champion for the victory. But Lesnar wasn’t finished. He returned to the ring, dropped the referee with an F5, and hit Cena with a seventh for good measure.

Bruised but resilient, Cena managed to get back on his feet to acknowledge the Indianapolis crowd, closing a brutal and unforgettable opening chapter of Wrestlepalooza. Moreover, kids in the crowd had tears in their eyes as they saw their hero get dismantled with less than three months before his retirement. 

The main event between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre more than lived up to expectations, delivering a hard-hitting 20-minute battle. The action was heated from the opening bell as Rhodes struck first with a slap, only for McIntyre to quickly take control by crushing him in the corner and landing a stiff back elbow.

The fight spilled outside on multiple occasions. McIntyre slammed Rhodes into the ring post, launched him across the announce desk, and drove him into the steel steps. But Rhodes, showing the resilience of a champion, refused to stay down. Even after taking a middle-rope White Noise and being trapped in a painful Figure-Four, he powered through.

Momentum briefly swung McIntyre’s way when he scored a flash pin, but the referee was out of position after avoiding a near collision moments earlier. Frustrated, McIntyre tried to finish Rhodes by smashing his head through the announce table just like he did on SmackDown, but the reigning champ dodged, and McIntyre’s leg crashed against the wood instead.

That mistake proved costly. McIntyre’s injured leg gave out when he went for a Claymore, opening the door for Rhodes to strike. The champion delivered a Cody Cutter followed by Cross Rhodes to secure the victory and retain the WWE Championship.

Many fans expected a shocking twist, perhaps a Randy Orton heel turn after Triple H teased major surprises, but no swerve came. Instead, the night ended with Rhodes standing tall, surviving yet another brutal test to keep his championship reign alive.

CM Punk and AJ Lee scored a huge win over Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team showdown at Wrestlepalooza, marking Lee’s first match in 10 years. Rollins and Lynch tried to keep Lee sidelined, punishing Punk with double-teams and even using Lynch as a weapon against him. 

Punk eventually made the hot tag, and Lee went right after Lynch, hitting a top-rope crossbody and even slapping Rollins before teaming with Punk for tandem attacks, including Shining Wizards. The action spiraled into chaos with dual pedigrees, finishers traded all around, and a wild announce table crash that took everyone down. 

Back in the ring, Lynch went for the Manhandle Slam, but Lee countered into the Black Widow, forcing the Women’s Intercontinental Champion to tap out. It was a triumphant return for Lee and a statement victory for the fan-favorite couple. It is safe to say that despite being out of the ring for over a decade, Lee hasn’t lost a step. 

Stephanie Vaquer and The Vision shine and clinch massive victories at Wrestlepalooza

One of Wrestlepalooza’s most talked-about matches saw Stephanie Vaquer defeat Iyo Sky to claim the vacant Women’s World Championship. The title had been up for grabs after Naomi announced her pregnancy and relinquished the crown, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Indianapolis.

The match started with fast-paced grappling as Vaquer looked to land her signature Devil’s Kiss early, but the Japanese ace fended her off. Vaquer turned the tide with a brutal top-rope armbar, then kept momentum on her side with backbreakers and powerbomb attempts. Still, Sky showed her trademark toughness and refused to stay down.

Stephanie Vaquer vs Iyo Sky at Wrestlepalooza
Stephanie Vaquer vs Iyo Sky at Wrestlepalooza [via- WWE]

Targeting her legs, Vaquer punished her with Dragon Screws and stiff strikes, wearing down ‘The Genius of the Sky.’ When Sky finally went for her Over the Moonsault, Vaquer countered with raised boots and connected with the Devil’s Kiss. In a shocking moment, Sky also became the first to ever kick out of the SVB.

The former champion rallied with running Meteoras, but her weakened knees limited her offense. Seizing the opportunity, Vaquer climbed the ropes and unveiled a new finisher in the form of the Spiral Tap to score the pinfall and win her first main roster world title. 

After the match, Vaquer embraced Sky in a show of respect before celebrating at ringside with her father, an emotional finish to a career-defining night for ‘La Primera.’

Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, representing The Vision, defeated The Usos in a bloody grudge match at Wrestlepalooza with LA Knight as the special guest referee. Knight’s officiating was anything but strict as he let steel chairs, tables, and cheap shots slide, even brushing off Paul Heyman’s protests at ringside. 

The Usos nearly stole the win after a 1-D on Breakker, but Reed broke the count. Chaos unfolded as Breakker and Jimmy traded spears, Knight argued with Reed on the outside, and Jey nearly collided with Knight after a dive. Moreover, the former World Champion assaulted the former NXT Champion with a steel chair. 

However, he seemed to have injured himself in the process and had blood pouring down his face by the time the bout was about to end. In the end, Breakker speared both Usos through a table, and Reed sealed the victory with a massive Tsunami splash.

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