AEW Teases ECW Themed Tribute Following WWE Wrestlepalooza
The 2025 WWE Wrestlepalooza is set to take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This event marks the fifth Wrestlepalooza overall but the first time it is promoted under the WWE banner, with the last Wrestlepalooza being in 2000 under ECW promotion, whose assets WWE acquired in 2003. The event will be live-streamed on ESPN, marking WWE’s early partnership debut with ESPN ahead of the originally planned 2026 timeline.
Wrestlers from WWE’s RAW and SmackDown brand divisions will feature prominently, and this event is notably the first and only Wrestlepalooza appearance for John Cena before his retirement at the end of 2025.
AEW Files a New Trademark “September to Remember”
After WWE released the Wrestlepalooza news earlier this month, AEW is also set to present a tribute of its own to ECW. On August 18, 2025, Tony Khan filed a trademark for the phrase “September To Remember” under US Serial Number 99342465 for entertainment purposes related to wrestling contests, live wrestling performances, and production of wrestling programs. This filing has sparked speculation about a potential special themed event or episodes related to this branding in September.
The name pays homage to the iconic ECW pay-per-view event “November to Remember,” held annually from 1993 to 2000. The AEW President is notably a fan of ECW and has signed several former ECW stars, such as Taz and Jerry Lynn. AEW’s next major PPV, All Out, is scheduled for September 20 in Toronto, Canada, and “September To Remember” could be used for special shows leading up to that event as AEW begins its residency in ECW’s former home, the 2300 Arena.
Pat McAfee Set To Return At WWE Wrestlepalooza
During an appearance on SportsCenter in August 2025, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H confirmed that Pat McAfee will return to WWE at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, ending his current WWE hiatus. McAfee had been absent since the June 2, 2025, episode of WWE Raw, citing exhaustion as the reason for his break.
His hiatus was acknowledged publicly on his ESPN show, where he thanked WWE for supporting him. Although McAfee’s future may not involve a full-time WWE return due to his other commitments, his appearance at Wrestlepalooza highlights a significant crossover moment for WWE’s new partnership with ESPN.