Predicting WWE’s Wrestlepalooza Card
Clash In Paris is now in the history books, and in less than three weeks, Wrestlepalooza will take place, but what is WWE planning for that show?
For the first time ever, WWE’s main roster will be part of a PLE that will go head-to-head with an AEW pay-per-view. All Out takes place on September 20th, but in the latest of a long line of counter-programming, WWE has announced its new Wrestlepalooza event will happen on the same night.
Wrestlepalooza will also be WWE’s first event on ESPN’s streaming service as part of a billion-dollar deal. And all of this means that the money men at the top of WWE will be making sure Triple H stacks the card so it is a runaway success.
Brock Lesnar Headlining WWE Wrestlepalooza?
The absolute lock for Wrestlepalooza looks to be Brock Lesnar competing in his first match in over two years. Lesnar made his shock return to WWE at SummerSlam, where he laid out John Cena. There was a significant backlash to Lesnar’s return, given that he is named several times in the lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon, accusing McMahon of serious sexual abuse and sex trafficking. There has been no resolution to that lawsuit prior to Lesnar’s return.
While Brock Lesnar’s comeback might have left some WWE fans cold, another potential return could get them red hot. At Clash In Paris, Becky Lynch screwed CM Punk to ensure her husband Seth Rollins retained the World Heavyweight Championship. That has led to rumours that AJ Lee could be making her return to WWE sooner rather than later to be part of a mixed tag team match.
While some fans might want to see that match on a bigger show such as the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania, the fact that WWE is going head-to-head with AEW and debuting on ESPN means it’s likely that this event is seen as a major show. WWE rubbing salt in the wounds by having CM Punk and the beloved AJ Lee going head-to-head with AEW could be box office.
Drew McIntyre put Cody Rhodes out of action with a sickening attack that saw Rhodes’ head driven through the front of the announce table. The reality is Rhodes is taking time off to film Street Fighter, and in his absence, Randy Orton has tried to avenge the attack. McIntyre and Orton are on a collision course, and Wrestlepalooza looks a likely place for them to get their hands on each other. A return from the WWE Champion on the show – another ex-AEW star – could also be a safe bet.
Clash In Paris also saw The Vision lay out Roman Reigns after Reigns defeated Bronson Reed. Reed and Bron Breakker then made sure Roman Reigns was taken to the hospital with a sustained assault. Reigns is also off to film Street Fighter, so he won’t be part of Wrestlepalooza. That leaves the door open for The Usos to reunite to clash with Breakker and Reed in a huge tag team match.
Stephanie Vaquer earned a shot at the Women’s World Championship at Clash In Paris by virtue of winning a battle royal at Evolution. However, with Naomi vacating the title due to her pregnancy, Vaquer’s title shot was cancelled. She has been told she will still be getting a match for the gold, and perhaps there is no better opponent for her than Naomi’s former friend, Bianca Belair. Belair has not competed since WrestleMania 41, so if she’s cleared to compete, then a huge return and a new champion being crowned could be perfect for Wrestlepalooza.
Another tag team match that seems to be only a matter of time in taking place is Rhea Ripley teaming with IYO SKY to take on the Kabuki Warriors, Kairi Sane and Asuka. Asuka and Sane are not happy at SKY’s friendship with Ripley, and SKY herself has told Ripley to keep her distance. However, immediately after that, SKY was the one who came to Ripley’s rescue as she faced a 2-on-1 battle against Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Whether this match would be good news for Ripley giving SKY’s history with the Kabuki Warriors remains to be seen.
Predicted WWE Wrestlepalooza card:
- Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
- CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
- Stephanie Vaquer vs. Bianca Belair – vacant Women’s World Championship
- The Usos vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
- Kabuki Warriors vs. Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY