Brock Lesnar pins John Cena at Wrestlepalooza 2025 — full results, grades, highlights, start time and how to stream Wrestlepalooza on ESPN Unlimited (pricing & free-trial tips).
Quick snapshot — Wrestlepalooza Results
Wrestlepalooza 2025 opened with a shocking, physical win for Brock Lesnar over John Cena and closed with Cody Rhodes retaining the Undisputed WWE Championship — here’s the complete results, play-by-play highlights, expert grades, and everything you need to know about start time and streaming on ESPN Unlimited.
Wrestlepalooza — the top takeaways
- Brock Lesnar defeated John Cena in a hard-hitting opening match that many are already calling the end of Cena’s in-ring era.
- Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship over Drew McIntyre in the main event.
- AJ Lee made a returning appearance on the card (tag match alongside CM Punk) and walked away with a win.
- Wrestlepalooza streamed exclusively on ESPN Unlimited in the U.S.; start time was 7:00 PM ET (pre-show at 5:00 PM ET). International availability included some region Netflix windows for replays.
- Critics and fans are split — some loved the spectacle and production; others criticized the brevity of big matches and the feel of a “made-for-news” opening with Lesnar/Cena.
Those are the kernel facts — read on for the full match-by-match recap, factional fallout, grades, streaming instructions, and where to watch replays.
The full Wrestlepalooza 2025 results (official)
WWE’s official results page lists the complete outcomes — below are the main-card highlights and winners (times approximate):
- Brock Lesnar def. John Cena — 02:30 (Lesnar pinned Cena after F-5s).
- CM Punk & AJ Lee def. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch (mixed tag).
- Iyo Sky def. Stephanie Vaquer — Women’s World Championship (vacant) — solid technical title match.
- The Usos def. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed — tag match.
- Cody Rhodes def. Drew McIntyre — Undisputed WWE Championship (main event).
(For the official minute-by-minute listing and undercard results check WWE’s match results page.)
Deep dive — match-by-match recap & quick grades
Below I break down each marquee match with what happened, why it mattered, and a quick grade (A–F) for performance and storytelling.
1) Brock Lesnar vs John Cena — Lesnar wins (Opening match)
Result: Brock Lesnar def. John Cena (pinfall) — quick, brutal affair. (Cageside Seats)
Recap: The match opened the show and didn’t try for a long, drawn-out psychology match — it was a hard-hitting, cinematic beatdown. Cena came out to a large, emotional entrance (including kids in Cena gear), then Paul Heyman stoked the fire for Lesnar. Cena had moments of offense—several Attitude Adjustments and near-falls—but Lesnar turned it into a berserker F-5 fest and finished Cena after repeated F-5s and a prolonged post-pin beatdown. Many outlets are treating it as the possible final Cena match.
Why it mattered: It was billed as the last chapter in a legendary rivalry. Putting Lesnar vs. Cena first shocked many fans used to a big match closing shows. The booking felt deliberate: start Wrestlepalooza with the biggest news and ensure immediate buzz.
Grade: C — memorable for shock value, but the short-form demolition divided fans who wanted a longer, more competitive finale.
2) CM Punk & AJ Lee vs Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch — mixed tag thrill
Result: CM Punk & AJ Lee def. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch.
Recap: AJ Lee’s return was the emotional hook here — WWE leaned into nostalgia while giving Punk the platform to show he still has ring credibility. The match blended old school heel heat with modern athleticism; Rollins/Lynch put on intense sequences and near-falls. The crowd popped for AJ’s signature moves and she looked in great shape.
Why it mattered: AJ Lee’s long-rumored return finally happened on a major stage, and pairing her with Punk against two of WWE’s biggest stars created a generational flashpoint. This match was as much about storytelling and star moments as about in-ring athleticism.
Grade: B+ — great crowd engagement, smart use of nostalgia, and a clean finish that protects most participants.
3) Iyo Sky vs Stephanie Vaquer — Women’s World Championship
Result: Iyo Sky def. Stephanie Vaquer — Iyo becomes (or retains) Women’s World Champion depending on booking context.
Recap: Technical and athletic, this contest did the work of elevating both women — Sky’s high-octane offense versus Vaquer’s power and ring craft. The match got solid press for its clean sequences and believable near-falls.
Why it mattered: Women’s title scene remains a focus for WWE merchandising and crossover appeal; giving the belt to a credible worker like Iyo reinforces the division’s depth.
Grade: A− — athletic, well-booked, and a highlight for match quality on the card.
4) The Usos vs Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed — Tag team fireworks
Result: The Usos def. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed.
Recap: Heavy hitting, with spot sequences showcasing the Usos’ tag psychology against two power machines. Breakker & Reed looked imposing and credible; The Usos used veteran savvy to win the match in a smart, crowd-pleasing way.
Why it mattered: Keeps the tag division alive while protecting younger stars (Breakker & Reed) who can still look like future main event threats.
Grade: B — solid tagwrestling fundamentals, good crowd, ended before over-exposure.
5) Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre — Undisputed WWE Championship (Main Event)
Result: Cody Rhodes def. Drew McIntyre (retains).
Recap: Rhodes closed the show in a traditional main-event setting — early caution, heat-building middle, and a finish that protected McIntyre while keeping Rhodes as top babyface. There were concerns about a visible McIntyre leg issue during the match; WWE worked around it to get a satisfying finish for the live crowd and viewers.
Why it mattered: Closing with a championship defense reassured fans that Wrestlepalooza was a proper premium event with a classic ending. Cody’s retention keeps the championship narrative consistent heading into TV storylines.
Grade: B — serviceable main event that protected core players and ended the show on a familiar high.
Hot takes & fan reaction — why the internet exploded
- Opening with Lesnar/Cena — WWE started Wrestlepalooza with its biggest right-now headline to guarantee social virality. That paid off: clips of Lesnar’s F-5s trended immediately. Critics argued it undercut the rest of the card; supporters said it was a bold programming move. (Cageside Seats)
- AJ Lee’s return — a major nostalgia win that also felt earned: she wasn’t just a cameo, she was an active agent in a competitive match. Social media loved the callback moments.
- Production & ESPN partnership — every camera cut, replay and graphic was tailored for ESPN’s play-by-play sports audience, making the broadcast feel hyper-produced compared with older PLEs on Peacock. Some fans liked the cinematic style; purists missed Peacock’s WWE Network vibe.
Overall fan consensus (as aggregated by major outlets) was mixed — Wrestlepalooza succeeded as spectacle and headline generator, but some matches left fans wanting more ring time and longer storytelling.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
How to watch Wrestlepalooza (U.S. & international): start time, streaming, price
Wrestlepalooza was a streaming-first WWE premium event in 2025. Here’s the practical watch guide you need.
U.S. viewers — ESPN Unlimited is the key
- Platform: Wrestlepalooza streamed exclusively on ESPN Unlimited via the ESPN app (U.S. domestic rights). The event was available for ESPN Unlimited subscribers and through certain TV-provider bundles.
- Start time: Pre-show began at 5:00 PM ET; main card started at 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). Double-check your provider listing for local variations.
- Price & packages: ESPN Unlimited standalone pricing was advertised around $29.99/month (bundled options with Disney+ and Hulu exist). ESPN also allowed access via participating cable or streaming bundles — check the ESPN help guide for activation steps.
Can I watch Wrestlepalooza for free?
- Free trials: Some live-TV services that carry ESPN (Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV) may offer short free trials to new customers — that could be a way to watch the event without a long-term subscription if you sign up for trial windows. Always check trial availability and terms before relying on that option.
- Illegal streams: As always, we strongly discourage use of unlicensed streams; they are unreliable, often illegal, and risky for malware. Use official channels.
International availability (brief notes)
- Netflix / other platforms: Reports suggested some international Netflix windows would carry WWE replays in select territories after the live airing; those are replay windows, not live U.S. streams. WWE’s international distribution deals vary by region — check WWE.com local feeds for definitive access in your country.
Replay & on-demand
- Replay: A replay and on-demand version was available in the ESPN app after the live show. WWE will also post highlights and official match uploads on WWE.com and WWE’s YouTube channel after broadcast.
A new Women’s World Champion is crowned as @Steph_Vaquer leaves #Wrestlepalooza victorious!
RESULTS: https://t.co/4ILgTbfAiO pic.twitter.com/YL18KTHR4W
— WWE (@WWE) September 21, 2025
ESPN Unlimited: what it is and how it works
ESPN Unlimited is ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming tier that carries premium sports content and select WWE PLEs like Wrestlepalooza. Key facts:
- Offers premium live events (including some WWE specials) through the ESPN app.
- Price: About $29.99/month for the bundle option seen in coverage; occasionally offered as part of bundles with Disney+ and Hulu. Your cost may vary with promotional bundles or provider add-ons.
- How to get it: Subscribe through the ESPN app (Create an ESPN account → choose Unlimited → authenticate). Alternatively, access through participating pay TV or streaming bundles (Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV Stream). See ESPN’s support article for step-by-step activation.
Is ESPN Unlimited worth it for WWE fans? If you plan to watch multiple ESPN-exclusive PLEs and value ESPN’s other live sports, the bundle can be a reasonable monthly spend — especially during high-action weekends. If you’re only buying Wrestlepalooza once, consider a free trial or short-term subscription if available.
Post-show reaction from outlets & critics
- ESPN’s writeups produced play-by-play recaps and match grades, praising the production and Lesnar/Cena spectacle but questioning some match lengths.
- Bleacher Report ran a full highlight and reaction story, noting the card’s big moments and debating Cena’s future in wrestling.
- CBS Sports and CBSSports.com published live grades and reviews emphasizing Lesnar’s dominant opening and AJ Lee’s impactful return. (CBSSports.com)
Consensus: Wrestlepalooza succeeded as a headline machine and cross-platform event for WWE/ESPN, while leaving some hardcore fans wanting longer, more sustained in-ring storytelling for its biggest matches. (Bleacher Report)
Behind the scenes: production, ESPN partnership & future implications
Wrestlepalooza marks an important step in WWE’s broadcast evolution. Streaming the PLE on ESPN Unlimited—a high-profile sports brand—signals WWE’s intent to normalize wrestling as appointment sports content on mainstream sports platforms. The partnership affects:
- Distribution strategy: WWE is diversifying away from a single wrestling network model to multiple premium partners, aiming to reach broader sports audiences. ESPN’s production polished the broadcast style for sports viewers.
- Monetization: Higher-tier streaming packages mean WWE and ESPN can extract more per-viewer revenue for marquee PLEs — and offer targeted promos or bundle discounts. (ESPN)
- Creative booking: WWE appears willing to put headline moments at unconventional spots on the card (e.g., Lesnar/Cena opening) to guarantee promotional momentum across social platforms — expect more strategic placement of “must-see” moments in future cards.
All of this creates new opportunities — and new debates — about how wrestling should be presented to both longtime fans and mainstream sports audiences.
Final verdict — did Wrestlepalooza deliver?
Wrestlepalooza delivered on spectacle and headlines. Brock Lesnar’s opening demolition of John Cena ensured the evening trended worldwide, AJ Lee’s return brought real emotion, and the Rhodes main event gave the card a traditional close. Critics will debate the unusual structure (big opening match, shorter marquee bouts) and the balance between spectacle and storytelling. For viewers: if you love moments that make social timelines explode, Wrestlepalooza was successful. If you want marathon wrestling epics with deep storytelling throughout, you had mixed things to chew on.
Bottom line: Wrestlepalooza 2025 achieved WWE’s immediate goals — buzz, mainstream sports placement, and a memorable slate of images — while leaving room for longer matchcraft in future PLEs. (WWE)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: What time did Wrestlepalooza start?
A: Pre-show: 5:00 PM ET. Main card: 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). Confirm local listings for channel/provider windows. (Decider)
Q: Where could I watch Wrestlepalooza?
A: In the U.S. via the ESPN app for subscribers to ESPN Unlimited or through participating live TV providers (Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV Stream, Spectrum, Verizon). International replay windows varied (some Netflix deals reported for certain countries). (Decider)
Q: Is Wrestlepalooza on Peacock or Netflix in the U.S.?
A: No — live Wrestlepalooza was not on Peacock in the U.S. (Peacock carries other WWE content historically). Some international Netflix windows for replays were reported, but those are region-specific and not live U.S. streaming. (Decider)
Q: Who won Cena vs Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza?
A: Brock Lesnar defeated John Cena (pinfall). (WWE)
Q: Can I watch a replay if I missed it?
A: Yes — the ESPN app posted a replay shortly after the live show. WWE will also upload highlight clips on WWE.com and YouTube. (ESPN Support)