This week WWE announced that its new US PLE streaming deal with ESPN will begin on September 20 with the debut of Wrestlepalooza.
The show — set to run head-to-head with AEW All Out — is rumored to feature a blockbuster main event between Brock Lesnar and John Cena, a clash clearly set up by Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam.
Given the importance of this new era and WWE’s plans to both counter AEW’s own big show and kick off its ESPN run with a bang, major debuts feel inevitable.
Here are five stars we could see make their first appearance at Wrestlepalooza.
5. Ricky Saints
When WWE signed Ricky Saints – the former Ricky Starks – after he left AEW earlier in the year, it was seen as a major coup, as over his AEW tenure the 35-year-old had proven himself as an impressive in-ring worker with transcendent charisma.
It seemed questionable why he was placed in developmental at all, though on NXT programming he now looks to have wrapped up his storylines — first ending his long-running feud with Ethan Page at July’s Great American Bash, before winning a short program with LFG winner Jasper Troy on the August 19 edition of NXT.
With loose ends now tied up, it would appear that Saints is being readied for a main roster move.
Arguably his career-best performance came at AEW All Out 2023 in a brutal strap match with Bryan Danielson — perhaps fitting if he debuted on WWE’s main roster as the company counter-programs this year’s edition of the very same PPV.
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4. Moose
TNA’s Moose in recent years has quietly become one of the best big men in pro wrestling — something demonstrated by his show-stealing bout with Leon Slater at TNA’s recent Slammiversary PPV.
At 41, the former pro footballer is in his final form: both impressive in-ring and undeniably charismatic as a belligerent and arrogant heel.
Recently appearing on NXT programming feuding with Trick Williams, as part of WWE’s ongoing relationship with TNA, he could be edging closer to a permanent move.
Could Wrestlepalooza be the moment Moose breaks through to pro-wrestling’s upper echelon?
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3. El Hijo del Vikingo
Since WWE first announced its purchase of lucha libre promotion AAA at WrestleMania 41, El Hijo del Vikingo has been positioned as the company’s top star.
The 28-year-old is both AAA’s Mega Champion and, more importantly, one of pro wrestling’s most spectacular high-flyers, with WWE seemingly positioning him for a role on its own main roster.
Clues to WWE’s plans can be seen in Vikingo’s multiple appearances on main roster programming, most recently on the August 18 edition of Raw where he attacked Dominik Mysterio to set up a title match between the pair at the next Worlds Collide crossover show.
However, despite these appearances, Vikingo has yet to wrestle a match in WWE itself — something that could change on WWE’s ESPN debut, where he may finally showcase his breathtaking aerial arsenal.
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2. Blake Monroe
Blake Monroe was another former AEW standout signed by WWE this year.
As Mariah May in AEW, she was part of one of 2024 & 2025’s most memorable feuds, culminating in the “Hollywood Ending” bout with Toni Storm — a match that catapulted the 27-year-old Brit into the upper echelon of women’s wrestling.
Much like Ricky Saints, her placement in developmental seemed questionable given her proven ability to perform at the highest level, alongside undeniable charisma and a fully formed heel character – though it may only be a short stay.
With loose ends potentially being tied up in NXT at the upcoming Heatwave PLE on August 24, as she battles Jordynne Grace, Monroe could make a huge entrance on the main roster at Wrestlepalooza.
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1. Oba Femi
Current NXT Champion Oba Femi looks every bit a main roster star in waiting.
Having only begun his in-ring career less than three years ago, he has already developed into a polished powerhouse whose presence and charisma have clearly resonated with the NXT fanbase.
At NXT’s upcoming Heatwave PLE he defends the title against Je’Von Evans in what promises to be a standout match – one that could also see him drop the belt, potentially paving the way for a call-up.
WWE’s ESPN debut would be the perfect stage for the 27-year-old to arrive on the main roster and launch into a mega push.
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