WWE Wrestlepalooza takes place on September 20 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and it’s shaping up to be a major event for the company.
WWE parent company TKO’s chief operating officer Mark Shapiro has already described the company’s desire to have it be “an annual recurring franchise,” and one that “can be another WrestleMania or another SummerSlam.”
With WWE clearly investing heavily in making Wrestlepalooza one of the biggest shows of the year, fans can expect some surprises.
To help kick off the series with a bang at its first edition, here are six returns that could take place at WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025.
6. Shane McMahon
While still listed on the active roster page, Shane McMahon has been absent from WWE programming since 2023.
His last appearance was at WrestleMania 39, where he tore his quad during the very first spot of an impromptu match against The Miz.
Since then, speculation has swirled about an audacious move to AEW – with Shane even meeting Tony Khan – though talks reportedly went nowhere after McMahon suggested he be given some power in the company.
WWE remains without a McMahon as a regular on-screen character for the first time in decades, but with Wrestlepalooza shaping up to be a huge show, there’s every chance Shane could make his return there.
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5. Ilja Dragunov
Ilja Dragunov has been out of action since September 2024 after tearing his ACL during a house show match with Gunther.
Recent reports have indicated that he’s either cleared for an in-ring return or close to being cleared, with WWE simply waiting for the right storyline to reintroduce the Russian-born star.
The 31-year-old is one of WWE’s most unique and talented in-ring performers – both in his ability to play a sympathetic babyface who absorbs brutal punishment, and in the sheer ferocity of his offence.
With Wrestlepalooza set to be a major event, it feels like the perfect stage to bring back one of WWE’s most compelling workers.
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4. Paige
AJ Lee’s recent return to WWE after a decade away has surpassed even the most optimistic expectations, spiking TV ratings in the US.
With her comeback proving so hot, could we also see the imminent return of one of Lee’s most famous rivals, Paige?
Paige hasn’t wrestled in WWE for nearly eight years, and a return would be a massive moment for the company’s fanbase.
It would be unwise to bet against Paige making a return – but could Wrestlepalooza be the show for it?
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3. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio has been absent from WWE since suffering a groin injury on SmackDown the night before this year’s WrestleMania, which forced him off the card.
During his time away he has still appeared for WWE-owned AAA, first inducting his mentor Konnan into its Hall of Fame and more recently presenting the AAA Mega Title to his son Dominik after he defeated El Hijo del Vikingo at Worlds Collide.
This week, it emerged that the 50-year-old legend is nearing recovery and is expected to resume in-ring training, with Mysterio himself saying he’s been at the Performance Center.
Wrestlepalooza may be the stage for the Hall of Famer’s return – perhaps to reestablish his feud with El Grande Americano.
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2. Brandi Rhodes
With WWE bringing back AJ Lee and leaning into real-life couples on screen – Lee with CM Punk and Seth Rollins with Becky Lynch – could another pairing soon follow?
Brandi Rhodes left WWE alongside her husband Cody in 2016, with the two appearing together as a unit in TNA, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and AEW.
Since Cody’s WWE return in 2022, Brandi has not been brought in as a consistent on-screen character, though speculation about her joining him has persisted, and she has made a few brief appearances.
It seems unlikely she’ll appear as a regular with the couple recently welcoming their second child, but Wrestlepalooza could be the stage for Brandi to make a special appearance – perhaps even introducing the newest member of the Rhodes family to the WWE fanbase.
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1. The Rock
With TKO chief operating officer Mark Shapiro stating the desire to make Wrestlepalooza one of WWE’s biggest annual events, there are no bigger stars they could bring back than The Rock.
The Hollywood mega-star has not been seen since orchestrating John Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber in February, with his absence at WrestleMania frustrating some fans.
Now feels like the perfect moment for a return, with both a new movie to plug – The Smashing Machine – and WWE’s recent announcement of WrestleMania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia, where The Rock is wanted in the main event.
Given the intended scale of Wrestlepalooza, it would be no surprise to see The Rock appear – but the real question is what role he plays.
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