The upcoming WWE Wrestlepalooza on ESPN is set to feature some of the top stars of the company but some won’t make the cut.
With massive matches including John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar and the in-ring return of AJ Lee set for the show, some big names you might expect to see aren’t scheduled to appear.
Here are seven WWE stars that don’t seem to be set for the card at Wrestlepalooza 2025.
7. Tiffany Stratton
Earlier this week Tiffany Stratton was scheduled to make an appearance at NXT Homecoming however was subsequently pulled from action with note that she wasn’t medically cleared to compete.
The change could potentially have trickle down effects on others set for the card as well since reports note that a bout for the WWE Women’s Championship was originally slated to be announced for Wrestlepalooza 2025.
Speculation points to Tiffany Stratton having been planned to face both Nia Jax and Jade Cargill at the event, which is now seemingly in question.
With the bout potentially meant as a vehicle to usher in the return of Bianca Belair, we’ll have to stay tuned to find out if there is any update ahead of the event.
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6. Rhea Ripley
One surprising name to be left off of the Wrestlepalooza 2025 card given her mainstream appeal is Rhea Ripley.
With Ripley gaining acclaim on social media, she remains one of the most recognizable current WWE stars but sadly won’t be in action on the ESPN PLE debut.
Without a clear storyline moving forward for Ripley, it could be that her massive star power is actually being reserved for her next big rivalry.
Potentially able to flip brands over to SmackDown and engage in some entirely new feuds with the likes of Giulia or Chelsea Green – fans might be set to see more from Rhea Ripley soon.
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5. Jacob Fatu
After losing to Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam but standing tall in the end, Jacob Fatu appeared in a tag match with Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn where the team defeated Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa.
However, in the month since he has yet to re-appear on TV without a storyline explanation for his absence from SmackDown.
But the fan favorite does not appear to be injured – having featured in dark matches and house shows in the interim.
Potentially being held from TV due to an upcoming storyline development – it could be that Samoan Werewolf still makes an appearance at Wrestlepalooza in the end.
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4. Nikki Bella
While Wrestlepalooza is set to host the in-ring return of AJ Lee in effort to get her hands on Becky Lynch – Lynch’s last legendary opponent Nikki Bella is not on the card.
After failing to capture the Intercontinental Championship from Lynch at Clash in Paris 2025, Bella hasn’t disappeared entirely.
While Nikki Bella continues to be engaged in some feuds on WWE Raw, including demonstrating her ‘Fearless’ moniker in not being afraid to step up to Asuka – she doesn’t seem set to compete on the ESPN debut.
Likely still in attendance and/or featured in some way, it would make sense for the mainstream name to pop-up as was the case when she was in a backstage ad segment with at SummerSlam where she delivered pizza to the locker room.
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3. Randy Orton
In Cody Rhodes’ recent absence, his fiery feud with upcoming opponent was kept burning on WWE TV by Randy Orton.
While Randy Orton has been feuding with Drew McIntyre in Rhodes’ absence, he is not officially featured on the card for Wrestlepalooza.
Since he is such a recognizable star for current and lapsed fans alike, it would make total sense to see him participate in some way at the inaugural ESPN event.
Potentially making a surprise interference in the match – Orton could end up having a major moment despite not being officially on the card.
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2. GUNTHER
One top name that fans would have expected to see make an appearance on the inaugural PLE on ESPN is GUNTHER.
However, after losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk at SummerSlam 2025, GUNTHER has yet to return to WWE action.
Instead on the next night’s WWE Raw, it was announced that the Ring General was out of action “indefinitely” related to having suffered a “septal hematoma and orbital blowout fracture” at SummerSlam.
Although whether or not GUNTHER may make a surprise return remains to be seen as it has been reported while he was dealing with a legitimate nose issue, he was expected to return.
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1. Rey Fenix
Rey Fenix was starting to find some stride in a SmackDown tag team with Andrade including seeming poised for a future title shot.
With the Wyatt Sicks making an appearance in AAA while continuing to hold the WWE Tag Team Championship, reports of Rey Fenix and Andrade being set for a big storyline made sense.
Instead another potential chapter in the Sicks story will remain unwritten after Andrade was released by WWE.
With reports that there were creative plans derailed by the departure, we’ll have to stay tuned to see what is next for Rey Fenix.
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