With WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 coming up this weekend, the premium live event debut on ESPN has seen bouts canceled.
There are several matches that seemed like they could come together for WWE Wrestlepalooza that have ended up scrapped in the end.
Here are six WWE Wrestlepalooza matches that seemed the be coming together before being canceled.
6. Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. The Vision
With WWE set to host the first premium live event on ESPN’s streaming service Wrestlepalooza – it seemed likely that there would be some big name bouts.
One that seemed close to coming together would be the reunion of Roman Reigns with both Jimmy and Jey Uso to take on Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
Instead, Roman Reigns was written off of WWE TV by a vicious attack from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed – leading to the official reunion of The Usos who have continued to battle the Vision.
Wrestlepalooza is set to instead host a tag team match featuring the reunited Usos taking on the Vision while Seth Rollins remains otherwise occupied…
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5. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
After CM Punk captured the WWE World Championship from GUNTHER at SummerSlam, his celebration was extremely short-lived as Seth Rollins would cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and take the title from him.
With the feud continuing, it initially seemed as though it would be Punk vs. Rollins at Wrestlepalooza – instead there has been a massive swerve in the interim.
After having an on-screen confrontation with Becky Lynch during which she repeatedly slapped Punk, the disrespect seemingly summoned the unthinkable. AJ Lee made her return to WWE after being out of the company for over a decade.
Turning what fans expected to be a singles bout for the WWE World Championship into a massive mixed tag match – Wrestlepalooza will see the team of AJ Lee and CM Punk taking on Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
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4. Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley
On the September 15 edition of WWE Raw on Netflix, Bayley made a surprise return but it wasn’t to attack Lyra Valkyria, rather Bayley ran out to fend off Judgment Day from attacking Valkyria.
Bayley’s latest character remained a fascinating mystery throughout the show – appearing in the ring and after in a way that was clearly portraying her past babyface Hugger Bayley character.
But later in a backstage segment when Valkyria attempted to approach Bayley in her private locker room – she was met with the rage and insults of ‘Idiot!’ from the heel Ding Dong Hello era Bayley instead.
Potentially going one-on-one or joining up in a tag team – it remains to be seen what is next for Bayley and Lyra but it won’t end up being a match at Wrestlepalooza.
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3. Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
With Drew McIntyre having bested Randy Orton on the September 12 edition of SmackDown, he was primed for a Claymore to Orton – until he was stopped by a returning Cody Rhodes.
With Rhodes proclaiming that he would see McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza, the match was seemingly confirmed.
While there could always be a change made on the SmackDown before WrestlePalooza to insert Orton into the bout – it seems rather unlikely at this late stage.
Leaving Randy Orton off the card for the debut of WWE on ESPN seems unfortunate but there could always be an appearance the Viper – perhaps with a shocking heel turn!
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2. Jey Uso vs. LA Knight
At WWE Clash in Paris 2025, the main event featured a chaotic Fatal 4-Way for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship that featured challengers CM Punk, Jey Uso and LA Knight.
While the final of the bout ended up being Rollins pinning Punk after a low blow from Becky Lynch – there was still simmering tension between Jey Uso and LA Knight.
With the pair continuing to have conflict in recent weeks – including a spear from Uso to Knight and then Knight subsequently returning the favor with a BFT on the September 15 edition of WWE Raw, it seems unlikely their rivalry has come to an end entirely.
However the battle of the fan favorites will continue to wait as Wrestlepalooza is set to instead host a tag team match featuring the reunited Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) taking on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
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1. John Cena vs. AJ Styles
With only so many appearances left from John Cena in WWE, there doesn’t seem to be a clear way for him to face-off against all of fans’ dream opponents for this farewell tour.
One name that Cena himself noted as an opponent he wanted to face on this retirement run was AJ Styles.
While the storylines and/or timing didn’t seem to come together – instead Cena will accept the challenge laid down by the returning Brock Lesnar for Wrestlepalooza.
Explaining his rationale, John Cena appeared on the September 15 edition of WWE Raw to confirm that he did plan to face Lesnar because as the ‘Last Real Champion’ – he won’t back down from a fight, for the fans. With fans still pretty invested in seeing Cena vs. Styles, perhaps it can come together somehow in the end.
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