Wrestlepalooza, WWE’s recent Premium Live Event (PLE) held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, brought fans a mixed bag of wrestling action and storytelling, leading to various grades for its matches. With notable encounters including John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre, this event was scrutinized for its in-ring performances and overall entertainment quality.
Event Overview
The night kicked off with an anticipated matchup between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, the seventh singles meeting of their storied rivalry. Lesnar decisively pinned Cena, showcasing his dominance. In a moment of excitement for the women’s division, Stephanie Vaquer captured the Women’s World Championship by defeating Iyo Sky in what many consider the standout match of the evening. The card also saw the return of AJ Lee, competing alongside CM Punk in a mixed tag team match against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
Match Grades and Analysis
Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Grade: B+
This match delivered on multiple fronts, showcasing exceptional wrestling skills from both competitors. The early exchanges felt like a tactical battle, filled with counters and strategic maneuvers. Vaquer’s focus on Sky’s knee became a pivotal storyline, which intensified the match’s drama. Sky’s impressive comeback attempts, especially her avalanche Spanish Fly, had the audience on the edge of their seats. The finish, where Vaquer executed a Spinal Tap after evading Sky’s final maneuver, solidified a worthy championship bout, making it a must-see for fans.
Tag Team Match: The Usos vs. The Vision
Grade: C
While this match featured high-profile competitors like AJ Lee, CM Punk, and The Usos, it fell flat compared to expectations. The first half was sluggish, with a focus on the special guest referee’s allowance of weapons, which didn’t translate into captivating wrestling. Although the action picked up towards the end, the interruptions and a concerning injury to Jey Uso disrupted the flow. The end sequence, featuring a table spot and a pinfall, did not resonate as strongly as anticipated, placing this match firmly in average territory.
Mixed Tag Team Match: CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch
Grade: C
The complexities that come with mixed tag matches were apparent here. The first half was dominated by Rollins and Lynch trying to isolate Lee. However, once the action shifted in a chaotic manner, nostalgia powered the match, highlighting Lee’s return. The lengthy runtime and chaotic circumstances may have diluted the experience for some viewers, but moments of inventive offense kept the match somewhat engaging. Lee’s triumphant return and high-energy submissions were notable highlights, yet the overall execution felt disjointed.
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
Grade: C
In what was expected to be a climactic main event, Rhodes and McIntyre delivered a surprisingly brief contest. The brevity, coupled with a storyline element of Rhodes being compromised due to a head injury, made the match feel rushed. McIntyre’s injury mid-match further derailed any build-up, leading to a somewhat anti-climactic finish with Rhodes scoring the pinfall. While the championship stakes were significant, the presentation felt lacking compared to what one would hope for in a PLE headliner.
Singles Match: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Grade: C-
Cena and Lesnar’s encounter embodied what fans have come to expect—a display of Lesnar’s raw power. With a runtime of only nine minutes, the match felt more like a setup for a future encounter than a definitive clash. Lesnar’s physicality dominated much of the bout, with Cena making brief recoveries before being overwhelmed again. The minimal move variation and brevity left many fans feeling unfulfilled, generating skepticism about the rivalry’s direction.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Wrestlepalooza’s overall grade lands at C. The stellar performance from Vaquer and Sky was the shining beacon of the event, providing a much-needed highlight amidst a string of underwhelming and structurally flawed matches. The night was marked by setups for future feuds—most notably between Cena and Lesnar—hinting that the journey may be more memorable than the destination.
The hype surrounding Wrestlepalooza promised more epic moments but fell short in delivering cohesive storytelling and more compelling in-ring action throughout the card. As WWE continues to evolve through its Premium Live Events, it will need to address these inconsistencies to meet the expectations of its dedicated fanbase. Wrestlepalooza may not have delivered the knockout blows fans desired, but it certainly added chapters to ongoing narratives that will likely play out in the weeks to come.
