Why Cody Rhodes’ WWE Undisputed Championship Match Is The Main Event of WrestlePalooza

WWE WrestlePalooza is finally here, marking the official kickoff of the ESPN era. The show is stacked from top to bottom, but it’s the main event decision that has everyone talking.

According to Fightful Select, the reason Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre are headlining over John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar is simple—ESPN wanted the pomp and circumstance of a major title match closing out the show.

“We’re told that the decision to have Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre to main event was because ESPN wanted something with the pomp and circumstance of a big title match headlining.”

Cody will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in what has become one of the most heated rivalries in recent months. McIntyre has had the upper hand more than once, but the stakes rise even higher with ESPN wanting the first WWE main event under their banner to have the prestige of a championship showcase.

Elsewhere on the card, John Cena will battle Brock Lesnar in a grudge match, CM Punk and AJ Lee team against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, IYO SKY faces Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship, and The Usos take on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. It’s a loaded night of action, but all eyes will be on whether Cody Rhodes can deliver as the face of WWE on ESPN’s biggest stage.

WWE WrestlePalooza takes place tonight at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, streaming live on the ESPN app in the U.S. and Netflix internationally.

 Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our Wrestlepalooza coverage hub.