WWE ESPN2 WrestlePalooza Recap, Highlights and Key Moments for September 19, 2025

The show opened with a video package about WWE’s partnership with ESPN, featuring comments from Paul Levesque, Shawn Michaels, and Liv Morgan. Levesque said WWE delivers unmatched spectacle, but ESPN adds major power to the mix.

Outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Peter Rosenberg, Big E, and NBA star Tyrese Haliburton hosted with about a dozen fans watching. They showed clips of Haliburton’s Raw appearance at Madison Square Garden, where he joked about being a heel in New York.

The panel went over the WrestlePalooza lineup, including a deep dive into John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar. They focused on their Ohio Valley Wrestling roots, early career paths, and how Lesnar skyrocketed to the top while Cena had to regroup after setbacks. They revisited their rivalry, Lesnar’s 2004 exit, and classic matches—showing footage from SummerSlam 2014 when Lesnar dominated Cena.

The group also shared memories of both stars, praising Lesnar’s athleticism and discussing their past battles.

The special then shifted to the mixed tag match with CM Punk and AJ Lee taking on Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins.

They aired a video package for AJ Lee’s return. CM Punk filled in for Haliburton on the panel. They noted Punk will hit two years back in November. Punk joked he could crash out anytime, but said having his wife return made it a perfect night, especially in Chicago.

Big E admitted he always thought AJ was done with wrestling since she built a strong career in writing and producing. Punk added that he never asked her about coming back because they never even watched wrestling together—she was busy, and after ten years he assumed it would never happen. But timing lined up.

Punk said they weren’t waiting by the phone during their time away. Life just moved on until small things started happening—like Jason Jordan sitting next to him on a flight, meeting Liv Morgan, and Bayley texting him. AJ finally had some time, asked Punk for ideas, and didn’t say no. That’s when he knew the door was open for her to return, whether in the ring or even in an ambassador role like Big E.

He admitted he didn’t picture things turning out this way but praised the mixed tag match setup, saying adding AJ and another star into the mix with him and Seth Rollins makes it much more interesting. Asked if Rollins ranks high as a rival, Punk said they’re in the trash-talking business and he has no interest in hanging out with him.

From there, the panel shifted to Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre. They aired a video package before Haliburton rejoined the panel. He said he wants Drew McIntyre back on top and hopes to see him win again. Big E pointed out that both he and McIntyre joined the main roster young, stalled, left, and returned as stronger performers.

The panel agreed McIntyre’s title run hasn’t gotten the respect it deserved because it happened during the COVID era. Big E added that while he finally won a title at WrestleMania 40, Punk took it from him. McIntyre has reached the top twice, but both times it didn’t turn out the way he wanted.

Haliburton said that when Cody Rhodes wrestled Seth Rollins with a torn pec, that was the moment he knew Cody was the real deal. Big E, who tore his pec before, admitted he couldn’t understand how Cody managed that match. He added that Cody even brought the best out of John Cena at WrestleMania. Rosenberg told fans heading into WrestlePalooza to remember that Seth match, and all three predicted Cody would win.

IYO SKY later joined Rosenberg and Big E to talk about her match with Stephanie Vaquer. When asked about the fans, IYO said that when they point along with her, it gives her confidence and makes her so happy. She called WrestleMania 41 her most memorable moment because she walked in and out as champion in front of her family, which made her proud.

Asked about facing Vaquer, IYO said they’ve had two singles matches already. She knows Vaquer’s moves, but Vaquer also knows hers, which makes it tougher but also a chance to create something special in the ring. They aired a strong video package on Stephanie Vaquer before the panel discussed her rise. Big E said he was impressed by how quickly she moved from NXT to the main roster. Haliburton noted her double title win was the moment she really caught his attention, calling it an incredible rookie year.

Haliburton also praised IYO SKY and the energy she brings, while Big E said IYO’s grittiness is often overlooked since she’s already proven herself in tough battles. When it came to predictions, Rosenberg picked Vaquer, while Haliburton and Big E sided with IYO.

Jimmy and Jey Uso joined Rosenberg and Big E. Jey said he’s excited to have The Usos back together again. Big E praised their evolution over the years and asked what fans could expect this time around. Jimmy said Jey has the hottest entrance in wrestling, calling it bigger than The Undertaker or The Rock. He added that they’re focused on being present and having fun.

“I thought this entrance would never get bigger than The Undertaker, I said it. I never thought this entrance would be bigger than The Rock, I said it.”

Jey said he thinks Jimmy deserves a World Title and believes it will happen within the next couple of years. Big E joked in storyline about their communication issues, but both brothers made it clear they’re ready. Haliburton jumped in with a big “YEET.”

The show wrapped up with talk about Cena vs. Lesnar. They mentioned Lesnar’s return attack on Cena and how he looks like he hasn’t slowed down, with Big E saying Lesnar could easily run through him again. They noted the odds are in Lesnar’s favor, but Cena only has four matches left, making it feel bigger.