Wrestlepalooza 2025 is not simply turning out to be the largest September show of WWE, it is a complete media show that is cutting new grounds in the ring and on the broadcasting stage. Athlon Sports has already ascertained that NBA star Tyrese Haliburton and actor-musician O Shea Jackson Jr. will feature prominently in ESPN coverage, bringing new eyes and mainstream star appeal to wrestling.
ESPN Wrestlepalooza Special, Inc.
ESPN stated that it will broadcast a special preview of Wrestlepalooza during the 3-4 p.m. ET hour on Friday, September 19, on ESPN2 and the ESPN App. Hosted by Peter Rosenberg, the show will feature guest analyst Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Having had a high basketball IQ and charismatic appearance, Haliburton is set to commentate in WWE which offers a different perspective of the drama and athleticism of pro wrestling.
Road to Wrestlepalooza Pre Show.
On a Saturday, September 20, 3-5 p.m. ET, ESPN will create a live pre-event show, Road to Wrestlepalooza 2019, which will be available on YouTube, ESPN social media, and the ESPN App. O’Shea Jackson Jr., the son of hip-hop icon Ice Cube, will co-host this on-site show alongside his co-host in the No Contest Wrestling podcast, TJ Jefferson.
There will be ESPN personalities and WWE Superstars involved in the two-hour show, which will entertain, analyse, and will involve the fans in a manner that establishes Wrestlepalooza as a real cultural event.
The Headliner: Wrestlepalooza 2025 Match Card.
The in-ring action is, as usual, the point of interest. The current lineup includes:
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre WWE Championship.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer -Women’s World Championship.
AJ Lee and CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch- Mixed Tag Team Matches.
The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed)
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Streaming: ESPN (USA), Netflix (outside the country).
Stadium: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (purchase tickets)
My Take
The level of coverage that ESPN is placing on Wrestlepalooza 2025 is beyond the norm. The network is also changing this WWE mega-event to a cross-platform cultural show by hiring Haliburton and Jackson Jr. Such practice indicates the manner in which professional wrestling has established itself as a mainstream phenomenon, as opposed to being a niche entertainment.
Days have passed when WWE pay-per-views appeared without much outside publicity. Today, Wrestlepalooza is accompanied by hours of pre-shows, crossover, and streaming globally, which highlights the increased role of wrestling in sport and entertainment. To both old fans and new ones, Wrestlepalooza 2025 is a new dawn where people no longer watch WWE but experience it.
