• Another Return Announced For Wrestlepalooza
Wrestlepalooza is set to take place in Indianapolis on Saturday, September 20th. The event is shaping up to be one of the biggest on WWE’s line-up this year as it will mark the beginning of the company’s broadcasting deal with ESPN.
Triple H recently announced that Pat McAfee will return to WWE programming at Wrestlepalooza. Now, another return has been announced for this major PLE.
On Tuesday morning’s edition of The Pat McAfee Show, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H confirmed that WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will return to be a part of this upcoming premium live event.
The American Nightmare hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since the August 8th episode of SmackDown. He was attacked by Drew McIntyre, so he could be written off TV as he was scheduled to film the upcoming Street Fighter movie.
There are rumors that he will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against The Scottish Warrior at Wrestlepalooza. So far, WWE has officially announced the following matches for Wrestlepalooza:
– Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
– AJ Lee & CM Punk vs. Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch & World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins
– Vacant Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
– The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)
• Reason Behind AJ Styles’ Viral Promo From RAW
During a commercial break on last night’s RAW, AJ Styles cut a promo (which aired on Netflix for viewers outside of USA) and said he feels like somebody doesn’t want him here and has put him in a position where he can’t succeed. AJ said Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are no longer here to have his back, and neither is Michin as she’s on SmackDown.
According to the Wrestling Observer, this was a continuation of the retirement storyline tease that Styles started on Instagram by making a post about how time is running out for his in-ring career:
According to Fightful Select, AJ Styles’ contract with WWE is set to expire around February 2026, which would be just after the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and before WrestleMania 42.
On RAW, Styles defeated El Grande Americano. Another El Grande Americano showed up during the match and tried to interfere, but Dragon Lee took him out.
• WWE Legend Almost Returned To Face John Cena During Retirement Tour
During an interview on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam revealed that he was in talks with WWE about making a return to face John Cena during the 17-time World Champion’s retirement tour.
RVD said there were high chances it was going to happen, but he ended up suffering a double heel fracture in April. Here’s what the ECW Legend said:
“I wanted to be one of the return matches for John Cena and his retirement tour. I was talking to them. There was a lot of interest, without giving away too many details, you know, we were probably going to do it. And then I broke my heels.”
The rivalry between John Cena and Rob Van Dam peaked in 2006 during Cena’s run as WWE Champion. At the time, Cena was the face of WWE, while RVD was beloved by hardcore fans for his ECW roots and unorthodox style.
RVD won the Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 22 and declared he would cash it in not in a surprise fashion, but at ECW One Night Stand 2006, an event symbolizing ECW’s rebellious spirit. The announcement set the stage for a showdown between WWE’s corporate champion and ECW’s cult hero.
On June 11, 2006, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, Cena defended the WWE Championship against RVD in front of a rabid ECW crowd. Fans infamously threw Cena’s shirt back into the ring and relentlessly heckled him.
After chaotic interference – including a surprise assist from Edge – RVD pinned Cena to win the WWE Championship, which was then rebranded as the ECW World Championship the following night.
Also Read: “Wait till you see what I am conspiring to pull off next” – RAW Star
• 2025 WWE Hall of Famer Undergoes Surgery
WWE Hall of Famer The Shockmaster, also known as Tugboat and Typhoon to pro wrestling fans, recently underwent vascular surgery.
The news was shared by former WWF Women’s Champion Leilani Kai on Facebook. She posted:
“Today, my dear friend and wrestling brother Fred Ottman (who fans know as Tugboat, Typhoon, and of course The Shockmaster) is undergoing vascular surgery. Fred has given so much of himself to this business, both in the ring and outside of it. He’s always been larger than life, but what I love most is his heart. He has a way of making everyone around him feel cared for, and that’s something truly special.
I want to ask all of you to please lift Fred and his wife Sheila up in your thoughts and prayers today. Sheila has been right by his side through everything, and I know your love and support will mean the world to both of them. Wishing my friend a safe surgery and a strong recovery. We’re all pulling for you, Fred.”
Typhoon and his late partner John Tenta aka Earthquake (The Natural Disasters) were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this year. They won the WWF Tag Team Titles in 1992.
WWF Old School wishes a speedy recovery to the legend!
