• Real Reason Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre Will Main Event Wrestlepalooza
According to Fightful Select, WWE had always intended to book Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre for Wrestlepalooza and were fully aware of when Cody would be available after finishing work on Street Fighter.
At one stage, there were internal plans for Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena to main event this PLE, but sources made it clear the switch wasn’t due to Brock wanting to leave early, even though that’s something he’s been known to prefer. Lesnar vs. Cena will open tonight’s show at 7 PM ET.
Instead, the choice to go with Rhodes vs. McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event came down to ESPN’s push for “something with the pomp and circumstance” of a marquee championship main event.
• Match Order For Wrestlepalooza Revealed
The first-ever WWE Wrestlepalooza is just a few hours away. The event will mark the beginning of WWE’s partnership with ESPN, the new home of the company’s Premium Live Events in the United States.
Below is the match order for the event, as reported by Bodyslam:
1. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
2. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)
3. Vacant Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
4. AJ Lee & CM Punk vs. Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch & World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins
5. Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
• Possible Role For LA Knight At Wrestlepalooza
The inaugural WWE Wrestlepalooza premium live event will take place in just a few hours at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, with five matches on the card.
In the main event, Cody Rhodes will put the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Drew McIntyre. CM Punk will team up with AJ Lee to face World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch in a Mixed Tag Team Match. Stephanie Vaquer will clash with IYO SKY for the vacant Women’s World Championship.
Additionally, The Usos are set to battle Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, and the night will also feature the final encounter between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, which will kick off the show at 7 PM ET.
PWInsider is reporting that former United States Champion LA Knight is in town for Wrestlepalooza tonight.
In an update, Cory Hays of Bodyslam is reporting that Knight could be the special guest referee for The Usos vs. The Vision tag team match.
