With just two days until WWE’s landmark Wrestlepalooza, the company has confirmed that John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar will open the show. The decision also marks the official launch of WWE’s new partnership with ESPN.
The announcement came from Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show, where he presented the match as the perfect way to usher in a new era. “That fight will be taking place at the top of the show. Kicking off the ESPN-WWE era will be John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar,” McAfee said. “What a way to start the best partnership I have ever seen—and also two GOATs going at it.”
Positioning a blockbuster match at the start of the card highlights the significance of Wrestlepalooza, which will be the first Premium Live Event to stream exclusively on ESPN’s new service, ESPN Unlimited. The move ensures the partnership begins with two of the most recognizable names in wrestling history.
The rest of Saturday’s lineup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is stacked. CM Punk teams with AJ Lee against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team match, while Cody Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre.
Elsewhere on the card, IYO SKY takes on Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant Women’s World Championship, and The Usos continue their rivalry with The Vision’s Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker in tag team action.