John Cena Headlines First WWE ESPN Event September 20

WWE is accelerating its transition of Premium Live Events from Peacock to ESPN, with the inaugural Wrestlepalooza event scheduled for September 20 in Indianapolis, streaming on ESPN's new direct-to-consumer service. John Cena will headline Wrestlepalooza, facing an opponent he hasn't competed against in over a decade, with Brock Lesnar widely speculated as the likely challenger, marking a major throwback match that also counters AEW's All Out event happening the same night. This event, featuring top stars like Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, and Drew McIntyre, represents the first under WWE's $1.6 billion five-year deal with ESPN, which began earlier than initially planned. Cena reportedly has 11 WWE appearances left before his retirement, with his final match rumored to take place on December 13 as a Saturday Night's Main Event special on Peacock, though WWE has yet to confirm this. Wrestlepalooza and subsequent events like Crown Jewel and Survivor Series will cement WWE's presence on ESPN platforms, signaling a significant shift in the company's broadcasting strategy. The move also highlights WWE's tactical programming to compete directly with AEW by scheduling marquee matches head-to-head with rival promotions.