REPORT: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena Headlining WWE’s September Premium Live Event Set to Clash with AEW All Out

pranithkumarkanna@gmail.com|Modified on Aug 12, 2025, 15:22 GMT

WWE is gearing up for a high-stakes head-to-head battle with AEW this September as it plans a premium live event (PLE) on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring a blockbuster main event: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena. This newly revealed showdown will run simultaneously with AEW’s All Out pay-per-view, marking a significant moment in professional wrestling’s ongoing competition between the two major promotions.

According to multiple wrestling news outlets and insider reports—including a detailed account from POST Wrestling and confirmations on Wrestling Observer Radio by Dave Meltzer—WWE has officially scheduled this PLE on the same night as AEW’s All Out event, which will take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada[1][2][3][4]. This is the first time a WWE main roster premium live event will directly compete against an AEW pay-per-view broadcast, amplifying the tension between the companies and giving fans a difficult choice for their wrestling entertainment.

WWE’s Strategic Counter-Programming Move

This latest move represents WWE’s strategic escalation to counter-program AEW’s major shows. WWE previously only scheduled NXT brand premium live events opposite AEW shows like Double or Nothing, All In Texas, and Forbidden Door earlier this year. However, this marks a new chapter where WWE’s main roster PLE directly challenges AEW’s flagship event on a primetime Saturday night, a tactic aimed at regaining supremacy in pay-per-view viewership and market share[3][4].

The event location, Indianapolis, ties into WWE’s ongoing multi-year partnership with Indiana Sports Corp, established in 2024, which already brought the 2025 Royal Rumble to the city and includes plans for future WrestleMania and SummerSlam shows there. This partnership adds an extra layer of significance to the upcoming event[3].

The Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena Match: A Dream Main Event

The centerpiece of WWE’s September PLE is undoubtedly the Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena match. Two of WWE’s biggest, most iconic superstars, Lesnar and Cena, have never headlined a large-scale pay-per-view in recent memory despite both being central figures in WWE’s history over the past 15 years. Sources close to WWE disclosed that the match is being positioned as the ultimate clash to entice undecided wrestling fans and draw a large viewership to WWE’s event given its direct competition with AEW[reference article][3].

Both superstars carry immense star power:

Brock Lesnar, often referred to as “The Beast Incarnate,” is known for his wild dynamic of MMA credentials combined with WWE dominance, frequently headlining major events such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam.
John Cena, the face of WWE for over a decade, has recently been making more frequent appearances and remains a massive crowd favorite with broad mainstream crossover appeal.

Backstage sources revealed to Fightful that WWE executives believe this match can generate enough buzz to challenge AEW’s star-studded lineup at All Out, which features some of AEW’s own top performers[4]. One insider commented, “Bringing Lesnar and Cena together for this event is a power move by WWE — they want to send a clear message that they’re here to compete head-on in the current wrestling landscape.”

AEW All Out: The Competition

AEW’s All Out pay-per-view in 2025, held at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, is one of the company’s biggest annual shows, featuring marquee talent and storylines that have garnered significant fan enthusiasm and media attention. With both promotions scheduling top-tier events for the same night, wrestling fans are anticipating an intense battle for viewership and live attendance[2][3].

Tony Khan, AEW’s President, has previously commented on WWE’s counter-programming strategies, stating he remains unbothered and confident in AEW’s strong fanbase and event quality. However, this face-off signifies unprecedented direct competition between the companies on the same night involving their biggest current names[4].

Scheduling and Broadcast Details

While the exact start time for WWE’s premium live event remains unconfirmed, AEW’s All Out is slated to begin its broadcast at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. It remains to be seen if WWE will attempt to offset their start time to maximize viewership or compete simultaneously.

WWE has scheduled SmackDown on September 19 in Toledo, Ohio, and Raw on September 22 in Evansville, Indiana. The September 20 PLE will fit strategically between these shows to capitalize on fan interest and maintain momentum during a packed weekend of wrestling action[3].

What This Means for Wrestling Fans

Wrestling fans now face a unique dilemma: choosing between two competing premium live events headlined by some of the biggest names in the industry. Whether fans preference leans toward the hard-hitting, star-driven spectacle of WWE’s Lesnar vs. Cena or AEW’s vibrant roster and storytelling at All Out, September 20 will be a landmark night.

Industry analysts suggest this ongoing battle is good for wrestling overall, as it pushes both companies to elevate their product and innovate in their storytelling and event presentation.

Looking Ahead

WWE’s September 20 PLE is poised to be a historic event due to the sheer magnitude of the Lesnar-Cena rivalry and the company’s direct showdown with AEW’s All Out. Wrestling News spoke with several sources involved in WWE’s planning, confirming the promotion’s confidence in Lesnar vs. Cena as the key attraction to win over neutral viewers and longtime fans alike.

Fans should expect both WWE and AEW to ramp up promotional efforts and perhaps even see surprise appearances or special stipulations added to heighten the intrigue as the event date approaches.

As POST Wrestling’s John Pollock summarized, “This is WWE’s boldest move this year to reassert themselves in the crowded wrestling market — booking two legends against each other on the exact night AEW’s signature pay-per-view goes live. The fallout of this will be fascinating to watch come September”[3].

Sources: POST Wrestling, Wrestling Observer Radio (Dave Meltzer), Fightful, WWE.com, The Sportster

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