With WWE’s groundbreaking Wrestlepalooza event set to premiere as the first premium live show on ESPN’s DTC platform this September 20, excitement and debate are reaching fever pitch over which bout deserves the main event spotlight. Among the hottest topics circulating is WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry’s recent commentary on the showdown that should close the night. Speaking on the popular podcast Busted Open After Dark, Henry made a compelling case for the Undisputed WWE Championship match between reigning champion Cody Rhodes and challenger Drew McIntyre to headline the card, despite the star power of the John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar clash also penciled in for the event[1].
Wrestlepalooza will feature two blockbuster headline-worthy matches — Cody Rhodes defending his title against Drew McIntyre, a rivalry reignited on WWE SmackDown, and the final one-on-one confrontation between Cena and Lesnar, spotlighting Cena’s ongoing farewell tour[2]. Yet Mark Henry, a respected voice with a storied WWE career and keen eye for the business, argued that Cody Rhodes stands as the company’s current “face” and the most logical main event star.
“It’s hard for me to say that you put Brock before and John Cena before Cody,” Henry commented. “Cody is the guy right now. He’s the guy. He’s on all the banners. John Cena had his run. Brock Lesnar has had his run as the champ. I love that match. I love the fact of what it says and where it’s going, but when you talk about who’s the guy, that’s usually the guy that gets the main event. Cody coming back is a big deal and that’s where I would put him.” He underscored Rhodes’s prominent role leading up to Wrestlepalooza, highlighting his impactful return to SmackDown, where he decisively took out McIntyre with a Cody Cutter as payback for their previous altercation[1].
Sources close to WWE confirmed that Rhodes’s positioning as the top star aligns with the company’s efforts to elevate new generations while respecting iconic veterans. The WWE.com announcements and Fightful reports reflect this dual strategy, stressing the importance of both the fresh title storyline involving Rhodes and McIntyre and the nostalgic final clash of Cena and Lesnar, two legendary figures whose rivalry is capped on one of WWE’s premier platforms[1][2].
Beyond Henry’s analysis, industry insiders believe WWE’s decision to place Rhodes vs. McIntyre in the main event slot will help cement Rhodes’s status as the franchise cornerstone moving forward. The timing is critical, as the company navigates this new era with Wrestlepalooza launching on ESPN’s streaming service — a moment WWE hopes to capitalize on by showcasing its current top talent[1].
Meanwhile, the Cena vs. Lesnar match represents a powerful send-off for Cena, who continues his “retirement tour” following his recent run-ins and the shocking F5 delivered by Lesnar shortly after Rhodes’s title win. Although reverence for these icons remains immense, Henry and many experts agree their final bout is better suited to close the undercard or co-main event, highlighting a respectful but clear passing of the torch[1][2].
Further speculation by Mark Henry on Busted Open After Dark raised questions about Wrestlepalooza’s treatment of the women’s division, reflecting a broader curiosity about how WWE intends to balance spotlight time across divisions in this historic broadcast[4]. As the company refines the card, these backstage perspectives offer insight into the evolving priorities and star-building strategies at WWE.
In the lead-up to Wrestlepalooza, the wrestling world will keenly watch how WWE positions its marquee stars to secure a memorable launch on ESPN DTC, especially given the direct competition with AEW’s All Out pay-per-view also scheduled for the same weekend. Multiple wrestling news outlets confirm that Wrestlepalooza’s official match card remains subject to change, but the headline dispute between Rhodes-McIntyre and Cena-Lesnar is expected to dominate discussions[2].
According to a WWE insider interviewed by Wrestling Inc., “Cody’s return and current WWE Champion status puts him in the spotlight firmly. Brock and Cena’s match is a huge draw, but WWE wants fans to see they’re serious about pushing the new generation — and that starts with making Cody the main event star.”
Fans and pundits will no doubt continue to debate the ideal Wrestlepalooza main event choice, but with Mark Henry’s endorsement and WWE’s evident intentions, Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre is shaping up to be the climactic showdown to close a historic night.
If quoting Mark Henry, please credit “Busted Open After Dark” with h/t Wrestling Inc. for transcriptions.