Wrestling Arena News

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes Confirmed for WrestlePalooza 2025; Jey Uso Heel Turn Rumors and Triple H’s Impact Explored

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes Confirmed for WrestlePalooza 2025; Jey Uso Heel Turn Rumors and Triple H’s Impact Explored

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is officially confirmed to appear at WrestlePalooza 2025 on September 20, ending weeks of speculation about his status. Meanwhile, backstage rumors swirl around a potential heel turn for Jey Uso, and the ongoing influence of WWE Executive Triple H continues to shape the company’s narrative and future direction.

Cody Rhodes’ Return Confirmed Ahead of WrestlePalooza

After a brief hiatus from WWE programming due to filming his role as Guile in the upcoming Street Fighter movie in Australia, Cody Rhodes is set to return in full force. The confirmation came from WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he assured fans that Rhodes would be part of the premium live event at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana[5].

This update is significant as there had been uncertainty about whether Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, could make it back in time for the September 20 show. Initially, reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter and other outlets had listed his participation as unknown[2]. However, respected insider Dave Meltzer later confirmed on the Wrestling Observer Radio podcast that Rhodes would not only return but is expected to defend his WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre, who had previously sidelined him[1].

WrestlePalooza 2025 is slated to be a major event for WWE, especially as it marks the company’s first Premium Live Event (PLE) to premiere on ESPN’s new streaming app. The company has strategically scheduled WrestlePalooza to avoid clashing directly with AEW’s All Out pay-per-view by moving AEW’s start time to 3 PM ET, underscoring WWE’s confidence in this high-profile show. Rhodes’ appearance adds significant star power, especially considering the intensity of his storyline with McIntyre[1][3].

WrestlePalooza 2025: Star-Studded Card and Return Highlights

Beyond Cody Rhodes, WrestlePalooza’s card features several highly anticipated returns and marquee matchups. Brock Lesnar, fresh from his shocking SummerSlam attack on John Cena, will face the 17-time world champion at the event. AJ Lee, who has been absent from WWE programming for some time, is set to team with CM Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins in a mixed tag team bout, adding star-studded intrigue to the show[3].

The women’s division will also be highlighted with Stephanie Vaquer challenging IYO SKY for the vacant Women’s World Championship. The recently reunited Usos will take on The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, continuing their storyline while further raising the stakes at WrestlePalooza[3].

Jey Uso Heel Turn Rumors Gain Momentum

In addition to the confirmed news on Cody Rhodes, WWE insider and multiple sources close to the company report that Jey Uso may be poised for a heel turn in upcoming storylines. This shift would mark a significant character evolution for Uso, a long-time face and integral part of The Bloodline faction alongside his brother, Jimmy Uso, and Roman Reigns.

Speculation around this development first gained traction following recent storyline tensions within The Bloodline faction. Wrestling journalists and podcasts analyzing WWE’s creative direction suggest that turning Jey into a villain could inject fresh dynamics into the faction’s internal drama and open new feud possibilities[5].

Sources close to WWE have noted that a heel Jey Uso could rival Roman Reigns’ dominance or possibly set up inter-family conflict, likely elevating the drama heading into WrestlePalooza and beyond. However, as of the current date, no official confirmation has been made by WWE on this angle, leaving fans and insiders alike eager for developments[5].

Triple H’s Pivotal Role in WWE’s Evolution

Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s recent media appearances and strategic decisions further underscore his pivotal role in shaping WWE’s current landscape. Beyond confirming Cody Rhodes’ status, Triple H has been instrumental in transitioning WWE through key creative shifts post-SummerSlam. His multifaceted influence ranges from talent development in NXT to high-level storytelling decisions impacting main roster programs and pay-per-views[5].

WWE recently released a 75-minute video chronicling Triple H’s iconic career and his ongoing contributions behind the scenes, reaffirming his legacy and current position as both a legend in the ring and an executive visionary. This documentary-type video exemplifies WWE’s brand-building approach around his persona and leadership[5].

Industry insiders see Triple H as central to WWE’s attempts to blend star power with compelling storytelling, especially in high-profile events like WrestlePalooza. His presence in public forums, such as The Pat McAfee Show, signals WWE’s intent to maintain a direct connection with fans while bolstering anticipation for upcoming mega-events[5].

Summary

  • Cody Rhodes is confirmed to defend the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre at WrestlePalooza on September 20, 2025, ending previous speculation about his status due to movie filming commitments[1][5].

  • WrestlePalooza’s card is stacked with major returns including Brock Lesnar, AJ Lee, and The Usos, promising an exciting night of matches[3].

  • Jey Uso heel turn rumors are gaining traction backstage as WWE plans potential creative shifts for the faction-driven storylines involving The Bloodline[5].

  • Triple H continues to play a crucial role as WWE’s executive and creative force, supporting the brand’s evolution and talent direction, highlighted by his recent media appearances and WWE’s commemorative video on his career[5].

As WWE WrestlePalooza approaches, fans can expect a blend of cinematic storytelling, star-studded action, and evolving character arcs that underscore WWE’s commitment to delivering compelling entertainment. Sources close to WWE and insiders like Dave Meltzer and Paul Levesque have confirmed these developments, building significant momentum heading into one of WWE’s most exciting shows this year.

Reported by a WWE insider and wrestling news outlets PWMania, Wrestling Headlines, Sportskeeda, and confirmed by Triple H on The Pat McAfee Show.