WWE is gearing up for an electrifying weekend with the inaugural Wrestlepalooza event under its banner, set for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As part of ESPN’s debut as WWE’s premium live event platform partner in the U.S., the company is planning an extensive ESPN Week media campaign to promote this highly anticipated show. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, multiple top WWE superstars, including Natalya, are expanding their presence in Mexico’s AAA promotion, signaling a new collaborative strategy. Adding more intrigue, an updated status on WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes comes amid his intense storylines leading into Wrestlepalooza[1][3][6].

WWE Wrestlepalooza Debut and ESPN Week Promotion

Marking WWE’s first-ever Wrestlepalooza event since acquiring the ECW assets in 2003, this 2025 edition promises fresh excitement combined with historic resonance. The event features high-profile matches across Raw and SmackDown rosters, including prominent appearances by John Cena and Brock Lesnar in a main event encounter that is fueling massive fan interest, as confirmed on WWE.com and supported by wrestling news outlets.

ESPN is set to hold a media conference call this week, kicking off what is being called “ESPN Week,” a series of integrated promotional efforts highlighting Wrestlepalooza and WWE’s expanding partnership with the sports network. WWE officials and ESPN representatives will share insights about the event’s significance and what fans can expect from this new distribution and broadcasting model impacting future premium WWE live events[3][4].

Sources close to WWE reveal this campaign is sophisticated and multi-platform, aiming to attract both longtime wrestling fans and new audiences through ESPN’s mainstream sports reach. This media effort will include talent interviews, behind-the-scenes features, and digital content leading up to the big night[3].

WWE Talent Working Regularly in AAA – Natalya and Others Join Forces

One of the intriguing backstage developments is WWE’s increasing exchange with Mexico’s top wrestling promotion, AAA. According to insiders and Fightful reports, Natalya will be a regular performer in AAA following a successful stint at the WWE x AAA Worlds Collide special. This crossover is part of a strategic plan to bolster talent visibility and foster international wrestling partnerships.

Sources close to these arrangements indicate that several other top WWE stars will also work in AAA on a regular basis. This collaboration aims to create compelling storylines and cross-promotional events that benefit both WWE’s American audience and AAA’s vibrant Latin American fanbase. Industry insiders suggest this could become a recurring model, opening doors for wider exposure and diverse wrestling styles to influence WWE programming[2].

Cody Rhodes Update: Championship Pursuits and Wrestlepalooza Feud

Cody Rhodes remains at the center of major WWE storylines as Wrestlepalooza approaches. Most recently on the September 12 episode of SmackDown, Rhodes made a dramatic return to assist Randy Orton against Drew McIntyre’s Claymore Kick assault, setting the stage for a high-stakes title match confirmed for Wrestlepalooza[1].

According to backstage reports and episodes analyzed on wrestling podcasts like Wrestling Observer Radio, Rhodes has been deeply involved in creative directions that highlight his status as Undisputed WWE Champion. His ongoing feud with McIntyre is portrayed as intensely personal, with physical confrontations and verbal exchanges escalating week by week, drawing strong crowd reactions and media buzz.

WWE insiders reveal that Rhodes’s push is a top priority heading into Wrestlepalooza, where he is expected to deliver a career-defining performance. Fans and analysts alike anticipate that this match will not only showcase Rhodes’s in-ring skill but also advance his narrative arc within WWE’s premium event calendar[1][2].

Highlight Matches and Talent at Wrestlepalooza

Wrestlepalooza 2025 boasts a star-studded card, featuring dream matches and surprise returns including:

• John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: Cena’s final Wrestlepalooza in-ring appearance before his planned wrestling retirement at year-end, facing off against Lesnar, returning to action after a significant hiatus[1].
• CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch Mixed Tag Team Match: AJ Lee’s WWE return after over a decade adds emotional stakes to a heated rivalry with Rollins and Lynch, who hold women’s titles, building on dramatic confrontations from SummerSlam and Clash in Paris[2][5].
• The Usos: Returning to tag team competition on a PPV, adding excitement to the tag division and delighting fans who’ve followed their journey in WWE[1].

Wrestlepalooza will be available for streaming live on the ESPN app in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally, signaling WWE’s commitment to broad digital distribution and aligning with ESPN’s expanding sports entertainment content portfolio[2][3].

Backstage Buzz and Future Outlook

According to a WWE insider speaking to Wrestling Headlines, the partnership with ESPN is expected to revolutionize WWE’s pay-per-view model in America, with Wrestlepalooza setting a precedent. The insider commented, “ESPN’s involvement brings a new level of legitimacy and audience crossover for WWE premium events. The media push around Wrestlepalooza is just the start of what we hope to be a long and fruitful collaboration.”

Regarding the AAA crossover, sources confirm that WWE sees this as a strategic opportunity to integrate talent and styles, potentially increasing global viewership and providing wrestlers with valuable ring experience in varied environments.

For Cody Rhodes, the insider added, “Expect big things at Wrestlepalooza. Cody is at a career peak, and WWE is positioning him as the centerpiece of their renewed premium event efforts moving forward.”

As Wrestlepalooza 2025 approaches, the wrestling world is buzzing with anticipation. The ESPN Week promotion, the infusion of top WWE stars in AAA, and the ongoing saga of Cody Rhodes ensure that this event will be a landmark in WWE’s evolution and its relationship with fans worldwide. Fans should mark their calendars for September 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse — a night promising unforgettable action and new chapters in wrestling history.