Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
ESPN2 debuted a "Road to WWE WrestlePalooza" special this afternoon.
The special opened with a big video package on the relationship between the two companies with comments from Paul Levesque, Shawn Michaels and Liv Morgan putting over the partnership. Paul Levesque said that no one does spectacle like WWE does but the difference will be the power ESPN brings.
Peter Rosenberg, Big E and NBA star Tyrese Haliburton were outside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse discussing the show. I am told this is airing live. There were maybe 12 fans in the background.
They showed clips of Haliburton involved at Raw in Madison Square Garden earlier this year. He said he was a heel in NYC.
They ran down the lineup for the WrestlePalooza event.
They ran a video package on John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, starting with their beginnings at Ohio Valley Wrestling. They are focusing on the sports aspect of their background. They showcased their debuts and how Lesnar shot to the top while Cena had to recalibrate after early struggles. They recapped their initial rivalry and how Cena ascended to the top while Brock walked out of the company in 2004.'
The panelists discussed Brock and Cena memories and talked up Lesnar's insane athleticism. They discussed path Cena-Lesnar matches. They showed footage of Lesnar vs. Cena at Summerslam 2014 where Lesnar steamrolled him.
The discussion moved on to CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. They aired a video package on the return of AJ Lee. CM Punk replaced Haliburton on the panel. They noted he's been back for two years as of November. Punk joked he could crash out at anytime. The return of his wife was a perfect night in his opinion. It needed to happen in Chicago and it was perfect. Big E said that if he was ever asked if she was ever returning, his opinion was a resounding no as she had moved on and had a great writing and producing career. Punk said he never asked her about it and they never watched wrestling together. She was so busy with everything else, he just assumed after ten years, it'll never happen because she's so busy. Timing is everything.
Punk said when they were gone, they weren't waiting for a phone call. Life happens and they weren't knocking on the door to come back. Sometimes things happen. He was on a flight and Jason Jordan sat next to him and he met Liv Morgan, which led to Bayley texting him. His wife basically said she has this time and told him to book ideas and he told her some ideas and she didn't say no. Punk said that he felt that the door was open for her to come back and do anything, like an ambassador like Big E, who Punk said does excellent work.
Punk said he didn't really envision things going this way. He talked up the mixed tag match. He said people can be sick of him and Seth Rollins fighting and being divas, going back and forth but you throw in two bad-ass women into the mix and it gets a lot more interesting. Punk was asked if Rollins is climbing on the list of all time rivals. Punk said they are in the trash talking business. He doesn't want to have lunch with or tag with the guy and feels it will never end.
They pivoted to discussion of Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre. They aired a video package. Haliburton was back for the discussion. He said he wants to see Drew McIntyre get back to the top and wants to see him win. Big E noted they came to the main roster at young ages, stalled and left to come back as better versions of themselves. They all noted that Drew's title run doesn't get the attention or respect that it deserved because it happened during the COVID era. Big E said that he was finally able to win a title at Wrestlemania 40 but Punk took it away. He's gotten to the top of the mountain twice but each time, it wasn't what he wanted it to be.
Haliburton said that when Cody wrestled Seth with the pectoral tear, that was the moment he knew Cody was the man. Big E said that as someone who tore his pec himself, he doesn't know how Cody had that match. He said Cody pulled the best out of John Cena at Summerslam. Rosenberg said that fans returning to WWE for WrestlePalooza should look at the Seth match. All three predicted a Cody win.
IYO SKY joined Rosenberg and Big E to discuss her bout with Stephanie Vaquer. E asked her thoughts on how the fans have reacted to her. IYO said when fans do her pointing with her, it gives her confidence and makes her so happy. It makes everything bigger for her. Wrestlemania 41 was her most memorable moment so far. Walking in and walking out as champion made her so honored. She was able to perform and do it in front of her family and that makes her happiest.
They asked about Stephanie Vaquer and IYO's mindset. They've had two singles matches on TV. SKY said she knows her moves but Vaquer knows her as well. That makes it harder and more of a challenge but they can make something special in the ring.
They aired a great video package on Stephanie Vaquer.
The panelists discussed Vaquer. Big E was impressed by how quickly she made her way through NXT to the main roster. Haliburton said her double title win was the moment he became impressed. This has an incredible rookie year for her. Haliburton loves IYO and the energy she brings. Big E said IYO brings a grittiness that people sometimes discounts. She's battle tested. Rosenberg predicted Vaquer while Haliburton and E predicted IYO.
Jimmy and Jey Uso joined Rosenberg and E. Jey said he's excited that The Usos are back together. E said he's always enjoyed the evolution of The Usos and asked him what to expect and what would be different now. Jimmy said Jey has the hottest entrance in the game, saying it's bigger than The Undertaker or The Rock. They are present and they are having fun. Jey said Jimmy deserves a World title and believes it will happen in the next year or two. Big E slid into storyline mode, asking about their recent communication issues. They played up they are ready to go. Haliburton returned for a big YEET.
They are back talking Cena vs. Lesnar to close out the special. They talked about Lesnar returning and attacking Cena. Big E said he doesn't look as if he's lost a step at all and could run through Cena again. They talked up the odds favoring Lesnar but that Cena only has four matches left. They talked up the match.
This was exactly what you'd expect from ESPN talking up a big event. Rosenberg was very good as the lead host. Haliburton came off well and you could tell he loves WWE. Big E was great as always. The interviews felt like they were interviews with athletes as opposed to shilling storylines, although obviously there was some hype pushed as well. The video packages were all well done, especially Cena vs. Lesnar.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
