The latest WWE pay-per-view features five matches including an Undisputed title match and the return of AJ Lee. Let’s get started with the top match of the show:
Undisputed WWE Championship match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
It’s strange because I do think that there’s more mileage on putting the title on Drew. Fresher opponents (well, somewhat). Fresher stories. And just a new life into the Smackdown main event scene. But Cody just isn’t losing this. Not without feuding with Randy Orton first. I wouldn’t be surprised if that didn’t kick off until WrestleMania season.
But that does leave the question: Where does Cody Rhodes go after WrestlePalooza?
Could it be Brock Lesnar? Again. Damian Priest seems to be stuck in mid card purgatory. So does Aleister Black. Though it would be cool if Black and Cody revisited their AEW rivalry. There’s options, but WWE isn’t really putting in the work to highlight a credible opponent for Cody. I can see this match going three ways: First, this match will have some type of controversial finish that will allow Drew McIntyre a rematch or even a triple threat match that involves Randy Orton. The second is this match ending in disqualification. The third is Cody winning clean. I’m going to lean towards the triple threat match scenario. Though Cody winning clean wouldn’t surprise me. Either way, the winner will be…
Winner: Cody Rhodes
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar doesn’t need another dominant win over John Cena. But a win from Cena could mean a world title shot. His time on Smackdown has come to an end, but there’s a certain world champion that Cena is all too familiar with - Seth Rollins.
It would surprise me if the company doesn’t revisit Rollins vs. Cena, especially since the World Heavyweight Champion is currently the company’s big bad. I don’t see the former Undisputed Champion beating Rollins, but he would still need to look strong coming out of WrestlePalooza if that’s the plan.
It’s possible that Brock can be the next challenger for Cody. Sure they had their trilogy of matches, but that’s really the only big match I can think of when it comes to Brock. For now, I’m not seeing where the direction of Brock goes, but I feel that Cena and Rollins is a future match. WWE can’t keep doing Rollins, CM Punk, and whatever combination involving those two, right?
Winner: John Cena
WWE Women’s World Championship match: Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Here’s the thing: Iyo Sky has two stories going on right now. There’s the obvious Asuka feud that’s building. But there’s also the ongoing narrative that Rhea Ripley can’t beat Sky. Unfortunately, WWE doesn’t seem to understand how to use Stephanie.
She’s barely done anything since winning at Evolution II and she feels like the least important person in this match. Stephanie should win this. There needs to be fresh faces at the top. As great as Sky is, giving her the title back this soon will feel repetitious. Plus, WWE didn’t even book Sky properly in her last title run. I am nervous about how WWE is going to book Vaquer following WrestlePalooza and if the language barrier is the problem then this is WWE problem, not Vaquer.
It is 2025, how has WWE not figured out a way to properly use foreign talent on the main roster? Let me hold myself back from going on a random rant as I don’t know for sure if this is the reason that Vaquer hasn’t done much since Evolution II, but hopefully that changes after WrestlePalooza.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch vs. CM Punk and AJ Lee in a mixed tag match
I guess the heels can do something heinous and dirty to get the better of Lee and CM Punk, but I do see Lee as the next challenger for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Look, this match is predictable. The real purpose is to see Lee’s first match in ten years. And I’m excited for it.
Lee’s quite underrated as an in-ring performer. Her promos and segments are the main reason why she’s mostly remembered, but her matches against Kaitlyn, Natalya, and Paige show that she can go in the ring. She’s a solid in-ring performer overall and I’m looking forward to seeing how her and Becky mesh in the ring. This could be an excellent mixed tag match. I’m really enjoying Becky’s character and Lee has done well in her return thus far.
I am over the CM Punk/Seth Rollins feud. It’s time for Rollins to move onto someone new and I suspect that someone is John Cena (which could be great). There’s also the Roman Reigns situation. Keep Punk and Rollins apart for a LONG time. Anyways, if Lee and Punk do lose then the former will take the loss. It would be shocking, but I do feel Becky/AJ is a WrestleMania match, so AJ going on a journey to getting an I.C. title could be fun if done correctly.
Winner: CM Punk and AJ Lee
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed
There’s interesting directions to go with this. With Jey’s new edge, it would surprise me if this was a simple USO or Bron and Bronson win. Maybe Jey’s newfound darkness accidentally costs him and his brother the match? Maybe him and Jey don’t see eye to eye after the LA Knight incident? There’s a story to tell here!
In terms of the match, Bron and Bronsen need the win. They lost their tag match at Summerslam and the latter failed to beat Roman Reigns at Clash in Paris. I can see the Bron’s win the WWE Tag Team titles soon. It’s not like Finn and JD are doing anything important with them. I can also see this being a rematch down the line with the USO’s winning the belts.
But as of now, Breakker and Reed need to win to continue being seen as a credible threat. They’re essentially henchmen for Seth Rollins, and perhaps a loss can add some juice to the Vision faction. Maybe bring out a new dimensional within because The Vision just comes across as another generic faction we’ve seen time and time again. But I think that the heel duo are going to be booked strong here, with miscommunication being an out for Jey and Jimmy losing.
Winner: Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed