Stream Wrestlepalooza exclusively on the ESPN App in the U.S.
Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show correspondent Mark Kaboly gives his predictions for the WWE’s newest PLE, Wrestlepalooza, streaming live from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT) on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
I don’t care if Lesnar has been away from the ring for two years. The Beast is a global phenomenon, and we all want to see him perform against the all-time best. Many are going to tune into the debut streaming event on ESPN because they want to harken back to your younger days when Cena and Lesnar ran WWE. But it’s much more than that. The self-proclaimed "Last Real Champion" could be at his most popular right now as his Farewell Tour is concluding. With Lesnar leaving a path of destruction since his surprising return and Cena pretty much laying down what's going to happen this past Monday on Raw, look for Lesnar to destroy Cena from start to finish. However, Cena and his never-die attitude will find a way to win his 100th PLE match.
Prediction: John Cena def. Brock Lesnar
Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker
Either I'm falling for it or Jey Uso is about to do something very non-Uce-like, and it just might have Paul Heyman’s name written all over it. Jey Uso has been in a different headspace, and while it could be because of the talk he had with Roman Reigns a few weeks ago about not caring about anybody but himself, I see it more as another Heyman Hustle. Heyman has been quiet… too quiet as of late even with a larynx contusion. With Jey struggling to find his way back on top despite getting a taste of being a main-eventer, who else to take advice from than The Oracle? It’s not like Heyman doesn’t have alternate ideas with The Usos taking on his people in Reed and Breakker. Sure, he is out to help Breakker and Reed, but forget about them in this instance. Everything points to Heyman. Jey was on the phone with an unidentified person on Raw, brother Jimmy flat-out saying that Jey isn’t The Tribal Chief with his reference to the Ula Fala. LA Knight’s antics at the end of Raw sealed it for me – Jey Uso’s going to go rogue.
Prediction: Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker def. Jimmy & Jey Uso
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
You can’t have a mega event like Wrestlepalooza without the Undisputed WWE Champion on the card, right? The American Nightmare has already missed one PLE, so no way he’s going to miss two despite not being around for six weeks after regaining his championship at SummerSlam. McIntyre is a brutal competitor and a former World Champion. I can’t foresee an instance where Rhodes loses straight-up to The Scottish Psychopath, especially in his first title defense since getting the baton passed to him by Cena, unless Randy Orton gets involved. PLEs usually stay away from that kind of chicanery (for the most part), but with a new format on board with ESPN, everything is on the table.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes def. Drew McIntyre
CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch (Mixed Tag Team Match)
This could very well be the most anticipated match on the card, and that’s saying something. I look at this as a long-term rivalry that could lead us to WrestleMania 42 in April. You just don’t see Mixed Tag Team Matches of this ilk, let alone being real-life husband and wife. Ever since AJ Lee came back, she’s gotten the best of Becky Lynch, but things changed on Raw where The Man and Rollins outsmarted their adversaries. I just don’t trust The Vision’s power couple from doing something shady to get this win. But deep down inside, I can’t help but to notice the belts aren’t on the line. It definitely would make it interesting, but with them not, it makes me think the upset is more likely.
Prediction: CM Punk & AJ Lee def. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
Women’s World Championship Match
IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
You talk about being patient and patience likely paying off. Vaquer earned a title match at WWE Clash in Paris with a Battle Royal win at WWE Evolution, but everything was put on delay after Naomi announced she was pregnant and vacated the championship. It’s guaranteed to be a stunning display of wrestling and could possibly steal the show. For lack of a better reason, it’s just time for Stephanie Vaquer to have her chance.
Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer def. IYO SKY
