Original Plans Revealed for Brock Lesnar and John Cena’s WrestlePalooza Match

WWE fans were shocked when Brock Lesnar steamrolled John Cena in the opening match of WrestlePalooza, but according to a new report, that wasnâ€t the original plan.

A new update from BodySlam.net revealed that Cena was actually booked to win the match—until the decision was abruptly changed. As of Saturday morning, just hours before the show, Cena was still supposed to defeat Lesnar in whatâ€s being called one of his last retirement bouts.

The match had already raised eyebrows when it was moved to open the event, despite originally being scheduled to close the show. Many assumed Lesnarâ€s usual preference to leave early was the reason, but Fightful Select reported otherwise. According to them, ESPN wanted a “big title match†like Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre to close the night instead.

Fightful added that “it was not changed because Brock wanted to fly out early. Itâ€s because of the creative, but ESPN had wanted Cody and Drew McIntyre for the pomp and circumstance surrounding a world title match.â€

Lesnarâ€s performance was brief but brutal. He landed multiple F-5s and left Cena motionless, dominating the 17-time world champion in minutes. What was originally pegged as a heartfelt farewell match for Cena instead became another crushing Lesnar moment—though now it looks like that wasnâ€t supposed to happen at all.

The match kicked off a packed card, followed by The Vision vs. The Usos, Stephanie Vaquer defeating Iyo Sky for the Womenâ€s World Title, and the mixed tag match with CM Punk & AJ Lee battling Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch. The night closed with Cody Rhodes retaining against Drew McIntyre in a title clash that ESPN reportedly pushed to headline.

This last-minute Cena–Lesnar switch raises a lot of questions about how flexible WWE booking still is, even for icons like Cena.

What do you think about WWE flipping the result on Cena and Lesnar at the last minute? Should Cena have gone out with a win? Let us know in the comments.

September 22, 2025 9:44 am

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