Is The Rock Returning to WWE for Wrestlepalooza?
The rumors circulating in the media about WWE bringing back the 90s ECW main event, Wrestlepalooza, have turned out to be true. WWE has now officially announced Wrestlepalooza as a September PLE.
While the match card and segments have not been publicly announced, what we do know is that this PLE will be the first WWE event to air on the ESPN platform.
Following this announcement, WWE also released a short trailer-like promo video for the event, featuring several stars such as The Rock, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Drew McIntyre.
Since the promo features The Rock, there is speculation that he might finally return to WWE for the first-ever PLE to stream on ESPN.
However, it’s not just the promo; what gives more validation to this speculation is the fact that The Rock has been part of every era of WWE. He was featured during the Peacock era, the Netflix era, and now, with Wrestlepalooza, potentially the ESPN era.
Therefore, analyzing The Rock’s involvement in every era and in every major collaboration between WWE and other platforms gives strong justification that we might soon see The Rock appear on ESPN.
Rock has kicked off every era in WWE.
— Popplayzz (@Popplayzz1) August 20, 2025
The Fox era and the Netflix era.
WrestlePalooza kicks off the ESPN era.
It’s happening pic.twitter.com/wWKfHYKNYf
On the other hand, The Rock made a surprise appearance at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025, where he assisted John Cena in turning heel against the Undisputed Champion, Cody Rhodes.
Things might get even more exciting if The Rock once again appears at Wrestlepalooza, possibly alongside John Cena, either assisting him once more or even going against the 17-time champion.
While The Rock’s appearance at Wrestlepalooza has not been officially confirmed, speculation continues to grow, with rumors suggesting that John Cena might face The Rock one last time at this upcoming PLE.
At the same time, the most likely opponent for John Cena at Wrestlepalooza seems to be Brock Lesnar. WWE could book Brock for Cena’s final match, or they might go in the opposite direction, having Cena face The Rock in his farewell bout, while saving Brock Lesnar for Wrestlepalooza.
John Cena will face an opponent he hasn't faced in over a decade at #WrestlePalooza
— Tony The Wrestling Nerd (@WrestlingNerd00) August 21, 2025
The last time he faced Brock Lesnar was in January 2015 at the Royal Rumble.
If not Brock, other realistic opponents can be Sheamus, Rey Mysterio, and even The Rock.
But Brock Lesnar is the… pic.twitter.com/d62XbM6ALe
Before Wrestlepalooza, we still have Clash in Paris set for August 31, which could also bring some changes and feuds that might continue into Wrestlepalooza.
Therefore, with Clash in Paris on the horizon, WWE might not immediately highlight new matches and segments for the September PLE. So we might have to wait for the Paris event.
