“And his name is John Cena!”
This legendary line from a prank call will be in the minds of fans tuning into WWE Wrestlepalooza this weekend, as Indianapolis will host the legendary wrestler and now Hollywood star for the final time.
Wrestlepalooza making its way to Gainbridge Fieldhouse isn’t just massive for the city; it’s an indication of what WWE means to the state of Indiana and how the sport is still relevant and growing as they bring these stars back to the big stage.
This year's event will feature the new, popular fighters that have made the sport relevant again, including Cody Rhodes, who will face off against Drew McIntyre for the belt. Then, on the women’s side, veteran Iyo Sky will take on Stephanie Vaquer as they’ll both try to reclaim the title. But the main attraction will come when legend John Cena duels his longtime rival, Brock Lesnar, as part of Cena’s farewell tour.
Indianapolis getting to host such a significant moment in WWE history is special, and it shows the impact Indiana has had on wrestling over the years. In the earlier days of the sport, renowned fighters and Indiana natives such as Mick Foley and “The Ultimate Warrior” James Hellwig helped pioneer WWE into what it is today. Their stardom not only grew the sport overall, but it built up passion in their home state until Indianapolis held its first Wrestlemania in 1992.
Since then, Indianapolis has hosted multiple Wrestlemania events. The Indiana Sports Corp on June 24, 2024, signed a multi-year contract with WWE to host the Royal Rumble and Wrestlepalooza this weekend along with future events. The Royal Rumble, which was held on Feb. 1 in Indianapolis, was the WWE’s highest-grossing Royal Rumble ever, leading fans to assume Cena’s last matchup with Lesnar will be no different.
The Indiana Sports Corp signing this contract is proof that WWE isn’t dead, and, in fact, it’s ever growing. A younger generation of fans is being drawn into the entertainment aspect of WWE thanks to the up-and-coming wrestlers that have taken over, combined with the number of legendary fighters that have appeared at recent events, such as Cena.
Wrestling is a sport that holds emotional weight for fans because of the intricate storytelling happening in real time during the fights. Although fights are scripted, it’s refreshing to see such a historic sport getting the recognition it deserves. The fighters take a beating during the fights and display a high level of athleticism which performers like Lesnar and Cena have mastered. Seeing Cena walk out of the ring for his last time in Indianapolis, a city with many ties to wrestling’s legacy, will be a poetic ending for one of the best to ever do it.
