Top 5 moments from WWE Wrestlepalooza

Based on the reaction to my Wrestlepalooza recap — WWE’s first premium live event under the ESPN streaming umbrella — I wasn’t alone in thinking the show came up short. Still, a few moments stood out, even if they weren’t quite worth the $30 price tag.

Here are my top five moments from WWE’s latest extravaganza.

Sign Of The Night, Sign Of The Times

During the Wrestlepalooza Countdown show, a fan dressed as Randy Savage positioned himself dead center between Triple H and the rest of the panel. At just the right moment, he held up a sign that read:

“I Sold A Kidney To Be Here.”

My wife and I absolutely lost it as cosplay “Macho Man” captured the absurdity of WWE’s increasingly out-of-reach ticket prices in one gut-busting moment.

Then again, maybe this fan is just that much of a savage — willing to part with an organ for a chance to see the action live.

A sign of the times, indeed.

I’ve Got Some Good News… And Some Bad News

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Wade Barrett on commentary next to Michael Cole. My biggest fear? That we’d be stuck with Indianapolis’ own Pat McAfee, bro-ing it up for three-plus hours.

Seeing “Bad News” on the call, I was thrilled.

Barrett hasn’t just filled the color commentator role — he’s redefined it. Not since Jesse Ventura has someone so effectively articulated the heel’s mindset. And Barrett does it with a dry wit, modern cadence, and just enough self-deprecation to feel genuine without undermining his credibility.

To say I love Wade Barrett would be an understatement.

Then reality hit.

Pat McAfee showed up.

So much for the good news.

I’m sure McAfee is a fine dude to hang out with. But he drags down every broadcast he’s on. I’ll never forget him popping to his feet and yeeting as Gunther bloodied Jimmy Uso. A man is being decimated but McAfee wants to dance and act a fool just because he hears Jey Uso’s music.

Embarrassing.

Thankfully, McAfee disappeared halfway through. And while I’m not ready to go back to church, this was the closest I’ve come to believing there’s a higher power looking out for us.

And that higher power, dear reader, is Joe Pesci.

Brock Lesnar Made Kids Cry

There was a time when I was a proud Brock Lesnar fan. I still remember gleefully mocking CM Punk loyalists after Lesnar decimated him at SummerSlam in 2013.

But that was then.

Seeing Lesnar’s name come up in the ongoing Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon has tainted his legacy for me. I understand that being a WWE fan means compartmentalizing — but it’s hard to ignore what hangs in the background when Lesnar appears.

And yet… the man can still wrestle.

At 48 years old, with a two-year absence and a limited moveset, I expected very little from his match against John Cena. But both men pulled off a surprisingly effective squash that protected their bodies and furthered their story.

And just like SummerSlam in 2014, children were left in tears.

And I’m okay with that.

Heroes don’t always win. Evil isn’t always defeated. Life, like wrestling, ain’t fair — and there’s value in learning that early. Pro wrestling is a safe space to learn disappointment… until life imitates art.

Nonetheless, I owe that lesson to Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase back on February 5, 1988. Those poor Indy kids handled it better than I did. Thank Joe Pesci there weren’t cameras back then.

I’d still be a meme today, brother.

Vaquer vs. Sky Is Life

As much as I enjoy spectacle, promos, and larger-than-life characters, I appreciate great wrestling. And the Women’s World Title bout delivered in spades.

I’ve covered the details in my full Wrestlepalooza recap, but here’s the short version: this was magic.

After two chaotic openers, Vaquer and Sky captivated the crowd by wrestling.

Was it perfect? Not quite. But the occasional sloppiness made it feel more like a struggle than a performance. In 2025, this felt like a world title fight — regardless of gender.

The moment WWE or WWE Vault posts the full match to YouTube, you can bet I’ll be heading to The Feed, urging you to watch.

Chef’s kiss.

Or better yet… Devil’s Kiss.

For a Moment, I Believed

My mixed feelings on Cody Rhodes are well documented. As usual, I found myself pulling for the other guy — this time, Drew McIntyre.

And based on the way commentary framed it, I genuinely believed Cody was losing.

Boy, was I wrong.

But credit where it’s due: the commentary by Barrett and Cole worked me. As someone who’s the same age as Lesnar and Cena — and has seen a lifetime of wrestling — I’m not easily fooled.

But for a moment, I bought in. I thought McIntyre had it.

The match itself was just above meh. But I was invested because of the commentary. And that counts for something.

Too bad my Nightmare continues.

Oh, how I miss the reign of our Tribal Chief.

Your Turn

Those were my top five bright spots from an otherwise underwhelming event. Which moments stood out positively for you, Cagesiders? Chat me up in the comments section.