Wrestlepalooza 2025 is unprecedented in many ways. This will be the first time a WWE PLE event streams live on ESPN in the US, following the landmark WWE-ESPN deal.
Several prominent WWE superstars are set to feature in the high-octane event, from John Cena and Brock Lesnar to mixed tag team action amongst CM Punk, AJ Lee, Seth Rollins, and Becky Lynch.
But amidst the buildup around these exciting matches, several WWE superstars will not be competing inside the squared circle at the high-octane PLE event in Indianapolis. In light of the upcoming high-stakes event, here are 5 WWE superstars who will not be featured at Wrestlepalooza 2025.
5. Roman Reigns
Perhaps the most important name missing from the list of WWE superstars who will not be featuring at Wrestlepalooza 2025 is that of Roman Reigns. The official reason behind his absence from the event is unknown. However, it is widely speculated that Reigns has been deliberately trying to have inconsistent bookings due to other priorities. The OTC recently featured as Azumi in the Street Fighter movie.
The former Universal Champion has been competing inside the ring as continuously as ever up until his triple threat clash at WrestleMania 41. But without a doubt, Reigns’ missing Wrestlepalooza will definitely be a major blow to the PLE event. Perhaps featuring in another PLE event after his intense match at Clash in Paris was too much for him at this stage in his career.
4. Randy Orton
WWE has been underutilizing Randy Orton for some time now. The 14-time World Champion has had underwhelming matches in the recent past. No title shots, heated feuds, or storyline works have meant inconsistent bookings for the Apex Predator. It is because of his absence from major WWE programming that Orton will not be featured at Wrestlepalooza.
The reasons for inconsistent bookings are unknown. But many amongst the professional wrestling community speculate that the former World Heavyweight Champion could still be completely recovering from the back injury that he sustained at Night of Champions 2025
The buzz around Orton is that WWE is carefully monitoring his situation, and something big could come up as far as his next move for his wrestling career is concerned. Orton’s last WWE appearance in a major PLE event was at SummerSlam 2025. In all likelihood, WWE might be saving him to make a 15th World title possible for him.
3. LA Knight
WWE under Triple H has focused on elevating talented superstars to prominent clashes inside the ring and major storylines. LA Knight has been knocking on the doors of the creative heads of the company in this regard for some time now.
The former United States Champion did get some opportunities inside the company recently. He was part of the fatal four-way clash for the World Heavyweight title at Clash in Paris and competed against Seth Rollins at Saturday Night’s Main Event, which crucially marked the beginning of the knee injury gimmick from the self-styled architect of the WWE.
But when it comes to getting consistent opportunities for major world titles for LA Knight, WWE has disappointed once again. In a major setback to ‘The Megastar’, it was decided that the World Heavyweight title would not be on the line to promote the mixed tag team match between CM Punk, AJ Lee, Seth Rollins, and Becky Lynch.
Naturally, this meant that there is no scope for LA Knight at Wrestlepalooza, which means he will miss out on major WWE action in a high-stakes PLE event.
2. Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley has been a major superstar in the women’s division of the company. The self-styled ‘Mami’ of the WWE was expected to feature at Wrestlepalooza 2025, considering she is currently a top star and a future main eventer for the company. But WWE has distanced Ripley from the event and is currently focused on Ripley’s several appearances in NXT.
The former Women’s World Champion took the Fatal Influence heads on in the NXT. She first appeared alongside Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer during the September 9, 2025, episode of NXT (via WWE).
The next step in confronting The Fatal Influence came during NXT Homecoming on September 16, 2025 (via WWE), in a six-woman tag team match with Lyra Valkyria and Stephanie Vaque on her side.
With her ongoing commitments in the NXT and the expected pursuit of the women’s World Championship after the match between Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer, Ripley is not part of Wrestlepalooza as of now. However, she is expected to feature on Monday Night RAW after the high-stakes PLE event at Evansville.
1. Sami Zayn
The current United States champion has been a prolific performer inside the ring so far. The Canadian wrestler has been an active champion so far, defending his title even against the likes of John Cena. However, Zayn will not feature or defend his title at Wrestlepalooza. WWE has instead decided to go with him competing against Carmelo Hayes with his title on the line during the go-home episode of Friday night SmackDown before Wrestlepalooza.
Previously, during his title defence against John Cena, Zayn was attacked by Brock Lesnar, which resulted in the match ending in a no-contest. Since the ‘Beast Incarnate’ is also set to feature at Friday Night SmackDown on September 19 before Wrestlepalooza, Zayn is expected to intervene and forge some sort of vengeance against the former Universal Champion.
With this, Zayn would like to deliver a statement that he is not collateral damage in Lesnar’s feud against Cena, which will culminate in an intense contest at Wrestlepalooza 2025.
These WWE superstars are prominent names, they are involved in major story lines and our season campaigners inside the ring; however, WWE has decided not to feature them in the upcoming high-stakes event. The question now remains: what impact will their respective absences have on Wrestlepalooza 2025?
Do you think some or maybe all of them should have gotten a chance to display their abilities at the high-octane night in Indianapolis? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Wrestlepalooza 2025 will be streaming live on September 20, 20 25 on ESPN in the US and Netflix everywhere else