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- Lesnar attacks retired star, championship match canceled & Gunther returning?
Lesnar attacks retired star, championship match canceled & Gunther returning?
Inside: Seth Rollins may kick out The Vision member
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The final episode of SmackDown before Wrestlepalooza 2025 kicked off in shocking fashion when Brock Lesnar went on a rampage. Initially scheduled for a backstage interview with Michael Cole, The Beast abruptly changed his mind midway down the ramp, dragging Cole toward the ring instead. Before Lesnar could unleash any damage, Corey Graves intervened, urging him to let Cole go and avoid unnecessary violence.
However, the confrontation quickly escalated, with Lesnar turning his fury toward Graves, who has not wrestled since 2014 due to injury. Lesnar delivered multiple F5s to the retired commentator, ignoring pleas from referees and officials. His rampage continued outside the ring as he hurled equipment, including the announce stand and steel steps, before returning to inflict more punishment on Graves. The chaotic scene set an unhinged tone for Wrestlepalooza, underscoring Lesnar’s unpredictable and destructive presence.
 On SmackDown, Corey Graves was unexpectedly taken out of action after stepping in to protect Michael Cole from Brock Lesnar’s wrath. The retired commentator, who has long been sidelined due to a career-ending injury, was hit with two devastating F5s by The Beast. Doctors rushed to ringside as Graves lay motionless, marking the first time in years that he had taken a bump on WWE television. With Graves unable to continue his commentary duties, The Miz stepped in as his replacement for the rest of the night. The chaotic sequence unfolded after Lesnar carried Michael Cole to the ring like a ragdoll, preparing to assault him before Graves intervened. The shocking attack not only left Graves needing medical attention backstage but also fueled speculation about Lesnar’s unhinged behavior heading into Wrestlepalooza. |  The much-anticipated WWE Women’s Championship match involving Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Nia Jax has officially been canceled from the Wrestlepalooza card. Speculation about the match had been swirling for weeks after Stratton was injured following a rough landing against Cargill on SmackDown and later written off television with an attack by Nia Jax. WWE confirmed her absence from NXT, fueling doubts about her status for the Premium Live Event. Despite the match being prominently featured on Wrestlepalooza merchandise and early promotional graphics, the company has now decided to cancel it altogether due to Stratton not being medically cleared. While the original plan was to showcase the triple threat at the event, WWE has pulled the plug, leaving fans disappointed and the women’s title scene uncertain heading into the weekend. |
FROM THE RUMOR MILL
Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther could be on the verge of making his WWE return after recovering from injury. He was last seen at SummerSlam in a grueling championship match against CM Punk, where he suffered a storyline nose injury during the contest. Behind the scenes, it was revealed that Gunther was already scheduled for legitimate nose surgery following the event, making the angle a way to explain his absence from television.
Reports from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter now suggest that Gunther is close to being cleared for action. His return would mark the comeback of one of WWE’s most dominant forces in recent years, and speculation is high regarding his next move. Whether he resumes his pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship or begins a new rivalry, fans are eager to see how The Ring General will reassert his dominance when he steps back into the ring.
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Under Seth Rollins’ leadership, The Vision has quickly become one of the most dominant factions on Monday Night RAW. The group grew even stronger last month at Clash in Paris when Becky Lynch, fresh off her Women’s Intercontinental Championship win, aligned herself with Rollins after helping him retain the World Heavyweight Title in a Fatal Four-Way Match. Now, the faction is set for a huge night at Wrestlepalooza, with Rollins and Lynch teaming up against CM Punk and AJ Lee in a blockbuster Mixed Tag Team Match, while Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed will represent The Vision against The Usos.
Despite their dominance, cracks may be forming within the faction. Reports suggest that Rollins could make the shocking call to expel Bronson Reed after Wrestlepalooza. While Breakker and Reed have been strong enforcers on RAW, the “Aus-Zilla” has repeatedly faltered during high-pressure moments on big stages. If Rollins decides Reed is holding the group back, Wrestlepalooza could mark a major turning point for The Vision’s future.
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ANALYSIS CORNER
Brock Lesnar stole the spotlight on SmackDown with a shocking assault on commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves, intensifying his heated rivalry with John Cena ahead of their Wrestlepalooza clash. The chaos forced Corey Graves to be replaced by The Miz at the commentary desk, marking a rare shake-up at the announcers’ table. Adding to the unpredictability, Paul Heyman made an unannounced backstage appearance before The Vision’s big tag team showdown against The Usos, stirring speculation about his next moves.
The night wrapped up with Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre engaging in a tense contract signing for their Wrestlepalooza main event. While Sami Zayn and Carmelo Hayes delivered an excellent in-ring contest, the overall flow of the episode felt disorganized, leaving fans calling the show a jumbled mix of strong moments overshadowed by scattered storytelling.
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