WWE’s commercial for the revival of the old ECW PPV ‘Wrestlepalooza’ has riled up fans who feel it showcases celebrities rather than the current roster.
WWE Fans Slam Wrestlepalooza Commercial
Triple H posted a video promoting the PLE, which will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 20 and will be the first PLE to stream on ESPN. Fans had already vented online about the decision to book the event on the same night as AEW’s All Out PPV.
WWE’s production team often hit it out of the park, creating promotional packages to entice fans to tune in to upcoming PLEs. However, the overall reaction to their commercial for Wrestlepalooza isn’t a good one, as it prioritises celebrities such as rapper Snoop Dogg, singer Jelly Roll, and San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle.
While the trio have featured on WWE TV before, there is no indication that any of them will be appearing at the PLE next month. Seeing the three celebrities being used as the hook over names such as John Cena and Cody Rhodes hasn’t gone down well.
One fan sarcastically asked:
“Is Snoop Dogg on SmackDown this week? Can’t wait to see him.”
Another fan wrote:
“Video is featuring more celebrities than the actual wrestlers. Hilarious.”
One fan opined:
“Snoop Dogg, Jelly Roll, and George Kittle appeared in this video before any of the actual talent on the roster. The state of World Wrestling Entertainment in 2025.”
While another stated:
“If WWE’s as big time as they say they are, they can advertise their shows majorly with their roster, instead of celebrities and other sports stars.”
Wrestlepalooza is expected to be headlined by John Cena taking on Brock Lesnar in the latter’s first match since returning from a two-year hiatus at SummerSlam. The Beast had been absent amid being named in the ongoing lawsuit against former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
“It’s Our Job” – Triple H on WWE Attracting Celebrities
WWE encountered a boom period last year, especially on the Road to WrestleMania 40, when The Rock was involved in Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns’ war over the WWE Championship. The Hollywood megastar returned initially to face Reigns at Mania, but fan backlash saw him turn heel and become the Final Boss.
The Rock wasn’t the only A-list celebrity to appear on WWE TV since Triple H took over creative, as Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and American rapper Travis Scott have also been featured.
Triple H touched on The Rock and other celebrities’ interest in WWE by explaining how it was important for the promotion to maintain such levels of popularity. He told Peter Rosenberg on WWE’s YouTube channel ahead of WrestleMania 41:
“If the business was the sh*ts, The Rock wouldn’t be making appearances for us. So when the business is hot, people want to be in it… and right now, we’re fortunate it’s hot. It’s our job to keep it there.
He added:
It brings The Rock. It brings Travis Scott. It brings Bad Bunny. It brings Jelly Roll. It brings Tony Hinchcliffe. It brings Andrew Schulz. It brings Tyrese Haliburton. It brings Jalen Brunson… Seemingly daily, I get a call that says, ‘Hey, this person wants to come to the show.'”
WWE has had success using celebrities, including Logan Paul, who has become an active member of the roster and appeared at WrestleMania. However, there have been some disappointments, including Travis Scott’s interference in John Cena and Cody Rhodes’ main event at Mania earlier this year, partly due to The Rock’s absence.
