He may be a Chicago product but the air in Gainsbridge Fieldhouse got CM Punk. The home of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever hosted the biggest stars in wrestling for the Wrestlepalooza 2025. Obviously the hometown heroes weren’t going to skip this one. Newly engaged, on the mend, reigning superstar of the city, Tyrese Haliburton was in the house – well, his house – to catch some body slams. Apart from adding to the Internet’s ‘What the Hali’ library, he also loved a little tribute by the star in the ring.
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CM Punk overjoyed the Indiana crowd after he and AJ Lee beat Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Not just that victory, the celebration that followed thrilled fans when Phillip Jack Brooks (the WWE star’s real name) jumped out of the ropes, crossed his hands under his chin, and did The Chokehold Celly (trademark this already!).
The choke ceremony has the city in a virtual chokehold for a good reason. And when CM Punk does it? Chef’s kiss!
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Very quickly, the images and clips of CM Punk doing the celly (and he really made sure the fans got a good long look at his choke) was all over social media. And perhaps even on Tyrese Haliburton’s feed.
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He reshared the moment on his Stories with a “My dawg 😂🔥” Only fitting reaction for the grip Reggie Miller’s ‘Choke’ has on us.
It was started by the OG Knick Killer himself in his prime, humbling the guys in New York. Indiana hoops was a little low after his retirement.
And then the Fever got Caitlin Clark and TyreseHaliburton and Myles Turner were taking the Pacers deep into the postseason. Reggie Miller was back in Gainsbridge Fieldhouse as the TNT commentator. Indiana basketball was thriving once more.
Tyrese Haliburton made Wrestlepalooza exciting
With Miller in the house, Haliburton was sinking clutch shots and buzzerbeaters in the playoffs. It warranted borrowing Reggie’s signature celebration, especially when the Pacers were once more outrunning the Knicks.
Apart from Haliburton doing the choke, Caitlin Clark was in the crowd also doing the choke in the stands. It suddenly became Indiana’s signature.
But it wasn’t just CM Punk and AJ’s epic moment and the aftermath that was the best thing ever. Tyrese Haliburton soaked in every moment of Wrestlepalooza before the Pacers get back to the grind in training camp. Apart from getting this pick-me-up tribute, he witnessed the most jawdropping moment of the 2025 festivities.
The moment Brock Lesnar and John Cena reignited their historic rivalry, it was bound to be nuclear. Unlike Mike Tyson coming out of retirement, this was brutal, gritty, and thrilling. Cena staggered through it, which was a very emotional sight for his fans. Many were visibily glassy-eyed watching their hero go down.
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Haliburton’s own emotionally charged reaction was captured by cameras. His unhinged jaw and shock became the representative image of all of us watching the spectacle. Apart from going viral for his reactions, Haliburton also made sure to catch up with the wrestlers in his house, including Cody Rhodes.
And he’s looking good. Can we get our hopes up for when the Pacers open training camp? All fingers crossed.