Amid Indiana riding high from the Fever’s Game 1 semifinal win, the city found another reason to celebrate. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers and Fever, transformed into wrestling’s epicenter as Wrestlepalooza 2025 brought the sport’s biggest stars under one roof. Newly engaged and still on the mend, Tyrese Haliburton, the city’s reigning superstar, made sure to be there. And while Indy had its own icons in the spotlight, the night carried plenty of CM Punk’s unmistakable Chicago-born energy.

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!).

Hali reposted the moment on his Stories with the caption, “My dawg 😂🔥.” A fitting reaction, given the lasting grip Reggie Miller’s infamous “choke” holds on Indiana fans. The gesture was born from the Knick Killer himself in his prime, humbling New York on the biggest stage. After his retirement, Indiana basketball went through a lull, but that legacy has never faded.

This year, the choke celebration has had the city in a virtual chokehold more than once, and for all the right reasons. But when CM Punk pulled it off? Absolute chef’s kiss. He didn’t just hit the celly; he held it long enough to make sure every fan soaked it in. Within minutes, clips and photos flooded social media, and chances are, a few even found their way onto Tyrese Haliburton’s feed.

After all, Tyrese Haliburton had already given Indiana one of its most unforgettable choke moments earlier this season in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Indiana Pacers stormed back from a 113-98 deficit in the final five minutes against the Knicks, closing the gap until they were short by two with 7.3 seconds left.

With the game in his hands, Hali dribbled the length of the court and dropped through at the buzzer, sending Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a frenzy. Thinking he had just hit the game-winning three, Haliburton broke out the Reggie Miller choke, electrifying the crowd. The twist?

It was only a long two to tie the game. “Everybody’s been wanting me to do it,” he admitted afterward. “I was going to hold it for the right time. It felt appropriate. And then, you know, it went to overtime. If I knew it was a 2, I would not have done it.” Fortunately for him, the Pacers carried that momentum through overtime and finished the job, forever etching that choke celebration into Indiana’s greatest basketball moments.

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 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 jaw-dropping 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 visibly glassy-eyed watching their hero go down.

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.