Quick Read
- Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 takes place at Petco Park, San Diego, on November 29.
- The men’s WarGames match features CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, The Usos vs. Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, and Brock Lesnar.
- Women’s WarGames teams are Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, AJ Lee vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Kabuki Warriors, Becky Lynch.
- Charlotte Flair won the women’s WarGames advantage for her team by defeating Asuka.
- John Cena faces Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental title in what could be Cena’s last WWE PPV match.
Every November, the WWE Survivor Series acts as a battleground for shifting alliances, personal grudges, and career-defining moments. In 2025, the event is turbocharged by the WarGames stipulation, which has become a centerpiece since its reintroduction three years ago. As the 39th edition unfolds at Petco Park in San Diego, anticipation hangs thick in the air—not just for the spectacle, but for the real consequences that can ripple through the company for months to come.
The WarGames Format: History Meets High Stakes
WarGames is no ordinary match. Conceived by wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, the format places two teams in a massive steel cage spanning two rings, with staggered entry and no escape. Victory can only be claimed by pinfall or submission, ensuring the action is relentless. Since 2022, Survivor Series has swapped its traditional elimination matches for this intense setup, and in 2025, it remains the most anticipated showdown of the night (CBSSports).
Men’s WarGames: Champions, Legends, and Unfinished Business
This year’s men’s WarGames match is stacked with star power and loaded narratives. The babyface team—CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and The Usos (Jey & Jimmy)—features two reigning world champions and four former ones. Their opponents, led by Paul Heyman, include Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, and Brock Lesnar. The Vision, Heyman’s faction, has been a thorn in the side of WWE’s top heroes all year.
Recent storylines have raised the stakes: Lesnar’s return saw him dismantle Punk and Rhodes, while Drew McIntyre’s vendetta against Rhodes escalated with a brutal backstage attack. Roman Reigns, recently stung by a loss at Crown Jewel, is rumored to be on edge, especially after his cousins cost him a win against Bron Breakker. With the entry advantage in the men’s WarGames match earned by McIntyre and Paul’s team, the pressure is on for the babyfaces to overcome internal friction and external threats (Khel Now).
As for possible endings, speculation is rampant. Will the babyfaces set aside egos and pull off a cohesive win? Could Lesnar’s dominance tip the scales, leading to a Vision victory? Might McIntyre’s vendetta against Rhodes reach a boiling point? Or could Reigns, famous for refusing to lose, turn on his teammates if things go south? WWE has seeded hints for all possibilities, with Mania implications looming large.
Women’s WarGames: Power Shifts and Personal Rivalries
The women’s match is equally combustible. On one side: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Lee. On the other: Nia Jax, Lash Legend, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane), and Becky Lynch. The alliances are fragile, the rivalries real. Ripley and Sky have tangled with the Kabuki Warriors for months, while new tensions between Bliss and Flair versus Jax and Legend have added fresh heat.
Charlotte Flair’s return to her team—after patching up with former foe Ripley—gave her squad a morale boost. Flair’s victory over Asuka on SmackDown earned her team the all-important entry advantage, meaning they get to choose who enters the cage first, a strategic edge in a match where timing can mean everything (Diva Dirt).
Backstage, emotions run high. Becky Lynch reminded her team of her undefeated WarGames record, urging them to trust her inside the cage. Asuka, haunted by her last encounter with Flair which led to a year-long absence, faces personal redemption. Meanwhile, Jade Cargill, the reigning Women’s Champion, made her presence felt by crashing Chelsea Green’s celebration and sending a warning to the entire women’s locker room—anyone who talks tough can expect a response.
Title Matches and Farewells: Cena’s Last Stand, Bella’s Challenge
Beyond WarGames, Survivor Series 2025 offers marquee championship contests. John Cena, fresh off becoming a Grand Slam champion after winning the Intercontinental title, faces Dominik Mysterio in what could be his final pay-per-view match before retirement. Cena’s journey to this belt has been two decades in the making, and his farewell tour adds a layer of emotion for fans watching a legend’s last bow (News18).
On the women’s side, Stephanie Vaquer defends her World Championship against Nikki Bella. Bella’s recent heel turn—striking Vaquer from behind and refusing to play second fiddle—sets the stage for a heated contest between two generations of stars.
How and Where to Watch: Global Reach, Local Impact
Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 streams live globally, with ESPN Unlimited carrying the event in the U.S. starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, and Netflix broadcasting internationally. In India, fans can tune in early Sunday morning. The event’s wide availability ensures fans everywhere can join in, making Survivor Series one of the few wrestling spectacles with truly global resonance (News18).
Pre-show coverage, post-show analysis, and recaps are available across WWE’s social media and YouTube, with expert commentary from Megan Morant and Sam Roberts providing insight into the night’s biggest moments.
What’s at Stake: The Fallout Beyond the Cage
WarGames is not just about who stands tall at the end of the night. The outcomes often shape WWE’s trajectory for the next year: new alliances forged in the heat of battle, old wounds reopened, and championship pictures reshuffled. With Mania season around the corner, every win and loss could be a building block for future main events.
For the superstars involved, it’s a chance to define legacies and alter narratives. Will Roman Reigns reclaim his dominance or spiral into conflict with his own team? Can Becky Lynch maintain her flawless WarGames streak, or will new faces break her run? Will Cena’s farewell be marked by triumph or heartbreak?
Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 is more than a pay-per-view—it’s a crossroads for WWE’s biggest stars. With personal rivalries, shifting alliances, and championship gold on the line, the night’s results are likely to echo far beyond Petco Park. In the end, WarGames is not just about surviving—it’s about rewriting what’s possible in the world’s most storied wrestling company.