What to Expect From WWE in 2025

Without a doubt, it’s clear that the WWE has been experiencing a surge in popularity recently, thanks in part to a major event scheduled for 2024 which has rekindled interest in this long-standing company. CM Punk, who made his comeback after an injury, lived up to the hype generated by his unexpected return in 2023, engaging in a fantastic feud with Drew McIntyre that lasted for several months. Cody Rhodes not only brought an end to Roman Reigns’ remarkable title reign at WrestleMania, but has wrestled more matches than anyone else in 2024, demonstrating that while his initial narrative may have concluded, there are still many more pages left for him to fill. The Bloodline story also developed further, with Roman Reigns reemerging to fight for dominance over the faction he spent years constructing.

2024 promises to be another thrilling year for WWE enthusiasts, with numerous exciting novelties and anticipated events on the horizon. To begin, similar to other sports brands, including rival wrestling promotion AEW, WWE is leveraging a vast streaming platform to distribute some of its content. Furthermore, a significant transformation is underway for their second-largest annual event, while their most prestigious event will culminate the year’s most prominent feuds in an electrifying location. Moreover, throughout the year, wrestling fans can anticipate witnessing a legend’s farewell as one of WWE’s biggest stars ever prepares to bid adieu.

WWE Makes Big Adjustments to Two Major Shows

Monday Night Raw Moves to Streaming Via Netflix

2023 marks a significant shift for WWE’s prime time show, as it transitions from USA Network to streaming giant, Netflix. Many familiar aspects of the show, such as its three-hour format and commercial breaks, are set to stay. However, longtime viewers eager for a return to the less censored Attitude and Ruthless Aggression periods may find the new Raw less restrictive in terms of blood and profanity, while still maintaining moderation to keep advertisers on board. WWE enthusiasts can rest assured that a Netflix subscription is worthwhile, as the partnership between the two entities spans a decade. Starting from January 6, all Monday Night Raws will be accessible live and through replays via the Netflix app or website, but regrettably, episodes prior to 2002 will not be available on the platform.

As a die-hard WWE fan, I’m beyond excited about the blockbuster matches lined up for Raw’s Netflix debut on January 6! It’s going to be a night to remember with epic showdowns like CM Punk facing off against Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley battling Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship, Drew McIntyre taking on Jey Uso, and Roman Reigns squaring off against Solo Sikoa. And if that wasn’t enough, there are even whispers of a special appearance by the legendary John Cena! This is going to be one for the history books!

SummerSlam Becomes a Two-Night Extravaganza

Starting from WrestleMania 36, it became the norm for fans of the WWE universe to embrace two-night events for their biggest show of the year. Given the abundance of talent in the roster and the grandeur associated with WrestleMania, it’s only fitting that a two-nighter format is suitable. As the WWE continues to expand and thrive, it seems like a logical progression for its second-largest event, SummerSlam, to be transformed into a two-night WrestleMania-like experience. Mark your calendars for August 2 and 3, 2025, when Triple H, Nick Khan, and TKO intend to make SummerSlam in New Jersey a two-night spectacle. Expect numerous marquee matches, with a card that could rival WrestleMania, aiming to make the first-ever two-night SummerSlam as extraordinary as possible.

WrestleMania Season Kicks Off The Proper End of an Era

Las Vegas Houses The Grandest Stage of Them All

Over time, “The Showcase of the Immortals” has graced various major cities, and upcoming events are scheduled in Las Vegas, Nevada (April 19 & 20). The venue will be the Allegiant Stadium, a recently built structure from 2021 and one of the world’s costliest stadiums. The stage is set for a gambling-themed extravaganza, complete with slot machines and other related elements.

As for the potential matches in this two-night spectacle, the company has numerous possibilities at their disposal. Various match-ups for WrestleMania 41 have been speculated or hypothesized based on the company’s long-term narrative.

The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes – The logical conclusion to The Rock and Cody Rhodes’ face-off, it would make perfect sense for this match to take place a year after The Great One pinned the American Nightmare at WrestleMania 40. However, this depends on The Rock’s availability, with SummerSlam also being a contender given its shift to two nights.
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns – If WWE is looking to put off The Rock’s battle with Cody Rhodes until SummerSlam to make it more special and deserving of its two-night split, then pulling the trigger on the Final Boss’s other big ongoing feud could be a good move. With there now being a story in place and Cody having already gotten his moment, fans would likely be fully on board with this match this time around.
Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena – A match where WWE’s two biggest babyfaces of the 2000s face off feels like a great conclusion to the second night of WrestleMania, even if wrestling purists may be bothered by a Face vs. Face scenario. Who goes over is anyone’s guess, as Cena could really use some big wins on his final run, but Cody dropping to someone whose in-ring days are numbered could bother his fans.
John Cena vs. Gunther – If Cody Rhodes ends up battling the Rock at WrestleMania 41, then John Cena will be freed up to face Gunther in his final Mania Moment. This match has plenty of things going for it, with perhaps the most attractive part of the premise being that it’s a never-before-seen match-up, and it could very well steal the show since fans will have no idea what to expect.
Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes – While their match on Netflix’s first episode of Monday Night Raw will surely be good, it is hard to imagine the feud between these two rivals ending there, as HHH’s fondness for long-term storytelling means this program is likely to follow in the footsteps of the Punk vs. McIntyre feud and last months. Regardless of what happens with the two world title pictures, a big conclusion to the CM Punk and Seth Rollins rivalry seems like a shoo-in for WrestleMania.

John Cena Hangs Up His Boots

During his time as a “Super Cena,” John Cena was a contentious figure for some; however, it’s clear that he left an indelible mark on WWE and its audience. Many current fans reminisce about Cena’s transformation from a routine character in the Ruthless Aggression era to the Doctor of Thuganomics, and eventually, the Face of the WWE. As his final run approaches, it’s sure to evoke nostalgia for many viewers. The way WWE honored Cena’s past in his cinematic Firefly Funhouse match with the late Bray Wyatt sets the stage for a farewell tour that is likely to tug at fans’ heartstrings and inspire cheers of joy.

As a diehard WWE fan, I can’t help but get excited about the rumors surrounding John Cena’s final match. Though we don’t know the exact date yet, he’s planning to hang up his boots for good after December 2025. This means his last WrestleMania battle will be at WrestleMania 41, making his opponent a game-changer.

There are some intriguing possibilities for this year. Fresh pairings with rising stars like Gunther and Logan Paul would be electrifying, as would rekindling old rivalries with legends like CM Punk and Randy Orton to create an unforgettable farewell tour. Luckily, Cena plans to wrestle between 30 and 40 matches in his last year, giving us ample opportunities to witness Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect in action.

While we’ll still be able to catch John Cena on the big screen and small for years to come, true wrestling enthusiasts should tune into WWE programming in 2025 if they want to see the man himself in the ring one last time. When 2026 rolls around, the WWE Universe won’t be able to catch a glimpse of John Cena in the squared circle anymore, marking the end of an era and a legendary career.

2025-01-05 21:44