Elite Superstars Converge for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025

San Diego, California – WWE’s annual Survivor Series, one of the company’s traditional "Big Four" premium live events, returns to Petco Park on Saturday night, November 23, 2025, bringing with it the high-stakes, multi-person WarGames format for the fourth consecutive year. The event, which will be broadcast live globally on ESPN Unlimited starting at 7 p.m. ET, promises a card brimming with compelling narratives and star power, featuring two signature WarGames matches for both men and women, alongside two championship encounters.

The WarGames stipulation, originating from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1987, involves two teams battling inside two adjacent rings, both encased by a single steel cage. Participants enter the match at timed intervals, creating a numerical advantage for one team before all competitors are inside. The match officially begins only after all combatants have entered, with victory attainable solely via pinfall or submission. This format historically emphasizes strategic alliances, individual rivalries, and often results in dramatic betrayals and unexpected partnerships, making it a cornerstone of the Survivor Series tradition since its reintroduction in 2017.

Men’s WarGames Match: A Confluence of Ambition and Retribution

The main event of Survivor Series is slated to be a colossal Men’s WarGames match, pitting two formidable five-man teams against each other in a contest that carries significant implications for the future landscape of WWE’s main event scene. On one side, the veteran leadership of CM Punk aligns with the undisputed aspirations of Cody Rhodes, supported by the familial bond of The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and the ever-present hunger of Roman Reigns. Their opponents represent a calculated assembly by Paul Heyman, featuring the unparalleled force of Brock Lesnar, the recent aggressive resurgence of Drew McIntyre, the multi-platform star Logan Paul, and the rising powerhouses Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

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This encounter arrives following a series of dramatic developments. The initial composition of Heyman’s collective, previously known as "The Vision," was disrupted by an injury sustained by Seth Rollins at the recent Crown Jewel event. This necessitated a strategic pivot, with Logan Paul stepping into a prominent role alongside Breakker and Reed. The team gained further bolstering on November 14, when Drew McIntyre, fresh off a period of intense aggression that had led to a temporary suspension by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, joined their ranks, a move widely perceived as a tactical decision to circumvent his disciplinary action. The final pieces fell into place as Brock Lesnar, a long-time associate of Heyman, formally allied with the group, while Roman Reigns, in a move that has stirred considerable speculation regarding his own ambitions for the world title, reunited with his cousins, The Usos, completing the opposing team.

The strategic advantage for the WarGames match, which dictates which team sends in the first additional competitor after the initial two, was secured by Heyman’s contingent. In the final episode of Monday Night Raw before Survivor Series, Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul collaborated to defeat opponents from Punk’s team, earning their side the critical numerical edge early in the match. The internal dynamics of both teams are expected to be a major narrative driver; Reigns’ desire to reclaim the world title is a palpable undercurrent, while the collective history of Punk, Rhodes, and Reigns promises potential for both explosive cooperation and inherent friction.

Women’s WarGames Match: Rivalries Ignite Within the Steel

The women’s division will also feature its own high-stakes WarGames match, bringing multiple simmering rivalries to a head inside the unforgiving cage. Team Ripley, led by the dominant Rhea Ripley, includes the acrobatic Iyo Sky, the charismatic Alexa Bliss, the decorated Charlotte Flair, and the returning AJ Lee. They face a formidable challenge from Team Jax, comprising the powerful Nia Jax, the athletic Lash Legend, the seasoned duo of The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), and the formidable "The Man," Becky Lynch.

The genesis of this match lies in several ongoing feuds. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky have been engaged in a heated rivalry with The Kabuki Warriors for weeks, while the newly formed WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, have found themselves in a fresh contention with the imposing tandem of Nia Jax and Lash Legend. The formation of the teams saw an initial hiccup when Charlotte Flair briefly exited Ripley’s team, citing a lack of trust in her long-time rival. However, a reconciliation between Ripley and Flair ultimately occurred, bolstering their ranks with the addition of the returning AJ Lee, who has been away from active competition for several years but makes a high-profile return. On the opposing side, Nia Jax and her allies completed their lineup by enlisting the veteran presence of Becky Lynch, a former multi-time champion known for her resilience in high-pressure situations.

The tactical advantage for the women’s WarGames match was claimed by Team Ripley. In the final episode of SmackDown preceding Survivor Series, Charlotte Flair secured a crucial victory over Asuka of The Kabuki Warriors, ensuring her team will have the numerical advantage during the staggered entry phase of the match. This match is expected to be a brutal affair, with personal animosities and championship aspirations fueling the conflict within the steel structure.

Intercontinental Championship: John Cena’s Final Pay-Per-View Chapter

Beyond the WarGames spectacle, Survivor Series will host two pivotal championship bouts. The Intercontinental Championship will be defended by John Cena against Dominik Mysterio in a rematch that carries immense weight for the legendary Cena. This encounter marks a significant point in Cena’s widely publicized "retirement tour," serving as his penultimate stop and his final pay-per-view match.

Cena, a first-ballot Hall of Famer and widely recognized as WWE’s first 17-time world champion, achieved a career milestone just weeks prior. The Intercontinental Championship, surprisingly, had eluded him throughout his two-decade-long career, preventing him from attaining Grand Slam Champion status. On November 10, Cena finally completed his Grand Slam by defeating Dominik Mysterio in an impromptu match for the coveted title. The rematch at Survivor Series provides Mysterio an opportunity for redemption and a chance to etch his name into history by defeating Cena in his final major event. Following this match, Cena is scheduled to turn his attention to the winner of "The Last Time is Now tournament," signaling the definitive end of his active in-ring career.

Women’s World Championship: Mentor vs. Mentee Turned Rival

The Women’s World Championship will also be on the line as the reigning champion, Stephanie Vaquer, faces her former mentor, Nikki Bella, in a highly anticipated contest. This match is the culmination of a dramatic shift in their relationship. Bella, a WWE Hall of Famer, had taken Vaquer under her wing during Vaquer’s inaugural year after her promotion from NXT, guiding her through the initial challenges of the main roster. However, their bond fractured three months prior to Survivor Series when Bella executed a villainous turn, attacking Vaquer from behind following a failed bid for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

This betrayal has set the stage for Bella’s first world title match in nearly a decade, signifying her intent to return to the pinnacle of the women’s division. Vaquer, meanwhile, faces a significant challenge from a highly experienced and now ruthlessly motivated opponent, with her championship reign and reputation on the line against the woman who once helped shape her career. The narrative of mentor versus mentee, exacerbated by Bella’s recent heel persona, promises a deeply personal and emotionally charged championship encounter.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 is poised to deliver a night of unforgettable action, with star-studded lineups, intense rivalries, and the inherent unpredictability of the WarGames format ensuring a high-octane spectacle from San Diego.