San Diego Prepares for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025, Featuring Mega-Matches and Historic Championship Encounters.

One of World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) flagship annual events, Survivor Series, returns to the forefront of the professional wrestling calendar this Saturday night, live from Petco Park in San Diego, California. The 39th iteration of the premium live event will once again feature the critically acclaimed WarGames format, marking the fourth consecutive year this multi-person, multi-ring stipulation has anchored the show. Two colossal WarGames matches are confirmed, one each for the men’s and women’s divisions, promising high-stakes drama and unprecedented star power, including confirmed appearances from Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Rhea Ripley, and Charlotte Flair.

The WarGames match, a unique combat environment first introduced in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1987, consists of two wrestling rings positioned side-by-side, enclosed within a single towering steel cage. The match typically begins with two competitors, one from each team, entering the cage, followed by staggered entries for the remaining participants. The contest officially begins when all team members have entered, with victory achievable only via pinfall or submission. This format historically fosters intense, chaotic encounters, providing a fitting backdrop for the converging storylines leading into Survivor Series 2025.

Men’s WarGames: A Collision of Dominance and Ambition

The men’s WarGames match is poised to serve as the main event, featuring a high-profile clash between two formidable five-man units. On one side stands a collective driven by shared history and individual ambition: CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso), and the returning Roman Reigns. Opposing them is a powerhouse assembly curated by the strategic mind of Paul Heyman, comprising Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed, collectively known as "The Vision" alliance, albeit with recent modifications.

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The genesis of this main event took a significant turn following an injury to Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel, which forced "The Vision" to adapt. In Rollins’ absence, the group forged an alliance with Logan Paul, integrating his unique blend of athleticism and mainstream appeal into their ranks. Further bolstering Heyman’s collective, Drew McIntyre, after circumventing a suspension imposed by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis on November 14, officially joined "The Vision." The final slots on each team were filled by Lesnar, aligning with Heyman, and Reigns, who notably reunited with his cousins, The Usos, signaling a potential resurgence of "The Bloodline" dynamic. In a crucial pre-match development on the final edition of Monday Night Raw before Survivor Series, Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul secured a victory in a tag team contest, earning their team the coveted WarGames advantage – allowing them to send an additional competitor into the cage before their opponents during the staggered entry phase.

The narrative threads woven into this match are complex. Roman Reigns, a multi-time world champion and a dominant figure for years, is reportedly focused on re-inserting himself into the world title picture. His reunion with The Usos could signify a return to the unified front that once dominated WWE, or it could be a temporary alliance born out of necessity. Cody Rhodes, still aiming to "finish his story" and capture a world championship, finds himself allied with a former rival in CM Punk. Punk’s highly anticipated return to WWE has seen him engage in high-profile feuds, and his inclusion adds an unpredictable element to this already volatile mix. The Usos, one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history, bring their unparalleled chemistry and experience in high-stakes matches.

Opposing them, Heyman’s "Vision" represents a potent mix of brute force, athletic prowess, and strategic cunning. Brock Lesnar, known for his devastating power and infrequent, impactful appearances, is a perennial threat. His long-standing association with Paul Heyman adds a layer of tactical depth to their unit. Drew McIntyre, the "Scottish Warrior," has displayed a more aggressive, calculated persona in recent months, making him a formidable and unpredictable component. Logan Paul, the social media sensation turned legitimate WWE competitor, brings a high-flying, risk-taking style. Bron Breakker, a standout from NXT with a powerful lineage, and Bronson Reed, known for his immense size and strength, complete a team designed for destruction. The internal dynamics, particularly within Reigns’ team, and the external clash of these two star-studded groups are expected to deliver a memorable WarGames encounter.

Women’s WarGames: Settling Scores and Forging Alliances

The women’s WarGames match promises to be equally compelling, bringing multiple simmering rivalries to a head within the confines of the steel cage. One team is led by the formidable Rhea Ripley, alongside Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and the returning AJ Lee. Their adversaries are a powerful collective featuring Nia Jax, Lash Legend, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane), and the iconic Becky Lynch.

This match is a culmination of several ongoing conflicts. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky have been locked in a bitter feud with The Kabuki Warriors, a rivalry that has seen championship implications and intense personal animosity. Meanwhile, the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, have ignited a fresh rivalry with the imposing tandem of Nia Jax and Lash Legend. The formation of Ripley’s team saw a period of internal strife when Charlotte Flair initially exited the group, citing a lack of trust in Ripley. This left two critical spots open for Ripley’s squad and one for Jax’s. However, Flair and Ripley eventually reconciled, solidifying their alliance and bolstering their ranks with the unexpected, yet highly anticipated, return of AJ Lee. Lee, a former Divas Champion known for her dynamic in-ring style and captivating presence, brings a significant veteran presence to the team. On the opposing side, Jax and company secured the services of Becky Lynch, one of WWE’s most decorated female superstars, whose experience and tenacity are invaluable in such a high-stakes match. In a pivotal match on the final SmackDown before Survivor Series, Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka, earning her team the WarGames advantage. This strategic victory could prove crucial in dictating the flow of the early stages of the cage match.

John Cena’s Intercontinental Championship Defense: A Penultimate Performance

Survivor Series 2025 marks a significant milestone in the illustrious career of John Cena, serving as the penultimate stop on his much-discussed retirement tour. The event will host what is billed as Cena’s last pay-per-view match, a defense of his newly acquired Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio. This championship bout holds particular significance for Cena, a first-ballot Hall of Famer and the first 17-time world champion recognized by WWE. Despite his unparalleled success, the Intercontinental Championship had surprisingly eluded him for two decades, preventing him from achieving the coveted Grand Slam Champion status (World, Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team titles) until very recently.

Cena secured the Intercontinental Championship in an impromptu match against Dominik Mysterio on November 10. The circumstances of that match, where Cena capitalized on an opportunity to challenge Mysterio for the title, set the stage for this immediate rematch. Mysterio, portraying his "Dirty Dom" persona, will undoubtedly be seeking redemption and to reclaim the title he lost, potentially aiming to spoil Cena’s farewell tour. For Cena, defending the title represents an opportunity to add another prestigious chapter to his legacy and to conclude his pay-per-view career as a reigning champion before turning his attention to the winner of "The Last Time is Now" tournament, which is slated to determine his final career opponent.

Women’s World Championship: Mentor vs. Mentored

The Women’s World Championship will also be on the line as champion Stephanie Vaquer defends her title against a former mentor, the returning Hall of Famer Nikki Bella. This match is born out of a dramatic betrayal that unfolded three months prior, following Bella’s unsuccessful bid for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. In a shocking turn of events, Bella attacked Vaquer from behind, marking a definitive villainous turn against the wrestler she had taken under her wing during Vaquer’s inaugural year on the main roster after her call-up from NXT.

Stephanie Vaquer, who has established herself as a formidable champion since her ascent, now faces one of her greatest tests against a legend of the women’s division. Nikki Bella, a celebrated Hall of Famer and former Divas Champion, is making her first world title challenge in nearly a decade. Her ruthless pursuit of the championship, fueled by her recent heel turn and a desire to add another major title to her impressive resume, sets the stage for an emotionally charged contest. The personal history between mentor and mentored adds a compelling layer to this championship encounter, as Bella aims to prove she still belongs at the pinnacle of women’s wrestling, even at the expense of her former protégé.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 is scheduled to stream live on ESPN Unlimited, with coverage commencing at 7 p.m. ET. The event promises to be a pivotal night in the WWE calendar, with championship gold on the line and deeply personal rivalries culminating in the unforgiving environment of the WarGames cage.