Here are my ups and downs for Survivor Series 2025:
Downs:
1. Repetitive storytelling in both WarGames matches.
When WWE was putting together these WarGames matches, we diehards were hoping for fresh, unique storytelling that would hook us. While we did get something to talk about (more on that later), we also got saddled with both cage matches pulling the exact same scenarios less than two hours apart.
First, we saw Becky Lynch stop AJ from getting in the ring by holding the door closed. AJ would scale the cage, much to Lynch's shock. All well and good until the main event rolled around.
When it did, and it was time for the OTC (Roman Reigns) to enter the fray, what happens? Brock Lesnar pulls the exact same stunt. It was the laziest booking move I have seen in a while, however it was a minor not, so I'll leave it to at that.
2. WWE ruins a great storyline/return to return to the status quo
When Cena and Dom began their battle over the IC Championship, it was easy to see that some sort of shenanigans were soon to be underfoot. Sure enough, the entirety of Judgement Day interfered to try to cost Cena the title. It was happened after this, however, that leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.
After Judgement Day did their thing and hot bounced from ringside in a variety of ways (Cena disposing of Balor and JD, the ref booting Roxanne and Raquel), fans were waiting for something to give, and what we got was the proverbial cake that looked like chocolate but turned out to be horse crap.
In one fell swoop, WWE botched two things at the same time, and neither for the better. First, Liv had been gone for months, and her return was certain to bring a pop, which it did. Fans roared when she appeared, then WWE threw that opportunity away by having her rejoin JD. WWE could have had her turn on Dom, and begin feuding with both female members of JD, but instead we're gonna get months more of "will she stay or go" nonsense.
The second mistake is that WWE has now rendered the "Last Time is Now" tourney to one of irrelevance. Besides being the person who retires Cena, what else will the winner receive from it? With the IC Belt in the mix, at least the possibility of Cena losing hung in the air. Now, that is gone. Survivor Series' outcome almost certainly guarantees Cena leaves with a win in his last match. This of course, benefits NO ONE but Cena. No elevation of the mid-card, no creation of the "next big thing" only disappointment.
3. No traditional 5-on-5 match on the card that bears the same name.
Survivor Series is synonymous with teams of five striving to survive. Eliminations occur, and the show becomes unique for that very reason. Yet, for inexplicable reasons, HHH shifted a traditional match built for the show to Smackdown. This is tantamount to them deciding to move the Women's Royal Rumble match to Raw the week before. It's ridiculous. Was Smackdown's main event great? Not exactly, but it easily could have gone on first and it might have revved the crowd up even more. Opportunity lost.
4. TOO MUCH STALLING
Throughout both cage matches there were altogether too many instances of "lay around and wait for your spot" moments last night. I understand that WWE wanted to avoid injuries and such, but this was a bridge too far, so to speak. There's keeping your wrestlers safe, and then there"s whatever that was last night. Another minor not, but one worth noting.
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Ups:
1. Stephanie Vacquer vanquishes her foe decisively.
Vacquer was up against it, as they say, with the poor build to her match with Nikki Bella. Both women did the best with what they had been given, and Stephanie did what she was supposed to do: beat Nikki and move on to the next challenger to her title.
2. A really nice mystery is brewing.
At the near conclusion of the men's match was the emergence of a masked man who attacked Punk and then stomped him using Seth Rollins maneuvers, but it was apparent to everyone watching that it wasn't Rollins. It was obvious that the person was smaller than Rollins, perhaps even female. Therein lies the genius: we know it wasn't Rollins but we really aren't positive it wasn't him. It is a brilliant talking for Raw moving forward. Let's just hope that the payoff on whoever is under the mask is equally done well.
3. Cena puts on a nostalgia display.
Cena, despite losing his title, gave fans a fun match, filled with moments that hearkened back to his glory days. In one particularly cool moment, Cena drilled both JD and Balor with an AA at the same time. Cena continues to entertain fans in the run-up to his final match in Washington. Kudos.
