Reliving some of the great WarGames matches from the past one thing I cannot understand is how you can have such a match and have no blood. That is like playing a professional hockey game without taking a check or playing professional football without getting tackled. It is part of the game, part of the experience and impossible to avoid. Having your head mashed, smashed, bashed and crashed against the side of a steel fence is bound to leave a mark and a very bloody mark at that.
If there aren’t going to be any “crimson masks” in a WarGames match you might as well get rid of the fencing for the cage and go back to the ridiculous “blue bar” steel cage WWE used in Hulk Hogan versus ‘King Kong’ Bundy at WrestleMania 2. You know, those bars that are so think they could easily KO you but they certainly aren’t going to cut, scrape or lacerate you. Like all cage matches should be, I want the walls to be cheese graters otherwise what’s the point, really, considering the cage in all of its forms is supposed to be the ultimate grudge matches.
Well, the good thing is we at least got some colour in the men’s WarGames match and Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s anthem against the military-industrial complex and political warmongering also lived on at the event. However, as far as the Royal Rumble goes, we are left with more questions than answers.
Take note that unlike previous WarGames matches, the competitors are not at ringside waiting to enter the cage. They will come out, make their entrance one by one. The crowd voices a countdown as we see who comes out next.
Also, the announcers keep saying the actual match doesn’t start until the final phase begins when all wrestlers from both teams are in the ring. No, that isn’t how it goes. That part is called “The Match Beyond” but WarGames entails the entire match from start to finish and always has. Look at any of the official final timings. They begin as soon as the first two participants square off. Morons.
It also sucks that this was the final PPV, PLE for John Cena. He deserved to go out at WrestleMania or at least the Royal Rumble not Saturday Night’s Main Event. That is so lame.
The attendance wasn’t though. It was announced that WWE set a Survivor Series record with 46,016 in attendance.
In the main event, it was a star-studded WarGames match with the team of Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso versus Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.
Too much action to call so here are the highlights:
CM Punk is out first…
Punk climbs the cage and sits on the top giving the Go To Sleep sign. The crowd cheers his name. He jacket says…”Larry’s Dad”.
Bron Breakker is out next…
He is wearing a leather jacket like his dad used to with the spikes on the shoulders.
CM Punk stares down Bron from inside the cage. The dawgs are barking!
Bron just powers Punk down. Punk is surprised. Bron easily picks up Punk slams him down and tackles him in a corner. Punk hits a heel kick that knocks Bron down. Punk punches down Bron in a corner. Punk targets Bron’s legs, knees. Bron catches Punk in the air and throws him backwards twice. Punk explodes with a flying clothesline off the second rope. The crowd cheers Punk on.
Drew McIntyre is out next…
Will this be a repeat of Hell in the Hell? We shall see. Drew stares and snarls at Punk as he enters the cage. They meet in the middle of the ring. Punk keeps swinging but it is two against one. Bron pushes Punk into a Claymore. Drew goes after Punk’s eyes gouging them. Punks is bounced off the cage. Drew and Bron pick up Punk and ram him into the cage head-first. Drew and Bron takes turns using Punk as a punching bag. They smash Punk into the cage again. Drew rakes Punk’s forehead against the cage wall.
Cody Rhodes is out next…
Cody rushes to the ring to help Punk. Drew holds the cage door shut. Cody climbs the cage. CM Punk is busted up. Cody flattens Drew with a cross body off the top of the cage. A Cody Cutter on Bron.
Punk approaches Cody from behind. Cody elbows him by mistake. Cody and Punk exchange some words but get back on the page. Cody and Punk drop Drew with a Hart Attack. It is a Doomsday Device on Bron who lands awkwardly on his neck.
Cody throws Drew into the cage. Bron hasn’t gotten back up from the Doomsday Device. Cody works over Drew in a corner as Bron is kept off camera. Punk and Cody pepper Drew with Dusty Rhodes like punches.
Logan Paul is out next…
Bron is finally back up. Paul throws some chairs into the ring. Paul hits Cody with a steel chair. Cody is dropped face-first on a chair. Paul leaps over the ropes clotheslining Punk. Drew and Paul unload on Cody. Cody hits Bron with a steel chair.
Cody and Paul throw hands while seated on top of the steel cage. Bron labels Cody’s leg with a steel chair. As Cody scampers down, Bron hits Cody with a chair. Drew does the same to Punk. Drew and Paul double suplex Punk down.
Jimmy Uso is out next…
Jimmy slams the door into Bron’s head. Jimmy pulls out a table sliding it into a ring. Super kicks all around to Drew and Bron. Jimmy splashes both Paul and Bron. Cody is busted open above his eye.
Bronson Reed is out next…
Reed gives Punk, Jimmy and Cody, Tsunamis. He splashes Cody into the cage and does the same to a limp Punk. He avalanches Jimmy in a corner. Drew bounces Punk off the ropes and into the cage over and over.
Jey Uso is out next…
Jey super kicks Reed into a corner. He hip attacks both Reed and Bron. Both Usos are up. They double super kick everyone and One-D Logan Paul. Jey runs back his music and the cheers. Seems stupid in the middle of a brutal match like WarGames. Jey sits on top of the cage Yeeting like an idiot instead of inflicting damage on the other team. Absurdly moronic booking.
Brock Lesnar is out next…
Brock takes everyone to Suplex City. He whips Cody and Punk into the cage. He suplexes Jey and F-5s Jimmy, Punk and Cody. Brock stands in the middle of the ring laughing.
Jey gets another F-5. Cody fights back with some fists. Brock lifts Cody in a corner. He throws Cody across the ring. The crowd boos.
Brock beats them all with a steel chair across their backs.
Roman Reigns is out next…
Brock leaves the cage standing on the steps waiting for Roman. Brock meets Reigns on the floor. Three running Superman punches from Reigns but Brock F-5s him through an announce table. Brock pitches Roman into the side of the cage over and over, then into the ringside steps. Brock pushes Roman into the cage. He slams the door shut.
“Let the WarGames begin!” yells Alicia Taylor.
An F5 to Roman. Cody stops the pin. A GTS, a Cross Rhodes on Brock as they try to pin Brock. Paul hits his frog splash on them both. Paul Heyman hands Paul his brass knuckles. Paul punches Jimmy and Cody with them. Paul demands Roman get up. Roman spears Paul. He pulls Paul’s knuckles off and puts them on.
Superman Punches to Drew, Bronson. He spears Bron. Roman spears Brock through a table as he attempts to F5 Jimmy. Bron spears Jimmy and Jey. Drew low-blows to Cody. Bron spears Cody. Punk dodges Bron. Bron spears the cage. A Go To Sleep to Logan Paul.
A hooded figure dressed in black enters the ring climbing over the cage. He super kicks and stomps Punk like Rollins. He climbs back out and disappears. The announcers insist it cannot be Rollins. He just had shoulder surgery. Bron spears Punk for the three count and the win.
Roman Reigns stands and stares at his partners in disappointment. Reigns offers his hand to Punk to help him up. They bump fists. Roman turns his attention to Cody. They stare at each other, share some words. Reigns walks away and then stops.
“This is the last time we ever team,” says Roman to Cody as we go off the air.
WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2025 Results
The competitors tonight are shown entering the arena but each has a PS5 logo besides their names with no explanation at all. ‘Dominik Mysterio PS5’? What the hell does that mean?
Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and AJ Lee versus Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax, Lash Legend and Becky Lynch – Women’s WarGames Match
Too much action to call, especially as the ring fills up, so here are the highlights:
Charlotte is out first.
She is wearing gear dedicated to a young friend, child in attendance who is battling brain cancer.
Asuka is out next.
The fans cheer loudly for Charlotte as she flips Asuka all around the ring. Charlotte misses a big kick. Asuka snaps her leg, knee over the ropes. Charlotte leaps off the top rope. Asuka knees Charlotte in the face. Then, it is machine gun kicks to the chest until Charlotte’s big boot knocks her down.
Asuka takes a flurry of chops before she collapses on the mat. On the second rope, Asuka’s shots bounce Charlotte’s head off the cage. Charlotte falls between the cage and the ring.
Iyo Sky is out next.
Sky comes into the ring with a garbage can lid with her name on it. Iyo attempts to jump from top rope to top rope and leap off where the two rings join but bobbles things. Her attack becomes a flying clothesline. She uses the trash can lid as part of her Bullet Train attack in a corner. Iyo mashes Asuka’s face into the metal plate which joins the two rings.
Becky Lynch is out next.
She comes to the ring with a Kendo stick. She beats Sky with it and gives her a Russian Leg Sweep. Hanging Iyo up in a corner Lynch wallops on Iyo with the stick. Charlotte takes the stick away. They trade haymakers until Asuka enters the fray.
Once Charlotte and Lynch take care of Iyo and Asuka, they go back to throwing hands. Lynch pushes Charlotte’s head against the cage.
Alexa Bliss is out next.
She is desperate to help out Charlotte but Asuka stops her for a time. Bliss punches and punches Lynch to the mat and then helps Charlotte up. Charlotte and Bliss work over Asuka and Lynch. Charlotte and Iyo put their boots to Lynch pressing her face against the cage. Charlotte and Bliss are ready in the middle of the ring for who comes next.
Kairi Sane is out next.
Sane has a chain with her. Charlotte and Bliss circle her but Sane clocks them with the chain. She leaps off Charlotte’s back punching Bliss in the head. Sane flies off the top rope with the chain punching Charlotte. Asuka heaves Sky off the top rope. Sane smashes the trash can lid into her head.
AJ Lee is out next.
Lynch attempts to hold the cage door closed. AJ climbs to the top of the cage and over. She leaps off the top rope onto the Kabuki Warriors. Lee goes after Lynch bouncing her head off turnbuckles and whips her into the cage over and over before landing a Shining Wizard. Lee fights off Sane who mocks her skipping entrance. Lynch, Asuka and Sane all attack Lee until her team members save her.
Nia Jax is out next.
Jax throws Charlotte and Bliss into the cage and hits hip attacks on them into the cage. Iyo climbs the cage wall as Nia throws her into it. Nia pulls her down and powerbombs her. Nia starts limply whipping Sky with Sane’s chain. Not impressive. Asuka chokes out Bliss with the chain after Nia drops it.
Rhea Ripley is out next.
Ripley has a protective mask on her face due to the fact she is recovering from a broken nose. Her gear is honoring Art the Clown from Terrifier. Rhea has all sorts of plunder with her. Ripley whacks the heels with a Kendo stick. She slams Lynch on her face. Rhea missile drop kicks Jax from the top rope. Rhea reaches out to help Iyo up. Rhea puts Sane in a Prism Trap while Iyo covers Sane’s head with a garbage can lid. Iyo runs the ropes until she finally drop kicks the can.
Lash Legend is the final contestant out next.
When Legend enters she slams the cage door shut.
“Let the WarGames begin!” yells Alicia Taylor.
Legend lifts Bliss just throwing her around. She chokeslams Charlotte. She stands face to face with Rhea who waves at her. They trade haymakers. Legend powerbombs and pump kicks Rhea for a two count. Nia breaks up a possible Rip Tide on Legend. Legend and Nia powerbomb Charlotte and Bliss into the steel cage again and again at the same time. Legend and Nia power press slam Iyo into her own allies.
Sane wraps the chain around her arm. She lands the Kabuki Special with Asuka but Rhea saves the match for her team. The heels surround Rhea. Asuka spits her mist. Charlotte pulls Rhea out of the way. Asuka mists Legend instead. Charlotte and Rhea double suplex Jax. Bliss lands Twisted Bliss on Jax. Rhea lifts up Lee so she can hand Iyo a trash can on the top of the cage.
The heels except Lynch all stand there mystified so Iyo can splash them all. Lynch tries to climb the cage. Charlotte pulls her down. Rip Tide and a Black Widow makes Lynch submit.
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and AJ Lee at 41 minutes and 2 seconds.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio – Intercontinental Championship Match
Dominik gets a standing ovation of sorts in his hometown as Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez accompany him down to the ring. Cena high-fives tons of people before heading to the ring.
“My last PLE. My last time on ESPN. It is good to have your son here,” says Cena to Stu the cameraman. “Let’s go to work.”
Mysterio looks on with disgust as Cena takes his bows in the middle of the ring.
Lot of “Thank you, Cena!” chants as Cena is about to participate in his 177th match on a WWE PPV / PLE. He has a hundred wins.
Dom is wary of locking up with Cena. Cena takes him down with a headlock right off the bat. Perez trips up Cena as Dom gets the ref’s attention. Dom puts the boots to Cena. Dom wastes time mocking Cena to the crowd. As Dom draws the official away again, Raquel punches Cena.
Cena kicks out of Three Amigos. Cena has had no offence thus far as Dom stomps him in a corner. Cena finally fights back with some haymakers. Dom flees the ring. Cena gives chase but Roxanne and Raquel step in his way. Dom blindsides Cena. Dom bounces head off the announce table and the ring. Dom goes for a Hurricanrana off the barricade. Dom seems to hit the ground really hard. Dom is on the ground holding his shoulder. The official checks on him and calls in medics.
Back in the ring, Raquel hits her powerbomb and Perez hits Pop Rocks. Dom rushes back into the ring with the frog splash. The official refuses to count the fall. He reprimands Dom for his shenanigans. Raquel and Roxanne are sent back to the locker room. Cena executes his Five Knuckle Shuffle but Dom squirms out of the AA. Cena locks on his facelook. Dom reaches the ropes.
Dom unzips his boot. Cena is flustered when he pulls it off as he tries to drag Dom back to the middle of the ring.. 619 and a Frog Splash for a two count. Dom puts his boot back on. Attitude Adjustment. Dom kicks out.
Dom and Cena throw hands in the middle of the ring. Dom dodges a shoulder tackle. Cena hits the official taking him out. As Cena has Dom in his crossface, Finn and JD run down to ringside. JD and Finn miss their moonsault and double stomps. Cena picks them both up for an AA.
Dom grabs the belt off the stand. He swings and misses. Another AA to Dom.
Liv Morgan’s music plays and out she comes. She runs down to the ring. She smiles at Dom before punching him in the face. Cena looks stunned. She leaps into Cena’s arms, gives the look to the camera that Cena did when he became a heel then kicks him in the lower abdomen. Dom hits a Frog Splash and pins Cena.
Winner: …and new Intercontinental Champion at 16 minutes and 59 seconds, Dominik Mysterio.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Stephanie Vaquer (c) versus Nikki Bella – Women’s World Championship Match
Bella blindsides Stephanie before the bell even rings. Stephanie fights back with a drop kick and a leg drop. Grabbing Bella by the hair, Stephanie head butts her over and over in a corner. Bella flees to the floor. They brawl on the floor. Stephanie bashes Bella’s head off the ring apron.
“You know who I am?” shouts Bella shoulder tackling Stephanie repeatedly in a corner.
Bella puts Stephanie in a straight-jacket lock. Bella chokes Stephanie over the middle rope. She isn’t even breaking a sweat. Stephanie is put on the top rope by Bella. Stephanie turns it into a Tarantula Lock. Back suplex by the champion. As Stephanie goes for the Devil’s Kiss, Bella rolls them both to the ropes. Both women are on their knees throwing hands until Stephanie replies with a head butt, a clothesline, snap suplex and a roll-up for two.
Stephanie dragon screws Bella’s knee and lands a powerbomb for a two. Double knees to Bella in a corner. Bella pulls Stephanie off the top rope for a kick to a jaw. Rack Attack 2.0 but Stephanie puts her foot on the ropes to break the count.
Bella is head butt off the apron. Bella’s neck is put on the ring apron. Stephanie drives her knee into Bella’s exposed throat. Devil’s Kiss on the announce table. Back suplex and Devil’s Kiss in the middle of the ring on Bella. Stephanie climbs to the top rope. Her corkscrew splash pins Bella.
Bella really surprised me here. She looked sharp and strong.
Winner: …and still Women’s World Champion…Stephanie Vaquer at 12 minutes and 21 seconds.
Rating: 8 / 10
Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso versus Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre – Men’s WarGames Match
Winners: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre at 40 minutes and 30 seconds.
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Overall Event Rating: 8 / 10
