WWE's 2025 delivered a rollercoaster of highs—from emotional retirements and surprise returns to breakout stars and match-of-the-year contenders—tempered by creative misfires, injury setbacks, and booking inconsistencies that left fans debating long into the year. Hindsight reveals a promotion pushing boundaries under new management while grappling with legacy expectations, highlighted by WrestleMania 41's mixed bag and NXT's chaotic brilliance.
John Cena's Heel Turn Saga: Bold Risks and Emotional Payoffs
John Cena's shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber 2025—low-blowing Cody Rhodes and aligning with The Rock—shattered his 20-year babyface record, earning Guinness recognition and massive buzz through viral promos like his Belgium toxic relationships rant. The angle faltered post-Rock's absence, confusing fans with Cena's flip back to babyface by August after SummerSlam loss to Rhodes, but it set up joyous farewells including IC title elevation of Dominik Mysterio. Cena's run peaked with strong bouts against Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, and a Crown Jewel homage-packed epic vs. AJ Styles—trading finishers from Samoa Joe to Randy Orton—culminating in a tearful retirement that honored his GOAT status amid fan chants. Despite narrative wobbles, the risks amplified his legacy, blending nostalgia with fresh heel glimpses.
Solo Sikoa's Breakout: From Manager to Must-See Entertainer
Solo Sikoa evolved from Bloodline enforcer to US Champion, rebranding the faction amid hubris-fueled twists like Jacob Fatu's potential betrayal, blending menace with hilarious off-camera antics like skeleton dabs. His sporadic main event pushes and managerial flair—yelling at Jimmy Uso—positioned him as a versatile comedy villain, thriving beyond tough-guy confines. Fans embraced his mannerisms, turning potential drift into entertainment gold, proving Sikoa's growth transcended Bloodline shadow.
WrestleMania 41 Breakdown: Golden Opener Amid Drab Vibes
WrestleMania 41's Night 1 opener—Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair for women's gold—earned golden up status with flawless psychology, near-falls, high-flying spots like Sky's missile dropkick, and Belair's injury-forced shock title change, rivaling all-time greats. Night 1's Roman Reigns-Seth Rollins-CM Punk main with Paul Heyman turn shone, but overall the two-nighter lacked 38-40's magic—drab pacing, Travis Scott's Rock-mimicking entrance deflating Night 2's Cena-Rhodes finale. Hindsight confirms strong individual peaks couldn't elevate the event beyond solid, prompting Vegas 42 rebound hopes.
Tag Division Woes: Talent Wasted on Inconsistent Booking
Raw/SmackDown tag scenes stagnated despite stars like New Day, War Raiders, Finn Balor/JD McDonagh (150-day reign, one defense), and SmackDown TLC gems; factions treated belts as props over pure tag focus. Splitting titles diluted depth, echoing past Bloodline/Judgment Day vanities, with calls for unification to unleash potential. Bright spots like Fraxion's call-up fade underscored underutilization.
AJ Lee's Epic Return: Nostalgia Pop and Mental Health Spotlight
AJ Lee's September 5 SmackDown comeback—attacking Becky Lynch amid CM Punk ties—exploded with 10-year absence pops, teaming Punk vs. Rollins/Lynch at WrestlePalooza before WarGames. Her mental health promo resonated deeply, topping returns while selective schedule savored impact without burnout.
Injury Setbacks and Breakout Stars: Owens Out, Mysterio/Penta Up
Kevin Owens' neck injury derailed Orton feud and product energy, his babyface/heel mastery missed amid car promos and run-of-life momentum. Dominik Mysterio's banner year—Cena unflappability, AAA Stone Cold vibes, heel mastery—proved Mysterio lineage's entertainment gold. Penta El Zero Miedo's debut wowed with superstar entrances, Mexican Destroyers, and fan buys, scratching Lucha Brothers tease surface.
Brock Lesnar Redux and Sami Zayn Revival
Lesnar's sporadic returns recycled suplex city sans evolution—SummerSlam squash, two-minute WrestlePalooza callback, WarGames brawls—evoking 2016 part-time fatigue despite legal context. Sami Zayn's US open challenges lit SmackDown with NXT bangers (Javon Evans, Ilja Dragunov), blue thunder bombs injecting freshness.
Booking Pet Peeves: Distractions Galore
Excessive distractions/interference—Bloodline/Vision antics, main event DQs/countouts—bred predictability, eroding finishes across brands.
Match Masterpieces: Cena-Styles and Reed's Statement
Crown Jewel's Cena-Styles joyously homaged Daniels/Joe/Angle/Miz/Orton/Mysterio with emotional dual-retirement stakes, Australia Cena Day amplifying fun. Bronson Reed's Roman pin elevated him beyond big-man heater.
Women's Title Travails and Minor Gripes
Women's IC/US belts and Asuka's heel turn flopped; Cena tournament/Jey Uso Rumble win underwhelmed.
NXT's Wild Factory: Breeding Future Stars
NXT's goofy chaos birthed Trick Williams (TNA crossover winner-take-all vs. Oba Femi), Jacy Jayne, Oba Femi (alpha clashes), Ricky Saints, Ethan Page—priming main roster dominance. Its creativity contrasted majors perfectly.
