Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 Review – A Night of Surprises and Mixed Reactions

WWE's Survivor Series: WarGames from Petco Park in San Diego on Saturday night was a mixed bag for fans. While it certainly delivered some jaw-dropping moments and shocking returns, the overall experience left many scratching their heads, with a few questionable decisions throughout the show. From unexpected title changes to an unpredictable ending in the men's WarGames match, here's a breakdown of the action.

Women's WarGames: AJ Lee Forces Becky Lynch to Tap

The night kicked off with the women's WarGames match, where the teams of AJ Lee, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair took on Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Kairi Sane, and Asuka. The match started with a traditional WarGames setup, but WWE opted to abandon the shark cage entrances this year, allowing competitors to make regular entrances. While this made for a less dramatic build-up, it did set the stage for some wild moments inside the cage.

The match itself was a high-flying, chaotic affair, with big spots from every competitor. Iyo Sky soared off the cage with a trash can, hitting a dive onto most of the opposing team. The tension grew as the match reached its climax, and after a brutal exchange, AJ Lee isolated Becky Lynch, trapping her in the Black Widow submission. Despite a valiant effort, Lynch was forced to tap out, leaving Lee and her team victorious.

While the match had its moments, it was somewhat forgettable due to timing issues and a lack of real emotional stakes. The absence of the shark cages—something that had been a trademark of WarGames—also left some fans disappointed. 

Liv Morgan's Shocking Return Helps Dominik Mysterio Win the Intercontinental Championship

In one of the night’s more surprising twists, Liv Morgan made her unexpected return during the Intercontinental Championship match between John Cena and Dominik Mysterio. After a back-and-forth contest, Mysterio had the odds stacked against him, thanks to Cena’s power and technical wrestling. However, interference from Mysterio’s allies, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, helped Mysterio maintain an advantage.

Just when Cena seemed poised to lock in the victory, Liv Morgan’s music hit, and she rushed to the ring. At first, it seemed like she might help Cena, but instead, Morgan delivered a low blow to Cena, assisting Mysterio in capturing the title. The match was a bit overbooked with all the interference, but the surprising return of Morgan added a nice twist, and the right man (or in this case, right heel) walked away with the win. 

Stephanie Vaquer Retains Women’s World Championship in a Lackluster Match Against Nikki Bella

In a match that felt more like filler than anything else, Stephanie Vaquer defended her Women’s World Championship against Nikki Bella. Bella, trying to find her footing in a division that has surpassed her skillset, attacked Vaquer early but struggled to keep up with the champion’s speed and technique.

The match was serviceable, but it was clear that Bella, who was once a cornerstone of the women’s division, has fallen behind the newer crop of talent. Vaquer hit all her signature moves, including the Devil's Kiss, but the overall pace of the match felt slow, and the crowd was disengaged. The right result came with Vaquer retaining, but this one felt like it could have been much more. 

Men's WarGames: A Chaotic, Unpredictable Finish

The men’s WarGames match was the show’s main event and certainly had the highest stakes, with names like CM Punk, Bron Breakker, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Cody Rhodes involved. The match got off to an explosive start, with Punk and Breakker battling it out first. The action escalated quickly, with McIntyre entering next and landing a Claymore on Punk, followed by chaos from both teams.

As the match progressed, it seemed like Punk and his team (which included Rhodes and The Usos) were gaining momentum, but the arrival of Brock Lesnar, followed by Roman Reigns, shifted the tides. Lesnar and Reigns went at it outside the cage, and once the bell rang to officially start the match, the action was relentless. However, it was the final moments that left fans scratching their heads.

A masked figure, whose identity was not immediately clear, entered the ring and attacked CM Punk, hitting a superkick and a Seth Rollins-style stomp. This allowed Bron Breakker to hit a spear and score the pinfall victory for his team. While the mystery man added an unexpected twist, it also felt like a cheap way to end what was otherwise a well-paced and intense match. Fans immediately began speculating about the masked individual’s identity, with many wondering if it was a returning Seth Rollins, though his body type didn’t match the mysterious figure.

Despite a strong performance from everyone involved, the finish left a sour taste, overshadowing what could have been an iconic end to an otherwise solid match.

Final Thoughts

Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 was a show of contrasts. The women’s WarGames match had its moments but ultimately fell flat, while the men’s WarGames match provided plenty of action, only to be marred by a controversial finish. The unexpected return of Liv Morgan and a surprise title change added some intrigue, but a lackluster women’s title defense and the overbooked antics in some of the matches made it feel like WWE was trying a bit too hard to create shock value without fully delivering on the emotional payoff.

Overall, the event didn’t necessarily “shake the foundations of WWE,” but it did leave fans with plenty to talk about, both positively and negatively. WarGames matches are always chaotic and unpredictable, but this year’s installment left many feeling that WWE may have missed an opportunity to truly deliver on the hype.