411’s WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 Preview

Hello folx and welcome to 411’s Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 Preview! We are at Petco Park in San Diego, California, for the 38th annual Survivor Series. Fun fact: this will be the first WarGames match to take place in a stadium since 1988.

I love the WarGames match, and I feel like they’ve all been good to great since making their WWE debut in NXT. I would have loved to see the Survivor Series Elimination tag on the show itself, and not on SmackDown. It could have replaced Vaquer vs Bella, and let them build their feud up more.

Regardless, tonight, we will see two WarGames matches; The women’s match will see The Kabuki Warriors teaming up with Lash Legend, Nia Jax, and Becky Lynch to take on IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and AJ Lee. On the men’s side, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, The Usos, and CM Punk will take on Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. All this plus Nikki Bella challenges Stephanie Vaquer for the WWE Women’s World Championship, and Dominik Mysterio is trying to regain his WWE Intercontinental Championship from John Cena!

Women’s WarGames
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane), Lash Legend, Nia Jax, and Becky Lynch vs. IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and AJ Lee

Image Credit: WWE

I’m torn on how I feel about this match. The Kabuki Warriors and Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY have been building their feud since the summer. Becky Lynch and AJ Lee have likewise had months of build. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and Lash Legend & Nia Jax are kind of the odd women out. They just started feuding and seem shoehorned into the match.

In a world where Naomi doesn’t get pregnant, I could see Naomi and Vaquer in the match, but I still don’t know who else would round out the teams. It is the downside of having an annual gimmick match; injuries and life can get in the way of long-term story building.

This is the match we have, though, and honestly, 7 out of 10 of the women are some of the best in the world. Lee is a legend, and punching aside, is a good wrestler. Legend plays the powerhouse well and has improved in the last year or so. Then there is Jax, my hope for this year, is that they minimize her faults, have her be the last woman in for her team. And don’t let her swing a chair!

I do think this has the potential to be one of the better women’s WarGames. I’m hoping for another IYO SKY trashcan spot. Asuka and Ripley always bring the intensity. Also, it’s crazy that this is the second year in a row that Ripley is coming into this match with a face injury. And say what you want about Flair, she always knows how to bring it for big matches.

Lynch has publications calling her the best for a reason. She has proven time and again that she deserves that accolade. Lee and Bliss are there to take the bumps, as they can ragdoll for Jax and Legend to make them look even more like monsters.

In the end, I think the heels will pull out a win here. The heels winning helps to further the combined feuds into the Royal Rumble. Lynch will probably get the pin on Lee, which will lead to a rubber match. I am predicting a brutal beating from The Kabuki Warriors, and Legend & Jax will allow Lynch to steal the win.

Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, Lash Legend, Nia Jax, and Becky Lynch

WWE Women’s World Championship
Nikki Bella vs Stephanie Vaquer

Image Credit: WWE

The heel turn came to the shock of no one. As soon as Bella was playing the new bestie to Vaquer, I knew the turn was coming. Bella’s return has been lackluster. She is clearly outclassed by the current generation of women. And her promo work hasn’t been anything to write home about either. I’m hoping that the heel turn will at least help the mic work.

Vaquer’s quick rise in the WWE is not surprising. She is one of the most talented in-ring women today, and while her promos are still improving, she has a natural charisma that shines through. Honestly, I’d say just let her cut her promos in Spanish. It works for Penta and Asuka. We don’t always need to understand the language to understand what is being said.

I don’t expect this match to steal the show, but if anyone can help carry Bella to a decent match, it’s Vaquer. It would have been nice if they had a longer build for this. And maybe more than just a video package on Raw, but the Devil’s Kiss pop should still be a good one. I don’t see Vaquer losing the belt; she is holding it through at least the Rumble.

My prediction for the Rumble still stands, Asuka beats Vaquer, and SKY wins the Rumble.

Winner and still WWE Women’s World Champion: Stephanie Vaquer

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Dominik Mysterio vs John Cena

Image Credit: WWE

If Sheamus were still in the tournament, then I’d say there is a bigger chance for Cena to win. But this is also the second-to-last Cena match, and if he wants to put over new stars, this is the time to do it. Dom is clearly a big part of the future of the WWE. His reactions every night are in the top 10.

A win over Cena, even if it’s a cheap win, will do a lot to elevate him further. Just imagine the promos he can cut: “I’m the greatest Intercontinental Champion, the AAA Mega Champion, the king of the luchadors, the best Mysterio, and I did something else my deadbeat dad could never do. I BEAT JOHN CENA!”

If the Raw match is any indication, then this should be another good one. With this only being a four match card, they should have more time to craft their story. Cena is playing the retiring hero, who is trying to go out on a high note. And Dom is playing the upstart villain, willing to do whatever it takes to get a win and make his mark.

I’m going to go with a Dominik win here; he can go back to being Champ Champ, and use the win here as further fuel to his feud with Rey Mysterio. With Penta hurt, I can see them subbing Rey in as Fenix’s partner against Dom and El Grande Americano next month. So, Dom winning here will give him more to use against Rey.

Winner and new WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dominik Mysterio

Men’s WarGames
Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, The Usos, and CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed

Image Credit: WWE

While Rollins getting hurt probably changed some of the plans for this match, I’d say both teams make more sense than the women’s match. Really, the only outlier here is Logan Paul. I would have preferred almost anyone over Logan Paul. They could have called up Oba Femi, and then you’d have one of the most physically imposing WarGames teams ever.

As much as I despise Paul, he does have history with Reigns, Rhodes, and Jey Uso. And when Breakker and Reed have had enough of his crap, it will be glorious to watch them destroy him.

I have also made it clear that I don’t see the point in bringing Lesnar back. He doesn’t fit well into the current roster, and unless he is willing to show up and put others over, I have no use for him. With that said, if he shows up with his working boots, then he will at least contribute to a great match.

I know the Usos receive a lot of criticism, but they’ve performed well in past WarGames matches. They don’t have to carry the match and can rest when needed.

Put Jimmy in first against Paul. McIntyre comes in next to give the heels the advantage, and they can beat down Jimmy. Jey comes down to even the odds before Reed comes in to wreck shop. From there, you can have Rhodes come in, and the faces will start building momentum, only for Breakker to stop it. I’m torn on if Reigns or Punk would enter next. The pop for either coming in after Lesnar would be huge.

It would make sense for Reigns to be last, since he has been the focus of Lesnar. But I’d love a reversal of last year, where Punk is about to go in, but Reigns stops him. Either way, once all five men are in, it will be a brutal battle to the end. And in the end, I am thinking the faces stand tall.

The stories spiraling out of the faces winning should set up the road to WrestleMania nicely. Bron and Bronson can turn on Paul (I’m guessing he is the one taking the pin). Lesnar and Reigns seem to be on another collision course. McIntyre and Punk can reignite their feud. And there is a possibility of Jey doing something to push him further to that heel turn.

Also, please don’t dive off the cage, Reed!

Winners: Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, The Usos, and CM Punk