The 10 Biggest WWE Moments of 2025
John Cena at WrestleMania 41
10. The Rock and Roman Reigns at RAW’s Netflix Debut
Closing out the January 6th Netflix premiere, The Rock appeared in the ring to confront Roman Reigns following a grueling Tribal Combat match. In a shocking display of humility, The Rock raised Reigns' hand and acknowledged him as the "Original Tribal Chief," seemingly ending their long-standing rivalry for family leadership. This moment served as a bridge between the Hollywood era of The Bloodline and the future, signaling a temporary truce between the two icons. The image of the two megastars standing together became the defining visual for WWE's new era on Netflix.
9. Damian Priest’s Broken Arrow to Finn Balor
The implosion of the Judgment Day reached its violent peak when Damian Priest hit a Broken Arrow on Finn Balor off the entrance stage through a stack of tables. This spot occurred during an un-sanctioned match on RAW, highlighting the deep-seated animosity between the former brothers. The sheer impact of the move necessitated a medical hiatus for Balor and established Priest as a top-level powerhouse. It was voted the "Extreme Moment of the Year" by fans, representing the final nail in the coffin for one of WWE’s most successful modern factions.
8. John Cena Retires
On December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night's Main Event, John Cena wrestled his final match against Gunther. Despite a valiant effort, Cena fell to the "Sleeper Hold," ending his 23-year career on a loss to the man he deemed the future of the business. Following the match, Cena placed his iconic wristbands and boots in the center of the ring while the entire locker room gathered on the entrance stage to applaud. His retirement speech focused on gratitude, officially transitioning him from an active competitor to a lifetime WWE Ambassador.
7. Rhea Ripley wins back the Women’s World Championship
On the historic January 6th debut of RAW on Netflix, Rhea Ripley regained her title by defeating Liv Morgan in a brutal encounter. Ripley had been pursuing Morgan for months following a storyline injury, and the victory served as ultimate vindication for "The Eradicator." Following the match, Ripley added an exclamation point by attacking Dominik Mysterio, officially severing her ties with the remnants of the old Judgment Day. The match was praised for its physicality and served as the perfect high-stakes showcase for WWE's transition to streaming.
6. Seth Rollins Aligns with Paul Heyman at WrestleMania 41
In a move that effectively ended the original Bloodline era, Paul Heyman betrayed Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41 to become the 'The Oracle' for Seth Rollins. During a Triple Threat match, Heyman handed Rollins a steel chair and orchestrated a distraction that allowed Rollins to pin CM Punk. This alliance birthed the faction known as "The Vision," combining Heyman's strategic brilliance with Rollins’ chaotic world championship reign. The betrayal left Roman Reigns without his long-time advisor and shifted the power balance of WWE's main event scene for the remainder of the year.
5. AJ Lee returns to WWE after 10 years
After a decade-long absence from the ring, AJ Lee made a surprise return on the September 12th episode of SmackDown. She interrupted a promo by Becky Lynch, receiving one of the loudest crowd pops of the decade. Lee quickly revealed her alliance with her husband, CM Punk, creating a powerhouse duo to combat the faction of Seth Rollins and Lynch. Her return wasn't just a cameo; she competed in several high-profile matches, proving she had maintained her elite athleticism and character work during her ten years away.
4. Jey Uso beats Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship
In the opening match of WrestleMania 41 Night 1, Jey Uso achieved his lifelong dream by ending Gunther’s dominant reign. Following his victory in the 2025 Royal Rumble, Uso entered the match as a massive underdog but managed to make "The Ring General" tap out to a modified sharpshooter. This victory marked Jey’s first-ever world singles championship, completing his transition from a tag team specialist to a top-tier solo attraction. The emotional celebration with the crowd remains one of the most organic "feel-good" moments in WrestleMania history.
3. John Cena becomes a 17-Time Champion
At WrestleMania 41, John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight to officially break Ric Flair’s record. Cena utilized his new heel tactics, including a low blow and a strike with the championship belt, to secure the victory. This 17th world title win was the centerpiece of his "Farewell Tour," proving he could still reach the summit of the industry through any means necessary. The win sparked intense debate among fans regarding the sanctity of Flair’s record and Cena’s legacy. It served as the definitive peak of his final active year in the ring.
2. Seth Rollins’ Ruse of the Century
During the main event of SummerSlam 2025, Seth Rollins executed a masterful deception to reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship. After CM Punk defeated Gunther in a grueling match, Rollins—who had spent weeks appearing on crutches to sell a legitimate-looking knee injury—suddenly dropped his medical gear and sprinted to the ring. He cashed in his contract on a stunned Punk, delivering two Stomps to secure the title. The "injury ruse" fooled both the fans and the locker room, solidifying Rollins as the ultimate "Visionary" of psychological warfare.
1. John Cena turns Heel
At Elimination Chamber 2025, John Cena shocked the world by attacking Cody Rhodes and aligning with The Rock. This marked Cena’s first heel turn in over 20 years, completely abandoning his "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" mantra. He cost Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Championship, claiming the fans had become ungrateful for his decades of service. This shift redefined the Road to WrestleMania, as Cena adopted a cynical, aggressive persona that targeted the company's new era of stars. The turn led to record-breaking social media engagement and set the stage for the most controversial run of his career.
