With 2025 winding down and only a handful of WWE shows left before the new year, fans and pundits alike are looking back at a rollercoaster season in the squared circle. The year was packed with landmark deals, controversial storylines, and a few unforgettable moments—both for better and for worse. Yet, for every match that electrified the crowd, there were others that left audiences scratching their heads, wondering what went wrong.
This year marked the dawn of a new era for WWE programming. For the first time, WWE RAW aired exclusively on Netflix, a move that sent shockwaves through the wrestling world. The fall brought yet another seismic shift, as Pay-Per-View events became exclusive to ESPN starting with WrestlePalooza in September. While these business decisions kept WWE at the forefront of sports entertainment innovation, the quality of in-ring action was, to put it mildly, a mixed bag.
Let’s dive into the matches that fans and critics alike agree were the most disappointing of 2025, reflecting on what went awry and how even the brightest stars sometimes stumble under the spotlight.
5. Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 41
John Cena’s Farewell Tour was supposed to be a celebration of one of WWE’s all-time greats. Instead, his showdown with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The match itself wasn’t a total disaster, but the ending soured the experience for many. After turning heel at Elimination Chamber 2025 and aligning himself with Travis Scott and The Rock—following Rhodes’ refusal to join The Final Boss—Cena managed to dethrone Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title. But the finish, which saw Travis Scott interfere and attack Rhodes, left fans feeling cheated. The Rock, expected to tie the story together, was nowhere to be seen and hasn’t returned to WWE television since Elimination Chamber. As for Travis Scott, he too vanished from WWE storylines after the event. According to observers, “Cody vs. John at WrestleMania 41 will now forever be remembered for its disappointing ending.”
4. CM Punk vs. Jey Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event (November 1)
When Seth Rollins was forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship due to injury at Crown Jewel in Perth, the stage was set for a new champion. Enter CM Punk and Jey Uso, two stars with plenty of charisma but, as it turned out, little chemistry in the ring. The build-up to their clash for the vacant title was already underwhelming, with Punk’s promos failing to hit their usual mark. The match itself was marred by botched moves, including a mishandled neckbreaker from Uso. Despite Punk’s efforts to connect, the bout fell flat and quickly faded from memory. Punk did walk away with the gold, but the real story was how little the match lived up to expectations.
3. Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris 2025
Nikki Bella’s much-anticipated return to WWE was meant to open the door to fresh rivalries, especially given how much the women’s division had evolved since her departure in 2018. Her first-ever singles match against Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris, with the Women’s Intercontinental Title on the line, should have been a show-stealer. Instead, it was a comedy of errors. The two stars struggled to find any rhythm, with Bella’s ring rust on full display. One memorable botch saw Lynch slamming her hands on the commentary desk when Bella failed to follow through on a spot. Another saw Bella mishandle a rope maneuver. In the end, Lynch retained her title, but the match was a letdown for fans hoping for a classic.
2. Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax on WWE SmackDown (September 26)
The women’s division on Friday Night SmackDown boasts some of the brightest talents, and a Triple Threat match featuring Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Nia Jax promised fireworks. Unfortunately, the September 26 title clash was more of a fizzle. The action was muddled and confusing, culminating in a botched finish that left everyone scratching their heads. Stratton kicked Cargill, allowing the champion to pin Jax, but Jax kicked out too late, forcing the referee to awkwardly count the pin as decisive. The confusion in the ring was palpable, and the crowd’s bewilderment was matched only by the frustration of the competitors. Jade Cargill retained her championship, but the ending marred what could have been a marquee match.
1. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar at WrestlePalooza 2025
Of all the matches on Cena’s Farewell Tour, none disappointed more than his WrestlePalooza clash with Brock Lesnar. The feud was hastily assembled after Lesnar’s shocking return at SummerSlam, a comeback that took place amid ongoing legal controversies involving Vince McMahon and, by extension, Lesnar himself. Despite the rich history between the two legends, the match lacked any real build-up or emotional stakes. The bell rang, and less than nine minutes later, it was all over—Lesnar had squashed Cena, echoing their infamous 2014 encounter. Reports indicate that the match was designed to reestablish Lesnar as a dominant force after a two-year hiatus, but many questioned the decision to do so at Cena’s expense. As one observer put it, “The trajectory and finish of the match were to build Brock Lesnar as a tough and dominant star after being away for two years, but many questioned the importance of doing this, especially since The Beast Incarnate is already an established legend.”
Not every moment in WWE’s jam-packed year was a misfire. In fact, several superstars managed to rise above the chaos and deliver truly memorable performances. Jey Uso, for instance, had a breakout year as a singles star. He started 2025 by winning the Men’s Royal Rumble, outlasting heavyweights like John Cena, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk. At WrestleMania 41 Night One, Uso pulled off the unthinkable by forcing Gunther to tap out to his own submission move, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship. Although his reign was short—losing the title back to Gunther on June 9—Uso remained a fixture in the main event scene, proving himself as a top-tier talent.
Other names like Dominik Mysterio, CM Punk, and Bron Breakker made enough of an impact to earn honorable mentions among the year’s top male superstars. The changing landscape of WWE, with new media deals and a deeper roster than ever, ensured that 2025 was anything but predictable.
As WWE heads into the final days of the year, fans are left to reflect on a season that mixed triumph with disappointment, innovation with confusion. One thing’s for sure: whether you loved or hated some of these matches, 2025 was a year that won’t soon be forgotten in the annals of sports entertainment.
