WWE fans were treated to an unforgettable night of action and drama at the WWE Clash in Paris 2025, as the world’s premier wrestling promotion brought its signature spectacle to the City of Lights. The event, held on August 31, 2025, was packed with star power, hard-hitting matches, and emotional moments both inside and outside the ring. Celebrities like Post Malone and Jelly Roll—who famously wrestled at SummerSlam—were spotted ringside, soaking up the electric atmosphere alongside thousands of passionate fans.
One of the night’s most talked-about moments unfolded during the much-anticipated Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match between Sheamus and Rusev. These two bruisers, both former League of Nations members, have been embroiled in a heated rivalry for months. Their feud escalated after Rusev, also known as The Bulgarian Brute, attacked Tozawa and Otis of The Alpha Academy, setting the stage for a no-holds-barred showdown with The Celtic Warrior himself, Sheamus.
Heading into Clash in Paris, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Sheamus and Rusev were deadlocked at one win apiece in their recent series. Sheamus drew first blood with a victory on the June 30, 2025 episode of RAW, only for Rusev to even the score with a hard-fought win on July 21. With pride and bragging rights on the line, the Paris crowd buzzed with anticipation as the two titans squared off for the tiebreaker.
The Donnybrook match was everything fans hoped for—chaotic, physical, and absolutely wild. Both men threw caution to the wind, using every foreign object within reach to try and put the other away. In one jaw-dropping spot, Sheamus hoisted Rusev onto the whiskey barrels and delivered a devastating White Noise onto a stack of tables below. The crowd erupted as the impact echoed through the arena, and online, fans couldn’t stop talking about the moment. As Fightful Wrestling posted, “A WHITE NOISE OFF OF THE WHISKEY BARRELS! Sheamus and Rusev are KILLING it.”
But the brutality didn’t end there. Back in the ring, Sheamus connected with his signature Brogue Kick—usually enough to seal the deal. Not this time. Rusev dug deep, refusing to stay down, and managed to kick out at two, leaving the Parisian faithful on the edge of their seats. The match raged on, with both men battered and exhausted, until Rusev finally managed to lock in a punishing submission hold. In a dramatic finish, the former United States Champion forced Sheamus to tap out, claiming victory in their epic trilogy and cementing his dominance in this fierce rivalry.
Adding a layer of intrigue to the night was the presence of CJ Perry (formerly known as Lana), who was spotted supporting Rusev from the crowd. WrestlingWorldCC shared a snapshot of Perry cheering on her husband, sparking a wave of nostalgia and excitement among longtime WWE fans. Perry, who managed and sometimes feuded with Rusev in WWE from 2013 to 2018, was a familiar face at ringside. She also briefly accompanied Rusev in AEW in 2023, following her debut at that year’s All Out event.
Their relationship has been a rollercoaster, both on and off the screen. After marrying on July 29, 2016, Perry and Rusev experienced a public separation in the winter of 2023. However, as reported by TMZ, the couple reconciled in March 2025. Seeing Perry back in Rusev’s corner at such a high-stakes event was a poignant reminder of their enduring bond—one that has weathered the storms of both kayfabe drama and real-life challenges. Fans online were quick to celebrate the reunion, with WrestlingWorldCC posting, “CJ Perry supporting Rusev at Clash In Paris 💯.”
While the Donnybrook match stole plenty of headlines, WWE Clash in Paris 2025 delivered much more. Three titles were defended over the course of the evening, with champions putting everything on the line to walk out of Paris with their gold intact. The card also featured three singles matches, each offering its own blend of athleticism and storytelling that kept the crowd roaring from start to finish.
Meanwhile, the WWE Raw roster continues to evolve, with rising stars making their mark and established names solidifying their legacies. One such rising star is Maxxine Dupri, born Sydney Jeannine Zmrzel, who has become a fixture on WWE Raw as a member of the Alpha Academy. Initially joining WWE as a manager on the NXT brand after signing her contract in August 2021, Dupri’s journey to the main roster has been anything but conventional.
Before stepping between the ropes, Dupri was a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams and a dancer for the Phoenix Suns, experiences that honed her athleticism and stage presence. But her path to WWE was far from easy. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Dupri addressed lingering misconceptions about her rise in the company. “That was my only goal moving forward, was how do I prove them wrong and show her why I’m here, and that I’m not just another pretty face. I don’t wanna get by on looks. I don’t want that to even be what I’m about. I don’t want that to be Maxxine.”
Dupri also set the record straight about her entry into WWE, dispelling rumors that she was scouted by a modeling agency. Instead, she revealed, “Most people assume that I was like, scouted by a modeling agency or something. No, no, no. I applied countless times to the online portal. Okay? I don’t even know where any of it went, but I was on there fighting, I was reaching out to every connection I had just to get a tryout.” Her persistence paid off, and she has since become a fan favorite, accompanying Otis and Chad Gable to the ring and steadily building her in-ring skills.
As of September 2025, Dupri’s popularity continues to soar, thanks to her determination to be recognized for her talent and work ethic rather than her appearance. Her journey resonates with fans who appreciate her honesty and grit—a testament to the evolving landscape of WWE, where athletes are celebrated for their achievements both inside and outside the ring.
With WWE’s global reach and ever-expanding roster, nights like Clash in Paris serve as a reminder of why professional wrestling remains such a captivating spectacle. From the emotional reunions to the heart-stopping action, the event delivered moments that will be talked about for years to come. As the dust settles in Paris, fans are already looking ahead to the next chapter, eager to see which rivalries will ignite and which stars will rise to the top of the WWE universe.
