Tag: Roman Reigns

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns’ official first look for ‘Street Fighter’ revealed

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

‘Street Fighter’ has released the official look for Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and 15 other characters.

The first official sneak-peek video and a full set of character posters for the upcoming ‘Street Fighter’ movie have been released, giving fans their first detailed look at Cody Rhodes as Guile and Roman Reigns as Akuma.

The studio unveiled 17 character posters alongside the teaser, showcasing the film’s cast and highlighting how closely the character designs mirror the iconic video game appearances. Rhodes sports Guile’s signature blonde flattop, green tank, dog tag, and camouflage trousers, while Reigns appears with Akuma’s fiery red hair, necklace, and intense personality.

The character design and makeup have been kept as authentic as possible, with the actors now sharing an eerie similarity with the video game characters.

NJPW star Hirooki Goto is also featured in the film and was a part of the recent poster release. Goto will be playing the role of E. Honda.

The rest of the cast includes, Noah Centineo as “Ken Masters”, Andrew Koji as “Ryu”, Callina Liang as “Chun-Li”, David Dastmalchian as “M. Bison”, Andrew Schulz as “Dan Hibiki”, Eric André as “Don Sauvage”, Vidyut Jammwal as “Dhalsim”, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as “Balrog”, and many more.

The live-action film is 1993, where Street Fighters Ryu (Koji) and Ken Masters (Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, ‘Street Fighter’ will release on October 16, 2026.

Cody Rhodes: Roman Reigns rivalry is ‘as real as it could possibly get’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On the latest episode of his “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast, Cody Rhodes opened up a bit about his WWE feud with Roman Reigns.

Rhodes — without directly naming Reigns — said their rivalry is “as real as it could possibly get.” They both want to be the face of WWE. But despite any issues presented by that conflict, Reigns is one of Rhodes’ favorite people to work with in the ring.

“Sometimes the most authentic and personal stories make for great money, ticket-selling, in terms of general revenue,” Rhodes said. “People will never know how real wrestling is in different aspects than just what they see in the canon and the narrative. And that’s the most beautiful thing. I hate using him as an example, but my greatest rival in this company, I don’t even have to say his name, it’s as real as it could possibly get.

“It’s as real as it could possibly get. ‘You would like to be QB1, I would like to be QB1.’ It’s every piece of it. But it’s also, when we get in there, that’s probably my favorite guy to make music with. I don’t know what that is.”

Rhodes and Reigns have headlined WrestleMania twice against each other, trading wins in 2023 and 2024. They were on the same side of the men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series last month, with the PLE ending with dissension between Rhodes and Reigns after their loss. A match between the two is in WWE’s future plans, but not necessarily at WrestleMania 42.

This weekend, Rhodes is facing Oba Femi at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. It’s an exhibition match between the WWE Champion and NXT Champion. Along with that, Rhodes is currently feuding with Drew McIntyre over the WWE title.

Update on possible Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns WWE title match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A third match between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns is in WWE’s plans, but it might not necessarily happen at WrestleMania 42.

Survivor Series: WarGames last weekend ended with a tease that another match between Rhodes and Reigns could happen. They were on the same side in the men’s WarGames match but lost when a masked man — believed to be Austin Theory — helped the heels win. The PLE then went off the air with Rhodes and Reigns having words.

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided an update on a possible future Rhodes vs. Reigns match for the WWE Championship that Rhodes currently holds.

“It’s been confirmed to us that a Rhodes vs. Reigns match for the WWE title is in the plans, although not necessarily at WrestleMania,” Meltzer wrote. “[Seth] Rollins vs. [Bron] Breakker, Reigns vs. [CM] Punk and Rhodes against someone else could be done. Or Rollins vs. Breakker. Rollins has talked about wanting to wrestle at Mania. We’ve been told this week that it is a possibility but it’s too early to determine if it can happen.”

Rhodes and Reigns split victories at WrestleMania 39 and 40. Reigns won the first meeting, then Rhodes finished his story the next year by defeating Reigns.

While speaking with the SI Media podcast this summer, Rhodes said he thought it would be difficult to make another match against Reigns a reality.

“I’m very happy with what we put out there. I always try to wax poetic about [Reigns], anytime I’ve ever said something a little snarky, I guess it’s been more for entertainment. But I can tell you, that’s probably a very hard match to have happen,” Rhodes said.

“But I could see it being very significant, it happening again. And for the fans who really make this all up… for that, you can’t just have two, you know? We split it. So that third exists. And a lot of times, sometimes matches can go in the file of the greatest match that never happened. I’m certainly not adverse to it. I don’t know what his outlook on it is. We’re different than we were. And, again, not adverse to it, because we’re split. He won one, I won the other.”

Ric Flair thanks Roman Reigns for ‘biggest compliment I’ve received in years’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ric Flair is honored to have received a big compliment from WWE star Roman Reigns.

On social media earlier this week, Fanatics put out a video where Reigns played a game where he had to stop them when they named a wrestler who is better than he is. Reigns placed himself above his co-workers Bronson Reed, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, and Drew McIntyre — but he stopped when Flair’s name was mentioned.

Flair responded to the video this morning, calling it the biggest compliment he’s received in years.

“Thank You For The Respect @WWERomanReigns!,” the 76-year-old wrestling icon tweeted. “This Has To Be The Biggest Compliment I’ve Received In Years!”

Flair, who is under contract with AEW, was supposed to be on the Blood & Guts episode of Dynamite last month, but he had to leave the event early and was only able to make a brief appearance in front of the crowd before the show began due to pain from a rotator cuff injury he’s been dealing with.

Recently, Flair made headlines by claiming that Hulk Hogan’s death was caused by “street drugs” Hogan was taking to help with the pain from surgeries he had undergone.

Reigns competed in the men’s WarGames match at WWE Survivor Series last weekend. His team was on the losing side after a mystery man — believed to be the returning Austin Theory — helped Breakker, Reed, Logan Paul, McIntyre & Brock Lesnar get the victory. The PLE ended with some dissension between Reigns and Rhodes.

Triple H claims Roman Reigns is ‘bigger’ than a championship

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Triple H has nothing but praise for former WWE Champion Roman Reigns.

Despite suffering a loss at the men’s WarGames match at WWE Survivor Series, Roman Reigns finished the night under the spotlight when he shared a staredown with both CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. Shortly after, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, heaped praise on Reigns and continued it by calling him ‘bigger’ than a championship.

“He’s almost transcended to a point in the business where he’s bigger than the championship,” Triple H claimed. “He’s bigger than being a world champion. He is just a legend unto himself. I used to think that about Taker all the time. He just transcended the business in a way that you didn’t even need to talk about him in the title picture because he was epically in that circle. That is where Roman Reigns is right now. There is an aura about him and just something different.”

The final moments of the PLE saw Reigns exchange intense words with his teammate Cody Rhodes, declaring that the event marked the last time they would ever team together. When Triple H was later asked at the Survivor Series post-show if it was a teaser for WrestleMania 42, he said,

“When you have a star the size of Roman Reigns, he transcends the world title, he transcends the Royal Rumble, he transcends the Elimination Chamber. Does he really need to qualify or does he just call his shot? That’s a decision that we here in the WWE need to make very shortly. I have a feeling that one of those two guys, CM Punk or Cody Rhodes, is on a collision course with Roman Reigns. It’s going to be interesting to see where that goes.”

In the main event of the night, the team of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Roman Reigns lost to The Vision (Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed), Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar.

Mystery man appears during men’s WWE Survivor Series WarGames match

Posted on by Josh Nason

A mystery man pantomiming Seth Rollins’ moves helped The Vision-led team to victory in the men’s WarGames match at Saturday’s WWE Survivor Series.

CM Punk had hit a GTS on Logan Paul for a nearfall when a masked man completely clad in black scaled the cage and stared at Punk before hitting a superkick and a stomp before escaping. Bron Breakker then hit his running spear on Punk to get the pin and win.

The commentary team speculated it looked like Rollins with Wade Barrett noting Rollins just had shoulder surgery but that Paul Heyman always has a plan.

Punk teamed with Roman Reigns, Jey & Jimmy Uso, Cody Rhodes against Paul, Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre.

The PLE ended with an annoyed looking Reigns walking away from a Rhodes handshake attempt and a half-hearted fist bump with Punk. Reigns has made it clear recently he wants another World title reign.

WarGames match highlights:

  • The match featured blood as Punk was busted open by McIntyre and Breakker after being thrown into the cage with Rhodes later bleeding as well.
  • Breakker landed right on the top of his head off a Doomsday Device by Punk and Rhodes. He was out of action for several minutes until getting back in the mix.
  • There was some Punk/Rhodes tension after an accidental back elbow early in the match. The duo smoothed things over later with some Dusty Rhodes-inspired combo offense.
  • Heyman gave Paul some brass knucks which Reigns eventually got ahold of to knockout McIntyre and Reed before he went heads-up against Breakker.
  • In what will be a talked about spot, Jey Uso temporarily halted proceedings during the match to “run it back” and do his Yeet entrance. That was stopped shortly after when Lesnar made his entrance.
  • Lesnar came out of the cage as Reigns made his entrance. Reigns landed three Superman punches but on his fourth, Lesnar caught him and put him through an announce table with an F5. Lesnar rammed him into the cage and threw him in to officially start the match.

WarGames entrance order:

  1. CM Punk/Bron Breakker
  2. Drew McIntyre
  3. Cody Rhodes
  4. Logan Paul
  5. Jimmy Uso
  6. Bronson Reed
  7. Jey Uso
  8. Brock Lesnar
  9. Roman Reigns

WWE Survivor Series live results: Two WarGames matches

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: November 29, 2025
Location: Petco Park in San Diego, CA

**********

Show Recap — 

COUNTDOWN SHOW 

“War Pigs” by Black Sabbath played as Joe Tessitore welcomed us to the pre-show at Petco Park in San Diego. He’s joined by Big E and Wade Barrett. 

The heel women’s team (referred to as Team Asuka) arrived together, as did Team Rhea. Paul “Triple H” Levesque, not wrestling tonight, was also shown arriving. 

Different personalities ran down tonight’s card. Peter Rosenberg referred to Dominik Mysterio, 28, as “the kid.” 

Big E flat-out mentioned that there are online rumours that there is jockeying among the men’s babyface team to determine who would enter last.

Michael Cole showed up to the panel, and the fans (and Tessitore) reacted to him like he was the John Cena of announcing.

There was a Cena video package and an interview Megan Morant did with Stephanie McMahon. She told the story of discovering that Cena could rap and suggesting he do it as part of his act. She really put him over strong. Cole called Cena the greatest of all time and added, “I don’t care what anyone says.” 

Cathy Kelley interviewed Stephanie Vaquer. She said she had no mercy and she would show Nikki Bella what a real champion was. Bella spoke to Jackie Redmond. Bella said she would embarrass Vaquer, and Vaquer would respect her.

There was a sit-down interview with Becky Lynch. She’s going hard on the idea that she was screwed out of the IC title, and she referred to Cole as “Misleading Michael.” 

They cut back to Cole live, and he made fun of Barrett for suddenly having very grey hair. 

Tessitore mentioned Lynch’s recent social media posts, where she posts in all-caps and uses a lot of alliteration and stated, “She’s taking some cues from somebody.”

Author Mark Kriegel interviewed Dominik Mysterio. Dom said he had issues with Cena that he didn’t know about, but admitted that Cena helped him a lot when he was getting started in WWE. Dom said he didn’t need Cena now and called himself quite possibly the face of WWE. 

There was a video showing how mainstream WWE is now. 

Rosenberg interviewed Levesque backstage. Levesque admitted the structure of a baseball stadium is difficult to work with, and wrestlers will actually be coming out of the dugout (which sounds cool, actually). He spoke about Cena and said it was surreal seeing the end of his career.

CM Punk interview 

Kelley interviewed CM Punk live backstage. She asked him about all the egos in his match and said she noticed him pacing around earlier. Punk knew you would be dealing with egos when you were on top of the mountain. 

He was happy to team with a friend, Cody Rhodes. He didn’t see eye to eye with Roman Reigns, but he loved his cousins. It’s everyone across from them who had to worry. Punk was a dangerous man inside a cage. Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar already knew that, and the others would find out tonight.

Roman Reigns interview 

Redmond interviewed Reigns (pre-taped). Reigns said he was the young guy ten years ago trying to knock Lesnar off the top, but now the young guys were coming for what he had. 

Reigns said his place at the head of the table was cemented, so if Rhodes and Punk wanted to win, they would listen to him. There was a role for everyone on his team, and they should all play it. 

********

Tessitore explained the rules of WarGames. Somebody needs to tell Tessitore he doesn’t need to yell into his microphone. 

SD Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove, who happens to be from the town, spoke to Redmond. He put over Rey Mysterio and John Cena, but intimated that he would be cheering for Dom tonight. 

Tessitore loudly introduced Rey Mysterio, who put over Cena, too. 

They ran down the top ten Survivor Series moments: 

10) End of the Alliance
9) Rhea Ripley getting revenge on Liv Morgan
8) Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles
7) Debuts over the years of Undertaker, The Rock, Kurt Angle, and The Shield (they did their best not to show Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley)
6) Randy Orton returns in 2023
5) Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair title vs. title
4) Mega Powers unite
3) Iyo Sky diving off the top of the cage
2) John Cena & The Rock team vs. R-Truth & The Miz
1) CM Punk returns in 2023

San Diego’s Cassie B sang God Bless America as the pre-show concluded. 

**********

SURVIVOR SERIES 2025 MAIN SHOW

Michael Cole welcomed us to Petco Park in San Diego, with an expected sold-out crowd of over 45,000. Cole and Wade Barrett are tonight’s announcers. 

The “superstar arrivals” segment had a sponsor attached to it. Show arriving at Petco: Team Asuka, Team Rhea, Nikki Bella, Stephanie Vaquer, and Dominik Mysterio (wearing a suit).

The intro aired, fireworks went off, and a siren rang as the WarGames cage lowered. 

For the fourth year in a row, the women’s WarGames match opens Survivor Series.

Women’s WarGames match: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, AJ Lee, Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nix Jax, Lash Legend & Becky Lynch

There’s a small stage where wrestlers will enter. Levesque said earlier that they would enter through the dugout, so if it is the dugout, you can’t really see it because screens cover it. 

There are no shark cages at the stage to house the wrestlers, unlike in past years. I’m guessing there’s a story there. 

Charlotte wore colourful gear inspired by a 7-year-old fan battling DMG, a form of brain cancer. Charlotte greeted the young fan at ringside before heading to the ring. 

Charlotte and Asuka started. They wrestled normally for five minutes until Iyo Sky entered to join Charlotte. 

Sky entered with a trash can lid with her name on it. Asuka avoided a lid shot, but Sky hit a dropkick anyway. Sky tried a double jump springboard move (off the two ropes closest to each other), but she slipped off the rope, so she hit a shoulder tackle instead. The fans didn’t care and were super into Sky, who nailed Asuka with the lid. 

Becky Lynch entered next with a kendo stick and immediately attacked Sky with it. Charlotte got in Lynch’s face, and Lynch tried to play friendly, but they wound up exchanging right hands. 

Alexa Bliss joined to give her team the advantage again, and she worked as a team with Charlotte to take down Lynch and Asuka. 

The babyfaces stood tall, waiting as Kairi Sane entered next with a metal chain. The heel Sane beat up Charlotte and Bliss by herself while Sky was busy with Asuka. 

Sane saved Asuka by hitting Sky in the midsection with the trash can lid. Cole said Sky was almost decapitated from that shot to the midsection.

AJ Lee stormed out next as Lynch tried to keep the door shut to block her from entering. Lee climbed the cage to enter the ring instead. The crowd chanted for her as she wiped out Asuka and Sane with a flying crossbody off the top rope. 

Lee tossed Lynch around the ring and into the cage. Lee also fended off Sane until facing off with Asuka. They circled each other as Barrett called it a dream match. We didn’t get to see it because Lynch attacked Lee from behind.

The babyfaces took control again, thanks to having the advantage, as Nia Jax entered next to even the odds. The heel Jax beat up Charlotte and Bliss by herself. She also fended off Sky and Lee. Sky was making her way to the top of the cage, but Jax grabbed her and hit a powerbomb. 

The heels stomped the babyfaces until Rhea Ripley entered. Ripley wore a Terrifier-inspired mask (to protect her injured nose) and gear, and she entered with kendo sticks and trash cans. Ripley also got fireworks. 

Ripley beat up the heels alone before helping Sky to her feet. Ripley placed Sane in a standing Cloverleaf while Sane was trapped inside a trash can. Sky ran the ropes repeatedly before hitting a running dropkick into the trash can. Jax knocked down Ripley and Sky, but Bliss took down Jax with a DDT. 

Lash Legend entered last to even the odds for the heels. The match ‘officially’ began about 32:30 into it. The heel Lash beat up Charlotte and Bliss by herself. 

Ripley faced off with Lash, and they exchanged strikes. Lash eventually got the better of their exchange, hitting a powerbomb and big boot for two. Ripley tried a Rip-tide, but Jax intervened.  

Lynch gave Lee a Man-handle Slam, but Sky broke up the cover by crunching her with a moonsault. Lash and Jax press-slammed Sky and launched her into her teammates. Sane gave Sky an Asuka-assisted Insane Elbow (called “the Kabuki special”), but Ripley broke up the cover. 

Asuka tried misting Ripley, but Charlotte saved Ripley (her old rival), and Lash got misted instead. Ripley and Charlotte gave Jax a double vertical suplex, and Bliss followed with Twisted Bliss. (She did not go for a cover because this was not the planned finish.) 

Sky went to the top of the cage and wanted a trash can. Lee was too short to hand it to her, so Ripley hoisted her up, and Sky was able to grab it. 

Sky placed the trash can over her body and hit a spectacular senton bomb onto her opponents. (Sky could’ve injured her leg the way she landed, but she appeared fine.) 

Lynch was the only heel who avoided the move, but was now alone against the babyfaces. Charlotte brought Lynch down from the cage, Bliss punched her, Ripley hit Rip-tide, and Lee applied Black Widow for the submission win. 

Fireworks went off as the babyfaces celebrated together. 

Match result: AJ Lee, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair defeated Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka & Kairi Sane (40:51)

This was a pretty ordinary match, WarGames or not. The first 30+ minutes were dull, and it didn’t pick up that match once everyone was in. Sky did some cool stuff as usual, but that was about it. 

It really didn’t help that the babyfaces had the advantage all match. I know it’s predictable and maybe tiresome to have the heels with the advantage every single time, but that’s the bed you make when you feel the need to have two of these matches every year.

******** 

The sun has set in San Diego, so we’re under the lights now at Petco. 

Lil Yachty, Adriel Favela, Andy Ruiz, and Jeremiah Estrada (Padres pitcher) were in the crowd.

John Cena’s final PPV match is up next. 

********

Cena’s second-last match will be against Dominik Mysterio. Cena first wrestled Rey Mysterio 23 years ago on SmackDown in 2002, when Dom was five years old. 

Intercontinental Championship: John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio (w/ Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) 

Dom entered first with Rodriguez and Perez. They cut his music so the fans could chant for Cena. (The fans chanted at first, got quiet, then realized they should be chanting still, so they started again before Cena’s music hit.) 

Cena entered and embraced fans along the length of the stage before sprinting to the ring. The chants chanted “Thank you, Cena.” Alicia Taylor introduced Cena as the greatest of all time. Chad Patton is the referee.

Very early in the match, Dom distracted Patton while Perez tripped Cena as he came off the ropes. Dom booted Cena in the corner before pulling Patton aside again for Rodriguez to give Cena a cheap shot. Dom hit three amigos for two. 

Cena recovered, so Dom scampered outside the ring. Cena went after him, but Dom hid behind Rodriguez and Perez. Dom used their distraction to jump Cena and take over again. Dom bounced Cena’s face off the announce table and the side of the ring. 

Dom tried a hurricanrana off the barricade, but like Penta on Raw, Dom landed awkwardly on his shoulder. (Although, unlike Penta, Dom did not successfully hit the move, so it looked like a botch.) 

It was all part of the plan, and it led to a great spot. Dom sold his shoulder as medical staff checked on him. With the referee distracted, Rodriguez hit Cena in the ring with a Tejana Bomb, and Perez hit Pop Rox. (Great spot for those two.) 

Dom suddenly recovered and bounced in the ring. He hit Cena with a 619 and a frog splash, but Patton refused to count the pin because he figured out what happened. Patton tossed Rodriguez and Perez from ringside. 

Cena hit Dom with shoulder tackles, a side slam, and five knuckle shuffle. Dom avoided an AA, but Cena applied an STFU until Dom got a rope break. 

Dom unzipped his boot. Cena grabbed him by the boot, but it slipped off, so Dom was able to drop him onto the middle rope to hit a 619 and a frog splash for a nearfall. 

Dom took too long to follow up, so Cena planted him with an AA for a nearfall. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” 

Cena went for shoulder tackles again, but Dom ducked, and Cena knocked down Patton. Cena applied an STFU, but Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh ran out to attack Cena. 

McDonagh went for a moonsault, but Cena got his knees up and dodged Bálor’s Coup de Grace. Cena then hoisted both men on his shoulders and hit an impressive double AA. 

Dom grabbed the IC title belt and tried using it as a weapon, but Cena ducked it and hit another AA. 

Cena called for a referee, but the returning Liv Morgan ran out instead. Morgan acted happy to see Dom, but then slapped him across the head. 

It was another swerve. Morgan hugged Cena before kicking him in the nuts. Morgan hit Cena with the title belt, and Dom hit a 619 and a frog splash for the pinfall win. 

Dom and Morgan celebrated together. 

Fireworks went off as Dom held Morgan up in one arm, and both his title belts (IC title and AAA Mega title) in the other. That was a great visual. 

— Cena soaked in the crowd reaction before leaving up the aisle. He saluted the camera and said, “Thank you so much. That’s all.” 

Match result: Dominik Mysterio defeated John Cena to win the Intercontinental Championship (16:49)

This wasn’t exactly a classic match, but it was a fun spectacle and the crowd was into it. At least until Cena lost. Dom is an emerging star, so it was more productive that he won, and he used every trick in the book to do so. I think people will feel better about this result if Cena goes on to win his final match (which he should). 

********

Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella

Vaquer wore black and silver and was all business. Bella tried a cheap shot as the bell rang, but Vaquer came right back with a dropkick and proceeded to beat her up. However, Vaquer missed a knee drop on the apron, and Bella took over. 

Bella had control as the crowd watched silently, but they woke up momentarily when Bella set up for Devil’s Kiss. Vaquer countered and hit a back suplex. Vaquer went for Devil’s Kiss, but Bella rolled to the apron to the crowd’s dismay. 

Vaquer hit headbutts, strikes and a snap suplex for two, and an SVB (backbreaker) for two. Vaquer avoided Bella’s “Rack Attack 2.0” and hit a corner meteora. Bella pulled her down from the ropes and hit a Disaster Kick, followed by the “Rack Attack 2.0” for two after Vaquer got her foot on the rope. 

With Bella leaning against the apron, Vaquer hit a knee drop (the one she missed earlier) and hit Devil’s Kiss on top of the reinforced announce table. 

(Barrett stated, “You had the best view in the house, Michael Cole,” and Cole responded, “I’m not saying anything.”) 

Vaquer slid Bella back in the ring, hit Devil’s Kiss again, and followed with an impressive corkscrew splash for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Nikki Bella to retain the Women’s World Championship (12:23)

A standard match with very little heat. Their positioning on the card didn’t help, but Bella also hasn’t won a match since July. She has one singles win since returning, and that was against Chelsea Green. 

********

Gabriel Luna (wearing a Bret Hart t-shirt), Cassie B, Jesús Ortiz Paz, and Danielle Fishel (wearing a Vader t-shirt) were in the crowd. Fishel got the biggest pop of any celebrity. 

They announced a crowd of 46,016, a record for Survivor Series. 

(If you watch these PLEs on the Netflix international feed, there are long stretches of what seems like awkward silence. It’s happening because on the international feed, the announcers are muted while they do ad reads, and because there are so many damn ads, there is a lot of random silence.) 

******** 

About 20 minutes elapsed between the end of the last match and the start of this one. Almost 25 minutes if you go bell to bell. 

Men’s WarGames match: WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed 

CM Punk and Bron Breakker started. As AJ Lee did earlier, Punk entered by climbing the cage. 

They wrestled back and forth for five minutes until Drew McIntyre entered. (Breakker had the early edge, but Punk took over in time for McIntyre to enter.) 

Punk and McIntyre traded fists before Punk fought off both men, but McIntyre dropped him with a Claymore Kick. A handful of fans gasped when McIntyre rubbed Punk’s face against the steel cage (as if he was getting jabbed by a fork). 

Punk emerged bleeding from the forehead moments later, and Cole said he wasn’t sure how that happened. It was obviously his face being rubbed against metal. 

The crowd was quiet as the heels worked over Punk until Cody Rhodes entered. They literally repeated a spot from the women’s match. McIntyre held the door shut so Rhodes couldn’t enter, so Rhodes climbed the cage and hit McIntyre with a flying crossbody. (Off the top of the cage, instead of the top rope.) The crowd got more into it after that. 

Punk walked up behind Rhodes, but Rhodes clocked him with a back elbow, not realizing who it was. Punk and Rhodes got on the same page and gave McIntyre a Hart Attack. 

They also gave Breakker a Doomsday Device, and he landed right on the back of his head and neck. That looked brutal, and Barrett freaked out. (The camera didn’t focus on it, but doctors checked on Breakker and he continued the match.) 

Logan Paul entered next and brought steel chairs into the ring. He helped his team gain the advantage until Jimmy Uso entered next, bringing a table into the ring with him. Jimmy shined for a moment until McIntyre cut him off with a Claymore. 

The heels maintained control as Bronson Reed entered next. Reed planted Punk, Jimmy, and Rhodes with Tsunamis. Jimmy fired back later with superkicks, but Reed dropped him with a body block. 

The babyfaces still have two guys left, but everyone knew it was Jey Uso’s turn next. They Yeeted as the timer counted down, and Jey entered. Jey handed out superkicks, helped Jimmy to his feet, and they handed out superkicks before giving Logan a 1-D. 

Jey called for an encore, so they played his music again mid-match as he posed atop the cage. (This felt out of place for a match that’s meant to have a lot of heat.) 

Jey’s music was cut off by Brock Lesnar’s. He entered with Paul Heyman. Cole said this was the first time since 2004 that Lesnar wrestled in a match with any teammates. 

Lesnar handed out suplexes and F5s to Punk, Rhodes, Jimmy and Jey. 

Roman Reigns entered last. He took his time getting to the ring as fireworks went off. Lesnar was anxious, so he left the ring to greet Reigns in the aisle. (They said you would forfeit the match if someone leaves the ring, but that didn’t count here because it hadn’t officially started.) 

Reigns attacked Lesnar with Superman punches, but Lesnar ducked one and put him through the announce table with an F5. 

Lesnar brought Reigns into the ring and hit another F5, but Rhodes broke up the cover. Punk gave Lesnar a GTS, and Rhodes hit a Cross Rhodes, but Logan broke up the cover with a frog splash. 

Heyman handed Logan brass knuckles (which he could’ve just brought in himself if he wanted). Logan knocked out Punk and Jimmy, but Reigns dropped him with a spear. 

Reigns put on the brass knuckles and used them on Reed and McIntyre. Breakker faced off with Reigns, but Reigns speared him. 

Lesnar got Jey up in F5 position, but Reigns speared him, sending both men through a corner table. Breakker speared Jey and Rhodes. Punk fended off Breakker and gave Logan a GTS, but Breakker broke up the cover. 

A mystery man wearing all black (including a black hood and face mask) climbed the cage and attacked Punk with a superkick. The masked man also hit a curb stomp, and the crowd popped. Barrett said it couldn’t have been Seth Rollins, given his recent shoulder injury. 

The masked man quickly left, and Breakker speared Punk for the pinfall win. 

The heels posed together in the aisle as fireworks went off. (Lesnar had a huge smile on his face.) 

— The camera focused on the dejected babyfaces in the ring. Reigns saw Punk and Rhodes on the mat, so he helped Punk to his feet. Punk was on the same page as Reigns, and they bumped fists. 

It seemed like Reigns considered helping Rhodes, but Rhodes got to his feet on his own. They got into each other’s faces, and Reigns walked away without a peace offering. 

Reigns looked back at Rhodes and told him this was the last time they would team together, and that was that. (Punk began to leave, too, and the final shot was of him looking back at Rhodes. They didn’t show it, but that left Rhodes in the other ring alone.) 

Match result: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre & Brock Lesnar defeated CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso (39:24) 

While it was a bit more entertaining than the women’s one, this was still a fairly standard match, and it felt pretty pointless inside WarGames. There’s a certain routine with these matches that’s difficult to shake, especially when it’s a lot of the same talent every year (for the women and men). They may want to bench this concept for a while until they have a good reason to use it. 

It’s telling that a show with two WarGames matches (and John Cena’s second-last match) wound up being quite dull. They’ve long been resting on their hot streak when putting these shows together, and it’s about time they snap out of it.

Wrestling Weekly: AEW Continental Classic begins, Roman Reigns wants another World title

Posted on by Victor Sosa

On the latest edition of Doc Young’s Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Victor Sosa look at AEW’s follow up to Full Gear, which is the beginning of the Continental Classic tournament.

WWE is on the road to Survivor Series, but Roman Reigns made it clear he’s thinking beyond that. He wants someone’s World title, but does that belong to Cody Rhodes or CM Punk?

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Drew McIntyre reveals real reason for joining WarGames team at WWE Survivor Series

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Drew McIntyre has opened up in detail about his decision to join the WarGames team at WWE Survivor Series 2025.

In less than two days, fans are set to witness WWE Survivor Series: WarGames take place at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Two of the four matches confirmed for the show are the men’s and women’s WarGames matches. In a social media update, Drew McIntyre revealed the real reason he chose to join the men’s WarGames team alongside Brock Lesnar, The Vision, and Logan Paul.

“I’m thankful that I get to acknowledge Roman Reigns with my boot in his face,” McIntyre said. “Thankful I get to beat on those stupid twins that have been like hyenas in my life for the past few years, and thankful that Cody will have nowhere to run. No referees he can pressure to screw me out of the title. No politics or machine that can protect him, that can suspend me, Aldis and Pearce. There’s nothing he can do, he’s literally in a Cage, I’m gonna beat him up, that’s gonna be fun.”

He further added, “You know what the cherry is, the cherry on top? CM Punk. I get to take him to hell once again. It actually feels like Christmas over Thanksgiving.”

The Scottish Warrior further explained that he would rather be on the same team as Brock Lesnar than against it. “Heyman, I sent him and Brock out of WWE at one point. Brock, I’d rather be on the same team with than against, and Heyman; he got me back in. He figured out the loophole, that’s what he does, and the thing about a dishonest man is you can always trust them to be dishonest, it’s the so called honest ones, the ones you fall for all their BS, you’ve got to watch out for.”

The former WWE Champion carries long-standing animosity toward every member of the opposing WarGames team, and it will be interesting to see how things unfold on November 29, 2025.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 match card

Here is the updated Survivor Series: WarGames match card:

  • Stephanie Vaquer vs. Nikki Bella – WWE Women’s World Championship
  • John Cena vs. Dominik Mysterio – WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), and Roman Reigns vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed), Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar – Men’s WarGames
  • Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Lee vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), and Becky Lynch – Women’s WarGames

WWE Raw live results: Survivor Series WarGames go-home show

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: November 24, 2025
Location: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK 

The Big Takeaway —

Penta was injured very early in his Last Time is Now tournament match and was unable to continue. Solo Sikoa advanced as a result, and he will face Gunther in a semifinal match. 

The heel men’s team will have the advantage in their WarGames match on Saturday. The men’s team brawled to build their match. The women’s team brawled to build their match. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Ozzy Osbourne’s “War Pigs” welcomed us to Raw in Oklahoma City as they displayed footage of the WarGames cages being built at Petco Park in San Diego for Saturday’s Survivor Series. 

The Vision (with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre), Penta, Carmelo Hayes, and Becky Lynch were shown arriving at Paycom Center. 

Roman Reigns kicks off Monday Night Raw

Reigns entered and was greeted with chants of “OTC,” so he greeted them with, “OKC. Acknowledge me.” They did. That’s all he could say before Cody Rhodes interrupted. 

Rhodes did his full entrance, and it was 8:14 pm by the time they got going. Rhodes wanted to acknowledge that Reigns was a man of his word, but the last time Reigns gave him his word, it was for a match. This time, it was for war. Rhodes wondered what was in it for Reigns. 

Reigns said he’s been involved in this war, whereas Rhodes was just joining now. Reigns said they didn’t know each other well, but they did know something about each other, and that’s that they didn’t play around when it came to family. Half of this team was his family. He’s been invested in The Usos for a long time, and he was there to see that investment through. 

Rhodes was content with that and stated, “Welcome to my team,” before offering a handshake. Reigns didn’t shake his hand, and they were interrupted by CM Punk. 

Punk looked directly in Reigns’ face before starting with his usual line. He then said, “OKC. Acknowledge us.” Punk admitted he was stealing Reigns’ best stuff, but it was for good reason. This was an all-star WarGames. 

Punk didn’t need Reigns’ word because he saved his life at last year’s event. Reigns quickly said Punk ruined his life just four months later. Punk knew that gave Reigns a reason to stab him in the back, but Punk wasn’t worried because that meant Reigns would be stabbing his own family in the back. 

Punk sarcastically stated that Reigns would never be mean to his own family, or put them between a “rock” and a hard place. 

Rhodes tried to settle things down, but Punk asked Rhodes why he referred to them as his (Rhodes’) team. Punk reminded him that this was his show. Reigns quipped that Punk and Rhodes should just whip ‘em out now and start measuring. 

Reigns didn’t care whose team it was. He hated Paul Heyman and hated The Vision. Punk could count on the fact that Reigns hated them more than he hated him. 

Reigns left the ring, but not before stating that the title belt would look better on his shoulder. Punk asked which of them they were referring to. Reigns answered off-mic by saying they could figure it out themselves. 

(Punk was good here, but I’m not sure how much intrigue this really added to WarGames. If Punk and Rhodes are concerned with who the team leader is, they may be the only ones.)

********

The Vision met backstage. Heyman wanted Drew McIntyre to behave tonight. He was only allowed on Raw because Heyman picked him for the advantage match—which is now a tag team match. 

Logan Paul suggested they pick Brock Lesnar to be McIntyre’s partner tonight. Heyman said that wasn’t a good idea and warned Logan not to utter his name. Logan did so anyway, and Heyman said Lesnar was coming to Raw to go after Reigns. 

Logan suggested that Bron Breakker or Bronson Reed team with McIntyre, but Heyman said it would be him. This was not what Logan wanted, but he made it seem he was on board. 

******** 

The Last Time is Now tournament quarterfinal: Gunther vs. Carmelo Hayes

Gunther held control through a break and cut off Hayes’ comeback when they returned. There was a smattering of chants for Hayes as Gunther looked into the camera and questioned why he even had to face Hayes. 

Hayes ducked a chop, which was easy given their height difference. Gunther cut him off again and went for a powerbomb, but Hayes countered into a DDT. This led to a second commercial break, and Gunther took over quickly again. 

Hayes ducked another chop on the apron, and Gunther’s arm hit the ring post. Hayes tried a slingshot DDT onto the apron, but they basically fell straight to the outside. Hayes followed with a flip dive and backdropped Gunther into the timekeeper’s area. 

Gunther wasn’t about to let Hayes attempt a count-out win, so he dumped Hayes into the timekeeper’s area next. Hayes quickly reemerged on top of the barricade and dropped Gunther with a leaping DDT before scampering back in the ring. 

Hayes almost won by count-out, but Gunther slipped back in just in time. The crowd really got into it here, remembering that Hayes won by count-out on SmackDown. 

Hayes went for Nothing But Net, but Gunther dodged it and clobbered him with a clothesline and powerbomb for a nearfall. Gunther applied a sleeper, but Hayes fought to his feet. It wasn’t enough, and Gunther dropped him with another powerbomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Gunther defeated Carmelo Hayes to advance in The Last Time is Now tournament (17:20)

The first part was kind of dull, but this wound up being pretty good, particularly once they returned from the last break. 

********

Jey and Jimmy Uso approached Reigns, Rhodes, and Punk. Jey said they should be focusing on what was actually important tonight, and that was the advantage match. Jimmy and Jey said they were on the same page and their partners could count on them. Yeet. 

After the Usos left, Reigns asked Punk and Rhodes who the team leader was. He told them to fix this, and he left. (It’s possible he was just egging them on, but it seemed like, suddenly, he sincerely wanted them to pick a team leader.) 

******** 

Dominik Mysterio segment 

Dom entered. He was booed. He said he would embarrass John Cena in his hometown. He would take back his Intercontinental Championship, and he would continue to be the greatest Mysterio of all time. Dom said it didn’t matter if the fans cheered for Cena or not, because he wasn’t even here tonight. 

Cena’s music hit, and the crowd exploded. It was a swerve. A long time passed with no Cena. Finally, a little person dressed as Cena entered. (Along with a little person dressed as Stu the cameraman.) He had trouble leaping into the ring like Cena, so he ran around and entered using the steps. 

Dom talked to him like he was the real John Cena and threatened to drop him at Survivor Series. The fake Cena called him the worst Mysterio of all time. Dom was caught off guard and whispered something in his ear. The fake Cena told Dom that if he wouldn’t fight him tonight, he could come get some at Survivor Series. 

Dom booted fake Cena to the ground and hit him with a five knuckle shuffle, 619 and a frog splash. 

Rey Mysterio ran out to his music, so Dom bailed. Rey checked on the guy as Dom left up the aisle, where he was greeted by his Judgment Day teammates. 

(This angle was a mistake. Dom was getting plenty of heat before they did any of the stuff with the Cena impersonator, and the crowd quickly died when he came out, like they were disappointed to be watching this on their modern WWE product. It probably doesn’t help that, deep down, the fans like Dom and didn’t want him doing this even as a heel.) 

********

Rey Mysterio vs. JD McDonagh (w/ Finn Bálor) 

McDonagh applied an abdominal stretch during the break, and Bálor held his arm back for leverage from outside the ring. The referee caught him, but instead of kicking him out, just yelled at him. Rey made his comeback and went for a 619, but McDonagh caught him with a Spanish Fly for two. Rey responded with a Code Red for two. 

Rey went for a 619 but was tripped by Bálor, who was still out there because of the stupid referee. Rey went after Bálor as the ref yelled at him some more. McDonagh tried a cheap shot, but Rey dropped him into Bálor, knocking him off the apron. Rey followed with a 619 and a springboard splash for the pinfall win. 

Bálor tried attacking Rey after the match, but Rey avoided and left the ring. 

Match result: Rey Mysterio defeated JD McDonagh (12:44) 

******** 

Timothée Chalamet will be a guest on Rhodes’ podcast. 

Raquel Rodriguez spoke to Adam Pearce backstage. She was pissed that Nikki Bella got involved in her title match, and was now getting a title match herself. Pearce, who made the title match, claimed that he agreed with Rodriguez. He promised that she would be in the title mix after Survivor Series. She was content with this. 

New Day and Grayson Waller approached Pearce next, and I had to double-check that this wasn’t happening in a commercial break. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were being annoying, so he told them to shut up. He let them know that AJ Styles and Dragon Lee wanted to defend their tag titles against New Day next week. 

Woods and Kingston were initially upset because they assumed it would be anyone but them in the title match, but they were surprised and happy upon learning it was them. They left. Waller put a wig on Pearce’s head before leaving too. Pearce screamed at him to get out. 

********

Brock Lesnar arrived and entered a room with Heyman. 

Women’s WarGames segment 

Becky Lynch entered and was joined by Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka and Kairi Sane. Lynch called last week’s result an injustice, and she had the best lawyers in the world working to overturn it. She was advised not to talk about it, but did want to say that she followed the rules, unlike Maxxine Dupri and referee Jessika Carr. The result would be overturned, and the company would be better off. 

The company would also be better off when she got rid of AJ Lee once and for all. Lee made a mistake by coming back to cost her the IC title, but the biggest mistake she’ll ever make is entering WarGames with her. 

Lynch admitted she had her differences with her teammates. She put her arms around Asuka, who wasn’t thrilled with this. Lynch called Jax very powerful. Not powerful like her, but powerful enough to break her face. Jax was the only person ever to damage her face, but at least she didn’t need a mask like Rhea Ripley. Lynch called Legend her new friend and a fine specimen of a woman whom Lynch would make into a star. 

Ripley, Iyo Sky, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and AJ Lee all entered the stage individually to their music before walking down to the ring together. 

Lee said the old her would have run to the ring and torn Lynch’s face off, but therapy worked. Lee knew Lynch was just feeling insecure and afraid. Lee didn’t need to run her mouth to lift herself up, because she knew who the hell she was. She didn’t need to bark like an angry chihuahua. She doesn’t bark—she bites. 

Lee said Lynch poured gasoline on the fire, and now she was locking herself in a cage with her. Lee would be free to do whatever she wanted, and she wasn’t alone in wanting to see Lynch get knocked off her pedestal. 

Lee asked Ripley if she agreed. Ripley took the mic and smashed it into Jax’s face. That led to a brawl, and the babyfaces stood tall. Sky wiped out a few heels with a moonsault as Lynch backed up the aisle with a look of regret on her face.  

******** 

The Last Time is Now tournament quarterfinal: Solo Sikoa (w/ Talla Tonga) vs. Penta

Penta was injured. 

Sikoa chucked Penta over the barricade and into the crowd, but he reemerged on the barricade and brought Sikoa down with a hurricanrana. 

Penta landed right on his shoulder, and medical staff checked on him throughout a planned commercial break. When they returned from break, the referee called for the bell, and it was announced that Penta could no longer compete. Sikoa was announced the winner. 

Penta slammed his hand against the barricade in frustration as he was followed to the back by medical staff. 

Sikoa advances and will face Gunther in the semifinals. 

Match result: Solo Sikoa defeated Penta via medical stoppage to advance in The Last Time is Now tournament (4:20)

******** 

Backstage, Pearce told Maxxine Dupri that more women have called him about taking the belt off her than any title he can remember. Pearce advised her to focus and work hard. Dupri said she would. She wanted to be the type of champion people could be proud of. She told Pearce she wanted to call Natalya, and Pearce left.  

Ivy Nile accosted Dupri and told her the title was hers. After Nile left, Dupri turned around and bumped into Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Perez said she could take the title any time. Pearce got between them, so Perez left with Rodriguez. Pearce told Dupri she might want to call Natalya now. 

********

There was a good Stephanie Vaquer pre-taped promo. Vaquer said Nikki Bella was clever, but she wasn’t as smart as she thought. Vaquer knew all about Bella’s history, but Bella didn’t know about hers. If Bella were as smart as she pretended to be, she would know who she was messing with. Vaquer stated, “Are you sure you want to get in the ring with me?” 

Survivor Series begins at 7 pm ET. The pre-show is at 5 pm ET. 

Survivor Series card: 

  • Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella for the Women’s World Championship 
  • John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship 
  • Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss & AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka & Kairi Sane 
  • Men’s WarGames: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre & Brock Lesnar 

********

Men’s WarGames advantage match: Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul

As has been the pattern, not much happened before they went to break about 80 seconds into the match. The heels worked over Jey Uso, and Logan knocked Jimmy off the apron before he could make a hot tag. McIntyre chucked Jey over the announce desk, leading to a second break. (McIntyre posed, so Jimmy chucked a Prime bottle at him.) 

Logan and McIntyre held up Jey in a delayed vertical suplex, and they flexed with opposite arms while doing so. Jey booted McIntyre and finally made the hot tag to Jimmy, who hit Logan with an enzuguri before superkicking McIntyre off the apron. Jimmy hit some sort of dive off the top for two, and Logan responded with a blockbuster for two. 

Jimmy ducked a punch and followed with a superkick, spear and an Uso splash, but McIntyre broke up the cover. Jey and McIntyre brawled outside the ring as Bron and Bronson entered to check on Logan. 

Punk and Rhodes ran out next to take out the Brons. As everyone brawled, Jey wiped them out with a big dive. Jimmy was too busy celebrating, so Logan caught him in a schoolboy for the pinfall win. 

The heels gain the WarGames advantage thanks to a win in a mostly nothing match. 

— Punk immediately attacked Logan, and the brawl continued. Reigns entered (to his music) and greeted Bron and Bronson in the aisle with Superman punches. Reigns went to the ring and handed out Superman punches to Paul and McIntyre, too. 

The babyfaces stood tall, and the trademark graphic aired to make you think the show was over, but you knew it wasn’t if you were paying attention. 

Lesnar entered with Heyman. Fireworks went off for Lesnar as he did his little pose, and he actually tripped and fell backwards. It would have been an embarrassing moment for some, but he popped right up laughing at himself. 

Lesnar marched down to the ring and joined his new teammates on the apron. The two teams faced off one final time and brawled as the show came to a predictable close. 

Match result: Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre defeated The Usos to earn the advantage in WarGames (17:02) 

WWE reveals opening segment for Monday’s Raw episode

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE has revealed the opening segment for the Monday, November 24 Raw show, the final episode before Survivor Series.

After making his return in last week’s show-closing angle on Raw, Roman Reigns will kick off the November 24 show. Reigns and Brock Lesnar both made surprise returns last week at Madison Square Garden to join their respective WarGames teams ahead of next Saturday’s Survivor Series PLE.

In addition to the Reigns segment, an advantage match to decide the order of entry for the men’s WarGames bout is also set.

Monday’s Raw will also feature the first quarterfinals matchups in The Last Time is Now tournament to decide John Cena’s opponent in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.

WWE Raw, Monday, November 24 —

  • Roman Reigns kicks off the show
  • Men’s WarGames advantage match: Participants TBA
  • The Last Time is Now quarterfinals: Gunther vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • The Last Time is Now quarterfinals: Solo Sikoa vs. Penta

Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar to appear on WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Raw’s final build to Survivor Series will include appearances by Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar.

Raw’s Survivor Series go-home show is being held in Oklahoma City this coming Monday at the Paycom Center. Ahead of the event, the arena advertised on social media that Reigns and Lesnar will both be appearing.

“Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar are now on the lineup for WWE Raw in #OKC on Monday, November 24,” the Paycom Center wrote. “Consider the stakes raised.”

The road to Survivor Series saw Reigns and Lesnar return to Raw earlier this week, setting the stage for them to be part of WarGames. The men’s WarGames match on November 29 will pit Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk & The Usos against Lesnar, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre.

WWE released a new Survivor Series: WarGames poster today highlighting the men’s participants:

Here is the updated Raw lineup for Monday night:

WWE Raw (Monday, November 24) —

  • Roman Reigns appears
  • Brock Lesnar appears
  • Men’s WarGames advantage match (participants to be announced)
  • The Last Time is Now quarterfinals: Gunther vs. either Bronson Reed or Carmelo Hayes
  • The Last Time is Now quarterfinals: Solo Sikoa vs. either Penta or Finn Balor

Multiple surprise returns in WWE Raw show-closing segment

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Monday’s WWE Raw episode ended with two surprise returns in a chaotic closing segment.

Both Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns returned in the final minutes of Monday’s Raw from Madison Square Garden in New York City, each seemingly joining a side ahead of the men’s WarGames match set for Survivor Series on November 29.

Lesnar returned and aligned with the Paul Heyman-assembled WarGames team of Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed, while Reigns sided with the CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso unit in a wild brawl that closed the show.

Reigns returned after the end credits for the episode were shown on screen, adding to the surprise element.

Among the highlights of the angle, Reigns speared Reed and multiple extras playing the role of NYPD cops through the barricade.

A representative from each men’s WarGames team will meet on next week’s Raw to decide the order of entry advantage for Survivor Series.

Steve Khan’s full report from Monday’s Raw is available here.

Daily Update: Roman Reigns & CM Punk, AAA, MVP

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

A larger than usual issue this week with a wide variety of stories and tons of history:

  • The fixed fight accusations from Saturday’s UFC show, what happened, how Dana White and UFC handled it, fixed fights in the early days of MMA and the different motivations then vs. now, and a look back at history with a former world heavyweight boxing champion who later became one of the biggest stars of his era in pro wrestling.
  • A look at the third quarter TKO business, covering mostly UFC and WWE. How each category is doing and explanations as to why.
  • Nick Khan talks WWE ticket prices and booking decisions on live events
  • Full coverage of Saturday Night’s Main Event and business notes on the show
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Farewell in Gifu and 30 minutes that capsulized the best aspects of the past, present and future of pro wrestling
  • Notes on the Tokyo Dome advance
  • Finals of the Best of the Super Juniors tag team tournament
  • Notes on the upcoming heavyweight tag team tournament
  • Lots of notes regarding AEW Full Gear
  • The real history of the original NWA national heavyweight championship
  • Matches likely to happen at Full Gear
  • The final installment of our Hall of Fame series, covering international and non-wrestlers, where we talk about the cases of people including Spyros Arion, Dominic DeNucci, George Gordienko, Ted Boy Marino, Billy Joyce, The Royal Brothers, Dave Brown, Zane Bresloff, Bobby Bruns, Bob Caudle, Joe Higuchi, Jim Johnston, James Melby, Bill Mercer, Gorilla Monsoon, Rossy Ogawa, Reggie Parks, Morris Siel, Tony Schiavone, George Scott, Kevin Sullivan, Mike Tenay, Ted Turner, Jesse Ventura, Roy Welch, Stanley Weston, The Grand Wizard and Koichi Yoshizawa.
  • Notes on the death of Victor Conte Jr.
  • Tank Davis kills his last payday and Netflix’s big fight for the fall is out the window and thank God for that
  • DDT has one of its biggest shows of the year
  • Betting odds for pro wrestling matches last week and this week
  • The most complete look at the television ratings of wrestling shows over the past week. How these numbers compare in placings to past years, where other than pro wrestling is hurting with the new ratings, competition for each show and placings for the time slot
  • CMLL has four straight sellouts and coverage of the main matches including a major return this week
  • What wrestler is having the best year for someone their age in wrestling history
  • Notes on a very confusing tournament coming up
  • What young wrestler sold out in a singles with Mistico this past week
  • Notes from the last AAA tapings
  • AAA booking huge arena for a taping
  • Stardom big show plus notes on the tag team tournament
  • Will Vince McMahon write a book?
  • Former pro wrestling star elected Mayor
  • How network, cable and streaming numbers have affected NASCAR in 2025
  • Update on Blue Demon Jr.
  • More on Smashing Machine including Dwayne Johnson comments
  • Jerry Lawler returns to WMC
  • Athletic commission in trouble over a sponsored women’s championship
  • El Hijo del Santo retirement tour hits Europe
  • More WBD sale talks
  • Blood & Guts news
  • A poll on AEW viewership and how people watch the TV and PPV shows
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE, AEW, TNA, MLW and RAF
  • BJ Penn arrested again
  • WWE sets gate records
  • Paul Levesque’s booking
  • How much Dwayne Johnson’s TKO stock is worth
  • Notes on the WWE arena business going forward
  • The Ridge Holland story

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • WWE remembered Eddie Guerrero on the 20th anniversary of his passing: “Always in our hearts. Viva La Raza”
  • Disney uploaded a brief clip of Roman Reigns and CM Punk recording their cameos voicing zebras in “Zootopia 2.” Their characters are named Zebro Zebraxton and Zebro Zebrowski.
  • Randy Orton shared photos on Instagram of his family in Belize on a recent vacation celebrating Orton and his wife Kim’s 10-year anniversary:
    • Just back from vacation with family and friends. As a father nothing better than seeing my family smile. As a husband nothing better than seeing my wife happy. Thank you for coming with me to Belize to celebrate our 10 year anniversary my love.
  • At a Lucha Libre AAA taping in Mexico on November 28, The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) will challenge Psycho Clown & Pagano for the AAA Tag Team titles.
  • WWE confirmed that Oba Femi is appearing at NXT’s house shows this weekend and NXT Gold Rush next Tuesday.
  • Paul Heyman was the guest on a new episode of “What’s Your Story?” with Stephanie McMahon.
  • TKO representatives Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro, and Dana White rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange today to celebrate TKO’s new partnership with Polymarket for UFC and Zuffa Boxing events.
  • The Wrestling Classic interviewed Ron Simmons.
  • WWE Vault uploaded the company’s full Bruno Sammartino documentary that premiered on the WWE Network in 2018.

Other Wrestling

  • Orange Cassidy and Mark Briscoe spoke to the Greensboro crowd last night after their team won Blood and Guts.
  • While speaking with Adventure Gamers, MVP was asked how different it is working with Tony Khan compared to Vince McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque:
    • It’s very different because Tony Khan is a completely different human being, with a completely different personality. He’s just a nice guy and a good person. I’ve never had any kind of a relationship with Triple H. Vince I was able to work with and with Vince, Vince knows exactly what he wants, how he wants to do it, and if you can present something that is better, sometimes Vince will listen, but when Vince has a vision, that’s it. You go with it. There’s no second guessing it. Tony Khan is a lot more interactive and will take in a lot more ideas and he’s more willing to be pliable when it comes to his vision and how he wants to present it and what he’s willing to do to add to it or to change it. He’s just a nice guy. It’s funny, like his energy level. He’s always happy and I’ve never seen him be mean to somebody. It’s a much different environment where WWE was very corporate, very tight laced, for some people even uncomfortable and they’re made to feel like they’re walking on eggshells and people are scared of getting fired. That environment doesn’t exist in AEW. It’s way more relaxed. No one’s walking on eggshells. The boss has time for everybody. And it’s super fun. No stress.
  • Agreeing with a statement Bret Hart had made calling Triple H a “phony,” MVP told Adventure Gamers:
    • Man, I agree with Brett’s assertion. I’ve said before, I call [Triple H] a coward and a liar. Let’s put it like this. If you really want to, you can go to YouTube and you can look up the interviews of various wrestlers through the years of what their opinion is of the man. Interviews of guys that were his friends, what they had to say about the guy. I can think of more guys that dislike him than I can think of guys that do like him. And people say MVP’s salty or bitter. Like, no, I have personal issues with the dude, stemming from professional stuff, but just the things that he does, how he carries himself, I just don’t have respect for the guy. The newer generation, they don’t know that guy yet. So the one of those that came up underneath him in NXT, they think he’s brilliant and a lot of them should for the hand he’s had in their career. But the guys that had to work with him back in the day will tell you a different story almost overwhelmingly. And so it’s not just me saying it. There’s guys who are way up the totem pole than me that are telling you that this guy’s no bueno.
  • Dustin Rhodes shared a new update on how he’s feeling as he recovers from the double knee replacement he underwent in August:
    • Knee replacements update:
    • We are just under 3 months out. I am still in a considerable amount of pain especially in mornings. I am 56 yrs old and it is taking a lot longer for recovery guys. The hardest thing for me at this moment, is getting up from a chair, and stepping down a step with right especially. My legs have always been pretty thin and cannot wait to actually strengthen them more on e I am able. I am on track for my age and then some and I would assume its because I have a strong work ethic and an athlete. Prob late Feb, early March for the greatest comeback of anyone in their 50’s.
  • Preston Vance and Griff Garrison appeared on a new episode of AEW Unrestricted.
  • Mustafa Ali told SEScoops that he would like to see TNA experiment with some outside-the-box ideas:
    • I’m going to show up to work and see what is asked to do and go do it. What I’d like to see from TNA, and this is just my controversial take, but they are in a position where they can be different. They don’t have to follow the formula. I think one of the coolest things about TNA was the six-sided ring, which was the X-Division. What I’m trying to say is I want TNA to go back to that experimental phase where we’re just trying these wacky ideas. At the end of the day, you can’t argue with the business model right now. Sold-out shows, potential network deals, and things like that. I also remember a time where I’d look out at TNA and see maybe a couple hundred people. At Bound for Glory, I looked out and saw a couple of thousands. 
    • It’s a beautiful thing, but whatever TNA is doing, I think they are doing things right. They have their eyes on young talent. They have tryouts coming up. It’s a great mixture of these talented veterans, then like the middle child are trying to figure out their journey and [there are] brand-new people coming in. It’s a beautiful locker room, a great team to work with. Production just keeps getting better and better with each show. There is a lot of experimentation going on. I think at Bound for Glory we had our first 4K camera for the entrance, so there were some unbelievable shots coming out. I’m just really excited, but if you asked me, selfishly I’d just like to see them experiment more with wild concept matches because we are in a position I feel we can do it. I think that would attract even more wrestling fans toward our product.
  • Vince Russo is writing a book about his time working for TNA. Titled “Total Nonstop Agony: The Rise and Fall of TNA,” it’s scheduled for a summer 2026 release.
  • TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast interviewed Bobby Fish.

Two WWE stars join The Rock in ‘Zootopia 2’ movie

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Disney

WWE will be well-represented in the upcoming Disney film Zootopia 2.

Paradigm’s Nick LoPiccolo shared on social media Wednesday that Roman Reigns and CM Punk have done voice work for two zebra characters in the animated film set to be released on November 26. The agency represents both men.

The news comes a few weeks after it was revealed that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will voice the character Zeke.

Coming nearly a decade after the original that grossed $1 billion at the box office and won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the sequel is also expected to be a massive success.

Punk (Phil Brooks) has had several film and television roles since making his acting debut in 2019. His last role was on the Syfy TV show Revival while the horror movie Night Patrol that he appears in comes out in January.

Along with Cody Rhodes, Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) is set to appear in the upcoming Street Fighter movie currently in production. Another project he is involved in — Action Force — is in pre-production. His biggest role to date was in the 2019 Hobbs & Shaw spinoff of The Fast and the Furious franchise.