New York: The Survivor Series: WarGames match has long been one of WWE’s most explosive and high-stakes showdowns. Ten superstars, two teams, and two steel cages create a spectacle that blends chaos, storytelling, and brutality — when done right. As WWE edged closer to WarGames 2025, fan speculation surged regarding which stars would fill out the anticipated two teams. But as the November 17, 2025 episode of Monday Night Raw unfolded, the company made a decision that left fans stunned for all the wrong reasons.
Instead of joining WarGames, John Cena was announced for a rematch against Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship — a title Cena had only recently won. While Cena helping elevate a young star is admirable, his absence from WarGames feels like a glaring creative misstep, especially at this stage in his legendary Retirement Tour.
A Cena–Mysterio Rematch Feels Unnecessary
Cena and Dominik had already crossed paths twice in the last two weeks — first in their long-awaited championship clash, and then again in a six-man tag at Madison Square Garden. A third showdown, especially so soon, feels repetitive and far less compelling than what could have been.
With Cena wrestling fewer and fewer matches, burning one of them on a rematch rather than placing him in WWE’s biggest November spectacle is a puzzling decision.
Cena Completing the WarGames Mega-Team Was the Story Fans Wanted
One of the year’s most exciting possibilities was seeing Cena join forces with:
CM Punk
Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns
Jey Uso
A lineup that mirrors WWE’s version of the Avengers, filled with both past rivalries and fresh dynamics.
Instead, Jimmy Uso was slotted into the final spot — a choice many fans view as underwhelming compared to the potential star power Cena would have brought.
The Unfinished Business With Brock Lesnar
More than anything, Cena’s absence from WarGames robs the WWE Universe of the closure they’ve been waiting over a decade for:
a proper ending to the legendary John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar rivalry.
Their match at Wrestlepalooza 2025 ended in another abrupt and baffling squash, echoing SummerSlam 2014. Reports revealed Cena was originally meant to defeat Lesnar — a fitting payoff for his Retirement Tour — before plans abruptly changed.
WarGames could have been the ideal setting for Cena to finally overcome the rival who has haunted him throughout his career. Fans expected the two to collide one last time inside the unforgiving double cage. Now, that moment is gone forever.
A Career Without WarGames — And a Final Opportunity Lost
In over 23 years, John Cena has never once competed in a WarGames match. With his in-ring days dwindling, giving him this experience — and giving fans this moment — would have added an unforgettable chapter to his storied career.
A WarGames clash featuring:
Cena, Punk, Rhodes, Reigns, and Jey Uso vs. Lesnar, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Drew McIntyre
had all the makings of an all-time classic.
Instead, one of the most promising matchups in recent Survivor Series history feels like a missed chance that WWE won’t get back.
Final Thought
John Cena has never taken the easy road, participating in every type of stipulation imaginable. His omission from WarGames 2025 isn’t just a questionable creative choice — it’s a moment WWE fans deserved and will now never see. With Cena’s retirement looming, WWE’s decision has left the fanbase wondering what could have been inside those double cages.