The year 2025 has been unusual for WWE. After several strong years filled with record-breaking events and renewed excitement, WWE saw a decline in quality, decision-making, and fan support throughout 2025. Reflecting on last year, both WWE and its fans likely wish to forget several disappointing moments.
From controversial choices inside and outside the ring, awful segments, poor storytelling and booking, to some of the worst matches ever, WWE had many low points it would prefer to leave behind.
8. Ron Killings sidelined for R-Truth
– R-Truth was fired and then rehired by WWE.
– He returned under the persona “Kill Ron.”
– However, WWE scrapped that booking and reverted him back to R-Truth.
Fans were excited initially when R-Truth was released and then brought back with a new, more genuine “Ron Killings” character. Unfortunately, WWE mishandled the change, giving Killings minimal direction and booking him weakly against top stars. When he reverted to his old gimmick, it was a missed chance and booking failure, and he has struggled to secure a meaningful spot since.
7. John Cena vs. CM Punk in Saudi Arabia
– For the first time in over a decade, John Cena and CM Punk faced off.
– Their match took place in Saudi Arabia.
– CM Punk apologized for his earlier remarks about Saudi Arabia.
Fans were eager for this last showdown during their retirement tour. But staging the match in Saudi Arabia—a location tied to past WWE controversies—instead of traditional US cities led to complaints and disappointment.
6. WrestleMania Roast
– Tony Hinchcliffe hosted a wrestling-themed roast during WrestleMania weekend.
– WWE stars like Paul Heyman and Nia Jax were criticized for offensive jokes.
– Leaked clips of the roast went viral online.
Though intended to be entertaining, the event featured racist, sexist, and offensive humor that missed the mark. WWE attempted to suppress the leak, but the damage lingered briefly before fading, though it’s now a chapter WWE prefers to forget.
5. Brock Lesnar’s Controversial SummerSlam Return
– Cody Rhodes and John Cena delivered one of the best SummerSlam main events ever.
– Brock Lesnar made an unannounced return after more than a year.
– Lesnar’s name was linked to Vince McMahon’s sex trafficking lawsuit.
After Cena’s loss and farewell, Lesnar’s surprise return overshadowed the moment. His comeback stirred discomfort due to his association with a major controversy, leaving many fans with a bitter impression.
4. Gulf of America Gimmick
– Chad Gable took on a “Great American” gimmick in 2025.
– The character’s booking bordered on offensive.
– WWE used real-world political tensions around the Gulf of Mexico.
Gable’s character faced backlash for its tone, AI usage in promos, and the name “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” His injury indirectly helped tone down the gimmick’s intensity, while Ludwig Kaiser later softened the portrayal.
3. Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton’s Off-Script Moments
– The two rivals clashed at WrestleMania 41.
– Their feud intensified before the event.
– Several segments between them went off script.
After Flair’s return and Royal Rumble win, many fans disliked her quick rise and heel turn. Flair and Stratton’s unscripted exchanges, including personal jabs, made for awkward TV moments, though they eventually set aside differences for a solid WrestleMania match.
2. Brock Lesnar Dominates John Cena
– Lesnar and Cena met at Wrestlepalooza 2025.
– Lesnar defeated Cena in under 10 minutes.
– This match was widely regarded as one of WWE’s worst all year.
In Cena’s retirement tour, this match was a disappointing low point, echoing their lackluster SummerSlam 2014 bout. Lesnar’s presence added controversy but did not help elevate the match, which felt dull and forgettable.
1. Travis Scott Disrupts WrestleMania Main Event
– Cena defeated Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.
– Travis Scott interfered in the main event match.
– WWE never followed up on this controversial moment.
The WrestleMania main event, usually the highlight of the year, was marred on Night 2 by a slow match and Scott’s awkward interference to assist Cena. The absence of The Rock and the breakdown of Scott’s WWE relationship made this a poorly handled decision, frustrating fans and weakening Cena’s farewell narrative.
Fan Take: These missteps show that WWE’s creative challenges in 2025 risk alienating fans who crave compelling storytelling and memorable moments. If WWE wants to regain its momentum, it must learn from these mistakes and focus on building authentic, fan-centric narratives moving forward.
