Brock Lesnar retires after 23 years, John Cena breaks major record? - 4 landscape-changing shocks for WWE in 2025
The WWE landscape has changed several times over the last few years, and 2024 has brought with it many surprises of its own. The first WrestleMania without Vince McMahon was the most successful, and the former chairman stepping down appeared to be two of the year's biggest highlights so far.
John Cena's return could make 2025 a huge year for WWE, but there could be several twists and turns as WrestleMania 41 draws closer.
#4. Big E reunites with The New Day
Big E has been on the sidelines for more than two years after suffering a neck injury ahead of WrestleMania 38, and The New Day has been lost without him. The teases of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods splitting up without the former WWE Champion have become stronger in recent weeks, and there may be only one way to fix the stable.
Big E has noted several times that he may never wrestle again and appears happy on the sidelines being able to talk about the action. Since his injury, Big E hasn't appeared on-screen as his character, but WWE could make a way for Big E to return to RAW, even if it's only as a manager in 2025.
#3. Becky Lynch fails to return
Becky Lynch's WWE return is expected to take place heading into WrestleMania, and the most obvious place could be the 2025 Royal Rumble. That being said, there is nothing in writing that says Lynch will return, and given that she no longer has a contract, there is no one forcing her to do so.
Lynch wants to explore life outside the ring, and that could take longer than a few months. There was never a timetable for her return when she walked away back in May, and it will be interesting to see if WWE will be able to survive 12 months without The Man.
#2. John Cena becomes a 17-time World Champion
John Cena's retirement tour is about to take over the wrestling world throughout 2025, and Cena is going to be able to wrestle many stars he has never rubbed shoulders with in the past.
This could include Gunther, who is the reigning World Champion. Cena is just one win off breaking Ric Flair's long-standing record, and it would be interesting to see if they decide to pull the trigger on a 17-time world champion.
#1. Brock Lesnar retires from WWE
Brock Lesnar's name seems to hang in the air in WWE at present, and it's not expected to change with the upcoming Vince McMahon documentary. Lesnar may not be able to return to the company soon, but he could decide that it's time to take control of his career and announce time on it.
Lesnar debuted back in March 2002 and could opt to walk away from the ring on his 23rd anniversary, in the build-up to WrestleMania 41. At 47 years old, it's unknown how many years Lesnar has left at a high standard.