WarGames is basically a car crash inside a giant birdcage. If you’ve ever seen two wrestling rings shoved together with a massive steel structure surrounding them, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s easily the most chaotic night on the WWE calendar.
Ever since Triple H decided to ditch the traditional "five-on-five elimination" format for the main roster in 2022, WWE Survivor Series: WarGames has become the company's official "season finale" for its biggest blood feuds. Honestly, it’s a smart move. The old elimination matches were starting to feel a bit stale, and nothing fixes "stale" like ten people beating the life out of each other with trash can lids.
What Actually Is the WarGames Rule Set?
It’s not your average steel cage match. You’ve got two rings. One cage. Two teams.
The match starts with one person from each team. They go at it for five minutes. Then, the team that won the "advantage" (usually through a ladder match or some backstage shenanigans earlier in the week) sends their second person in. Now it’s a 2-on-1 handicap match for two minutes.
The teams keep alternating until all ten participants are inside. Only then does the "Match Beyond" begin. This is the only time the match can actually end. You win by pinfall or submission. Oh, and if you try to climb out of the cage to escape? Your whole team loses. No cowardice allowed here.
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Looking Back at Vancouver 2024: The Bloodline War
The 2024 edition in Vancouver was heavy. We saw the "Original Bloodline"—Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Sami Zayn—team up with an unlikely ally in CM Punk. They were facing off against Solo Sikoa’s new-look Bloodline, which included the terrifying Jacob Fatu and Bronson Reed.
That match was a masterclass in storytelling. You had Roman and Punk, two guys who historically despise each other, forced to share a ring. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a folding chair. While Solo Sikoa tried to prove he was the true "Tribal Chief," Roman ultimately pinned him after a massive Spear, reminding everyone who the head of the table really is.
Other 2024 Results:
- Shinsuke Nakamura shocked everyone by taking the United States Title from LA Knight.
- Bron Breakker survived a brutal Triple Threat against Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser.
- Gunther choked out Damian Priest to keep his World Heavyweight Championship.
- Team Rhea Ripley beat Team Liv Morgan in a Women's WarGames match that saw IYO SKY dive off the top of the cage inside a trash can. Typical IYO.
The 2025 Chaos: San Diego and the End of an Era
Fast forward to late 2025. WWE took the double cage to Petco Park in San Diego. This was a landmark show because it featured John Cena’s final Survivor Series appearance.
Cena walked in as the Intercontinental Champion—a title he’d never held in his entire 20-plus year career until recently. But the night didn't end well for the "GOAT." Dominik Mysterio, with a massive assist from a returning Liv Morgan, hit a low blow on Cena and pinned him to reclaim the gold. The heat in that stadium was nuclear. Seeing Cena walk up the ramp for the last time at this event felt like the end of an era.
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The 2025 Men’s WarGames match was equally wild. It pitted Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and The Usos against a powerhouse unit called "The Vision," led by Brock Lesnar. Yes, Brock in WarGames. It was as destructive as you'd imagine. The match ended on a total cliffhanger when a masked assailant jumped into the cage and hit a Stomp on CM Punk, allowing Lesnar's team to secure the win.
Why Fans Love (and Sometimes Hate) This Format
Some old-school fans miss the traditional elimination tags. I get it. There was something cool about the "sole survivor" narrative. But WarGames offers something different: pure spectacle.
The "entry intervals" create a natural rhythm. You get these mini-stories within the match—the babyface hero fighting off three guys at once while waiting for his partner to enter, or the "hardcore" specialist bringing a bag of thumbtacks into the ring.
Critics will tell you that having two WarGames matches on one show is overkill. They sort of have a point. By the time the main event starts, the crowd has already seen every cage spot imaginable. But when the talent is this high, usually the drama carries it through.
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Actionable Insights for the Next Event
If you're planning to watch or attend the next WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the "Go-Home" Shows: The winner of the "Advantage" is decided on the Raw or SmackDown immediately preceding the event. The team with the advantage has a massive statistical lead in the match.
- Look for the "Anchor": Every team has one person who stays in the ring the longest. In 2024, it was IYO SKY. In 2025, it was Cody Rhodes. These are the workhorses who hold the match together.
- Check the Cage Top: Unlike the old WCW version, WWE's cage has no roof. This means someone will jump off the top. It’s not a question of if, but when.
- The Match Beyond: Remember, nothing that happens in the first 25 minutes can end the match. Use that time to grab your snacks, because the real "war" only starts once that cage door is locked for the final time.
WWE's transition to a Netflix-led era in 2025 has only made these events feel bigger. With higher production values and more "uncensored" moments, the brutality of the double cage is finally catching up to its legendary reputation.
Next Steps for the WWE Universe:
- Review the 2025 Tape: Go back and watch the final five minutes of the Men's WarGames 2025 match to see the debut of the masked "assailant" who cost CM Punk the match.
- Track the IC Title: Follow Dominik Mysterio's second run as Intercontinental Champion to see if he's actually grown as a wrestler or if he's still just "Dirty" Dom.
- Monitor John Cena's Retirement: Since Survivor Series was his final "Big Four" appearance, keep an eye on the "Last Time is Now" tournament results to see who his final WrestleMania opponent will be.