WWE’s return to France with Clash in Paris 2025 delivered a mixture of thrilling moments and some questionable choices that left fans talking as the company continues to build towards Wrestlepalooza in September. From high-stakes championship matches to intense personal rivalries, the event showcased top-tier performances and dramatic storytelling — but not without flaws.
What We Loved About Clash in Paris
1. The Main Event Drama: John Cena vs. Logan Paul
The showdown between WWE legend John Cena and social media megastar Logan Paul was a highlight. Cena’s star power combined with Paul’s rising profile created tremendous anticipation. The match itself, clocking in at 26 minutes, lived up to expectations, blending a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy that kept the Paris crowd captivated[1][2]. Cena’s ability to engage both longtime fans and the newer audience was evident as he dazzled with his signature moves and charismatic presence.
2. The Fatal Four-Way World Heavyweight Title Match
The World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way, featuring Seth Rollins (c), CM Punk, Jey Uso, and LA Knight, was a well-executed classic showcase of elite wrestling talent. The almost 25-minute contest delivered a high-octane, storytelling-rich battle that had the crowd fully invested[3][4]. The finish saw Seth Rollins retain his title with some outside help, introducing potential new alliances, especially with Becky Lynch’s apparent support of Rollins in the ring. This unexpected twist added a fresh narrative layer that fans will be eager to follow.
3. Sheamus vs. Rusev: A Brutal Donnybrook
In a hard-hitting “Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook” match, Sheamus and Rusev left it all in the ring and beyond, fighting atop whiskey barrels and through tables — a rare level of violence for WWE programming, especially on a premium live event[4]. The match’s intensity and physicality stood out, with Sheamus tapping out for only the second time in his career, signaling a serious moment in the rivalry and adding dramatic weight to the contest. The sheer effort and toughness shown by both competitors earned respect from fans and critics alike.
What We Hated About Clash in Paris
1. Roman Reigns’ Chaotic Post-Match Angle
While Roman Reigns defeated Bronson Reed decisively, the post-match angle spiraled into chaos with Bron Breakker and Reed attacking Reigns, leading to a stretcher exit. Despite the physical spectacle, many felt this storyline cluttered the event and lacked the coherent long-term storytelling the show needed[2]. According to sources close to WWE creative, there was internal debate about stretching this segment, as it risked overshadowing the momentum of Reigns’ victory just moments earlier. Adam Pearce’s in-ring enforcement and administration consequences felt like an afterthought rather than a compelling dramatic payoff.
2. Overbooked Finishes
Several matches ended with interference, questionable tactics, or “dirty” finishes which, while typical in wrestling, felt overused at Clash in Paris. For example, Seth Rollins retained his championship not cleanly but via alliance, and Rusev used a shillelagh illegally to force Sheamus’ tapout[1][4]. This repetition of non-clean finishes diluted the impact of some bouts, making them seem less definitive and more designed for storyline prolongment rather than pure wrestling excitement.
3. Uneven Crowd Engagement
Though the French fans were passionate, the energy fluctuated noticeably throughout the event. While main events drew significant heat and cheers, the mid-card suffered from moments of dead air, partly due to pacing issues and match placements[1]. One backstage insider shared, “The audience is amazing, but the card could be better structured to keep the energy consistent. The peaks were great, but we lost steam in the middle segments.” This inconsistency undermined what otherwise could have been a uniformly electric live show atmosphere.
Additional Noteworthy Moments
Becky Lynch’s Role: Becky Lynch’s interference and alliance with Seth Rollins during the Fatal Four-Way opens intriguing storyline possibilities ahead of Wrestlepalooza and beyond[3]. Industry insiders suggest this marks the beginning of a fresh faction dynamic that WWE might explore to rejuvenate its women’s division narratives.
Tag Team Championship Match: Though not headlined, The Wyatt Sicks retaining their WWE Tag Team Titles against The Street Profits kept things energetic and showcased WWE’s strong tag team division depth[1]. The tag match’s solid in-ring work provided a welcome balance to the event’s heavier storylines.
Future Planning: The rapid turnaround with Wrestlepalooza less than three weeks away pushes WWE to capitalize on the momentum from Clash in Paris, but also presents creative challenges in maintaining stable narratives and star freshness[1].
Behind-The-Scenes Insight
According to a WWE insider, “The Clash in Paris was both a celebration of WWE’s global reach and a testing ground for story ideas ahead of the fall. The creative team was mixing established stars and emerging talent to see what sticks internationally. There were high hopes, but also some reservations about the show’s flow and storyline coherence.”
Final Thoughts
WWE Clash in Paris 2025 offered fans a blend of thrilling action, star power, and some surprising narrative turns. While moments like Cena’s epic battle with Logan Paul and the bruising Sheamus-Rusev encounter lit up the City of Lights, issues such as overbooked finishes and uneven audience energy reminded that even major WWE events require precise balance. How WWE capitalizes on the event’s highlights and irons out its weaknesses will be crucial as the road to Wrestlepalooza intensifies. For Paris, this event was a solid step forward with glimpses of potential greatness ahead.