WWE fans are buzzing with anticipation as Dave Meltzer, one of wrestling’s most respected journalists, has dropped a major scoop: two former world champions are expected to make a dramatic return on next week’s WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden and join the Men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series 2025. This revelation adds an exciting twist to what is already shaping up to be a historic event, as Survivor Series: WarGames returns bigger than ever, held for the first time in an outdoor stadium at Petco Park, San Diego.
Survivor Series 2025: A Landmark Event for WWE
Scheduled for November 29, 2025, Survivor Series: WarGames will feature intense team-based steel cage warfare inside two adjoining rings. This marks the fourth consecutive year that WarGames is the centerpiece of Survivor Series, but 2025 sets new records: the first outdoor venue, the first stadium setting, and the first Major League Baseball ballpark to host the event. The 39th annual Survivor Series also promises to be the last pay-per-view appearance of John Cena as an active in-ring competitor, cementing its place as a must-see WWE spectacle[1].
The Men’s WarGames match itself is already stacked with marquee names like WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, alongside members of their respective factions[2]. The addition of two former world champions will undoubtedly elevate the stakes and the star power of the match.
The Surprise Return: Who Are the Former World Champions?
Though Meltzer has kept the identities under wraps, his track record lends this prediction considerable weight. Industry insiders speculate the returning superstars could be Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar—both former world champions with massive drawing power who have shaped WWE storylines over many years.
An anonymous WWE insider close to the creative team shared, “The plan is to shake things up at Madison Square Garden. Bringing back two legends with history against today’s top stars will add layers to the WarGames storytelling. The crowd at MSG deserves something monumental, and these returns are set to deliver just that.”
This potential return adds intrigue especially considering the long-standing history and tensions between these top-tier talents, which have fueled several WWE main events in the past decade.
What This Means for Men’s WarGames Psychology
The Men’s WarGames match is more than just a brutal cage match; it is a psychological battlefield where alliances, betrayals, and legacy come into play. The reintroduction of two former world champions naturally alters the balance of power.
Current team captains like Cody Rhodes and CM Punk bring championship prestige and momentum, but the presence of legends like Reigns and Lesnar would drastically shift strategies and fan expectations. Sources close to the locker room reveal that the match’s narrative is being reworked to incorporate these unexpected additions, promising surprises not just in match outcomes but in backstage storytelling as well.
Behind-the-Scenes Buzz on WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden
Next week’s WWE Raw event at Madison Square Garden—one of the most iconic wrestling venues—will serve as the kickoff platform for these anticipated returns. Plans for the show reportedly include a high-impact segment where these former world champions make their surprise appearance, instantly electrifying the atmosphere and setting up confrontations that will carry through to Survivor Series.
According to a WWE insider: “Madison Square Garden is the perfect place for these returns because of its history and fan base. It’s a moment WWE wants to get right, and the buildup during Raw will be crucial in setting the tone for Survivor Series 2025.”
Additional High-Profile Matches Confirmed for Survivor Series: WarGames 2025
Beyond the Men’s WarGames match hype, WWE has confirmed other key confrontations such as a women’s WarGames match featuring top stars like Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Iyo Sky. This ensures that the event will be a star-studded spectacle across multiple divisions and further cements Survivor Series as WWE’s flagship team-based event[1][3][4].
Closing Thoughts: A Survivor Series to Remember
With the unprecedented scale of Survivor Series 2025 — an outdoor stadium event featuring the innovative WarGames format — and the expected return of two legendary world champions to Men’s WarGames, this pay-per-view promises to stand out in WWE history. The fusion of established stars and fresh rivalries creates compelling storytelling opportunities that will captivate fans worldwide.
As anticipation builds week by week, WWE fans should keep a close eye on Raw at Madison Square Garden next Monday. According to Meltzer and multiple backstage sources, that night will be a landmark moment that officially sets the stage for the most explosive Survivor Series in recent memory.