2025 has been a roller coaster ride, but WWE has had a splendid year in terms of its business growth. The company had one of the largest gates for WrestleMania 41, while shows like SummerSlam and Survivor Series transcended into something even bigger than a normal PLE. However, the company faced massive criticism from the fans for its product this year.
Whether it was a lackluster heel run of John Cena or a controversial Royal Rumble win for Jey Uso, fans made their voices loud and clear that certain things went wrong. With 2025 finally coming to its end, Triple H has a clean slate for the ongoing product moving forward, where he can focus on reinvigorating fans’ interest back to the storylines.
Thanks for the submission!
Take a look at five issues WWE must fix before 2025 ends:
#5. Jey Uso’s ongoing character in WWE
Jey Uso became one of the biggest stars in the company in the year 2025. He kicked off the year with a big Royal Rumble win and went on to win the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania. But that was the beginning of a mediocre arc for The YEET Master. WWE booked him in such way that Jey’s character feels over-pushed and underwhelming in the main event storylines.
Main Event Jey is a big merchandise seller for the company, and fans love him for who he actually is. But the fact that Triple H is putting the OG Bloodline member in senseless storylines where his character has no motivation and lacks seriousness is indeed concerning. Over the years, Jey Uso has become ‘an entrance show’ only, raising questions about his overall character.
He needs a serious storyline that develops his character in an intense tone before heading into 2026. Such an angle would allow him to grow in the mid-card scene before making a jump to the main event picture yet again.
#4. Lack of credible challengers for both Women’s Titles on SmackDown
WWE delivered several memorable storylines for the women’s titles this year. However, the company currently lacks credible names in the SmackDown women’s title scene. Several top stars are working in the tag team scene on RAW and SmackDown, which puts the direction of the Women’s United States Title and WWE Women’s Championship in a huge question mark.
Jade Cargill did not defend her title at Survivor Series, nor is she involved in any significant storyline for the title on SmackDown. Meanwhile, there are no potential challengers for Chelsea Green’s Women’s United States Championship as well. Therefore, Triple H needs to call up some NXT stars to the SmackDown women’s division, both in the mid-card and top-tier scene.
The lack of credible challengers for both the women’s titles on SmackDown is quite a concern for the women’s division. This needs to be fixed immediately, and if not, Cargill and Green’s title reign would end up in a bottomless pit.
#3. Drew McIntyre’s lamentable booking
Drew McIntyre kicked off this year by going after Roman Reigns and his Bloodline members. However, WWE scrapped that storyline altogether, and The Scottish Warrior was adjusted in a feud with Damian Priest instead. Then, he was pushed into the Undisputed WWE Title picture with Cody Rhodes, where he suffered two back-to-back embarrassing losses.
Besides, the 40-year-old was involved in random tag team matches at big shows like SummerSlam, raising concerns over his booking in the Stamford-based promotion. The top-tier credibility Drew McIntyre once had eroded with time, thanks to Triple H’s abysmal booking. Considering his status as a top star, WWE needs to revive his character.
The creative team needs to fix the damage they caused to The Scottish Warrior by the end of this year. There is no way McIntyre could head into 2026 with such a character if WWE actually has big plans for him.
#2. Randy Orton’s non-utilization on weekly shows
Randy Orton has been working his final few years in sports entertainment. Fans want to see The Legend Killer be involved in some memorable storylines before he winds up his career for good. However, throughout 2025, Orton was involved in questionable booking on SmackDown. He wrestled Joe Hendry in a random match at a stage like WrestleMania, where he should have been in a prominent feud.
The Viper also competed in a special attraction match at SummerSlam this year instead of a legit feud. Not to mention, he missed Survivor Series 2025 as well. The company has not been using him effectively on weekly shows due to a lack of creative direction. Triple H has been teasing for years that Randy Orton wants the Undisputed WWE Championship.
However, with no follow-up for those teases, it has also become a recurring joke among the fans. Orton is a legend in professional wrestling, and it is high time that the Stamford-based promotion utilizes his star power and presence.
#1. Cody Rhodes’ lackluster Undisputed WWE Title reign
Cody Rhodes kicked off this year with the Undisputed WWE Championship and will most likely end the year with the title on his shoulder. However, his second tenure with the title that began after dethroning John Cena at SummerSlam had been lackluster. The American Nightmare has been involved in a feud with only Drew McIntyre, whose booking has been quite miserable.
Besides, Rhodes’ random involvement in the WarGames Match without focusing on his own title reign only makes this worse. Fans have been clamoring to see the next arc for his character, potentially a heel turn or something that makes his title reign interesting. But Triple H has been putting Cody Rhodes in predictable and secure storylines that have made things monotonous.
Besides, WWE has struggled to give The American Nightmare a variety of opponents. Triple H needs to fix this alarming problem before wrapping up 2025, failing which Rhodes’ current run could suffer.
Edited by Subhasish Deb
