Survivor Series: Transforming a Disappointing WarGames into a Successful WrestleMania

Saturdays Survivor Series wasnt exactly a highlight on WWEs calendar this year. The main event left many fans underwhelmed, and even a standout bout between Dominik Mysterio and John Cena couldnt fully lift the energy of the show. Despite this, the event effectively set the stage for next years WrestleMania season.

Before the weekend, there was little indication of WWEs direction for Las Vegas. Now, two major potential main events on the mens side are beginning to take shape, most notably a third clash between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

While Rhodes vs. Reigns may feel predictable, its a storyline grounded in historyboth superstars have headlined WrestleMania before with remarkable success. Neither has lost momentum since their last showdown at WrestleMania 40, making this match a natural headline choice. WWE has carefully built the storyline, avoiding immediate conflict and instead forcing uneasy alliances to develop.

Saturday marked a turning point in this narrative. Following the defeat of the Reigns-Rhodes-Usos-Punk team in WarGames, Rhodes helped Reigns to his feet, only to receive a stern message: this would be their final partnership. The tension between them is palpable, signaling a likely showdown in the months ahead.

Reigns has also teased ambitions toward a world title, creating uncertainty over which champion he might targetCM Punk or Cody Rhodes. WarGames provided subtle clues, and CM Punk, surprisingly, was the one pinned in the main event by Bron Breakker. This sets the stage for a potential WrestleMania match between Breakker and Punk, offering Breakker a long-awaited world title push.

Paul Heyman hinted at this storyline during the post-show, suggesting that The Vision, represented by Breakker, is being positioned for a major WrestleMania role. If WWE follows through, it could lead to a title defense against a returning Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2026.

On the womens side, the path remains unclear. WarGames offered no indications for next year, with champions like Jade Cargill absent from the event. Potential matchups could include Rhea Ripley vs. Stephanie Vaquer and Cargill vs. Bianca Belair, but nothing is confirmed yet. WWE will need to provide more concrete storytelling to avoid repeating past mistakes like the underdeveloped Stratton-Flair feud.

Despite uncertainties, the mens main event storylines for WrestleMania 2026 are beginning to take shape. WWEs creative strategy, as emphasized by Heyman on "The Ariel Helwani Show," focuses on building major events well in advance. Last nights Survivor Series suggests that the company is moving into the next phase of that preparation, setting up an intriguing path toward next years marquee show.

Author: Sophia Brooks