5 Times WWE have hyped something up in 2025, only for them to fail to deliver

WWE keeps setting new records left and right when it comes to ticket sales and network deals. However, fan perception around the product remains volatile. The Stamford-based promotion does what it's supposed to do, and that's generate hype around upcoming events. However, when it fails to deliver on the high promises, it leaves a sour taste in fans' mouths.

While professional wrestling is highly subjective, certain instances have generated nearly unanimous negative reactions from the audience. When hype and anticipation are generated around something, the pressure to deliver increases multifold.

In this listicle, we will look at five times WWE hyped something up in 2025, but failed to deliver:

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#5. The Judgment Day split

The Judgment Day has had issues among members since its inception. While some members have joined and some have left, the group is still together, though in a completely different state from how it began.

Given the increasing tension and power struggles among members, everyone thought the faction would implode this year. However, that hasn't happened yet. There are teases of their split nearly every week, but the storyline has never moved past a certain stage.

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#4. WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025: "You ain't seen nothing yet."

Wrestlepalooza was the first WWE Premium Live Event to stream on ESPN, kickstarting their deal. Triple H and Co. hyped the show up as a groundbreaking event. The card certainly looked promising, featuring Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena, AJ Lee's first match in over a decade, and more.

However, the actual event left everyone disappointed. Fans expected surprises, as that's what the global juggernaut had promised, but there were none. Even ESPN noted in its review that the event was underwhelming, giving it a "C" grade.

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#3. The LA Knight push

Fans love LA Knight. It's crazy to still be able to say that after how The Megastar has been treated these past few years. This year, however, things looked promising for the former United States Champion following his move to RAW. Everyone thought a change of scenery and a fresh set of opponents might be what Knight needed to finally grab the "brass ring."

However, that hasn't been the case thus far. While The Megastar has been hovering around the World Heavyweight Championship picture and has been vowing to win his first world title in WWE, the number of losses he has suffered has diminished his credibility to the point where he doesn't seem to pose a threat to the championship anymore.

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#2. WrestleMania 42 promo packages

On October 26, WWE started posting cryptic video packages on X, in which a person is seen walking, with only their shoes in the frame. Multiple videos were posted, each seemingly featuring a different individual. Fans were sent into a frenzy and started coming up with all kinds of theories and speculations about what these teasers could mean.

Many assumed it was to hype up a major return or debut. However, a report emerged, stating that the videos were part of promotional material for WrestleMania 42, which became apparent as more videos were released.

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#1. The John Cena Farewell Tour

At Money in the Bank 2024, John Cena announced that he would be retiring from in-ring competition at the end of 2025. However, he would go on a Farewell Tour throughout the year before bidding adieu. Fans naturally had high expectations for The GOAT's last year as an active in-ring performer.

When Cena shockingly turned heel at Elimination Chamber 2025, aligning with The Rock in the process, those expectations skyrocketed. However, despite a plethora of possibilities, The Franchise Player's heel run couldn't live up to the hype it generated initially, as he reverted to being a babyface out of nowhere before SummerSlam 2025.

Cena had two classic matches following his face turn, first against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, and the second against Logan Paul at Clash in Paris. However, he was then unceremoniously squashed by Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, ending whatever momentum he had generated.

The Cenation Leader only has four appearances left now before he hangs up his boots. It is safe to say that WWE could have handled his retirement tour much better than it has.