The Wrestling Rewind #205 🎙️ : From Netflix to Nostalgia WWE in 2025

📅 Air Date: 06-01-26 This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we kick off 2026 by taking a hard look back at WWE in 2025 which was a a year defined by transition, contradictions, and an industry searching for its identity. With a new co-host joining the show, we reflect on a year that felt less like a reset and more like a vibe check for modern wrestling. We break down the arrival of the Netflix era, TKO’s growing influence, and how corporate priorities continue to reshape WWE’s creative direction. The discussion centers on John Cena’s retirement tour; his long-awaited heel turn, why it felt historic in the moment, and why it ultimately fell apart. From Cena’s final matches to the missing payoff involving The Rock, the run became a perfect snapshot of WWE’s ongoing struggle between nostalgia and progression. The conversation expands to the bigger picture: WWE’s acquisition of AAA, the ongoing search for the next true top star, the lingering effects of the “John Cena problem,” and whether rotating faces at the top is the only way forward. We also dig into CM Punk fatigue, Paul Heyman’s latest betrayal, Becky Lynch passing the torch, AJ Styles’ emotional return to TNA, and one of the most chaotic TLC tag matches in recent memory. We close with honest reflections on Goldberg’s unnecessary farewell, WWE’s increasing reliance on Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas, and what all of it says about where the business is really heading. Timestamps 00:00 Intro, New Year & Martin stepping away 02:20 Welcoming new co-host Christopher Fanning 04:40 Christopher’s background, fandom & WWE gaps 10:40 2025 as a “vibe check” year 13:50 John Cena’s retirement tour & heel turn 17:40 Comparing Cena’s turn to Hogan & Taker 21:20 Why the heel run fizzled out 26:10 Cena’s matches, IC title & finality 29:40 The Rock’s role & missing payoff 33:20 WrestleMania fallout & Travis Scott confusion 36:20 WWE acquiring AAA 38:30 WWE’s next top star debate 43:20 The “John Cena problem” explained 46:40 CM Punk, Rollins fatigue & Heyman turn 49:40 Becky Lynch, torch-passing & acting 52:10 AJ Styles, TNA return & Cena classic 54:40 Match of the Year: SummerSlam TLC 57:10 Goldberg retirement rant 58:20 Saudi Arabia, Vegas & WWE money moves 59:00 Final thoughts, plugs & sign-off Christopher's Podcast: The Josh Zodiac Podcast YouTube: youtube.com/@THEJoshZodiacPodcast TikTok: tiktok.com/@thejoshzodiacpodcast X: x.com/joshzodiacpod #TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #WWE #JohnCena #NetflixWWE #ProWrestling #WrestlingAnalysis #WrestlingHistory #BestOfTheYear #WrestlingCommunity