Backstage update on WarGames matches; Cody Rhodes teaming with CM Punk & Jey Uso at WWE Survivor Series 2025

Cody Rhodes has replaced Jacob Fatu in the men’s WarGames match.

This week’s Monday Night Raw featured the official announcement for the men’s and women’s WarGames matches, with teams forming ahead of the Survivor Series PLE.

On the women’s side, the WarGames match will feature Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, IYO SKY, and Rhea Ripley. They will face the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), along with Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

While on the men’s side, the WarGames match will feature World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. They will face the team of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Logan Paul.

Notably, both men’s teams are currently two members short, while the women’s team is missing one member. Cody Rhodes joining the men’s WarGames match was reportedly not the plan, and the Undisputed Champion is replacing a fellow star from SmackDown, according to a new report.

Cody Rhodes stepped in to replace Jacob Fatu

Dave Meltzer, on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, revealed that Cody Rhodes was not initially planned for the men’s WarGames match. Per Meltzer, Rhodes is stepping in to replace Jacob Fatu, who was initially scheduled to compete but is now out with an injury expected to sideline him until early next year.

As per Fightful Select, Fatu is dealing with a dental injury, which will likely keep him away from the ring for at least a month.

Meltzer also noted that Roman Reigns was originally planned to join the babyface team, though his participation in the WarGames match has not yet been officially confirmed. He predicted that Reigns and Brock Lesnar will likely appear on next week’s WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden to confirm their involvement in the Men’s WarGames Match.

As mentioned, each team has three members, but WarGames matches are traditionally 5-on-5. Meltzer suggested that Jimmy Uso would be a logical choice as the fifth member for the babyface team, while it remains uncertain who The Vision will select to complete their team.

The inclusion of Becky Lynch & AJ Lee is still up in the air

Regarding the Women’s WarGames match, Dave reported that AJ Lee and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch were originally planned to serve as captains for their respective teams, though neither has been officially announced for the match.

He noted that both could still be added, but any additions would need to be confirmed by next week as Survivor Series approaches. The 39th edition of Survivor Series will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

Meltzer also suggested that an angle could develop from Lynch’s scheduled title defense against Maxxine Dupri on next week’s Raw, potentially leading to her inclusion in WarGames. Currently, only eight women have been confirmed to compete in the match.

Apart from the two WarGames matches, WWE has not yet announced any other matches for the PLE. Fans are hoping for match announcements on the coming episodes of Raw and SmackDown.

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