Four WWE stars who could replace Cody Rhodes on WarGames team after Drew McIntyre's attack on SmackDown

The WarGames match will take center stage at Survivor Series!

As per tradition, the WarGames match will be the focal point of WWE Survivor Series 2025, which will close out 2025 in style for the promotion. Both the men’s and women’s teams have been confirmed for the two WarGames matches.

The babyface team for the men’s WarGames will feature CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, The Usos (Jey & Jimmy Uso), and Roman Reigns, who will take on the team consisting of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar.

However, the babyface team might run into a serious problem ahead of the PLE after this week’s SmackDown. During the opening moments of the show, Drew McIntyre laid out Rhodes, leaving him bloodied in his vanity van.

Although Rhodes did appear later in the show, attacking Bronson Reed and delivering a scathing promo, he was clearly still carrying the injury. Rhodes likely didn’t have the time to get properly evaluated by the Medical team, and as has happened on many occasions, he might not get medically cleared.

If Rhodes has to pull out of the match due to not being medically cleared, let us take a look at the four WWE stars who could replace him in the men’s WarGames match.

4. AJ Styles

One-half of the World Tag Team Champion, AJ Styles, has time and again proven his in-ring capabilities. Styles recently delivered an iconic match with John Cena at Crown Jewel 2025. Styles is one of the top names in the promotion and could easily replace Rhodes if the latter is unable to compete and has to pull out of the WarGames match.

Also Read: All matches announced for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 so far; Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley in action & more

3. Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn not only has history and great chemistry with the Usos and Roman Reigns, but also has onscreen friendship with CM Punk that the fans like.

Zayn is currently invovled in a feud with Solo Sikoa, but similar to last year can team up with the Usos, Roman and Punk for the WarGames match. Sami has history with Drew, which WWE can focus during the match.

2. LA Knight

Fans are starting to sound like a broken drum, as despite repeated calls to push LA Knight, WWE and Triple H still haven’t listened. According to reports, Knight was originally one of the names expected to take part in the match.

Knight has been absent from shows and major storylines, despite calls from fans for him to get a serious push. If Rhodes has to pull out of the match, Knight can easily replace him. WWE can not only use the history between him and the Vision as well as against Paul. Knight can also beef with Punk during the match, leading to their title clash in the future.

1. Randy Orton

‘The Viper’ Randy Orton has been largely absent from WWE programming since SummerSlam 2025, but given the circumstances, he could return and replace his injured Friend, Cody Rhodes.

As one of WWE’s biggest names and a fan favorite, Orton’s involvement would add major excitement to the match, especially with fans anticipating his trademark unpredictability.

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