5 Rivalries That Will Define WWE and AEW the Rest of the Year

We're quickly approaching the fourth quarter of 2025, but WWE and AEW still have major storylines left that will define the rest of the year.

WWE has done a bit of course correction lately, as John Cena's short-lived heel turn didn't live up to expectations. Instead, The Vision has emerged as the top heel faction in the company with Seth Rollins at the helm. 

Although the group's segments have become repetitive, it's hard to argue with the results because they have remained dominant for most of the year. They will obviously be one of the teams in this year's WarGames match, but it will be interesting to see who else steps up to challenge them. 

Conversely, the Death Riders no longer have a stranglehold on All Elite Wrestling, but Jon Moxley has improved as the company's top heel. His current direction and ongoing feud with one of the Four Pillars of AEW have been much more enjoyable than expected.

With about three and a half months left in 2025, let's take a look at five of the most important rivalries to keep an eye on.

Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes

After Cody Rhodes regained the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, many viewers wondered who would be his first challenger.

At the end of the Aug. 8 episode of SmackDown, Drew McIntyre laid The American Nightmare out and staked his claim to an upcoming title match. This was also a clever way for WWE to write Rhodes off television while he films "Street Fighter."

Nevertheless, the two were reportedly set to go head-to-head next week at Wrestlepalooza, but the match hasn't been announced. Instead, Triple H confirmed that the two-time men's Royal Rumble winner would make an appearance at the company's debut on ESPN's new streaming service. 

It's about time McIntyre re-entered the world title picture after such a strong year in 2024. Rhodes also needs a prevalent antagonist to face now that he has wrapped up his feud with John Cena. So, it's safe to assume this rivalry will stretch out over the next few months.

Darby Allin vs. the Death Riders

Darby Allin has set out to take Jon Moxley down since the former AEW world champion turned heel and ended Bryan Danielson's full-time career last year. 

The 32-year-old was the most consistent force standing against Mox and The Death Rider until they attacked him on the Dec. 27 episode of Rampage. Afterward, Allin went on a hiatus to climb Mount Everest, but he returned to help Adam Page defeat them at All In Texas. 

In the weeks since, the two-time TNT champion has taken the fight to members of the stable and stopped them from interfering in others' matches. At All Out Toronto, Moxley plans to end this rivalry in their upcoming coffin match, but this is his opponent's specialty. 

Allin may have lost his last appearance in the stipulation match to Jack Perry, but he still holds four consecutive wins in coffin matches. Still, it's a safe bet that Daniel Garia will get involved in some way, and even if he wins, he's probably not done with The Death Riders.

Asuka vs. Iyo Sky

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There has been a competitive rivalry brewing between Asuka and Iyo Sky since The Empress of Tomorrow returned in June. 

However, what likely started as a friendly confrontation has grown increasingly personal ever since Sky lost the WWE Women's World Championship at Evolution. Miscommunications and the Japanese star's newfound friendship with Rhea Ripley have prompted arguments between these former stablemates.

There's a good chance The Genius of the Sky will reclaim her spot at the top of the division when she takes on Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant women's title at Wrestlepalooza. Still, her growing tension with Asuka will inevitably reach its boiling point.

We would love to see them compete in an extended feud for the women's world title throughout the remainder of 2025.

'Hangman' Adam Page vs. MJF 

Adam Page and Maxwell Jacob Friedman struck gold this year when they reignited their bitter rivalry in February.

Diehard AEW fans will remember their formative interactions from 2019, but the latest chapter in their storied conflict raised the ante. Hangman has successfully traversed the road to redemption, and Friedman still struggles to find the validation he feels he has earned.

They had an excellent match at Revolution, which set them both on a path to clash again for higher stakes. Page went on to win this year's men's Owen Hart Cup Tournament and end The Death Riders' reign of terror at All In Texas.

Meanwhile, MJF won the men's Casino Gauntlet match at the same event, giving him a shot at Hangman's newly won AEW World Championship. Although the 34-year-old successfully defended his title against him at Forbidden Door, this is far from over because MJF can execute his contract for a rematch.

Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk

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Seth Rollins has been a constant thorn in CM Punk's side ever since he returned to WWE at Survivor Series in 2023.

Their rivalry escalated during this year's men's Royal Rumble match, setting up a triple threat match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41. At the event, Rollins famously aligned with Paul Heyman to win and used the Money in the Bank briefcase to play spoiler at SummerSlam. 

Just as it seemed Punk would avenge his loss at Clash in Paris, Becky Lynch helped her husband retain the world heavyweight championship. This set up the return of AJ Lee and an upcoming mixed tag match at Wrestlepalooza. 

Some fans may groan at the thought of this feud lasting any longer, as it has already endured for most of the year. Still, the inclusion of Lynch and Lee adds an interesting new wrinkle and prolongs the eventual one-on-one matchup. 

Most of us would like to see Punk and Rollins do something else for a while, but WWE will likely give this entry some definitive conclusion by the end of 2025.