4 First-time things that happened in WWE in 2025

As the sun sets on 2025, the WWE Universe is still reeling from what might be one of the most transformative years in professional wrestling history.

Between the jump to Netflix, a much vaunted John Cena Farewell Tour, and the blurring of promotional lines, 2025 was defined by moments fans thought they would never see.

In this article, we look at four first-time things that happened in WWE in 2025:

#4. John Cena became a Grand Slam Champion

It took over two decades, but The Cenation Leader finally completed the puzzle. On the November 10 episode of Monday Night RAW, John Cena defeated Dominik Mysterio to capture the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his career.

This was the final piece of the puzzle for Cena, officially making him a Grand Slam Champion. In a year focused on his farewell, seeing the GOAT finally hold the IC Title, the one championship that had eluded him during his rise to the top, was a poetic milestone that fans won't soon forget.

#3. Lyra Valkyria crowned inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion

This was the year the women's mid-card scene finally got the spotlight it deserved. On the January 13 episode of RAW, one of the first few historic broadcasts of the red brand on Netflix saw Lyra Valkyria defeat Dakota Kai in a grueling tournament final to become the first-ever WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.

Valkyria’s win established a new era for the division, providing a platform for rising stars to showcase their skills outside of the World Title picture. Her reign set a high standard for work rate, proving that she was ready for the main roster's biggest challenges.

#2. Trick Williams made history at NXT Battleground

In a move that truly broke open the 'Forbidden Door' philosophy of the Stamford-based promotion in 2025, the TNA World Championship changed hands on a WWE-produced show.

At NXT Battleground on May 25, Trick Williams defeated Joe Hendry to capture the TNA World Championship. This marked the first time a contracted WWE Superstar had won the top prize of a major rival promotion while actively involved in the Stamford-based promotion's roster.

The image of Trick Williams holding the TNA gold in a WWE ring shattered the traditional mentality of the industry and solidified the partnership between the two top wrestling promotions.

#1. WWE RAW debuts on Netflix

While championships and turns are the heart of the show, the biggest "first" of 2025 was the platform itself. In January this year, Monday Night RAW moved from cable television to Netflix in a multi-billion-dollar 10-year deal.

This wasn't just a change of channel; it changed the very nature of the product. With no rigid commercial breaks and a more uncensored feel to the promos and violence, the move to Netflix officially launched the streaming era of sports entertainment, making World Wrestling Entertainment a global, 24/7 digital powerhouse for the first time.

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Edited by Sayantan Niyogi