5 WWE Superstars Who Didn’t Live Up To Their Hype In 2025

As the final bell rings for 2025, the WWE Universe reflects on a year of massive transitions.

Fans saw the move from RAW to Netflix, the launch of the ESPN era with WWE Wrestlepalooza and a roster richer than perhaps any other in the promotion’s history.

However, a stacked roster often leads to major stars falling through the cracks. While some have reached new heights, others have faced inconsistent booking, lack of screen time, or creative resets that didn’t pan out.

Here are five WWE Superstars who fans believed, despite their massive name value, didn’t live up to the hype in 2025:

#5. Brock Lesnar

When The Beast stormed the ring at WWE SummerSlam 2025 against F5 John Cena, it seemed like the biggest moment of the summer. The stage was set for a monster run on Cena’s farewell tour.

Brock Lesnar was ultimately victorious at Wrestlepalooza, essentially crushing the 17-time world champion in a callback to his dominant 2014 bout against the same opponent at SummerSlam.

However, fans believe that WWE did absolutely nothing with this victory. Instead of becoming the final “End Boss” of the next generation, Lesnar disappeared for months after the victory.

When he reappeared, the aura of his return had apparently diminished considerably. For a legend whose return was supposed to change the landscape, he felt more like a part-timer checking a box than a needle mover.

#4. Rusev

The Bulgarian Brute finally made his return to WWE in April 2025, making a strong return to RAW after WrestleMania 41.

Fans were excited, hoping for a big main event now that he was back after years of absence. He kicked things off with a bang by dismantling Alpha Academy, and for a few weeks it really felt like Rusev Day was making a comeback.

But this momentum did not last long. Instead of building a world heavyweight title chase, Rusev found himself stuck in a cycle of quick wins against mid-range guys. By the end of the year, it appeared that he was primarily used as a foil for other stars, such as Dominik Mysterio, in high-profile matches.

This left fans wondering why he returned if he wasn’t going to be seen as the top threat he once was.

#3. Former WWE United States Champion Austin Theory

Last year was dubbed the year of theory. After revealing himself to be the culprit who cost CM Punk his life at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, Austin Theory was revealed as the latest member of The Vision, a formidable faction led by Paul Heyman. Fans believed that being a Paul Heyman Guy alongside Bron Breakker should have propelled him to new heights.

However, Theory didn’t really click with The Vision, and there’s a chance he’ll get back on track with time. He has the talent and the platform; it’s just about finding the right direction and momentum for the character. Therefore, going face down remains a possibility, and if he manages to reconnect with his potential, he could still make 2026 a make-or-break year.

#2. Uncle Hi

Wyatt Sicks’ debut was the most talked about moment of 2024, but as 2025 draws to a close, it appears the Howdy Hype has largely evaporated. While the faction had some standout moments, Uncle Howdy himself seemed to be a victim of slow storytelling that was, frankly, too slow.

Fans grew tired of cryptic vignettes and flickering lights that yielded little narrative payoff. Without a major title rivalry or regular in-ring presence, Uncle Howdy only appeared sporadically. As a result, it has seemingly lost that inescapable appeal. In 2025, many believe that Uncle Howdy has become a reminder that atmosphere and mystery only work if they ultimately lead to a meaningful story.

#1. Roman rule

It looks like 2025 has been a frustrating year for Roman Reigns fans. Roman only appeared in seven games all year. While “less is more” was the mantra during his historic title reign, it appears that logic has started to fail him in 2025.

The OTC has returned to television nearly a half-dozen times this year to save Jey Uso or take on the new Bloodline, but the cycle has become predictable. Because he rarely wrestled and his appearances followed the same save formula, the “Big Fight Feel” began to diminish.