WWE NEWS December 20: Major Push, Programming Changes

As WWE heats up, with each passing day making the product even better, 2024 has been nothing short of exceptional. With fans eagerly looking forward to 2025, let’s dive into today’s WWE NEWS December 20. 

Drew McIntyre Poised to Dominate in 2025 

Drew McIntyre is set to be a major focus for WWE in 2025, and it’s easy to see why. After a stellar 2024, where he claimed the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 and had an epic feud with CM Punk, McIntyre is ready for even greater success. Winning both the Elimination Chamber match and the Men’s Money in the Bank match in 2024, McIntyre stands out as the MVP of the year. 

WWE sees him as a significant main event attraction, partly due to his fantastic work with CM Punk over the last 10 months. His recent return to television has only added to the buzz. With his sights set on the OG Bloodline, having already taken out Sami Zayn and The Usos, McIntyre’s momentum is undeniable.  

This Bloodline chase will possibly lead him to the OTC Roman Reigns which is already a mega feud. Drew’s unscripted, heartfelt promo on Busted Open Radio received positive reactions from higher-ups and creatives, further cementing his status as a top player in WWE’s 2025 plans.  

WWE’s International Expansion in 2025 with Netflix Partnership 

WWE plans to expand its global reach even further in 2025, building on its international successes from 2023. Chris Legentil, WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Head of Communications, announced plans for more premium live events (PLEs) outside the United States. 

In 2023, WWE hosted eight of its 12 PLEs internationally, including major events in Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, France, Scotland, and Germany. This strategy has allowed WWE to connect with fans in over 150 countries. The partnership with Netflix will be key to expanding WWE’s global presence, leveraging the streaming giant’s reach alongside WWE’s extensive content library. 

Four PLEs for 2025 have already been announced, including March’s Elimination Chamber in Canada and two events in Saudi Arabia. WWE’s commitment to international markets is clear, aiming to attract a broader audience and maximize streaming potential. Recently, WWE revealed the new logo for WWE Raw on Netflix.

WWE to Launch WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) 

Big changes are coming to WWE programming in 2025. With Monday Night Raw set to debut on Netflix on January 6th, WWE is also revamping its developmental brand, NXT. 

NXT Level Up will air its final episode on December 19th, making way for a new show, WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats). This program will be an updated version of Tough Enough, featuring young talents competing for contracts under the guidance of WWE legends like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and Mickie James. 

WWE LFG is scheduled to premiere in early 2025 on the A&E Network, with filming already underway. Elijah Holyfield, son of boxing legend Evander Holyfield, has appeared in the tapings. This shift comes as WWE adapts to a changing media landscape, with WWE Network content moving to Netflix in the UK, Ireland, and other territories by December 31st, 2024. 

Sami Zayn on Kevin Owens: A Future Showdown? 

Sami Zayn recently shared insights about his business best friend, Kevin Owens, on the In the Kliq podcast. As KO targets Cody Rhodes, following his team-up with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood 2024, Zayn could be next on Owens’ list after aligning with the OTC in WarGames. 

Zayn hinted at a potential showdown, noting that Owens might react differently to him teaming with Reigns, given their long-standing friendship. Fans are buzzing with excitement at the possibility of these two veterans clashing in the ring, anticipating a match that could be an instant classic. 

Big E Remains Uncertain about WWE In-Ring Return 

In our last update in WWE NEWS December 20, let’s talk about Big E who recently opened up about his ongoing recovery from a severe neck injury sustained in March 2022 during SmackDown. The injury resulted in a broken neck in three places including his C1 vertebra. Despite his progress, Big E confirmed on The Mike Broomhead Show that he is still not medically cleared to return to in-ring action. 

“I still haven’t been cleared,” Big E shared. “Thankfully, I feel great and don’t have any issues, nothing like that. Didn’t need surgery.” While Big E continues to focus on his recovery, he has taken on new roles within WWE, including appearances on kickoff shows and serving as an ambassador for events. Fans remain hopeful for his return but are also supportive of his health and well-being. This whole New Day story’s dynamic will be changed if Big E returns to action.