One of the best atmospheres in wrestling awaits.
WWE returned to France today, where an electric crowd showed out for Clash in Paris 2025. It was the second premium live event to take place in the country and first one since Backlash 2024. That event, held in May last year, was one that wrestling fans will remember for years to come thanks to one of the most raucous crowds in recent memory.
The fans certainly made this another fun international event. Five matches took place Sunday, headlined by a fatal four-way for the World Heavyweight Championship and John Cena facing Logan Paul as his farewell tour reaches its end.
All in all, zero titles changed hands, but that didn’t stop several of the matches from delivering. The fatal four-way was fantastic and offered a totally unexpected ending that shocked fans. Logan Paul vs. John Cena wasn’t just fun, it was riveting and showcased the best of what both wrestlers had to offer. Sheamus vs. Rusev was violent, dirty, harsh, everything a donnybrook should be.
This was certainly one of the best international events in recent memory. Here are the highlights from the event.
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Rollins retains title thanks to his wife
After Jey Uso stuck his neck out to protect a defenseless Roman Reigns, the fatal four-way started off as bad as it could have for him, with CM Punk delivering a kick that would make titans shiver.
Uso remained out of the fight for about two minutes after that, allowing LA Knight to attempt a quick pin on Punk, who promptly kicked out.
Punk was gifted a few moments alone in the ring with the damaged Uso, and Punk took advantage, damaging Uso even worse, but Punk was pulled out by Rollins, who proceeded to keep laying hands on Uso until LA Knight returned to team up on Rollins.
Rollins would be the first to dominate the ring, walking around and laying individual hits on each competitor about five times each, but he never really had an opportunity to attempt a pin. Once everyone recovered, their gameplan was clear though. They all ganged up on Rollins. At one point, LA Knight threw Punk off Rollins, just to get a few licks in himself. No one was making a push for the title. They just wanted to kick Rollins into the ground and throw him through a table, even teaming up to lay everything out.
However, that plan fell through when Uso took the opportunity to return Punk’s early kick. Uso would also land a super kick on LA Knight and follow Rollins into the crowd to hit him with a few uppercuts.
When the four returned to the ring, Rollins had the first opportunity for a win, pinning Punk while LA Knight and Jey Uso were recovering. Punk kicked out though.
At that point, it was anyone’s match, every contender had their own moment with a chance to win. Everyone had a pin attempt, but interference, kick outs, and counterattacks were common.
Uso shined throughout the match, even with his injured ribs, he put up great fights against the other contenders. While he did usually lose his individual fights, even taking a harsh kick to the face from LA Knight, Uso often found himself in the middle of the action, causing havoc and problems for anyone trying to overlook him.
In general, the wrestlers with the most chances to win were Seth Rollins and CM Punk. Each of the were laying out competitors and attempting pins left and right, but neither was able to seal a victory. Rollins, specifically, was targeting Punk, even going out of his way to mock Punk, telling him that he hopes he never has a match in WWE again. He screamed, ‘I hate you. I hate your family, and I want you to go away.’
Right after that brief monologue, Rollins grabbed a chair and was all alone in the ring with Punk. Rollins attempted to seriously hurt Punk, but Punk was just able to evade the move, and nearly countering Rollins had it not been for a low blow from Becky Lynch, who flew in to save her husband.
That interference was all Rollins needed. Punk was out for the count, and Rollins pinned him with ease. WWE’s power couple of Rollins and Lynch each maintained their titles tonight.
While a return from Breakker or Reed was expected, it would’ve cost The Vision two titans, but instead it was a best-case scenario for the group. Not only did Rollins retain the title, but neither Breakker nor Reed will suffer suspension.
John Cena doles Logan Paul a lesson in respect
As much as Cena wanted to teach Logan Paul to show respect in this match, Paul put up a good fight, giving the former champion a run for his money at multiple points throughout the fight. No matter what great maneuver Paul pulled in this fight though, the crowd was entirely behind Cena, even mirroring Cena’s classic ‘U Can’t See Me’ taunt after Cena laid Paul out center ring.
Paul’s athleticism was on full display in this fight. The YouTuber was flipping over the ropes, flipping out of throws from Cena and was crawling all over old man Cena throughout the fight, constantly putting Cena in uncomfortable positions. However, Cena was able to turn some of those moves around, nearly getting Paul to tap out on occasion.
The pair traded pins for the next fifteen minutes or so. Paul got the upper hand late in the fight, slamming Cena on the ring multiple times and even mocking Cena with a ‘U Can’t See Me’ chant of his own right in Cena’s face. Cena would not go down like that though. He wouldn’t even go down after Paul hit him with his titanium-loaded right hand.
About thirty minutes into the match, both fighters were extremely tired, but Paul still managed to kick up from the floor without his hands, showing that his youth was turning into a massive advantage. After everything Cena had thrown at Paul, Paul still had the energy to pull of athletic feats other wrestlers can only dream of.
Paul used that energy to mock Cena once again, but just like the first time, Cena turned that around. Paul was looking for an AA, but it was countered and Cena managed to slam Paul, but Paul kicked out without much issue.
Cena kept his foot on the gas though, hitting Paul with back-to-back Attitude Adjustments. Paul tried his best to avoid the inevitable, hitting Cena with that deadly right hand again, but Cena merely shook it off and pinned Paul for the win.
Rusev defeats Sheamus in a good ol’ fashioned donnybrook
This match was as back-and-forth as any match can be, which is to be expected from a donnybrook. No rules, no one holds back. From kendo sticks to shillelaghs to barstools. Everything was used as a weapon in this fight.
Rusev and Sheamus traded blows the whole time. However, the tide turned when Rusev tried to embarrass Sheamus by holding him over the rope and beating Sheamus’ drum, which is normally a move reserved to Sheamus.
Sheamus showed why it was his move, doing the same thing to Rusev three separate times. Once over the ropes, once over the bar setup outside the ring, and once outside the barrierrs. All of that resulted in a pin attempt for Sheamus that Rusev was shockingly able to kick out of.
The battle continued and returned to its back-and-forth nature. It was unclear who had the advantage, and the French crowd responded with ‘This is awesome’ chants. Every blow landed by Rusev was retaliated by Sheamus. The match moved all over the venue, including the top of whiskey barrels placed alongside the announcer’s tables.
That was one of the defining moments of the match. Rusev had Sheamus in a monster hold, knees in his back, hands over his chin. It looked like Sheamus might tap out, which wouldn’t have done anything since the submission would had to happen in ring, but it emphasized how much pain Sheamus was in. However, Sheamus didn’t tap. In fact, he turned it around, launching Rusev onto tables next to the barrels. After Sheamus dragged Rusev back into the ring, he attempted to pin again, but Rusev managed to kick out.
Rusev responded by shattering a shillelagh across Sheamus’ body. That type of blow would normally devastate your average wrestler, but Sheamus managed to kick out. However, the fight wouldn’t last much longer. Rusev would use the broken shillelagh to hold Sheamus in a painful position. The shillelagh was shoved into Sheamus’ mouth as Rusev stuck his knees in Sheamus’ back.
For jus the second time in his storied career, Sheamus tapped out.
Becky Lynch retains Intercontinental Championship
The Man started this match off hot, taunting, disrespecting, and downright humiliating Bella. Bella needed to kick out of two pin attempts before even really getting a shot at Lynch.
In general, Bella never really had a strong stretch. Most opportunities Bella had were brief counterattacks on Lynch. When Lynch would pin Bella, Bella would occasionally turn it around and turn it into a slam or counterpin. However, Lynch was fighting like her life depended on it the whole match.
The only problem was that no matter how much Lynch threw at Bella, Bella looked fresh. At times, it looked like she was smiling when Lynch would pull her in a chokehold or pin.
Bella’s best opportunity came after Lynch missed a launch from the corner. Lynch’s miss put her off-balance, and Bella took advantage, putting Lynch in a chokehold. Lynch was able to reach the ropes to break the hold, but Bella maintained her momentum, keeping the pressure on Lynch.
Ultimately, that enthusiasm from Bella is what would do her in. After slamming Lynch off the steel steps, and hitting Lynch with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch stayed resilient.
Lynch would seal the victory by securing a Lynch-pin afer rolling over Bella’s back.
Wyatt Sicks retain against The Street Profits
This title rematch got off to a weird start, as Angelo Dawkins dominated the start of the match, but teammate Montez Ford still hit Dawkins with a hard tag to get in the ring against Dexter Lumis. Dawkins was clearly displeased with the decision.
Although Ford would hit Loomis hard, Lumis ouwld be able to tag Joe Gacy and the pair would put a serious beatdown on Ford in the opposite corner, far away from Dawkins. Ford would kick out of three pin attempts before finally being able to tag Dawkins back in.
Dawkins destroyed Joe Gacy, hitting him in a series of flying kicks and neckbreakers before trying to finish the fight with a swanton bomb. Gacy was able to kick out.
The Street Profits absolutely dominated the fight from that point on. It was getting so bad that the rest of the Wyatt Sicks had to step in, with Nikki Cross and Uncle Howdy holding Ford back, preventing him from helping Dawkins, which ultimately allowed Lumis and Gacy to pin Ford for the win and retention of their tag team title.
Adam Pierce kicks Reed, Breakker out of Paris La Défense Arena
Backstage, Adam Pierce wasted no time telling Reed and Breakker off. He informed fans that Uso would be hobbled for his match later and Roman Reigns was being taken to the hospital.
Pierce kicked the pair out of the venue, telling them that they would not be allowed near the Paris La Defense Arena for Rollins’ fatal four-way title defense match. Pierece even went as far as threatening suspension without pay if either of them stepped in to help Rollins later.
Of course, The Vision is stronger than Pierce can handle right now, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see either Reed or Breakker make an appearance tonight to help Rollins regardless.
Roman Reigns beats Bronson Reed, The Vision gets last laugh
It took a while for this match to get started as the crowd in Paris went crazy at Reigns’ entrance. The crowd really enjoyed Roman Reigns’ subtle jeers at Paul Heyman, Reigns’ former wise man, who now sides with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed.
Reigns rode that crowd support to early domination in the match, pushing Reed into the corner and landing a series of solid blows. However, that momentum would come to a screeching halt when Reigns would try to lift Big Bronson Reed over his head at center ring. Reed’s weight proved too much though and Reigns collapsed, with Reed landing on his head.
That’s the shift that Reed needed. The match moved outside the ring, where Reed dominated, even slamming Reigns on the announcer’s table. Even when the match moved back into the ring, Reigns struggled to find an advantage. Every time Reigns looked like he was going to make a move, Reed would counterattack and lay Reigns flat.
Reed was doing so well in the fight, he even taunted Reigns with the stolen sneakers that Paul Heyman had around his neck ringside. Reed and Breakker stole those sneakers from Reigns at SummerSlam, and Reigns clearly hasn’t forgotten.
After that, Reed tried to add to his collection, looking to untie Reigns’ shoes in the ring, but Reigns retaliated, landing two clotheslines, a slap, and pushing Reed over the ropes, before hitting Reed with a drive-by drop kick. Reed, ever tough, stayed standing through most of it, even after Reigns landed two Superman punches, the Aus-zilla was able to kick out of a pin attempt.
Reigns went for his finisher after, loading up a Samoan spear, but Reed countered it with a drop kick, knocking Reigns out of the ring. Reed then flew out of the ring and landed on Reigns, much to the chagrin of the Parisian crowd.
Reed would miss the ensuing Tsunami but would hit Reigns with a massive slam. Reigns would be able to kick out though. Reed was shocked. But he wasn’t finished. Reed dragged Reigns to the corner and prepared for another Tsunami, but Reigns quickly recovered and landed a huge punch on Reed followed by a Samoan drop which left Reed on all fours. Reed tried to recover but the moment he got up, Reigns had a spear loaded up and knocked Reed out cold. It was an easy pin after that.
Reigns wasn’t done though. As Paul Heyman lay down, checking on Reed. Reigns snuck back into the ring. Heyman turned around and was shocked to see his former Tribal Chief staring him down. Heyman begged for mercy, even acknowledging Reigns as tribal chief and telling Reigns that ‘the world is yours.’
Reigns merely gestured for Heyman to return his shoes. Heyman obliged. But Reigns wanted more. He put Heyman in a guillotine, choking out the wise man who betrayed him at WrestleMania. Heyman tried to tap out, but Reigns didn’t let up. Heyman fell to the mat unconscious.
As Reigns celebrated atop the announcer’s table, Reed’s ally Bron Breakker came out of nowhere to spear Reigns, taking his moment of glory away from him.
Reed and Breakker took that time to help Heyman out of the ring. Reigns was clearly in pain, but tried to leave the ring on his own. Unfortunately, Bron Breakker came back for Round 2, landing another spear on Reigns.
Security tried to escort Breakker away from Reigns, but Reed kept them away, even shoving Reigns back into the ring, where Breakker stood over him and placed him in prime position for Reed to land a tsunami.
Reigns was done at that point. EMTs needed to be called, and Reigns was carried off on a stretcher. Or at least he was supposed to be…when Reed and Breakker returned again. Reed hit Reigns with another Tsunami, while Reigns lay defenseless on the stretcher.
Finally, Main Event Jey Uso burst into the ring to help his cousin, trying to fight off both Breakker and Reed, putting himself on the line when he has his own championship match later today. It was a truly selfless act. But The Vision were too much for Uso to handle. Breakker hit Uso with a spear. Reed hit Reigns with a third tsunami.
Finally, security did their job and escorted Reed and Breakker out. The damage was obviously done though. It’s very likely that Reed and Breakker will face serious repercussions for their actions.
Watch: Clash in Paris 2025 preshow
When is Clash in Paris 2025?
Clash in Paris 2025 is on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Clash in Paris 2025 start time
Clash in Paris starts at 2 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at noon ET.
Where is Clash in Paris 2025?
The event takes place at Paris La Défense Arena in Paris.
How to watch Clash in Paris 2025
Clash in Paris will stream on Peacock, but you must have a premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix in most markets.
The event will also be available to watch at select Regal Cinemas theaters around the country.
Clash in Paris 2025 preshow: how to watch
The Clash in Paris preshow will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.
Stream WWE Clash in Paris on Peacock
Clash in Paris 2025 match card
Matches not in order
- Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
- Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
- John Cena vs. Logan Paul
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella
- Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso
Will there be Clash in Paris 2025 post-show?
Yes, the post-show will begin immediately following the conclusion of the event. It will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.
Clash in Paris predictions
USA TODAY Sports’ wrestling writers predict Clash in Paris. See the full predictions for the entire event here.
Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
- Jordan Mendoza: Rusev
- Richard Morin: Rusev
Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
- Jordan Mendoza: Bronson Reed
- Richard Morin: Roman Reigns
John Cena vs. Logan Paul
- Jordan Mendoza: John Cena
- Richard Morin: Logan Paul
WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)
- Jordan Mendoza: The Wyatt Sicks
- Richard Morin: The Wyatt Sicks
Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella
- Jordan Mendoza: Becky Lynch
- Richard Morin: Becky Lynch
Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso
- Jordan Mendoza: Seth Rollins
- Richard Morin: Seth Rollins
Paris crowd expected to be loud
It won’t be hard to notice the crowd noise at Clash in Paris as WWE is back in France, where one of its most memorable shows in recent memory happened.
In May 2024, WWE held Backlash 2024 that featured one of the loudest and stunning crowds in wrestling. It really kicked off the electricity with Jey Uso’s entrance and had iconic moments like singing Randy Orton’s entrance music and AJ Styles phenomenal introduction.
Expect much of the same this time around, from singing to chants unique to France.
Match canceled: Where is Naomi?
One match that won’t happen at Clash in Paris is the Women’s World Championship bout. It was originally scheduled to be champion Naomi against Stephanie Vaquer after she won a battle royal at Evolution.
However, Naomi announced on Aug. 18 she was pregnant and was relinquishing the title as a result, officially canceling the match.
What happens to Women’s World Championship?
Raw general manager Adam Pearce determined no championship match would take place at Clash in Paris for the vacant title, but it will be awarded soon. Vaquer will face an opponent to be named later for the championship at a later date.
John Cena farewell tour approaching end
We are almost done seeing John Cena in a WWE ring.
Clash in Paris will mark the 28th appearance of 2025, and with 36 promised in his final year of wrestling, there are only eight shows left for the WWE icon after the show. His career will culminate with Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.
Of the eight shows left, six are confirmed. His next appearance will be on the Sept. 5 edition of SmackDown. Here are the rest of the dates known:
- Sept. 5: SmackDown (Chicago, Illinois)
- Sept. 15: Raw (Lowell, Massachusetts)
- Sept. 20: Wrestlepalooza (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Oct. 11: WWE Crown Jewel: Perth (Perth, Australia)
- Nov. 29: Survivor Series (San Diego, California)
- Dec. 13: Retirement match at Saturday’s Night Main Event (Location TBD)
Clash in Paris final WWE PLE on Peacock
Clash in Paris 2025 will be the final WWE premium live event to air on Peacock as the company will shift its content to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service. The first WWE event on ESPN’s platform will be on Sept. 20 with Wrestlepalooza.