Imagine the thrill of WWE's brutal WarGames match, only to discover a key tradition has vanished—leaving fans buzzing with excitement and debate alike! This year's Survivor Series in San Diego shook things up by ditching the iconic shark cages, and it's got everyone talking about what that means for the future of pro wrestling.
Diving into the heart of modern WarGames, a signature event that WWE has made its own, one standout feature was glaringly absent at Saturday's spectacle. As the Superstars made their way into Petco Park for the ten-person showdown between two teams—a format popularized by the legendary Dusty Rhodes—there was no sign of the shark cages that usually confine the competitors before they're unleashed into the ring every three minutes.
In previous editions, these cages perched proudly on the entrance stage, building suspense as wrestlers waited to burst free. But this time, with no stage in sight, fans were greeted by a more compact setup right near the San Diego Padres' home dugout. WWE's Chief Content Officer, Paul Levesque, opened up about the hurdles during the Countdown to Survivor Series: WarGames, praising the venue while acknowledging the structural challenges it posed for production. 'The tricky part is that the layout of a baseball stadium isn't exactly ideal for what we do,' Levesque explained. 'You'll notice tonight that the talent will be emerging from a dugout, which isn't the simplest setup to navigate, so it adds a layer of complexity.'
These constraints didn't stop at the entrance—they spilled over to the ringside area, where two wrestling rings, the announcer tables, and a full row of floor seats crammed into every available space, creating a packed and energetic atmosphere.
But here's where it gets controversial... Without the shark cages, fans missed out on what had evolved into an extra 'mini-match' element since WWE revived WarGames in 2017. Think back to 2019, when Dakota Kai shockingly betrayed her teammate Tegan Nox before abandoning her squad altogether—that cage-side drama added betrayal and tension that fans still rave about. And just last year, CM Punk and Roman Reigns delivered unforgettable moments: Reigns first stopped Punk from entering, opting instead to signal for Sami Zayn to join the fray. Then, as Reigns geared up to enter, Punk shoved him out of the way and charged in himself, stealing the spotlight.
Yet, this year's shift away from the cages brought unexpected perks. Instead of athletes lingering on the floor beside the cage—like in the classic 1980s and 1990s versions where they patiently awaited their turn—attention zoomed to the countdown clock flashing on Petco's giant video boards. Every three-minute release became a communal event, with the whole stadium chanting down the final ten seconds in unison. It infused the entrances with that electrifying Royal Rumble vibe, layering in fresh excitement that had fans on the edge of their seats.
And this is the part most people miss— Especially with next year's Royal Rumble slated for Saudi Arabia (a move that's making it tough for many U.S. fans to attend, as detailed in reports like this one from Cageside Seats), those lucky enough to be at Petco Park got a special treat: a taste of Rumble energy woven into Survivor Series, essentially turning it into a double-feature night of high-stakes action.
Some might argue this change honors the spirit of WarGames by evolving it for new venues, but others could see it as a dilution of tradition—trading raw, cage-confined drama for crowd-participation thrills. Is ditching the shark cages a bold innovation or a missed opportunity to preserve wrestling history? Do you think WWE should bring back the cages for future events, or is this Rumble-style twist the way forward? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with the shift, or does it leave you craving the old-school intensity?
