The 10 Best WWE Matches You Can’t Miss from 2025

John Cena and Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2025

10.⁠ ⁠Ilja Dragunov vs. Sami Zayn (SmackDown, October 17, 2025)

Ilja Dragunov returned to WWE television after more than a year out due to an ACL tear suffered against Gunther at a non-televised live event in September 2024. His comeback came on the October 17 episode of SmackDown, where he answered Sami Zayn’s United States Championship open challenge. Dragunov, sporting a new neck tattoo, immediately looked driven and aggressive. The match steadily escalated from a technical contest into a rough, scrappy fight. Near falls piled up late, creating real suspense down the stretch. Solo Sikoa’s brief distraction was unnecessary, but it did not directly decide the result. Dragunov ultimately scored the upset victory to win the United States belt.

9.⁠ ⁠CM Punk vs. Gunther (SummerSlam 2025)

Since returning at Survivor Series 2023, CM Punk had openly stated that winning a world championship was his priority. He received that opportunity in the main event of SummerSlam night one against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. The two went nearly 30 minutes in a physical, back-and-forth main event. The story centered on Punk absorbing punishment and refusing to stay down as Gunther controlled large portions of the match. The bout emphasized toughness over spectacle, with both men trading heavy strikes and exhausting sequences. While not flawless, the match felt authentic and hard-hitting. Punk finally secured the win, ending his long pursuit of the title. His reign lasted minutes, as Seth Rollins immediately cashed in Money in the Bank, revealing he was not injured and leaving with the championship.

8.⁠ ⁠Men’s Elimination Chamber Match (Elimination Chamber 2025)

The Elimination Chamber stipulation has often felt routine in recent years, but in 2025 it was used effectively. The men’s Chamber match stood out as the stronger of the two on a show that became WWE’s best premium live event of the year. John Cena, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, and Logan Paul competed for a WrestleMania 41 title shot against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Rather than relying on excessive high-risk spots, the match focused on pacing and drama. The final stretch involving Cena, Punk, and Rollins generated sustained tension, driven by the story of Cena fighting for what was likely his final chance at a 17th world title. After Rollins interfered post-elimination by stomping Punk, Cena dragged Punk to the center of the ring and forced him to pass out in the STF. The post-match face-off between Cena and Rhodes escalated into a major angle, culminating in Cena’s shocking heel turn with help from The Rock and an inexplicable appearance by Travis Scott.

7.⁠ ⁠Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley (Evolution 2025)

WWE revived the Evolution pay-per-view in July 2025, seven years after the original event. The show was headlined by IYO SKY defending the Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley. Having faced each other multiple times earlier in the year, the two leaned into their established chemistry. Counters and reversals referenced previous encounters before the match escalated into heavier offense. SKY delivered a crossbody from stacked production boxes, a sunset flip powerbomb on the floor, and a top-rope Spanish Fly. With both competitors down late, Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase and pinned SKY to win the title. The cash-in added a strong closing hook without diminishing the quality of the match that preceded it.

6.⁠ ⁠Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (WrestleMania 41)

CM Punk’s departure from WWE in 2014 was fueled in part by his frustration over never headlining WrestleMania. The shift to a two-night format finally allowed Punk to main event WrestleMania 41 night one in a triple threat against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. With no championship on the line, the intrigue centered on Paul Heyman’s divided loyalties. The match delivered on its positioning, featuring layered storytelling, tight sequences, and multiple believable near falls. The finish revolved around Heyman betraying both Punk and Reigns before aligning with Rollins. Rollins pinned Reigns to win, closing the show decisively. The match stood out as the stronger WrestleMania main event compared to night two.

5.⁠ ⁠John Cena vs. AJ Styles (Crown Jewel 2025)

John Cena’s final year as an active WWE wrestler included a heel turn, a 17th world title reign, and erratic creative direction. Despite the inconsistencies, his Crown Jewel match against AJ Styles was a clear highlight. Marketed as a potential final meeting between the two, the match took place in Perth, Australia. With Styles back in a babyface role, both men leaned into the moment and worked with visible freedom. They incorporated signature moves associated with rivals from their respective careers, including wrestlers they had not directly faced. Cena finished the match with a Tombstone piledriver followed by an Attitude Adjustment. The bout felt celebratory without becoming indulgent and stood as the best match of Cena’s retirement run.

4.⁠ ⁠The Street Profits vs. #DIY vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (SmackDown, April 25, 2025)

Despite WrestleMania expanding to two nights, The Street Profits, #DIY, and The Motor City Machine Guns were left off the WrestleMania 41 card. All three teams appeared determined to respond when they collided in a TLC match on the April 25 episode of SmackDown. The six wrestlers delivered a relentless main event packed with risk-taking and creativity. Ford, Dawkins, Gargano, Ciampa, Shelley, and Sabin wrestled with urgency, producing a match that far exceeded typical television standards. A recreated version of Edge and Jeff Hardy’s iconic mid-air Spear spot, with Tommaso Ciampa crashing through a table, was one of several standout moments. The match surpassed the WrestleMania tag title bout that replaced it and ranks among the best free TV matches in WWE history.

3.⁠ ⁠Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (Elimination Chamber 2025)

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s rivalry spans more than 20 years, covering promotions including ROH, PWG, NXT, and WWE. At Elimination Chamber 2025, they met in an Unsanctioned Match in front of nearly 40,000 fans in their home country. The match felt like a conclusion to their long-running story. Rather than relying on spectacle alone, the bout focused on violence, emotion, and familiarity. Owens and Zayn brawled throughout the arena, using weapons extensively and pushing WWE’s limits. The match was exhausting, brutal, and uncompromising. It may not appeal to every viewer, but the commitment was undeniable. Owens later stepped away from competition to undergo neck surgery, making this potentially his final match.

2.⁠ ⁠Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena (SummerSlam 2025)

Cena defeating Cody Rhodes to win his 17th world championship at WrestleMania 41 produced a historic moment but an infamously poor main event, marred by outside interference and a confusing finish. Their SummerSlam night two rematch provided the redemption both men needed. Contesting the WWE Title in a Street Fight, Cena and Rhodes delivered a physical, extended main event that corrected nearly every issue from WrestleMania. Both men exhausted their arsenals, tearing apart the ring and surrounding area. The volume of Attitude Adjustments and Cross Rhodes became excessive late, but the emotional payoff landed. Rhodes regained the championship, closing the chapter on Cena’s ill-conceived heel run.

1.⁠ ⁠Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley (WrestleMania 41)

WrestleMania 41 night two ended with a widely criticized main event, but it opened with one of the strongest WrestleMania openers ever. IYO SKY defended the Women’s World Championship against Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley in a fast-paced triple threat. The match ran approximately 15 minutes and maintained constant momentum. The action remained controlled, with no wasted sequences or excess risk. Each competitor had defined moments to shine, and the crowd remained fully engaged throughout. The finish saw SKY retain after landing a moonsault on Belair, who was in the act of pinning Ripley following a KOD. The match ended at its peak and left the audience wanting more. It was precise, energetic, and stands as the best WWE match of 2025.