The 10 Longest WWE PLE Matches in History

Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 12

10. 7 Way Elimination Chamber Match (2018)

The historic 7-way Elimination Chamber match at the 2018 event, which saw Roman Reigns defeat six other competitors, officially lasted 40 minutes and 15 seconds. This inaugural seven-man structure featured Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Finn Bálor, John Cena, Elias, and The Miz. The match was the main event, determining the challenger for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34. Its extended duration provided ample time for multiple eliminations and dramatic storytelling.

9. 20 Men Survivor Series Elimination Tag (1988)

The 10-on-10 tag team elimination match at Survivor Series 1988 was a lengthy affair, clocking in at 42 minutes and 12 seconds. The contest featured two teams of ten men and was a defining match of the early Survivor Series events, highlighting the traditional elimination format that the pay-per-view is known for. With legends like Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage on one side and the Big Boss Man and Akeem on the other, the match was a demonstration of the depth of the roster at the time and provided a sustained period of action for fans.

8. Team Cena vs. Team Authority Survivor Series (2014)

This traditional Survivor Series elimination match was the main event of the 2014 show, lasting over 43 minutes. The high-stakes match saw Team Cena and Team Authority battle for control of the company, with the Authority's power on the line if their team lost. The dramatic conclusion, featuring the unexpected debut and interference of Sting, secured the victory for Dolph Ziggler and Team Cena, ensuring the Authority was temporarily removed from power in a highly charged moment.

7. Edge vs. Randy Orton Backlash (2020)

Marketed as "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever," this one-on-one contest at Backlash 2020 was a modern epic that lasted 44 minutes and 45 seconds. The match was a meticulously crafted, traditional wrestling bout designed to evoke nostalgia for classic encounters, with both competitors wearing gear reminiscent of their past selves. Both men delivered a masterclass in ring psychology and storytelling, with Randy Orton ultimately defeating Edge with a punt kick to end the grueling battle after a hard-fought and technical display.

6. Team WWF vs. The Alliance Survivor Series (2001)

The main event of Survivor Series 2001 was a "Winner Takes All" five-on-five elimination match that went on for 44 minutes and 47 seconds. This match was the culmination of the highly publicized Invasion angle, which saw former WCW and ECW stars forming The Alliance to challenge the WWF. Team WWF, led by The Rock, ultimately defeated The Alliance to ensure their continued existence and unify the companies, marking the definitive end to the competition between the two wrestling giants.

5. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels Badd Blood (2004)

This brutal and emotional Hell in a Cell match went on for 47 minutes and 24 seconds, making it the longest Hell in a Cell match in history. The grueling bout at Bad Blood 2004 served as the finale to their intense rivalry, a brutal affair that left both men bloodied and exhausted. The match featured multiple weapons and high spots, with Triple H ultimately emerging victorious after delivering three Pedigrees to his former friend and rival, finally putting an end to their long-standing feud.

4. Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown Survivor Series (2016)

The men's five-on-five traditional Survivor Series elimination match in 2016 was a showcase of brand supremacy, lasting 52 minutes and 55 seconds. It featured a stacked lineup of top talent from both Raw and SmackDown, including stars like AJ Styles, Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, and Randy Orton. The match was a demonstration of the depth of talent across both brands and provided numerous exciting moments, with Team SmackDown, which included Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton, ultimately defeating Team Raw in a highly competitive elimination bout.

3. Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper Extreme Rules (2015)

The Chicago Street Fight between Dean Ambrose and Luke Harper at Extreme Rules 2015 was a marathon brawl, lasting over 56 minutes. It was a wild, chaotic match that saw the competitors fight through various locations in and around the arena, including through the backstage area and into an ambulance. The unconventional match highlighted the extreme nature of the rivalry, eventually concluding with Ambrose pinning Harper back in the ring after a hard-fought and unconventional battle that pushed the boundaries of a typical WWE match.

2. The Rock vs. Triple H Judgement Day (2000)

This 60-minute Iron Man match for the WWF Championship was a pivotal moment in the careers of both The Rock and Triple H. The match, which went exactly one hour, was a back-and-forth contest where the competitor with the most falls at the end of the time limit would win. Triple H ultimately won six falls to five, following an unexpected return and interference from The Undertaker right as time expired, leading to a controversial and memorable finish to the main event of the evening.

1. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII)

This iconic match was the first televised Iron Man match in company history, lasting just over 60 minutes and 56 seconds, including sudden death overtime. After a grueling 60-minute draw with no falls, the match continued under sudden death rules until Shawn Michaels hit Bret Hart with Sweet Chin Music to win the WWF Championship and fulfill his "boyhood dream" in one of the most memorable and career-defining endings in WrestleMania history. The match is often cited as a technical masterpiece and a testament to the conditioning of both athletes.