Top 25 WWE Matches Of All Time
25. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins (Royal Rumble 2015)
WWE delivered one of its best triple threat matches when Brock Lesnar defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena and Seth Rollins at the 2015 Royal Rumble. All three stars brought unique styles that blended perfectly. Lesnar looked like an unstoppable force, Cena played the heroic competitor, and Rollins added clever tactics to stay in control. Their chemistry made the 22-minute bout fast, exciting, and unpredictable from start to finish. At the end, Lesnar picked up the win to retain his belt.
24. Andrade Almas vs. Johnny Gargano (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)
Andrade Almas and Johnny Gargano tore the house down at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia in a technical masterpiece. The match combined fluid sequences, accurate timing, and emotion-filled storytelling that drew the crowd in completely. With Almas winning after 32 minutes, the bout earned NXT’s first five-star rating in over five years and proved how special NXT wrestling could be.
23. John Cena vs. CM Punk (25 Feb, 2013 on Raw)
This Monday Night Raw main event between John Cena and CM Punk back in 2013 stands among the best matches in the show’s history. Both competitors delivered a high-octane contest filled with clever counters and unexpected moves, including a rare piledriver. The match lasted over 26 minutes and ended with Cena earning a hard-fought win in a bout that felt like a pay-per-view main event. Moreover, he retained his right to challenge The Rock at WrestleMania 29 for the WWE title.
22. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania 18)
When The Rock met Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18, it became more than just a match—it was a generational clash. The Toronto crowd’s passion created an unforgettable atmosphere as two icons faced off in a simple yet powerful encounter. Hogan’s resurgence as from a heel as part of the nWo to a fan favorite and The Rock’s victory made it one of WWE’s greatest sports entertainment spectacles.
21. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania 17)
The Rock and Steve Austin defined the Attitude Era, and their WrestleMania 17 main event captured that chaos perfectly. The match featured brawling, weapon use, and drama before Austin shocked fans by aligning with Vince McMahon to win. The result might have divided fans, but the electricity of that 28-minute war remains unmatched.
20. Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT TakeOver: Dallas)
Shinsuke Nakamura made his stunning WWE debut against Sami Zayn in front of a wild Dallas crowd. Their chemistry was instant, blending Nakamura’s strong style with Zayn’s technical resilience. The 20-minute contest became an emotional farewell for Zayn and a sensational introduction for Nakamura that defined NXT’s golden era.
19. The Wyatt Family vs. The Shield (Elimination Chamber 2014)
Two dominant factions squared off in a chaotic six-man war at Elimination Chamber 2014. The Wyatt Family and The Shield delivered nonstop action and dramatic sequences that highlighted the peak of WWE’s group storytelling. The Wyatts’ decisive victory marked their finest moment as a unit and a milestone in modern faction rivalries.
18. Mankind vs. The Undertaker (King of the Ring 1998)
This Hell in a Cell match remains one of wrestling’s most shocking displays of human endurance. The Undertaker threw Mankind off the top of the cage and later through the roof, creating images that defined WWE history. Despite brutal punishment, Mankind continued fighting, proving his unmatched toughness and making the 16-minute match unforgettable.
17. Walter vs. Tyler Bate (NXT TakeOver: Cardiff)
Walter and Tyler Bate delivered a 42-minute epic for the NXT UK Championship that told a perfect David vs. Goliath story. The Austrian dominated with sheer power while Bate answered with strength and heart, pushing the crowd into a frenzy. In the end, the now-Gunther dominance prevailed, but both men left as heroes of a modern classic.
16. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 10)
The first televised ladder match in WWE history saw Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels redefine what was possible in the ring. Their innovative use of the ladder added intensity and drama to every moment. The 18-minute bout made history and set a blueprint for future high-risk matches at WrestleMania.
15. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (Badd Blood 1997)
The first-ever Hell in a Cell match brought monumental storytelling and brutality. Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker used the structure creatively, leading to dangerous falls and Kane’s shocking debut. Michaels survived 30 minutes of punishment to win, but the match’s legacy shaped generations of Cell bouts that followed.
14. The Revival vs. DIY (NXT TakeOver: Toronto)
The Revival and DIY showed tag team wrestling at its best in a two-out-of-three falls classic. Their 22-minute battle combined sharp strategy and emotional storytelling, highlighted by DIY’s resilience. It remains one of NXT’s most thrilling victories and proof that great teamwork can steal any show.
13. Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (Royal Rumble 2000)
Triple H and Cactus Jack took brutality to a new level in a violent Street Fight. The match featured barbed wire, handcuffs, and thumbtacks, culminating in a devastating Pedigree that ended the 27-minute war. It was a defining Attitude Era classic that showed both men at their fiercest. Moreover, this is the match that helped HHH become a main event star.
12. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 21)
Two of WWE’s greatest performers met in a dream match that lived up to every expectation. Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels traded technical precision and emotional storytelling in a 27-minute WrestleMania showcase. Angle’s final Ankle Lock finish capped off one of the most complete singles bouts in WWE history. Moreover, the dream match delivered on all fronts at the grandest stage of them all.
11. Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus (WrestleMania 39)
Three of WWE’s hardest hitters clashed for the Intercontinental Championship in a physical 16-minute battle. Every strike echoed through the stadium as Gunther, McIntyre, and Sheamus pushed their limits. The match elevated the Intercontinental Title’s prestige and stood out as 2023’s defining performance.
10. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania 19)
Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho created a perfect blend of storytelling and skill in this WrestleMania show-stealer. The 22-minute bout displayed emotion, precision, and mutual respect, ending with Michaels’ win and Jericho’s shocking low blow after the match. It remains a masterclass in showing how in-ring storytelling can be both personal and technical. Moreover, it was also HBK's first Mania match since WrestleMania 14 in 1998.
9. Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
Few rivalries felt more personal than Gargano vs. Ciampa. The 37-minute unsanctioned match packed brutal strikes and emotional highs as friends turned bitter enemies. Gargano’s victory ended one of NXT’s most intense stories and marked a turning point in the brand’s legacy.
8. Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov (NXT UK, 2020)
In an empty arena, Walter and Ilja Dragunov delivered a violent masterpiece. The lack of crowd only amplified the sound of every strike, making the 25-minute fight feel raw and personal. The physicality and emotion turned it into one of WWE’s most acclaimed matches ever.
7. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn)
Sasha Banks and Bayley’s 18-minute classic redefined women’s wrestling in WWE. The crowd’s emotion and their perfect heel-versus-hero dynamic created magic. Bayley’s win became the spark that ignited the Women’s Revolution across all WWE divisions.
6. Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz (WrestleMania 17)
WrestleMania 17 featured one of WWE’s wildest matches as three tag teams risked everything in a TLC war. The chaos, destruction, and high spots became instant highlights. Edge and Christian emerged victorious, but all six competitors elevated tag team wrestling forever.
5. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania 10)
Brother faced brother in one of wrestling’s most emotional opening matches. Bret and Owen Hart combined technical brilliance with layered storytelling that captivated fans. Owen’s surprising victory added extra depth to one of WWE’s greatest family rivalries. Moreover, this gave way to their iconic rivalry throughout the year of 1994.
4. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 26)
The stakes were higher than ever when Shawn Michaels put his career against The Undertaker’s streak. Their 24-minute clash was intense and emotional, featuring near-falls that kept fans guessing. The Undertaker’s win improved his record to 18-0 and ended Michaels’ in-ring career in 2010.
3. John Cena vs. CM Punk (Money in the Bank 2011)
At Money in the Bank 2011, John Cena and CM Punk created something historic. The Chicago crowd’s passion turned the match into a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. Their 33-minute battle ended with Punk’s shocking win and exit with the WWE Championship, a moment etched into wrestling history.
2. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)
This submission match delivered the most famous double turn in wrestling history. Bret Hart and Steve Austin fought a brutal 22-minute battle full of intensity and perfect storytelling. Austin never gave up, losing consciousness in the Sharpshooter and becoming a fan favorite overnight.
1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 25)
The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels produced one of the finest matches in wrestling history. Their 30-minute performance mixed drama, athleticism, and deep storytelling in flawless balance. Every move carried weight, and the emotion behind the final moments made it a benchmark for all future WrestleMania classics.
