The best WWE match of all time

We’ve chosen the best matches for a company that lives decades of rich history, monthly PPV since the 1990s, 40 years of WrestleMania, and most of the biggest wrestling star stars of all time. WWE History is painfully difficult.

However, there are some unanimous matches among the best and most elite WWE matches. Of course, this is probably one of the most subjective topics among WWE fans, but all of these matches have at least earned the right to participate in the conversation. WWE has played countless classic hosts over the years, but there are plenty of candidates for top positions.

35

The Ultimate Warrior vs Randy Savage

Special WrestleMania matches, not clinics

Randy Savage has always brought the best from the ultimate warrior, but I have to say that their WrestleMania match isn’t near the technical clinic. However, this was a match that had high interests in Savage’s career on the Line, a strong story throughout, with two greater powers than the Lifestars, ensuring the audience was hooked on everything they did.

All the simple things went well, the big moves felt like a big moment, and it was impossible to ignore the emotional post-match reunion between Savage and Miss Elizabeth, bringing the match to even greater heights. We appreciate this very much as it is an example of the staple foods of WWE’s golden age storytelling.

34

Rome’s rule vs. Codyross

The wildest finish in WWE history

Fans will remember forever the truly amazing finish of the WrestleMania 40 battle between Rome’s reign and Cody Rhodes.

Many have forgotten that Rhodes and the Ruler are already in the clinic, retaining a lively atmosphere and a sense of great fighting, performing movements with vivid perfection, telling thrilling stories and presenting natural chemistry in matches that will enthralle the fans.

33

Gunther Vs. Sheamus

One of the toughest matches in WWE history

Castle In front of a fierce British audience during the clash in 2022, Gunther and Sheamus fought in the Intercontinental Championship classics, defeating the holy hell with hard strikes, slice chops and brutal movements. The match was generally uninterrupted and did not appear to be a strong style sight.

Though taller, it was Gunther who won the match, Sheamus was at the end of an emotional standing ovation after the match was over. This felt like a real war between the two brutes, bringing the InterContinental title back to new heights.

32

I’m Stiles vs John Price

The finale to the perfect trilogy

AJ Styles and John Cena clashed three times in 2016 and 2017, stealing the show at Banger every time. Their Royal Rumble 2017 match was the best bunch, and it had the unique distinction that it was a match that never left the ring. The technical work and chemistry were off the charts and they didn’t make a mistake in their legs in a fantastic fight.

Cena won her 16th World Championship due to the need to clean up her style with multiple finishers, which was a great moment, and even made her style look strong even in defeat.

31

Randy Orton Vs. Cactus Jack

Orton goes out in WWE party

Randy Orton was still a young rookie when he took on Cactus Jack in a brutal no-hold match in the 2004 Backlash, but for many, he appeared with a ready-made man and a bigger star from the match. Orton took one hell with a match packed with a great spot, violent moments and a very realistic animated feeling between two main names of different generations.

Orton managed to escape in the InterContinental Championship, but was covered in blood and smatch after a massive war with the veteran. Certainly, it’s one of the best hardcore matches in WWE history.

30

Drew McIntyre Vs. CM Punk

For decades, the biggest hell of Cell’s match

The feud between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk was one of the most thrilling things of 2024, with their rivalry culminating in hell in cellular structure. In a match full of violent brawls, gushing blood, weapons and more, this one hand preserved cellular gimmicks in modern WWE.

The atmosphere of the match was thick with genuine hatred, a storytelling display from both Punk and McIntyre, and the performance here was simply fantastic. This felt like a cell match of the old ones with blood and brutal nature, and in many ways it was on the level of some classics that came before it, and was better.

29

John Price vs Daniel Brian

Daniel Brian’s Starmaking Night

Daniel Brian played countless special matches, but perhaps the best of his overall WWE career was against John Cena at Summerslam when he was willed to overcome the company’s biggest star and beat him cleanly to become the WWE champion.

Cena worked in a more dominant and healing style, but it was refreshing to see him wrestling in that way and performing better on Brian’s underdog. Brian had the knack for taking others to his level, so he did so with Cena here. He pulled out more movements than usual and created a great fight.

28

Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley

WrestleMania’s biggest women’s match

Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley always made magic together in WWE, and their best match came at WrestleMania 39 in a spectacular battle for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. The match gradually built at a pace, becoming more physical, making the crowd red and hot late in the match.

The pair has a mix of gritty violence, brutal brawls and beautiful technical wrestling, bringing it all together and stealing the show at WrestleMania 39, and having one of the best women’s matches of all time in the process. This was a party where Ripley appeared.

27

Undertaker Vs. Triple h

Master class of tension and drama

After four years of fighting, Undertaker, Triple H and Shawn Michaels finally finished the story in a stunning hell with a match for Cell. Michaels played a special guest umpire and the conflict in his performance was fantastic. The Undertaker and Triple H had a brutal, physical match that slowly settled in pace but remained in the attention of the crowd.

The match was about spectacle and storytelling, with so much drama and suspense passing through all the way through, especially when Michaels and Triple H teamed up to hit the finisher with Undertaker.

26

Randy Savage Vs. Ricky Steamboat, WWE WrestleMania 3

The first “classic” in WrestleMania history

WrestleMania gradually became the biggest showcase in the world of wrestling, with the first classic match at the show being held at WrestleMania 3. Randy Savage can defend Intercontinental Steamboat against Ricky’s steamship in Technical Master Class, displaying great chemistry, liquid in-liquid ring work, and showcasing the fact that great ring work can be invested in fans that are not hiding.

Steamboat’s Babyface work is great, overcoming the silliness of cheating and his big character, winning one of the best title victories in Wrestlemania’s history, but the less said about actual governance is good.

twenty five

Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins

WWE provided one of their best triple threat matches

While it may be difficult to master the concept of triple threat match, the conflict in the WWE title between Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Seth Rollins was as perfect as you’ve ever seen.

Here, all three contrasting styles are perfectly meshed, with Lesnar looking like a brute monster, Cena as the classic Superman babyface and Rollins as the snidie heels taking shortcuts. The rebirth match had a huge pace, a lot of excitement and unpredictability.

twenty four

Andrade Armas vs. Johnny Gargano, NXT Takeover: Philadelphia

Pure Greatness Between the Ropes

From an in-ring perspective alone, this match is at the top of the WWE history. Technical wrestling, fluid sequences, high flight, sales, etc. were all absolutely spots and could have been WWE’s first five-star match for over five years.

The NXT crowd is the usual electric self and deserves to be included in the conversation for this amazing NXT Championship Classic as well as the greatest ring match of all time.

twenty three

John Cena vs. CM Punk

One of Raw’s great matches

CM Punk and John Cena had multiple top tier matches through feuds together in WWE. This may not only be one of the best in Raw together, but also the best match in Red Brand history.

To fight to win a shot at the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania, they were stolen by fierce quality encounters full of great counters and delved deep into their respective arsenals (even banned pile drivers are used).

twenty two

Rock vs. Hulk Hogan

Examples of pure sports entertainment

If you are ranking technical matches and crisp rankings in the ring, this match isn’t close to who’s “Best of” list. However, this is an example of a match that has grown beyond the usual wrestling match, with two lifewrestlers clashing in a surreal experience.

The crowd’s reaction to Hogan was remarkable, bringing back the joy of Furucamania for the first time in over a decade. The two stars collided with each other in their best shots, keeping things relatively simple, but in terms of sports entertainment and spectacle, this is the best of all time.

twenty one

Rock vs. Steve Austin

One of the most iconic WrestleMania main events

While Rock and Steve Austin had many legendary battles throughout the era of attitude, the clashes in the main event of the greatest show of all time were undoubtedly the best. This had all the classic ratios of great attitude era matches with brawls, chaos, interference, finishers and more.

Was it the smoothest game ever? No, but Rock & Austin presents their incredible chemistry in front of an electric crowd that has taken everything to another level. The iconic Steve Austin Heel’s turn was also a big moment, despite being a wrong choice in hindsight.

20

Sami Zayn vs. Nakamura Shimogami

Nakamura’s WWE debut was a sight

This match was all about the instant aura Nakamura brought to NXT during his debut. The audience was wild for this match and ate everything Nakamura did. The match saw strong style, technical wrestling and enormous close-up.

While the work with Nakamura and Zayn in instant chemistry was special, Dallas’ world-class audience really pushed this match into another stratosphere.

19

Wyatt House vs. Shield

Two great factions became wild in 2014

Shield and the Wyatt family saw all six thriving and introducing their talent, bringing two contrasting styles to a very interesting, chaotic, and wild match at Elimination Chamber 2014.

The Wyatt family was great to pick up each member, and it was the peak of WWE group.

18

Humanity vs. Undertaker

One of the most infamous matches in wrestling

This was not a technical masterclass and there was no controlled structure. This was not a storytelling epic. However, this is one of the most thrilling glasses in WWE history. The Undertaker throws humanity from the hell of Cell and passes through the roof, to this day, is two of the most insane spots in the history of wrestling.

The fact that the match continued showing the crazy grit of humanity was jaw-dropping. The atmosphere surrounding this match is something you’ve never seen before and will never see again in WWE.

17

Walter vs Tyler Beat

WWE’s Best David Vs Goliath Match

Over 40 minutes, Walter and Tyler Bate joined the war for the NXT UK Championship, one of the best examples of David vs. Goliath’s officials. Walter defeated the holy hell from the bait. Bait also showed off his crazy strength, allowing him to use both power and speed against much larger opponents.

After all, Walter was too dominant for Bait to overcome, and was eventually placed in bed after an epic encounter in front of a raucous British crowd.

16

Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels

My first ladder match was amazing

Ladder matches feature crazy spots, higher risks and memorable moments, but the first-ever ladder matches will be hard to top the top so far. The use of ladders felt more direct, focused and logical, and used it as a central focus in the match.

Ramon and Michaels were two great rivals to bring this match to the spotlight.