Ranking the 15 Best WWE, AEW Matches in 2025 So Far
We are almost halfway through 2025, and there are already so many worthy contenders for match of the year.
This is the best era of pro wrestling, and fans have a wealth of promotions and talented performers to watch. So much so that it's hard to keep up with all of it sometimes. It's easier to find what you love about this niche genre and follow the programming that still makes you feel like a youngster.
Luckily, there is something to satiate viewers from so many different walks of life and varying experiences with wrestling. Hardcore fans have their outlet, and casuals have more access to sports entertainment and alternatives than ever before.
WWE is coming down off a hot streak in 2024, but its deep roster can still produce amazing matches. Meanwhile, All Elite Wrestling is finding its footing again and attempting to provide the best version of its distinct brand of pro wrestling.
These are the 15 best WWE and AEW matches of 2025 so far. Feel free to list your favorites in the comments section.
Honorable Mentions
Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita
Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay
Men’s Elimination Chamber match
Jordynne Grace vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens
15-13
1 of 5
15. Kelani Jordan vs. Sol Ruca, NXT Battleground
The NXT women's division has been the highlight of WWE's developmental brand, particularly at Battleground. Jordynne vs. Stephanie Vaquer was excellent, but Kelani Jordan and Sol Ruca stole the show in their match.
Their game of one-upmanship was still on full display in a rematch that upped the ante following their first encounter last summer. This match was even more fast-paced and intricate, and the finish was awesome.
14. Jamie Hayter vs. Mercedes Moné, AEW Double or Nothing
This ranking doesn't really do Jamie Hayter vs. Mercedes Moné justice because it was easily one of the best women's matches of the year. The opening match of AEW Double or Nothing ranks among The CEO's best performances with AEW.
Hayter also reminded viewers why she belonged among the best wrestlers on the women's roster. The strikes and counters in the final stretch of the women’s Owen Hart Cup Finals were tremendous, and the pin Moné used to win looked brutal.
13. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, WWE WrestleMania 41
The climax of Night 1 of WrestleMania 41 delivered on so many levels. CM Punk's first main event appearance at The Show of Shows felt special due to a touching video package and epic entrance, which mimicked his swan song at the event in 2013 with rock band Living Colour.
The creative sequences between the three competitors and the storytelling put this outing above the rest of the card on the Saturday at The Show of Shows. Moreover, Seth Rollins' heel turn was masterfully executed. It was a rewarding payoff of the build to Elimination Chamber: Toronto and their encounter in the men's Royal Rumble match.
12-10
2 of 5
12. Chad Gable vs. El Hijo del Vikingo, Worlds Collide
Chad Gable is among the most underrated wrestlers on the WWE roster. At Worlds Collide, the Olympian produced an absolute banger against AAA Mega champion El Hijo del Vikingo.
This thrilling title bout stood out on a fun cross-promotional supercard that introduced a host of luchadors to a new audience.
Anyone familiar with Vikingo already knows how incredible he is, but Gable showed he could hang with one of the best young wrestlers in the world.
11. Kenny Omega vs. Mike Bailey vs. Ricochet, AEW Dynasty
Kenny Omega's first international title defense at AEW Dynasty was exceptional. Ricochet is currently on the best run of his career as an obnoxious heel, and "Speedball" Mike Bailey is a perfect fit for the company.
This match was nonstop action with a few comedy spots sprinkled in for good measure. The Best Bout Machine continued to work his way back following a year-long struggle with diverticulitis, and the challengers made him work for his win.
10. Athena vs. Mercedes Moné, AEW Spring BreakThru
The women's Owen Hart Cup semifinals helped to make Spring BreakThru one of the best editions of AEW Dynamite in 2025. Athena has been among Moné’s most anticipated opponents since she joined the company, and their first encounter didn't disappoint.
The CEO's hometown, Boston was a fitting venue for the matchup, and these two delivered a home run in this outstanding opener. Athena pulled no punches in the hard-hitting match, but Moné narrowly escaped, hopefully setting up an even better rematch.
9-7
3 of 5
9. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn, Elimination Chamber: Toronto
It would be easy to say WWE has gone back to well with this matchup too many times, but the latest chapter in the rivalry was well worth the price of admission. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are wrestling soulmates, and their unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber was gutwrenching.
Every time they cross paths, the resulting fallout is bound to elicit emotions because longtime fans have seen their highs and lows since NXT. However, this match was different; it was dark and convincingly unhinged. By the end, you truly believed they wanted to hurt each other, and both men played their roles to perfection.
8. Anarchy in the Arena, AEW Double or Nothing
Anarchy in the Arena is AEW's most prevalent stipulation match, and the best indicator of what makes the alternative to WWE so unique. This year's iteration was the most wildly entertaining and ludicrous one yet.
There were enough tongue-in-cheek moments like the return of The Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited" and The Young Bucks' entrance and trademark plunder to satisfy AEW's most avid fans. Marina Shafir and Willow Nightingale were welcome additions as the first women to compete in this outrageous match, and Swerve Strickland came off like a massive star throughout. This match was so much fun to watch at home, and the Desert Diamond Arena crowd in Glendale, Arizona established that the live experience was even better.
7. Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Street Profits vs. DIY, WWE SmackDown, Apr. 25
The first Table, Ladders and Chairs match since 2020 belonged on the WrestleMania 41 card, and these three teams proved just that during the April 25 episode of SmackDown.
The problem with these kinds of matches is that it's hard to come up with new and inventive ways to use these props, but this one was fresh and action-packed. It was everything we wanted out of the return of this iconic match type, and tag team wrestling excelled because of it.
The placement of the match is a minor gripe when Motor City Machine Guns, DIY and The Street Profits had so much time to achieve something special on television.
6-4
4 of 5
6. Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay, AEW Revolution
It shouldn't surprise anyone that Will Ospreay is a part of many entries on this list because his output with AEW has been phenomenal. Even more, his feud with Kyle Fletcher helped to elevate his former stablemate into a promising new star.
Their steel cage match at Revolution was an unbelievable culmination to their series of contests and arguably the best to date. It was a grueling but satisfying way to wrap up this bitter rivalry and set The Aerial Assassin on the path to eventual championship gold.
5. Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley, WrestleMania 41
Our top five wouldn't be complete without Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley. This Triple Threat for the Women's World Championship was the highlight of WrestleMania 41 and an early contender for match of the year.
Frankly, nothing else from the two-night event came close to capturing the intensity and pace of this fantastic opener on Night 2. These women exceeded expectations, and Sky’s career-defining win on The Grandest Stage of Them All was one of the most poignant moments of 2025 so far.
4. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Will Ospreay, AEW Spring BreakThru
Konosuke Takeshita is special, and viewers can see it every time he graces the ring for AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. And the Japanese star had the honor of facing Ospreay in his AEW pay-per-view debut last year at Revolution.
Their rematch at Spring BreakThru was just as incredible because these two are on another level. The strikes were even more devastating, and some of the counters were just as improbable. The tagline "Where the best wrestlers wrestler" couldn't have felt more appropriate after watching them tear the house down again.
3-1
5 of 53. Mariah May vs. Toni Storm, AEW Revolution
The Hollywood Ending was a perfect encapsulation and ending to Toni Storm and Mariah May’s rivalry. It was an equally violent, dramatic, zany, and heartbreaking conclusion to the best women’s storyline AEW has ever produced.
Storm feels like an even bigger star, and May earned a fitting end to her reign and stint with the company. You would have a hard time trying to find a more complete and compelling AEW story than this. It assembled an excellent trilogy of matches and stuck the landing.
2. Gabe Kidd vs. Kenny Omega, Wrestle Dynasty
Omega's long-awaited return came in the form of this harrowing and vicious grudge match at AEW’s cross-promotional event with NJPW, CMLL, ROH and Stardom.
The Best Bout Machine was excellent in the Tokyo Dome, but this was a star-making performance for his opponent, Gabe Kidd.
The brash up-and-comer from Bullet Club War Dogs gave Omega everything he had and proudly waved the flag for NJPW, eliciting an emotional response from Hiroshi Tanahashi.
In the end, Kidd demonstrated why the latest crop of talent has a bright future, and Omega proved he could perform at a high level under the brightest lights in Japan.
1. 'Hangman' Adam Page vs. Will Ospreay, AEW Double or Nothing
Double or Nothing 2025 has likely eclipsed All Out 2021 as the greatest AEW PPV in history. The matches on this year's card were superb, but the main event was the perfect blend of great in-ring action and long-term storytelling.
All of the references and callbacks to Adam Page's history with AEW were tremendous, and his upset win over Ospreay was the right call. The men's Owen Hart Cup Tournament final was the victory AEW desperately needed to reward fans' patience with Hangman and the Death Riders storyline.
Closing the show with the latest chapter of Page's journey was the ideal way to celebrate its sixth anniversary and finally propel him back into the world title picture.
