What Were The Top Five WWE PLE Matches of 2025?
WWE’s Premium Live Events in 2025 have been a rollercoaster, featuring both amazing cards and matches fans wished had never made it onto the show. From the car crash that was Wrestlepalooza to the jam-packed Evolution event, there was no shortage of moments for fans to debate and dissect. Scattered throughout this year’s PLEs were five matches that stood above the rest. These bouts represented everything wrestling and sports entertainment strive to be. Here are the top five main roster Premium Live Event matches of 2025.
5. Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
A ladder match between two of WWE’s best workers already carried high expectations, but the brutality both men delivered elevated their matchup to another level. With both the Undisputed WWE Championship and the Winged Eagle title hanging above the ring, Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens did far more than attempt to retrieve the gold. They were determined to hurt one another. From a backdrop onto a ladder to Owens delivering a buster suplex onto a ladder outside the ring, the punishment was relentless. The match reached its conclusion when Rhodes sent a bloodied Owens crashing through a ladder with an Alabama Slam. While Rhodes emerged victorious, it was Owens who once again stood out, showcasing his willingness to put his body through hell to keep the audience on its feet.
4. WrestleMania 41 Night One: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk
Every Night One main event of WrestleMania has delivered since its inception in 2020, and this year was no different. Featuring three main eventers who genuinely despised one another, the match centered on pride and bragging rights. CM Punk finally achieved his dream of main eventing WrestleMania, while Roman Reigns walked to the ring without Paul Heyman, who was obligated to accompany “The Best in the World.” Seth Rollins also made his entrance alone, though he would not leave empty-handed. Over the course of a 30-minute thriller, all three competitors traded finishers and even performed one another’s signature moves. Chaos spilled outside the ring as Reigns powerbombed both Rollins and Punk through separate announce tables. Just when it seemed the match could not deliver any more twists, Heyman shocked the world by betraying Punk with a low blow and handing the steel chair to Reigns. One betrayal was not enough, however, as Heyman then low-blowed Reigns as well, ending his alliance with “The OTC” and aligning himself with Rollins. Rollins capitalized with a crushing Curb Stomp to secure the victory. The storytelling, betrayals, and drama left fans speechless by the end.
3. Crown Jewel: John Cena vs. A.J. Styles
Let’s not forget that this match happened because of a tweet. John Cena asked the WWE Universe if they wanted to see him square off against ‘The Phenomenal’ A.J. Styles one last time during his retirement tour, and he delivered on that promise. Cena and Styles tore the roof off the venue in Australia, producing an instant classic in their final encounter. While the match may not have reached the heights of their previous bouts, it sent a powerful message that Cena was still that guy, even on his way out. Both superstars paid tribute to legends of the past, incorporating finishers associated with wrestlers such as Bray Wyatt and Sting. Cena’s victory resonated deeply with fans who wanted to see “The Never Seen 17” receive his flowers following a heel turn that failed to deliver in so many ways. With Cena now retired and Styles likely nearing the end of his career in 2026, both men understood the importance of this match, and they delivered.
2. SummerSlam: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight for the WWE Championship
After the disappointment of their WrestleMania Night Two main event, Cena and Rhodes rewrote the narrative at SummerSlam. Cena abandoned his heel persona, retiring the dark titantron in favor of the bright lights, and looked determined to put his retirement tour back on track. The match began slowly before escalating into a brutal back-and-forth brawl. One of the most memorable moments occurred beneath the stage, when Cena emerged using the elevator from Rhodes’ entrance and delivered an Attitude Adjustment on the stage. The action continued with multiple near falls, including an avalanche AA that somehow failed to secure the win. With Cena running out of options, he attempted to put Rhodes through a table, only for “The American Nightmare” to counter and send Cena crashing through it instead. Rhodes followed with a final Cross Rhodes to capture the WWE Championship. This was the match fans expected at WrestleMania, and SummerSlam delivered. Both men rose to the occasion and left everything in the ring.
1. Wrestlemania 41 Night Two: Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship
While there were many outstanding women’s matches throughout the year, none matched the brilliance of this triple-threat showdown. Tasked with opening Night Two of WrestleMania, Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley delivered an incredible performance from bell to bell, featuring high-flying action, impressive feats of strength, and technical excellence that kept fans guessing until the end. Even though Sky was considered the underdog of the match despite being the champion, she was the MVP of this match with her amazing counters and maneuvers. Belair looked to capture the gold after delivering the K.O.D. to Ripley, but fell short when Sky stopped the pinfall with a moonsault and pinned Belair to retain the title. The women once again proved they can outperform the men and fans will hope that with these types of performances, the women will once again be able to main event a WrestleMania.
