The Best WWE And AEW Matches Of 2025 [So Far]

Much like the past few years, WWE and AEW have each put on a number of match of the year contenders.

With in-ring quality improving year on year, the top 2 companies continue to wow fans with action that tests the limits of athleticism, violence and storytelling. From the Royal Rumble and TLC matches returning to form to one of the most violent women’s matches to take place on North American TV, the second half of 2025 has a hard act to follow.

The Best WWE And AEW Matches Of The First Half Of The Year

The Men’s Royal Rumble Match – Royal Rumble

It’s been a while since fans have been treated to an exciting and unpredictable Royal Rumble. While Cody Rhodes winning the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumbles advanced the story, few believed that The American Nightmare was not going to be the last man standing in either of these matches, and the less said about the 2022 Rumble the better! However, 2025 helped to restore the prestige of the stipulation thanks to multiple credible winners, star power, and a few surprises. While the opening portion saw Penta nearly get eliminated much earlier than expected, business picked up at entry number 7 when Bron Breakker entered. Breakker made a statement shortly afterwards by delivering a devastating spear to surprise entrant IShowSpeed in what was the most viral moment of the whole match. The match also saw multiple surprises with TNA World Champion Joe Hendry making a cameo appearance and AJ Styles returning from injury, and the trifecta of John Cena, CM Punk and Seth Rollins all entering in quick succession highlighted just how stacked the match was.

The match came down to Cena and Jey Uso in what appeared to be a foregone conclusion. However, in a shocking twist, Uso eliminated Cena to guarantee his spot at WrestleMania. While there are some who still take issue with the end result, it’s hard to argue how entertaining this match was and that it was one of the best in a number of years.

Toni Storm vs. Mariah May – AEW Revolution

One of the biggest rivalries in AEW in 2024, bled over into 2025, literally! Following their past 2 matches at All In and Grand Slam Australia that saw each woman pick up a victory over the other, the stage was set for the Hollywood Ending. One of the bloodiest women’s matches to take place in a mainstream promotion, Storm and May went all out with blood, broken glass and the infamous shoe in what was the fitting crescendo to their epic rivalry. Storm won the match with a Storm Zero through a table on the stage and pinned her former friend turned rival as “The End” flashed up onscreen. This would also be May’s final appearance in AEW and possibly one of the best departing matches in quite some time. When all was said and done, fans stated that this should have been the main event of the show. Although there were multiple high quality matches that took place at AEW Revolution, this should have been the headliner.

Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher – AEW Revolution

Another former friends turned bitter enemies match that also took place at AEW Revolution. Much like Storm and May, Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher looked to end their rivalry as they battled it out inside a steel cage. With a lot of bloodshed, a barbed wire bat, thumbtacks and even and a Spanish Fly from the top of the cage, both men brought the brutality in what is already a strong contender for show of the year. Ospreay ultimately won the match with the Tiger Driver, adding to his already lofty tally of 5* matches.

Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita – AEW Revolution

Rounding out the trilogy of match of the year contenders that took place at AEW Revolution, none of which were the main event, Kenny Omega finally defeated Konosuke Takeshita, and in the process, captured the International Championship for the first time in his career. While the other 2 matches had the bells and whistles with the use of weapons and gruesome spots, this one was great purely from an in-ring standpoint. With this being Omega’s first AEW match in over a year, the former World Champion pretty much played all the hits to prove that he was back at nearly 100% and reminded fans of why he has such a reputation as one of the best wrestlers of the current era. Takeshita targeted Omega’s midsection due to Omega being sidelined with diverticulitis and Omega hit Takeshita with just about everything but the One Winged Angel. In a more surprising result, Omega won the match with a pinning combination as opposed to his finisher.

IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley – WrestleMania 41

It’s no secret that the quality of WrestleMania 41 was mixed at best. A far cry from the previous year, many were left underwhelmed when the weekend was over, especially following the main event. However, one of the few shining lights from the show kicked off night 2 as IYO SKY put her Women’s World Championship on the line against Elimination Chamber winner Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley, who was inserted into the match after repeatedly getting involved in Sky and Belair’s matches and promo segments. Going into the show, many were concerned for the champion as it appeared inevitable that she would not leave Las Vegas still the champion. With Belair undefeated at Mania and Ripley continually booked strong, it appeared that SKY’s reign was very much in threat, especially as she was clearly the 3rd most important person in the build. However, once the bell rang, all 3 started at full speed and did not let up. Easily the match of the weekend, SKY pinned Belair to retain her title in what was easily the best match of the whole weekend.

The Street Profits vs. DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns – WWE SmackDown

When it was announced that all 3 tag teams would face off in a TLC match on the SmackDown after WrestleMania, the fans in attendance booed heavily as it meant that it would not take place at the biggest show of the year. However, with more time given to the match and with all 3 teams having a point to prove, the 6 men put on one of the best TLC matches in years and arguably helped restore some prestige to the stipulation that has been previously watered down. With bodies flying, multiple table spots and even a prosthetic leg being used, The Street Profits ultimately unhooked the titles to remain champions in what is easily the best TV match of 2025, and it’s unlikely that this will be beaten by the end of the year.

Anarchy In The Arena – AEW Double Or Nothing

Never has a song in wrestling been more appropriate than Drowning Pool’s Bodies playing in the background of the chaotic stipulation match where just about everything imaginable happened apart from someone being set on fire, which did happen the previous year. A fork, a bottle, a staple gun, thumbtack shoes and tables were among the many weapons here as the 14 wrestlers brawled all around the arena. Although the heels looked to have their advantage in the form of Gabe Kidd, Mark Briscoe helped the babyfaces to even the odds. While the heels looked to exploit the numbers game, The Deathriders were locked in an ambulance as Swerve Strickland took out The Young Bucks to win the match for his team.

Featured image: WWE