The 5 Best WWE PLE Matches Of 2025

The best PLE matches in 2025 included some five-star epics with the in-ring action nothing short of extraordinary. WWE often delivers the goods when it comes to major names going head-to-head. Several matches are omitted from this article, but an honorable mention goes to John Cena and AJ Styles’ final match at Crown Jewel: Perth.

5. John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes – SummerSlam Sunday

John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 41 Sunday to become a record-breaking 17-time WWE World Champion. Unfortunately, their main event was bitterly disappointing, but they redeemed themselves at SummerSlam. However, in the main event of SummerSlam Sunday, Cena defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against “The American Nightmare” in a Street Fight. Cena and Rhodes knocked it out of the park in one of the greatest main events in the history of SummerSlam.

“The Never Seen 17” was no longer a heel as he reverted to a babyface before their rematch. The action was tons of fun, and for sure, there were too many finishers and false finishes. Ultimately, Rhodes regained the Undisputed WWE Championship with multiple Cross Rhodes. Afterwards, Brock Lesnar made an unexpected return to WWE, and he laid out Cena with a devastating F5.

4. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn – Elimination Chamber

The rivalry between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn is evenly matched, and fans salivate every time they watch the former WWE Tag Team Champions slug it out. They could fight forever without fans getting bored. In their home country in Canada, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn squared off in an Unsanctioned match. Weapons were featured, and the drama was palpable. Furthermore, fans were mesmerized by what they were witnessing. KO and Zayn fought all over the arena, and the spots were perfectly executed in their nearly 30-minute battle.

KO pushed Zayn off the top rope, leaving him to crash and burn through a couple of tables. However, Zayn refused to stay down and fought back. Nevertheless, Zayn’s efforts were not enough as the former Universal Champion picked up a major win in what turned out to be his final match of the year before he underwent major neck surgery.

3. Gunther vs. CM Punk – SummerSlam Saturday

For the first time in WWE history, SummerSlam emanated over two nights. Gunther and CM Punk closed out the first night with the Ring General’s World Heavyweight Championship up for grabs. However, Punk is determined to win a world title in WWE for the first time in 12 years. Punk is no stranger to world title wins at SummerSlam, as he beat Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Championship in an epic TLC match in the main event in 2009.

The reigning World Heavyweight Champion used his size and strength to his advantage. Gunther was in disbelief when Punk kicked out of a couple of powerbombs. However, Gunther wore the proverbial crimson mask after Punk tripped him up face-first on the broadcast table. They hit a home run, and Punk defeated Gunther for his sixth WWE world championship reign with a couple of Go To Sleeps. The fans went crazy, but an emotional Punk’s joy was short-lived as Seth Rollins successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and ended his World Heavyweight Championship reign.

2. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns – WrestleMania 41 Saturday

One major reason why CM Punk left WWE in 2014 was failing to main event WrestleMania. However, the Second City Saint put that right in 2025. Punk clashed with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in Punk’s first WrestleMania main event appearance in a triple threat match. No world titles were needed for the trio of former world champions in the main event of WrestleMania 41 Saturday. The storytelling was off the charts, and fans were hooked all the way through.

Punk executed the GTS on Rollins, but the Visionary kicked out. The atmosphere was electric in a breathtaking match. Reigns speared Punk, and Rollins executed the Stomp on Reigns with all three men down. However, the closing stages involving Paul Heyman is what everyone remembers. Heyman slid a chair into the ring, picking Punk over the Tribal Chief. However, it was the WWE Hall of Famer who blindsided Punk and low blowed him.

Reigns smiled like a Cheshire cat, and unloaded some vicious chair shots to Punk’s back. Heyman directed traffic, instructing Reigns to nail Rollins with a chair. Heyman low blowed Reigns with the crowd going wild. The Wiseman handed Rollins the chair, who clocked Reigns with the steel chair. However, a decade after pinning Reigns to secure the Heist of the Century, Rollins once again covered his former Shield stablemate to prevail in a WrestleMania main event. The former World Heavyweight Champion turned heel by siding with Heyman, standing tall at the end of the show.

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

The curtain-raiser of WrestleMania 41 Sunday was the hotly anticipated Women’s World Championship match between IYO SKY, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley. The match lasted 15 minutes, and fans wanted more. However, their match was a great advert for women’s wrestling and for new wrestling fans. The in-ring action was fast-paced, and all three featured heavily.

Belair sustained a broken finger in this Women’s World Championship match, which ruled her out of action for the rest of the year. Her return date is unknown, and she’s a big miss in the women’s division. Unquestionably, this title match is arguably WWE’s match of the year; that’s how good it was. However, Belair nailed Ripley with KOD, and SKY out of nowhere connected with the Over-the-Moonault. SKY covered the EST of WWE to retain the Women’s World Championship in a hard-fought battle.