Wrestling
WWE Yearly Review: 2018 Pay-Per-View Match Rankings
The following are rankings for top World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) pay-per-view matches in 2018. These rankings encompass the entire 2018 season of work in determination. You can check out our 2018 WWE pay-per-view events rankings and our 2018 WWE superstar rankings below.
2018 Pay-Per-View Event Rankings
WWE Pay-Per-View Match Rankings
44 – Women’s Evolution Battle Royal – Evolution
- This was nothing short of a ‘fun’ match. It had everything, from Mandy and Sonya’s moments to the Carmella and Ivory dance party. As much ‘fun’ as it was to watch, this match only got better the longer it went on. A fierce battle also took place between the final few women, including a surprising twist at the end.
43 – 7-Man Elimination Chamber – Elimination Chamber
- The largest Elimination Chamber match in WWE history should’ve been renamed ‘Braun Strowman’s Playpen’. This match was much like a horror movie, subsequently, Braun Strowman playing the feared monster. A slow paced match quickly became a frantic game of survival from the Monster Among Men.
42 – The Shield vs. Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler & Braun Strowman – Super Show-Down
- The Shield’s ‘top dog’ status would be put on the line in this suspenseful match. A large part of that suspense was due to the fact that Dean Ambrose’s loyalty was in question. From the uncertain match direction to the brutal intensity, this was certainly a historical bookmark for one of these two teams.
41 – Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Match – Survivor Series
- This was one of the better Survivor Series Elimination matches of the entire evening, with plenty of memorable moments throughout. The heat generated around Nia Jax upon entering this match also brought solid energy from the crowd. Despite many of the women contributing to many memorable moments, the highlight of this match was whenever Sasha Banks and Asuka took to one another.
40 – Ronda Rousey (C) vs. Nikki Bella – WWE Raw Women’s Championship | Evolution
- The Bella Twins held their own in this historical event. In what started as a squash match, the tables quickly turned when Brie was able to make her presence. Despite what critics may say about this match, it was much closer than anyone may have anticipated. For what was deemed one of the more predictable outcomes of the evening, it felt more like a toss-up.
39 – D-Generation X vs. The Brothers of Destruction – Crown Jewel
- This was a brutal match between four legends, creating one epic moment. What makes this performance so appreciative is the fact that these four were able to pull off a ‘Match of the Night’, even with Triple H tearing his pectoral muscle early in the fight. This was also very special because it was the first match in eight years for the Heartbreak Kid.
38 – The Bar (C) vs. The New Day vs. The Usos – WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship | TLC
- This match could have possibly been the best of 2018 for all three tag teams. This match was physical, extremely fast-paced, and kept you guessing until the very end. The fact that this match was a toss-up entering, also added to the suspenseful finish. Sit back and enjoy a slobber-knocker between three of the best tag teams in recent memory.
37 – Seth Rollins (C) vs. The Miz – WWE Intercontinental Championship | Backlash
- The Miz was looking to win his ninth Intercontinental Championship, which would have tied Chris Jericho for the most reigns. This match was highly energetic throughout and paid homage to a big moment in the career of Seth Rollins – his knee injury.
36 – Velveteen Dream vs. EC3 – NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV
- A match that featured two superstars making their way up the NXT roster didn’t disappoint. This match was underrated in terms of its brutality, as both superstars landed a majority of their big moves from the top rope or anywhere that wasn’t the center of the ring.
35 – Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai – Mae Young Classic Final | Evolution
- The emotion in this match was at an all-time high, considering the event it took place at as well. Toni Storm attempted to make amends for her failure to win the Mae Young Classic last year. This match showcased the culmination of an unbelievable event in the Mae Young Classic, along with the future talent of the WWE’s women division.
34 – 6-Pack Challenge – WWE Championship | Fastlane
- Easily one of the more underrated championship matches of the year, this one was entertainingly fast-paced and utterly chaotic. One could make a case it was the best WWE Championship match of the year. There were way too many memorable moments to list, but the best came between Shane McMahon and the duo of Owens & Zayn.
33 – A.J. Styles (C) vs. Samoa Joe – No DQ Match for the WWE Championship | Super Show-Down
- All of A.J. Styles’ matches in 2018 were quite brutal, to say the least, with this match being the best one with a clean finish. Honestly, if more Styles’ matches ended cleanly in 2018 we would see the Phenomenal’s name on here more. This match, however, saw the culmination of a very personal and intense rivalry which was evident in the ring.
32 – Aleister Black (C) vs. Lars Sullivan – NXT Championship | NXT TakeOver: Chicago II
- This was a very physical match, as you would expect when Lars Sullivan is in the ring. It was a nice change of pace to see the finesse style of Aleister Black pushed to a physical limit. This may have been the most fast-paced one-on-one match in Lars Sullivan’s career, and could easily be considered his best to date.
31 – Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H – Wrestlemania 34
- The WWE debut of Ronda Rousey couldn’t have been much better, performing in an epic match in the biggest event of the year. This match had many memorable moments between all four competitors, including a showdown between the Baddest Woman on the Planet and the King of Kings.
30 – Shayna Baszler (C) vs. Kairi Sane – Two-out-of-Three Falls Match for the NXT Women’s Championship | NXT TakeOver: War Games II
- This match was the culmination of an epic rivalry between these two female competitors. Both women utilized their entire playbook in a fast-paced match. This may have honestly been the most fast-paced, high-energy Two-out-of-Three Falls match ever. Not to mention a few run-ins, this match definitely kept you guessing until the very end.
29 – Triple H vs. The Undertaker – No DQ Match | Super Show-Down
- As Corey Graves mentioned, this match featured two titans of the industry going toe-to-toe. This was the first of what would be two brutal matches between two of the greatest ever. This match featured four of the most iconic superstars involved in plenty of destructive spots. Even after the bell rang this match still produced many memorable highlights, including the catalyst for Shawn Michaels returning after eight years.
28 – Dolph Ziggler (C) vs. Seth Rollins – Ironman Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship | Extreme Rules
- This match served as a historical bookmark in both of these men’s careers. In what was a classic match featuring great wrestling, the truly memorable moment came after it was already over. Despite what your thoughts are for how it ended, this match had everything to be considered a classic in the careers of both Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler.
27 – Buddy Murphy (C) vs. Mustafa Ali – WWE Cruiserweight Championship | Survivor Series
- Not many saw this as a ‘Match of the Night’ nomination, however, the moves in this match were quite outstanding. This was one of the best aerial assault matches of 2018, with both competitors utilizing their strength in the air. Murphy also displayed his power advantage over most of the cruiserweights he’ll face, however, it didn’t take away from his fast-paced attack. Murphy delivers in his second straight cruiserweight classic as his continuing trend is not a coincidence.
26 – The Greatest Royal Rumble Match – Greatest Royal Rumble
- This was a great match for one of the more historic moments in WWE history. Besides the event taking place in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever, this was the biggest Royal Rumble Match (50 men) in WWE history. There were many memorable moments such as Daniel’s time in the ring, Mark Henry squaring off with a sumo wrestling superstar, some NXT debuts, Titus O’Neil’s epic fall, and Shane McMahon’s elimination. Not only was the match historical and full of memorable moments, but it also utilized some overlooked members of the WWE roster.
25 – Cedric Alexander (C) vs. Buddy Murphy – Cruiserweight Championship | Super Show-Down
- Besides the obvious top-notch wrestling performed in this match, there were a few key moments entering this fight. Cedric Alexander entered having never been pinned in 2018, while Buddy Murphy was trying to win the championship in his home city. The crowd was electric for this high-flying, fast-paced championship classic.
24- Undisputed Era (C) vs. Moustache Mountain – NXT Tag Team Championship | NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV
- The only thing wrong with this match was it wasn’t long enough. In what was arguably the most hard-hitting and fast-paced tag team match in all of WWE this year, this match put Moustache Mountain on the map. These two teams fought earlier on NXT, which was also an instant classic, so this unbelievable performance was no surprise.
23 – Undisputed Era (C) vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch – NXT Tag Team Championship | NXT TakeOver: Chicago II
- This match, along with the one listed above, is pretty much a tie. Lorcan and Burch were just as hard-hitting and fast-paced as Moustache Mountain, if not even more. Two differences put this match ahead of the other. One, the presence of Adam Cole. Second, the fact that Lorcan and Burch were virtually unknown entering this match compared to Trent Seven and Tyler Bate. There was a specific point in the match where it was clear Oney Lorcan won the crowd over with his performance. The crowd started the match cheering for Undisputed Era but were split by its intense end.
22 – 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – Royal Rumble
- Any match commentated by Jerry Lawler feels like an immediate classic, let alone a Royal Rumble match. This saw multiple memorable moments such as Finn Balor’s time in the ring, Heath Slater crawling his way into the match, some NXT debuts and a square off between the best of two generations. Also, we had a Hurricane sighting. This was one of the better booked Royal Rumbles in quite some time, a refreshing change from recent past booked ones.
21 – Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan – Survivor Series
- Perhaps the most ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ match in quite some time, this seemingly squashed match turned into an epic battle. A classic case of David vs. Goliath, the menacing Lesnar looked to defeat a much smaller Daniel Bryan. Just as you thought this match was over, it was actually just getting started.
20 – Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre (C) vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose – WWE Raw Tag Team Championship | Hell in a Cell
- This tag team classic featured everything you wanted in a ‘Match of the Night’ nomination. Fast-paced action, great wrestling, textbook tag-team tactics, and a culmination for one of the best rivalries in 2018. What’s truly impressive about this match is how well the tag team champions worked together, with little experience as partners.
19 – Daniel Bryan (C) vs. A.J. Styles – WWE Championship | TLC
- Despite how this match ended, it was a joy to watch overall. Featuring some of the best wrestlers in WWE, along with being some of the most popular superstars, this big-feel match didn’t disappoint. Don’t let the way this ended take away from how great a match this truly was, between two future WWE Hall of Famers.
18 – Johnny Gargano vs. Aleister Black – NXT TakeOver: War Games II
- This was the first NXT TakeOver event Johnny Gargano worked as a heel, in his record 11th TakeOver appearance. Nobody needs to go into depth when discussing how great the wrestling was in a match involving these two. This slugfest between evenly balanced competitors was intriguing enough, but what made this match extremely fun to watch was the state of Gargano’s character. This match was emotional enough for those once Gargano fans who felt betrayed. Add that with Black’s thirst for revenge and you’ve got a match that will serve as a historical chapter in both of these men’s careers.
17 – 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match – Royal Rumble
- It was hard to feel anything but goosebumps while watching this historic moment. Quite possibly the most historic moment of WWE in 2018, the women’s division finally received their long overdue Royal Rumble Match. This match was truly an honor to watch, so surreal that you could even sense the proud yet overwhelming tone in Stephanie McMahon’s voice while announcing. This was an unforgettable moment and match, from multiple returning legends (Torrie Wilson, Lita, Molly Holly, etc.) to epic showdowns (Sasha-Trish, Trish-Mickie, Ember-Asuka, etc.) to the final two entrants. This was easily one of the more ‘proud’ moments in all of WWE history for everyone to witness. Despite all the history made in this one, perhaps the biggest moment came after the match was over.
16 – Dolph Ziggler (C) vs. Seth Rollins – WWE Intercontinental Championship | SummerSlam
- This was an instant Intercontinental Championship classic. Seth Rollins was looking to reclaim the belt he lost at the hands of Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. The big factor in this match was the return of Seth Rollins’ best friend (at the time) Dean Ambrose, to help even the odds. A fast-paced match with a lot of close calls and suspense, not to mention one of the craziest maneuvers from the top rope in quite some time.
15 – Adam Cole (C) vs. Ricochet – NXT North American Championship | NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV
- Emotional, high-flying, hard-hitting and fast-paced. This match saw two sure superstars in the WWE’s future battling in what may have been the best back-and-forth match of 2018. This match may have also featured some of the best counter-attacks as well. Any way you look at it, this match will go down as one of the biggest career moments for one of these two superstars. A true classic for a newly born championship.
14 – Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Money in the Bank
- This was one of the best Money in the Bank matches in WWE history, let alone the few years it’s been in the women’s division. The memorable moments were countless, including the move sets utilizing ladders. The match was fun, extremely vicious, and eventually led to one of the most memorable moments in Money in the Bank history. A case could be made that this match is not only Ember Moon’s best of the year, but the most overlooked in all of 2018.
13 – Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – Survivor Series
- A perfect dream match didn’t disappoint, as this was the first time anyone got to witness these two superstars go head-to-head. This was a fantastic slow burn, as the match began with an incredibly slow yet entertaining pace. The grueling match continued to escalate until the very end, as even the final pin attempt showed just how much these two went through.
12 – Becky Lynch (C) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair – TLC Match for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship | TLC
- This was the perfect match to close out the 2018 year. It featured everything you wanted in the main event match – an intense rivalry, three of the most popular female superstars, and a ton of chaotic moments. Buckle your seat belt, as this fast-paced and historical classic, takes you through a fun ride with an unexpected turn at the end.
11 – Tommaso Ciampa (C) vs. Velveteen Dream – NXT Championship | NXT TakeOver: War Games II
- The best part of this match was that it showcased what Tommaso Ciampa can do in the ring with a charismatic force like Velveteen Dream. A refreshing change from multiple classics against Johnny Gargano, Ciampa and Dream put on one entertaining match. It always seems like Dream is fighting for respect against his opponents, which gives an added ‘underdog’ element in his matches. This match was no different, as many close falls, brutal moves and memorable moments (like Ciampa screaming at Mauro Ranallo) makes this an easy ‘Match of the Night’ candidate. There is a case to be made this was the best one-on-one match in Velveteen Dream’s career.
10 – Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black – No DQ Match | NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia
- What a way to start the new year! Taking place in late-January, this was the very first ‘Match of the Night’ nomination all year. This match set the bar very high for the rest of 2018, despite a hand injury to Adam Cole slowing things down. However, this fast-paced and destructive match saw two of the top stars in NXT battle. Just when you thought the match was ending, the pace actually began to pick up for a fun thrill ride into the new year.
9 – Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy – Hell in a Cell Match | Hell in a Cell
- The brutality of this match easily puts it in the top-10, with both superstars leaving the cell with some of the most disgusting injuries in recent memory. From Randy Orton’s skin peeling off to Jeff Hardy’s earlobe, the hell and destruction these two went through deserve an award of some sort. The fact both of these men were willing to put themselves through so much to deliver a great match, speaks volumes to the passion shown by both Orton and Hardy. This match was a beautiful disaster and without a doubt the most brutal match of 2018.
8 – Andrade Almas (C) vs. Aleister Black – NXT Championship | NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
- This was a fast-paced match riddled with counter-attacks. The strikes were brutal, the action was high-flying and the threat of Zelina Vega’s presence made this NXT Championship fight an instant classic. Would Aleister Black be able to claim his first NXT Championship?
7 – Tommaso Ciampa (C) vs. Johnny Gargano – Last Man Standing Match for the NXT Championship | NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV
- The final match of what could be deemed the greatest rivalry in all of WWE this season didn’t let down. The stakes seemed a bit higher than normal in this rubber match, as the NXT Championship was now in play. This match closed the well-written book of one of the most passionate rivalries sports entertainment has known. Actually, the match featured many call-backs to their rivalry such as Ciampa beating a 10 count with a crutch or tearing apart the ring canvas. It was chaotic, destructive, fast-paced throughout and emotional. Sit back and enjoy the third and final chapter of Ciampa vs. Gargano.
6 – 6-Man Ladder Match – NXT North American Championship | NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
- What a way to break in the NXT North American Championship, along with superstar Ricochet. This match was historic before the opening bell, as the fight that followed, only validated its historical claim. Make no mistake about it, this will go down as one of the greatest ladder matches of all-time.
5 – Andrade Almas (C) vs. Johnny Gargano – NXT Championship | NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia
- Another great match to kickoff 2018 saw Andrade Almas defend his NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano. This match was a classic for many reasons, most notably the unbelievable amount of close falls and the always impactful presence of Zelina Vega. The wrestling was top-notch, which is to become expected of these two, while Gargano was looking for his first NXT Championship. Hard-hitting, fast-paced and the looming Vega makes this an easy top-5 pick for ‘Match of the Year’.
4 – Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa – Unsanctioned Match for Gargano’s NXT contract | NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
- In what was the most beautifully written match of 2018, this epic battle saw a year-long culmination come to fruition. Two former best friends turned arch rivals left it all on the line, performing in a brutally emotional match. Without spoiling anything, the way this match ended was the perfect symbolism for where this rivalry had gone. With all the built-up rivalry in this match its easy to forget that Johnny Gargano’s NXT contract was also on the line, adding to the already substantial drama.
3 – Becky Lynch (C) vs. Charlotte Flair – Last Woman Standing Match for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship | Evolution
- A true classic and bookmark in the women’s revolution, this match alone propelled the women’s division into a whole other level. The most dominant female on either WWE roster taking on the crowd’s beloved hero, this match’s intensity scattered from the superstars in the ring all the way to the crowd throughout the arena. Not to mention the historic event this epic battle took place at, it’s hard to call this anything short of an all-time great.
2 – Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa – Chicago Street Fight | NXT TakeOver: Chicago II
- This was easily the most brutal match of the Ciampa-Gargano trilogy in 2018, which is saying something considering how vicious the other two matches were. This match stood out from the others because of the creativity both competitors used in their ruthless attacks. From exposing the ring canvas to spitting on and throwing Gargano’s wedding ring, this match encompassed how ugly this rivalry had gotten.
1 – War Games Match – NXT TakeOver: War Games II
- The 2018 Match of the Year was the unbelievable battle between two teams in War Games. Much can be done in a War Games match, considering the rules and length superstars are given to produce under. These two teams didn’t disappoint, utilizing both rings, weapons, the cage, and even each other! This match alone gave the War Raiders an honorable mention on our superstar ranking list, and it was their only match of the year. Some superstars were even making memorable moments before entering the match, such as Bobby Fish’s tactic. This match was hard-hitting, totally destructive, creatively disastrous, and still beautifully written for the story at hand. The end result was as symbolic as any in 2018, paying tribute to two up-and-coming stars put through hell by a villainous faction and their cutthroat leader.
Follow us: @T101Sports and @T101SportsWWE
Photo Credit: WWE via WWE.com and Twitter
