WWE RAW was on a roll when it came to match quality in 2018. The red brand featured tons of great matches between some of the biggest names on the roster. The stiff competition from NXT, as well as the arrival of NXT UK, only made room for healthier competition between the brands.
When it came to best matches on WWE RAW, the red brand proudly boasted multiple match-of-the-year contenders during the course of the 12 months. With that being said, let’s take a look at the best WWE RAW matches of 2018:
“Woken” Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt (Ultimate Deletion Match – March 19)
Matt Hardy sort of reinvigorated himself when he went to IMPACT Wrestling. The multi-time champion had a couple of highly entertaining cinematic outings against his brother Jeff Hardy. WWE found a unique opportunity to book Matt in a cinematic match of their against Bray Wyatt.
The Ultimate Deletion Match pitted the rivals against each other inside the infamous Hardy Compound. The match featured cameos from Matt’s wife, Reby Sky, as well as his father-in-law Señor Benjamin.
Ultimate Deletion was a weird mix of the good and the bad and resulted in one of the most entertaining matches on WWE RAW in 2018.
Finn Bálor vs. Seth Rollins (April 2)
Finn Bálor and Seth Rollins are great dance partners. The pair have delivered several classics during the course of their careers in WWE. One of those came on the go-home edition of WWE RAW for WrestleMania 34.
This match started off with some technical display from both competitors. It gained momentum after following a series of arm drags and hip tosses. Rollins emerged victorious after he reversed a pinfall attempt from Balor into the Curb Stomp.
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe (Intercontinental Championship Match – WWE RAW, January 1)
WWE RAW set the tone for the rest of 2018 with a high-octane main event between Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe. The Big Dog put his Intercontinental Championship on the line against the Samoan Submission Machine.
Both men brought the fight to each other as they exchanged plenty of big moves. Reigns had the odds stacked against him, but, somehow, managed to prevail over one of the best big men in the business.
Finn Bálor vs. Roman Reigns (Universal Championship Match – WWE RAW, August 20)
Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title in a bloodbath at SummerSlam 2018. The Big Dog put his championship on the line the following night on RAW. His opponent happened to be none other than Finn Bálor.
The Irish superstar looked to capture the title in the same building which had seen him relinquish it two years ago. Bálor brought the fight to the battle-torn Reigns, but the Big Dog put his opponent away with a spear.
Braun Strowman vs. Elias vs. Finn Bálor vs. John Cena vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. The Miz – (Gauntlet Match – February 19)
One of the best matches of WWE RAW in 2018 involved seven of the top names in the business. The match kicked off the action at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns entered as the first two participants.
The Architect of the Shield put on the performance of the year in this match. Rollins bested both Reigns and John Cena, surviving for a grueling 65 minutes. The toll, however, would have its effect on Rollins as he’d be eliminated by Elias after a historic performance.
WWE named this match one of the best matches of 2018 in their year-end compilation.
Read More: Best WWE RAW Matches Of 2019
