WWE had a fantastic 2023. The sports entertainment juggernaut set new records with international PLEs. They also broke the all-time gate record for their December 26 house show in Madison Square Garden.
Not only did the roster grow in size, it witnessed the rise of new stars. Dominik Mysterio and LA Knight, in particular, witnessed massive success on RAW and SmackDown, respectively. Both men were also involved in great matches on weekly shows and PLEs.
Let’s take a look at some of the best WWE PLE matches of 2023:
Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest (WWE Backlash)
Ban Bunny’s first solo outing came against former tag team partner Damian Priest at Backlash 2023. The popular recording artist had been a problem for The Judgment Day in the lead-up to this match.
Both men met in a San Juan Street Fight at WWE’s May 6 Premium Live Event. From Bunny’s electric entrance to some huge cameos to the terrific in-ring action, this match really lived up to its hype.
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus (WWE Payback)
Trish Stratus made her highly-anticipated return to help Lita and Becky Lynch secure tag team gold. The Hall of Famer, however, would reveal her true colors in the lead-up to Night of Champions 2023.
After defeating Becky Lynch with a little help from Zoey Stark in Saudi Arabia, Stratus and Lynch met inside a steel cage at WWE Payback. The Man carried the Quintessential Diva to her best match in a long time.
Both women put each other through hell for nearly 20 minutes. Zoey Stark tried to interfere but only made problems worse for her mentor. The former NXT star was planted with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch followed up with an avalanche Manhandle Slam on Stratus to secure the pin and end the heated feud.
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. The Usos (WrestleMania 39)
Sami Zayn’s ouster from The Bloodline set off a tremendous chain reaction. The former Honorary Uce reunited with best friend Kevin Owens in the lead-up to WrestleMania 39. The duo challenged The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship on Night 1 of the PLE.
Both teams told an incredible story inside the ring. Zayn shocked everyone when he became the first person to kick out of the 1D. The only downside, perhaps, was too much emphasis on superkicks and a lack of selling.
The closing moment saw Zayn hit former best friend Jey Uso with multiple helluva kicks to pick up the win for him and Kevin Owens.
Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair (WrestleMania 39)
Rhea Ripley set a new record in the Women’s Royal Rumble. Mami went bell to bell for more than sixty minutes. She last eliminated former tag team partner Liv Morgan to earn a title match at WrestleMania 39.
Ripley chose Charlotte Flair as her opponent for the SmackDown Women’s Championship the following night on RAW. For those unaware, Flair won the 2020 Royal Rumble and dethroned Ripley for her NXT Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 36.
WWE did an amazing job with the little details before and during the match. The in-ring action was spectacular. The match started slow, but picked up pace. Flair took some nasty bumps during the course of 23 minutes.
It took an avalanche Riptide for the Nightmare to finally dethrone The Queen for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus (WrestleMania 39)
Gunther had a fantastic 2023. The Ring General delivered multiple Match of the Year contenders on WWE RAW. He, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre gave fans one of the greatest triple threat matches at WrestleMania 39, Night 2.
This match had some brutal action and vicious spots. All three men looked absolutely incredible as they tried to outlast each other in the brutal beat down. The Austrian brute extended his title reign by defeating two of his biggest rivals in this banger of a match.
Honorable Mentions
- Bianca Belair vs. IYO SKY (Backlash)
- Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. The Judgment Day (Payback)
- The Usos vs. Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa (WWE Money in the Bank)
- Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn (Elimination Chamber)
- Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (WWE WrestleMania 39)
Also read: Sheamus Claims He, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre Stole the Show at Wrestlemania 39
