Whether you're a fan of WWE's rampant Pay-Per-View schedule or not, it's hard to deny within a fan the anticipation before a main event match at the monthly PPV. The build-up for a world championship match when done right leaves fans ecstatic to see their favorite superstars clash in the main event slot. Often these matches deliver in spectacular fashion and fulfill audience's expectations.
In the past few years there has been a litany of these barnstormers on WWE's monthly PPV shows. Whether it is vying for a championship or a bitter rivalry coming to its conclusion in the final match of the night, here are the main event matches that kept audiences and fans alike on the edge of their seats.
10 John Cena Vs. Bray Wyatt Vs. Dean Ambrose Vs. AJ Styles Vs. Baron Corbin Vs. The Miz, Elimination Chamber (2017)
Beginning in 2017, it is impossible to look past the absolutely exhilarating Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship. With a stacked lineup and a sense of unpredictability, the excitement was palpable, and all six competitors did everything to live up to the billing.
With non-stop, fast-paced action, fans were on their feet the entire time, and the final few minutes leading to Bray Wyatt's long-awaited championship victory were truly spectacular. Despite failing to capitalize on this momentum with Wyatt after and since, this match and moment will always remain legendary.
9 Brock Lesnar Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Braun Strowman Vs. Roman Reigns, SummerSlam (2017)
The SummerSlam main event for 2017 also did not disappoint in the slightest and in fact exceeded expectations, with a clash of four of WWE's behemoths for the Universal Championship.
A beautifully orchestrated Fatal 4-Way between Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and challengers Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns, and Samoa Joe, this absolutely lived up to the hype, and then some. Leaving each competitor looking better than they did going in, this was everything that fans want to see in a big fight feel PPV main event.
8 Daniel Bryan Vs. Brock Lesnar, Survivor Series (2018)
While 2018's main event scene had highs and lows, the Champion vs Champion match between Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and WWE Champion Daniel Bryan absolutely lived up to the hype.
With Bryan's recent shift into a more arrogant character after using underhanded tactics to dethrone AJ Styles, the storytelling was masterful with Lesnar's dominance contrasting Bryan's craftiness and deception. A blistering main event with both superstars pulling out all the stops here for Survivor Series.
7 Charlotte Flair Vs. Becky Lynch Vs. Asuka, TLC (2018)
While the best women's match of 2018 was certainly Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair at WWE Evolution, that took place second to last on the Evolution PPV rather than in the main event slot. This exceptional triple threat TLC match however, was filled with jaw-dropping spots and creative action from all three women competing for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
It was a testament to the talent of all three and seeing Asuka claim a big championship win (albeit from Ronda Rousey's interference) was a heartfelt moment considering the ups and downs of her WWE main roster tenure. A brilliant match that lived up to the hype and then some. Given Asuka's return recently and her involvement with Becky Lynch, fans and audiences will hope to see more clashes coming up like this one in the women's division.
6 Daniel Bryan Vs. Kofi Kingston Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. AJ Styles Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Jeff Hardy, Elimination Chamber (2019)
In one of the best Elimination Chamber matches in its history, Daniel Bryan continued his excellent heel run as WWE champion alongside a stacked Chamber lineup heading into WrestleMania 35. The bout built up to the final saga between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan exquisitely and left fans on the edge of their seats, with Bryan narrowly escaping and emerging victorious to retain.
This was a superb showing from both superstars and the story was completed to perfection at WrestleMania only a month later. However, all six men contributed significantly to the match unfolding as it did, leading to a classic inside the Elimination Chamber.
5 Seth Rollins Vs. AJ Styles, Money In The Bank (2019)
An often overlooked matchup by many, this was a superb showing from Seth Rollins and AJ Styles in their first WWE singles clash at Money in the Bank in 2019. As expected from these two, they stole the show and their chemistry was a sight to behold.
In particular, the counter from a Stomp to Styles Clash was a thing of beauty and had fans jumping out of their seats. With Rollins standing tall and retaining the Universal Championship, this was a spectacular bout from two of WWE's absolute best in-ring performers.
4 Men's Royal Rumble Match (2020)
While there were some spectacular championship defenses in 2020 from both WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Universal Champion Roman Reigns, as well as their excellent champion vs champion bout at Survivor Series, no main event reached the magnitude and quality of 2020s Men's Royal Rumble match.
This was an electrifying Rumble to say the least. Brock Lesnar's domination in the first half was excellent and perfectly set up Drew McIntyre to eliminate him in a star-making moment, as he would go on to conquer Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, albeit with no live crowd. Edge's return was a magnificent moment as well, but McIntyre would secure the victory ultimately in fantastic fashion. Brilliant all around.
3 Edge Vs. Randy Orton, Backlash (2020)
Billed as 'The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever', it's fair to say Edge and Randy Orton had a task on their hands living up to such a moniker. However, they did their absolute best, and it led to an epic battle between two WWE legends.
Almost reaching the 50-minute mark, this had everything it needed with insightful callbacks, excellent drama, and brilliant intensity and uncertainty of who would prevail. Even with no crowd in attendance, this was a battle for the ages.
2 Roman Reigns Vs. Daniel Bryan Vs. Edge, WrestleMania: Night Two (2021)
2021 was a spectacular year for WWE's main event scene, with a litany of standout matches taking place on both brands. The best main event, however, took place at WrestleMania 37: Night Two with 'Tribal Chief' Roman Reigns defending his Universal Championship against Edge and Daniel Bryan.
Reign's championship reign was a highlight of 2021 in many fans' eyes and this match is one of the reasons why. A fast-paced, unpredictable, exciting triple threat, this was one of the best WrestleMania main events in years.
1 Roman Reigns Vs. Daniel Bryan, Fastlane (2021)
While Roman Reigns' first singles encounter with Edge at Money in the Bank was a fantastic match also, there is no denying Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson's ability to deliver classics with anyone and everyone.
That was the case here when Reigns and Bryan clashed for the Universal Championship, with both men performing at their best in a dramatic, technical showing that left fans' unsure on who would emerge victorious. While it did become messier than necessary in the last few minutes with Edge as Special Ringside Enforcer, regardless this was a spectacular main event and a testament to both Reigns' and Bryan's ability to deliver on the big stage.