The emphasis on Raw vs. SmackDown matches has been significant since the reintroduction of the brand split in 2016 with yearly Raw vs. SmackDown bouts featuring heavily at Survivor Series. However, it hasn't just been Survivor Series who has played host to several bouts between wrestlers from both brands. WrestleMania has generally seen some inter-promotional matches take place which was amongst the best in WWE history.Interpromotional matches are a great idea but there has to be a decent build-up to garner fans' interests. Nevertheless, the fact that dream matches happen when two wrestlers go head-to-head from different brands is an exciting prospect. Ultimately, the best Raw vs. SmackDown matches had fans on the edge of their seats as they were mesmerized at watching marquee names face off in brilliant clashes.
10 Team SmackDown Vs. Team Raw - Survivor Series 2005
The first instance of a traditional Survivor Series elimination match featuring Raw and SmackDown wrestlers going head-to-head was the main event of Survivor Series 2005. Both fielded strong teams with SmackDown comprised World Heavyweight Champion Batista, Randy Orton, JBL, Rey Mysterio, and Bobby Lashley. Raw's Shawn Michaels, Carlito, Chris Masters, and World Tag Team Champions Kane and Big Show were on the other side of the ring.
This match was tons of fun, and Michaels almost overcame insurmountable odds to recover from a 3-1 deficit as he eliminated Mysterio and JBL in quick succession. However, interference from JBL allowed Orton to capitalize by planting Michaels with an RKO to become the sole survivor for the third year in succession.
9 Ronda Rousey Vs. Charlotte Flair - Survivor Series 2018
In the classic example of card subject to change, Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey's scheduled match with SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch was canceled as Nia Jax injured Lynch in a brawl. Enter Charlotte Flair who was a suitable replacement for Lynch at Survivor Series 2018 with Ronda and Charlotte engaging in a physical match.
Charlotte didn't hold back as she elbowed the Baddest Woman in the Planet hard in the jaw which drew blood from Ronda's mouth. The pendulum swung but Rousey was victorious albeit by disqualification as Charlotte assaulted Ronda with a kendo stick.
8 Brock Lesnar Vs. AJ Styles - Survivor Series 2017
Raw's Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and new WWE Champion AJ Styles representing SmackDown clashed at Survivor Series 2017. This match should have closed out the show, and despite the Beast Incarnate being extremely dominant, Styles managed to create a few near falls.
Lesnar competed in just his fourth match at Survivor Series, and he was winless at the event which was hard to believe. Nonetheless, despite Styles' valiant effort, Lesnar finally put his poor Survivor Series record to one side by overcoming Styles with a huge win.
7 Roman Reigns Vs. Drew McIntyre - Survivor Series 2020
Fans were treated to an intriguing champion versus champion match with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Universal Champion Roman Reigns headlining the 2020 iteration of Survivor Series. Both were determined to show that they were the dominant world champion in WWE.
Reigns and McIntyre stole the show in a remarkable match which was a testament to how well both men were doing in 2020. The match went back and forth in a hard-hitting contest but the Tribal Chief continued his tear since he returned at SummerSlam with another eye-catching victory
6 Team SmackDown Vs. Team Raw - Survivor Series 2016
A star-studded traditional Survivor Series elimination match at Survivor Series 2016 lived up to the hype. Raw's contingent of Universal Champion Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins were a formidable team. SmackDown's quintet was equally as strong with WWE Champion AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, and Shane McMahon were looking to beat Raw.
The action was great and both teams delivered an entertaining match. Ultimately, SmackDown's Wyatt and Orton stood tall as Wyatt finished off Reigns with his patented Sister Abigail to seal the deal.
5 Brock Lesnar Vs. Daniel Bryan - Survivor Series 2018
For the second consecutive year, Raw's Universal Champion Brock Lesnar's scheduled opponent changed because of a last-minute WWE Championship title change. This time, Lesnar was up against new WWE Champion Daniel Bryan at Survivor Series 2018 in a battle of two heels that hit a home run in the main event.
Both men were at their absolute best, and the storytelling was exceptional. The Beast Incarnate dominated the match with ease but Bryan did get some offense to break up Lesnar's rhythm with some submission holds. However, the result was never in doubt with Brock earning another victory at Survivor Series with a jaw-dropping F5.
4 John Cena Vs. Edge - Backlash 2009
The rivalry between John Cena and Edge was coming to an end in a high-profile Last Man Standing match with Cena's World Heavyweight Championship on the line at Backlash 2009. There was tons of pressure on the Rated-R Superstar to prevail as SmackDown was without a world champion.
Cena and Edge's chemistry is unrivaled, and they produced another high-level match. Big Match John executed the Attitude Adjustment by launching Edge into the crowd. Ultimately, Big Show interfered, and he ferociously chokeslammed Cena into the spotlight on the stage with Edge capturing his ninth world championship and taking the World Heavyweight Title to SmackDown with him.
3 The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XXVI
The stakes were high in The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels' rematch at WrestleMania XXVI as Michaels had to end Undertaker's WrestleMania unbeaten streak to avoid retirement. This was the rightful main event on the card, and the emotions were high in a sublime encounter between two iconic legends.
Michaels threw the kitchen sink at Undertaker as he was desperate to halt the Deadman's iconic 17-0 unbeaten WrestleMania record. False finishes kept the crowd fully engaged at what they were witnessing but Undertaker's streak remained intact with a jumping Tombstone from Undertaker sending HBK into retirement.
2 Kurt Angle Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 21
At WrestleMania 21, SmackDown's Kurt Angle collided with Raw's Shawn Michaels in a mouthwatering inter-promotional match. Angle was in Wrestling Machine mode, and HBK continued to live up to his Mr. WrestleMania moniker.
Angle and Michaels' match was by far the match of the night, and they lived up to the billing by producing an instant classic. Angle was the aggressor, and Michaels quickened up the pace to cause Angle some problems. However, the debilitating Angle Lock from Angle was enough for him to pick up one of the biggest wins in his career.
1 The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XXV
The brand split kept The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels away from each other with Undertaker becoming a legend on SmackDown, and HBK continued to tear it up on Raw. Finally in their first singles encounter on pay-per-view in 11 years, The Undertaker and Michaels locked horns at WrestleMania XXV in one of the greatest matches in the history of WrestleMania.
Nothing was going to top this match with fans not interested in Triple H and Randy Orton's WWE Championship match in the main event. Undertaker and Michaels put on a match for the ages with HBK making fans believe that he could end Undertaker's WrestleMania streak. Nonetheless, the Phenom weathered the storm and he defeated Michaels with a remarkable Tombstone Piledriver.