2023 was one of the best years creatively for WWE, with some of the best matches ever.
With stars being built in the Bloodline storyline, and huge shows in unique arenas in Puerto Rico, Montreal and London, it was one of the most interesting years the company has ever had.
This incredible year also brought some incredible matches. From Roman Reigns and The Bloodline finally imploding, the rise of Cody Rhodes as a megastar and Seth Rollins bringing a new/old World Championship back from the dead, it was truly a year to remember for the WWE.
In this article, we’ll talk you through the WWE’s best matches in 2023. We’ll rank them from worst to best, showing you the greatest bouts the company have put on this year.
10. GUNTHER vs Kevin Owens (Monday Night Raw 5/6/23)
Despite the interference-laden ending, GUNTHER’s match with Kevin Owens is one of the best Raw matches of 2023.
A hard-hitting classic from GUNTHER once again, he did not let up with his strikes and chops onto the chest of his opponent.
The Austrian won the match with a roll-up, following outside interference from Imperium and Sami Zayn, continuing his undefeated streak as Intercontinental Champion.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.44
9. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa (WWE Night of Champions 2023)
Putting an end to Sami Zayn’s incredible rivalry with The Bloodline, he and Kevin Owens took on the duo of Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa at Night of Champions 2023.
An emotional affair saw Jimmy Uso finally turn on The Tribal Chief at the end of an incredible match. It was a fantastic match which featured all the tropes of a Roman Reigns’ match over the past few years.
All four of the men in the match put on one of their best performances, focusing more on the storyline than a work rate match. This is why this is one of the best matches of 2023.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.48
8. Dragon Lee vs JD McDonagh (NXT 2/5/2023)
Dragon Lee quickly introduced himself to the NXT faithful as one of the best wrestlers in the world, with the match against JD McDonagh.
The match was a flawless interpretation of pro-wrestling, up until the slightly awkward double take finish.
This was one of the best NXT matches of all time, and definitely earns its spot on the list of the best WWE matches of 2023. It had a phenomenal escalation of tension and fantastic sequences in a match that made everything matter.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.54
7. Bad Bunny vs Damian Priest (WWE Backlash 2023)
While not a technical classic, Damian Priest’s battle with Bad Bunny is definitely one of the matches you need to see in 2023.
In both man’s hometown of Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny received one of the biggest reactions in wrestling history. The crowd sang along to his entrance music, after he earned a “Stone Cold” level pop.
This hardcore match (which found its roots in Puerto Rico) had some decent action, but the overbooking for this match actually made it even better.
Fellow Puerto Rican’s Carlito and Savio Vega returned to the WWE for this match, also getting monster pops from the incredible crowd.
After interference from the LWO and Judgement Day, Bad Bunny won one of the most entertaining matches of 2023 after hitting a Canadian Destoryer on Damian Priest.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.58
6. Austin Theory vs. Bronson Reed vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Montez Ford vs. Seth Rollins (Elimination Chamber 2023)
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.62
5. Axiom vs. Dragon Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh vs. Wes Lee (WWE NXT Stand and Deliver 2023)
While some matches on this list of best bouts of 2023 are storytelling masterpieces, this bout is a frantic all-out fight from the men involved.
Wes Lee defending his NXT North American Championship against five of the top young stars in NXT.
All wanting to impress, this five-way match was intense, long, fast and everything you’d want from a multi-man title match.
They kept the rhythm of the match going brilliantly, constantly switching wrestlers around to make sure the action was non-stop for the baying crowd.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 8.71
4. Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley (WrestleMania 39 Night 2)
Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley from WrestleMania 39 was perhaps the greatest women’s match in WWE history – certainly of 2023.
Battling for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, fans had little expectation of this match. The build up had been poor and they were rather tired of Charlotte Flair’s endless amount of title reigns.
However, once the bell rang, the doubters were silenced.
Charlotte Flair looked like every bit the star WWE promote her to be in this match. She was a woman possessed, doing everything she could to show management that she should be in the main event.
Her selling was also world-class, putting on one of the best performances in WrestleMania history. Clearly her fathers’ daughter, Charlotte Flair was the performer of the night at WrestleMania 39.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 9.02
3. Dijak vs Ilja Dragunov (NXT Battleground 2023)
Some have called this match between Dijik and Ilja Dragunov the greatest last man standing match of all time.
You’d be hard-pressed to find one better.
It was a hard-hitting encounter that utilized some unique spots that you probably have never seen before, between two of the top talents in the WWE.
Despite the reputation NXT has gained, this match was well paced and refused to rush. It built up to its spots and truly earned the big moments.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 9.10
2. The Usos vs Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (WrestleMania 39 Night 1)
One of the best matches of 2023 is the main event of WrestleMania 39 Night 1. Sami Zayn completed an emotional journey in his battle against the Bloodline, teaming with Kevin Owens to beat The Usos for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
The match was a PWG-style spot-fest, but still featured some masterful storytelling. The relationships between Zayn and The Usos helped make the match a five-star classic, with Zayn pinning Jey Uso to win the match for his team.
This match is also the only WrestleMania main event to be awarded five stars by Dave Meltzer.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 5 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 9.14
1. Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus vs GUNTHER (WrestleMania 39 Night 2)
GUNTHER vs Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus from WrestleMania 39 is the best WWE match of 2023. It is also one of the best WrestleMania matches of all time, being awarded five stars by the Wrestling Observer’s rating system.
The bout was a non-stop thrill ride between three of the hardest hitters in the WWE.
Neither man held back, with the bulk of the match comprised of slaps and chops to each others’ chest.
This has become a GUNTHER trademark, but he took it as good as he gave in this 5-star match, which stole the show on night 2 of WrestleMania.
For the 16 minutes of incredible, brutal and violent action brought on by three of Europe’s finest wrestlers, this is voted the best WWE match of 2023, and possibly one of the best matches of all time.
- Dave Meltzer Star Rating – 5 Stars
- Cagematch Rating – 9.40