10 WWE Semi-Main Events That OUTSHONE The Actual Main Event

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By rights, the final match on a WWE PPV should be the best and most heated bout
on the show, the crescendo that caps off a multi-hour extravaganza... well, we don’t live in a world of ‘should’, do we?
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[@mycahjofficial]

*I’ve been saying this for the past five years that Becky and Charlotte should’ve closed the show at Evolution but they decided to go with Ronda and Nikki just because they were bigger mainstream attractions.* 🙄

[@michaelsinger4638]

Ronda and Nikki.

[@GabeBaddeley]

yeah thats how business works

[@hhtptai]

And SmackDown has always been seen as the red headed stepchild on the WWE ladder.

[@briangordon2955]

@@urbaindelva7869 Sometimes standing behind your product and putting faith in promoting something that mainstream audiences might not experience otherwise is a fantastic decision.

[@zanethind]

Lol WWE thought they were bigger mainstream attractions but they were not sure Ronda had the whole new signée of WWE thing but we already saw Nikki Bella return many times

[@jeremywilliams5141]

Honorable mention: Bret Hart vs Yokozuna outshining Yokozuna vs Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania IX. 😂

[@irishviking383]

While I mostly agree with you, it was somewhat more a case of Hogan up to his usual politicking since it wasn't advertised as the last match on the card.

[@jeremywilliams5141]

@@irishviking383 I know. I only meant it as a joke.

[@popmonika]

Every match outshined that match at mania ix😂😂

[@popmonika]

Also, doesn't count as it was the official main event 😂

[@tafua_a]

To be fair Bob Backlund vs Razor Ramon was the only match on that card that didn't outshine Yokozuna vs Hulk Hogan.

[@WatercolourTears]

Owen and Brets matches are the ones I can rewatch again and again.

[@reeseprince8]

Owen was underrated

[@jasonpepe7617]

Owen the Nugget Hart - he was the shit!!!

[@josephsnider8190]

Yup, one of my favorite matches ever. Probably would be top favorite if the right person won. For all those who claim Bret as the best ever, Owen was so much better.

[@TheThird1977]

This was a great list. It's a shame Rock vs. Hogan didn't make the criteria due to Jazz vs. Trish Stratus vs. Lita being a buffer between it and the main-event as Rock / Hogan would have easily taken the #1 spot. Perhaps an idea for a different list; undercard matches that outshone the main-event.

[@skywardbound67]

For me,Taker vs the Dudleys what justified it being last was the setup for the match. Eddie vs JBL while really bloody, was also way easier to set up than pulling in a cement truck and bringing the crypt Paul Bearer was in in the middle of the show.

[@jeremyboyle82]

I instantly think of Randy Savage vs Ric Flair at WrestleMania VIII from childhood...

[@popmonika]

Tbf, savage/flair was advertised as a co main event.

[@BoogalooBartholomew]

Plus, didn't at least 4 matches go on after that match? So, by place on the card (which is what they are going by) that isn't even semi main

[@Mega_Collosas]

co main event is not the main event..main event is last match, which ofcourse went to hogan the biggest star just like night 2 is always reserved for roman ​@@popmonika

[@Hollows1997]

To be fair to Royal Rumble 2000, if Cactus Jack and Triple H had gone on last, it would have been ruined by Jerry Lawler still laughing at Taka Michinoku.

[@NolanGreenBean]

It’s the rumble. So it gets a pass to me.

[@Drakorre]

The Rumble should ALWAYS main event.

[@ritebrayned5657]

Indeed (Funkaki voice)

[@geeshep4836]

Oh I Forgot One Umaga Vs John Cena Last Man Standing From Royal Rumble 2007.

[@woobgamer5210]

This video got the concrete crypt match wrong. If Undertaker won, Paul Bearer would be drowned in cement. Cause loosing to the Dudleys was the 'right thing'

[@LongLiveRockAnRoll]

I would say Triple H vs Rock at Summerslam 98 too.

[@moopert86]

Yes. That was a really darn good ladder match that kinda gets lost in history.

[@agentorange1156]

Randy Orton vs Triple H wrestlemania 25 was a maim event level story. They just handicapped it with the stipulation. It should have been RKO vs HHH hell in a cell main event or a no dq or something. Literally any other stipulation

[@kyreeseclarke805]

Yep Hell in a Cell Would’ve been ideal for Wrestlemania 25. Ironically that was the year they debuted Hell In a Cell as a yearly pay per view which should’ve never happened.

[@Drakorre]

Hence why their last man standing match was SUPERB

[@jodawa2504]

​@@DrakorreTriple H & Randy Orton faced each other for the WWE Championship in a Last Man Standing match twice(No Mercy 2007 & One Night Stand: Extreme Rules 2008 PPVs), which had two different winners in those matches. Which Last Man Standing match are you implying?

[@willjohnboy]

Bret hart vs stone cold steve austin outshines undertaker vs sid wretlemania 13 one of the greatest matches of all time arguably the best wrestlemania match of all time

[@moopert86]

This would count, but technically wasn't the semi main as Ahmad Johnson and LOD beat The Nation of Domination between the two matches. But every bit of praise for Austin and Bret in that match is 100% deserved

[@CobaltT9]

Mr. Kennedy (Kennedy) vs. Undertaker in a Last Ride match (Armageddon 2006), The main event involving Raw and SD's world champions (John Cena and Batista) against King Booker and Finlay didn't do much to stand out, and it shoud've been Batista defending the WHC against King Booker and Finlay.

[@bryanmack4054]

By summerslam 95, Vince had to be convinced that Shawn was “the guy”

[@tafua_a]

He definitely was, given who won the Mania 12 main event.

[@gestaltdude]

The zombie bumping into a mirror line is going to keep me chuckling all day. :P

[@TrialzGTAS]

Love the small mention of Nick Gage. He’s a local hero for the NJ guys

[@night6724]

That guy is insane and a scumbag for cutting David Arquette’s face when he told him not to

[@colingillespie6340]

Shawn Michaels V the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25 should have made this list. One of WrestleManias greatest ever matches

[@jeremywilliams5141]

The triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship came immediately next after that match. And the main event for the WWE Championship came after that.

[@steveconvertibles3352]

That would have been too easy

[@dashtoroya2838]

It wasn't the semi main event tho. The match was placed at mid card

[@BobaFetish2124]

No love for Savage vs Warrior, Wrestlemania 7? That match stole the show in comparison to the main event Hogan vs Slaughter. Then again I'm not sure if that counts as a semi main event.

[@Joe_Parmesan]

You guys should've titled this video 'Penultimate PPV Matches That Outshined the Main Event', to make the choices stick better.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Loved JBL’s heel run

[@QuiGonJack10]

Me waiting for the 2023 wwe ppv ranking to come out 👀👀

[@HeelTJ]

How come Rock vs. Hogan isn't on this list?

[@camerondalton1495]

Too obvious I guess.

[@Joe_Parmesan]

It's because there was a match between that one and the main event.

[@jeffreypridemore100]

That One Night Stand 2005 main event is very rad, but Awesome vs. Tanaka is a different level of sheer madness. Love it

[@mjdf122]

We need our WCW and ECW PPVs ranked

[@danieldrayet2364]

I know for sure they made 1 for the ecw shows, #1 was heatwave 98, but idk about 1 for wcw

[@tafua_a]

One small correction, since it's been said a lot: the stipulation wasn't that Paul Bearer would have been drowned in cement if Taker lost. It was instead heavily implied that Paul Bearer would have been drowned in cement if Taker *won*.

[@johnamaral375]

Rock vs Hogan definitely out shown HHH vs Y2J at WM18, not that Main Event was bad

[@vinceraven1501]

Tanaka & Awesome had one of the best rivalries in FMW history too.

[@Drummer8282]

12:00 - sums up the undertaker perfectly.

[@popmonika]

Mania 3- savage vs steamboat Mania 7- savage vs warrior Summer slam 91- bret vs perfect Mania 8- savage vs flair or bret vs piper Mania 10- bret vs owen or razor vs shawn Summer slam 94- bret vs Owen Mania 13- bret vs Austin King of the ring 98- undertaker vs mankind I'm sure there's loads more.

[@jkeegan154]

Mania 11 -Bret vs Backlund

[@Heavymetallord1]

That hell in a cell also proved that Mick Foley was the toughest son of a bitch out there

[@geeshep4836]

Undertaker Vs Mankind Hell In A Cell Match From King Of The Ring 1998, Jericho Vs Triple H Last Man Standing Man (Fully Loaded 2000), Shane Mcmahon Vs Kurt Angle Street Fight (King Of The Ring 2001), Hogan Vs Rock (Wrestlemania 18), Triple H Vs Rock 2 Out Of Three Falls (Fully Loaded 1998), Rock Vs Triple H Ladder Match (Summerslam 1998), Rock Vs Shamrock And Mankind Triple Threat Steel Cage Match (Breakdown 1998), And Mankind Vs Rock I Quit Match (Royal Rumble 1999).

[@maskedllama7775]

Good one

[@tremiles9632]

cena vs aj styles royal rumble 2017 and lesnar vs cena vs rollins royal rumble 15 should've made the list

[@user-bu6ew1mk6f]

I remember stumbling over Royal Rumble 2000 on Channel 4 by accident, having stopped watching WWE around 2 years before and being astounded by HHH v Cactus Jack 😊 blew my socks off

[@slashandbones13]

The flaming table NOT ending ECW One Night Stand would have been ridiculous.

[@JenMistress]

You guys get it wrong so many times, makes me wonder if you even watched the match. The match was if Taker WON NOT LOST then Paul Bearer would be buried. That is why every time that Taker was winning, Paul Heyman would pour more concrete into the box.

[@ddjsoyenby]

awesome list.

[@thejoojooman6538]

The Chicago Street Fight @ Wrestlemania 13.

[@Patrick2480]

The Austin Hart match for me

[@suntanman99]

Extreme Rules 2022 had 6 matches with the fifth being the gripping "I quit" match between Edge and Finn Balor. The main event unfortunately was a was a very average non-title cage match featuring Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle. The card overall was decent but one of the weaker ones of 2022 due to a complete lack of men's title bouts and the absence of many big names.

[@jumpupsupbarhorn]

You could make several lists out of these, honestly

[@eastvanmike]

Savage vs Steamboat Wrestlemania lll stole the show

[@multiyapples]

I remember some of these.

[@nickjames464]

I would've thrown in Cena vs AJ from Royal Rumble 17

[@SquirtsMcintosh]

You guys have reached WatchMojo levels of "were all out of ideas so we gotta be very super-specific with our lists."😂

[@vDeadbolt]

I mean thank watchculture for that, as they pretty much killed the top 10 gimmick since everything has been done to death.

[@KingsNerdCave]

There's nothing better than the main event match being the best one of the night. But I'm sure for many wrestlers, it feels great to know even if you weren't the main event your match will be considered the best on the card.

[@NathanWare313]

Rock vs Hogan should’ve made this list.

[@TheSBleeder]

It wasn't the semi-main.

[@mspacely6521]

Taker Foley at king of the ring comes to mind

[@lilpoetat]

Thanks 🎉

[@sheafit28]

Bayley vs Sasha in Brooklyn should be on this list.

[@THEREELTJP]

Thinking about it, WWE version of ECW would've lasted longer if they would've rebranded as East Coast Wrestling when WWE went PG/HD in 2008

[@satyam4111]

Dolph ziggler vs the miz no mercy 2016

[@jerryjanik480]

I want to SummerSlam 95 only wanted to see that Shawn Michaels versus Razor Ramon match more than the main event and the only thing we remember I remember from the main event was Lex Luger because he was from Buffalo and the bulldog

[@32MattyB]

Funny how they had an undertaker vs undertaker match then a decade later they did a kane vs kane match lol

[@jerranspearman3369]

good video

[@user-ee3bk1xg1g]

Forgot WM 3, Ricky Steamboat vs. Macho Man Randy Savage, intercontinental championship

[@michaelmercury1297]

Also the Rock vs Hogan at WrestleMania 18.

[@GavinFromAutoglassRepair]

Honourable mention : Torrie Wilson Vs Candice Michelle Playboy Pillow Fight Match - Wrestlemania 22.😂

[@nickturner1137]

I'm surprised Rock v Hogan isn't on this list. And Taker HBK 1 @ WrestleMania. Those are like my top two.

[@Joe_Parmesan]

The idea for this list is penultimate matches on the PPV card. There was a match (Trish vs Lita vs Jazz) between Rock vs Hogan and HHH vs Jericho, and a few matches after Taker vs HBK 1

[@nickturner1137]

@@Joe_Parmesan oh damn. Memory is fried then. Really thought those were the penultimate matches. Thanks

[@Joe_Parmesan]

@@nickturner1137 All good. I was there with you and most of the viewers, wondering how they left off many great matches, until I saw a comment explaining the criteria. The phrasing for the video's subject could've been better.

[@dashtoroya2838]

Taker vs Shawn happened in mid card tho. You had two world title matches after taker vs Shawn

[@zinniaq3020]

@@Joe_Parmesan they should be counted tho cos those matches ruined the main event. The fans were too exhausted to care about the matches that came after

[@ErnestIII83]

Does Savage vs Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3 and Bayley vs Sasha at NXT Takeover Brooklyn qualify?

[@LTNye]

Rock v. Hogan at WM18 is shockingly absent.

[@WinGamingPT]

Another one that could be mentioned and should be in my opinion is Shawn michaels vs Undertaker at WM25

[@freakfoxvevo7915]

That wasn't the semi main, though. That honor goes to John Cena's match there

[@Reject101Personal]

Kurt did way more damage to himself than Shane in that street fight, I feel that should be acknowledged

[@Cardiacarrested445]

They clearly forgot about wrestlemania X8 💀

[@notherwrestlingchannel]

They didn't. The premise was matches that went on second to last.

[@THEREELTJP]

Evolution #2 should be happening soon with Triple H running & WWE possibly having more women on the roster than ever before

[@TerranMcCall]

Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin: WMXIII

[@vDeadbolt]

That was third to last. Ahmed Johnson and Road Warriors vs Nation of Domination took place after.

[@rickylee1615]

Adam you forgot Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin from Wrestlemania 13 1997

[@austinboychuk3981]

2:30 until you get to the entree

[@Patrick2480]

I would put Hogan Vs Rock WM18 up there

[@dukebluefiend]

Thought Rock vs Hogan would’ve been in there.

[@TraxxJamez2088]

We all knew what was number one going to be lol

[@THEDonnyB]

The fact that you don't have Rock Hogan at Mania x8 invalidates this tbh.

[@Dizma423]

Granted Shawn v Taker wasn't just before the "main event" but it still should have went on last

[@MegaAngryspoon]

Stone Cold vs Kurt Angle at Summerslam 2001 Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit Royal Rumble 2003

[@reddeathop5030]

Should have put undertaker vs shawn michaels wrestlemania 25

[@KidCthulhu82]

The only entry I disagree with is number 1. Firstly, there was no justification for having that match headline over the world title. Yes, WWF had done that numerous times in the past but there was always a solid reason, but there would be no explanation for that match topping the company's biggest star defending his world title. Secondly, the finish of the Austin v Kane match was perfectly set up to make everyone want to tune in to RAW the next night.

[@tommyguerrera]

Very surprised but not mad about this list not including the Rock v Hogan, HBK v Taker, and Punk vs Taker

[@vDeadbolt]

It's semi main events. Meaning second to last. Rock v Hogan was followed up by a woman's championship match. Taker vs HBK was followed up by Cena vs Edge vs Show Punk vs Taker was followed up Lesnar vs Hunter.

[@tommyguerrera]

@@vDeadbolt oooooooh yeah for some reason I remembered those being second to last

[@chriswinter8511]

There was a bit too much Taker v Taker slander here!!! :P as a young child I was looking forward to the match as much as I was Bret v Owen. Some things don't age well,

[@LibraJohnny]

Becky VS Charlotte at Evolution was maybe the best WWE Women Match.

[@mattheweubanks6163]

I'm not trying to read more into this, but Dudley Boyz mainevented two of these shows

[@seabassmcgee3367]

The Royal Rimble

[@mikewerner1304]

Oh Mable.... Mister 5 stars himself

[@thecodester6669]

Guess im one of few who likes the main event 0f 2017 survivor series, and viscera

[@ahmadnaeem4650]

Where is CM Punk vs Jericho WM28 and CM Punk vs Undertaker WM29???

[@slashandbones13]

Isn't the second to last match historically been the bathroom break match.

[@dabestmic87]

Off the Cell, Thru the Cell. That's all I say about number 1 and we all know the match. I now in my 30s can't watch that match without feeling all the pain.

[@NicTHiQ]

Shawn v Kurt wm 21 before HHH Batista is criminal to not make the list.

[@Joe_Parmesan]

The criteria was penultimate matches on the PPV card, which they dubbed the 'semi-main event'. They needed to make it clearer in the video, otherwise it looks like they just forgot a host of great matches.

[@zanethind]

That's why I literally hate Survivor Series because of those pointless multi man brand warfare tag matches 🙄. It's literally even why the crowds are half dead literally most of the time

[@talldarkandginger]

11 - Owen Hart vs Skinner; WrestleMania VIII

[@clarkfoster1442]

It was a Hell in a Cell match not Street Fight between Cactus Jack and Triple H @cultaholic

[@DrunkenGrognard]

How did Edge/Foley at WrestleMania 22 not make this list?

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Rhodes vs Shield Battleground 2013 over Bryan vs Orton main event with Big Show disqualification

[@MichaelTaylor-qp2xf]

A few missed matches from this list: Bret Hart vs Steve Austin: Wrestlemania 13 Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker: Wrestlemania 25 Just about anything: Most WCW pay-per-views with Hogan

[@moopert86]

Austin vs Bret wasn't the semi main. Ahmad Johnson and LOD vws Nation of Domination went on between the two matches and is the real semi main.

[@c4662]

Team Austin Vs Team Bischoff should have main evented Survivor Series 2003.

[@popmonika]

Err, why isn't Bret vs Austin on the list... Clearly more remembered than sid vs taker.

[@Joe_Parmesan]

It was earlier in the card than the penultimate match. That was the criteria for this list.

[@reeseprince8]

Edge vs Chris Beniot

[@yadielenielbellecolon982]

Thank For the Top 10 Video 🙊🤯🥰😍😁💗💐🌟🥇🏆

[@legendarypsychomike4309]

I wished owen hart did beat bret hart for the wwf title. Even if diesel still had to get it after.

[@My19812011]

Savage/Steamboat at WrestleMania 3 Savage/Warrior at WrestleMania 7 Rock/Hogan at WrestleMania 18 HBK/Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 Dudleys/Hardys/E&C at Summerslam 2000 Austin/Hart at WrestleMania 13 Hennig/Hart at Summerslam 1991 HBK/Razor at WrestleMania 10 HBK/Angle at WrestleMania 21

[@yomamasofat77]

You should know thar the semi-main event usually isnt the match right before the main event

[@TheRealFandjango]

Unsanctioned match at Summer Slam 2002. Angle vs HBK at WM 21 No Mercy 2017? John Cena vs Roman Reigns

[@vDeadbolt]

Angle vs HBK took place in the middle of the card. Roman vs Cena was third to last. This is a list of Semi main events, meaning second to last. Lesnar vs Rock in SS 02 was also a notable match. So Hunter vs HBK couldn't outshine it.

[@TheRealFandjango]

@@vDeadbolt Fans talk about the Unsanctioned match way more than they do Brock/Rock. Only reason that match was talked about, is because it was the crowning of the youngest WWE champion and fastest rise of a WWE superstar. But the match itself wasn’t anything special. But semi/co main events has nothing to do with placement, and is literally just the biggest match outside of the main event. I’m sure if you looked at the card of the match listed here you’ll realize that. Take WM 33 for example Taker and Reigns was the main, the match before that was like a 5 min 6pack challenge for the smackdown womens championship. That ain’t going to steal a show.

[@vDeadbolt]

@@TheRealFandjango Yes, the rise of one of the most dominant superstars in all of WWE. It's a pretty significant match. People still talk about it, and because of that and every other match of the card, SummerSlam 02 is considered one of the best SummerSlam if not one of the best PPVs of all time. Why do you think this list is missing a ton of entries that deserve the spot? It's too specific.

[@nexusassoon8367]

Couple things... I'll take Bret vs Backlund over hbk/diesel match dragged on forever it felt like. Bret and. Shawn did do a televised ladder match on wrestling challenge and if you can't understand why Undertaker's return match after a 9 month absence which they'd been teasing for damn near the entirety closed the show there no hope for you.