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2025 comes to an end, which is a perfect reason to reflect on everything that has happened in the wrestling world this year. This sport is famous for being a cinematic spectacle for all people who enjoy high octane action. While most fans are familiar with WWE stars, like John Cena, Randy Orton, The Rock, Stone Cold, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, there are other promotions that currently provide the best in class matches. Besides, most events that World Wrestling Entertainment has delivered this year were boring enough, forcing people to use Koko.bet bonuses to play some games on their phones. AEW and NJPW look like a compelling alternative for people who enjoy some old-school wrestling storylines with more focus on technical maneuvers and moves. Top tier events scored above 9.38 according to ratings.
This year was interesting for a couple of interesting things that shook up the industry – cross-promotional collaborations between WWE NXT and TNA, athletic breakthroughs, and emotional payoffs to stars like Goldberg. AEW should be remembered for its hardcore intensity, while NJPW for its strong style and tributes to many stars of the past. Hybrid workers like Konosuke Takeshita and veterans defying age dominated, while WWE delivered cultural shocks amid AEW/NJPW's work-rate supremacy.
The year’s highest-rated showcased versatility and intensity. AEW and its partners claimed half the top 10, underscoring the power of international talent convergence. Here are the top 10 matches according to the Cagematch website users’ average score:
Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley (AEW) – 9.63. Brutal extreme stipulation payoff to a blood-soaked rivalry.
Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd (AEW/NJPW) – 9.60. Explosive clash of generations.
Hangman Page vs. Will Ospreay (AEW Double or Nothing, Owen Cup Final) – 9.59. Innovative offense and protected finisher counters.
Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano (STARDOM All-Star Grand Queendom) – 9.54. Career vs. Career emotional zenith in joshi.
Toni Storm vs. Mariah May (AEW) – 9.50. Character-driven mastery.
Jun Kasai vs. El Desperado (Hardcore/Deathmatch) – 9.46. Visceral deathmatch chaos.
Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita (ROH Supercard of Honor) – 9.45. Lucha vs. hybrid power instant classic.
Bandido vs. Hechicero (Lucha/AAA) – 9.45. Technical lucha purity.
Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW) – 9.42. Aerial and striking symphony.
Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW New Beginning) – 9.38. Shocking veteran title triumph.
The top reason why these matches achieved such a high score – high-stakes drama and cross-style fusion. Despite WWE not being on Cagematch rating, John Cena vs Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship was definitely a highlight of the year for the company, as a really good performance from the world-famous veteran of wrestling. This match was filled with story, drama, a face-turn of John Cena, and the controversial return of Brock Lesnar at the end of the show, making SummerSlam 2025 was one of a kind PLE and an incredible experience for millions of fans all over the world. This match is currently rated 8.63 by the users, and it feels like it should have received a little bit more ovation for how good it actually was.
This year, AEW seemed to be competing with itself to see who could put on the wildest show. The Owen Hart Tournament final between Adam Page and Will Ospreay at Double or Nothing lasted nearly 37 minutes, and every minute was worth the wait. After a failed dive through a table, Page responded with a brutal Dead Eye to the floor, then found the perfect opportunity for a Buckshot Lariat. The crowd erupted, and critics immediately called the match an «instant classic».
But the highlight of the year was the match between Page and Mox. There was no room for showmanship, only fury, blood, and good old-fashioned hatred. Barbed wire, forks, and anger in every move made the match feel real. Perhaps that is why it received near-perfect ratings and became a symbol of how genuine feuds in wrestling are more captivating than any acrobatics.
The main event of WrestleMania 41 was a real shock: John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes to win his 17th world title. While it was not the best performance in the careers of both wrestlers, it was one of the most significant milestones in the industry. John has become the first person in history to ever win a 17th world championship, with Ric Flair holding the previous record for over a decade.
But at SummerSlam, viewers were treated to a different twist: CM Punk finally put the squeeze on Gunther after a long battle, but the joy was short-lived: Seth Rollins immediately used his Money in the Bank briefcase to steal the victory. A perfect drama, by all WWE standards. At least he was able to get this title back on Saturday Night Main Event in November by pinning Jey Uso.
2025 will be a memorable year in the wrestling world. NJPW and STARDOM once again set the bar for quality. Konosuke Takeshita's victory over EVIL in the finals of G1 Climax 35 was a true breakthrough – despite interference, he held on and then unified the titles at Wrestle Kingdom, defeating Shingo Takagi. Equally significant was the return of Hiroki Goto, who, twenty years later, managed to surprise everyone by defeating Zack Sabre Jr. and in STARDOM, the «career versus career» match between Saaya Kamitani and Tam Nakamoto went down in history as the highest-rated women's match of the year.
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