WWE presented 12 Premium Live Events for the main roster in 2022. The company took some of these big events to international locations as well. Stars like Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre entertained fans with some amazing matches in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
The PLE quality in 2022 largely remained consistent thanks to Triple H’s booking. The Game took over the reins from Vince McMahon in July 2022. Under his leadership, the product witnessed an uptick in quality.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the best WWE PLE matches of 2022:
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (SummerSlam)
The lead-up to SummerSlam was dramatic, to say the least. Vince McMahon announced he was stepping down just a week before the PLE. Brock Lesnar almost no-showed the final RAW before the Biggest Party of the Summer. The Beast Incarnate would appear at the last moment to set up a blockbuster Last Man Standing Match with Roman Reigns.
The main event match at SummerSlam 2022 had one of the best presentations in recent memory. From Lesnar standing on a tractor doing his own introduction to Roman Reigns catching the mic smoothly, the match kicked off in the best way possible.
The in-ring action lived up to its hype. The two longtime rivals battered each other for the top title. Lesnar channeled his inner farm boy and destroyed the ring with the tractor. The Alpha Male, however, failed to defeat his longtime rival for the title.
Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch (WrestleMania 38)
Bianca Belair versus Becky Lynch may be one of the greatest rivalries in modern WWE. The two women never fail to bring out the best in each other every time they’re in the ring together. Their build-up to WrestleMania 38 was intense and extremely personal.
The two superstars gave fans one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history. The storytelling was simply beautiful. Every move popped a huge reaction from the crowd. In the end, the EST defeated Big Time Becks to finally claim the RAW Women’s Championship.
A story of redemption with a definitive conclusion!
Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul (Crown Jewel)
Who knew Logan Paul was made for WWE?! The Maverick showed up and showed out in his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 38. It took him only several months to get a huge title match against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2022.
The Social Media Megastar took the Tribal Chief to his limit in this sensational 20-plus-minute encounter. Both men went all out in their bid to defeat each other. Even a mid-match injury didn’t stop Logan from giving the performance of a lifetime.
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins (Hell In A Cell)
Few men can say they finished the match with a terrible injury. Cody Rhodes is one of them. The American Nightmare tore his pectoral muscle completely off the bone in the lead-up to his trilogy against Seth Rollins.
WWE announced Rhodes had insisted on going forward with the match. Few would’ve been willing to travel the road Rhodes did when he walked to the ring with his injury. His injury reveal led to an uncomfortable wave of silence in the crowd.
What followed was a display of tremendous resilience and unbelievable tenacity. Not only did Rhodes finish the match, but he took some serious moves on his banged-up chest. No one would’ve protected him as Seth Rollins did in this five-star classic.
Gunther vs. Sheamus (Clash At The Castle)
Gunther and Sheamus had one hard-hitting feud in 2022. The Celtic Warrior and the Ring General delivered arguably the greatest Intercontinental Championship match at Clash at the Castle 2022.
Sheamus found the perfect dance partner in Gunther. Their hard-hitting styles blended with each other. The reception from the crowd was on another level. The Celtic Warrior failed to defeat the Ring General, but he received a standing ovation after the match.
Honorable Mentions
- Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes (WWE WrestleMania 38)
- Bianca Belair vs. Bayley (Crown Jewel)
- Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (Royal Rumble)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns (Clash at the Castle)
- The Bloodline vs. The Brawling Brutes, Drew McIntyre & Kevin Owens (WWE Survivor Series: WarGames)
Also read: 5 Best Royal Rumble Winners
