WWE Vault: 10 Most Viewed Matches That Define the Digital Era
The consumption of professional wrestling has evolved significantly over the last decade. While live television ratings and pay-per-view buyrates were once the sole metrics of success, digital engagement has become a primary indicator of a superstar’s enduring popularity. The “WWE Vault” YouTube channel, a repository for classic content, full matches, and historical moments, serves as a fascinating case study in what modern fans choose to revisit.
The data reveals a distinct preference for high-stakes physical confrontations, the return of Brock Lesnar, and the dominance of Roman Reigns. It also highlights specific controversial moments, such as the dissolution of The Nexus or the legitimate bloodshed at SummerSlam 2016, that continue to generate curiosity and debate years after they occurred. Below is a detailed breakdown of the top 10 most viewed videos on the WWE Vault channel, ranked from the tenth most viewed to the number one spot.
10. Roman Reigns vs. Edge: The Tribal Chief Meets The Rated-R Superstar (6 Million Views)
Event: Money in the Bank (July 18, 2021)
Match Type: Universal Championship Match
The rivalry between Roman Reigns and Edge centered on a generational clash. Edge, having returned from a nine-year retirement due to a neck injury, represented the grit of the previous era, while Reigns, firmly established as the “Tribal Chief,” represented the absolute dominance of the modern day. The match at Money in the Bank 2011 was significant because it was the first pay-per-view following the return of live touring crowds after the pandemic “ThunderDome” era.
The contest was a methodical, psychological battle that utilized the crowd’s energy. Edge targeted Reigns’ arm, utilizing crossfaces and technical submissions to ground the powerhouse. The finish, however, was mired in the chaos that defined Reigns’ title reign. Seth Rollins, who had his own issues with Edge, interfered while the referee was incapacitated. This allowed Reigns to hit a spear for the victory.
Backstage Context:
This match was pivotal in setting up the SummerSlam main event. Following the bell, John Cena made his shock return to confront Roman Reigns, a moment that generated one of the loudest crowd reactions in recent history. The views on this match are likely driven by the combination of Edge’s nostalgia, Reigns’ dominance, and the curiosity surrounding the chaotic ending that led to Cena’s return.
9. Team WWE vs. The Nexus: The Night The Momentum Died (6.2 Million Views)
Event: SummerSlam (August 15, 2010)
Match Type: 7-on-7 Elimination Tag Team Match
Few storylines in WWE history have started as hot as The Nexus. The group of rookies from the NXT reality show had terrorized the roster for months, destroying rings, attacking announcers, and presenting a unified threat that felt genuine. The culmination of this invasion was the main event of SummerSlam 2010, where The Nexus faced a team of WWE legends led by John Cena, Bret Hart, Edge, Chris Jericho, and the returning Daniel Bryan.
The match itself was a dramatic affair, with Daniel Bryan returning to eliminate Darren Young early. However, the finish remains one of the most controversial booking decisions in wrestling history. After being DDT’d onto the exposed concrete floor, John Cena managed to recover, eliminate the remaining members of The Nexus, and win the match as the sole survivor.
Backstage Context:
The decision for Cena to go over has been heavily criticized by fans and industry insiders alike. On their Talk is Jericho podcast, Chris Jericho and Edge revealed that they had vehemently argued against the finish backstage. They told Cena that the DDT spot on the concrete should be a match-ender and that The Nexus needed the win to establish themselves as a long-term threat. According to Jericho, Cena insisted on the finish but later admitted, “I was wrong,” after seeing the flattened momentum of the group in the weeks that followed. The high view count reflects the continued debate over this pivotal “what if” moment in wrestling history.
8. The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre (6.4 Million Views)
Event: Super Show-Down (October 6, 2018)
Match Type: Six-Man Tag Team Match
This match took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia in front of over 70,000 fans. It featured the reunited Shield (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose) facing the “Dogs of War” faction. The storyline relied heavily on the internal tension within The Shield, specifically the suggestion that Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) was the “weak link” and was being held back by his partners.
The match followed the classic Shield formula: chaotic brawling, triple-team powerbombs, and high-octane sequences. The Shield emerged victorious, appearing united. However, the historical significance of this match lies in what happened shortly after. This was one of the final major appearances of the trio before Roman Reigns announced his leukemia diagnosis and relinquishment of the title later that month.
Backstage Context:
The internal friction teased in this match was leading to a definitive heel turn for Dean Ambrose. Tragically, the turn occurred on the same night Reigns announced his leukemia diagnosis, a booking decision that was highly scrutinized. The video remains popular as a snapshot of one of the most dominant factions in WWE history working at their peak before real-life tragedy and contract departures (Ambrose leaving for AEW) dissolved the group permanently.
7. Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley: The Redemption of an Icon (6.6 Million Views)
Event: Crown Jewel (October 21, 2021)
Match Type: No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere Match
By 2021, fan sentiment toward Bill Goldberg had soured. His matches were often viewed as short, repetitive, and occasionally dangerous due to botches. However, his rivalry with Bobby Lashley changed the narrative. The feud became personal when Lashley attacked Goldberg’s son, Gage, at SummerSlam. This set up a “No Holds Barred” rematch in Saudi Arabia where Goldberg was not fighting for a title, but for revenge.
Goldberg delivered what is widely considered his best performance since his 2016 return. He eschewed his usual “spear and jackhammer” sprint for a more violent, sustained brawl. The match ended with Goldberg spearing Lashley off the entrance ramp through tables, securing the pinfall.
Backstage Context:
The high view count is likely attributed to the spectacle of the finish and the surprising quality of the match. Fans who were accustomed to seeing Goldberg wrestle for two minutes were shocked to see him engage in a longer, storyline-driven brawl that highlighted his intensity without exposing his limitations. It stands as a rare instance in the modern era where a “legend” return exceeded expectations.
6. John Cena vs. Ryback: The Ambulance Roof Moment (6.7 Million Views)
Event: Payback (June 16, 2013)
Match Type: Three Stages of Hell Match (Lumberjack, Tables, Ambulance)
In 2013, Ryback was positioned as the top monster heel in the company, challenging John Cena for the WWE Championship. This rivalry culminated in a “Three Stages of Hell” match, a stipulation designed to protect both men by having the match go the distance. Ryback won the first fall (Lumberjack Match), Cena won the second (Tables Match), leading to the decisive Ambulance Match.
The visual that drives the views for this video is the finish. After brawling around the arena, the two men ended up on the roof of the ambulance. Cena executed an Attitude Adjustment on Ryback, sending him crashing through the roof of the vehicle into the interior.
Backstage Context:
At the time, Ryback was gaining a reputation for being stiff in the ring, and there were questions about his ability to lead a main event program. While the feud did solid business, this match effectively marked the end of Ryback’s time in the main event picture. The spectacular nature of the stunt—reminiscent of the Foley/Undertaker stunts of the past—makes it a highly clickable thumbnail and a replayable moment for casual fans who enjoy vehicular destruction.
5. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman: The Chair Throw Heard ‘Round the World (7.7 Million Views)
Event: Raw (August 7, 2017)
Match Type: Last Man Standing Match
The rivalry between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman in 2017 is often credited with establishing Strowman as a bona fide main event star. Their chemistry was undeniable; they simply beat the daylights out of each other. This specific encounter on Raw was a “Last Man Standing” match that featured heavy usage of the stage environment and ringside barricades.
The match went viral for a specific spot: Braun Strowman launching an office chair across the ring at Roman Reigns with terrifying velocity. The GIF of the chair hitting Reigns became an internet sensation, driving traffic to the full match. The bout ended with interference from Samoa Joe, who locked the Coquina Clutch on Reigns, allowing Strowman to answer the ten-count while Reigns could not.
Backstage Context:
This feud was a critical success because it allowed Reigns to play a vulnerable role against a larger monster, a dynamic that usually garnered him sympathy from a crowd that normally booed him. Strowman’s feats of strength—tipping over ambulances and pulling down rigging—were reminiscent of the Attitude Era’s crash TV style, which resonated strongly with the YouTube audience.
4. The Undertaker vs. The Great Khali: The Monster Squashes The Deadman (8.5 Million Views)
Event: Judgment Day (May 21, 2006)
Match Type: Singles Match
The Great Khali’s debut is remembered for its sheer visual impact. Standing over 7 feet tall, he was introduced as a monster capable of manhandling The Undertaker. In the lead-up to this match, Khali had effortlessly laid out the “Deadman,” a booking rarity.
The match itself was a squash. Khali dominated The Undertaker, pinning him cleanly with a simple boot to the chest (standing on his chest for the pin). It was a shocking visual to see The Undertaker, usually protected at all costs, defeated so decisively.
Backstage Context:
Vince McMahon has historically been fascinated by giants, and Khali was his latest project to capture the Andre the Giant mystique. The high view count on this video is driven by the international audience, particularly from India, where The Great Khali is a massive celebrity. The video serves as a point of national pride and a historical curiosity for fans wondering how the invincible Undertaker was dismantled so easily.
3. Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar: The Elbow That Stopped the Show (11 Million Views)
Event: SummerSlam (August 21, 2016)
Match Type: Singles Match
This match was billed “15 years in the making,” as both men started in the legendary OVW class of 2002 but had rarely crossed paths. The match was the main event of SummerSlam and started as a standard wrestling contest. However, it ended in one of the most disturbing scenes in modern WWE history.
Brock Lesnar took Randy Orton down and delivered a series of stiff elbows to Orton’s forehead. This was not a “blading” job; Lesnar legitimately cut Orton open with the point of his elbow, creating a massive pool of blood. The referee stopped the match via TKO, and Orton laid in the ring concussed and bleeding profusely.
Backstage Context:
The finish caused legitimate panic backstage. Chris Jericho, watching on a monitor near the entrance, believed Lesnar had gone into business for himself and was legitimately hurting Orton. When Lesnar walked through the curtain, Jericho confronted him, leading to a heated shouting match and a physical altercation. Vince McMahon had to separate them, shouting at Jericho, “It’s a work! It’s a work!” confirming that the blood stoppage was the planned finish, albeit executed more brutally than anticipated. The controversial, “snuff film” nature of the ending drives the massive view count.
2. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: The Return of the Beast (16 Million Views)
Event: Extreme Rules (April 29, 2012)
Match Type: Extreme Rules Match
This was Brock Lesnar’s first match in WWE since his departure in 2004. Fresh off his run as UFC Heavyweight Champion, Lesnar brought a completely different aura to the ring. He wore MMA shorts, gloves, and moved with a legitimacy that contrasted sharply with the polished WWE style.
From the opening bell, Lesnar took Cena down and bloodied him with legitimate elbows. The match was uncomfortable to watch; it looked like a fight, not a wrestling match. For 15 minutes, Lesnar dominated Cena in a way no one had ever seen. However, in a finish that is still debated today, Cena managed to hit Lesnar with a chain and deliver an Attitude Adjustment onto the steel steps for the win.
Backstage Context:
The decision for Cena to win Lesnar’s return match was baffling to many. Backstage reports suggested that Cena was legitimately banged up and possibly injured from the intensity of Lesnar’s offense. Cena cut a promo after the match that sounded like a retirement speech, mentioning he was “going away for a while,” though he appeared on Raw shortly after. The video remains popular because it marks the beginning of the “Suplex City” era style, even if the result was typical “Super Cena.”
1. Undertaker & Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon: The Deadman’s Redemption (24 Million Views)
Event: Extreme Rules (July 14, 2019)
Match Type: No Holds Barred Tag Team Match
Topping the list with a staggering 24 million views is a tag team match that served as a redemption arc for The Undertaker. Just one month prior, Undertaker and Goldberg had a disastrous match at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia, filled with botches and a concussion that nearly ended in catastrophe. Fans and critics alike called for The Undertaker to retire.
Instead, he returned to team with Roman Reigns against the heuristic duo of Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre. The match was structured perfectly to hide The Undertaker’s limitations and highlight his strengths. It was chaotic, fast-paced, and featured big spots, including a coast-to-coast dropkick from Shane and a massive chokeslam from Taker. Reigns and Taker, dubbed the “Graveyard Dogs,” secured the victory, and The Undertaker looked undeniably strong.
Backstage Context:
In the documentary The Last Ride, Undertaker revealed that he was humiliated by the Goldberg match and refused to let that be his final image. He specifically asked to work with Drew McIntyre, whom he viewed as the future of the business. The match is viewed so frequently because it is the “happy ending” to Taker’s in-ring career before his cinematic Boneyard Match retirement. It showcased that, with the right partners (Reigns and McIntyre) and the right structure, the Deadman still had one last great fight in him.
