It can be tough enough creating a classic singles match, with the hurdles of perfect execution, controlling the crowd, and putting together a compelling story, but it is even more difficult to do that for a triple threat match. Throughout WWE history, there have been some standout triple threat matches which have enthralled fans, created memories, and made stars.
Related
Randy Orton's Definitive 16 Best WWE Matches, Ranked
Randy Orton has the reputation for being one of the smoothest workers of all time, and with that comes a list of classic WWE matches.
TheSportster’s rating system will determine the very best triple threat bouts across WWE’s extensive history, and these ratings will be compared to those from Cagematch.Net and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This will take a look at triple threats between three individuals, rather than tag team triple threats.
To learn more about how we rank wrestling matches on TheSportster, please check out our match ranking criteria guide here
10 Oba Femi Vs. Dijak Vs. Josh Briggs (WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2024)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling | 1.75/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.25/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.90
Although this match took place in NXT and featured some less experienced individuals like Oba Femi and Josh Briggs, this is no doubt among one of the most physical, chaotic, and crazy triple threat matches in the history of WWE. The North American Championship was on the line, and champion Oba Femi looked like a dominant champion. There were insane three-way spots, a sea of power moves, and a crowd who could not believe the sort of match they were witnessing.
9 World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat (WWE Backlash 2004)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.75
Although these three men had a better triple threat match a month prior, this World Heavyweight Championship rematch at Backlash 2004 was still a very strong main event that was full of strong storytelling which was helped by their previous match, close-calls and near-falls, and a lot of excitement. It was several steps below their initial match in terms of pacing, intensity, and crowd investment, but it still delivered.
8 CM Punk Vs. The Miz Vs. Alberto Del Rio (WWE TLC 2011)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.17
The storytelling in this match was very strong, allowing it to escape the typical “spot-fest” style of a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. CM Punk was the babyface in peril, as Alberto Del Rio and The Miz teamed up to take out the champion, only for their alliance to fall apart. Even though this was driven by storytelling, there were still several great spots, high-risk action, and a crowd-pleasing win as Punk managed to escape his handcuffed state to win the match and retain the WWE Championship.
7 Ilja Dragunov Vs. Bron Breakker Vs. JD McDonagh (WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2022)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.79
Related
10 Best Street Fights In WWE History, Definitively Reviewed
Take away the rules, add weapons and chaos, and enjoy - these are the best Street Fights in WWE history!
The NXT Championship was on the line in one of NXT’s best matches since the change from the black & gold era, as Ilja Dragunov, Bron Breakker, and JD McDonagh put their best foot forward to deliver an exciting match. Their three styles meshed well, and the pace was unrelenting as they beat the hell out of each other with a high level of physicality, stiff moves, and maneuvers dealt with a lot of impact. This just got better the longer it went on.
6 Roman Reigns Vs. Edge Vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE WrestleMania 37 Sunday)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.90
All three men in this match carried a great intensity and passion, with Edge and Daniel Bryan in particular putting in some brilliant character work as they each displayed their hatred for Roman Reigns and a desperate desire to become the Universal Champion. The pace was great, all three men remained involved throughout, and the chaos in the match helped to make it very exciting. Reigns looked like a major star in his victory too, making a statement by pinning both men at the same time.
5 The Undertaker Vs. The Rock Vs. Kurt Angle (WWE Vengeance 2002)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.75
Three of WWE’s biggest stars of all time clashed in the main event of Vengeance, with The Undertaker defending his WWE Championship. The three showcased great chemistry, a clash of styles, and star power which got the crowd on their feet. This had near-falls, a strong pace, big moves, and more to make it one of the better main events of this time period. This did not suffer from many of the hurdles that WWE triple threats face, such as lulls in the action and wrestlers spending too long not getting involved.
4 Randy Orton Vs. Batista Vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE WrestleMania 30)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10
Storytelling | 2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.80
Daniel Bryan’s huge victory at WrestleMania 30 came after a thrilling, dramatic main event triple threat match which also involved WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and the Royal Rumble winner Batista. The storytelling was fantastic, with Bryan’s selling setting him up as the perfect underdog to overcome the two bigger and more established stars. The crowd was electric for this match, going insane for Bryan’s win.
3 Gunther Vs. Drew McIntyre Vs. Sheamus (WWE WrestleMania 39 Sunday)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10
Storytelling | 2/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.5/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.40
This might be the most hard-hitting triple threat match in WWE history. Three brutes in Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Gunther beat the hell out of one another for the Intercontinental Championship, which got the fans on their feet and going crazy for what they were seeing. The technical aspects, the psychology, and the intensity were all top draw, making the IC Title perhaps the most important it has ever been (at least for many decades).
2 World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat (WWE WrestleMania 20)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10
Storytelling | 2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.55
Related
10 Worst Money In The Bank Ladder Matches, Definitively Reviewed
While it's one of the most exciting match types in WWE today, there have been some Money In The Bank ladder matches that failed to deliver.
The World Heavyweight Championship was on the line in this incredible WrestleMania main event, which many believe to be one of the best triple threat matches in WWE history. This told a perfect underdog story, in addition to the intriguing aspect of Triple H and Shawn Michaels’ history together too. This was a physical match full of technical brilliance, blood, and plenty of drama, especially towards the final stretch.
1 Brock Lesnar Vs. John Cena Vs. Seth Rollins (WWE Royal Rumble 2015)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.75/10
Storytelling | 2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
Technical Ability | 2.5/2.5 |
Character Work/Psychology | 2.25/2.5 |
Crowd Reaction | 2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.28
Brock Lesnar looked like an absolute beast when he defended the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins and John Cena, stealing the show with a superhuman performance. Cena was his usual super-strong self, and Seth Rollins brought the workrate with high-flying moves, insane bumping, and more. These three men gelled together perfectly despite their three different styles and sizes, creating a hugely entertaining and fast-paced match that was near perfect.
