The Big Picture

The professional wrestling hierarchy underwent a massive seismic shift this week as marquee championships changed hands across international borders and new tournament kings were crowned. From shocking title changes in Saudi Arabia to intense fallout at Forbidden Door, the industry is entering its hottest summer in years. This ranking separates the genuine creative breakthroughs from the frustrating booking missteps that held back otherwise stellar shows.

The Top 10 Moments

10. Collision Main Event Ends in Chaos

Adam Copeland and the Bang Bang Gang defeated Shane Taylor Promotions at the Collision tapings, triggering a massive post-match brawl. The celebration was cut short when "The Dogs" and the Death Riders launched a surprise assault on the victors. This ranks tenth because while the match itself was standard, the multi-faction brawl sets up compelling television storylines for the coming weeks. Some fans may find the constant post-match attacks repetitive, but this segment kept multiple high-profile feuds simmering.

9. Athena Beats Rina for Casino Gauntlet Spot

Athena defeated Rina at the Collision tapings in San Diego to claim the number one spot in the upcoming Women's Casino Gauntlet match. The tapings, reported in detail by PWInsider, saw the Ring of Honor champion use her veteran instincts to win with the O-Face from the top rope. This ranks ninth because it establishes Athena as the clear frontrunner for a future title shot, though it sits low as a qualifying match. Rina looked impressive in defeat, but Athena's established dominance made the result feel like a foregone conclusion.

8. Kyle Fletcher Defeats El Phantasmo to Set Up Takeshita Clash

On the July 1 Collision tapings, Kyle Fletcher defeated El Phantasmo in a hard-hitting singles match to solidify his position in the International Title picture. According to spoilers published by PWInsider, Fletcher hit a devastating brainbuster to secure the win after an exchange of superkicks. This match ranks eighth because it sets up a clash against Konosuke Takeshita, although it represents a lower-stakes TV matchup than the major pay-per-view moments above it. ELP worked hard, but the predictable outcome took some of the drama out of the final minutes.

7. Iyo Sky Wins Queen of the Ring

Iyo Sky defeated Liv Morgan in Saudi Arabia to win the fourth annual Queen of the Ring tournament. Sky hit her signature Over the Moonsault to secure the victory, capping off an intense contest that kept fans on their feet. This win is ranked seventh because it restores Sky to the title picture, though it ranks below Femi's win as Morgan did not need this tournament loss. The match was marred by a sloppy exchange on the apron, but the high-flying finish redeemed what was otherwise a standard encounter.

6. Kendal Grey Captures NXT Women's Championship

Kendal Grey pulled off a massive upset at the NXT Great American Bash, defeating Lola Vice to capture the NXT Women's Championship. Grey secured the pinfall after executing a belly-to-belly suplex from the middle turnbuckle, ending Vice's short, physical reign. This title change ranks sixth because it injects fresh energy into the NXT division, even if the match lacked the polish of those at Forbidden Door. While Grey has shown immense promise, this victory feels slightly rushed given Vice was just finding her footing as champion.

5. Oba Femi Wins King of the Ring

Oba Femi dominated Jey Uso at Night of Champions to become the 25th King of the Ring, finishing him off with a thunderous powerbomb. Femi's rise through the bracket showcased his raw power and agility, culminating in a performance that silenced the Riyadh crowd. This moment ranks fifth because it represents a major push for a rising star, although it sits below the world title changes due to secondary prestige. Uso put up a spirited fight, but Femi's victory was the right decision to establish him as a future threat.

4. Mercedes Moné Becomes First Two-Time Owen Cup Champion

Mercedes Moné defeated Maya World at Forbidden Door to claim her second consecutive Owen Hart Foundation Tournament trophy. Moné locked in the Moneymaker after countering a top-rope splash, forcing a submission at the 18-minute mark of a competitive bout. This win is ranked fourth because it establishes Moné as a history-maker, though some argue that giving her the cup again stifles newer talent. The match itself was technically sound but suffered from a slow middle section that dragged the crowd's energy down before the finish.

3. Team Briscoe Triumphs in "Death's Door" Steel Cage Match

The 12-man steel cage match at Forbidden Door saw Team Briscoe defeat Team DCMJF after Mark Briscoe pinned Kyle Fletcher following a Jay Driller from the top rope. This chaotic battle lasted 34 minutes and featured high-risk spots, including Darby Allin diving off the top of the cage through two tables. Briscoe earning a future AEW World Championship opportunity makes this a major creative victory, ranking it ahead of individual tournament wins. The only downside was the over-booking of the final minutes, where run-ins threatened to distract from the emotional peak of Briscoe's victory.

2. Will Ospreay Wins the Owen Hart Cup

Will Ospreay secured his spot in the AEW World Championship match at All In: London by defeating Swerve Strickland in the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament at Forbidden Door on June 28. The match concluded when Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade followed by the Storm Breaker, capping off a blistering 24-minute showcase in San Jose. Ospreay ranks just below Zayn because while his victory was spectacular, it was highly expected and lacked the genuine shock of the WWE title change. Swerve's loss here feels like a missed opportunity, but it cements Ospreay as the undisputed centerpiece of AEW's international expansion plans.

1. Sami Zayn Wins the Undisputed WWE Championship

Sami Zayn shocked the wrestling world at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 27, pinning Cody Rhodes in a triple threat match that also featured Gunther to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. By pinning Rhodes after a Helluva Kick at the 28-minute mark, Zayn ended the American Nightmare's dominant run and bypassed the formidable Gunther entirely. This victory deserves the top spot because it subverts months of predictable booking and establishes Zayn as a main-event anchor rather than just an underdog. However, the decision to have Cody take the pinfall instead of Gunther is a risky move that could damage the former champion's aura if WWE does not execute the rematch correctly.

Honorable Mentions

Several high-profile matches and segments fell just short of the top ten during this packed week of action.

  • Maya World's Gauntlet Entry: World defeated Julia Hart in a physical encounter to claim the second slot in the Casino Gauntlet.
  • El Hijo del Vikingo's Injury: A legitimate injury forced WWE to write the AAA star out of his NXT debut via a backstage attack segment.
  • Andrade El Idolo vs. Brian Cage: Andrade secured a hard-earned victory over Cage before cutting a passionate promo targeting Don Callis.