[8.0] "Really fun match between KO & Sami, i knew this was gonna be a banger because of the two guys involved, not their best match but not their worst, i had a good time here. (4.0*)"
[6.0] "Although this match had some brutal spots, it had a few flaws that took away from it. I don't think that they had to bleed for this match to be great, but if you're gonna bring barbed wire into the equation and have someone go into it full speed head first, then there better be blood because otherwise you're just letting everyone know the barbed wire is fake. Either don't bring it into the match (which is fine) or if you do at least show some color. My other issue with this match was that it's mostly just spots, they don't do a good job of transitioning from one spot to the other, they just go from one big spot to the next. And lastly the botched ending was another major flaw of this match. Owens does a powerbomb on the apron, goes for a second one, they botch the powerbomb, Sami tries to fix it by it by throwing punches but it just don't make any sense! He was dead 5 seconds earlier and now because they botched the move all of a sudden he has to come to life and start throwing punches as if he wasn't dead 2 seconds ago. I appreciate both guys hard work for this match but they just couldn't execute it properly. ***1/2"
[9.0] "Just two French Canadians going to war (again! ) in Canada, and what a blast it is. It's chaotic, packed with a bunch of great spots and the right amount of violence, KO's character work is excellent, the selling from both is stellar, the final 10 minutes or so are pretty epic and I love the emphatic finish. Orton's comeback is cool too. Yeah, this rules! ****1/4"
[6.0] "I'm done pretending this was acceptable, this was unacceptable for who these two are. No blood, the spots weren't particularly shocking which is okay... but something flet off about this looking back. For what might be the last time, this was pretty disappointing."
[9.0] "I love this never ending feud but I think this is the only time they've put on a BANGER since Battleground 2016 (which was my WWE match of the year). Being unsanctioned some of the spots were absolutely nasty like the double table or the blue thunder bomb on the barbed wire chair bridge actually crazy. My only downsides are no blood, if a match like Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar can have some blood (even if it's on accident) we could've gotten some here too. Second downside was the commentary acting like everything was super dangerous because of the stipulation, like chill Cole it's just a damn powerbomb. This is my 20th favourite match of the year. 9.25/10"
[6.0] "They were selling a level of violence that was not actually happening here, despite Michael Cole's claims to the contrary. The match was fine, but it fell well below the expectations you would have for a big Zayn/Owens match in Canada. ***"
[9.0] "Possibly Kevin Owens last match ever due to leaving for neck surgery afterwards but man, what a way to go out. Brutalizing Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match in both men's hometown, this match is as brutal as WWE will go in the modern era. Crazy table spots, Kevin going face first into a steel chair wrapped in barbed wire and ending with Kevin almost killing Sami with multiple Apron Powerbombs. Randy Orton's return to scare away Kevin and set-up for a WrestleMania match that got tragically canceled was good as well. This match fucking rules and is easy contender for match of the year, if blood was allowed, honestly it would've been my match of the year. Get well soon Kevin <3"
[9.0] "2 of the best wrestlers on planet Earth in an Unsanctioned Match, there was no world where they'd disappoint. The dimmed lighting worked perfectly for this match, and the spots in the crowd/on the tables outside of the ring were nasty. The hockey stick and barbed wire chairs were also highlights of the match for me. Randy's return post match was electric as well. (9.25/10)"
[10.0] "These two just can't miss. I had high hopes for that match, and they even did better than my expectations. Kevin Owens is just crazy, and he gives us the best match of the night every time he wrestles. I loved the lighting for the match. I was sad when it ended, and I hope this isn't their last match. Randy's return after the match was incredible."
[6.0] "I'm not quite sure what makes this match so highly praised, but IMO, it was just an average unsanctioned match with only a decent spot closer to the end. Owens and Zayn had matches before, and many of them were better. This one was just a typical walk in the park, with lots of basic moves, standard chair shots, and table spots we've seen many times before."
[10.0] "Well it may be bold to say considering there's still some notable events this year, but at the 3/4 of the year point this is match of 2025 overall. You know a match is going to go hard when they have to set the lighting. The way Owen's reinvented hardcore matches in WWE to kickoff 2025 is a run that will go down in history and will be nostalgized on. Zayn is the baby face of a lifetime doing everything he can to overcome his best frienemy. When Owen's returns let it be a glorious moment, and then let his run instantly resume because this masterwork of a chapter in story being taken away at the last moment is heart wrenching. Later addendum: Sorry Sami & Kevin, Iyo v Steve has taken the title for match of the year. Still incredible match."
[8.0] "[4.0*] This was straight-up unbelievable. You just can not go wrong with Owens and Sami, specially together. Both of these guys are in 2 out of my WWE Top 3 this year which is amazing. This match had everything you could ask for in an E on Netflix environment. It got insane and crazy spots, even barbed-wire, unbelievable selling, incredible storytelling, a lot of heart and soul involved, it was just emotional. I was not a fan of the lack of blood, but WWE is still very conservative in that aspect so if the Cody segment was going to have blood, than they would sacrifice the blood on this match and this is what they did. The thing with the producers being annoying and Michael Cole asking the match to end was fucking bad and did not sell anything at all, but besides that everything between Owens and Sami was just perfect."
[8.0] "I enjoyed this a lot but something didn't click for me, they had the perfect build & setting it with it being in Canada this should've been much better. I thought their 2016 match & matches they had in ROH/PWG were much better. Maybe both needed to blade & that could've helped but something was missing. Still a really great match"
[10.0] "The complete package. The violence is actually very well placed between spots, both competitors sell it extremely well, the commentary narrates it terrificly as well. Two of the greatest to ever do it put on an absolute ECW/Attitude Era match hybrid that genuinely left people in shock."
[9.0] "A terrific attitude era tribute brawl. Only thing lacking is blood. I think this match and feud should have been a bloodbath. I think that would have given this match even more emotion and intensity and felt alittle toned down with it."
[10.0] "What a match! Poetic and story driven, both Zayn and Owens put a ton of effort into making this match special. The dynamic towards the end where backstage officials came out and tried stopping it was great. The spots were well timed and looked brutal. It would've been cool if they had some blood involved, but it was still a great match and is one of, if not the best match of both men's careers. 10/10"
[9.0] "The match had great intensity, incredible chemistry between Owens and Zayn, and strong storytelling throughout. However, for an unsanctioned match, the lack of blood slightly held it back from reaching that next level of brutality and realism. A bit of blood would've made the emotion hit even harder. Almost perfect, just not quite as violent as it could've been."
"The best match of the year, maybe the decade even. A match that would have defined an era had we not been focusing on John Cena's underwhelming heel turn. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are two wrestler's wrestlers. For years and years promotions and workers have tried to shoehorn the hardcore ECW style into mainstream wrestling and failed. These two guys have mastered walking that sort of fine line."
[8.0] "Well placed brutality that felt earned amidst a lot of matches ive seen in the last few years with crazy and electric plunder spots but lacking the appropriate intensity. These two have had better matches, but this is still a great addition to their storied history."
"It was a great match, especially when you know that it is possibly the last match of Kevin Owens. It is in Canada, versus Sami. And it was their best match between them in WWE. Two great workers, one great match."
[9.0] "Kevin and Sami Have one of the greatest feuds in wrestling. They've never had a single miss and this might just be there best match, roh or wwe. They never cease to amaze with the psychology and professionalism shown in this match was incredible.Strange ending but can't fault it."
[10.0] "I mean, I don't think anyone asked for another Owens/Zayn feud, nor will we again. But hey I'm not exactly complaining that we got it, these two always work magic together, this was a match of pure hatred and brutality, they told the story to perfection, after all these years these two just beat the living piss out of eachother, commentary does a brilliant job of putting over the history of these two and especially the lengths these two would go to maim each other. Overall definitely one of WWE's best matches of the year"
[9.0] "Sami and KO really are 2 of the best to ever do it. The match is paced brilliantly. Has some brutal spots (as brutal a WWE show is gonna get anyways) and it's great to see they Let Sami and Kevin do their thing, makes me want to seek out their pre WWE stuff."
[8.0] "(7.6) Slightly disappointed coming out of the match as I had high expectations. My main issue being the lack of ferocity from the two that they have had in their previous matches against eachother and the slow pacing of the match really didnt help either. On the positive side some of the spots were nuts like the double table and the barbed wire chair BTB. The lighting during the match was super strange and I thought that the match really needed some blood (especially after the barbed wire chair spots). Still a good match but it didnt live up to my expectations."
[9.0] "This was an outstanding match that felt like a fight. Kevin and Sami knew what kind of fight this needed to be. They are two of the best wrestlers in WWE that were given nearly 30 minutes to have a classic match and that's what they delivered in front of a rabid crowd that loved every second of it. What I like is how slow-paced it was in the second half because it put over how physical of a match this was. Selling is so important in a match like this. Owens and Zayn both did a great job of selling throughout the match. Zayn in particular was excellent at making us believe his neck was brutalized in the match. It put over Owens in a big way as a savage heel that showed no remorse. I don't think it reached the level of a five-star match, but if somebody were to rate it that high I completely understand. It's still an incredible 4.5* level match, which means it will be one of the best WWE matches of the year. Amazing performance from Owens and Zayn. The best friends are incredible together whether they are allies or opponents. They delivered again. ****1/2"
[10.0] "Sami Zayn and Kevin owen where to born to wrestle. Every match is pure excitement and excellence. They are truly the GOATS. Great wrestling partners for eachother. Will never get bored seeing them wrestle."
[9.0] "Undoubtedly the best match of the night, at least, for me. I'd even call this one of their best one-on-one meetings, honestly. Absolutely brutal and I loved it. Owens getting the win makes sense, and I'm digging the direction his character has been going in recently."
[9.0] "This was insane. The best WWE match for now in 2025, and it can't be different. Soulmates in the ring, probably the best ones ever. No one know Sami Zayn better than Kevin Owens, and no one knows Kevin Owens better than Sami Zayn, they produced a spectacular banger right here. Remember me a bit of Swerve vs Hangman in the All Out, with this one here being a bit better. Had violence, storytelling and was interesting from the start until the end, with Kevin Owens trying to end the career of his former friend and Sami Zayn trying to do it to him as well, only anger, madness and brutality over here, I love it. My only critic is the lack of blood, I mean, a match so violent like this, with NO rules, with WWE taking herself off this, letting ANYTHING happen in the ring and NOT being responsible for whatsoever, don't have a single drop of blood? This was a little mistake that makes me value this as a NOT five stars match. But come on, don't waste your time and watch it, it's Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn for the 200th and they rocked."
[8.0] "Hell yeah that was a brutal match ! I loved it all, the double table spot, the finishers... Fuck that barbed wire spot was insane too ! The only detail that prevents it to be a pefect match is that there was no blood. Yeah blood isn't mandatory but when Owens' face hit the barbed wire face first and doesn't bleed... It kinda got me out of the match. Still a very good time though !"
[8.0] "Two of the greatest dance partners of all time pushing each other to absolute limits in a great blow off to a feud that admittedly could've been built better. Wasn't a fan of the lack of colour and the officials running in towards the end, but I absolutely loved this. Was worried it was gonna turn into a spot fest but the brawl in the crowd and following spots had such a sense of brutality to it that the match never stopped feeling brutal."
[6.0] "There is something about both these men's in-ring work in recent times that hasn't been moving me, and it breaks my heart. Sami and Kevin wrestle a perfectly acceptable street fight here, nothing more, nothing less. This match always felt like it had its training wheels on, never shifting to second gear when it was really needed. My issue with this match is that I didn't feel as much intensity from either man that I would want to from a blood feud like this. I thought that the flood lights were gimmicky and more annoying than immersive, the barbed wire chair was a nice touch, but they were so soft with their strikes, it always felt like child's play. A passible but generally unintresting and much too clean WWE-pilled street fight and that SUCKS to see coming from two guys who I know are capable of greatess even in their old age."
[10.0] "This match is like cr*ck to me, just pump it straight into my veins. At first I was like "why make it unsanctioned, why not just No DQ? " But with the flood lights on the crowd cut and turnbuckle+mat logos being covered it made it feel like an old school Steen v Generico Indies match. I usually get bored real quick with the walk around and brawl in the crowd but with multiple early 90's WCW snack tables set up for spots around the arena it was entertaining. The multiple chair spots are a rarity now a days and Owens and Zayn both absolutely killed each other throwing each other on them in just the most creative ways (oh yeah one was covered in barbed wire, EPIC). Owens didn't get 100% on a powerbomb on the apron so Zayn, with just in ring non verbal communication, conducted another apron powerbomb that Owens did get 100%. and while it could be considered a botch I think it adds to the match for those in the know regarding these two competitors. This is one of the most violent matches of the renaissance era and they couldn't have picked 2 better wrestlers to deliver. If you have 0 history regarding Owens and Zayn past this is a 8/10 match at the least, knowing their history makes this a 10/10"
[9.0] "Watching this live I remember feeling like it could very well be the last time we see this match up. For me it is partially nostalgia driving my enjoyment, I've enjoyed this feud since their early Canadian days in IWS and later in PWG, CZW, ROH. This was fairly violent match for WWE."
[9.0] "This match was amazing, to someone that follows them since the Steenerico days, it was beautiful to watch they do this in an arena! Congratulations to them, one of my favorite matches in 2025. (****1/2)."
[7.0] "A very hard hitting encounter between two men who's rivalry has spanned decades. I thought this did leave a little to be desired, especially between the big bumps and spots where it seemed they were just going through the motions waiting for the next big moment. I would like to see this be run back at least one more time before both men hang their boots up, I'd especially like to see one more ladder match"
[5.0] "If you like watching the same wrestlers rehash the same story for two decades then this was an amazing match. At some point it becomes lazy and redundant. They've reached Hogan vs. Flair in 1999-2000 levels of running back the same match. This certainly wasn't a bad match per se, but I don't care anymore. A roster as big as WWE's and these two are still working with each other is unacceptable"
[10.0] "I know I will probably be alone in thinking it, but this is the best WWE main roster match from the past 20 years. An absolutely brutal war, wrought with emotion and struggle."
[7.0] "Great match wrestling wise, I really liked alot of spot but there was a few things that threw me off for one the commentary sucked, between Micheal Cole miscalling moves or pat McAfee just talking at all it was bad. Also the point of an 'unsanctioned match' is that WWE doesn't want to be apart of it so putting it in the middle of the show and not the main event is weird considering technically the show just stopped for this match then continued. There were a few other things like the action lacking at points but I'm not going to drag this review longer than it is already. If you haven't seen it then it's definitely worth watching but I'm probably not going to watch it again. 7.3/10"
[5.0] "Update: Get well soon Kevin Owens. You're one of the best of all time. This wasn't a bad match necessarily, but my God it under delivered so heavily for me. For a blood feud between 2 guys in an unsanctioned match, I expected some blood, especially considering that hell in a cell match Punk and McIntyre had in 2024. Although, a great unsanctioned match can still be done without blood, with Johnny Gargano vs Tomasso Ciampa being a great example. I struggle to feel intensity in their moves outside of the big spots, despite two of the best wrestlers today, and of all time, participating. The match starts off... sluggish and I didn't like the portion of the match spent in the crowd and outside of the ring. The barbed wire chair didn't even seem real and could've been replaced with a normal chair and not much would've been changed other than the pop of the crowd when he pulled it out. There are some nice spots here and there, like Zayn's blue thunder bomb onto the maybe barbed wire chair, the double table spot, and the brainbusters onto the chair by KO. I will say, the angle and the intensity leading up into this match was excellent, which is why I am so disappointed. The match ended in a nice way to continue that angle and KO crying when Randy Orton returned was great character work. Anyone calling this match of the year needs to watch Kenny Omega vs Gabe Kidd. Even for people who are exclusively WWE, you had potentially 2 better matches the same night as elimination chamber, and KO vs Cody ladder match was way better this one. ALSO - I HATE the production choices of this match. It's unsanctioned, so they dimmed the lights and had a spotlight follow KO and Sami around outside of the ring. It honestly took me out of the match even more and I'm docking an extra point away just because of it. The staff members rushing out to try and break it up was also a big negative for me in an unsanctioned match. Overall, I was very disappointed in this one. Glad that others can enjoy"
[9.0] "This was easily a match of the year contender. These two just put each other through hell for half an hour, the spots and sequences were amazing and the post match angle was also great. The only thing that could have made this match better would possibly be blood."
[5.0] "It's a bit of a slow burn. It's not as good as some of their other matches, on the same level as their later ROH matches. But also it's charming seeing these two duke it out like this in Canada in the biggest promotion that ususally doesn't have these types of matches. And if it's true this is a very fitting last match for Kevin Owens. Is a slow burn, has some really brutal spots, I enjoyed it."
[10.0] "KO and Sami are a wrestling match made in heaven. They have absolutely flawless chemistry and this bout was yet another feather in their collective cap. Zayn is going into the match with an injured back but his never give up spirit comes in handy and he unleashes a barrage of fury on Owens primarily fueled by rage and a desire for vengeance. Its a back and forth match reminiscent to a swinging pendulum and both give it their best shot to put the other away even at the risk of their own well-being. I loved the spots which were finely executed. It was a masterclass and the ending in particular was phenomenal with Owens sadistic self powerbombing Zayn on the apron and his ardent refusal to stay down until he can no longer continue. Unbelievable and just shy of a 5 star. ****3/4"
[5.0] "Seriously, 9/10 on Cagematch? Come on. This was an Unsanctioned Match, yet there was barely any aggression. We had to wait at least 10 minutes before the pace picked up and weapons were even introduced. And for a match meant to end both their feud and possibly their careers, tables and chairs alone don't cut it. A barbed-wire chair? Barbed wire that doesn't even stick? Do they really think we'll buy into that? The spot on the barbed-wire chair was cool, and that final sequence... just two Pop-up Powerbombs on the apron? Where's the piledriver that's been teased and built up for so long? The post-match angle saved it, though--an absolutely huge moment. And that massive pop for Orton? Beautiful."
[9.0] "This match would've been a ten if there was bleeding, sadly, there wasn't. That is my only complaint, the in-ring was super fast paced and fun, the weapons were cool, and there was a lot of great spots and this was just a beautiful match from two of the best in the game. It's not the best match against these two, but this was another one of their absolute masterpieces. Overall my match of the night and one of my MOTY already."
[10.0] "WWE best match in 2025 so far, and in my opinion was one of the best of all time, and it's not surprising, because KO and Sami are soulmates, the match was perfect, from jaw dropping spots to insane sequences, and the storytelling itself was perfect, and Randy return was cherry on top."
[10.0] "The best WWE match of the year thus far in my opinion. I think this has a huge chance of being in my top 5 (or perhaps, top 3) WWE matches of the year. KO and Sami are wrestling soulmates. This match reminded me of the Punk/Drew HIAC at Bad Blood."
353x
362x
204x
34x
16x
10x
2x
1x
3x
0x
0x