Well, folks, today is my 21st birthday, and I can’t help but reminisce about how much I’ve been through and how much my wrestling fandom has grown. First and foremost, I want to say thanks to all of you for your good wishes and thank you for making me feel welcome here at eWrestlingnews. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide writing content for this site for three years running, and I’m looking forward to more of the same. To celebrate, I figure I’d compile a list of my 21 favorite matches in WWE history. It’s all a matter of opinion, so I’m sure your list will probably be different than mine, but maybe you’ll find some similarities here and there. This will be strictly WWE (not including NXT) simply because that’s what I’ve been most exposed to, but I’ll provide some extras from other promotions in the comments. I’ve also taken the liberty of posting links so you can watch it at your own leisure. With that said, let’s get started.
21. Triple H (C) vs. Cactus Jack – No Way Out 2000 – WWF Championship (Hell In A Cell)
Mick Foley was the superstar to really put Triple H onto the main event scene starting in the summer of 1999, and since that time Triple H essentially dominated the WWE for the next year. This match, however, is what I believed made Triple H a true superstar. Going inside Satan’s structure with a guy that had been brutally battered in previous affairs with the likes of the Undertaker made Triple H earn his main event stripes. This was also a “retirement match” and it wasn’t completely obvious who was winning until the ref counted to three, which added an extra element of unpredictability that I appreciated.
20. Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle – No Mercy 2002
This one’s a throwback as for the longest time I considered this the best straight up two on two tag team match. These were the type of matches that made Smackdown destroy RAW in the weekly ratings. Edge, Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit were competing to see who would become the first Tag Team Champions in a new tournament exclusive for the Smackdown division, and the intensity of this match lived up to what the stakes were. Both teams had incredible chemistry not only with each other but with their opponent. The best thing about this match is that I’m able to watch it over and over and not feel tired of it. It feels fresh every single time and I love it.
19. Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin – RAW 5/3/05
Probably not going to make anyone else’s list, but I had such an infatuation with Benjamin back in the day, and while this match is really remembered more for Shawn Michaels absolutely knocking out Shelton Benjamin with his best Sweet Chin Music to date, Shelton also showed that he was game for extended ring time. Benjamin was really nothing more than a mid-carder for his WWE career and will be no more than that, but he was one hell of a performer in his prime, and I wanted to show him some love here.
18. Edge vs. Eddie Guererro – Smackdown 9/26/02 (No Disqualification)
I had to fit in an Eddie match in here, and while there were a plethora of matches to choose from, this match always seems to have a special place within me. What I loved about this match was that these two weren’t afraid to take risks, and while this would be the beginning of Edge’s prolonged neck issues that shortened his career, it also showed just how far they were willing to go to entertain. In addition, this was Smackdown at its apex from 2002 to around 2004. Quality television with even higher quality matches.
17. Edge vs. Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian – WrestleMania 21 (Money In The Bank)
The concept of Money In The Bank at WrestleMania was an ingenious move suggested by Chris Jericho, with the winner obtaining a contract for one world title match at any time of the winner’s choosing. TO this day, I firmly believe that no match has topped the original. Shelton Benjamin was the show-stealing performer of the match, with him using the ladder with such creativity the likes of which I haven’t seen before. Also, this guy’s athleticism at his peak was really something to behold. The styles of the other competitors worked well and everybody was able to get a decent amount of offense in before Edge took advantage of Chris Benoit’s state and won the first ever match that remains the standard-bearer of what Money In The Bank means.
16. Triple H (C) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Booker T vs. Rob Van Dam – World Heavyweight Championship – Survivor Series 2002 (Elimination Chamber Match)
2002 was a solid year for the WWE, and one of the crowning achievements for them was the introduction of the Elimination Match in 2002 that featured six of RAW’s top stars with the World Heavyweight Championship up for grabs. Of course, everyone expected it was going to somehow come down to Shawn Michaels and Triple H, and in a match that saw Rob Van Dam crush Triple H’s throat and a number of brutal spots with the steel, Shawn Michaels came out on top to win his final World Championship at MSG.
15. The New Day (C) vs. The Usos – Smackdown Tag Team Championship – Hell In A Cell 2017 (Tag Team Hell In A Cell Match)
The most recent entry out of this long list, I absolutely loved the creativity of this match. The New Day and The Usos had an incredible rivalry this year that perfectly culminated inside Hell In A Cell, and I was left literally speechless at the ingenuity and brutality that they displayed. The countless callbacks to spots from previous matches and all of the bitter feelings that they had towards each other for months on end were displayed here. There wasn’t one minute where my heart wasn’t pumping here, and these two teams had what I believed to be one of the greatest HIAC matches in the history of the stipulation.
14. The Shield vs. Kane, Ryback, and Daniel Bryan – TLC 2012 (3 on 3 TLC Tag Team Match)
The Shield made a name for themselves at the Survivor Series in 2012 and made an even bigger name for themselves with their first match as a unit here at TLC 2012. Three of NXT’s standouts were given their first major test as a unit against three established stars in the industry, and it was going to be in the first ever six-man TLC tag team match. The teamwork the young unit in black displayed here was marvelous and the tag team champions along with Ryback were the perfect trio to put them over in the fashion that they did. What was most impressive was that despite being a heel faction, The Shield never really used any underhanded tactics. They just used incredible teamwork to give themselves the numbers advantage in the match a lot. Sure enough, they would come out victorious and would soon leave a path of destruction in their wake.
13. Chris Benoit (C) vs. Chris Jericho – Intercontinental Championship – Royal Rumble 2001 (Ladder Match)
Sort of a forgotten classic here, but if you want to talk ladder matches, well, look no further. This match taught me that in a ladder match, it’s not about how many ladder you use, but it’s how you use it. Of course, chairs help as well. For two former cruiserweights, this was a damn brutal affair as they brought their rivalry from the summer of 2000 to a brutal conclusion here. From clever submissions on the ladder to brutal shots with the chair and the ladder, this had everything and more.
12. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 30
Normally, WWE is far too cliché with underdog stories but they handled the Daniel Bryan story greatly. A bearded, scruffy looking underdog who was wrestling in front of 10-15 people in high school gyms to start his career ended up facing Triple H on the grandest stage of them all with an army of the YES movement firmly behind his back. He would have to face insurmountable odds, expecting interference from Triple H and a bum shoulder. It was great storytelling, Stephanie’s heel mannerisms added a new dynamic and this was the perfect start-up to what would be a historic night for one Daniel Bryan.
11. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13 (Submission Match)
The match that made Stone Cold who we now know him as today. A tough-as-nails, no holds barred competitor. There’s probably no more iconic image I could remember in WWE history than a bloodied Stone Cold with the Sharpshooter locked in tight and screaming in agony, yet refusing to give up. Of course, the biggest irony coming into this match was that Hart was the face and Austin was the heel, yet it was the heel who showed the never give up attitude that a face would normally show. This would set off the Steve Austin v. Hart Foundation war that carried WWE in 1997, and was supposed to result in Hart reciprocating in kind by putting Austin over at WrestleMania 14, but I think we know what happened. Either way, what a battle.
10. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H – Summerslam 2002 (Unsanctioned Match)
Shawn Michaels and Triple H have one of the more storied rivalries in WWE history, and upon Shawn Michael’s return to WWE from his back injury, Triple H wasn’t too excited to see his former tag team partner return. In a brutal, unsanctioned match at Summerslam, Shawn Michaels and Triple H battled it out in a brutal affair. Shawn Michaels, in particular, was impressive due to the length of time he was away from the ring, but also showed that he didn’t lose a step.
9. Undertaker vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 28 (Hell In A Cell Match)
Next, to Shawn Michaels, Triple H was granted the opportunity to face the Undertaker at least twice at WrestleMania. Triple H and Undertaker’s match at WrestleMania 28 was the result of the shame that Undertaker faced as he wasn’t able to leave his own power after their battle at WrestleMania 27. Even in victory, Undertaker felt defeat, so he looked to redeem himself to leave no question in mind who the better man was. After constant taunts as his new job in corporate WWE as well as jabs at saying Shawn was the better performer, Triple H accepted, but only under Hell In A Cell conditions. These two absolutely tore each other apart and Shawn as the referee always adds that unpredictable dynamic. The moment of the night came when Shawn superkicked Undertaker right into the pedigree, and Undertaker kicking out right after. Never before did I think the streak would end. Undertaker won and in an act of mutual respect, all three of those Hall of Famers helped each other to the top of the ramp and looked on as the end of an era was official.
8. Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk – Summerslam 2013 (No Disqualification)
The one thing that I love about Brock Lesnar is how well he was able to work with smaller performers. The Best vs. The Beast was what this match was billed as and boy did it ever live up to that moniker. Paul Heyman had effectively turned on CM Punk at the Money In The Bank PPV and Punk was plotting his revenge against the underhanded manager. However, the muscle behind the manager was his ace in the whole, and of course, we needed a match to settle their differences. Based on the size and strength differential between the two, it would be unthinkable to suggest that Punk had any chance of winning. At the last minute, however, a No Disqualification stipulation was added, and in doing so, a new dynamic was added as well. One could argue this was the best match in either man’s career, as they displayed incredible chemistry and Punk played the role of the small, undersized underdog well, even having assured victory before Heyman came in and had to interfere. This was perfection.
7. Triple H (C) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit – World Heavyweight Championship – WrestleMania 20
I, of course, had to add this triple threat beauty from WrestleMania 20, though WWE will probably never acknowledge this classic for obvious reasons. Triple H ruled over RAW with an iron fist while continuing his seemingly never-ending feud with Shawn Michaels. But the winner of the 2004 Royal Rumble was Smackdown’s Chris Benoit, and in an incredible effort that saw him win from the #1 entry and culminated with his elimination of The Big Show, earned him a title match of his choosing. However, he chose to challenge the World Champion of the RAW brand. This resulted in a triple threat main event at WrestleMania that will go down as one of the greatest spectacles and emotional bouts WWE has ever seen. In a hard-fought triple threat affair, Chris Benoit had Triple H in the Crippler Crossface in what seemed to be forever until Triple H could hold on no longer, and the lasting image of WWE Champion Eddie Guererro embracing his longtime friend of which he’s had many battles and traveled the world with, will burn a staunch image in the minds of all hardcore wrestling fans, both for its meaning, but unfortunate foreboding.
6. AJ Styles (C) vs. John Cena – WWE Championship (Royal Rumble 2017)
John Cena and AJ Styles had quite the rivalry from 2016 to 2017, as AJ Styles was looking to prove that he belonged here in WWE and that he was the new face of Smackdown to replace John Cena, while Cena was making it a point of emphasis to know that he’s still here and that he is still the man, and that his dedication to WWE shouldn’t be put into question. The feud and bitter hatred the two had towards each other was capped off with a series of incredible matches with these two starting at the Money In The Bank PPV from the previous year. However, at the Royal Rumble, history and pride were at stake. AJ was looking to cement his place and officially replace John Cena at the Royal Rumble with another one on one victory, whereas Cena was looking to not only redeem himself but make history with a 16th WWE Title reign. This match was basically sheer perfection, as they not only shared heart-pumping near-falls but relayed incredible storytelling by playing up spots from their previous matches. Couple this with a rocking Alamodome, and you have a WWE Title match for the ages.
5. The Dudley Boyz (C) vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge and Christian – WWF Tag Team Championship – WrestleMania 17 (Triple Threat TLC Match)
The reason why TLC has been an exclusive PPV for eight years is that of the standard set by three tag teams that defined wrestling in that division in the Attitude Era. The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian and the Dudley Boyz had a picture perfect chemistry with each other and was able to effectively use three weapons to tell an amazing story with their bodies. Of course, we will all remember this match for Edge spearing Jeff Hardy’s lifeless body in mid-air. What a rush he must have been going through.
4. The Rock (C) vs. Steve Austin – WWF Championship – WrestleMania 17 (No Disqualification)
A brutal war between two of WWE’s most featured icons in the main event of the greatest WrestleMania in history will most assuredly have a spot on this list. This battle was a hallmark in WWE history as it looked at the two pillars of the Attitude Era at their apex fighting it out on the grandest stage of them all. The back and forth action, their brutal attacks on each other, the selling, and of course, Stone Cold and Vince McMahon being in kahutz with each other at the end of the match made this a spectacle in storytelling and sports entertainment.
3. Kurt Angle (C) vs. Chris Benoit – WWE Championship (Royal Rumble 2003)
You wanna talk about a wrestling clinic? Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit are highly regarded as two of WWE’s greatest technical wrestlers ever, and they showcased why here. The two stalwarts of Smackdown shared a great number of battles, but none topped this affair. These two busted out every single tactical maneuver they new before it became a matter of who could withstand more pain. Could Kurt Angle remain conscious enough in the crossface to survive Benoit, or could Chris withstand the agonizing pain of Kurt Angle locking in the Ankle Lock. These two reversed everything and put their heart and soul into this match. What made this even more impressive was that Kurt was being portrayed s a guy that needed to cheat in order to defeat Benoit and that in a straight up back and forth, Chris was the better man. On this night, Kurt proved to be the better guy, but these two went out there and damn near killed each other and in doing so, earned the respect of fans everywhere.
2. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25
There’s no way this match was being left off her because many claim it to be the best match in WWE history. At WrestleMania 25, for all intents and purposes, this was the main event. Shawn Michaels wasn’t occupied with anything on the road to WrestleMania in 2009 but still believed that he had signature moments remaining within him. The Undertaker inserted himself into the fray, and then the two had sort of a biblical, light vs. darkness type of feud heading into the match. The Phenom vs. The Showstopper Part 1 was an incredible back and forth affair that saw Shawn Michaels not only display his incredible in-ring prowess but his incredible resiliency. The look on Undertaker’s face after Shawn Michaels managed to kick out of a Tombstone Piledriver told the story about the war of attrition that took place in this match. Required viewing for any WWE fan.
1. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle – WrestleMania 21
This always ranks as number 1 as my favorite match of all time, and I don’t think anything has yet to top it. Imagine the greatest performer in WWE history going up against the greatest technician in WWE history doing glorious battle for over 25 minutes. The near-falls, the flow of the match, Shawn needing to use underhanded tactics just to keep Kurt at bay, the Ankle lock sequences and more. Everything in here just clicked to a tee and is one of the few matches in WWE history I can say deserved the full five stars. Some may argue that towards the end of the match, Shawn was in the ankle lock too long, but I LOVED how the commentators stressed that the last thing Shawn wanted to do at WrestleMania was tap out. Shawn had no other alternative but to tap out, but he was no loser. This was his third year in a row being the show-stealing match at WrestleMania as well.
So what are your favorite matches? Let me know! Until next time, folks.
