Matt's Mat Musings: My 100 Favourite Wrestling Matches, Part 4
Part 4 of my Top 100 and Kurt Angle has begun his inevitable domination of the list...
70) Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair
WWE Survivor Series 2018
As I mentioned in the previous installment of this list, a celebrity making the jump into professional wrestling is a recipe for disaster. Luckily Ronda Rousey wasn't just any celebrity. Her past experience as an Olympic Judoka and the huge success she had as a pioneer of Women's MMA meant she was primed for the physicality of wrestling and being a lifelong fan of the WWE meant she brought a level of genuine enthusiasm with her into the business. In stark contrast to Rousey's path into the industry, was that of Charlotte Flair. Being the daughter of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time did not endear to Charlotte the prospect of a career in wrestling. Instead, it was the tragic passing of her brother Reid that encouraged her to live out his dream of being a wrestler in tribute. If Ronda proved a naturally gifted wrestler, Charlotte struggled a great deal to master her craft, but master it she did. This match up was originally intended to main event WrestleMania 35 but other circumstances intervened which is an accidental blessing as this confrontation between Rousey and Flair provides the first truly great singles match of Ronda's reign as Women's Champion. Not even a less that satisfactory finish can mar the work these two women put into this match and I sincerely hope we get to see a rematch sooner rather than later.
Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls_jIDueqsY
69) Triple H vs Cactus Jack (Hell In A Cell)
WWF No Way Out 2000
The measure of a trilogy is always in the ending. Cactus Jack's RAW debut in 1997 was a thrilling encounter that effectively established to the WWF audience that Mick Foley's original persona signified an escalation of danger and violence. Jack's return in early 2000 not only established a change in Foley's approach to his career, but also that Triple H had evolved sufficiently as a foe that only the brawler from Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico could meet that challenge. Triple H overcoming Cactus Jack at the Royal Rumble shocked, not only the audience, but the character of Jack himself. The story only had one place to go. If Jack was going to overcome his long term rival, he needed to up the stakes the only way he could, he needed to take their conflict to the most brutal battleground possible, to a location that nearly killed him the last time he entered it (lets forget that one time it happened on RAW), he needed to face Triple H in a Hell In A Cell match. Helmsley, the champion accepted the challenge, but only if Jack put his career on the line and retired if defeated. The stage was set and the stakes were high. Only a handful of wrestling matches have ever made me cry, this was the first, and probably still the most effecting 20 years later.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4um6l0
68) Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
WWF Survivor Series 1996
By 1996. Bret Hart had thoroughly established as the best wrestler in the WWF and possibly the world. Following his loss to real life rival Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XII, and genuine unhapinees with his treatment by the company, Hart decided to take time away from the company and pursue over interests. Steve Austin had been a gifted and lauded ring technician throughout the early 90's, but sensing he'd reached the peak of his career in WCW he left the company, and ultimately found his way to the WWF in early 1996. Austin's first few months in the new territory proved disappointing to both supporters of Austin, but also to the man himself. However following a well-timed character change, and the now legendary victory speech at King Of The Ring leading to the birth of the infamous 'Austin 3:16' brand, the newly christened 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was finally making headway. When Hart returned to the company in November, he was given the option to choose his opponent, and in a brilliantly passive aggressive swipe at then current champion Shawn Michaels, Hart chose the "best wrestler in the WWF", Steve Austin. The first encounter between Hart and Austin is not only a brilliant technical match that firmly establishes Austin as a world class talent, it is also the first chapter of one of the greatest rivalries in WWF history.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5unasm
67) Brock Lesnar vs Eddie Guerrero
WWE No Way Out 2004
When all is said and done, Brock Lesnar will go down in history as one of the greatest "big match" wrestlers in the history of the industry. His huge frame and NCAA amatuer wrestling background have always signalled him as a talent to watch, but his innate grasp of storytelling and willingness to look vunerable when it would be the most effective, have made him a true main event talent for almost 18 years and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Eddie Guerrero, in stark constrast, was never viewed as a potential headliner. Widely regarded as a phenomenal talent, Guerrero's 5ft 8in height was always viewed as an unassailable obstacle on his path to the main event. Yet, Eddie had charisma and talent to spare and by 2004 was so beloved by the WWF audience, that when he was placed into a championship match with Brock, it didn't seem out of place. The build to the event not only emphasised Guerrero's underdog nature, but also his past struggles with substance abuse, with Lesnar portraying himself as particularly disdainful of the prospect. As a result on the night the audience were firmly in Eddie's corner and not even a screwy finish could lessen the joyous emotional outpouring at the final bell. For the record, this was the second wrestling match to make me cry.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x538xyu
66) Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe (Six Sides Of Steel)
TNA Lockdown 2008
Kurt Angle's TNA debut match against Samoa Joe provided TNA with it's most financially succesful PPV in 2006. However the decision to run the match on 3 consecutive shows inevitably led to diminishing returns, and owing to 18 months of bad booking decisions, the prospect of these men clashing again was met with mixed levels of anticipation. Wisely then, TNA took an entirely different approach with this match. Rather then the traditional pro-wrestling build, the company employed UFC style vignettes with an emphasis on each competitors' training camps to lend the bout a sense of legitmacy. The blend of MMA style grappling, with traditional ring psychology makes this match stand out as something truly special in both men's careers and is defintiely worth taking the time to watch unfold and provides the final chapter of a truly memorable rivalry.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzbz70
65) Kurt Angle vs Desmond Wolfe
TNA Turning Point 2009
In 2006, the feud between Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe was a breath of fresh air in TNA and provided that rarest of prospects, a "dream match" done right. 3 years later, history would repeat itself, but this time Angle was in the position of the established TNA talent facing the challenge of passionate newcomer. Desmond Wolfe, better known to the wrestling world (and the rest of this list) as Nigel McGuiness, made an impactful first impression with his debut, attacking Angle multiple times and getting the best of veteran and laying the ground work for a match between the two. At Turning Point, Wolfe proved that his highly technical, European style could deliver results in a mainstream company, whilst Angle was his usual brilliant self. Unfortunately, much like the Angle-Joe rivalry, TNA would drive this feud into the the ground through repitition and even more tragically, Wolfe was never able to recover to the same level as Samoa Joe. As Wolfe/McGuiness was forced to end his in ring career far too soon, this ultimately serves as the last classic match of his career and a heartbreaking promise of what might have been.
Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFmTG2niEew
64) Bayley vs Asuka
NXT Takeover: Dallas 2016
Contrary to the WWE's popular narrative, their 'Women's Revolution' really began in 2012 with the hiring of indie stalwart Sara Del Ray as a trainer specifically assigned to the female talent in WWE's developmental program. The influence Del Ray had on the system cannot be understated with Paige, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley all stating the impact she had on their careers once they signed with WWE. By April 2016, all of those women with the exception of Bayley had debuted on the main WWE roster and raised the level of in-ring competition significantly. Bayley, meanwhile was ably serving as the champion of the Women's division in the NXT developmental brand, carrying on Del Ray's influence to the next group of development talent. She wasn't just the top female talent of NXT, but arguably the face of the brand. Enter: Asuka. Previously known as KANA in Japan, Asuka entered NXT with a well earned global reputation and a great deal of hype. This match then serves as the near finished product of the 'Women's Revolution' in Bayley, facing a talent who's presence is made possible by that same movement. Asuka is effectively the final boss of Bayley's time in NXT and this match between the two is appropriately excellent.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x41q8ic
63) Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker (Hell In A Cell)
WWE No Mercy 2002
I vividly remember in the build up to this match, I was filled with apprehension. I was a big fan of Lesnar at the time, and his mistreatment by the booking in the early stages of this feud had left me disappointed. Also, the Hell In A Cell stipulation had begun to lose it's luster following a greater emphasis on stunt based spectacle in its repeated use. Luckily, on this night in October of 2002, Lesnar and The Undertaker went in a different direction, eschewing stunts in favour of pure brawling. Blood in wrestling, when used in moderation, is a hugely effective storytelling tool and the drama it adds to this match cannot be understated. By the end of this match, Lesnar is rejuvenated as the top monster in the WWF and The Undertaker has delivered yet another in a long line of memorable matches. The rivalry between these two men would be revisted as recently as their Hell In A Cell sequel in 2015, but it was never as heated as it was in this match.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz6p71
62) Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio
WWE SummerSlam 2002
I don't have as much to say about this match as I do others on this list, it's just a great match between two unbelievable talents that I really enjoy. Angle was a multi time champion by August 2002, and one of the more respected wrestlers on the WWE roster. Rey Mysterio, meanwhile had had an acclaimed career throughout the 90's but the early 2000's WCW had tarnished his reputation somewhat, and no one knew quite what to expect when he debuted in the WWF in July 2002. Thankfully, Mysterio was afforded the opportunity to be himself and was an immediate success. The match between these two men at SummerSlam is a tour-de-force and probably still the greatest opening match to a show of all time.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6nij5u
61) Yoshihiro Takayama vs KENTA
NOAH Accomplish Our Fourth Navigation 2004
I think, liking this match as much as I do might actually make me a terrible person. First, a little context. Pro Wrestling NOAH was born in 2000 as breakaway from the All Japan Pro Wrestling. NOAH continued the "King's Road" style made popular by All Japan (which combined traditional Japanese styles with North American ring psychology) but somehow upped the level of hard hitting violence. Yoshihiro Takayama was the quintessential free agent in Japanese wrestling, with stints in All Japan, New Japan, the UWF and even a stint in a legitmate MMA company, Pride, to his name. Takayama was also unique in Japan owing to his 6ft 5in height and near 300lbs weight. In stark contrast stood KENTA, a 5ft 9in Juniorheavyweight, who though trained by AJPW, had only just begun to make a name for himself in NOAH. The mismatch between these two men creates a sense of palpable drama, and though Takayama doesn't hold back with his offense, KENTA gives as good as he gets. Ultimately though, this is a match where a very large man beats up a very small man for ten minutes. Again, I may be a bad person for enjoying it, but this is the match that made me a fan of both Pro Wrestling NOAH as a company and KENTA himself.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6k6kol
Thanks for reading, Part 5 should be up in 2 days.
70) Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair
WWE Survivor Series 2018
As I mentioned in the previous installment of this list, a celebrity making the jump into professional wrestling is a recipe for disaster. Luckily Ronda Rousey wasn't just any celebrity. Her past experience as an Olympic Judoka and the huge success she had as a pioneer of Women's MMA meant she was primed for the physicality of wrestling and being a lifelong fan of the WWE meant she brought a level of genuine enthusiasm with her into the business. In stark contrast to Rousey's path into the industry, was that of Charlotte Flair. Being the daughter of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time did not endear to Charlotte the prospect of a career in wrestling. Instead, it was the tragic passing of her brother Reid that encouraged her to live out his dream of being a wrestler in tribute. If Ronda proved a naturally gifted wrestler, Charlotte struggled a great deal to master her craft, but master it she did. This match up was originally intended to main event WrestleMania 35 but other circumstances intervened which is an accidental blessing as this confrontation between Rousey and Flair provides the first truly great singles match of Ronda's reign as Women's Champion. Not even a less that satisfactory finish can mar the work these two women put into this match and I sincerely hope we get to see a rematch sooner rather than later.
Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls_jIDueqsY
69) Triple H vs Cactus Jack (Hell In A Cell)
WWF No Way Out 2000
The measure of a trilogy is always in the ending. Cactus Jack's RAW debut in 1997 was a thrilling encounter that effectively established to the WWF audience that Mick Foley's original persona signified an escalation of danger and violence. Jack's return in early 2000 not only established a change in Foley's approach to his career, but also that Triple H had evolved sufficiently as a foe that only the brawler from Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico could meet that challenge. Triple H overcoming Cactus Jack at the Royal Rumble shocked, not only the audience, but the character of Jack himself. The story only had one place to go. If Jack was going to overcome his long term rival, he needed to up the stakes the only way he could, he needed to take their conflict to the most brutal battleground possible, to a location that nearly killed him the last time he entered it (lets forget that one time it happened on RAW), he needed to face Triple H in a Hell In A Cell match. Helmsley, the champion accepted the challenge, but only if Jack put his career on the line and retired if defeated. The stage was set and the stakes were high. Only a handful of wrestling matches have ever made me cry, this was the first, and probably still the most effecting 20 years later.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4um6l0
68) Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
WWF Survivor Series 1996
By 1996. Bret Hart had thoroughly established as the best wrestler in the WWF and possibly the world. Following his loss to real life rival Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XII, and genuine unhapinees with his treatment by the company, Hart decided to take time away from the company and pursue over interests. Steve Austin had been a gifted and lauded ring technician throughout the early 90's, but sensing he'd reached the peak of his career in WCW he left the company, and ultimately found his way to the WWF in early 1996. Austin's first few months in the new territory proved disappointing to both supporters of Austin, but also to the man himself. However following a well-timed character change, and the now legendary victory speech at King Of The Ring leading to the birth of the infamous 'Austin 3:16' brand, the newly christened 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was finally making headway. When Hart returned to the company in November, he was given the option to choose his opponent, and in a brilliantly passive aggressive swipe at then current champion Shawn Michaels, Hart chose the "best wrestler in the WWF", Steve Austin. The first encounter between Hart and Austin is not only a brilliant technical match that firmly establishes Austin as a world class talent, it is also the first chapter of one of the greatest rivalries in WWF history.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5unasm
67) Brock Lesnar vs Eddie Guerrero
WWE No Way Out 2004
When all is said and done, Brock Lesnar will go down in history as one of the greatest "big match" wrestlers in the history of the industry. His huge frame and NCAA amatuer wrestling background have always signalled him as a talent to watch, but his innate grasp of storytelling and willingness to look vunerable when it would be the most effective, have made him a true main event talent for almost 18 years and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Eddie Guerrero, in stark constrast, was never viewed as a potential headliner. Widely regarded as a phenomenal talent, Guerrero's 5ft 8in height was always viewed as an unassailable obstacle on his path to the main event. Yet, Eddie had charisma and talent to spare and by 2004 was so beloved by the WWF audience, that when he was placed into a championship match with Brock, it didn't seem out of place. The build to the event not only emphasised Guerrero's underdog nature, but also his past struggles with substance abuse, with Lesnar portraying himself as particularly disdainful of the prospect. As a result on the night the audience were firmly in Eddie's corner and not even a screwy finish could lessen the joyous emotional outpouring at the final bell. For the record, this was the second wrestling match to make me cry.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x538xyu
66) Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe (Six Sides Of Steel)
TNA Lockdown 2008
Kurt Angle's TNA debut match against Samoa Joe provided TNA with it's most financially succesful PPV in 2006. However the decision to run the match on 3 consecutive shows inevitably led to diminishing returns, and owing to 18 months of bad booking decisions, the prospect of these men clashing again was met with mixed levels of anticipation. Wisely then, TNA took an entirely different approach with this match. Rather then the traditional pro-wrestling build, the company employed UFC style vignettes with an emphasis on each competitors' training camps to lend the bout a sense of legitmacy. The blend of MMA style grappling, with traditional ring psychology makes this match stand out as something truly special in both men's careers and is defintiely worth taking the time to watch unfold and provides the final chapter of a truly memorable rivalry.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzbz70
65) Kurt Angle vs Desmond Wolfe
TNA Turning Point 2009
In 2006, the feud between Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe was a breath of fresh air in TNA and provided that rarest of prospects, a "dream match" done right. 3 years later, history would repeat itself, but this time Angle was in the position of the established TNA talent facing the challenge of passionate newcomer. Desmond Wolfe, better known to the wrestling world (and the rest of this list) as Nigel McGuiness, made an impactful first impression with his debut, attacking Angle multiple times and getting the best of veteran and laying the ground work for a match between the two. At Turning Point, Wolfe proved that his highly technical, European style could deliver results in a mainstream company, whilst Angle was his usual brilliant self. Unfortunately, much like the Angle-Joe rivalry, TNA would drive this feud into the the ground through repitition and even more tragically, Wolfe was never able to recover to the same level as Samoa Joe. As Wolfe/McGuiness was forced to end his in ring career far too soon, this ultimately serves as the last classic match of his career and a heartbreaking promise of what might have been.
Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFmTG2niEew
64) Bayley vs Asuka
NXT Takeover: Dallas 2016
Contrary to the WWE's popular narrative, their 'Women's Revolution' really began in 2012 with the hiring of indie stalwart Sara Del Ray as a trainer specifically assigned to the female talent in WWE's developmental program. The influence Del Ray had on the system cannot be understated with Paige, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley all stating the impact she had on their careers once they signed with WWE. By April 2016, all of those women with the exception of Bayley had debuted on the main WWE roster and raised the level of in-ring competition significantly. Bayley, meanwhile was ably serving as the champion of the Women's division in the NXT developmental brand, carrying on Del Ray's influence to the next group of development talent. She wasn't just the top female talent of NXT, but arguably the face of the brand. Enter: Asuka. Previously known as KANA in Japan, Asuka entered NXT with a well earned global reputation and a great deal of hype. This match then serves as the near finished product of the 'Women's Revolution' in Bayley, facing a talent who's presence is made possible by that same movement. Asuka is effectively the final boss of Bayley's time in NXT and this match between the two is appropriately excellent.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x41q8ic
63) Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker (Hell In A Cell)
WWE No Mercy 2002
I vividly remember in the build up to this match, I was filled with apprehension. I was a big fan of Lesnar at the time, and his mistreatment by the booking in the early stages of this feud had left me disappointed. Also, the Hell In A Cell stipulation had begun to lose it's luster following a greater emphasis on stunt based spectacle in its repeated use. Luckily, on this night in October of 2002, Lesnar and The Undertaker went in a different direction, eschewing stunts in favour of pure brawling. Blood in wrestling, when used in moderation, is a hugely effective storytelling tool and the drama it adds to this match cannot be understated. By the end of this match, Lesnar is rejuvenated as the top monster in the WWF and The Undertaker has delivered yet another in a long line of memorable matches. The rivalry between these two men would be revisted as recently as their Hell In A Cell sequel in 2015, but it was never as heated as it was in this match.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz6p71
62) Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio
WWE SummerSlam 2002
I don't have as much to say about this match as I do others on this list, it's just a great match between two unbelievable talents that I really enjoy. Angle was a multi time champion by August 2002, and one of the more respected wrestlers on the WWE roster. Rey Mysterio, meanwhile had had an acclaimed career throughout the 90's but the early 2000's WCW had tarnished his reputation somewhat, and no one knew quite what to expect when he debuted in the WWF in July 2002. Thankfully, Mysterio was afforded the opportunity to be himself and was an immediate success. The match between these two men at SummerSlam is a tour-de-force and probably still the greatest opening match to a show of all time.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6nij5u
61) Yoshihiro Takayama vs KENTA
NOAH Accomplish Our Fourth Navigation 2004
I think, liking this match as much as I do might actually make me a terrible person. First, a little context. Pro Wrestling NOAH was born in 2000 as breakaway from the All Japan Pro Wrestling. NOAH continued the "King's Road" style made popular by All Japan (which combined traditional Japanese styles with North American ring psychology) but somehow upped the level of hard hitting violence. Yoshihiro Takayama was the quintessential free agent in Japanese wrestling, with stints in All Japan, New Japan, the UWF and even a stint in a legitmate MMA company, Pride, to his name. Takayama was also unique in Japan owing to his 6ft 5in height and near 300lbs weight. In stark contrast stood KENTA, a 5ft 9in Juniorheavyweight, who though trained by AJPW, had only just begun to make a name for himself in NOAH. The mismatch between these two men creates a sense of palpable drama, and though Takayama doesn't hold back with his offense, KENTA gives as good as he gets. Ultimately though, this is a match where a very large man beats up a very small man for ten minutes. Again, I may be a bad person for enjoying it, but this is the match that made me a fan of both Pro Wrestling NOAH as a company and KENTA himself.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6k6kol
Thanks for reading, Part 5 should be up in 2 days.
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