Post by lacky007 on Nov 30, 2009 7:52:41 GMT -5
With the first decade of the millennium coming to a close, I thought it would be fitting to discuss the top matches of the past decade. Here is my top 10. Keep in mind it is WWE only because that's what I've primarily watched other than some TNA. (the 2005 triple thread would probably be on this list otherwise).
10. Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (Royal Rumble 2003)
Up until this point, Benoit wasn't considered a legit main eventer, but this match changed all that. These two went out there and put on a technical clinic, with the fans giving Benoit a standing ovation in defeat after the match.
9. HBK vs Chris Jericho (Ladder Match, No Mercy 2008
The blowoff to the best feud of the latter half of the 2000's. These two took the ladder match and revolutionized it again with never before seen spots. Crazy when you consider that their combined ages were close to 80 at the time and they still outshined all of the the youngster spot monkeys.
8. HBK vs Kurt Angle (Wrestlemania 21)
Two all-time greats stepping it up and delivering on the biggest stage possible.
7. John Cena vs Edge (TLC Match, Unforgiven 06)
Often overlooked on great match lists, but undeservedly so. These two had great matches during their feud, but this one takes the cake in my opinion (even better than their Backlash 09 LMS match IMO). Aside from Edge/Flair, it was the first big event 1 on 1 TLC match, and Cena kept up with the ladder specialist Edge. They both took massive bumps and worked their asses off in this one.
6. Steve Austin vs Triple H (3 Stages of Hell, No Way Out 2001)
These two guys never had a main event world title program, and this great match showed us what we missed. Non-stop action for 30+ minutes and they stole the show from the great main event of Angle/Rock.
5. Hardys vs Dudleyz vs Edge and Christian (TLC Match, Wrestlemania 17)
Although this was the third ladder-like match between these three teams, it was by far their best. It made the other two matches seem obsolete with the innovative and SICK spots (Edge's spear onto the hanging Jeff Hardy anyone?). And this match created 2, arguably 3 future main eventers.
4. Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle (Summerslam 2001)
I think a lot more people would remember how great this match was if it wasn't for the screwy ending. This was 20 minutes of nonstop action thoughout. It also displayed Austin at his all time best as a heel doing everything he could to hold onto the WWE Championship (Side Note: It shows how much the belt was valued then, unlike today where titles hop around every PPV)
3. Steve Austin vs The Rock (Wrestlemania 17)
The two biggest stars of the decade headlining their second Wrestlemania together. And they went out there and had a hell of a brawl. I think the screwjob ending, with its long and dragged-out nature, took away from the match, but not enough to keep it out of the top 3 on my list. Rock's best match ever and probably Austin's best one too.
2. Triple H vs Cactus Jack (Street Fight, Royal Rumble 2000)
The match that really put HHH on the map as a superstar and one that everyone, including the H haters (like myself), has to give it up to him for. He hung toe-to-toe with the hardcore legend in a street fight and this match is one of the main reasons he's still on top 10 years later (ugh).
1. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker (Wrestlemania 25)
What else can be said about this match that already hasn't? Two legends with all the pressure on their shoulders to save an otherwise lackluster Wrestlemania. And if that wasn't enough, 95% of the people knew the outcome of this match. So with all this in mind, they delivered BIG TIME. They went out there for 30 minutes and completely tore the house down. And the best part: You actually believed HBK could win. This is the best match of the decade for me, hands down.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading my list, and if you all enjoyed it, I'd consider doing more of the same. Maybe you guys can share your own lists and leave feedback for mine.
10. Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (Royal Rumble 2003)
Up until this point, Benoit wasn't considered a legit main eventer, but this match changed all that. These two went out there and put on a technical clinic, with the fans giving Benoit a standing ovation in defeat after the match.
9. HBK vs Chris Jericho (Ladder Match, No Mercy 2008
The blowoff to the best feud of the latter half of the 2000's. These two took the ladder match and revolutionized it again with never before seen spots. Crazy when you consider that their combined ages were close to 80 at the time and they still outshined all of the the youngster spot monkeys.
8. HBK vs Kurt Angle (Wrestlemania 21)
Two all-time greats stepping it up and delivering on the biggest stage possible.
7. John Cena vs Edge (TLC Match, Unforgiven 06)
Often overlooked on great match lists, but undeservedly so. These two had great matches during their feud, but this one takes the cake in my opinion (even better than their Backlash 09 LMS match IMO). Aside from Edge/Flair, it was the first big event 1 on 1 TLC match, and Cena kept up with the ladder specialist Edge. They both took massive bumps and worked their asses off in this one.
6. Steve Austin vs Triple H (3 Stages of Hell, No Way Out 2001)
These two guys never had a main event world title program, and this great match showed us what we missed. Non-stop action for 30+ minutes and they stole the show from the great main event of Angle/Rock.
5. Hardys vs Dudleyz vs Edge and Christian (TLC Match, Wrestlemania 17)
Although this was the third ladder-like match between these three teams, it was by far their best. It made the other two matches seem obsolete with the innovative and SICK spots (Edge's spear onto the hanging Jeff Hardy anyone?). And this match created 2, arguably 3 future main eventers.
4. Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle (Summerslam 2001)
I think a lot more people would remember how great this match was if it wasn't for the screwy ending. This was 20 minutes of nonstop action thoughout. It also displayed Austin at his all time best as a heel doing everything he could to hold onto the WWE Championship (Side Note: It shows how much the belt was valued then, unlike today where titles hop around every PPV)
3. Steve Austin vs The Rock (Wrestlemania 17)
The two biggest stars of the decade headlining their second Wrestlemania together. And they went out there and had a hell of a brawl. I think the screwjob ending, with its long and dragged-out nature, took away from the match, but not enough to keep it out of the top 3 on my list. Rock's best match ever and probably Austin's best one too.
2. Triple H vs Cactus Jack (Street Fight, Royal Rumble 2000)
The match that really put HHH on the map as a superstar and one that everyone, including the H haters (like myself), has to give it up to him for. He hung toe-to-toe with the hardcore legend in a street fight and this match is one of the main reasons he's still on top 10 years later (ugh).
1. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker (Wrestlemania 25)
What else can be said about this match that already hasn't? Two legends with all the pressure on their shoulders to save an otherwise lackluster Wrestlemania. And if that wasn't enough, 95% of the people knew the outcome of this match. So with all this in mind, they delivered BIG TIME. They went out there for 30 minutes and completely tore the house down. And the best part: You actually believed HBK could win. This is the best match of the decade for me, hands down.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading my list, and if you all enjoyed it, I'd consider doing more of the same. Maybe you guys can share your own lists and leave feedback for mine.
