highest rated wwe matches of all time

Heres the deal: Those are my teachers that were in that match Larry Zbyszko, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton. Flyin' Bryan added altitude to his arsenal that elevated the contest into a truly memorable encounter. Eddie Guerrero was the industry veteran who was in the midst of one of the greatest comebacks in pro wrestling history, after conquering his personal demons and the perception he was "just a cruiserweight." It ranks in the top five matches I've had in my entire life." That night, The American Dream became reality. That's the case here. In the end though, it was Flair who emerged the winner and consequently the champion. At WrestleMania III, the 15-year undefeated Andre the Giant stepped over the top rope to face WWE Champion Hulk Hogan in front of more than 93,000 members of the WWE Universe. The Big Red Machine tombstoned The Dead Man, while a broken-down Michaels crawled over Undertaker to steal the win. The contest alternated between a fast-paced, high-flying affair and a slow, methodical bout as Zayn and Cesaro split the first two falls. SAM ROBERTS, AS TOLD TO ZACH LINDER, They say records were made to be broken, but even as John Cena inched closer and closer to Ric Flairs 16 World Championships, it seemed unlikely that The Cenation Leader would tie the mark heading into the 2017 Royal Rumble. The best matches always have an element of truth to them. and he said, 'He's halfway to 18. ", Van Dam and Lynn first stole the show at Living Dangerously, but they upstaged that encounter with this back-and-forth Hardcore Heaven 1999 tour de force. It came down to best friends-turned-archrivals, and HBK in just his second match after a back injury forced him into retirement four years earlier silenced Triple H's title reign with some Sweet Chin Music. Dave Meltzer may give these matches all the stars, but we're looking for matches that stand the test of time. IMPACT No Surrender Quick Results - 2/24/23 (Title Matches and more!) It was, quite literally, the WrestleMania main event that shook the world. That said, we think it boils down to two all-time greats being in absolute command of their characters, their craft, and the crowd. She did and she didnt, maturing before the fans (and Banks) eyes into a bona fide, certified champion, while still retaining the hugs, headbands and admiration that defined her aesthetic. When you watch the match, you have a feeling that the only people who truly know its the end are Austin and The Rock. Consider this: the Hell In A Cell match was once the ultimate stipulation. Dave Meltzer may give these matches all the stars, but we're looking for matches that stand the test of time. MITCH PASSERO, "I always wanted to be a Paul Heyman Guy. But the biggest winners would be the fans. "I thought I would collect on the Lloyd's of London policy that would kick in after a 450-pound man sandwiched me. The victory put to rest the idea that Bryan was a "weak link" and proved The Shield could be beaten. At its best, the Rumble is one cohesive story made up of several smaller stories that not only manages to entertain fans for more than an hour, but also elevate all 30 men involved. And these wrestlers have put on many of the greatest matches in pro wrestling history. Still, Michaels went down swinging (literally slapping 'Taker), but lost the match and his career, in an emotional finale for one of the greatest in-ring workers ever. It made me feel like we had seen the last of Shawn Michaels, and it was very sad. But really, where could it go from here? On any other event, Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart would've stolen the show. CM Punk, Those words provided the backdrop of betrayal that framed the match billed as "The Best vs. Its also the ideal moment in WCW history modern enough to feel vital but old enough to still feel totally raw. 1. They executed it like two veterans do." BOBBY MELOK. "It was a special night for us both. MICK FOLEY, AS TOLD TO ZACH LINDER. Not only did it feature the greatest debut of all time, but the first Hell In A Cell match remains the greatest Hell In A Cell match. I look at that as the event that turned Mr. McMahon into a Mick Foley fan. "The biggest challenge for me was to take the things in my head that seem so vibrant and real and make them happen in the ring. Michaels and Hart made their match feel real, as real as any boxing match or MMA fight. And, if the meme-ified gentleman in the front row is any indication, a moment few people thought was happening even as they watched the fateful three-count that snapped The Undertakers unblemished WrestleMania mark and instantly elevated Brock Lesnar to god-level bada** status. And trust us, feuds don't come much bloodier than this. @JOEYSTYLES. You want everybody to forget about who won or lost. The moment Triple H reacted to Cactus Jack, from that point on Cactus was the go-to, larger-than-life, mythological character who is bigger, better and badder than anyone else Id ever be." But that's hardly surprising, given the careers both men had in WWE and it's. GREG ADKINS. While his "Yes!" But I had just started to like Shawn and root for the bad guys. In this Friday night clash, however, the trio would finally be stopped. Yet Vince McMahon had other plans in 2014, specifically an ill-conceived bout between former Evolution teammates Randy Orton and Dave Batista. WrestleMania 17 (stylized as WrestleMania X-Seven) was the 17th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). Two generational stars. ANTHONY BENIGNO. In many ways, the opening chapter of the legendary Steamboat-Flair trilogy played out like the first movement of a symphony. The Royal Rumble is the easiest match to book, but the hardest match to book well. And coming from the Hart family, the expectations were very high. The match didn't lie to fans Guerrero couldn't beat Lesnar. during a promo. The Undertaker: Raw (06/28/1999) 9.5: 10,721,000 viewers (most watched wrestling cable match in history). A flamboyant, cocky and dastardly grappler that was an expert in his craft and he knew it. He knew I'd been Cactus Jack, but had no idea that there was this Dude Love character I'd wanted to be when I was 17 or 18 years old. But this wasn't any other event; it was WrestleMania X and the "match of the night" belonged to Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match. Newly arrived to WWE, the ever-serious Malenko was a natural foil for the goofy, bucket-hat-wearing, Worm-performing Scotty 2 Hotty. We definitely did our job that night. Long story short? I was fortunate to see some tapes of [Rey Mysterio] from Mexico and matches he'd had in Japan with Psychosis and Juventud Guerrera. The match worked because it highlighted the characteristics that would shoot the competitors to the main event: Dean Ambrose's chaotic frenzy, Seth Rollins and the late Brodie Lee's (Luke Harper) ring general workrate, and Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns' WrestleMania main event-level starpower. It was inventive and breathtaking, unlike anything that had. The fans turned Bryan babyface in a big way, and a year and a half later he was back competing for the big belt. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall made a big deal out of it, and they had just started with the company. There was brawling, wrestling, the most palpable antipathy between two performers feasible, and an undisputed victor that somehow didnt demean the loser at all. When considering the greatest rivals of The Man Called Sting not named Ric Flair, one person comes to mind: Big Van Vader. Even in defeat, Jericho stayed strong, as he lost to a simple roll-up, as the wily Michaels capitalized on Jericho's arrogance. "Its a masterpiece." Magnums goal was not only to win back the coveted U.S. ANTHONY BENIGNO. With the 38th edition of Wrestlemania on the horizon, we've assembled our ranking of the 25 best Wrestlemania matches ever, all of which can be watched on Peacock. What resulted was 15 minutes of nonstop, rapid-fire collisions, dives and triple-team maneuvers that simply havent been duplicated on pay-per-view since. Mick Foley described the bout best when he told WWE.com that his clash with Austin was, "The kind of match you could show to someone and say, 'This is why Im a wrestling fan.' The 25 Greatest wwe events of all time are 1. Here is the list- WWE Top 10 Bloodiest Match of all the time in WWE history. Due to the influence of indie wrestling and ECW, pro wrestling was dominated by more high spots and less selling in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a trend many argue continues to this day. I didnt want to do that and be like George Costanza. What feverish mind dreamed up the atrocities that unfolded during TLC II? CRAIG TELLO. Throughout the 2010s, the HIAC went from being a battleground where only blood feuds ended to "just another match" where any feud began. Most Watched WWE Cable Matches . Rey's a very special performer, as we all know. It was a very unique, hard-hitting match. But on this night, the Hart brothers stood tall: Bret for winning the title, Owen for beating his brother, and both for putting on the greatest opening match in WrestleMania and WWE history. Not only did Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns formally debut by going after the biggest, baddest dog in the yard (thatd be Ryback), but their first match was against that same guy, and the most dominant Tag Team Champions since D-Generation X, in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match in WWEs Brooklyn debut. Absolutely not. Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Disney + HotStar. Truly great matches don't just get stars, they create them. It stands the test of time." This match, and the standing ovation that followed, would be CM Punk's last great moment in WWE. Is it a little premature to declare Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins from Hell In A Cell 2022 an all-time classic? But Daniel Bryan vs. The Beast from the East answered with plenty of punishment of his own, including the "Oh My God!" Meanwhile, Michaels had supplemented the multifaceted, in-ring abilities that made him great in the 1990s, with the superb pacing and storytelling that comes from experience. "My statement for this match was, 'I want to retire, and I want to go out the way I came in, as Cactus Jack having the type of matches that I made my name doing.' Title, including attempting to get himself disqualified to lose the match but not the gold. Following a grueling half-hour war that lived up to any of their or anyone elses previous battles, Flair finally scored a three-count over his Mr. Nice Guy rival. So WrestleMania 22 with Edge was realistically my last chance to try to carve out that spot in my legacy. "Everything about Bret and Owen Hart was a situation anybody with siblings could identify with. Triple H picked up the "W," but both men emerged changed forever. Need a crash course on why a dedicated sect of sports-entertainment fans is still holding out hope for the resurgence of a Cruiserweight Division? This match, though. In his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., Flair put his career on the line against the monstrous Vaders WCW Championship. It also set the pair on a collision course that would culminate in the infamous incident in Montreal the following year at Survivor Series. Survivor series 2002 5. Truthfully, on paper Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart should have been a top five "best ever." And one of the most famous examples from this era wasn't a highspot or a 2.75-second nearfall, but a simple staredown between two of the most famous factions ever, The Shield and The Wyatt Family on "Monday Night Raw." Natalya WWEs first third-generation female Superstar, granddaughter of Stu Hart, daughter of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, niece of Bret Hart battled Charlotte daughter of 16-time World Champion Ric Flair with WWE Hall of Famers Bret and Ric at ringside. This website uses cookies. If there was a giveaway that was the end, that was it. They should have screamed. But it wasnt just the personal drama that made this one of the best Intercontinental Title Matches of all time. The Beast." In capturing his seventh World Championship his last for the next decade The Rock left no room for dispute that he was, indeed, The Great One. And when that identity is put on the line in a match, it makes that bout incredibly personal. The little brother, Owen, was cast in Brets shadow and was always compared to Bret. ANTHONY BENIGNO. It's The Wrestling Classic here with another list for ONE37pm. Interestingly, it was an incredibly uncharacteristic Shooting Star Press that nearly doomed Lesnar, yet The Beast Incarnate recovered and ravaged Angle with an F-5 for the win. Shawn Michaels is regarded by many as the absolute best wrestler of all time. In John Cena, you had the larger-than-life, musclebound, clean-cut babyface favored by Vince McMahon and mainstream "sports entertainment" fans; and in CM Punk you had the tattooed, flip off the system, indie wrestler beloved by a large segment of the fans. It wasn't one thing. I was so stoked to see it. While Edge would prevail, all 29 men and one woman (Beth Phoenix) got over. Thankfully, it didn't come to that, but it did end with both men bloody, battered, beaten collapsing into a heap, with Triple H landing on Austin in a twist of fate. And it was only fitting that The Ultimate Opportunist himself, Edge, wound up seizing the briefcase in the end by utilizing a steel chair as the decisive equalizer. This was supposed to be Ricky Steamboat's cup of coffee in the big time. The match was a clash of styles, but in a good way. I wasnt able to do that at WrestleMania, so I approached Backlash with Randy in a completely different manner. His performance here proved he truly was "the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.". They both must have been proud after this one. Top Rated Wrestling Matches Top Rated of All Time Current Champions Roman Reigns (WWE Raw) Roman Reigns (WWE SD) Maxwell Jacob Friedman (AEW) Bron Breakker (NXT) Claudio Castagnoli (ROH) Josh Alexander (Impact) Daniel Garcia (PWG) Tyrus (NWA) Yuji Nagata (AJPW) Kazuchika Okada (NJPW) Kaito Kiyomiya (NOAH) El Hijo Del Vikingo (AAA) Perfect at ringside, an incensed Savage lived up to his name by beating, battering and bloodying Flair before winning the title. Thats how I learned by listening to these guys, my mentors. Always." Savage and Steamboat wrestled in a fast-paced, athletic classic that never slowed down for even a second during its entire 15-minute runtime. ANTHONY BENIGNO. "It was about making the small things mean a lot. Sometimes the best feuds are the ones you didn't know you wanted until they actually happen, and this was 100% the case here. It's a matter of my physical prowess against his technical and high-flying ability. The wince-inducing clash established that Hell in a Cell was WWEs most sinister stipulation when both rivals took the fight atop the structure before HBK tumbled off the side of the Cell and through the Spanish announce table. I was in my 40s and he was knocking on the door. If you tear the frickin' house down, that'll usually take care of it." How did the nWo's Scott Hall & Kevin Nash factor into the contest? The two competitors engaged in a ferocious brawl where it seemed that neither would ever relent. Cody Rhodes bested Damian Sandow in a fine battle, that had the right level of intensity for the friends turned foes. used it to his advantage, forcing Blanchard to quit and reclaiming the U.S. Every near-fall is suspenseful. The biggest WrestleMania of all time, with over 93,000 (allegedly) crammed into the Pontiac Silverdome to see one of the most anticipated matches of all time: Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant. JEFF LABOON. Some dudes just "click" and that certainly applies to Mark Calaway and Michael Hickenbottom, better known by their respective ring names of The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event, your favorite shows, new movies, live sports, and more. It wasnt until a few years later, when that term came into the wrestling lexicon, that people started pointing out that I hadnt actually had one of those. Bryan defeated incumbent champion Randy Orton and potential usurper Batista in a bout that and this isnt an exaggeration the WWE Universe willed him to in the first place by way of sheer fan support. Royal Rumble (2000) The 2000 Royal Rumble gets off to a fantastic start with Taz making his WWE pay-per-view debut against Kurt Angle. Steamboat was your prototypical hero a returning favorite who had conquered the evil perennial champ all while showcasing his folksy values and mat expertise. After Neville pulled the referee from the ring as Zayn attempted to pin Kidd, the NXT Champion shockingly superkicked his friend Zayn and connected with a thrilling Red Arrow on Kidd for the victory. But something funny happened. The gimmick matched the storyline, as WWE put a roof on the cage so that Michaels couldn't escape. Wrestling Worst Wrestling Matches of All Time By Craig Donofrio on March 30, 2021 SliceWrestling / Twitter When wrestling is good, it's great. But dont dismiss this WrestleWar 1990 main event as another night of The Nature Boy dragging an outmatched opponent to the Promised Land. The Dead Man is debatably the greatest big man ever. It was around that 14-minute mark, but I think, in a way, that allowed people to enjoy it even more, because you could take a casual fan and say, 'You have your doubts about wrestling? TOM HERRERA. The Huggable One had spent her entire NXT career unable to suppress her awe at competing in WWE even while she ostensibly chased a championship. I always tried to embrace my little brother, and Bret always did what he could to be a big brother to Owen. The challenger ruled the day, but the methods making that result possible set the bar for all of the Cruiserweight competitors who would follow in the footsteps of these larger-than-life fighters. JOHN CLAPP, Believe in The Shield or follow the buzzards? Liger, however, matched that strategy and stayed up tempo enough to put Pillman at risk for a loss. DAVID SHOEMAKER. The fact Hart not only salvaged the match, but produced an all-time classic that made both men look like stars, is a testament to his brilliance. He can do all the pro wrestling stuff you want, but can also do the other stuff, and thats what was so much fun for him and I mixing and matching the two. This angle got him over, but he was still a sniveling heel of the Edge or Seth Rollins variety, not the cold-blooded killer, a la Jake Roberts, WWE needed as a foe for The Rock. You can guess at it, but until guys get in the ring, you dont know for sure whether they have chemistry together. After a trilogy of matches that changed sports-entertainment forever, Flair earned the respect of all that had despised him. Ric Flair might not have been a good guy, but the fans loved him for it. Pinfalls, submissions and even disqualifications played a hand in the final result, which was highlighted by Angle fighting desperately and futilely for a comeback in the final 15 minutes. "David vs. Goliath" is one of the most popular storylines for a reason: it works. DEAN MALENKO, AS TOLD TO BRIAN PELLEGATTO, Remember earlier, when we said the long way is the best? Hart had come back from an extended absence to work with who he felt was the WWE's best wrestler, before regaining his title from Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 13 (yeah, so much for that). In interviews before the match, both guys agreed: Its not about a title its about pride. Not to mention, the huge crowd in Seattle looked so amazing the whole show and were loud the entire night. MICK FOLEY, AS TOLD TO ZACH LINDER. While Bryan was the world's best wrestler since Day 1, his character work elevated him to WrestleMania main event-level status, especially his super sticky "Yes!" Perfect with the Intercontinental Title hanging in the balance. I knew I was going against the boss wishes, but it just seemed like it was 'best for business' at the time." The "Hit Man" proved himself inside Madison Square Garden where he stood toe-to-toe with Mr. "The thing about both me and Savage was that neither one of us liked to do a lot of talking when it came to settling our differences. They told me, 'Dustin, shut up. The athletic Charlotte captured the NXT Womens Championship against a ring veteran, giving the WWE Universe a taste of what wasto come in the Women's Division. I dont think theres ever been a case where a guy reverted back to a character hed been in his pre-WWE career. It was a game-changer for the industry. There was a special energy there. When fans chanted "this is awesome," it was awesome. What if we had a real [rivalry] heading into a pay-per-view? The two competitors had the NXT Universe hanging on every move they executed, each one looking like it could end the match. The Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins' blood feud brought the bout back to its former glory in an unforgettable way. As many expected, the 450-pound Mastodon imposed his will on the two-time WWE Hall of Famer, pummeling Flair around ringside. The Rated-R Superstar, on the other hand, had been undefeated in such matches. The perfect mix of technical mastery and main event-level appeal, Michaels and Jericho traded kip-ups and Superkicks in a fast-paced affair that saw HBK walk away with a big Show of Shows victory. The match built from a grinding start to a controversial crescendo that involved a second referee and a split-second decision. "Its something that happens naturally in the ring. Whether any of these matches are your favorites, or you're discovering them for the first time, put the 30 best WWE matches of all time on your "must-watch" bucket list. I didnt know who I wanted to win, but the moment when Razor climbed up and grabbed both titles became such an iconic moment, especially for me as a kid, because I was there. Thats the tell-tale sign of two guys who know what theyre doing. The most harrowing moment came near the end, when Jerry Sags tested the durability of the human spine by shoving Cactus Jack back-first off a ramp onto the floor. Dont worry, you can watch the entire event, uninterrupted on WWE Network. When inspired, The Total Package could go, and he showed that during an NWA Title opportunity that was originally intended for an injured Sting. At some point, that had happened to me. John Cena vs. CM Punk is not only the best match of either man's careers or even the best match of the 2010s. From a crash-and-burn standpoint, no, it was not going to be like that. came to a head at Starrcade 1985 in an "I Quit" Steel Cage Match. It says a lot about Flair the institution, but the match speaks even more loudly about the potential of Curt Hennig the hero a role which he played here better than he ever did. Both men took turns clobbering each other around the arena in a barbaric Texas Death Match, living up to their legendary reputations for being able to inflict and tolerate high amounts of pain. The resilient Steamboat, however, knew that he had it inside him to overcome the odds. The first match rated more than five stars by Meltzer was Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat in 1989. Put them together and you get more stars than the Milky Way galaxy. In the end, Bret underestimated his baby brother and lost to a rollup. Before SummerSlam 1991, Bret "Hit Man" Hart was an unknown commodity as a singles wrestler. Billed as a battle between the two best pure athletes in WWE history, the match felt appropriately Olympics-esque (by way of Vince McMahon's pro wrestling circus, of course), with both guys mixing mat wrestling with devastating suplexes. The Royal Rumble concept is Pat Patterson's masterpiece. Undertaker had a bloodied Michaels beaten until the lights went black, chilling organ music began, and out of the flames emerged Undertaker's long-lost brother, Kane. Sign up for Peacock to watch. "From the beginning, the way Pillman dominated Barry Windham for the first full five-minute section of the match was sort of unexpected, because Windham was a lot bigger than Pillman, and at that point at least, a lot more established than Pillman was. "The greatest thing about that rivalry is that each week it changed, because there was no destination in sight, and one of the things that got added to it as the rivalry was progressing was Chris getting white-hot and winning the World Championship. But then the most unlikely of challenges appeared in the form of Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho. Undertaker and Triple H felt less like a wrestling bout, and more like Anakin Skywalker vs. Obi Wan Kenobi at the end of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith." We were not about to go out there and have a crash-and-burn Ladder Match under any circumstances, so it benefited us that the [rivalry] didnt call for that. Ricky Steamboat and "Ravishing" Rick Rude showed that at Beach Blast 1992. By the time he finally delivered the defining Helluva Kick to fell Neville, he had fulfilled his destiny as the champion the NXT Universe always knew him to be. The match has it all from CM Punk's early match domination, to one of Kofi Kingston's most creative survival attempts, to Triple H's shocking elimination by his best friend, Shawn Michaels, to massive amounts of star power (Cena, Batista, Jericho), to a shocking return and subsequent victory that nobody predicted (Edge). Trust us, putting this list together was tough, and there are bound to be omissions, but these matches truly are the "best of the best," and belong on any all-time list. But whatever followed, we'll always have this match, an expertly paced, old school brawl that had both guys emerge even bigger stars. If so, finish reading this list, grab a tasty beverage, settle down in a comfy seat and immediately get eyes on the Champion vs. Champion Match featuring Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler from Bragging Rights 2010. Thats the expression, 'Take them on a roller coaster ride.' While Savage vs. Fans were rabid for this match, creating an absolutely electric environment. Though reviled by much of the WWE Universe for his anti-U.S. angst, Bret still had a very strong sect of support in the north. That didn't stop the Cenation leader from pulling off one of the most remarkable upsets of his career, as he somehow found a way to batter Edge's resolve in spite of a hostile crowd that loudly chanted "Cena sucks!" "I'm on record as saying that its probably impossible to wrestle a perfect match, but I think it's as close as I ever got. And when the champion finally prevailed despite a spirited effort by the challenger, they embraced as a sign of respect. The highest-rated NXT match on this list saw Almas and Gargano give absolutely everything they had as they did battle for the NXT Championship. Double-crossing Tazz was a very bad idea, unless you enjoyed getting suplexed onto your head. Bryan, the world-class technical pro wrestler who also had star power vs. Cena, the natural-born sports entertainer who'd blossomed into one of the best big match workers in the business. But while WWE became the most dominant name in sports entertainment based on cartoonish storylines and characters think yellow bandana wearing "Real Americans" battling bodybuilders in face paint from "Parts Unknown" the promotion has also been home to the best pro wrestlers on the planet. It was wild for all the right reasons. When Flair pulled out the win by jumping off the top rope with a cross body, it was such an amazing moment that you could understand why Flair tried (and failed) that move in every match he had after that. That means the only way to appreciate their historic trio of clashes is to experience the pace and exhilaration of this opening Allegro in its entirety. You can trace the moment NXT became must-see television to the second the final bell rang in this jaw-dropping 2-out-of-3 Falls Match between Sami Zayn and Cesaro. Third, there must be a conclusive winner (s), so Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind. Its somewhat difficult to watch the match back as a weary Undertaker fights like a man possessed to hold off the inevitable. But at Survivor Series 2001, the war finally hit the ring when 10 of the biggest, baddest Superstars came to fight for their respective companies. It's a match that would feel fresh in any era, with a simple story about an egomaniac (Jericho) trying to break out of his hero's shadow, while that same hero (Michaels) wants to prove he's still got it. The gimmick matched the storyline, as real as any boxing match or MMA fight learned by listening to guys! Chance to try to carve out that spot in my entire life. specifically an bout! Such matches a `` weak link '' and proved the Shield could be beaten near-fall is suspenseful as! Event, Bret Hart should have been a good way you dont know for whether... Each one looking like it could end the match but not the gold Hart would 've stolen the.... Starrcade 1985 in an `` I always wanted to be like that of his own, attempting! Said the long way is the easiest match to book, but the fans loved him for it. of... I would collect on the line in a fast-paced, high-flying affair and split-second! His hometown of Charlotte, N.C., Flair earned the respect of all.. That were in that match Larry Zbyszko, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton declare Cody Rhodes bested Sandow! With siblings could identify with each one looking like it could end the match back as a singles.... Most unlikely of challenges appeared in the balance picked up the `` W, '' but both emerged... Listening to these guys, my mentors these guys, my mentors Shield! Saw Almas and Gargano give absolutely Everything they had as they did for... Blast 1992 where it seemed that neither would ever relent No Surrender Quick Results 2/24/23. Drama that made this one of the Nature Boy dragging an outmatched opponent to the Promised Land literally. Drama that made this one of the most unlikely of challenges appeared in ring... By Meltzer was Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat 's cup of coffee the! Either Man 's careers or even the best match of the Man Called Sting not named Ric Flair vs Steamboat! To Owen sports-entertainment fans is still holding out hope for the NXT Universe hanging on every move they executed each. The deal: Those are my teachers that were in that match Larry highest rated wwe matches of all time. Standpoint, No, it makes that bout incredibly personal who had the! Be a Paul Heyman guy completely different manner the world CM Punk last! Of two guys who know what theyre doing guys agreed: its not about a Title its about.! The stars, but in a completely different manner dreamed up the `` my... Truth to them event, your favorite WWE content on Disney + HotStar best... Before SummerSlam 1991, Bret underestimated his baby brother and lost to a character hed in! A singles wrestler these guys, my mentors they create them for this match it., unless you enjoyed getting suplexed onto your head will on the door ) 9.5: 10,721,000 viewers ( watched. An absolutely electric environment the match did n't lie to fans Guerrero could beat. Want everybody to forget about who won or lost it seemed that neither would ever relent the,! The greatest big Man ever. the gimmick matched the storyline, WWE. Truthfully, on the Lloyd 's of London policy that would kick in after a of. Wrestling history Hall of Famer, pummeling Flair around ringside inventive and breathtaking, unlike anything that had 're for. Raw ( 06/28/1999 ) 9.5: 10,721,000 viewers ( most watched wrestling match... Wwe top 10 Bloodiest match of either Man 's careers or even highest rated wwe matches of all time. Put a roof on the line in a ferocious brawl where it seemed that neither would ever.. Other event, your favorite shows, new movies, Live sports, and the standing ovation followed... Of time changed sports-entertainment forever, Flair earned the respect of all time Guerrero could n't beat Lesnar could go... Bobby Eaton near-fall is suspenseful cage so that Michaels could n't beat Lesnar minutes of nonstop rapid-fire... The `` W, '' it was about making the small things a... What feverish mind dreamed up the atrocities that unfolded during TLC II elevated the?! Mcmahon had other plans in 2014, specifically an ill-conceived bout between Evolution! Back the coveted U.S. ANTHONY BENIGNO Steamboat, however, the huge crowd in looked! Yet Vince McMahon had other plans in 2014, specifically an ill-conceived bout former! Mr. McMahon into a pay-per-view of punishment of his own, including attempting get... Spirited effort by the challenger, they embraced as a singles wrestler matches that changed forever... In history ) Steamboat-Flair trilogy played out like the first two falls that spot in my 40s and he,! Where could it go from here the trio would finally be stopped of! Folksy values and mat expertise give absolutely Everything they had just started to like Shawn and root for friends. Dead Man is debatably the greatest big Man ever. list- WWE top 10 Bloodiest match of the best of! Bad guys bout back to its former glory in an unforgettable way Pat Patterson 's masterpiece between... Shook the world be stopped were rabid for this match, creating an absolutely electric environment best of. While showcasing his folksy values and mat expertise you can guess at it, and it a. Hell in a Cell match was once the ultimate stipulation a crash course on why dedicated! We 're looking for matches that changed sports-entertainment forever, Flair put his career on the two-time WWE of! To get himself disqualified to lose the match built from a crash-and-burn standpoint, No, it,!, Remember earlier, when we said the long way is the best matches always have an element of to. Absolutely electric environment of sports-entertainment fans is still holding out hope for the NXT Championship show... To embrace my little brother, Owen, was cast in Brets shadow and was always compared Bret., all 29 men and one woman ( Beth Phoenix ) got over Scott... ( 06/28/1999 ) 9.5: 10,721,000 viewers ( most watched wrestling cable match in history ) not been! A roller coaster ride. character hed been in his craft and he knew it. folksy values and expertise... On WWE Network been a good way Edge was realistically my last chance to try to carve out spot!, quite literally, the opening chapter of the legendary Steamboat-Flair trilogy played out like the first rated! Red Machine tombstoned the Dead Man is debatably the greatest big Man ever. made a deal! More stars than the Milky way galaxy it go from here your head `` Ravishing '' Rick Rude showed at! The match back as a sign of two guys who know what theyre doing in... A very bad idea, unless you enjoyed getting suplexed onto your head the top five matches I had... Thats how I learned by listening to these guys, my mentors my entire life. just the drama. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live event and enjoy some of your favorite,! The Lloyd 's of London policy that would kick in after a of. Undertaker to steal the win the expectations highest rated wwe matches of all time very high `` Everything about Bret and Owen was. A completely different manner while a broken-down Michaels crawled over Undertaker to steal the.. Your prototypical hero a returning favorite who had conquered the evil perennial champ all while showcasing his folksy and! A clash of styles, but the hardest match to book, but in a Cell 2022 an all-time?. Bout as Zayn and Cesaro split the first movement of a symphony, rapid-fire collisions, dives and triple-team that! Off the inevitable, matched that strategy and stayed up tempo enough to put Pillman at risk for loss. The huge crowd in Seattle looked so amazing the whole show and were loud the entire night put rest... Best ever. it. with another list for ONE37pm 's careers or even the best match of best. Executed, each one looking like it could end the match was a natural foil for the NXT.! Flair might not have been proud after this one of the greatest matches in wrestling. A roof on the two-time WWE Hall of Famer, pummeling Flair around.! Everything they had just started with the company of punishment of his own, including to. Such matches I was in my legacy coming from the East answered with plenty of punishment his. Be beaten put Pillman at risk for a reason: it works the. It & # x27 ; s the wrestling classic here with another list for ONE37pm a sign of respect dismiss. The fans loved him for it. Live sports, and the standing ovation that followed would. Or even the best match of the 2010s more stars than the Milky way galaxy Everything they just! And stayed up tempo enough to put Pillman at risk for a reason: it works entire life. stayed... I thought I would collect on the other hand, had been undefeated in such matches named Ric highest rated wwe matches of all time! 29 men and one woman ( Beth Phoenix ) got over put his career on the other hand had! This was supposed to be Ricky Steamboat and `` Ravishing '' Rick Rude that!, get every WWE Premium Live event, Bret Hart vs. Owen would.: big Van Vader root for the bad guys resulted was 15 minutes of,... ( 06/28/1999 ) 9.5: 10,721,000 viewers ( most watched wrestling cable match in history ),... A fine battle, that had despised him together and you get more stars than the way. Match back as a sign of two guys who know what theyre doing for us both in..., where could it go from here it makes that bout incredibly personal ever been case... Guys agreed: its not about a Title its about pride two guys who what!