Because it hasn't been done in awile

[Guest wildpegasus]

Well, I don't remember seeing it done here for awhile so I thought it'd be a good idea to bring one of the all time favourite poll questions back. See if people's favourites have changed at all.

 

 

 

 

So what are your top 10 favourite matches of all time? From anywhere. Put more than 10 on if you want. Feel free to give reasons as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a list of 10 of my favourite bouts. Of course nothing's definite as I've watched a lot of matches and I find once I renew myself with certain "forgotten" matches they themselves get up on the list.

 

 

 

 

Benoit vs El Samurai 7/7/95 -- All out intensity for a long period of time. Superb execution and a formula that differs from your normal New Japan juniors match.

 

Ozaki/Fukuoka vs Takako Inoue/Hotta 12/92 -- Ozaki at her best playing the mother role for Fukuoka. Great drama seeing how the underdog Fukuoka can last in this very important interpromotional match. Fantastic match that had me on the edge of my seat.

 

Benoit vs Lesnar Smackdown 03 -- All out intensity in this one as one complete with a couple of my favourite transistions of all time. The ending is a fantastic visual and it's great to finally see Benoit portrayed as a superman. Really loved the selling and the flow of the bout.

 

Hokuto vs Kandori Dreamslam -- One of the most dramatic matches I've ever seen.

 

Bret vs Austin Mania -- Ditto. Also scores marks for me because I was a such big Bret fan (still am) and at the time I had a pretty good feeling on what they were doing with the storyline. Having Austin the "bad" guy turn good and Bret the "good" guy turn bad. I liked how they were going about it storyline wise but I didn't like from a kayfabe sense how everyone was going to turn against Bret for going his way and than cheering Austin for going his way. So that right there really drew me into the match and on top of that you had a bout that was almost perfect.

 

Hanson vs Andre The Giant -- Whatever date this is - the commonly known one. It doesn't get cooler than seeing the Japanese fans get behind Hanson fighting the big giant Andre. Andre can move in this and I just loved the suspense of what would happen if Hanson actually hit Andre with the lariat. Yeah, and kudos to the reff in this!

 

Benoit vs Johnny Smith Probably 6/3/88

 

Not sure which one right now Either 6/3/88 or the 6/24/88 match -- Smith is such an awesome heel. Benoit and Smith in a long hard fought match makes WP a happy man. Rough, rugged professional wrestling done with wrestling moves. The knees to the stomach have got to be seen in this. Just full of cool stuff it's impossible not to love this. Very long control segments help to make the match seem different.

 

Dynamite Kid vs Tiger Mask 4/83 -- Hard to say but this may be the most dramatic match I've ever seen. When matches draw you this much in and put goosebumps on your arm, you know they're doing somthing right. Dynamite Kid -- Ichiban

 

Dynamite Kid vs Cobra Tournament Final New Japan -- Not only is this a great match that influenced Pegasus and Sasuke in their 94 J Cup bout but you have the crowd just clamoring for a DK win. Davey encoruaging DK to get up and seeing the crowd pop for Dynamite finally winning once again puts goosebumps on my arms. The final stretch run is incredible.

 

Kobashi vs Misawa 1/20/97 -- Superb flow in this. Hard hitting match that lasts for quite awhile.

 

 

 

 

Other favourites are Jumbo vs Tenyru from 6/89, a Stampede 10 men elimination tag that has Dynamite Kid and Myers walk out at the end against Davey/Bret, several Mayumi Ozaki matches, Yoshida vs Fukawa from Arison, Ultimate Warrior vs Macho Man career vs career, Benoit vs Austin from Edmonton, Kobashi vs Hanson 7/93, Kroffat/Furnas vs Kawada/Fuyuki 6/89, a UWF match with Tiger Mask that I'm too lazy to check the date on and Benoit vs Eddie from the 11/18/95 WCWSN show, the Lyger vs Sano series among other matches.

Edited June 1, 2005 by wildpegasus

[spman 0]

In no particular order

 

Bret vs Owen WM 10

Razor vs Michael WM 10

The first Wargames match GAB 87

The 1992 Royal Rumble match

Shawn Michaels vs Diesel Good Friends Better Enemies

Shawn Michaels vs Mankind Mind Games

Flair vs Steamboat Wrestlewar

Flair vs Terry Funk GAB 89

Mysterio vs Psicosis BATB 96

Pillman vs Liger Superbrawl 2

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

Chris Jericho vs Dean Malenko (Slamboree 98)

Kurt Angle vs HBK (WM 21)

Chris Jericho vs HBK (WM 19)

Undertaker vs HBK (Bad Blood 97)

Stone Cold vs The Rock (WM X-7)

British Bulldog vs Bret Hart (SummerSlam 92)

Brock Lesnar vs the Big Show (Survivor Series 03)

Triple Threat Main Event (WM XX)

Bret Hart vs Stone Cold (WM 13)

Undertaker vs. Randy Orton (WM 21)

[Jericholic82 0]

I was watching shawn-mankind today and I have to agree on that. besides teh copout finish, it was an amazing match that had a surprisignly fast pace and tons of psychology. At the outset HBK goes on an assault, basically putting his body on the line to take out Kind, as you might have suspected from Mick himself. Shawn then hurts foley's knee and goes back to mat wrestling, assaulting his knee. Kind is flustered as to what's happening and keeps trying his brawling stuff. He eventually takes over with it. Later, Shawn decides to go to work on kinds hand to negate the mandible claw, then basically hurts both of his hands just to be safe. Kind knows his brawling isn't working, so he goes back to actual wrestling, taking control with a piledriver and even doing a complicated rollup move hardly ever seen by him. They both go thru a table off a top rope struggle. Michales hits a jump off a chair to the top rope, basically hitting a sweet chin music variation of the van daminator. Vader runs in and the match ends. If the kick had scored a pinfall, this match would be more remmebered then it is.

 

 

I agree with

Bret-Owen

Austin-Bret

 

others of mine include

 

Rey-Pyschosis BATB 96

Savage-Warrior WM 7

Orton-Benoit Summerslam 04

HHH vs SCSA NWO 2001 3 stages of hell

Rock-Austin WM 17

Rock-HHH Ironman match JD 00

 

to name a few

[Beast 0]

Changes like every month or so, but right now the matches I'm into include:

 

1) Bret & Savage vs. Flair & Michaels - Grudges, Gripes, and Grunts

 

2) Steamboat vs. Bret - Hart Foundation Video

 

3) Tanaka vs. Awesome - Heatwave '98

 

4) Goldberg vs. DDP - Halloween Havoc '98

 

5) Hart vs. Undertaker - Summerslam '97

 

6) Rey vs. Juvy - Big Apple Blizzard Blast

 

7) Pitbulls vs. Raven & Richards - Gangsta's Paradise

 

8) Hart vs. Austin - Survivor Series '96

 

9) WGTT vs. Mysterio & Kidman - Vengeance '03

 

10) Elimination Chamber - Survivor Series '02

 

Honorable Mentions -

 

RVD vs. Al Snow - Hardcore Heaven '97

Three Count vs. Jung Dragons - New Blood Rising

Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair - Wrestlemania VIII

[iggymcfly 0]

1. HHH vs. HBK: Unsanctioned match- Summerslam 2002

 

One of the most anticipated matches in recent memory, Shawn's return to the ring certainly didn't disappoint. The early psychology made you wonder if Shawn would actually survive the match, and as it built, the match really made you feel emotionally invested in the outcome. One of the few matches I've seen where no title was involved, but it really felt like it mattered who won the match.

 

2. Kurt Angle vs. Edge vs. Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero- Smackdown 2002

 

The pinnacle of the Smackdown 6 era, this match showed what mat wrestling is capable of. This match had about 15 legitimately believable near falls, and by the end, was a treasure worth watching again and again.

 

3. Mankind vs. The Rock- Raw 1999

 

This was one of the biggest mark-out moments in history, when Mankind finally won the WWF Title from The Rock. As a young mark with no access to PPVs, this was the best that wrestling had to offer.

 

4. Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show- Vengeance 2003

 

Forget WM XX, this was the best Triple Threat match in history. Not only were there tons of unheard of spots, but there was also tremendous flow and a shocking finish. Seeing Angle pin Brock clean with the Angle Slam was a joy indeed.

 

5. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan- WM XIX

 

While the luster has faded considerably over time, at the time, this was an absolute epic that was enjoyable from start to finish.

 

6. Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker: Hell in a Cell- No Mercy 2002

 

7. Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero- Raw 2002

 

8. Vince McMahon vs. Triple H- Smackdown 1999

 

9. The Rock vs. Chris Jericho- No Mercy 2001

 

10. Kurt Angle vs. Big Show and TWGTT: Handicap match- Smackdown 2003

Edited June 3, 2005 by iggymcfly

[Guest JerichosHi-Lite]

The vast majority of mine are WWE and pretty recent. Some of them are just personal choices that aren't necessarily considered great by others.

 

1- The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin - No DQ, WrestleMania X-7

2- Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker - Hell In A Cell, No Mercy 2002

3- Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels- WrestleMania 19

4- Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley- No Holds Barred, Backlash 2004

5- Kurt Angle vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin - Summerslam 2001

6- Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit - Royal Rumble 2003

7- Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - Hell In A Cell, Bad Blood 2004

8- Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon - Cage Match, St. Valentine's Day Massacre

9- Chris Jericho vs. The Rock - Royal Rumble 2002

10- The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar - Summerslam 2002

[The Buzz 0]

1. Sting vs Vader(any of there matches are gold for me)

 

While I don't agree that Vader carried the matches. I do agree with everyone that they are just great matches. Both men did a good job here and put out my favorite series of matches. I don't think Sting nor Vader ever performed on this level again. They both had some good ones afterwards, but if you want to show the best of both to a non-fan of both..these are the matches.

 

2. Benoit vs Lesnar from Smackdown toward the end of 03

3. American Dragon vs Low Ki vs Christopher Daniels from ROH Era of Honor Begins

4. American Dragon vs Low Ki w/ Guest Referee: Ken Shamrock from Round Robin Tournament

5. Rick Rude vs Ultimate Warrior-World Title Cage Match from Summerslam 91?

 

I'm a big Ultimate Warrior fan and a big Rick Rude fan. This my favorite encounter they had, and I can watch it over and over even to this day.

 

6. Ultimate Warrior vs Randy Savage- Career vs Career

7. Eddy Guerrero vs Brock Lesnar-No Way Out 2003

8. Sting vs Goldberg-Monday Nitro 1998

 

This was a big mark out moment for me, as Sting always was and always will be my favorite. Goldberg was unstoppable at the time, and Sting was probably the guy that had the best chance to beat him. The match was pretty back and forth and I love the ending sequence where Sting dodges the spear, and will not let Goldberg push out of the Scorpion Deathlock. The run in attack by Hogan ruined it somewhat, but still a match I like just for the fact it was the next to last time I marked out.

 

9. Benoit vs Triple H vs HBK-Mania XX

 

Benoit wins his second World Title ever...nuff said.

 

10. Cactus Jack vs HHH-HIAC

 

I was a closet Mick Foley fan since his early 90s WCW run. I had been on the net reading the rumors for a few years now, but believed a lot of it was just bullshit. I didn't believe Mick Foley would retire, and it was my last markout moment waiting for him to kickout of the pedigree that would end his active career.

 

Honorable Mentions: Sting vs Flair from Clash of The Champions 1, HBK vs HHH-Summerslam Unsanctioned Match, Roddy Piper vs Bret Hart-IC Title Match, Tazz vs Kurt Angle(Tazz's Debut Match), Samoa Joe vs Colt Cabana from Death or Dishonor 2, Colt Cabana/Cm Punk vs The Briscoes....(Generation Next?)

 

It's impossible for me to pick only ten matches. I like so many different styles of wrestling even the big man style that many people hate.

[TheBostonStrangler 0]

1) Austin/HHH vs. Jericho/Benoit - Raw, May 2001

 

2) Mankind vs. Rock - Raw, Dec. '98 (Foley's first title win)

 

3) TLC II - Wrestlemania XVII

 

4) Angle vs. Benoit - Royal Rumble '03

 

5) Paul London vs. Michael Shane (Street Fight) - RoH '02

 

6) HHH vs. HBK vs. Benoit - Wrestlemania XX

 

7 ) Eddie vs. Rey - Halloween Havoc '97

 

8) Shane vs. Angle - KOTR 2001

 

9) Eddie vs. RVD (Ladder Match) - Raw '02

 

10) Styles vs. Lynn vs. Ki vs. Psychosis - TNA '02

[Guest Dumb Monkey]

Listed in no particular order... all selections are based on my opinion, so arguing why I like something you don't is a pure waste of time, and this list is not based on others influence. Not every match is based on workrate, and are matches I find enjoyable on repeat viewings.

 

 

Steve Austin v. Bret Hart - Wrestlemania 13

 

The Rock v. Steve Austin - Wrestlemania X-7

 

Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair - WrestleWar 1989

 

Bret Hart v. Mr. Perfect - King of the Ring 1993

 

Marty Jannetty v. Shawn Michaels - 7/19/93 MNR

 

Chris Benoit v. Kurt Angle - Royal Rumble 2003

 

Sting v. Ric Flair - Clash of the Champions

 

Hulk Hogan v. The Rock - Wrestlemania X-8

 

Bret & Owen Hart v. The Steiner Brothers - Wrestlefest '94 CV

 

Super Powers, Road Warriors, Paul Ellering v. The Four Horsemen & J.J. Dillon - Great American Bash '87

 

Honourable Mentions: (to name a few)

Steve Austin, Goldust, LOD, Ken Shamrock v. The Hart Foundation - Canadian Stampede

 

Bret Hart v. Owen Hart - Summerslam 1994

 

Ultimate Warrior v. Randy Savage - Wrestlemania VII

[Naked Snake 0]

Not rated to workrate or anything like that, just my enjoyability

 

Shawn Michaels vs Kurt Angle WrestleMania 21

The Rock vs Steve Austin WrestleMania X-7

Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat WrestleMania III

Shawn Michaels vs the Undertaker Badd Blood

Shawn Michaels vs Triple H vs Chris Benoit WrestleMania 20

Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero WrestleMania 20

Undertaker vs Randy Orton WrestleMania 21

Edge and Christian vs the Dudleyz vs the Hardyz TLC SummerSlam 2000

Shawn Michaels vs Diesel, IYH

Sting vs Hollywood Hogan Starrcade 1997 (The whole match was terrible. But the match was one of the most anticipated matches of all time and you could feel the energy through the ring enterances)

[Red Baron 0]

No order.

 

Rey vs Pyscosis (BATB 96)

Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (RR 03 I believe?)

Brock vs Benoit (Smackdown 03)

Masato Tanaka vs Mike Awesome (any of them)

Flair vs Steamboat

Owen vs Bret (WM 10)\

Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect (Summerslam 91)

RVD/Sabu vs Jinsei Sinsaki/Hayabusa (Heatwave 98)

Undertaker vs HBK (Casket Match)

HBK vs Kurt Angle (WM 21)

[Toshiaki Koala 0]

Here are my top ten off the top of my head in, descending order for maximum dramatic effect. I apologize in advance for the cheesy, flowery, and Fierro-esque language. All that and a bag of chips!

 

10. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart - WMX

 

I can't put this any higher as I saw it too long ago to remember enough details, but it was probably the first time I recognized a match as being truly great.

 

9. Scotty II Hotty vs. Dean Malenko - Backlash 2000

 

Easily the best Scotty singles match ever, and while that isn't saying match at all, this is just tremendous fun. The inside-out super DDT remains the most shocking and memorable finish that I have seen anywhere.

 

8. Chris Benoit vs. HHH vs. HBK - WMXX

 

Horrifically, I accidentally learned the result of this match before watching it, and the body of the match doesn't quite hold up on repeated viewings. Still, the last five minutes are possibly the most perfect in wrestling history.

 

7. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi - 1/20/97

 

I've never seen a match with such an epic feel to it as this one. The first time I watched it, I was spellbound - I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. This, more than anything else, turned me into an AJPW mark.

 

6. Akira Hokuto vs. Shinobu Kandori - DreamSlam I

 

Make no mistake; this is the best match I've ever seen. There are matches I prefer for sentimental reasons, but none have the drama, intensity, or quality of this one. Hokuto gives what is probably the best single performance in any match.

 

5. Chris Benoit vs. Great Sasuke - J Cup 94 Final

 

As it was for many people, this show was my first experience with puro, and I've been hooked ever since. There isn't a moment here where the actions slows or becomes tedious, and the near falls are exciting even if one knows them all by heart.

 

4. Kurt Angle vs. Shane McMahon - KOTR 2001

 

I'm biased toward this match, since I saw it live and was a huge Angle mark at the time. It does contain the all-time worst Sharpshooter (Rock's is masterful by comparison) but there are plenty of things to love about it, not the least of which is the DISGUSTING head bumps taken by Shane after being suplexed into the glass panels.

 

3. Cactus Jack vs. Triple H - Royal Rumble 2000

 

Good God, what a brutal match this is. Few garbage wrestlers have sustained scars like the ones given to Triple H in this street fight, as the skin on his thigh was laterally hanging off in slabs. Just an incredibly intense bloodbath all the way through - though it lacks the emotional impact of their HIAC rematch, the work here is considerably better.

 

2. Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior - WMVII

 

If I hadn't seen this and someone told me it was a great match, I would probably say "Yeah, and Rob Feinstein just wanted to hang out and play Checkers." But it is a great match, with both guys (especially Savage) working their asses off, and what transpires post-match is the greatest moment in Wrestlemania history.

 

1. Akira Taue vs. Mitsuharu Misawa - Champion Carnival 95 Final

 

There's nothing in this match that stands out above the other stuff on my list - no huge spot or dramatic finish - but as a whole it's about as close to perfect as a match can be. Perhaps it's the circumstances leading up to my viewing of it: I watched the tape one weekend and was really into it, and then as the final approached... the tape ended. You see, I had ordered only the first three parts of a four-part set. It took months of wrongly-addressed money orders and other confusion before I finally got my hands on the big match, and during that time I somehow managed to avoid discovering the result. I've never had more fun watching wrestling before, nor have I been so excited about a match that happened ten years.

[Carnival 0]

The Rock vs Steve Austin - Wrestlemania 17

Kurt Angle vs Shane McMahon - King of the Ring 01

Triple H vs Shawn Michaels - SummerSlam 02

The Rock vs Hulk Hogan - Wrestlemania 18

Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit - Royal Rumble 03

Low Ki vs American Dragon vs Christopher Daniels - ROH Era of Honor Begins

Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania 19

Rey Mysterio Jr vs Billy Kidman - Nitro 99(i think)

Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania 10

RVD vs Jerry Lynn (2nd one)

[Jericholic82 0]

I agree with hbk-hhh from summerslam 02 and of course Cactus-HHH (which I forgot to mention earlier, it is on my top 5 fav matches, and I have seen it probably at least 20 times)

[zyn081 0]

Flair-Steamboat 2 out of 3 falls

Flair-Savage at WM

Andre-Hogan at WM

Hart-Buldog at Wembley

Hart-Perfect for IC title

HBK-Hall Ladder Match

Bret-Owen at WM

Austin-Bret at WM

UT-HBK HitC

UT-Mankind HitC

HHH-Foley HitC

Brock-Benoit when Benoit passed out

Orton-Catcus Jack

 

 

Benjamin-Hass SD

RVD-Orton for IC title

[Guest wildpegasus]

I'm really glad to see Benoit vs Lesnar getting the love. I've watched tons of matches from everywhere throughout the years and I always find myself coming back to this one as one of my favourites.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Off the top of my head

 

Austin vs. Dude Love: Part 2

Austin vs. Angle: 3 Stunners/DQ Finish

Rock vs. HHH: Ladder Match

Taker vs. Foley: The Cell

Rock vs. Foley: I Quit

Angle vs. Shane: Street fight (I was there, so it's a bit more special)

Austin vs. HBK: Mania 14

Austin vs. Bret: Mania 13

10 Man Tag: Invasion PPV

Austin vs. Kane: First Blood

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

No order.

 

Rey vs Pyscosis (BATB 96)

Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (RR 03 I believe?)

Brock vs Benoit (Smackdown 03)

Masato Tanaka vs Mike Awesome (any of them)

Flair vs Steamboat

Owen vs Bret (WM 10)\

Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect (Summerslam 91)

RVD/Sabu vs Jinsei Sinsaki/Hayabusa (Heatwave 98)

Undertaker vs HBK (Casket Match)

HBK vs Kurt Angle (WM 21)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I'll second most of these. Dammit, Steve, gimme back Heatwave 98. You took the green jacket from me, 6 months is too long to have a tape.

 

On topic.

 

As seems to be the trend, and it should be, this is based on enjoyablity for any reason...workrate, hype, nostalgia...anything at all. No Order.

 

Shamrock, Goldust, LOD and Austin vs The Hart Foundation, Canadian Stampede. As a Canadian, the ending to this match and follow up after the pin was about as great a moment a Canadian Wrestling fan could get.

 

Benoit, HHH, HBK, WM XX

Sloppy wrestling, but a good solid match and finally for Benoit.

 

Andre vs Hogan, WM III

Biggest match of all time, hype wise. I still mark for the bodyslam. Name me one other bodyslam you mark out for. Anyone.

 

Savage vs Steamboat, WM III Probably the best match I've ever seen. If any match can contend for that crown, though, it'd be

 

Bret vs Owen, WM X Finally got to see how good Owen was. 25 minutes of pure wrestling at its finest.

 

Angle vs. Benoit, RR 2003 Unreal. Just about as good as it gets, especially in the post Attitude, 'fuck wrestling, yay storyline' era.

 

Raven vs Terry Funk, Barely Legal My favourite ECW moment of all time hands down, when Funk got the pin. Great to see, from a mark standpoint, Dreamer extract some revenge on Raven.

 

Dudleys vs Dreamer, ECW Hardcore Tv, August 99 Despite what I said about hating Raven, this was incredible, and a little before the IWC took off, so I didn't see it comin whatsoever. My third favourite ECW moment, sandwiching Whipreck getting the strap.

 

Bret vs Perfect, SS 91 Find a better worked match. Anywhere. Ok, you probably could, but this was still fantastic.

 

A tie between, and sorry, this is kinda shitty, but any match involving Crazy/Tajiri and Awesome/Tanaka.

[Guest JoeJoe]

X. Austin/HHH No Way Out 2001

Austin-HHH vs. Jericho-Benoit Tag on RAW 2001

 

9. Bret/Shawn Survivor Series 1992

 

8. Angle-Austin Summerslam 2001

Austin-Benoit Smackdown 2001 in Edmonton

 

7. Shawn/Razor Summerlsam 1995

 

6. Bret/Bulldog IYH 5

 

5. Shawn/Razor WrestleMania 10

 

4. Benoit/HHH/Shawn WrestleMania XX

 

3. Angle/Benoit Royal Rumble 2003

Angle/Shawn WrestleMania 21

 

2. Bret/Austin Wreatlemania 13

Shawn/Taker Bad Blood 1997

Bret/Owen Summerslam 1994

 

1. Shawn/Mankind Mindgames 1996. - Greatest match in North American history.

[Guest Dumb Monkey]

I was always under the impression a bullshit finish disqualifies anything from being "Greatest" "perfect" or any name people love throwing around with these kinds of things. Seeing as how you've listed no less than 7 Shawn Michaels matches but also a lot of Bret and Austin... I don't know your taste, so I won't debate anything here.

[Guest JoeJoe]

I was always under the impression a bullshit finish disqualifies anything from being "Greatest" "perfect" or any name people love throwing around with these kinds of things. Seeing as how you've listed no less than 7 Shawn Michaels matches but also a lot of Bret and Austin... I don't know your taste, so I won't debate anything here.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah well, that match was so mindblowing that even an unclean finish like that warrants it a 5 star rating. Thats simply the best match I've seen, and so think also a helluva lot of other people.

 

As for Shawn, Bret and Austin being the most noticeable names in my list..well, frankly it ABSOLUTELY has nothing to do with taste. Those guys were simply three of the best performers of the 90's. Unless you actually have a considerable amount of bias against either of them which makes you raise an eybrow seeing their names on my list..I don't think why you should question my "taste".

[Betty Houle 0]

I was always under the impression a bullshit finish disqualifies anything from being "Greatest" "perfect" or any name people love throwing around with these kinds of things. Seeing as how you've listed no less than 7 Shawn Michaels matches but also a lot of Bret and Austin... I don't know your taste, so I won't debate anything here.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah well, that match was so mindblowing that even an unclean finish like that warrants it a 5 star rating. Thats simply the best match I've seen, and so think also a helluva lot of other people.

 

As for Shawn, Bret and Austin being the most noticeable names in my list..well, frankly it ABSOLUTELY has nothing to do with taste. Those guys were simply three of the best performers of the 90's. Unless you actually have a considerable amount of bias against either of them which makes you raise an eybrow seeing their names on my list..I don't think why you should question my "taste".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Why would someone quibble with someone's list of favorites? Never understood that.

[Dark Age 0]

He called Michaels/Mankind the "greatest match in North American history". That's different than calling it his favourite.

[The Dames 0]

I was always under the impression a bullshit finish disqualifies anything from being "Greatest" "perfect" or any name people love throwing around with these kinds of things.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'd say that's one thing I use to determine my favorites. I can't but feel that most of the emotional roller coaster is just wasted the moment the bell rings for a DQ or count out. Run ins...that's different.

 

Dames

[Dark Age 0]

I think there are rare occasions where a DQ can work, however, such as Eddie/JBL last year, and even Austin/Angle at SS01. They not only work, but they add to the experience, IMO, having been built to the entire match. Non-finishes in matches such as Taker/Shawn GZ97 also work, if you ask me. If the DQ serves a purpose, then it works. Shawn/Mankind was just a cop-out finish. A pinfall fit the story more than a DQ did.

[pochorenella 0]

1. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker - HIAC Badd Blood 97

2. Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit - Royal Rumble 2003

3. The Rock vs Steve Austin - WMX-7

4. HHH vs Chris Benoit vs Shawn Michaels - WMXX

5. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin - WM13

6. Shawn Michaels vs Mankind - IYH: Mind Games

7. Edge/Christian vs Hardyz vs Dudleyz - TLC SSlam2000

8. The Rock vs HHH - J-Day 2000

9. Shawn Michaels/Steve Austin vs British Bulldog/Owen Hart - RAW '97

10. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart - SSlam 1994

 

My top 5 pretty much stays the same always, barring any new additions if another excellent match comes along. My #1 choice is rock-solid, as is my #2. HIAC has been my all-time fave ever since I first saw it when I bought the BB VHS tape in 98. I was there live for #3 and #4 so those might be that high accounting sentimental and mark-out value, but they're still awesome matches anyways. The rest is pretty much my opinion at this moment, which could vary slightly, as I find it very difficult to narrow it down to just 10, I had to bump Razor/HBK, Eddie/Rey and others. HBK vs Angle may or may not crack the top 10 with further viewings, being the best match I've seen this year so far.

[The Dames 0]

I think there are rare occasions where a DQ can work, however, such as Eddie/JBL last year, and even Austin/Angle at SS01. They not only work, but they add to the experience, IMO, having been built to the entire match. Non-finishes in matches such as Taker/Shawn GZ97 also work, if you ask me. If the DQ serves a purpose, then it works. Shawn/Mankind was just a cop-out finish. A pinfall fit the story more than a DQ did.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I agree with you there, but in the grand scheme of things, I can't award the title of "Best match all year" to a match with a DQ finish unless it blows out EVERYTHING else with a clean finish....let alone call it the greatest match in North American history.

 

I think the DQ ending worked perfectly for JBL/Eddie and a handful of times elsewhere, but normally, the moment that bell sounds, you hear the crowd groan and rightfully so.

 

Dames

[Guest JoeJoe]

He called Michaels/Mankind the "greatest match in North American history". That's different than calling it his favourite.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, I said said its the greatest match in North American history for ME. We're talking MATCHES here, not finishes. The actual match is the best damn match in North American history.

 

As for the finish, sure it wasn't clean. But whats most important is that the match rejuvenated Foley's career and put over huge the Mankind character. He says so himself. He came out looking like gold out of a match he almost won.

 

And the actual end of the match was hot anways, Taker popping out of the casket, Paul Bearer's priceless reaction.. all after a **** classic encounter, it was sports-entertainment GOLD.

[Dark Age 0]

No you never. You just said it was the greatest match in North American history, as if it was fact. That's all. I don't know why you're arguing with me, and arguing the match's merits. I love it. It's a great match. I agree. But it really isn't the best match in North American wrestling history. It's a top 20 WWE match, but that's the only thing I'd give it at this minute (further viewings change opinions!).

 

I know we're talking matches, not finishes. It's a great match. Just not the greatest. By all means, you can call it your favourite match, that's easy to accept. But calling it "the greatest match" is a mighty big title. You can't defend that with "it's my opinion". If I say Viscera Vs. Kane was the greatest match of all time IMO, does that make it so? No.

 

Your Foley comments aren't needed. He was already really over. Did the match help? Yes, but he would have been fine without it. It made people take notice, sure, but he was getting noticed anyway. And Mankind jobbing to the SCM, which was what was presented to the crowd anyway (Shawn had it won with SCM) wouldn't have hurt Mick one bit. The DQ finish achieved NOTHING other than to rob the fans a finish to an otherwise great match.