However, Mankind managed to defeat The Rock and win his first world title. From top-notch technical masterpieces to unruly Parking Lot Brawls, the blue brand's nonstop pace has left the WWE Universe breathless for 997 episodes. One of the most infamous commentary moments during the Monday Night Wars happened the same night as the Fingerpoke of Doom on WCW Nitro. Weighingin at allegedly well over 400 pounds is Crash Holly. "Obviously, the challenge was whether I could top the previous match. One of the most storied rivalries in wrestling history reached one of its high points at Starrcade 1985, as Dusty Rhodes battled back from a broken ankle suffered at the hands of Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen to challenge for "The Nature Boys" NWA World Title. This is a fair, if disputable, point. Announcers Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross had trouble keeping up with the action as the teams launched tables and chairs at each other. I told him hes 9, and he said, 'Oh, hes halfway gone.' 19. They were so different and so popular, but popular for exactly opposite reasons. The Beast." "For whatever reason, he was really good at adapting to different guys' styles. There was hardly a more cutting-edge act in the mid-90s, and ECW, a small organization based in northeast U.S., looked to bolster the lineup of its pay-per-view premiere by importing six of the Michinoku Pros top performers, including Kaientai, who arrived in Blue World Order threads. Several months later, people started talking WrestleMania, and the realization of really ending it on a high point was there, and nobody does that. @JOEYSTYLES, Every Superstar in the locker room is a fan at heart, but Bayley was always a little more outward about it than others. Mysterio has been handled masterfully, leading to him being a truly top-tier heel in terms of generating heat. "We both knew that we had to go all out and lay everything on the line," DDP once told WWE.com. I think everybody sort of feels 25 is a smidge better than 26, but not enough to bother anybody. " When they finally set the match in place, I almost couldnt believe it. Despite giving up inches, and often a foot, in height during his matches, he has managed to win the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship. Ten years after main eventing the inaugural Starrcade, Ric Flairs legacy nearly came to an end at the 1993 edition of WCWs marquee event. Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena in a "Firefly Funhouse" Match (Wrestlemania 36) Tap to play GIF WWE Stuck in a tight bind thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WWE pulled an audible and. Their three matches throughout that year were revelatory, but the grand finale in Nashville featured the most unexpected outcome of all. 10 Best WWE Underdogs Cultaholic Wrestling 787K subscribers 234K views 5 years ago Because why root for a big dog when you can root for an underdog? It took years for me to get over his rivalry with Bret Hart. Damian Priest and Iyo Sky becoming Mr. and Ms. Money in . In addition, each match Goldberg won became more and more unlikely as his win streak grew. It was something I'll always remember and cherish, working with one of the greatest masked wrestlers ever in our industry. I look at that as the event that turned Mr. McMahon into a Mick Foley fan. But it always could go the other way. WWE loves a good underdog story. He helped bring me up to that level that I did not think I was capable of reaching. Maybe that wasnt the right thing to do.' With "Dragon Slayer" sewn on his black trunks in plain white block letters, Austin delivered a performance that was anything but plain. A moment that few people thought would ever happen. The Undertaker (Raw, 7/1/2002), Rey MysterioVs. Randy Orton Vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania 22), Mikey Whipwreck Vs. Sandman (ECW Hardcore TV, 10/31/95), Zach Gowen Vs. Vince McMahon (Vengeance 2003), Chris Jericho Vs. JEFF LABOON. But in his feud with the nWo, he most definitely was. We both wanted to just slug it out. 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. . This match, though. Unquestionably, watching a Peoples Champion on the verge of electrifying millions through other avenues go toe-to-toe with a sports-entertainment legend who had lost his way to the vices of "Hollywood" and a New World Order is appointment viewing. He wasn't aware of the stories behind the characters. Instead, despite the presence of Mr. After toiling for years in AAA, ECW and WCW, Eddie was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame after his untimely death. So here is our 25 greatest Survivor Series elimination matches in WWE history. Mysterio was able to do what few have done, lasting the entire Royal Rumble match to earn a shot at the World Title, all in the name of his friend and fellow underdog, Eddie Guerrero. JAMES WORTMAN. His superior in-ring skill mixed with the personal battles and demons he faced throughout his life endeared Latino Heat to just about every fan of the industry. JOHN CLAPP. "The best thing was, after the match, walking into a locker room with a bunch of guys who'd been in the business for many years and were big stars, standing up and giving this guy a standing ovation. From WrestleMania 30 to ECW Hardcore TV #97, weve reviewed everything available on WWEs groundbreaking streaming platform, and done our very best to rank its greatest 100 matches to celebrate the three-year anniversary of its launch. The match built from a grinding start to a controversial crescendo that involved a second referee and a split-second decision. It was Mr. McMahon's idea to let me become these characters, because they all had unique stories and they kind of worked in conjunction with Mankind. The Shield picked up yet another big win, which was a big deal. That he did so after a bloody No Disqualification contest between himself and The Rock only added to the hurt, especially since Austin cemented his new allegiance with 16 blows from a steel chair to The Brahma Bull. In 2006, Rey Mysterio did the impossible. In fact, before this rubber match between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, the WWE Universe had never seen one on SmackDown or 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. Through the duration of the match, Shawn was the underdog, and you didnt know if hed be able to pull it out. And yeah, it was pretty cool when he blew The Chairman a kiss goodbye, too. The 25 Greatest Matches in WWE History From unforgettable WrestleMania main events to the "Women's Revolution." by Scott 'Future' Felstead Courtesy of WWE WWE provides pro wrestling fans with all the thrills and spills of an action movie, while delivering comedy, intrigue, and some seriously emotional moments along the way. By the end, both men were busted open (There is literally nothing better than the overhead camera looking down on that red-stained, baby-blue ring mat) and their exhaustion was tangible and harrowing. Austin was arrested, beat down and attacked. I said, 'I dont want to miss my kids growing up.' It didnt take long for fans to remember and show their love for Kofi and their new chosen hero. He loved Bret Hart just like me, but as the match was unfolding, he started to hate Bret and love Austin. But, like most other small wrestlers, he had heart. Everybody seems to push it and go beyond that peak. He and his brothers-in-arms were seen as kings in competition against their five American foes. That was the question on the minds of many in the WWE Universe throughout the winter of 2014. He certainly gave the industry new life in the 1980s. I hated Steve Austin, and hated him for years after this match. "Usually a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match doesnt feel like three separate matches, but Austin and Triple H wrestled three separate matches back-to-back, and it wasnt even the main event of the pay-per-view. He would typically get beaten down without help. 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. The Rock Vs. Steve Austin (Vengeance 2001), King Of The Ring 2019: The 5 Best & 5 Worst Matches Of The Tournament, Hardy was competitive and had fans believing, The 10 Best Heel Turns Of The Reality Era, Ranked, The 10 Most Controversial WWE Results Of The 2010s, entering into a feud with a monster in Kane, The 10 Best International Cruiserweights In WWE History, 10 AEW Wrestlers Who Have Already Hit Their Peak, Colonel Mustafa: Iron Sheik's Bizarre Return To WWE, Explained. It also set the pair on a collision course that would culminate in the infamous incident in Montreal the following year at Survivor Series. The match took place at WrestleMania XX and was a triple threat against Shawn Michaels and Triple H, making a win even more unlikely. But when The Heartbreak Kid turned babyface, even more underdog traits began to show - especially against Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII and regaining the WWE Title from Sid in his San Antonio hometown. GREG ADKINS, At the inaugural Clash of the Champions, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair was poised to teach relative upstart Sting a lesson. He proved himself that year byentering into a feud with a monster in Kane. Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express left with the last word, as they brutally whipped The Fantastics, ensuring the rivalry would continue. In 2001, WWE announced that they were going to unify the WCW and WWF world titles into one unified championship title. Not to mention, the huge crowd in Seattle looked so amazing the whole show and were loud the entire night. The Dragon played the long game and tied the bout up at three falls with less than 10 minutes left, and reversed a sleeper hold into a pinfall to take the lead as time ran out in the grueling contest. All they wanted was to see The Freebirds get their comeuppance. Daniel Bryan is still my favorite opponent, and I just hope we get to have more matches like that. For me to be involved in that thing was a great honor, especially with the way Sting was loved by the people, it was crazy. JOHN CLAPP. Shane McMahon is known as someone who matches up well with anyone thanks to his daredevil exploits. On top of that, they were two of the best in-ring performers. Mysterio started the match and lasted for 62 minutes, a Royal Rumble record, eliminating six wrestlers, including Triple H and Randy Orton. He ended up losing to Vince at Vengeance, but he looked solid in the match as the ultimate underdog. That brought a lot more to the match on a technical level. TOM HERRERA. In the bouts opening minutes, the ECW Arena fans, distracted by a disorderly fan, chanted "Throw him out!" As we enter into a "new" era of WWE with better quality of matches and more intense storylines, we take a look at the best underdog stories in WWE history. 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.' echoed throughout arenas across the country. They both wanted her.By the time Raven was leaving ECW, Beulah had hooked up with Dreamer, but the "heart and soul" of ECW had never once defeated Raven. To a luchador, a mask isnt just part of a costume. In a years-long rivalry that spanned two continents, Tanaka and Awesome took their hostility toward each other to new heights with their ruthless brawl at Heat Wave 1998. In 2002, Id discussed with my wife that I wasn't gonna do this forever. Next: 9 Wrestlers Who Are Vegan Or Vegetarian, Eddie Guerrero Vs. Brock Lesnar & 9 Other Great Underdog Matches, Every Version Of X-Pac, Ranked From Worst To Best, 5 Up And Coming Children Of Wrestling Stars Who Have It (& 5 Who May Not), Every Version Of Kofi Kingston, Ranked From Worst To Best. There will be a lot of underdog stories on this list, but few of them were as grueling or as gratifying as Sami Zayns 18-month battle to become NXT Champion, which culminated in this classic between himself and the reigning champion, Neville. However, Mrs. Foleys Baby Boy never disappointed and always delivered big in whatever task he was given. JOHN CLAPP. The match ended with The Kid getting the win, changing his name to the 1-2-3 Kid. "I love the match. There was nothing pretty about a match between Masato Tanaka and Mike Awesome. While the WWE Universe was still catching its breath, Daniel Bryan snapped in what was then called the"No!" Take a look at this.' By 1997, Austin was on his way to super-stardom. I always tried to embrace my little brother, and Bret always did what he could to be a big brother to Owen. I think it helped people see Randy in a different way. Watching at a young age, I was creeped out and weirded out by him. In light of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan's year long run as an underdog, right up until his ultimate Wrestlemania moment, we thought it would be fun to look at some other underdogs in the world of wrestling. The speedy and technically-gifted Kurt Angle gave Brock Lesnar some of the toughest tests of his career, the most memorable of which was their rivalry-defining classic at WrestleMania XIX. In fact, he never was able to mount any offense at all. He was able to adapt to Sting and was one of his better opponents. Often mistaken as the first women's main event on . He played in 34 matches last season, including 32 starts. Visit Sony LIV to sign in or sign up and enjoy WWE's premium content. The two reigning champions were Stone Cold Steve Austin as the WWF Champion and The Rock as the WCW Champion. After the match, Undertaker raised Hardy's hand as a sign of respect. With his longtime friend Shawn Michaels serving as the unpredictable special guest referee, Triple H used every tool in his arsenal including steel chairs, ring steps, his signature sledgehammer and multiple Pedigrees to put The Deadman down for good. The warrior known as "Dangan" (Japanese for bullet) endured some ferocious chair strikes including one off the top rope and still roared back with a powerbomb over the top rope that drilled the 6-foot-6, 295-pound beast through a table. What really stands out for me and Rey personally was the locker room was very intrigued by how small Rey was and how young he looked. It was back and forth the whole way, and one of the best matches I've had in my career. MITCH PASSERO, The WWE Light Heavyweight Championship never garnered the same praise as the WCW Cruiserweight Title, but that doesnt mean the division didn't have its moments of brilliance, such as Backlash 2000. "But even I, Bret Harts staunchest supporter, found it hard to not get behind Austin in that match. Daniel Bryan's greatest underdog moments: WWE Playlist WWE 94.2M subscribers 276K views 2 years ago Relive the times Daniel Bryan shocked the WWE Universe with unbelievable victories. Flair was well established as "The Nature Boy" while Sting was a face-painted maverick rising in popularity thanks to his electric charisma. Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho - Ladder match - Royal Rumble 2001 Image credit: WWE.com Date: Jan. 21, 2001 Venue: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans Result: Chris Jericho won to become the new. CRAIG TELLO. In a classic Champion vs. Champion struggle, both Superstars left everything they had on the canvas, before Warrior overcame The Hulkster and took his place in the annals of WWE greatness. He started filmingZ! Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena, Survivor Series The best main event of the year came at Survivor Series, in a triple threat match, for the WWE title, between arguably the company's . You can't overpower The Beast Incarnate, you can only hope to outwrestle him. He scored a team-high 14 goals and added four assists. But Kurt Angle is a guy who wanted his dream match to be in the ring with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania. Kurt can do anything. He won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Austin Aries at Bound for Glory 2012.Few people in their right mind would have ever expected to see Hardy as champion, much less back in a TNA ring. Its an identity. 10. RYAN MURPHY, "That was my favorite of the three matches in our trilogy, because we put in 55 minutes. In a match that can be considered one of the finest displays of technical wrestling ever, Perfect worked over Hart and thought he had retained his title, only for the "Hit Man" to kick out of the Perfect Plex. 1 ZealousidealScheme85 1 yr. ago My inner child still screams in excitement whenever I rewatch Jeff hardy win the belt at Armageddon 2008 1 SellOutTikTokerBTW 1 yr. ago KOFI KINGSTON, AS TOLD TO ZACH LINDER. So when the two decorated Superstars locked up in Seattle at WrestleMania XIX, it was a meeting of similar styles in a bout that became the ace in a stacked deck of a card. In turn, their pay-per-view match became something of a show-stealer, punctuated by its jaw-dropping ending in which The Man of 1,000 Holds reversed a superplex attempt into a top-rope DDT. Televised on Spike TV live every Thursday, TNA has become a destination for talent.And while its ill-fated war with WWE failed, TNA is still growing. On January 18, 1998, Shawn Michaels competed in a match with the Undertaker. " RICKY STEAMBOAT, AS TOLD TO ZACH LINDER. "Its a masterpiece." Triple H gets the win, but you dont have a second to catch your breath as a viewer, because you just saw this crazy Street Fight and youre like, These guys have taken everything they can out of each other, and then the cage starts lowering and youre going What?! All these years later, it still hurts, but such a classic can only hurt so good. It was about which way the pendulum happened to swing on that particular day." squad. The 11 minutes of mayhem saw the two future WWE Superstars use everything in their offensive arsenals as well as lots of steel chairs. "Jerry Lynn was amazing and we just have this chemistry where we both push ourselves and each other," RVD has told WWE.com. He has worked as a journalist for over 20 years, first in the world of print journalism before moving to online media as the world changed. . I got a little overwhelmed seeing the magnitude of the occasion, being in the Garden, having The Rock as my tag team partner and a legend like Ric Flair as my opponent. The love for Hardy only grew years later as he would eventually have a feud and partnership with Triple H, which lead to an emotional match for a title shot against Randy Orton. When you get your start in a tag team and youre a smaller guy, its easy to feature you as an underdog when you go out as a singles star. There, the notorious Roddy Piper went head-to-head with Greg Valentine in an infamous Dog Collar Match. He went into the Royal Rumble match, and despite only standing five-foot-six, he won the Rumble. Whipwreck, unlike most other wrestling underdogs on this list, actually had his amazing story play out on ECW television. The contest brought fans on an emotional tilt awhirl thanks to a missed spear that left the undefeated Goldberg looking vulnerable for the first time in his career. Here we have used the data collected from cagematch.net which allows wrestling fans to rate matches and according to those statistics, these are the 10 Best Matches In WWE History.
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