Andrew Riche
HONORABLE MENTION- THE UNDERTAKER vs. KANE in an Inferno Match (Unforgiven 1998)
Chock this one up as a guilty pleasure of mine, especially given that the “Deadman” and his demonic brother wrestled countless times after this one and most of them were awful. This was the rematch to their first ever in-ring encounter at WrestleMania XIV, probably the best match they ever had against one another. This one was not as good, but it was the first ever Inferno match, in which the ring was surrounded by ignited flames. It was a wild affair with Vader eventually showing up and an incredible dive to the outside by Taker. Not the prettiest rematch, but definitely a memorable one.
5. WWE Champion CM PUNK vs. CHRIS JERICHO in a Chicago Street Fight (Extreme Rules 2012)
Extreme Rules 2012 had an amazing WrestleMania rematch of its own already in Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan, but this was the one I was the most geared up for that night. After defending the WWE Title at WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, CM Punk was teased and attacked mercilessly by Chris Jericho, who continuously mocked Punk’s family and its history with drug and substance abuse. Punk always delivered when he was in his hometown of Chicago, and this was another example. While the Mania match was a scientific affair, this was a character-driven war with plunder, table spots, and non-stop switches in momentum for more than 20 minutes.
Punk rose above the hate at the end and hit the GTS on Jericho for a pinfall and exacting revenge for the dastardly personal barbs. It was not as magical as WWE’s previous pay-per-view foray in Chicago when Punk won the title at Money in the Bank 2011, but this was further proof that Punk was a standout champion. This turned out to be the second of a trilogy of pay-per-view matches between Jericho and Punk, two of which were in the Windy City and all of which Punk won. But for me, this one was their best.
4. WWE Champion JOHN CENA vs. JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD in an I Quit match (Judgment Day 2005)
This match was everything that their WrestleMania 21 title match should have been but wasn’t. After a dreary nine-minute match that quickly ended with Cena ending JBL’s nearly yearlong reign as WWE Champion on SmackDown, both men got an opportunity to shine on the main event of their own pay-per-view at Judgment Day in Minneapolis. After Cena switched to the much-loathed spinner belt, JBL took back the older copy and continued to call himself a true WWE Champion in comparison to the up-and-coming Cena.
An I Quit match has a lot going against it at times, but Cena and JBL did everything humanly possible to make this match one for the ages. From Cena’s juicy blade job to JBL running Cena down on the microphone continuously (calling him at one point a “punk ass bitch”) to a fight on top of a limousine, this match was all over the place and was fascinating to watch. The ending was a tad out of nowhere with Layfield quitting before Cena could ram him into a glass structure (which Cena, ever the gentleman, did anyway). However, the finish should not take away from a violent and phenomenal effort. The I Quit match was the first time in the eyes of many WWE fans that John Cena was seen as a main event player going forward.
3. WWF Champion STEVE AUSTIN vs. THE ROCK in a No Holds Barred match (Backlash 1999)
There is no question that the most famous match between the “Rattlesnake” and the “Brahma Bull” during their epic rivalry in the Attitude Era was their main event clash at WrestleMania X-7 in Houston, TX. But before that fateful night, the title match between the two that stuck with me the most was this wild and crazy romp at the Providence Civic Center. The WrestleMania XV main event the month before, while good, did not seem to hit all the right notes for a variety of reasons. After Austin won the WWF title back, Rocky insisted on taunting Austin by parading around with his customary “Smoking Skull” belt. What better match to main event the inaugural Backlash event than these two guys?
In a creative twist, The Rock threatened to throw the belt into the river just like Austin did to his Intercontinental Title back in late 1997. Their confrontation on the Raw before Backlash involving a fake funeral and a monster truck running over a limo was one of the greatest closing segments in the show’s history. Rock also enlisted Corporation member Shane McMahon, hell-bent on screwing Austin, as the special guest referee in a No Holds Barred match. There were precursors to this crazy train style of booking like Over the Edge 1998, and this match was a great example of it being done right. The Rock getting stunned on a table by Austin while holding a TV camera is an unforgettable moment. Austin defended the title thanks to the aid of Mr. McMahon (?!) and The Rock turned face only one night later, but this was the first time that the two biggest stars in the Attitude Era made sweet (and violent) music together.
2. World Champion CHRIS BENOIT vs. TRIPLE H vs. SHAWN MICHAELS in a Triple Threat match (Backlash 2004)
While every other match on my list had a special stipulation added to their previous WrestleMania incarnation, this rematch in 2004 was a straight up repeat of what we had seen at the end of WrestleMania XX. After years of struggling his way to the top, Chris Benoit finally reached the peak when he made Triple H tap out to the Crippler Crossface at Madison Square Garden to end perhaps the greatest Triple Threat match of all time. WWE realized that there was no need to add anything more when they scheduled a rematch between the three in Edmonton, Benoit’s home town. It’s pretty damn hard to follow up a perfect match like the WrestleMania XX Triple Threat match was, but they came pretty darn close here.
What made the sequel so enjoyable was not only that it was beautifully wrestled and featured three terrific workers, but it also played off of variations of many moves and spots that had occurred in the original, including a spectacular spill into the announce table by Michaels. The premise was the same at the end: that Benoit would simply wear down Michaels and Triple H with his endless drive and finish one off while the other was incapacitated. That is exactly what happened when Benoit made Michaels tap out this time to the Sharpshooter as Hunter desperately tried in vain to break it up. It shared many similarities with the first one, but there is certainly no sense of boredom when these three got it on at Backlash. In fact, many would say it was almost as good as the first one.
1. World Champion THE UNDERTAKER vs. BATISTA in a Last Man Standing match (Backlash 2007)
If there was one thing that stood out when The Undertaker and “The Animal” Batista went toe to toe in their years-long rivalry on SmackDown, it was the element of shock and awe. After months of fans bracing for the worst, their World Championship match at WrestleMania 23 turned out to be a show stealer, an epic encounter between two behemoths with nary a break. It almost seemed like these two were destined to have good matches against one another, to the surprise of almost everyone. After losing the title, Batista only had five words for The Undertaker one week later: “Congratulations. I want my rematch.” And, boy, did we get one.
Just like their match at WrestleMania 23, Taker (who was nursing a torn bicep tendon at the time) and Batista got off the ground running once more, and this battle was just as fierce as the first one. Dave bleeds early on, a table is broken, bombs are dropped from both guys as neither one would stay down for the necessary ten count. John Cena and Umaga seemed to have perfected the Last Man Standing formula earlier that year at the Royal Rumble, but Batista and The Undertaker went another route by keeping the action all killer with no filler. It is still my favorite match they have ever had with each other. It was so good, that I did not even mind that it had a non-finish as Batista speared Undertaker off the stage into a platform, conveniently bringing down three pillars in an incredible scene. It was almost deserved that there was no clear winner in the match because both guys had fought so hard in their WrestleMania rematch that neither guy deserved to lose. The biggest winners, in fact, were the people who got to see it.
Aaron George
So I actually went back and watched all of these matches and boy there’s a lot of terrible ones in the mix. I found for the most part that the re-matches rarely lived up to the first encounter. I’m sure I have a vastly different list than everyone else as I’m from Canada and am weird. So let the witch hunt begin!
5. REY MYSTERIO vs. CODY RHODES in a Falls Count Anywhere match (Extreme Rules 2011)
I will say right off the bat I’m a huge fan of the Cody Rhodes “Dr. Doom Syndrome” where he felt he was horribly disfigured. If they had billed him from Latveria I probably would have quit my job and stalked Cody around the States until one of us was murdered. I thought these two had some great chemistry and while their encounter at WrestleMania 27 (When you say wrestle I say…) was pretty good (when you say WrestleMania 27 I channel the Sheik and say Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!). I felt that this one surpassed it in every way. This was the first match of Cody’s I saw in which I really felt he had some breakout potential, and while he looked a little ridiculous with more padding on his face than on his knees and elbows he still carried himself like a star (Stars wear kneepads you Jock-Ass TM 1988). I thought these two used the stipulation well as they fought around the arena and didn’t stay in one place too long. They made some interesting choices like using the arena railing for Boston crabs or just to smash each other’s hands on. Basically everywhere they went they tried something different and I liked it. Instead of the usual grabbing weapons in a Falls Count Anywhere, the environment was the weapon and it worked really well. The match was stiff and fun and at about 15 minutes didn’t overstay its welcome. I guess my only problem is the end: I’ve never been a fan of matches that can end anywhere in the arena in any way shape or form, but then end in the center for the ring with a finisher. I enjoyed Rey’s mist in the face bit but I would have totally marked out had he really conjured Tajiri by putting Rhodes in the Tarantula and banging Torrie Wilson. Here’s the dumbest thing Booker T said on commentary as he two men are standing punching each other: “You know Josh this is Extreme Rules, but sometimes it gets a little too extreme the way I see it.” 30 seconds later after Mysterio blasts Rhodes with a garbage can: “THIS is what Extreme Rules is all about.” Kiss my ass Booker T.
4. United States Champion CHRIS BENOIT vs. MVP (Backlash 2007)
I bet no one was expecting this Benoit match. And while you’re probably thinking, ” he just hates Benoit cause he murdered his family,” or “This guy’s a stupid idiot” you’d only be wrong on the first one. I’m fine with murder, I mentioned it in the last match, I was fine with Earthquake murdering Damien, I’m somewhat fine with Michael Cole murdering the memory of Gorilla Monsoon. I’m good. Here’s my dirty little secret: I never really liked Mr. Benoit. I thought he was a great wrestler, but he never ever connected with me. I like this match because of MVP. I love the story of MVP doing everything to beat this man and while he comes closer than he did the last time he still comes up a little short. MVP hangs with Benoit right from the start; when Benoit wrestles, Porter outwrestles. When he brawls, he brawls. When Benoit prances around the ring in a beautifully choreographed dance, MVP shows us the meaning of ballin’. This is just a solid match between two guys who get it. They are pro wrestlers and any time you get a heel and a face that are kind of portrayed on the same level of skill and badassery (I think it’s only happened like two times) you get great matches like this one. Two problems: Benoit’s god awful yellow tights with the name Benoit bursting through like he wants some ice cream; and two: MVP…the outfit…in what world do basketball players wear anything remotely resembling that?
3. RANDY ORTON vs. CM PUNK in a Last Man Standing match (Extreme Rules 2011)
“Revenge, right there, is the ultimate payback” – Booker T, April 2011
And with those prophetic words from Nostradamus T Huffman we are off. I’m amazed that with this fool on commentary I actually have two matches from this show on my list. True story: I watched this with some friends in a movie theater and we spent the night counting how many times Booker said “right here” or “right now.” By the end of this opener he was over 40 (final tally 173) but that didn’t take away from what was a pretty great little match. I’ usually not a fan of Last Man Standing matches, the slow counting often takes me right out of it, but this one did a lot of small things right and hooked me right from the beginning. The brawling off the start was a great way to sell the fire and hatred of the match, and both these guys are great at showing both those things. The match built nicely from their first at Mania and there were a few callbacks that two lesser guys would have left out. I especially like how they started off with some simple moves to get what would clearly not be a 10 count, like Punk giving Orton a back suplex and telling the ref to count it (Extra points for the ninja pose with the kendo stick). 2011 is probably my favorite year of Orton’s in ring and I’m a huge CM Punk guy so when they also had pretty good chemistry together I was all in for all their matches. They do something I love where twice they set up a spot earlier in the match and only pay it off later. The first is Punk taking off the turnbuckle pad to slingshot Orton into it countering a DDT. The second is the chair being jammed in the corner which culminates with a nasty throw by Orton which sends Punk crashing to the floor. “How does it feel Punk!” Screamed the future Brock Lesnar super fan as he waved his fingers like a rapper, Affliction shirt covering his chest and insecurities. One of the things that make this work for me is how the two guys filled the moments while the ref was counting. It wasn’t just standing around waiting, it was filled with emotion and energy which is something that makes other matches feel insufferable. It also helped that, as we got to the end of the match, almost every big spot that got nearly a 10 count looked like it could legit end the match. The RKO on the announce table and Orton getting his head crushed by the chair are the two best examples and both looked and felt like match enders but also told the story of two guys who hate one another. Punk looks pissed when Orton gets up at nine, and Orton sells everything perfectly by barely being able to stand when he gets to his feet. It’s a great, hard hitting (this is like Booker with his right here’s) match which has a terrific end (and a great revenge beat down by Orton with the kendo stick) and starts this pay per view of in a great (Extreme?) way. In what other match can you get Randy Orton doing his floor routine where he smacks the mat (like a snake) and see the Brock Lesnar super fan doing it in the background. Why do I want to write a column on this guy now? What’s his deal?
2. World Champion SHEAMUS vs. DANIEL BRYAN in a 2/3 Falls match (Extreme Rules 2012)
While it would be hard for them to top their classic at WrestleMania XXVIII, these two give it the old college try with this one. Right away the crowd is all over Sheamus. (perhaps if he didn’t have a lobster head…). I love that they start with some mat wrestling, and Sheamus doesn’t really look out of place. It’s amazing I can watch a Bryan match and almost always see something that I’ve never seen before. The way Bryan sells moves and holds with a little twist of the wrist or holding it just a little differently with more intensity is always something special to watch. The story of the match is great, with Bryan dictating the pace and Sheamus needing one big move to turn everything around. It’s an old formula but it works really well here. I love how Bryan loses the first fall by DQ by just pummeling the shoulder. Such a smart booking device. Lose this fall to win the next. Jesse would be laughing and going on about how Sheamus has won the battle and not the war. Bryan follows up with a stiff dropkick and YES lock for the pass out (the Irish never give up!!) and now Bryan is leading the whole crowd in a yes chant. The yes/no chant that follows is completely epic and is one of the more interesting crowd reactions you’ll see. It’s awesome to see the WWE’s biggest face getting such great reactions from the crowd. A shame it took the WWE six months and an actor playing a therapist to catch on. The crowd helps carry an already awesome match for the rest of the way and they are just as big a part of its success as the performers. It’s just a great, well thought out match full of stiff shots and fantastic near-falls. It truly is a shameful thing (blah blah blah lobsters and too many limes…) that they didn’t get to do this at Mania. Imagine how much better that show would have been if they had just let these guys go. The ending felt a little out of nowhere with Sheamus hitting the Brogue kick for the win, but it fit within the story of the match. I would say this is Sheamus’ best match of his career, and Bryan’s first great main event level match. Just great stuff. Very weird to now see Bryan with a chin though. Does it bother anyone else that Sheamus uses “Fella” as a battle cry? It’s like if I threw my hands in the air and yelled “MISTER!”
1. WWE Champion CM PUNK vs. CHRIS JERICHO in a Chicago Street Fight (Extreme Rules 2012)
There’s so much good in this match, and it’s crazy to think that even with this match and my number two there still may be a better match in the card. The level of detail here is wonderful. From the moment both guys come out in street clothes for their street fight you know that they’re going to deliver. Chris Jericho in my opinion has never looked more like a star than he does at the onset of this match. From the way he moves to the way he struts around with his chin in the air you’re amazed that this is the guy who used to beat up David Penzer for heat. These guys go back and forth with tons of great moves and stiff shots. I love that Jericho busts out the old school Lion Tamer with the knee in the back to really drive home the point that he means business. Everything is crisp and intense which is all you can really ask for in a blood feud. The interaction with Punk’s family is great and the fantastic Chicago crowd keeps this one moving from bell to bell. This is the one match on my list that I feel is a little weaker than their first match at Mania, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t great. After some great brawling and a superb flying elbow through a table CM Punk finally pins Jericho and avenges his alcoholic and drug-addled family. I only wish that they would have kept the storyline stuff about Punk’s family until after WrestleMania. I think the build to Mania would have been fine with the two of them competing to see who’s the “best in the world.” Then you put in the family stuff to build to this match. It’s one of Punk’s first great title defenses (there will be many more—YES!) and my personal favorite Backlash/Extreme Rules rematch. So I think it’s time we start calling Punk Mr. Backlash. He nails it every time. He gets a halfway decent match with Kane in 2009 for crying out loud. I can’t wait for that DVD, I’m sure it will come out right after Savage gets in the Hall and the Self Destruction of HHH.
