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In the last four decades of professional wrestling, WWE have given us some of the most compelling and visually appealing classics inside the squared circle that will never be forgotten.
Ranging from technical masterpieces to beautifully crafted storylines, the company has brought a variety of emotions to the table through their creative genius.
All these fantastic bouts have stayed with us and will continue to astonish generations that will come after us due to the character's strong portrayal and their ability to engage the audience through their in-ring psychology.
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Since we are highlighting the 20 greatest wrestling bouts in the company's history, different components like the narrative involved, the characters' portrayal, the in-ring quality, the audience's reaction, and the finish have been taken into significant consideration.
So, without further ado, let's dive deep and analyze the monumental history of WWE through these stellar bouts that changed the entire industry for good.
Here are the 20 greatest WWE matches of all time.
#20 The Shield Vs. The Wyatt Family - WWE Elimination Chamber (2014)
With the significance of factions becoming pretty blurry nowadays, the Shield's classic bout with the Wyatt Family at the Elimination Chamber in 2014 remains one of the most critically acclaimed bouts in recent memory.
Both the factions were red hot during those times, with the Wyatt Family on the pinnacle of success after having a pretty incredible feud with Daniel Bryan.
The entire WWE Universe was enticed to see this bout happen, as the two factions prepared and went for absolute war against each other in an almost 20-minute classic.
Considering that a new generation was arriving on the scene, nobody was as ambitious as these two factions; prepared to run with the brass ring and take over this company under Vince McMahon's experienced wing.
Two of the most dominating factions of all time tearing each other apart to justify their supremacy on WWE's flagship show, the Wyatt Family emerged victorious after brutally assaulting the talented trio.
This was probably one of those matches that got the best out of Roman Reigns, with the fans perplexed on which team to support and the entire interaction between these two different stables made for a sensational thriller at the Elimination Chamber.
#19 The Undertaker Vs. Mankind - King of the Ring (1998)
If you're an old-school professional wrestling fan, then the Undertaker's clash with Mankind inside the barbaric Hell in a Cell structure at King of the Ring, 1998 would possibly be one of the reasons why you love this business.
After delivering a masterpiece with Shawn Michaels at Bad Blood, 1997, the Undertaker instantly became one of the most dangerous personalities within the squared circle.
Since Mick Foley wanted his encounter with the Undertaker to topple the gruesome match at Bad Blood, his decision to bring something very scary to the bout made this match the most popular wrestling match of all time.
The Undertaker's ruthlessness was on full display here, with the Phenom throwing Mankind of the top of the cell in the first 5 minutes of the encounter which shocked the entire world.
While it might not be a technical thriller, both the competitors enacted their characters' brilliantly with Mankind risking his entire career to ascend the entire credibility of the match.
Many fans watching live were shocked at what they were seeing. A man in Mick Foley selling his twisted gimmick by putting his entire career on the line for the purpose of entertainment justified what this business meant to him.
His crazy push from the top of the cell remains the greatest visually shocking moment in the history of professional wrestling, with Jim Ross selling the entire moment like a legend. It was truly the night that made Mick Foley who he is today, and we have nothing but respect for that.
#18 AJ Styles Vs. John Cena - Royal Rumble (2017)
Possibly the best WWE Championship match that has happened in the last six years, John Cena completely tore the house down with A.J. Styles in a classic at the Royal Rumble, 2017.
Everything about this match just clicked that night. Both the Superstars defending their extremely recognized legacies with Cena wanting to cement his position in history in a pure wrestler Vs. a pure superstar encounter, this match deserves all the applauds it gets.
Considering how disappointing the Royal Rumble match was, this 24-minute classic justified why John Cena and A.J. Styles are the most talented veterans that ever stepped foot inside the squared circle.
A more iconic moment in this bout for me was Cena's attempt to defeat the Phenomenal One via submission by using Ric Flair's famous figure-four leg lock to cement his position in history.
Ending up one of the most critically acclaimed bouts of 2017, John Cena proved his mettle as well as his critics wrong by flawlessly putting on a timeless classic with A.J. Styles.
Since there rivalry became so personal, I definitely believe that this feud was significant in establishing and propelling A.J. Styles as the No 1 guy for SmackDown Live.
Both the superstars brought every move in their arsenal to the encounter and still managed to kick out of it. The near falls, the animosity, the Super AA kick out, and Mauro Ranallo's epic commentary were probably the best component of this bout, with John Cena finally knocking the Phenomenal One out with two consecutive Attitude Adjustments'.
While the Cenation Leader did make history by tying Ric Flair's record of world Championships held, putting everything on the line to defeat A.J. Styles justified how much respect he had for the Phenomenal One's ability. A classic in every right.
#17 The Rock Vs. Mankind - Raw is War (1999)
Easily one of those encounters which are far more underrated than they are believed to be, Mankind's clash with the Rock for the WWF Championship on an edition of Monday Night Raw in 1999 remains an absolute masterpiece that didn't get the credit it rightfully deserves.
With Vince McMahon establishing himself as one of the greatest heels in the business, aligning the Rock in the Corporate faction garnered tremendous heat, with Mankind working as a victim of the Chairman's torture and unabashed power.
One of the more significant reasons why this match remains a pretty iconic one is because of the uncertainty and unpredictability that surrounded it.
Nobody in the entire DCU Center had any clue what was transpiring in front of their eyes, with the Great One continuing his fantastic heel work and constantly mocking the victim in Mankind.
Since D-Generation X were establishing themselves at that time, backing Mankind throughout his feud with the Corporate team made for some entertaining television back then.
As Mankind eventually gained momentum and brought 'Mr. Socko' into play, the Rock's vulnerability was protected by the Corporate's, with Ken Shamrock interfering the bout by hitting an extremely aggressive chair-shot to the Mankind.
This led to a huge brawl breaking outside the ring with DX and Vince McMahon's team battling it out in front of a hot crowd only to be followed by one of the most deafening reactions in Monday Night Raw history.
Stone Cold made an appearance to a ground-breaking reaction and assisted Mankind in defeating the Rock and finally winning the WWF Championship.
With Austin and Mankind both feuding with the Corporation during that time, this encounter brought two of the biggest babyfaces together to seek redemption on the greatest heel this business will ever see, as they assisted each other in descending Vince McMahon's Corporation to a deafening reaction that will never be forgotten.
This was the time when Monday Night Raw was at its peak, and the fact that an underdog in Mankind defeated the Rock to win the WWF Championship inspired generations that came after him.
#16 Kurt Angle Vs. Brock Lesnar - SmackDown (2003)
SmackDown has always been a terrific show and has over the years provided us with some fascinating moments that will forever have a lasting impact in our minds.
Since technical amateur wrestling began to flourish during the Ruthless Aggression Era, Kurt Angle's feud with Brock Lesnar became one of the most talked about feuds on the blue brand.
There's no denying that their 60-minute Iron man match is beyond a shadow of a doubt; the greatest televised match in the blue brand's coveted and remarkable history.
With Brock Lesnar beginning to prepare for a meteoric rise in the WWE, his chemistry with Kurt Angle in this bout really got the audience hooked, with the Beast Incarnate dominating the initial portions of the encounter by ruthlessly assaulting the WWE Champion.
There was a certain rage in Brock Lesnar that clashed with Angle's technical style of wrestling and made this encounter even more special and memorable.
Considering that most iron-man matches with a 60-minute time limit tend to fall flat during the conclusive portion of the bout, these two performers displayed their athleticism and agility by constantly getting the better off each other; with the audience at the edge of their seats as an iconic babyface in Kurt Angle was fighting the Beast as well as the time-limit to retain the title.
While he did end up losing to Brock Lesnar, this match certainly protected both the superstars and managed to garner tremendous adulation from the hot crowd that witnessed this magic live.
If you haven't laid your eyes on this one, you definitely must watch this technical thriller with a fine blend of athleticism and entertainment.
#15 Daniel Bryan Vs. Bray Wyatt - Royal Rumble (2014)
One of the most beautiful things about watching wrestling is the interaction of different characters that are structurally distinct but come together to bring magic inside the squared circle.
Daniel Bryan's match with Bray Wyatt at the Royal Rumble 2014 is a significant reason why WWE thrives in booking bouts of such stellar fashion. This feud was possibly the best thing about 2014, with Daniel Bryan really emerging to be a monstrous crowd favorite superstar.
His segment with the entire Wyatt Family after Bray and him fail to defeat the Usos in a Steel Cage match remains one of the most greatest moments you will ever witness as a life-long wrestling fan.
The crowd provided Daniel Bryan with all the momentum he needed and despised Bray Wyatt for being an absolutely insane cult-leader who wanted to inflict nothing but pain to the Underdog.
It was a battle between two personalities that shared a love-hate relationship with the crowd, with the Eater of Worlds coercing Bryan to embrace the dark side of life and follow him.
Bryan, on the other hand played a reluctant underdog that believed in fighting for his dreams and enlightened the WWE Universe by bringing the fight to the Cult Leader.
A significant reason why this match remains believable is because of Bryan's technical agility, with the former WWE Champion working on Wyatt's leg the entire match and coercing him to fall down to the Underdog.
However, Wyatt's monstrous strength came into play throughout the bout, with the Eater of Worlds dominating Bryan through his lunacy and mind-games. Both the superstars were strongly protected with crowd exploding their adulation for Bryan throughout.
The match ended with Bray Wyatt taking advantage of Bryan's failed suicide dive and pinning him after dropping the Sister Abigail multiple times. This bout is epic and very underrated.
#14 Bret Hart Vs. The British Bulldog - SummerSlam (1992)
There are certain matches that become a benchmark for generations to come through its emotional narration, the ability to bring a monumental clash to life, and the crowd that fuels the bout with a never ending reception.
Bret Hart's technical masterpiece with the British Bulldog at SummerSlam 1992 ticks all these boxes and is perhaps the greatest match that will ever take place at the biggest party of the summer.
Hosted in front of a record crowd in London, Wembley Stadium came alive during this headlining clash between two familiar personalities, with British Bulldog's technical vulnerability being protected by a master technician in Bret Hart.
Considering that this match brought so much respect to the Intercontinental Championship, this is the only bout in history to have had a big event like SummerSlam end with the Intercontinental Championship match.
With Vince McMahon's plan of making SummerSlam a more eventful night, WWE's decision to host this event in London proved worthwhile, with SummerSlam 1992 publicly recognized as the fourth largest attendance in WWE history.
The hometown hero in British Bulldog fighting his brother-in-law in the Hitman, the match had an emotional component attached to the bout, and they delivered everything in their power to make sure that it will be remembered for generations to come.
While the finish might not be a more appreciable aspect of this bout, the outstanding ovation Bulldog got spoke for itself and in turn, the company was able to protect both the superstars whilst telling a compelling story between the ropes.
The post-match celebration would perhaps end up being one of my favorites in the history of professional wrestling, with both the competitors embracing the adulation they were receiving from a record crowd in one of the greatest places on the planet. Long live Bret 'the Hitman' Hart.
#13 Sasha Banks Vs. Bayley - NXT Takeover : Brooklyn (2015)
After being sidelined for decades, in the quest to prove their mettle and prove how incredible they really can be, the women's division in NXT is a significant reason why WWE is even organizing the First-Ever Women's PPV with WWE Evolution.
While there have been many matches that have stood head and shoulders of being recognized as the greatest WWE matches of all time, none of them would have been as impactful as this masterpiece.
Sasha Bank's bout with Bayley at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn for the NXT Women's Championship took the WWE Universe to an emotional roller-coaster ride that they never expected they would be even going on.
A very notable aspect of this match was the focus that the creative team gave to it and how organic it all felt while it was transpiring in front of our eyes.
An underdog geek in Bayley clashing against the Boss in Sasha Banks; two completely distinct personalities trying to prove individual perceptions and collaborating to entice such a reaction from the crowd that you never expected inside the squared circle.
Starting slow, the match quickly picked up and the fans instantly got hooked, with thousands of NXT fans providing the electricity and reception that match deserved.
With Bayley finally channeling her inner strengths, the talented competitor delivered a fantastic Bayley to Belly suplex from the top rope to defeat Banks to win the NXT Women's Championship.
Considering how much adulation the match received, the post-match celebration with the four horsewomen of WWE made it even more special and propelled the entire conception of women's revolution to unimaginable heights.
This entire match single-handedly changed the complexion of the women's division and led to everything special that followed after it for the talented female competitors that scratched and clawed to prove a point.
#12 Shawn Michaels Vs. Razor Ramon - WrestleMania 10 (1994)
Arguably regarded as one of the most visually stunning bouts in WrestleMania history, legions of WWE fans started idolizing Shawn Michaels after this masterpiece with Razor Ramon at WrestleMania 10.
Considering that the show was held at the MSG, Vince McMahon brought something very innovative to the table, with HBK's clash with Razor Ramon being contested in a ladder match; with both Intercontinental Championships tied above the ring.
A significant reason why this feud remains so special is due to the anticipation this storyline had created after WWF stripped Michaels off the Intercontinental Championship due to the steroid allegations that surrounded him.
Having been off television for two months, the Show-Stopper returned back to the squared circle, as Razor Ramon started gaining more momentum and adulation for his babyface run, with the latter winning the Intercontinental Championship.
With HBK claiming that he's not been defeated for the title yet, the company contested their first-ever televised Ladder match which despite being Bret Hart's idea suited the entire atmosphere of this feud.
The match itself was credible in establishing both the competitors, with HBK exposing his athleticism and gravitating tremendous adulation from the crowd in-attendance.
While Razor Ramon ended up winning the Intercontinental Championship in a thriller bout, it was Shawn Michaels that enlightened the crowd throughout the match with his selling ability catapulting him later as the greatest WWE Superstar that ever lived.
#11 NXT North American Championship Ladder Match - NXT Takeover : New Orleans (2018)
Whilst Shawn Michaels' incredible bout with Razor Ramon was an old-school classic, the NXT North American Championship Ladder match made the gimmick bout even more proud by taking the fans to a hellacious ride of entertainment and wrestling.
It's pretty difficult for the company to replicate what these six men did inside the squared circle under Triple H's experential supervision, and delivered a modern-day masterpiece for generations to remember.
Considering the encounter involved some of the biggest independent stars, with King Ricochet and EC3 making a blockbuster NXT debut; especially Ricochet that brought the house down with his athleticism, ever since the bell rang.
The NXT creative were successful in portraying all characters very strongly, with Lars Sullivan and Killian Dain bringing their undeniable strength against guys like Adam Cole that are masterminds of offensive innovation, and Velveteen Dream that will do anything in his power to be recognized.
This encounter makes the Ladder match gimmick so proud. A lot of the credit for ascending the stature of this match goes to the NXT Universe that completely took over and catapulted all these stars' credibility and made the match- a must watch.
A significant reason why this bout remains one of my favorite matches of all time is because all the participants involved in the bout literally tore each other out to justify their supremacy, and that is very rare in professional wrestling nowadays.
Six top guys in the industry with distinct characters fighting it out for the inaugural North American Championship, and just by their collaboration; they were successful in elevating the prestige and credibility of the title in question. This should not be missed.
Ladders being used as a weapon, high quality of athleticism, interaction of dynamic personalities, and Adam Cole's mastermind tactics were all influential in making us all believe that the future is in the right hands.
#10 Kurt Angle Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 21 (2005)
Two of the greatest competitors that have ever graced God's green earth stepped up and squared off against each other for the first time to deliver possibly, one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time.
There's no denying that both Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels are talented enough to even wrestle a pillow and put up a wrestling clinic, and that can be clearly seen throughout this encounter.
In what was a 27-minute masterpiece, both the competitors got the best out of each other and gave the fans something that will never be erased from their minds and hearts.
Everything about this match spoke to the audience, with the near falls, the athleticism, the interaction between two characters, and the story involved made for a pretty fast-paced bout at the Staples Center.
One of my most favorite spots from the match was Kurt Angle's Angle Slam from the top rope that HBK eventually kicked out of, and left the fans and the Olympic Gold Medalist stunned.
Considering that Angle has always been a submission specialist, the former WWE Champion continued targeting Michaels' leg throughout the match by giving him multiple Ankle locks.
Kurt Angle's rage and Shawn Michaels' agility was on full display here, and while both the competitors met for the first time that night, they created magic for the world to remember.
#9 The Hardy Boyz Vs. Edge and Christian Vs. The Dudley Boyz - WrestleMania 17 (2001)
While WWE have been struggling to make some ground breaking changes in the tag-team division, this blockbuster clash at WrestleMania 17 between these three proficient teams ascended the bar of tag-team wrestling, and could possibly be the greatest TLC match of all time.
Considering that there was no significant build-up to the feud, with more emphasis laid upon Stone Cold Vs. the Rock, the WWE set an epic TLC match at WrestleMania to decide the Tag-Team Champions.
This match is nothing short of a visual spectacle that deserves all the acknowledgement it gets because of the story these three factions told inside the squared circle.
Since the bout was a gimmick match, all the teams realized the potential of the encounter and the platform, and gravitated the crowd's attention through some mind-numbing athleticism between the ropes.
The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian, and the Dudley Boyz took the advantage of the opportunity presented to them and efficiently used the weapons available to their maximum.
If you go back and look the amount of risk these six superstars took to entertain the audience, you will have all the respect in the world for these performers that were a significant reason why WrestleMania 17 is widely regarded as the greatest WrestleMania of all time.
Lita, Rhyno, and Spike Dudley's inclusion in the feud also brought something riveting to the clash, with all the superstars doing everything in their power to grab the championships suspended above the ring.
A notable mention goes to Jeff Hardy who completely took over the bout and brought the house down when Edge speared him from the top of the ladder to an outstanding reception from the crowd. This match is a gem.
#8 Johnny Gargano Vs. Tommaso Ciampa - NXT Takeover- New Orleans (2018)
Having been a fan of professional wrestling for years, I was a bit disappointed with the in-ring quality of some of the matches on the main roster. While Vince McMahon's ideology is understandable, Triple H's vision for the future makes me more interested.
'The Game' has been responsible in elevating Johnny Gargano Vs. Tommaso Ciampa to a different stratosphere; which has brought adulation, respect, and wrestling back to the WWE.
Since personal animosities are significant in establishing stellar stories inside the squared circle, these two competitors brought something very rejuvenating and revolutionary.
Probably the most compelling story in recent memory, both the superstars enacted their role perfectly and gave us the most brilliant trilogy in NXT history.
However, their unsanctioned match at NXT Takeover : New Orleans remains one of the greatest matches of all time, and is definitely one of the best things that happened to professional wrestling in the 21st century.
Whilst competing between the ropes, both the talented superstars absolutely destroyed each other and made perfect use of each other's popularity to garner tremendous reactions from the crowd.
Tommaso Ciampa's heel antics coerced the audience to hate him more, with the NXT Champion taking the crutch of Gargano's fan and demolishing him with it.
Moments like this certainly bring respect and adulation to storytelling in wrestling, with Gargano doing everything in his power to decimate his former best-friend, with pretty dangerous moves.
Considering that professional wrestling has always been about invoking reactions whilst telling a story, these two gave the performance of a lifetime by bringing joy and tears to our eyes through this special encounter in New Orleans.
#7 The Rock Vs. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania 18 (2002)
While this match is not a technical masterpiece nor does it ticks all the boxes that you look for in a professional wrestling encounter, but the uniqueness of this bout speaks volumes which makes it a compelling watch.
Both the legends are not technically gifted wrestlers but are proficient enough to garner tremendous reaction from the crowd, and that is what happened throughout this special encounter.
Hulk Hogan returned to the company as a heel and went into a stellar feud with a babyface in the Rock, and while they clashed at WrestleMania 18, the crowd completely changed the entire complexion of the match and made the entire night unforgettable.
The WWE Universe got behind a heel in Hulk Hogan and booed Rock out of the building which makes it one of the most unique bouts in the history of professional wrestling.
Considering that both the superstars have ruled the company for years, colliding against each other for the first time brought significant viewership to the event and transformed the entire landscape of the encounter.
Since the Hulkster has a hard time putting other guys over, he still managed to make this match a more significant outing for the Rock and making it his most compelling match of all time.
Some of the spots in the matches legitimately bring the house down and will certainly give you chills down your spine. If you're not a fan of professional wrestling, then this match will make you one.
#6 Sami Zayn Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - NXT Takeover : Dallas (2016)
For some reason, this match remains one of the greatest NXT matches of all time for me. This match had everything you look for in a professional wrestling match that was missing from WWE since a long, long time.
Sami Zayn entering the arena to defend his prestige and the show he help built against a man who was embarking upon a new journey and bringing a charisma that was never seen inside the squared circle in Shinsuke Nakamura.
The King of Strong Style arrived to a deafening reaction, with the fans hooked for both to tear each other apart even before the bell rang. Both the superstars' agility and offence were on full display, with the Japanese sensation ruthlessly assaulting Zayn with his kicks.
There's no denying that both the superstars are very underrated under Vince McMahon's umbrella but thrived under Triple H's radar and delivered a modern-era classic that night.
Some of the most offensive moves from Nakamura were introduced to the WWE Universe that immediately catapulted the former NXT Champion to a different stratosphere.
His undeniable charisma clashing against a natural underdog in Zayn was a treat to the eyes, with the fans elevating the magnitude of the match by chanting endlessly throughout the night.
This could possibly be Sami Zayn's best match till date in the WWE, with the Game booking a perfect send-off for the man who was the heart and soul of NXT, and defended it against the King of Strong Style with all his might.
#5 The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels - Badd Blood (1997)
Despite sharing one of the greatest rivalries in sports entertainment, the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels have delivered some of the most compelling matches in the history of professional wrestling.
With the Undertaker emerging to become a gigantic supernatural superstar, the Show-Stopper's unabashed athleticism turned him into a household name, with their clash at Badd Blood inside the barbaric Hell in a Cell being one of the greatest matches I have ever seen.
There's just something about these two that connects. Maybe it is the blend of different styles that they bring to the table to produce something special between the ropes.
Considering this was the first time the company had a Hell in a Cell match, both the superstars used the gimmick encounter to the best of their abilities and stunned the entire universe by brutally assaulting each other throughout the entire match.
One of the most significant reasons why this match became so epic and special is because of the most shocking and greatest debuts in the history of professional wrestling, as Kane made his way to the ring with Paul Bearer and absolutely thrashed the Undertaker.
This match was revolutionary and integral in establishing two of the greatest rivalries in the industry, with Kane and Undertaker going to become a more influential component of the famous Attitude Era.
The barbaric structure was perfectly used throughout the entire duration of the match, with Michaels' from the top of the cell becoming a pivotal element to elevate the stakes of the match.
While the Show-Stopper was covered in blood, Kane's sensational debut was enough to seal him the victory after the Phenom almost made him unconscious after taking him to a sadistic journey to hell.
#4 Triple H Vs. Cactus Jack - Royal Rumble (2000)
While legions in the internet wrestling community criticize WWE for being fake, they definitely must sign to the WWE Network and watch this hardcore classic between Triple H and Cactus Jack for the WWF Championship at Royal Rumble, 2002.
In my humble opinion, this could easily be the greatest Royal Rumble match of all time, and is definitely Triple H's best performance till this date. The sheer violence involved in the encounter with a fine blend of storytelling and emotional intrigue makes it a must match.
Considering that Mick Foley is always recognized as a master in gimmick matches, this street fight hosted inside the Madison Square Garden brought the house down, with the Game taking a beating of a lifetime.
Cactus Jack unleashed a brutal assault on the Cerebral Assassin during the initial portion of the bout, with strong use of barbed wires that busted the Game open.
Since this bout is highly regarded for its brutality, legions of fans that watched the product back then again began admiring Triple H for the sacrifice he made by putting his body on the line in such a gruesome match.
Both the competitors were doing everything in their power to end each others' careers, and Cactus Jack's unexpected pile-driver to Triple H on the announcers' table still gives me goosebumps.
Whether it was the story told between the ropes or the sheer violence that elevated the stature of the match, the guts shown by these two superstars garnered tremendous respect form the fans, with Triple H finally proving that he belongs in the business.
#3 The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 25 (2009)
There's no denying that the Undertaker's streak is one of the biggest reasons why WrestleMania received the worldwide attention it receives on an yearly basis, with the Phenom becoming a valuable entity for the entire business.
Since WWE will always be the Phenom's yard, his clash with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25 remains one of the most intriguing bouts in professional wresting history.
With both competitors sharing such a terrific chemistry between the ropes, the crowd went absolutely insane when these two squared off against each other and stole the entire show.
Shawn Michaels' willingness to prove his worth to the Phenom coerced for some ground-breaking action between the ropes, with the Show-Stopper taking the Undertaker to the limits.
There were blockbuster spots throughout this entire match, and while the Undertaker did dominate the longer portion of the match, his continuous assault on HBK failed, as Mr. WrestleMania hung towards the very end to fall down.
Both the Superstars ascended storytelling in wrestling with this match, and catapulted this animosity to become two of the greatest professional wrestlers that ever lived.
#2 Bret Hart Vs. Stone Cold - WrestleMania 13 (1997)
Bret Hart's epic submission match with Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 is one of the most significant reasons why the wrestling business has transitioned into what it is today.
If it had not been for that night, we would have never had a successful Attitude Era. With WCW already gaining tremendous momentum, with NWO emerging to become the next big thing in wrestling, the company needed something monumental to stay in the fast-paced race.
Since Bret Hart was originally scheduled to Shawn Michaels at the event, but ended up squaring off against a heel in Stone Cold who was starting to become more popular on Raw.
Considering that this bout was a submission match, the former WWF Champion dominated the entire match by constantly working Steve Austin's leg and brutally assaulting him.
One of the biggest reasons why this match is so epic is because nobody expected something of this stature to transpire the way it did. With Hart throwing every move in the way, making Austin vulnerable didn't prove beneficial, as the Rattle Snake continued to fight and not give up.
This eventually turned the entire complexion of the night, with the fans rallying behind Austin and turning their backs on Bret Hart. The company was successful in booking one of the greatest double-turns in the history of WWE.
With Bret Hart almost destroying Austin's leg, the former WWF Champion didn't drop the courage and continued fighting until he faded out which definitely become a pivotal aspect why Austin became the biggest superstar this business has seen in a long, long time.
#1 CM Punk Vs. John Cena - Money in the Bank (2011)
While I definitely took all important components into account, CM Punk's classic with John Cena ticks all boxes and deserves to be recognized as the greatest WWE match of all time.
At the time when the business was slowing down, and the company was having a hard time dealing with some legitimate feuds, CM Punk stepped up to the plate and cut the most compelling promo of the modern era.
The Cult of Personality's pipe-bomb exposed the company and coerced the fans to be excited again for wrestling, as he revolutionized the entire company single-handedly through his words.
Punk's promo broke the entire internet and immediately put him on a pedestal, with Vince McMahon eventually identifying the superstar in him and pushing him to the top of the wresting industry.
Punk met the face that runs the place in a very hostile environment in Chicago, and delivered the greatest WWE match I have ever seen in my entire life, as a fan of professional wrestling.
The fact that the product became so predictable, the former WWE Champion's admission of his grievances changed the entire complexion of the business and made Money in the Bank into the most unpredictable and shocking nights of my life.
Both the superstars complimented each other very well throughout the entire match, with the crowd in Chicago yearning for their hometown hero to decimate John Cena.
Considering that Punk's victory was very shocking, his exit from the company seconds after winning the WWE Championship ignited the fan within me, and made me want to tune into Monday Night Raw.
Therefore, WWE were successful in garnering tremendous adulation for the match; with the Cult of Personality finally getting the due he rightfully deserves inside the squared circle.
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