Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

Without a doubt, there have been hundreds of great matches in the history of professional wrestling. Here is the criteria that I considered...

The King of all Wrestling Debates: Top 25 Matches of All-Time

by Andrew Southworth (Scribe)

24

1280 reads

Rankings/List

October 15, 2008


Without a doubt, there have been hundreds of great matches in the history of professional wrestling. Here is the criteria that I considered.

-Did this match change the landscape of wrestling?

-Was this match well received by the fans in attendance?

-Did this match keep people on the edge of their seat?

-Was this match relatively flawless and without many bad spots?

Without further ado, the list:

Top 25 Greatest Matches of All-Time

 

1. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (Wrestlemania 3)

This match changed the pace of wrestling matches forever. It brought legitimacy to "smaller" wrestlers. Every person that watched this match was absolutely glued to it.

 

2. Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog (SummerSlam ’92-Intercontinental Title Match)

Match that turned the corner for the WWF. Vince must have breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing that there was indeed life after Hulk Hogan. This match also reopened the doors to international wrestling opportunities.

 

3. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (Wrestlemania 12-Ironman Match)

Absolute classic. One hour of pulse pounding wrestling. Two of the best ever.

 

4. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant (Wrestlemania 3-World Title Match)

Brought professional wrestling onto the map. Launched Hulk Hogan as the biggest star in wrestling.

 

5. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels (Wrestlemania 10-Ladder Match)

Helped to transcend wrestling beyond two men and a ring. Added a whole new level of excitement to wrestling matches.

 

6. Edge/Christian vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz (Wrestlemania 17-TLC Match)

Match that brought legitimacy back to tag team wrestling. Edge of your seat unbelievable match filled with tons of high spots.

 

7. Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat (Music CityShowdown ’89-NWA Title)

Two ring generals working together to perfection. The build to this match was great.

 

8. Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn (Living Dangerously ’99-ECW TV Title)

Reinvented the fast paced wrestling match. This match was X Division before it existed.

 

9. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (Wrestlemania 10)

Combination of buildup, wrestling talent, and in ring work makes this match a top 10.

 

10. The Franchise vs. Pitbull 2 vs. Chris Jericho vs. 2 Cold Scorpio (Heatwave ’96)

 Took the three way dance one step further. Revolutionized the four way dance.

 

11. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (SummerSlam ’94-Steel Cage for WWE Title)

 

12. Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (Starrcade ’84-NWA Title)

 

13. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Wrestlemania 13-Submission Match)

 

14. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle (Wrestlemania 21)

 

15. Edge/Christian vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz (SummerSlam ’00 Ladder Match)

 

16. Ric Flair vs. Harley Race (Starrcade ’83-NWA Title)

 

17. Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (Wrestlemania 19-WWE Title)

 

18. The Undertaker vs. Mankind (Hell in a Cell ’98)

 

19. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit (Wrestlemania 20-WWE Title)

 

20. Triple H vs. The Rock (SummerSlam ’98-Ladder Match)

 

21. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (Wrestlemania 18)

 

22. Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior (Wrestlemania 6-WWE Title)

 

23. Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka (ECW Heatwave ’98-ECW Title)

 

24. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Survivor Series ’96)

 

25. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Wrestlemania 15-WWE Title)

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

24 comments Last one added 3 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Daris Brown 8 months ago

    You have to add goldber/hogan somewhere to the list. it was a monumental moment for wcw.

    and for new school, i'd add joe vs. angle (the mma style match)

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Andrew Southworth 8 months ago

      I tend to think the Goldberg vs. Hogan match was way too short. It was a HUGE moment in the monday night wars, but other than ratings and hype, it didnt have the neccessary in the ring flash. If i had like 5 more spots it would be in.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  2. Joe Burgett 8 months ago

    I see you have Bret Hart on the list alot, big fan? Amyway I feel that the Ironman Match betwen Hart and Michaels should be #1 its the best that I have ever seen. You have it #3 but it should be #1, no disrespect to Macho Man or The Dragon

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Andrew Southworth 8 months ago

      I am a big fan of Bret, but it didnt factor in. He had very few matches that werent instant classics. A lot of it has to do with how great Michaels and Austin and Owen were in those matches too. You have to remember the match at Wrestlemania 3 opened the door for guys like Hart and Michaels. Since I believe that set the precedent to move away from all monsterous wrestler, I have to put them ahead.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Joe Burgett 8 months ago

      ya but I think that match made Shwon Micheals without tht match and that ladder match of his, Michelas wouldn't be where he was today, afetrall this was the first ever Ironman match, it was huge and the most discussed event in wrestling history " The Montreal Screwjob" people still today think that it was unplanned, cause of Hart leaving so soon afterward, it was not only the biggest match in history for me, but it changed wrestling history.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Andrew Southworth 8 months ago

      Shawn michaels was made long before WrestleMania 12.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  3. Ryan 8 months ago

    No Funk/Flair "I Quit" Match from the Clash?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. Ryan 8 months ago

    Oh and even if it's an honorable mention, HBK/Jericho from WM19 was great as well.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  5. Ross 8 months ago

    If your a Hart fan then were is Bret Hart vs. "Mr. Perfect"?

    Bret and Henning had one of my favorite (as I call it) "Old school" matches of all time at Summerslam. I think you might have missed it.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Andrew Southworth 8 months ago

      I didnt miss it. It wasnt better than any of the other 25 matches on this list in my humble opinion. I realize everyone has their favorite matches, but only 25 make it. Thats the beauty, these matches in my opinion are the best of the best.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Ross 8 months ago

      I won't aruge with your opinions. Good read.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  6. David Taplin 8 months ago

    Good read.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  7. Mike Levy 8 months ago

    I'm not saying your list is wrong, but there's matches from Ring of Honor and in Japan that should be on a top 25 list, but I see what your range of matches and companies are.

    Good Read nonetheless.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Andrew Southworth 8 months ago

      I actually dont have a "range of matches and companies" so much as those matches arent going to be good for debate in a forum such as this. Its no disrespect to any of the fans in this place, but not many are more than TNA and WWE fans. I wanted it to be fun to talk about.

      I will eventually do an international list. Believe it or not I have a guy interested in publishing a whole book of lists on wrestling that I have made up. Obviously I dont go into as much detail with it all on here but I have pages on each match.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  8. Mike Levy 8 months ago

    That's cool, I just was figuring more than just me would realize the need for non-WWE/TNA matches. But there's nothing against your list, I just didn't realize that most people are just TNA and WWE fans.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  9. Jabot Singleterry 8 months ago

    All great matches and the right match was at number one, but why is Angle/Michaels WrestleMania 21 match number 14? THat should be number 2 because they went at it, if anyone was to come close to the Savage/Steamboat match it would have to be them. And how come the MVP/Chris Benoit match isn't on here?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  10. Andrew Southworth 8 months ago

    Because Chris Benoit smothers babies....no um I just didnt think it fit in the scope of things.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  11. Ron Glover 8 months ago

    What about the first WarGames. The Four Horsemen vs. The Road Warriors Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  12. Ross 8 months ago

    Ah I got one. Bret Hart vs. "The British Bull Dog" Davy Boy Smith.
    Its a classic^^

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  13. b anon 8 months ago

    just as a cool match i dont know if its top 25 but what about the match with HHH vs Benoit where they had the technical match where HHH showed his skill

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. chase ruttig 8 months ago

    How about Eddie Gurerro vs. Rey Mysterio at Halloween Havoc?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  15. chris 3 months ago

    what about kurt angle and shane mcmahon. my all time favourite match!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Asylum

    Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.