Pro Wrestling Countdown: Top Ten WWE Matches of 2008

2008 was a year that featured many good matches, but there were a few that stand out above the rest.

We saw every gimmick match known to man and every possible twist and turn in storylines, but which match truly deserves to be crowned “Match of the Year”?

After what seems like an eternity, I have finally decided on the 10 matches I will recognize here. I hope you enjoy this installment of “The Top Ten,” in its new format.

#10 Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy

Back in January every WWE fan was sitting on their hands, just waiting for Jeff Hardy to win the WWE Championship. At this time, it was believed that it was Jeff Hardy's time to represent the WWE.

He had his chance at the Royal Rumble against Randy Orton. Hardy gave it his all, and people were shocked when he failed to capture the title. Every two-count that Jeff Hardy got on Randy Orton sent a disappointing roar threw Madison Square Garden. A fantastic match, no doubt.

#9 Finlay vs. Matt Hardy

Ever since Matt Hardy joined ECW, after the draft, he has been bringing his A game. And he has finally found success in the WWE.

Hardy has been having nice programs with Mark Henry and Evan Bourne, and now it seems only logical that Finlay be given a chance at the “Champion of Tuesday."

Finlay and Hardy had a good 30-minute match, with both of them doing a fantastic job of showing the young guys in the back how its down. Best WWE/ECW match ever.

#8 Money in the Bank Ladder Match

The Money In the Bank Ladder Match has provided several amazing matches over the past few years at Wrestlemania—and this was no different.

From Morrison's ladder back flip off the top rope, to Shelton being tossed over a ladder, to Matt Hardy's return—this match was amazing.

With all the high spots, we had all the ladder action we could ever want.

#7 Undertaker vs. Edge (Summer Slam)

You have a Hell in a Cell Match with The Undertaker and Edge. They fit perfectly together.

This was one of the most hard-hitting matches of the year. Constantly exchanging high-impact moves, I thought neither would ever give up. This marked the end of the 'Taker and Edge feud, as Edge was sent to “hell” after the match.

Good match, strange ending.

#6 John Cena vs. Batista

For the past three years, there has been a match that every true WWE fan has been wanting to see, and at Summer Slam, they got it when “The Animal” and “The Champ” met one-on-one in the ring.

Their styles are actually very similar. This was not a technical match, but there was suspense building all throughout the contest.

Who was going to win? In the end, Batista won in what was a surprisingly good match. They even made me care about the match, and I’m not big fan of either of the two.

#5 Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho

This was Jeff Hardy’s Money in the Bank qualifying match, and he had to beat a man who had already qualified.

The two guys had a fun, fast-paced match that didn’t stop until the very end. In the end, Jeff Hardy did win but was bumped from the match following his second drug suspension.

Still, this was a fantastic match that I still go back and watch from time to time.

#4 Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H

Jeff Hardy had been itching to get back into the WWE title hunt, and he got his shot at No Mercy.

Just like his match with Randy Orton in January, everyone thought this would be Jeff Hardy’s time to win the title. Though both of them gave everything (and I mean everything), Triple H still walked away the winner.

This has been the two’s best match to date. Hardy showed his building frustration after the match.

#3 Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels

My personal favorite match of the year, but I still couldn’t name it No. 1. It had everything.

With the awesome feud between HBK vs. Y2J climaxing here in a Ladder Match with Jericho’s title at stake, everything about it was perfect.

Jericho walked away with the win, but it wasn’t easy, as you can tell when watching the match. Shawn Michaels gave every inch of fight he had in him trying to put Jericho in his place.

#2 Undertaker vs. Edge (One Night Stand)

I still poop myself every time I see The Undertaker falling off that ladder. Everything about this match amazed me.

The fact that the 43-year-old Undertaker can still compete with the younger guys is almost as surprising as the fact that Edge came out on top in a match that featured more than its share of gimmicks.

Props to both of these guys for not giving us not one but two of the 10 greatest matches of 2008.

#1 Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair

While this may be the obvious choice, it's still the best one, as everything about this match was amazing.

With the story, action, and drama, it had a slow but inevitable build that led to Ric Flair’s final moments in a WWE ring.

Shawn knew this was the biggest match of his career, and just because he was friends with Flair didn’t mean he was going to hold back any.

HBK brought the fight to “The Nature Boy” and beat out the living legend in what will be remembered as the greatest match of 2008—and the most dramatic match in the history of the WWE.