Top 13 WWE Matches from PPV in 2011

WWE had an amazing number of excellent matches this year. They seemed to finally start making PPV events mean "something." Good or bad. Most of them left you with excitement.

While everyone else is likely "fantasy booking" Brock Lesnar right now, I am going to continue taking a look back at 2011. I will be naming my favorite matches from WWE PPV all year. Keep in mind, the matches are in order from worst to best, but I only chose one match from each PPV.

13. I Quit Match

Others will mention the World title match at Over the Limit, but that feud will get enough credit in other slides. This match was the main event, and I enjoyed it.

The Miz vs. John Cena in an I Quit match was very interesting. Yes, Cena was going to retain the title, but how? The entire match featured Alex Riley, and it added a new dimension to the stipulation.

In the end, Cena overcame the odds and won the match. Miz screamed "I Quit!"

12. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

These two had a lot of great matches in 2011. Their best one? Capitol Punishment!

As you can see, there were not a lot of highlights from this particular show, but Rey Mysterio and CM Punk put on a great effort. Punk picked up a big win, and his summer was just beginning.

11. Rock and Cena Team

Yes, I enjoyed this more than the WWE Title match.

The Rock returned to the ring and teamed up with John Cena. Their opponents were Truth and Miz. The building was Madison Square Garden in New York City!

What more could you ask for? Rocky showed he was as good as ever, and each man did his job. To me, this was the best match at Survivor Series.

10. The Big Men Steal the Show

WWE Vengeance belonged to Mark Henry and Big Show. Any argument in 2011 about big men not being entertaining has been thrown right out the window. It was a "theory" from the beginning, and I never believed it.

Size does not matter in the ring, and these two showed it here. While the ending was not decisive, the match of the night certainly was.

9. United States Title Match

Zack Ryder finally got his moment at TLC! His match with Dolph Ziggler was a great opener, and it was a wonderful moment to close the year out for the "Zack Pack!"

These two have always been good inside the ring, but together? They are that much better.

I was going to mention the triple-threat main event on this night, but I felt this deserved the nod. Great match!

8. Edge vs. Dolph

I really enjoyed the Royal Rumble in January. A lot of thought was put into giving this spot to the 40-man Rumble match, but instead, I gave Edge some credit. He was excellent during the first few months of 2011.

His match with Dolph at the Rumble was no different. This was during Dolph's "test run" as a main event performer, and he passed with flying colors. Awesome match from these two...

7. Orton vs. Christian

This was one of the best feuds WWE has put on in the past 10 years. No doubt.

Everything from the beginning to the end was well done, and I liked all of their matches on top of that. Nothing was ever "dragged out" or "boring." Randy Orton and Christian had a four-month feud and moved on at the right moment.

The highlight? Their great No Holds Barred match at Summerslam.

Orton picked up the World title, as Christian moved on. Some credit could be given to the main event of Summerslam, but this match was slightly better.

6. Sheamus vs. Christian

This was on the Heck on a Deck PPV event in October, and I wanted to give this match a shout out. Forget the World title match. Forget the chaotic main event for the WWE Championship.

Christian and Sheamus put on a great showing. The winner was never in doubt, but each man added his own style to making this an excellent little feud.

It is a shame Christian could not finish the year, as this really was the best year of his career.

5. Extreme Rules

Christian again? Yes.

This night was his moment. This was all about him. Yes, Cena won the WWE title later on at Extreme Rules, but this evening was about Christian.

His ladder match with Alberto Del Rio was great, but it needed to have a huge ending. The stage was set for one man to win his first World title (TNA does not count), but who would it be?

Christian!

He finally won the big one, and it was as emotional as all of his fans expected it to be...

4. Smackdown Elimination Chamber

Honestly, I could have gone with the Raw or Smackdown version here. The tipping point was in intrigue over the winner. Raw's was going to end with John Cena winning. There was no doubt there.

Here? I could have seen Edge retain to take on Del Rio at Mania, but I also could have seen Mysterio win the title here. Either way, it was a great match that featured some of Smackdown's best and really set the stage for the huge event in Atlanta weeks later.

I can't wait to see Elimination Chamber live in Milwaukee next February! Anybody with any fun sign ideas, feel free to list them...

3. Mark Henry Redeems Himself

This was at Night of Champions, and it certainly was a night of champions. Nobody was backing Mark Henry more than I was. I gave everybody a chance months in advance to hop on the bandwagon.....

...nothing but crickets...

Months later, Henry reached the top of the mountain, and all of his true fans celebrated. He had finally won the World title after 15 years, and it was the highlight of the PPV. Not only that, but the match was "booked" perfectly.

Henry was a destroyer, and Orton could not find a way to be beat him. It all ended with Mark Henry winning clean and becoming the new World Champion! For those interested in the video, be sure to watch at the 24-minute mark until the end...

2. Undertaker vs. Triple H

Yes, this was the best match at WrestleMania 27. It was not even a contest. Undertaker and Triple H both returned for one reason and one reason only.

To see who the better man was and give Atlanta a major match they will never forget!

They did just that. Some may debate the ranking, but this was the second-best match of the year. The best match of the year is not even a contest, and this one fell just behind it...

1. John Cena vs. CM Punk

This match took place at Money in the Bank, and it was one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. For over 20 years, I have watched this business, and watching this main event was incredible.

John Cena and CM Punk brought the goods on the night, and every fan in the WWE Universe was on the edge of his seat watching. Both men showed off their skills, and it was very much appreciated.

I do not do "star ratings," but this match would get the coveted "five stars" from me. It was that good. Easily the best PPV match for WWE and also the best match for WWE all year. Period.

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