Dissecting WWE's Top 10 Greatest Matches in Raw History List

There are less than two weeks until the hyped 1,000th episode of Raw. Over the last few months, the WWE has been marking the occasion by developing lists to highlight the best moments from the show's nearly two-decade run.

Most recently, WWE.com came up with a list of the 50 greatest matches in Raw history. It breaks down some of the most exciting Monday-night encounters of all time. The ranking also serves as a walk down memory lane for longtime fans.

Let's take a look at the top 10 and determine whether or not they deserved a spot so high on the list. After all, there is no shortage of options after numerous classic clashes over the years.

10. Owen Hart vs. the British Bulldog (1997)

What made this match stand out was the terrific technical wrestling from both guys. Hart was one of the most underrated pure wrestlers in WWE history, and the British Bulldog was also known for his in-ring ability.

It's matches like this that really left the door open for guys like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk, who are wrestlers first and everything else second. It was a really good back-and-forth battle, with the winner taking home the new European Championship.

Ultimately, the British Bulldog walked away with the belt and went on to have a very successful run that would last more than 200 days. Given the history between the two prior to the match, including working as a tag team, it was an all-around awesome match.

Verdict: Spot Earned

9. Cactus Jack vs. Triple H (1997)

Every time Mick Foley returns to the WWE for a guest appearance and hobbles to the ring, fans think back to matches like his one against Triple H on Raw. Foley sacrificed his body at every turn for the entertainment of the fans.

The match was contested under falls count anywhere rules and they utilized that to the maximum extent, throwing each other all over the place. Playing the role of Cactus Jack, Foley eventually picked up the win after putting Triple H through a table.

There's no doubt it was a really good match, but given all the feuds between the two, it's hard to say this singular match stands out enough to warrant a top-10 spot. That's why I would slide it down a few pegs to make room for another classic.

Verdict: Remove for Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty (1993, No. 13 on WWE list)

8. Rob Van Dam vs. Edge vs. John Cena (2006)

The only triple-threat match to make the top 10 was an epic encounter between RVD, Edge and Cena for the WWE Championship. It's the type of match that's usually reserved for pay-per-views, but the Raw fans got a rare treat.

Van Dam entered as the title holder, but it became clear that it was really a battle between Cena and Edge. After several false finishes, Cena looked like he had finally won the match before a last-second move by Edge allowed him to steal the title.

The victory set up a feud between the two until Cena took the title back two months later at Unforgiven, in Edge's hometown of Toronto. So not only was it a top-notch match, but it advanced the storyline and it belongs on the list.

Verdict: Spot Earned

7. The Rock vs. Mankind (1999)

The Rock and Mankind were both intense rivals and friendly combatants during their prime years, memorably forming the "Rock and Sock connection" at one point. Whenever they did face off against each other, it rarely disappointed.

That was the case when the WWE Championship was on the line in 1999. It turned out to be one of the most important matches in Raw history, allowing the WWE to take firm control of the Monday-night battle against WCW.

In terms of this list, that's what makes the difference. Although nobody can deny the importance and lasting influence the night had, the match itself wasn't on an elite level. It was a crucial point in the company's history and a major moment, but it was not an extraordinary match.

Verdict: Remove for Kurt Angle vs. Steve Austin (2001, No. 14 on WWE list)

6. Rey Mysterio vs. John Cena (2011)

Mysterio had just won the WWE Championship for the first time, an honor he deserved after being an important member of the company for so long. He was then forced to face off with Cena on the same night for his first defense.

While the high-flying superstar and Cena put on a pretty good show, the storyline was very much the same one the WWE Universe has seen countless times in recent years. And it always seems to end with Cena winning.

After Mysterio had gained the upper hand and wore down the face of the company, he was setting up to finish him off. Right at that moment, "Super Cena" got a boost of energy and took the title away. Good match, but not unique enough for the top 10.

Verdict: Remove for Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart (1997, No. 12 on WWE list)

5. The Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy (2002)

It's matches like this that make fans remember how incredible Undertaker was when he was still a weekly superstar. Fans only see him once a year now when he defends the streak at WrestleMania, but his legend was built just like everybody else's.

Despite being a big guy, Undertaker excelled at gimmick bouts, like this ladder match against Hardy for the Undisputed Championship. He had, and still does to an extent, great athleticism, which allowed him to succeed where other "giants" struggled.

The battle went back and forth, with Hardy using his "home-match" advantage to prove he could hold his own in a singles match against one of the biggest WWE stars. Even though Undertaker won, it was hard to call either wrestler a loser in this one.

Verdict: Spot Earned

4. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (2003)

Any time Triple H and Michaels step in the ring together, fans expect magic, and rightfully so. They are not only close friends, but they are also two of the best workers the WWE has ever seen, and that was on full display on the last Raw of 2003.

They went back and forth for what seemed like an entire show. The buddies probably spent weeks dreaming up different spots for this match, executing them all perfectly and giving the crowd plenty to get excited about.

Even though it would have been nice for a clear winner to emerge, there was a controversial ending courtesy of Eric Bischoff. But, like I mentioned earlier, storyline advancement is often just as important as the result, so this match definitely earned its spot.

Verdict: Spot Earned

3. Bret Hart vs. the 1-2-3 Kid (1994)

This match was similar to the one featuring Hart's brother earlier in the top 10. The 1-2-3 Kid didn't receive much recognition during his time with the company, but it's impossible to deny he had some real skills in the ring.

He showed off all of that ability against Hart in a struggle for the WWE title. It's matches like this that really make you wonder why the company doesn't push more guys with strong technical ability, because it clearly still gets fans involved.

Hart was able to defend his title thanks to the sharpshooter, giving another reason to call himself "The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be." It's performances like this that give him a legitimate case to make that claim.

Verdict: Spot Earned

2. Ric Flair vs. Mr. Perfect (1993)

When Flair and Mr. Perfect fought for the right to remain in the company, it was like a conversion of several angles into one. The former buddies laid it all on the line and put on a match that the older segment of the WWE Universe won't forget.

Since it happened so early in Raw's history, it really helped start putting the groundwork down for today's version. From the countless holds to the false finishes, the two stars left no stone unturned before Mr. Perfect picked up the win.

There have been plenty of matches since then that have tried to emulate the same type of stipulations and atmosphere, but it can't be matched. Flair and Mr. Perfect did it all and certainly deserve to get placed high on the list.

Verdict: Spot Earned

1. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels (2007)

Even though Michaels ended up winning this match, it really felt like a changing of the guard. One of the greatest wrestlers to ever set foot in the ring put on a show with the man who currently serves as the biggest draw in the WWE.

It was a rematch of WrestleMania 23 and was every bit as thrilling, if not more so. Every time it looked like one guy was gaining an advantage, it would flip. That type of action is what really takes a match to the next level.

After 1,000 episodes and an unimaginable number of matches, it's hard to argue against this one taking the top spot. It was probably the most complete match from start to finish in Monday night history and it will probably take 1,000 more shows before it gets topped.

Verdict: Spot Earned