AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon and the Top WWE Matches for Week of April 6

AJ Styles provided indisputable evidence that he's WWE best performer today when he put on a thriller against Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 33.

The Phenomenal One vs. the 47-year-old SmackDown commissioner didn't sound enticing. Those two men, though, upended expectations with a wild, full-throttle clash.

During a packed stretch that featured both WrestleMania and NXT TakeOver: Orlando, however, Styles vs. McMahon wasn't the best match of the week. Storytelling outdid spectacle by a smidgeon.

Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho excelled against each other. Undertaker fought his final battle. But what bout won out?

Based on the quality of the in-ring work, the power of the narrative and the contest's biggest moments, the following is a tally of the top matches to unfold during WrestleMania week.

Honorable Mention

• Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (TakeOver: Orlando)
• Roman Reigns vs. Undertaker (WrestleMania 33)
• Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin (SmackDown)

Roode and Nakamura outdid their first meeting from January but still didn't set the world on fire.

Like their TakeOver: San Antonio battle, this was a slow-building work of theater. The final moments were the most thrilling as a hobbled Nakamura valiantly fought off defeat.

Indy wrestler Gran Akuma tweeted: "They reigned me in at the end. Main event was good, but not on the level of the other title matches, in my opinion."

Reigns' win over Undertaker is a difficult match to evaluate.

The story compelled. The bout had major significance as The Deadman's career sendoff. The execution underwhelmed, though. And it was sad to see Undertaker stumble and look so old.

Ambrose and Corbin's WrestleMania match was forgettable. The rivals outpaced that contest by a mile two days later on SmackDown, however.

Their Street Fight featured viciousness and violence befitting their feud. They smashed tables, dented chairs and The Lone Wolf whipped the champion with a strap. The match loses some points, though, for being a non-title affair for some reason.

5. Asuka vs. Ember Moon (TakeOver: Orlando)

TakeOver: Orlando featured a gladiator's toughest test to date.

Asuka fended off Ember Moon to remain undefeated and keep hold of the NXT Women's Championship. Their clash was a back-and-forth slugfest with plenty of electricity. 

Moon hit a gorgeous, graceful springboard crossbody. She rocked the champ with what should have been knockout blows. But Asuka held on, flourishing as the unbeatable warrior who relishes in the pain of battle. 

It was a nice touch to have Asuka use underhanded means for the first time, pushing the referee into her foe. This flashed a touch of her vulnerability and suggested a possible shift into villainy.  

4. Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens (WrestleMania 33)

WrestleMania's United States Championship match was a few beats away from becoming truly special.

Owens and Jericho's chemistry and animosity powered an intense personal fight. They revved up the crowd along the way.

The contest saw many a dramatic moment unfold. KO saved himself by touching the tip of his finger on the bottom rope while being pinned. Jericho took three tries to successfully land the Lionsault. Owens put away his best friend with a powerbomb on the apron.

This wasn't savage enough, though, for the story to fully reach the climax. They seemed to be saving something for the sequel.

3. AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon (WrestleMania 33)

No match outdid expectations like Styles vs. McMahon.

Anyone who thought Styles was being shafted by drawing Shane O'Mac had to eat their words moments into the bout. McMahon impressively held his own against the former WWE champ. The two men deftly told a story of a cocky wrestler taking his opponent lightly. 

McMahon delivered a dose of adrenaline to the action, leaping into a table and hitting a Coast to Coast with his trademark fearless style.

Styles found the battle tougher than expected, but eventually crushed the underdog. This was a foot-on-the-gas stunt show, a wild ride to open WrestleMania.

One could argue that Styles vs. McMahon was the best bout of the night, but two men outdid them at the event in terms of storytelling to inch past them on this list.

2. Seth Rollins vs. Triple H (WrestleMania 33)

Some fans will prefer the pace of McMahon vs. Styles. It was the shoot-em-up action movie while Rollins vs. Triple H was the slow-burning thriller. But The Game and his former protege delivered the better work of theater.

The Architect's hunt for revenge climaxed at WrestleMania with a brutal match that further vaulted him into superstardom.

Triple H zeroed in on Rollins' injured knee early and tortured him for the majority of the contest. His suffering became uncomfortable at times, making it hard not to feel for the babyface in peril. 

In a callback to Rollins' original injury, he hurt himself attempting a sunset flip powerbomb. Stephanie McMahon crashed through a table to receive the comeuppance she long had coming. Both those moments played on the narrative leading up to WrestleMania.

Former member of WWE Creative Seth Mates tweeted: "Told a good story. The right finish. Everyone involved did a great job. And gives rub to Rollins and NXT." 

Add in Rollins' entrance where he carried a torch and lit a digital flame along the walkway, and sluggish action or not, this slightly outdid Styles and McMahon's effort.

1. The Authors of Pain vs. #DIY vs. The Revival (TakeOver: Orlando)

For the second year in a row, the NXT tag team scene may have locked up the Match of the Year award. 

The Authors of Pain defended against both The Revival and #DIY in a Triple Threat elimination match that whirred and hummed from the opening on. The action thrilled, its energy pulsated and its storytelling details made it hugely satisfying. 

The challengers looked to team up against The Authors of Pain. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa evaded a tag to ensure The Revival would have to take more punishment.

The match also featured a long tease for a table spot and then a big payoff with four guys sending Akam through the wood.

Everything clicked. #DIY and The Revival's chemistry has been off the charts in every one of their matches. The Authors of Pain looked great here, as well, using their opponents as weapons. 

WrestleMania may have created the bigger moments, but TakeOver: Orlando had the bout most worth watching again and again.