The Triple Threat 7.26.09: 150th Edition - Night Of Champions, HBK Returning, Kurt Angle/Jeff Jarrett, More

Posted by David Martell on 07.26.2009

This week we talk about WWE Night of Champions, the Kurt Angle/Jeff Jarrett debacle, HBK making his return, Taz debuting in TNA, and RAW guest hosts. In celebration of our 150th column here on 411, we list our top 15 favorite matches of all time. Enjoy!













Topic # 1 WWE‘s Night of Champions is tonight. What are your thoughts on the card?

David Martell: I always hate thinking about Night of Champions because I was in attendance for the first one. I was there for one match, and one match only: Chris Benoit vs. CM Punk. We all know what happened with that but lets break down the card. Both of the women's matches look to be pretty bad. Mickey James has been a botch queen as of late and no one seems to give a crap about the women's division on Smackdown. I expect Mickie James to win and McCool to retain. The six pack challenge for the US title should be fun but it seems to be kind of a last minute decision. The mid card seems to be bogged down by all the celebrity hosts and the main event scene. None of these guys really get the chance to shine on RAW and it's a shame. I still don't understand why Evan Bourne isn't in this match because he pinned the champion already. I think Jack Swagger is the best bet here. I think Swagger will eventually be on the fast track to the main event and the All American American is very fitting of the US Title. Dolph Ziggler gets his first big title match against the likes of Rey Mysterio. The IC title has been looking like a world title as of late and Dolph Ziggler has been looking great. I still don't think it is quite his time to move up to the big leagues but having an impressive match with Rey sure will help. Rey has been on a hot streak and I see it continuing here. Rey will win but eventually down the road he will lose to Ziggler. Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian just doesn't seem important to me. Ever since Swagger left ECW, I haven't cared as much. Christian is in much need of a heel turn and I think we will get it right here. I expect Christian to lose and to throw a fit. Eventually he will be named Chris Jericho's tag team partner, or at least I hope. I think Jericho will retain the belts with who ever his partner may be because RAW needs Jericho to stay on there. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy should be great and the story to this feud has been phenomenal. Punk is really elevation himself and I doubt he will lose the strap any time soon. Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena for the WWE title shouldn't be anything special. I am so sick of the main even on RAW that its almost not worth watching. It is the definition of bland and boring. I like Randy Orton but geez, we need a fresh face for him to feud with. I think Orton will retain the champion and hopefully a returning HBK will be his next opponent. Overall, the PPV looks to be solid I just hope it delivers.

Alex Mattis: The E hosts their annual "All 13742 titles must be defend" event this Sunday and have actually pulled together a good card. I may say what I will about Jeff Hardy but his pairing with a heel CM Punk is absolutely perfect and if given the right amount of time they could produce quite the great match. In the WrestleMania XXIV rematch we have Trips-Cena-Orton. In this one I wouldn't expect the same outcome, I'm not sure who to predict but I think there will be a new champion this Sunday. Also expect Mickie James to emerge from the event as the new women's champ. As for the rest of the card I expect no title changes. I think Dreamer will retain, Jeri with his mystery partner to retain, etc. All in all I believe this will be a solid PPV.

Zach Brown: Night of Champions looks incredibly solid this year. First of all, I have hardly any interest in the women's matches. Melina vs. Michelle McCool should be a snooze fest, but Maryse vs. Mickie James is a far better option. I expect Maryse to retain because she is rocking the shit right now. Besides, Mickie James seems to be botching in nearly every one of her matches for the last few weeks, so I just don't want her to win. Mysterio vs. Ziggler should be a sleeper hit because both men are at the top of their game right now. I expect Mysterio to retain because Ziggler is still a little too green to go over Mysterio. But if Ziggler did win, oh boy would that be a huge push. The 6-way match for the US title looks great, but will it be given enough time? I'm guessing no. These types of matches are rarely given enough time. And where is Evan Bourne? Why Carlito and not Primo? Overall, some odd choices. Big Show has been looking great lately so he could end up taking it. But I hope the winner is Jack Swagger because then he can be the All-American American...with the US title. Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian should be short and sweet with Dreamer retaining because hopefully...the tag match with Legacy vs. Jericho and Christian should be great. Again, it's just what I'm hoping for. Whoever Jericho picks should be interesting. All in all, predicting Legacy to win this would be insane. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy is the best feud going right now, and I fully expect their match to deliver. CM Punk better win because he is the best thing WWE has going right now. And finally the Triple Threat match should be blah-fest 2009. Remember this match from Wrestlemania 24? Yeah, that match didn't get enough time then either. That's basically my central problem with 90% of all Triple Threat matches. They never get enough time. For some reason, someone in the back thinks that more wrestlers in a match equals less time for the match. I just hope this match delivers because it's a tired storyline, and I don't seem to care no matter how much WWE seems to hype it. For this one, I'm going with the tried and true saying of, "Anyone but Triple H." All in all, NOC is a solid buy.

Topic # 2 What are your thoughts on the whole Jeff Jarrett/Kurt Angle debacle?

David Martell: Big news coming out of TNA this week and boy is it juicy. I am going to go out and say it, I think this is the end of Angles career in TNA. There is no way that Jarrett is going to step down from something that he helped create. Yeah, this is a terrible situation but TNA is his baby. WWE would welcome Angle with open arms. To be quite honest, I want this to happen. WWE has been improving since Angle left the company a few years back. We are getting better matches and better fueds. Young guys are actually getting the chance to shine, at least on Smackdown and ECW. Angle could help elevate the young talent and make that huge pay check that he desires. Jarrett really got himself in a terrible situation that will eventually bite him in the ass. Kurt Angle wasn't very good to his wife but dating the ex wife of the biggest star in your company is just a bad business decision.

Alex Mattis: What is Jeff Jarrett thinking?!?!? This is just another case wild drama in the world of professional wrestling but I didn't think Jeff would have part of anything like this, especially after his wife's death but he's really been caught with his hand in the cookie jar here. Angle is one of the most valuable assets that TNA has and Dixie & Co. don't want to do anything that could slightly upset him so I know they'll drop Jarrett in a heartbeat just to save Angle. I know Angle's TNA contract is close to expiring so TNA is going to have to really set shit straight to save him for the company.

Zach Brown: Oh boy this is interesting. For all the people calling this a work and whatnot, can nothing happen backstage in pro wrestling without it being labeled as a work? I think this is really happening, and for everyone that is so eager to cry "fake", just shove it. First of all, I think it's funny that we basically have a "Deepthroat" of the wrestling world with whoever called in to the Bubba the Love Sponge show. Second, as much as I've liked Jeff Jarrett for the past few years, I think it's pretty low that he's dating Karen Angle. Kurt is a guy that Jeff has worked several matches with. You just don't do that, even to a co-worker. Bros before Ho's man. You can make the argument that love can happen at the most inopportune times and whatnot, but I still think it's pretty low. The world is full of women, and I'm sure being a wrestler could net you all kinds of tail. How hard is it to stay away from Kurt's ex? And now I'm hearing that Kurt is interested in having creative control? I don't know how that could be possible since Jarrett founded the company. That's thinking a little too big, Kurt. Overall, I think it's an entertaining development and I just want to see if anything comes out of it. And hey, if Kurt ended up leaving TNA and returning to *ahem* another promotion, that would be a welcome change.

Topic # 3 There are rumors going around that HBK may be returning for SummerSlam. How do you feel about this?

David Martell: Please God in heaven let this be true! RAW has gone to complete shit since the draft and HBK could be its last hope. HBK is one of the few wrestlers that I can never get tired with. He is a damn good wrestler and one of the best storytellers of all time. HBK would be a fresh face in the main event and a long feud with Orton would be great. Hell, HBK feuding with anyone besides Cena and Triple H would be fantastic. RAW's main event only has three men and it is sad. I just don't see how they can book Smackdown so well but screw up RAW every week with ease. HBK would be something that will keep me watching and it would be perfect timing since SummerSlam is right around the corner.

Alex Mattis: This would actually be perfect in my opinion. As weird as it may sound I have always viewed SummerSlam as "Shawn's Show." I know he is the "Showstopper" and all that but throughout my life Shawn's most important matches have always happened at SummerSlam. He had the classic with Razor in '95, the huge title defense against Vader in '96, had the significant role in '97, and had the enormous return in '02. It may be a little odd but when I hear SummerSlam I think HBK, so in this mark's eyes I think a return for HBK at the 2nd biggest event of the year would be perfect. As to who he takes on upon his return I have no idea, he's going to have a hell of a hard time topping his last performance.

Zach Brown: Oh dear God I sure hope so. Raw needs HBK more than ever now. Raw is the worst it's been in several years. The main eventers are all stale, the storylines are all stale, and it's just bad booking all around. Shawn Michaels is the definition of a quality wrestler these days. He is by far one of the only faces I like in WWE. If Shawn returned to Raw, the show quality would jump exponentially. HBK is a quality wrestler that has quality feuds and quality matches. If this is true, I can't wait for Summerslam. In fact, maybe we'll see him at NOC! Maybe he's Jericho's mystery partner! Maybe this is all epic misdirection by WWE! Nah.

Topic # 4 What are your thoughts on Taz debuting in TNA last Sunday at Victory Road?

David Martell: Who would of thunk it? Taz going to TNA, no way. Everyone knew this was coming and because of that no one cared. We all know Taz isn't going to wrestle and it's a damn shame that he even decided to go to TNA in the first place. Taz was one of the best color commentators in wrestling in recent memory and the fact that he gave that up to be a part of a storyline with one of the worst stables in wrestling history is beyond my comprehension. This is all completely stupid and no one, I mean no one, gives a shit.

Alex Mattis: Talk about anti-climactic, talk about no pop, there is a lot you can say about the debut of Taz in TNA. It literally seemed like no one cared, and that includes the wrestlers involved. I mean really, what he is going to offer in TNA let alone to this "Nation of Violence" program. I understand the need to have the original Taz with modern Taz but seriously there was no demand for Taz anywhere after he exited the E so I don't see where TNA though this would be a grand idea. I don't expect Taz's run in TNA to last too long and I'm sure he will just drift away before long.

Zach Brown: Barf. I wanted so desperately for that to be the only word I write, but alas, I have a length requirement to meet. This does nothing for me. Taz is physically unable to wrestle, so in-ring work is out of the question. But I'm more than ok with this. First of all, everyone and their dog knew that Taz was debuting in TNA, so it was anything but a shocker. Secondly, he had virtually no pop. You know why? Because it's a boring acquisition! Taz simply does nothing for the product, plain and simple. He's not going to draw viewers. He's not going to improve storylines. But if I were Don West, I would be sweating bullets about my job right now. Why Taz didn't keep a secure job at the WWE announcers table is beyond me. For some reason, he feels better suited to TNA, where ex-WWE talent goes to die. And I'm not saying that Taz won't be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but I'm betting that it won't happen for the next 10 years or so now that he signed with TNA. But hey, the guy has to pay the bills I guess.

Topic # 5 Shaq and Jeremy Piven are the next two celebrity hosts of Monday Night RAW. Your thoughts?

David Martell: I am really starting to not like this whole guest host thing. It just doesn't seem to be helping the show. Now we get less wrestling and more bull shit. The only good guest host in my opinion so far was the million dollar man. Having wrestling legends be hosts instead of celebrities makes so much more sense but all the WWE wants is publicity. I don't blame them but this is just ruining the product even more. I am also sick of every host being a face. Each and every week we are just going to watch Triple H and John Cena get the upper hand. Nothing new is happening. I want a heel host for once because maybe, just maybe, things will be interesting. Just get rid of this whole celebrity host thing and let the million dollar man be the permanent GM.

Alex Mattis: Shaq Daddy should be some fun but as a huge fan of Jeremy Piven I can't wait to see what happens when he hosts Raw. With his natural charisma I think he could have some great segments on the program, especially a bit with Jericho. I don't know when the E is growing tired of doing these "Celebrity Hosts" but if they can continue to pull out some names like Jeremy Piven then I'll be fine with it. Vince Vaughn anyone???

Zach Brown: After ZZ Top last week, freaking Dustin Diamond would be a better host. Shaq is a decent pick. He's a pretty funny guy, and definitely a wrestling fan. I'll be interested to see how much fun he has with it, and if he'll have any worthwhile interactions with the wrestlers. But to be honest, I'm much more interested in Jeremy Piven hosting Raw. I'm hoping that Piven plays a heel while performing his guest GM duties. Piven is gifted at playing villains in the first place, so I'd love for Jeremy to heel it up. I don't think this is very likely though, considering he is probably there to promote his new movie. I just hope that Piven and Jericho have a heated argument because I would love to see these two go at it. All in all, I'm waiting for WWE to announce who the new permanent GM is, but these picks are decent enough to hold me over until then.




In celebration of our 150th column, each of us decided to list or top 15 favorite matches of all time.



15

David Martell: Hernandez. Vs. Low Ki - ACW - Sunday Bloody Sunday - This is the only indie match on my list and the only one that is not a WWE match. I have always been a fan of the WWE and that is kind of a set back for me. I never watched WCW or ECW when I was a kid and I didn't even find out about the wide world of wrestling until I met Alex four years ago. I missed out on a lot of great matches in a lot of different companies so bare with me. This match is special to me because I was actually in attendance. It is so amazing to me how two men can tell such a great story without any build at all. It was big man vs. little man and it was played out perfectly. Every time Low Ki looked like he was getting some offence in, Hernandez was there to push him back down. It is sad that this match isn't known and it is sad that TNA didn't use either one of these guys to their full potential.

Alex Mattis: Randy Orton Vs. Chris Benoit (8/15/2004) - The last great Heel Vs. Face match the E put on with the heel going over absolutely clean. Add on the emotional aftermath and we have one of the best E matches that has gone forgotten.

Zach Brown: Hernandez vs. Low Ki - ACW - Sunday Bloody Sunday - This match has a special place in my heart because it isn't a very well known match. You had to have been there, or ordered it on DVD, (which I'm guessing the sales haven't been that high). This match is a gem of the indy circuit. Hernandez is one of the most underrated wrestlers in all of professional wrestling, and this match solidified that in every sense. Classic big man vs. little man (even though I would hardly call Low Ki little). And Low Ki was just downright sick in this match. Just a great match that more people need to see.


14

David Martell: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart - Wrestlemania X - Sometimes there is nothing better than a blood feud. Owen Hart was always overshadowed by his more successful brother Bret. It was the best opening match of any Wrestlemania and it stands the test of time. It was a great match that told an even better story. Owen got the pinfall and proved he was the better man, at least for that day.


Alex Mattis: Triple H Vs. The Rock - Ladder Match (8/30/1998) - What a ladder match is suppose to be. None of this spotfest-flippty do's.It worked perfectly and used two of the biggest stars during the biggest time in the business perfectly.

Zach Brown: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - No Mercy 2008 - This was not only one of the best matches of 2008, but also my favorite match in the best feud of 2008. This match was simply a perfect ladder match. Just when you thought their feud was over, Jericho wins the title, and Shawn is naturally the #1 contender. Why stop a good thing prematurely? A lot of people prefer their unsanctioned match in this feud (there's something about a match in street clothes that I just never dig), but this one is easily my favorite. And ladder matches rarely stick with me, but this one has simply because it is pure quality.

13

David Martell: Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle - No Way Out 2006 - This is the only thing that is really remembered about this PPV because the card wasn't good. Luckily we got a gem out of this match. Kurt Angle is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and Taker just seems to get better with age. A classic wrestling match that was one of the best matches of 2006.

Alex Mattis: Raven Vs. Terry Funk (4/13/1997) - This match was nothing special, but what the match represents is what is so close to my heart. This match represented the entire ECW movement and its first PPV. The "OUR WAY!" chant summed it up best.


Zach Brown: Blood Generation vs. Do Fixer - ROH Supercard of Honor - Sure this is a complete spot-fest, but it's arguably the greatest spot-fest of all time! I typically despise 6 man tag team matches, but Dragon Gate put on one of the only ones I've ever liked. There are some downright amazing spots, ridiculously fast wrestling, and stuff that flat out blows my mind. And just when I start to think, "This Dragon Kid isn't doing much," he starts doing the craziest stuff of the whole match. Everyone in this match gets their time to shine. Sure, I recognize that a lot of people think this match is overrated or not deserving 5 stars. But hey, it's only number 13 on my list.

12

David Martell: Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle - Wrestlemania 2000 - This is one of the best triple threat matches I have ever seen and the whole title stipulation made this match fun. Not to mention it had three of the best wrestlers who have ever been in the ring. I enjoy the fact that Kurt Angle came in as the Euro Intercontinental champ and lost both titles in one night.


Alex Mattis: Samoa Joe Vs. Kurt Angle (9/19/2006) - The last time I was legitimately excited for a professional wrestling match. This didn't feel like a wresting match, if felt like Holyfield-Tyson, it felt like Ali-Foreman, it felt like an epic collision... and it was.

Zach Brown: Triple X vs. America's Most Wanted - Six Sides of Steel Cage Match - Turning Point 2004 - This is just a great match. I was never a huge fan of Elix Skipper, but boy does this match make him look like a star. Nowadays, it's all about Beer Money. But look back at the early stuff from AMW. They were arguably the best tag team around back then. Definitely one of TNA's greatest matches ever.

11

David Martell: Triple H vs. Cactus Jack Hell in a Cell- No Way Out 2000 - I know people are probably wondering why I chose this match over the Undertaker vs. Mankind Hell in a cell match. The fact is, I wasn't watching wrestling at the time of that epic encounter. My family was a big Mick Foley fan the fact that he would have to retire if he lost was ridiculous. I was watching this match on the edge of my seat and when he fell through the cage and broke the ring I freaked out. The fact that he kicked out after all that still brings amazement to me.

Alex Mattis: Goldberg Vs. Diamond Dallas Page (10/25/1998) - Don't really know why this is one of my favorite WCW matches but it is. It was just an exciting match at the most exciting time in professional wrestling.

Zach Brown: Undertaker vs. Mankind - HIAC - King of the Ring 1998 - This is arguably the best Hell in a Cell in history. Just an absolute classic. Foley taking what could probably be the beating of his life, Taker looking awesome, the cage giving way when it's not supposed to, and JR going absolute ape-shit. I typically don't dig Mankind matches, but this is one of the few that I absolutely love.


10

David Martell: TLC 1 - SummerSlam 2000 - This was back when tag team wrestling meant something. This match was so cleaver for its time and just made sense. Each team had their own specific weapon that they used to perfection and making a match out of it was completely genius.


Alex Mattis: Milano Collection AT Vs. Sonjay Dutt (7/30/2006) - Less than 1000 people have seen this match, but it still is one of my favorites. Mad props to both men for giving a ***** performance in front of 300 people.

Zach Brown: Kurt Angle vs. Undertaker - No Way Out 2006 - This is where this list gets a little difficult for me. For a while, this was one of my top 5 matches of all time. Not ranking this match higher was very hard, and it could have easily been in my top 5. But the ones above this match are just a little more important to me. Just a phenomenal match. So many creative reversals, back and forth special moves, not having a clue as to who was going to win, and just two masters of the craft doing what they do best. If you haven't seen it, rush out and find it.

9

David Martell: Edge vs. Matt Hardy Cage Match - Unforgiven 2005 - The Matt Hardy feud with Edge was the hottest thing going on at the time. It is always fun when real life becomes storyline but this could have been the biggest work in wrestling history. This was the best match out of the series and when Matt Hardy did that leg drop off the top of the cage I was going nuts. By far my favorite cage match.

Alex Mattis: CZW Vs. ROH - Cage of Death (7/15/2006) - An incredible end to an incredible story.

Zach Brown: Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania XXI - The Showstopper vs. The Olympic Gold Medalist! I love this match. It had a world of hype behind it, and it more than delivered. This match made Wrestlemania 21 for me. Just a great example of a great wrestler with a ton of charisma against one of the best technical wrestlers of all time. Unbelievable.


8

David Martell: The Rock vs. Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker - Vengeance 2002 - Everything about this match was epic, even the video package with the band Trust Company. Three different men with three different wrestling styles. This is exactly how you do a triple threat match.


Alex Mattis: Sting Vs. Ric Flair (7/7/1990) - While the two may have had better matches, this one was just perfect.

Zach Brown: A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels - Against All Odds 2006 - Before going into this match, just keep in mind that this match is the essence of a TNA style match. This basically means that it doesn't so much tell any sort of story. It just concentrates on fluidness, hitting a ton of moves one after another, and doing a lot of damage. There is hardly any real ring psychology. But what we do get are three of TNA's top talent nearly killing themselves at every moment just to win TNA's mid-card title. It's just three great wrestlers giving it everything they've got and not stopping until they get a three count. This match is great...or dare I say...Phenomenal.

7

David Martell: HBK vs. Jericho - Wrestlemania XIX - This was at the forefront of my love for Jericho. I wanted him to win this match so badly but we all know what happened here. Jericho did give the sweetest chin kick and the heel hand shake at the end of the match was just plain hilarious.

Alex Mattis: Jushin Liger Vs. The Great Sasuke (4/16/1994) - The best match on the best professional wrestling show ever. Does that say enough?

Zach Brown: Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle - Genesis 2006 - I should mention that I am as much of a fan of Mixed Martial Arts as I am a fan of Professional Wrestling. I mention this because this is the only match that I was hyping myself up for as if it were Lesnar vs Mir II. My excitement for this match was beyond words. It was a dream match in my mind, as well as Alex's. I never thought this match would happen. Kurt Angle is one of the most technically gifted wrestlers, and Samoa Joe was still undefeated at this point in TNA. It was destined for greatness, and it was indeed great. Some people prefer their later matches, such as their Ironman match. I prefer this one because it was like two worlds of wrestling were colliding, and I really had no idea who would win.


6

David Martell: Randy Orton vs. Cactus Jack Hardcore Match - Backlash 2004 - This is the match that put me on the Randy Orton bandwagon. Mick Foley really put Randy Orton over the top here and it showed how talented Orton really is. The bumps that Orton took were sick and it proves to me how much he really cares about putting on good matches. To bad he hasn't had a match like this in some time.


Alex Mattis: Mitsuharu Misawa Vs. Toshiaki Kawada (6/3/1994) - Cliché to have this on here? Perhaps, but when a match is known by a date alone you know you have something special. This is arguably the best match in the history of professional wrestling.

Zach Brown: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair - Wrestlemania XXIV - This was probably my favorite match in 2008. The reason I love this match is because I had really soured on the last section of Ric Flair's career. I firmly believed that Ric Flair was way past his prime and didn't know when to quit. In the middle of this match, I found myself anxiously hoping that Ric Flair would stay. Ric pulled out all the stops in this match, and Shawn really brought him to classic match status. Some people roll their eyes when they think about the whole, "I'm sorry. I love you." thing. I loved it. When Ric Flair was crying towards the end, it really did make me tear up. I hadn't liked Ric Flair for years at that point, and then he gave me one of my favorite matches of all time. You win universe.

5

David Martell: HBK vs. Kurt Angle - Wrestlemania 21 - This is one of the greatest matches of all time with two of the greatest wrestlers to ever be in the squared circle. The best technical wrestler of our time vs. the greatest entertainer in wrestling. Just phenomenal. Words cant express how great this match was and it made Wrestlemania 21 memorable.

Alex Mattis: Bret Hart Vs. Steve Austin (3/23/1997) - What this did for both men's careers speaks to this match. The best American pro wrestling match I have ever seen.


Zach Brown: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart - Wrestlemania XIII - These next 5 matches are all extremely close to my heart. Any number of these matches could have taken the #1 spot but this is what I decided on I guess. Austin vs. Hart at Wrestlemania 13 is beyond incredible. Austin was unbelievably badass at this point, and I honestly thought Austin would win. Bret making him pass out in a pool of blood is probably one of the most iconic match endings in history. This loss for Austin made him look even better than if he had won. Austin never quit, and this was the only good way for his character to lose at that point. It was done brilliantly, and the match itself was simply timeless.

4

David Martell: HBK vs. The Undertaker - Wrestlemania 25 - I hold this match near and dear to my heart. It was my first Wrestlemania that I attended and it was all worth it just because of this match. This match had everything you could want in a wrestling match: suspense, great wrestling, drama, storytelling, near falls and sick bumps. These guys tore down the house and I have never scream that loud for a match EVER. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

Alex Mattis: The Rock Vs. Steve Austin (3/30/2003) - An incredibly emotional end to the best trilogy in the history of the E.


Zach Brown: The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin Wrestlemania XV - The Rock is my favorite wrestler of all time, and Stone Cold is a close second. When these two wrestled in any capacity, my head nearly exploded every time. Many people prefer their later matches, especially the one where Rock hit three Rock Bottoms to put Austin away. I prefer this encounter. Just a fantastic match that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. They don't make matches like this anymore.

3

David Martell: The Rock vs. Austin - Wrestlemania XIX - Alex couldn't have worded this better. It was the end of the best trilogy in WWE history. If I remember correctly I actually teared up for this one.

Alex Mattis: Bryan Danielson Vs. Homicide (12/23/2006) - After an incredible half-year of build, the payoff was more than anyone could hope for. The most satisfied I've ever been with a pro wrestling match.

Zach Brown: Kurt Angle vs. Undertaker vs. The Rock - Vengeance 2002 - You know a match is fantastic when it makes you applaud your TV when you are in an empty room. Or maybe that just means I need more friends. Either way, this match is unbelievable. Seriously, watch the DVD of this match. You will be in like flint. These guys are three of the greatest wrestlers of all time. All throughout the match, they are working unbelievably hard, especially Rock and Angle. They all use each others finishers, they have us never knowing who will win, and just when we think it's over, they keep it going and going. It's incredible, and easily my favorite triple threat of all time.

2

David Martell: The Rock vs. Mankind I Quit Match - Royal Rumble 1999 - What an epic story. The Rock vs. Mankind was one of the best feuds I have ever seen, maybe the best. I love this match because it was hardcore and The Rock would do anything to win, and he did. He cheated but by God this match was fun.


Alex Mattis: Chris Benoit Vs. Chris Jericho (9/15/1996) - Taught me at a young age that pro wrestling was more than punches and kicks. Not the best match they ever had, but the most important to me.

Zach Brown: Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi - ROH - The chops never stop! These guys were beat until they looked like raw hamburger. This was probably the stiffest match I've ever seen, and simply awesome is the best way to describe it. A lot of people think this match is overrated. I don't. Samoa Joe was the best technical wrestler on the indy circuit at this point in time, and Kobashi is one of the all time greats from Pro Wrestling NOAH. Kobashi in the US alone is a rare occurrence, so this is a match that we will most likely never see again. It definitely deserves the term "5-star classic." It's a great match, and it deserves my #2.

1

David Martell: The Rock vs. Hogan - Wrestlemania XVIII - This is by far my favorite match of all time. I have never, to this day, been more excited about a match. The wrestling wasn't the greatest quality but the match up was just history making. The stare down and the crowd reaction was unforgettable and a memory I will never forget.


Alex Mattis: The Ultimate Warrior Vs. "Macho King" Randy Savage (3/24/1991) - About as perfect of a match as I have ever seen. The majority may not be with me, but this is my favorite professional wrestling match of all time.


Zach Brown: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania XXV - I know what you're thinking. "Really? This match just happened!" Yes, I know. Or maybe you're thinking that me being in attendance at Wrestlemania 25 makes me a little biased to pick this match. I really don't care. It's my favorite match of all time. Never before had I been as excited for a match in my entire life. Never before had I grabbed my head in disbelief after each and every kick out. All throughout this match, I screamed my lungs out. I couldn't believe how incredible this match was. Leading up to Wrestlemania 25, this match had so much hype behind it, it was uncanny. And yet, somehow, it exceeded even those expectations. Shawn even kicked out of Undertaker's signature pin! Had that ever happened to Taker even once? It was unreal. With Undertaker's win streak on the line, it's easy to say that the outcome was predictable. But the thing that makes this match so incredible is that it made me believe that Shawn could actually win. And at several points throughout the match, I was so gunning for Shawn to end the streak. This showed me that these two guys only get better and better as time goes on. For me, it just doesn't get any better than this match, and that's why it's my #1.



That is all for this week. Please feel free to comment at the bottom of the page and have a great week in wrestling! CYA!