wrestling / Columns
The Shimmy 01.05.09: Top 50 WWE Matches of 2008 (50-21)
Welcome, one and all, to the Fourth Annual Top 50 WWE Matches year end spectacular. This year I’m doing things a bit differently as you’ll get a glimpse at matches 50-21 and next week we’ll wrap up with my Top 20 WWE Matches of the Year, as well as take a look at my votes in this year’s 411 Year End Awards. Before some of you complain, please note that I have specifically limited this list to WWE matches. With Ari as our ROH guy and Larry as our TNA guy, I generally like to consider myself the ultimate WWE guy (although I think Wilcox may be giving me some competition).
Let me also note that it is entirely possible that I forgot something along the way, especially if it was on free TV. Starting this year I will be keeping an ongoing log of matches I like instead of waiting until the end of the year like a dolt and trying to recall something from back in April. There were also a lot of really great matches to choose from in 2008. Last year I had to struggle to fill this list with fifty deserving matches; this year I had to drop a bunch that I liked. I actually could have probably made a Top 75 Matches list but I figured I’d cap it at fifty. Unfortunately a lot of really good free TV matches were lost in that final cut. Qualifiers out of the way, let’s get a look at Part One of this year’s list.
50. United States Title Match: MVP© vs. Matt Hardy (Backlash)
I made mention of this match last week in the Hardy Report Card, and while I don’t think it is the best match they’ve had together it was still quite good. My main issue with this match is that it kills the Drive By Kick as an effective finisher, but aside from that it is the regular solid action you would expect from these two men. They also managed to really make it seem like the title change was a big deal, a rare feat for the US Title.
49. Triple H vs. Undertaker (SmackDown, 10/24)
It seemed puzzling at the time that they were throwing this match away on free TV when they hadn’t met up in six years, so no one really expected a clean ending. Quite frankly I don’t think anyone expected it to even get the amount of time it received. What we got was a surprising match, as it was given significant time to develop (which allowed it to build from a slow start to a good climax) and these two future Hall of Famers managed to overcome the predictable unclean finish.
48. Extreme Rules Match: Kofi Kinston vs. Shelton Benjamin (ECW, 6/24)
Unfortunately a few of the matches I had to sacrifice from this list were confrontations between Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston on ECW. This was one of my favorite feuds of the year as it was simple and consistently delivered good matches. This was the big blowoff to the feud and it was arguably their best match. I say arguably because even I had problems deciding which one of their matches to include here, so if you have another Kofi-Shelton match you liked more I feel your pain.
47. ECW Title Match: Matt Hardy© vs. Mark Henry (No Mercy)
This was a really surprising match, one I wouldn’t have figured I’d be including on this list when it was announced. Mark Henry had a really good 2008 and he seemed to have the most chemistry with Matt Hardy. The great thing about this match is that it still managed to be compelling even though you never really thought Matt would be dropping the title.
46. World Heavyweight Title Match: Chris Jericho© vs. Batista; Guest Referee: Stone Cold Steve Austin (Cyber Sunday)
This was a TNA match in a WWE ring, and that’s not a bad thing when done every so often. Jericho and Batista had some OK chemistry, but really nothing to write home about on its own. When you factor in the added chaos of Stone Cole Steve Austin, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, and JBL and you have a great, chaotic finish to a title match, capping off with a surprising win in the babyface’s hometown no less.
45. Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito (ECW, 3/25)
This was a Money in the Bank preview match and it was intended to show what kind of action you could expect at WrestleMania. What made this match particularly interesting is that it was a rare heel vs. heel match, although Shelton is good at playing the de facto face. In order to get the crowd into a match between two heels this match needed to be fast paced and spot filled, and that’s exactly what we got. ECW has been the most consistent TV show this year for good wrestling and this match, what some could consider a throwaway midcard match, is an example of that.
44. Belfast Brawl: Finlay vs. JBL (WrestleMania XXIV)
This might be an unpopular pick. I know a lot of people just decry this match as being a garbage match and were disappointed that it wasn’t the stiff-fest they anticipated, but I enjoyed it. If anything I would criticize this match for being a depressing opener for WrestleMania. JBL abused the leprechaun (possibly in rather inappropriate ways) and then he gets to win the blowoff match at WrestleMania? I guess it was to get him over for his title shot at Backlash. Much like the Cyber Sunday Match, this is the kind of match that is good every now and then and the intensity from both men made up for some of the more traditionally hokey spots. This is the first of five WrestleMania matches on this list.
43. ECW Title Match: Chavo Guerrero© vs. CM Punk (No Way Out)
Punk and Chavo started the year having some of the most dreadfully boring matches this side of Bobby Lashley and Test. After their first three matches, however, which included Chavo winning the ECW Title, they rebounded with three very good matches, including two that made this list. One of the things that made this match so good was that I think a lot of people, myself included, were expecting Punk to win the title back, making the nearfalls much more compelling than in their previous matches. I think Chavo’s win here could have been used to give him some more credibility had they followed up on his push, but as it stands this is just a nice match for the ECW Championship.
42. Champion of Champions Match: Triple H vs. Chris Jericho vs. Matt Hardy (All-Star Kickoff)
WWE needed a big main event to kick off their debut on MyNetwork TV and this was the match we got, the second ever Champion of Champions Match. This was an interesting trio of superstars as Matt Hardy looked, well, different in there to say the least. Still, that extra dynamic made for a very fun match and all three guys looked great heading into their championship matches at No Mercy, even though someone needed to lose.
41. Intercontinental Title, No. 1 Contender’s Tournament Finals: CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (Armageddon)
Armageddon had to prevent me from fully compiling my list because they added two matches at the last minute. This is one of them. Anyone that say Punk and Mysterio’s work in IWA-MS (Youtube it) knew that they could put on a fantastic match, the question was whether or not they’d be allowed to. That question was answered with an emphatic yes at Armageddon. While the match started rather slow, it picked up greatly in both pace and intensity by the end of the match. It really was anybody’s ballgame, but Punk finished it with a brutal looking GTS, perhaps the best looking one he’s ever given. This was a great match and here’s hoping for a rematch once Punk wins the IC Title.
40. ECW Title, Championship Scramble Match: Mark Henry© vs. Matt Hardy vs. The Miz vs. Finlay vs. Chavo Guerrero (Unforgiven)
The Championship Scramble was an interesting concept, one I think many people had their doubts about heading into Unforgiven. Those doubts were at least somewhat reassured with the opening match of the show as the ECW crew tore things up. Normally on PPV ECW gets the short end of the stick, but the 20 minute structure of the match allowed the guys from Tuesday nights to show what they are capable of when given enough time. This particular match had a diverse group of wrestlers allowing for some interesting spots and moments. Not only did this match serve as the introduction to the WWE Universe of the Championship Scramble Match, but it also served as an emotional moment as Matt Hardy finally came away with World Championship gold, albeit the ECW Championship.
39. WWE Tag Team Title, 15 Minutes of Fame Match: John Morrison & The Miz© vs. Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore (ECW, 1/8)
Early in the year and late last year Miz & Morrison and Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore were tearing things up in the tag division on SmackDown and ECW. I unfortunately had to bump some of their matches off this list, but I kept the 15 Minutes of Fame Match which seemed to be the biggest of their encounters. If JYW & Moor were going to win the titles it would have been on this night, but Miz & Morrison escaped at the last minute to retain their straps. While a 15 Minute Iron Man Match is kind of ridiculous when you think about it, they played it well and minimized the number of falls. It’s a shame Moore was released because it seemed like they finally found a worthwhile spot for him as Yang’s partner.
38. ECW Title Match: Chavo Guerrero© vs. CM Punk (ECW, 3/4)
This is the second of the two Chavo-Punk matches that make it onto this list. I like this one a hair better just because being on free TV it had more time to develop than their No Way Out match. Again I think a lot of people were expecting Punk to win the title back here so he could head to WrestleMania with the belt, and again Chavo shocked us all. It’s good that they managed to come back from those three original matches with two quality title matches and a good brawl (the Gulf of Mexico Match is the other good match I mentioned earlier that didn’t make the list).
37. John Morrison & The Miz vs. Cryme Tyme (Raw, 9/22)
This Raw match was leaps and bounds better than their match at Cyber Sunday. This is probably the most fast paced match I’ve ever seen Cryme Tyme participate in. This was a nice little feud between the two web-show hosts, and one I would not be too surprised to see revisited at some point now that Miz & Morrison are the World Tag Team Champions.
36. WWE Tag Team Title Match: John Morrison & The Miz© vs. Finlay & Hornswoggle (Night of Champions)
Talk about surprising. I don’t think there was anybody that was actually excited to hear that Miz & Morrison, who had a great run as WWE Tag Team Champions, would be defending their titles against Finlay and a leprechaun on PPV. This ended up being a real gem of a PPV match. I believe it was Larry Csonka that noted in his review of the match that it worked because they just treated Hornswoggle like any other (short) wrestler and not as a gimmick. Horny was a bump machine in this match, and quite frankly I’m a bit surprised he and Finlay didn’t end up with the titles. Would have beaten Hawkins & Ryder that’s for sure.
35. No. 1 Contender’s, Singapore Cane Match: Big Show vs. John Morrison vs. CM Punk vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Tommy Dreamer (One Night Stand)
This is my guilty pleasure of the year. I don’t think many people would necessarily include this on their own lists, but I love this match. This was great fun and the most positive contribution Tommy Dreamer has made to wrestling in some time. Big Show getting busted open hardway by the steel steps made it seem like an even bigger deal. I still think it’s ridiculous that the actual ECW Champion wasn’t even on the PPV, but this was as good of a substitute as you could have.
34. World Tag Team Title Match: Priceless© vs. CM Punk & Kofi Kingston (Raw, 10/27)
While many people will bitch about the title switch because it was to two guys that aren’t a “real tag team” this match just delivered and the hot reception by the corwd to the title change made it even better. Punk & Kofi worked surprisingly well together and it’s a shame they couldn’t have had a more extended feud with either Priceless or Miz & Morrison. Like a lot of the matches on this list, particularly free TV matches, this had the benefit of time. While it did have to deal with a commercial break it still kept the flow well. Perhaps most importantly is that it made everyone involved look good, even Priceless despite the loss.
33. Race to the Rumble Qualifying Match: Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk (Raw, 12/22)
I unfortunately missed a lot of this match on first viewing, but after checking it out and I feel it deserves its spot on the list. Jericho and Punk actually had a few really good matches this year, with their match the night after WrestleMania just missing the final cut. Punk really managed to stand out here despite conventional wisdom pointing to him not standing a chance in this match. That midair Codebreaker was awesome and I’m actually really surprised they didn’t save that for a bigger PPV match.
32. No. 1 Contender’s Handicap Match: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho & JBL (Raw, 8/4)
This is a match I didn’t want to like. When the stipulation was first announced it just sounded stupid and, like a good little smark, I sat for the first part of the match just thinking about how awful this was. And truth be told there was a good amount of sloppiness for me to have a base to reach that conclusion. But a funny thing happened as the match ticked towards its 15 minute time limit: the match got awesome. Things became chaotic as all three men rushed to finish the match before time expired and that frenzied pace just made the match all that more exciting. The finish was also pretty good as not only did they time it perfectly but they kind of swerved the fans as it is not often that they offer a Triple Threat Match and it doesn’t come to fruition.
31. Last Man Standing Match: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels (Raw, 11/19)
Read what this match is. Now ask yourself, even without seeing the match, don’t you think there is a high chance that it would turn out to be one of the fifty best WWE matches of the year? Yeah, that’s what I thought. In reality this was a damn fine TV main event, and while it wasn’t as great as some of their other matches, it still outdid a good number of other performers this year. JBL even added to it as he waffled HBK with that steel chair at the end.
30. WWE Title Match: Randy Orton© vs. John Cena (No Way Out)
This match was interesting as it wasn’t really as well worked of a match as we typically get from these two men, but it told a great story and played off the crowd extremely well. In hindsight I think it would have been better for Cena to win the title here to do Cena-Triple H III at Mania, but I suppose Orton came away looking better having been able to hang with the top guys for a few months. There are two trains of thought on the finish to the match, with some people hating it and others loving it. I have to admit that Orton just slapping the referee in the face to get disqualified was pretty funny.
29. Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Hardy (Raw, 2/11)
For many people this was the free TV Match of the Year and while I don’t have it ranked that high it was still an awesome match. The only critique I have of this match is that the rub they were trying to give Jeff by letting him beat Shawn Michaels was reduced a bit considering HBK had just lost cleanly to Mr. Kennedy a few weeks before this. Still, in many regards this was almost a dream match of sorts with the HBK against who some consider a younger version of himself. I look forward to maybe getting to see them face off again one day.
28. ECW Title Match: Matt Hardy© vs. Finlay (ECW, 11/11)
And here we have another free TV Match of the Year contender. I have no idea how Finlay put on this good of a performance and still ended up off the Survivor Series card. Matt and Finlay used to tear it up on the SmackDown midcard and now they had the opportunity to do so again but this time over a World Title. I would hope that at some point Finlay will be able to get a run with the ECW Championship and this match could be a good piece of evidence to WWE management for a potential run in 2009.
27. United States Title Match: Matt Hardy© vs. Shelton Benjamin (The Great American Bash)
This is another match that seems to be pretty divisive. Some say that this match was only notable for the hot crowd. I say that the hot crowd was due to a great match between two undercard guys that were looking to steal the show. In fact, for my money this was the Match of the Night on an otherwise disappointing PPV. I covered this match in the Hardy Report Card last week and I stand by my good review.
26. WWE Title, Triple Threat Match: Randy Orton© vs. John Cena vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXIV)
This was a really hard match to place on this list. I certainly felt that it was good enough to make the cut, but I just wasn’t sure how to rank it. Ultimately I decided this was a good enough spot, but I’d be willing to listen to an argument to move it up or down on. At the time I hated the booking of this match, both in the build and in how the actual match played out. In hindsight this match was a lot better than I gave it credit for at the time and really helped elevate Randy Orton to that upper echelon of main eventers. If anything it got the punt to the head over as a legit finishing move.
25. Extreme Rules Match: Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy (SmackDown, 11/14)
Jeff’s road to reclaiming some main event credibility started with this match. The darker, stranger Jeff Hardy made his in ring debut and coupled with his freaky promo to kickoff the show and Jeff seemingly had life breathed into his push. It’s cool to contrast this match with their Ladder Match from 2002 and see just how much Jeff has improved his overall game (and marvel at how well Taker has fared over the past six years). Since SmackDown moved to MyNetwork TV they’ve done a good job at giving us an actual wrestling match in the main event and this is probably the best of the bunch.
24. Undertaker vs. Big Show (No Mercy)
When this match was booked I don’t think anyone had high hopes. This is one of the biggest surprises of the year, though, mainly due to how the match was booked. WWE big man matches tend to have a lot of rest holds and a lot of “methodical” working over of body parts. This generally makes those matches extremely boring. This time, however, we got a fast paced affair with very little downtime. These two men just clobbered each other throughout the entire match and the match was better for it.
23. Intercontinental Title Match: Jeff Hardy© vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania Rewind Night)
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this match is that both men had to know that Jeff had been suspended and yet the match did not suffer because of it. In fact it seemed almost as if they kicked things into high gear in order for Jeff to go out in style and for Jericho to be able to take advantage of the free roster space. I suppose it shouldn’t be too surprising to see these guys have a great match as these were two of the most consistent in ring performers WWE had all year.
22. WWE Title, Championship Scramble Match: Triple H© vs. Jeff Hardy vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. The Brian Kendrick (Unforgiven)
While the ECW Championship Scramble had a wide variety of talents, this Scramble was more streamlined and really workrate oriented. With the talent involved in this match and the high octane, race the clock pace of the Scramble gimmick and it is no surprise we ended up with a great match. While a good chunk of the match was based around Triple H and Jeff Hardy fighting over the title, the other men got a good showing in a main event quality bout, particularly Kendrick who even got to be “interim champion.”
21. Last Man Standing Match: Undertaker vs. Big Show (Cyber Sunday)
The question here is whether Taker and Big Show could go two-for-two in quality PPV matches. Not only did they meet the quality of the No Mercy match, they exceeded it. Last Man Standing has become such a strong gimmick match in WWE and these guys added their own spin to it. With Big Show looking to use his knockout punch and Taker looking to bring back the Hell’s Gate you had each man fighting for a specific finish. It’s a shame that Taker and Show couldn’t carry over their momentum from No Mercy and Cyber Sunday to Survivor Series.
And there you have it, matches 50-21. Next week we’ll get the Top 20, so maybe your favorite match will be included. Truth be told I keep moving around my Top 10 (one of the reasons you’re not getting all fifty today) so we’ll see together where the final list ends up.
The Shimmy Likes It Raw!
What’s on tap for tonight’s show?
Well that does it for this week’s column. Next week I’ll give you the Top 20 WWE Matches of 2008 and break the third wall and show you how I voted in the 2008 411 Year End Awards. Should be good times. Until then, don’t die. Clark…out.
