10 Best WWE Matches Of 2019 (So Far)

9. Charlotte Flair Vs. Asuka (SmackDown - 26 March)

WWE WrestleMania 35 Daniel Bryan Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

Banger TV matches have largely gone the way of the dodo in WWE. Misplaced commercial breaks cannibalise even the best bouts, and the company's week-to-week storytelling isn't generally calibrated in a way that allows the performers to let kill it between the ropes. On top of this, the life of a WWE Superstar is gruelling enough without putting forth PPV levels of exertion on Raw or SmackDown, so why would they?

There are a couple of exceptions on our list. This is the first. On 26 March, Charlotte Flair and Asuka went all out in a bout that came within a hair of touching their superfluous WrestleMania 34 encounter, transcending the restrictive WWE TV formula with one of the year's best women's matches.

This wasn't even supposed to be a SmackDown Women's Title match, with WWE announcing the alteration as the performers were getting ready to lock horns. That decision led to a divisive outcome that saw 'The Queen' tap 'The Empress' out with the Figure Eight for the second time in her career. Regardless, the rock-solid limb psychology and general intensity were strong enough to transcend most booking concerns.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.