10 Classic WWE Matches (That Nobody Remembers As Classics)

The Secret History.

Reigns Bryan II
WWE.com

There is a certain 'A' tier of WWE matches almost universally recognised as classics among the fandom.

The WrestleMania X Ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon redefined the use of weaponry in the WWF, creating both seminal bout and a genre unto itself. The SummerSlam 1994 Steel Cage match between Bret and Owen Hart was a masterclass in mining emotive drama from an unbearably real dynamic. Bret and Steve Austin's WrestleMania 13 Submission match advanced everything: psychology; characterisation; ring style; violence. Michaels and the Undertaker's original Hell In A Cell bout has never been bettered for its subversion of traditional psychology in that Michaels, as a heel, was positioned as the Final Girl. CM Punk's WWE Title win over John Cena at Money In The Bank told a sublime, nuclear-heated story of Punk's escape from the company through his escape from Cena's entire repertoire.

Those were all awarded the full, once-rare ***** by the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer. Those that weren't are still held aloft; the twin classics contested by Michaels and 'Taker across WrestleManias 25 and XXVI; Eddie Guerrero's first WWE Championship win; the TLC car wrecks at their most insane.

These matches don't possess the same grandeur, emotion, stunts - but they quietly belong to that A- tier, at the very least.

10. Roman Reigns Vs. Daniel Bryan - Fastlane 2015

Reigns Bryan II
WWE.com

AKA The Royal Rumble Rubber Reigns won when Daniel Bryan should've.

For that reason alone, few remember this 20:11 thriller for what it actually was: a gripping, dynamic contest. The opening few minutes followed the anticipated formula. Bryan attempted to evade Reigns' brutal power game, Reigns powered out of Bryan's early takedown attempts.

Reigns then assumed the advantage with a lethal tilt-a-whirl slam and by recklessly smashing Bryan into the barricade. Bryan recovered, at which point he organically transitioned into a tweener role - a tacit acknowledgement that he was in the maw of a genuine threat, and a clever psychological means of dividing an audience unified against his opponent.

He kicked Reigns as soon as he reappeared on the apron, much too quickly for a loveable babyface, before levelling wince-inducing kicks to his inner thigh, dangerously close to the groin. This brought something unseen out of Reigns, who laid thudding forearms into the side of his head to break free of a leg lock. The big moves made an appearance once the playing field, unfairly, had been levelled. Reigns dropped Bryan with a stunning top rope powerbomb. Bryan evaded a Spear by sending Reigns into the ring steps. He countered another in the best spot of the match, when he caught Reigns with a roll-up. The athleticism required of Reigns to contort into that position made a fool of those who chanted "You can't wrestle!" at him.

Bryan's babyface last stand "Yes!" chants seemed incongruous within the context of the preceding twenty minutes. Almost fittingly, they got him nowhere. He was a battered and bettered shell of himself, removed from both the WrestleMania 31 main event and his standing as a hero.

Reigns punished this transparent desperation with the match-winning Spear in a fabulous, borderline literary finish.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!