10 Forgotten Classics Of WWE's Ruthless Aggression Era
With so many great matches on the WWE Network, maybe it's time for a duvet day.
While the Attitude Era often gets praised - and rightfully so - as the peak of the wrestling industry in the last 20 years, many of the best in-ring performances took place in the years that followed.
The Ruthless Aggression Era spanned from the brand extension of 2002 to the PG switch in 2008. With the likes of Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, and Shawn Michaels leading the charge during this time, it's no surprise that this period saw countless show-stealers that are compulsory viewing for fans today.
Many of these matches were presented on the grand stage of WrestleMania and have since taken their rightful place in wrestling folklore, from Austin/Rock and HBK/Angle to Edge/Foley and Flair/HBK. However, many more classic bouts took place outside of the big annual spectacular and have criminally become forgotten in time as a result.
In fact, some of the best matches in WWE history happened on the most unlikely cards during this period, making them hidden gems to discover on the WWE Network today. So what better way to spend a lazy day than trawling through the buried treasures of the Ruthless Aggression Era?
We've even done the hard work for you and unearthed ten beauties to get you started.
10. Lance Storm Vs. Chris Jericho - One Night Stand 2005
The One Night Stand concept was pure genius on many levels. Nostalgia was still strong for ECW, the demand was there for the brand and several stars from the extreme heyday were already on WWE payroll. However, there were a number of ECW mainstays who were brought back specially for the event, one of which was Lance Storm.
An underutilised performer during his time in WWE, Storm had left the company quietly in mid 2004. Despite several runs with the Tag Titles and an Intercontinental Championship reign, Storm's tenure in WWE was largely uneventful. One Night Stand the perfect stage for Storm to show the world what he could do when given the chance.
Booked against his former Thrillseekers partner, Chris Jericho, Storm couldn't have asked for a better opponent for his WWE swansong. Jericho was also Storm's very first opponent, making the match a full-circle moment for both of the Canadian superstars.
With slick counters and solid pacing, the match was reminiscent of the Malenko/Guerrero classics from '95 - which is high praise indeed. The raucous crowd in the Hammerstein Ballroom ate up every move and the bout was the perfect opener to one of the most memorable PPVs WWE has ever produced.