10 WWE Matches That Delivered On Their Massive Hype

9. Ric Flair Vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XXIV

WarGames NXT
WWE.com

Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels had already wrestled at Bad Blood 2003 in a match within the good/respectable range. Considering the advanced ages of the performers, it was a sterling effort - but nothing truly memorable.

This belated sequel was such a masterclass of a storyline that it almost guaranteed an emotional masterpiece of a match. Flair was thrust into a career-threatening storyline by Mr. McMahon that only yielded true emotion on the night of his enforced retirement and, though tissues were at the ready, there was an element of concern among the fandom. Flair was decades removed from his prime, and years removed from a sort of mini-renaissance in which he fought The Undertaker and Triple H in shortcut-stuffed minor gems. This match was a major component of WrestleMania XXIV - but the precedent was there for pity to become the overriding emotion.

It was, but in the most rewarding way; through weaving a fabulous intra-match story in which Michaels could not bring himself to shoot Old Yeller, Flair was enraged into showcasing the fire - and deceit - of old.

We got the old, whole Flair - the sympathetic babyface and the dastardly heel - in one of the most emotional matches in WWE history.

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!