10 Classic Matches Bettered By Spiritual Sequels

10. Bret Hart Vs. Mr. Perfect - WWF SummerSlam 1991

Bettered by: CM Punk Vs. Daniel Bryan - WWE Over The Limit 2012

Perfect Vs. Hart isn't just a technical feast - it features within it one of the greatest feats of intestinal fortitude in WWF/WWE history. It was significant, too. Up until that point, unless Randy Savage was involved, the majority of lengthy, important WWF matches followed a similar pattern: massively muscled face gets his opening shine, heel establishes upper hand via nefarious means, and cuts off a few comebacks before ultimately being vanquished by the superior hero.

Hart and Perfect, along with Savage and Steamboat, helped develop the in-ring language of the WWF for the better with this submission and story-driven masterwork.

Punk Vs. Bryan operated within a similar framework - but improves upon it. The submissions were more cutting edge and fearsome - Punk at one point was practically bent over backwards in Bryan's modified surfboard - and there was a more tangible sense of animosity between the two men arising from the stiffness of their strikes.

The elbow blows with which Bryan smashed Punk to establish early dominance were a particularly neat touch; in lifting inspiration from Mixed Martial Arts, the two former Ring Of Honor World Champions were able to assemble a more dangerous-looking and believable contest.