4. Vs. Nigel McGuinness - Ring Of Honor: Rising Above 2007
Nigel McGuinness (or Desmond Wolfe to long time TNA viewers) is one of the most underrated professional wrestlers of all time. In 2007 McGuinness was about to embark on a long run as ROH World Champion, and Austin Aries presented his first PPV challenge at the Rising Above event. ROH main events were absolutely legendary at the time, with McGuinness, Aries and Daniel Bryan among others consistently putting on absolute crackers. This match was no different, although it could have been so different after a scary spot in the opening moments. Aries hit his traditional suicide dive, but either the timing was off or this was planned viciousness. McGuinness was slammed into the railing head first, leading to a crimson mask taking effect pretty quickly. To his credit McGuinness not only continued the match, but led the two to an absolute barnstormer. One thing that is striking throughout the match is the selling ability of Austin Aries. McGuinness had an innovative array of moves in his arsenal (including that ridiculous rebound clothesline now used by Dean Ambrose) and on a number of occasions in this match it looked as though he may have legitimately killed Aries. Aries would hit two brain busters, but this was Ring of Honor in 2007 and it took more than two finishing moves to end a match. McGuinness wins after a vicious jawbreaker lariat.