10 Amazing (But Forgotten) WWE Pre-Show Matches You Need To See
8. The Rhodes Brothers Vs The New Age Outlaws (Royal Rumble 2014)
Cody Rhodes and Goldust has been one of 2013's unlikely success stories as thorns in the side of The Authority, particularly after dethroning The Shield for the Tag Team titles in one of the best matches of the year at an otherwise abysmal Battleground card in October.
It was an equally improbable rebirth that robbed them of those very belts the following January though, when recent Triple H turncoats The New Age Outlaws celebrated their surprise comeback with a sixth reign as champions.
Initially reforming as nostalgic friends of CM Punk, the Outlaws turned on 'The Straight Edge Superstar' to reaffirm their loyalty to the former DX leader.
In this 2014 clash, heated exchanges between all four men gave the match a satisfyingly grounded appeal, with Dogg and Gunn considered loathsome relics by the pro-youth audience that would later hijack a Daniel Bryan-less Royal Rumble match.
Cody in particular was fiercely popular, and almost claimed victory with Cross Rhodes until 'Mr Ass' was just able to make a save. Disposing of Goldust, he promptly followed up with a Fameasser to give steal the gold in an only slightly less despised manner than their original victory nearly 17 years earlier.