1. Cactus Jack vs Triple H - WWF Championship (2000)
The scene was set as early as the entrances. Triple H emerged from the Madison Square Garden entrance way with on-screen wife Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley on his arm. Jim Ross, during his prime announcing years, comments about how he doesn't think this is an appropriate environment for Stephanie to be at ringside. Triple H agrees and Stephanie is sent to the back. That one small action sold the dangerousness of Cactus Jack, but also elevated Triple H. He acknowledged the respect he had for what Cactus Jack was capable of, without himself showing fear. That moment perfectly encapsulates the story of this incredible match. After twenty-six minutes of unhinged brutality, Triple H stood tall over Cactus Jack, having beaten him in his own backyard, and at his own game. It's a result diluted by hindsight. At the time, Triple H was seen as more of a technician, whose heel persona was based on cheating. When Mankind "transformed" into Cactus Jack in the build up to this match, it made perfect sense that this was the way that Triple H would finally get what was coming to him. Triple H would drop the title to Cactus Jack in a street fight; the build screamed "title change". But no. Triple H would beat Cactus Jack, not through cheating, but because he was as brutal and dangerous as the legendary Cactus Jack was. The cerebral assassin, "The Game" was born. This match is tough to watch. Foley getting hip-tossed onto the steel steps; Foley emerging from a biting-spot with Triple H's blood all over his face and in his mouth; Triple H literally breaking a steel chair over Foley's back; the piledriver on the announce table that didn't break; the blood; the sweat; the thumbtacks. It's a match that not only deserves to top a list of Royal Rumble title matches, but shouldn't it also be amongst the candidates for best match ever? It may not be a technical marvel, but the story it tells is so powerful, and the emotions it evokes are so raw. And aren't powerful stories and raw emotions kind of the whole point?
Michael Palmer is a contributor at whatculture.com and thelineofbestfit.com, and he probably likes WWE slightly more than most people would call "healthy".
