10 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2022

7. Becky Lynch Vs. Bianca Belair - WWE WrestleMania 38

Jon Moxley DoN
WWE.com

Not to be confused with some grand long-term story Brian Gewirtz - rewatch the whole thing back week to week and see how long you last - Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair did at least draw from their highly controversial SummerSlam '21 match to superb effect.

Bianca extended her hand. Becky slapped Bianca with hers and motioned to go for the Manhandle slam. Bianca slipped out and hoisted Becky across her shoulders to set up the KOD, but Becky back-flipped out and, clasping Bianca's braid, and used it as a ripcord into the Manhandle to subvert the subverted original finish and score one of the more acute near-falls of the year.

WWE's staggering history of cruelty helped in some warped way here, particularly since it was a decade removed from WrestleMania XXVIII. This was a tremendous "They wouldn't...would they?" moment because, yes, they would and they have.

An object lesson in how to get a move over, Becky's struggles when positioned for the KOD were frantic, desperate, and she made it seem as though she'd spent months devising counters for it and her awesome power-based arsenal.

This was Becky's best ever in-ring performance. She was so fantastic at thwarting every detonation with her guile and big match experience that every last near-fall, when eventually attempted, meant something. Bianca was a wildfire that Becky almost put out.

Becky was working under the 'Big Time Becks' persona here, but was on such stunning form that it felt in the end that Bianca Belair had defeated The Man.

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!