10 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2024

4. GUNTHER Vs. Sami Zayn - WWE WrestleMania 40

Stinger Stinger is da Stinger Sting Guy
WWE.com

Wrestling can be about moves and it can be about emotion - it can be about whatever it likes, as long as it’s good and makes sense within its chosen world - but exists in its ideal state at that intersection. 

GUNTHER Vs. Sami Zayn had the emotion. Few fans thought Sami was going to win a match against the longest-reigning Intercontinental champion, of which nobody seemed capable; in fact, despite Sami’s enduring popularity, there was an undercurrent of a backlash purely because he wasn’t Chad Gable. 

Then, as the match unfolded, Sami reminded everybody why he is such a legendary babyface. A feeling of pure belief swelled within the stadium, expertly cultivated by Sami and his incandescent fire. Zayn was majestic in telling the story that the impossible might just be possible. It had that emotion. 

It also had the move: the f*ckin’ Brainbustaaah!

Zayn pulling off the move you thought you’d never seen in WWE - even Paul Levesque’s WWE - was a surreal explosion of a pop. This is why you do less. The more becomes overwhelming.

This is also why you book extravagantly long title reigns that aren’t necessarily inspiring, week-to-week. Nobody really remembers the September television. 

When it’s done this well, people will remember the April pay-per-view and how it made them feel for the rest of their lives. 

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!