10 Best WWE Matches Of 2018 (So Far)
5. North American Title Ladder Match (TakeOver: New Orleans)
Although Dave Meltzer could be accused of getting trigger happy with Orion's Bow by throwing five stars at this bout, it was one of the best ladder wars WWE have produced in years, and a clear level or two above the two Money In The Bank matches.
Hardly surprising, given the participants. Though Ricochet was the only traditional flyer in the bout, and came off like the biggest star, he was surrounded by wrestlers equally well-equipped for chaos. Adam Cole excels in plunder matches, where his weaselly heel stylings and next-level bumping make him an excellent evasive villain. Killian Dain, though billed as a beast, moves like a man 50lbs lighter. The Velveteen Dream is raw, but an athletic marvel with a fondness for elaborate set pieces. In Lars Sullivan, the bout had the perfect modern monster for power spots, and while EC3 felt like a spare part, he took a couple of big bumps.
A beautiful cocktail of contrasting wrestlers made for one of the most enjoyable spotfests WWE have delivered in years, with Cole's sneaky tactics paying off in victory.