10 Most Essential WWE European Title Matches

3. Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho (WWF Insurrextion 2000)

Another classic on home turf, the European Championship would get another outing on British soil at the 2000 edition of the oft-forgotten UK-exclusive PPV, Insurrextion. Locking horns for the coveted prize this time were the world travelled duo and former tag partners, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Jericho, as Jericho looked to reclaim the gold from the man who took it from him.

Both well-travelled veterans of the wrestling world, Jericho and Guerrero had very similar backgrounds; honing their craft in Mexico and Japan before making their way back to the US, taking ECW by storm and hitting the big time in WCW as part of the revolutionary Cruiserweight Division. However, despite being in the WWE together for several years, the list of one-on-one confrontations between the two under the Titan banner is surprisingly short; making this match-up all the more appetizing for long-time fans.

Once again continuing the crossover between the European and Intercontinental divisions, the bout also posed a champion vs. champion scenario; with Jericho holding the Intercontinental Championship and Guerrero holding the European Championship at the time. Unusually, a coin toss preceded the match to determine which title would be at stake – which Guerrero lost – and the European Title was up for grabs once more.

Clocking in at 13 minutes in match time, the bout is given ample run time for a European Championship match. With a decent match length and two of the best workers on the planet in their prime, the result is unsurprisingly pure gold and the addition of Eddie’s “Mamacita”, Chyna, at ringside once again added another dimension of intrigue to the overall match up.

Despite a tepid crowd, the ring work is solid throughout and wins the crowd over as the match progresses. The match itself is typical Guerrero/Jericho; Hurricanranas, Dropkicks, Lionsaults, Powerbombs – everything you would expect from two men fresh out of WCW’s Cruiserweight Division.

Some typical Guerrero chicanery from “Latino Heat” would see Eddie go on to retain his European Title with a little help from “Mamacita”, who would distract the referee while Eddie introduced Jericho’s face to the gold personally. Three seconds later and Guerrero was walking out with belt – and woman – in hand; lying, cheating and stealing all the way.

Classic Eddie Guerrero.