10 Most Important Matches In Modern Wrestling History

The following matches aren't necessarily the 10 best matches in the modern era of pro wrestling. One match, in fact, is a complete abomination, something so definitionally bad that it altered the course of history.

All 10 listed did; it is no exaggeration to state that, were these matches not to have happened, the landscape would look drastically different. Frankly, if you are inclined to enjoy AEW - or are even mixed on the product, but are glad that an alternative exists on principle - the state of the industry without these matches does not bear thinking about.

There are a few honourable mentions to quickly wade through first:

AJ Styles Vs. Christopher Daniels Vs. Samoa Joe, from TNA Unbreakable 2005, alongside much of the peak ROH library, ushered in the 'workrate era' - the idea, strange to those raised on WWE, that best-in-class wrestling could exist beyond WWE's vast reach and brainwashing rhetoric. Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay drew considerable inspiration from AJ (the latter even idolised him).

The 'Rainmaker Shock' at NJPW The New Beginning 2012, the boldest booking decision of all-time, launched the career of Kazuchika Okada, who dethroned Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP title (New Japan played a central role in virtually everything, as will be covered). Trish Stratus Vs. Lita, the December 6, 2004 WWE Raw main event, did in fact inspire the generation that followed. For once, WWE aren't bullsh*tting you.

But what are the most transformational matches of the 21st century?

The content of the match, sadly, wasn't as influential as the aforementioned three-way at TNA Unbreakable. Stylistically, that match drove much of what followed.

Still, this was the first North American match that Dave Meltzer had awarded *****, back when that was ultra-rare, in seven full years. That meant something. That forced curious fans to pay attention. 

Wrestling would be better off as a form, had more talents studied CM Punk's incredible performance, the seamless, absorbing way in which he chained everything together, the ultra-patient strategy he employed. Punk trusted the fans to get it throughout that seminal full hour. This was key: Punk and Joe respected the intelligence of the audience, where Vinces McMahon and Russo treated them with utter disdain. WWE had its worst year ever in 2004: it's no exaggeration to state that many fans needed Punk Vs. Joe to prove to them that they hadn't aged out of it all.

Also, the modern history of pro wrestling cannot be written without Punk's immeasurable influence over it.

This was his proper breakthrough, with which he evolved from a mega-heel to master craftsman. If this match doesn't put him on the map, he might not go to WWE. He might not destroy, over time, the biases within WWE and eventually alter the recruitment model.

He might not cut the Pipebomb - the call-to-arms so powerful that, from that moment forward, fans refused to accept the state of play in the monopoly. The Pipebomb created a sentiment, a feeling, that ultimately created the conditions for AEW.

Punk made the fans feel like the impossible - true change - simply had to happen.