10 Most Important Matches In The History Of WWE
1. Randy Orton Vs. Batista Vs. Daniel Bryan - WrestleMania XXX
The road to WrestleMania XXX was a battle for the heart of the company.
WWE wanted Batista, a proven draw and a soon-to-be-minted Hollywood darling, to bring the party in New Orleans. He was seen as a risk-free option in the publicly-traded age to ensure WrestleMania reached the intended casual audience, but his return risked the company's relationship with its hardcore fanbase. WWE had to be dragged to the conclusion fans had been literally screaming in their faces: Daniel Bryan was the man.
The match itself was a masterpiece; Bryan proved that his technical strong style could be woven seamlessly into the traditional, broad WWE main event mode, and he proved the old adage of muscles making money wrong - or at least antiquated. Fans wanted a relatable proxy for the millennial age, and the likeable, ultra-talented Bryan was the perfect fit. The match, 'Mania XXX's headliner, was uplifting and equally important. Its DNA can be felt throughout the roster at time of writing; it is brimming with smaller, technically-proficient performers with years of acclaimed experience on the independent scene.
Bryan's rise to the top of the card shifted the landscape and tore up the company's recruitment policy; the dynamic of the company changed with his fortunes.