10 Relatively Unheralded Matches Worth A WWE Network Revisit

1. Chris Jericho Vs. Evan Bourne - WWE Fatal 4-Way

Sabu Rey Mysterio ECW one Night Stand 2006
WWE.com

Known primarily for being desperately named after one of wrestling's least flamboyant gimmick matches, Fatal 4-Way nonetheless played host to the best match of Bourne's truncated WWE career.

The match was held at a time in which defeating Jericho, who was still world class, meant something - but his selflessness wasn't merely evident in the result. In adopting the role of the more experienced but inferior veteran, Jericho as director cast Bourne as a gifted if impulsive upstart, spotlighting his breakthrough performance to an extent rarely seen from a star of his standing.

While the Ayatollah did roll back the years to show why he was once the junior heavyweight du jour - his Lionsault feint is performed with awesome smoothness - he purposefully plays a supporting role here. It's Bourne who takes centre stage, dazzling the crowd with his kip up into a Frankensteiner spot, and his famous Shooting Star Press, the tease of which is astutely woven into the narrative of the match.

Playing possum to goad Jericho into the ring steps to take control, having been outsmarted in the opening exchanges, Bourne also impressed with his storytelling ability.

Bourne could have been much more than the guy who helped popularise the catch-RKO trend.

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!