10 Relatively Unheralded Matches Worth A WWE Network Revisit

6. JBL Vs. Finlay - WWE WrestleMania XXIV

Sabu Rey Mysterio ECW one Night Stand 2006
WWE.com

WrestleMania XXIV is, somewhat quietly, one of the best top-to-bottom cards in the grand history of the Show of Shows - but this match isn't spoken with as much fondness as its main event, or what is arguably the greatest ever match contested by a non-wrestler.

Watching it back now, it stands up as a thrilling entry in Mania's sometimes-disappointing undercard canon. Allocated less than ten minutes, the two bruisers waste little time laying waste to one another, with Layfield in particular raining down stiff blows to Finlay's face and neck.

Somehow, given that it involves copious interference from a purported leprechaun, suspension of disbelief is made easy by the relatively uncontrived spots. The smash mouth style lends itself very well to the street fight genre, which can sometimes be compromised from a realism perspective when the talent involved are required to set up tables for a sequence set to occur several minutes later.

Even JBL's dustbin lid-assisted suicide dive reversal appears organic, given the understated nature of the action elsewhere.

The wrong man won, arguably - if a babyface is allowed vengeance for one act, it's when his opponent beats down his flesh and blood in the build up - but that doesn't tarnish what is a very fun and convincing contest.

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!