10 Wrestling Matches Better Than The One Thing You Remember Them For

7. Taz Vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (ECW Living Dangerously 1998)

Montreal Screwjob Bret Hart Shawn Michaels
WWE Network

Known for: Taz being driven clean through the ring canvas.

Why it's better than that: The ring collapse is one of ECW's most quintessential and imitated spots, but the match which preceded it deserves its own look. Far from being the sort of ambling, weapons-filled brawl with which Heyman's legendary promotion made its name, this is a heavy-duty and personal war.

Bigelow's timing in this is sublime - at no point does he look like he's 'jumping up' to take Taz's suplexes. Unblemished in its execution, this is a match which works so well, and even its few minor imperfections make up part of the whole. Bigelow slipping on spilled beer just reinforces the idea that this match is a sanctioned bar room brawl, and Taz's hesitation on the deadlift flapjack through the table spot is a natural consequence of the size difference between the two men.

The ring collapse isn't even the most violent moment: brawling up the entrance ramp, Taz smashes Bigelow into a group of fans below, who only just manage to get out of harm's way. The Beast from the East lands awkwardly onto the unfolded chairs below, in a spot which somehow must have hurt even worse than it looked.

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!