10 Wrestling Matches Better Than They Had Any Right To Be

3. Marc Mero & Sable Vs. Luna & The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust - WWF WrestleMania XIV

Big Show Mayweather II
WWE

Sable wasn't just a non-wrestler in terms of her experience level; according to her opponent on the night, Luna Vachon, she was unwilling to take flat back bumps and used her burgeoning political clout to avoid them altogether.

Armed with a dubious arsenal of a few weak-looking corner kicks and her Sable bomb, this mixed tag affair was hardly in contention for Match Of The Night - but the searing crowd heat, in conjunction with some unexpectedly great performances, elevated it beyond the status of curiosity.

Sable deserves credit - as too does match layout genius Pat Patterson, who structured the match expertly to build anticipation for Sable's cameo. Never the most authentic actor, Sable nevertheless managed to enter a credible performance on the strength of her wild-eyed intensity and the crowd's adulation. They'd have popped for anything she did in there, such was her massive popularity.

The real, unsung star of the show was Luna Vachon, who displayed incredible professionalism and selflessness by selling fear and scrambling pathetically at the sight of the unathletic, inexperienced Sable.

Goldust and Mero, both experiencing in-ring downturns at the time, both rose to the grandiose occasion, refusing to earn their paycheque by simply waiting for the women to enter the match - even though they were its only real appeal.

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!