10 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Star Ratings Dave Meltzer Got Wrong

9. The Shield Vs. Ryback & Team Hell No - WWE TLC 2012

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WWE.com

Actual Rating: ****1/2, Revised Rating: *****

This, arguably, is the greatest debut match in WWE history.

The competition is fierce. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn is well up there. Even Tazz vs. Kurt Angle was a triumph, forgotten in the aftermath of the Human Suplex Machine's subsequent downturn in fortunes.

The primary purpose of this match was to put over huge both the team methodology employed by The Shield, as well as the unit itself. It delivered to an extent not thought possible by even the most optimistic of fans. It was feared at the time that the stipulation was shoehorned, as so many are in the gimmick PPV era - there was nothing to climb towards, after all. The Shield and Ryback & Team Hell No laid waste to those expectations and each other in a scintillating scrap, structured expertly to cement The Shield's pack of dogs mentality. Without such a memorable debut bout, The Shield may not have risen to the incredible heights they did during their phenomenal sub-two year run.

Massive chants of 'THIS IS AWESOME' rang out, at time before the chant lost all meaning, after the match's best spot, which saw Roman Reigns for the first time spear Kane through the barricade. Kane never returned to the match afterwards, and it rumbled on for some time, but it doesn't tarnish its awesome legacy.

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!