10 WWE Matches That Completely Exceeded Expectations

One week after winning the WWE title, The Miz was presented with his first opponent in the form of wrestler-turned-commentator Jerry Lawler.

With an unproven champion facing a part-time, sexagenarian challenger in an impromptu match on free television, it sounded like a dud in theory, but there were a few factors working in this one’s favour. For one, the match was taking place on Lawler's 61st birthday, so that played into the story, while there was also the small matter of a TLC stipulation.

Adding in the fact that Lawler had never challenged for the WWE title before, suddenly this one had potential. And despite Miz’s lack of pedigree and Lawler’s ageing years, they managed to put together a decent little match.

The action started out slow but soon picked up when Alex Riley got involved, with Lawler sending him through a table at ringside for his efforts before Miz then suffered the same fate.

It was really only the finish that let this one down, with Michael Cole interfering to cost Lawler the win, but up until then, Lawler had made believers of the Philadelphia crowd and plenty of viewers at home.