3. Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match: Daniel Bryan, Kane & Ryback vs. The Shield - TLC 2012
The only match on this list where Daniel Bryan is not a central figure in the build to it, the Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at TLC in December of 2012 was a legitimate Match of the Year candidate that came from out of nowhere to amaze fans. Originally slated to be CM Punk vs. Ryback, the contest was changed following a knee injury suffered by the Chicago native. Goodbye, Punk. Hello, Shield. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns made their pay-per-view debut that night and left an impression on fans that made them sit up and take notice of the former FCW talents. But Bryan played an integral part in match. While Ryback and Kane brought the size and physicality to the babyface side of things, Bryan bumped around for The Shield, making each member look even better than they were otherwise destined to. At the same time, he was like a wrecking ball, throwing his body around with reckless abandon, all for the sake of entertaining fans and taking his opponents out. In the end, it was Bryan who endured the double powerbomb through a table and was pinned, though the defeat had no effect on his popularity. Bryan remained as over as ever, thanks to the quality of his performance in the bout. And therein lies something that makes Bryan so truly special. He could lose and lose and lose but he never saw his momentum or popularity diminish because the people believed in him and, more importantly, respected how hard he worked for them. Marketing and merchandising cannot create that type of connection. Only a truly special wrestler is capable of that.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
