6. Triple Threat Match For WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Batista vs. Randy Orton (WrestleMania, April 7)
The main event of WrestleMania 30 was the culmination of Daniel Bryan's long climb to the top of the professional wrestling industry. After months of being held down by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, he earned a shot at the most prestigious prize by defeating The Game in the opening match of the night. Thanks to a ruthless, unrelenting post-match attack at the hands of Triple H, Bryan entered the Triple Threat main event with his shoulder heavily bandaged. Orton and Batista targeted Bryan early but the Aberdeen native fought back. Interference from Triple H and Stephanie led to the hottest spot of the match, which saw Bryan dive through the ropes and onto the most powerful couple in wrestling, not to mention crooked official Scott Armstrong, and ensure that none of them would factor into the conclusion of the bout. Bryan overcame a devastating Batista Bomb into an RKO through the announce table to fight back and force a tapout from Batista. Pyro exploded, confetti rained down from the ceiling and fans got the payoff to the eight-month build they had hoped for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCUKRNxMipw The match was everything it needed to be. The hero overcame one last attempt by the powers-that-be to hold him down, fended off two Hall of Fame opponents and captured the title in what was the greatest moment of his career. In a business that does not always give the crowd what it wants or does not always necessarily produce the happy ending, they paid off fans' patience with the outcome they deserved.
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.
