7 Awesome Wrestling Matches (That The Critics Hated)

6. Kane Vs. The Big Show Vs. Raven - WWF WrestleMania X-Seven

Three Stars
WWE.com

Meltzer, awarding the match *3/4, barely accounted for even the one asterisk, bemoaning it as "silly" and "too long" while taking particular umbrage at the climactic spot in which the bout's two behemoths bounced "like little kids at a playground".

Every last set piece felt like an incredible exercise in boy-popping. Clearly, whoever laid it out had a whale of a time, and this sense of fun was infectious. It was put over as a loose and chaotic mess before its infamous backstage melee, as Kane set upon Raven before The Big Show even made his entrance. Quickly giving up on any pretence, the three men rushed backstage, locking one another in and smashing through rooms (and glass windows, and walls!) in a spectacle that, however briefly, did consider something in the way of strategy.

And then Raven failed to drive a golf cart.

This silliness was the point. Even a match as meaningless and contrived and as broad as this served the stunning diversity of a card that remains unsurpassed in its wall-to-wall-to-wall brilliance.

Besides which, it made such blinding use of Kane and The Big Show, and if WrestleMania X-Seven was the Attitude Era's great send-off, this was the first round of shots ordered at the bar.

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!