3. CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (Summerslam, August 18th)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iynrcLn3WuI By many accounts, this was the best match of the year. From reputable critics, each of the top three matches of 2013 rated equally at 4 ½ stars (out of five). It was difficult to separate the three, but Punk vs. Lesnar brought together a phenomenal, summer-long story full of excellent mic work from Punk and Paul Heyman, along with an investment in the situation from Brock that had arguably been missing in his four prior matches since his 2012 return. Lesnar had not looked so motivated to steal the show in nearly a decade. When put opposite of the best professional wrestler alive today, Lesnar's impetus helped create one of the top Summerslam matches in history. One really must sit back and marvel at CM Punk's 2013. Coming off of a year in which he dominated the airwaves with equal parts antagonism and heroism, carrying the WWE Championship along the way, he could have easily had a "step back" year in 2013. Instead, he spent much of the year delivering top notch character work just as he had a year prior and having numerous Match of the Year candidates with a collection of mostly returning stars that rarely wrestled. He was the MVP of the WWE. His ability to get himself over as a babyface again after a stunning run as a heel from July 2012 until he ended his brief, post-Mania hiatus in June 2013 was a feat, in and of itself. The match with Lesnar was the highlight of the babyface turn. He and Heyman had incredible chemistry as rivals just as they did as partners in crime. Lesnar playing the role of half henchman, half annoyed megastar that felt compelled to teach the little guy a lesson and playing it quite well only added to the situation. Punk vs. Brock "The Best vs. The Beast" was the most unpredictable headlining match of the year. Strong cases could have been made for both stars needing the victory. Punk had already lost to two stars from the past; Lesnar had a less than stellar record since his return. Ultimately, Lesnar got the win, but the drama in the match was stimulated by the lack of an obvious pre-match victor. Hats off to both...
Chad Matthews
Contributor
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
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