3. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho, Payback 2013
This match was a classic example of an old-school pro-wrestling match. A lot of it was called in the ring just like how matches used to be in the old days and a significant portion of it was only put-together half an hour before the match actually took place. The emphasis was on holds and on the actual wrestling element of the match rather than on any gimmicks or storylines. Punk and Jericho are two of the best all time talents in the business and they really brought the goods here delivering in my opinion their best match together till date. I believe that the difference between a good match and a great match is quite often, the level of involvement of the crowd. A responsive crowd can make a good match great, while a dull crowd can deflate a great match. A major factor behind the success of this match was the fact that it took place in front of a raucous Chicago crowd who went out of their way to show their loyalty to their hometown hero and this infact greatly added value to the match by giving it an extremely special "Big Fight" feel. The reason this match made it to the 3rd position on this list is that I felt like it had something in it for everybody- Firstly, it provided some A grade quality wrestling for the benefit of the hardcore fans. Secondly, it also gave old-timers a nice throwback to the days of Ric Flair and Harley Race with its old-school feel. Finally, it provided great entertainment for the casual fan and fans of the younger generation because of the electric atmosphere created by the electric crowd as well as by being CM Punk's return match against a fellow fan favorite in Chris Jericho. Rating: 4.5 stars.