God so many to name. Is it just going to be WWE stuff? Ah well screw that, I'm gonna include all of my favorites in a semi-chronological order.
WWF Title Cage Match: Bob Backlund vs. Jimmy Snuka - MSG 6/28/82
I've always considered this match to be above Snuka's better remembered cage match with Muraco. Sure, Snuka actually hit Muraco with the splash in that match, but the first time Snuka did it was here when he missed Backlund and its amazing. One of the few old school matches that I could watch anytime and never get bored with. Brutal for it's day.
NWA US Title Steel Cage "I Quit" Match: Magnum T.A. vs. Tully Blanchard - Starcade 1985
This is the definition of a good I Quit match. Hell its the definition of a good cage match. The feud was classic and their rivalry resulted in one of the greatest matches ever here with more blood being shed then most had seen in years in wrestling. Absolutely brutal for it's day also, a classic match that you can find on the WWE's Bloodiest Cage matches I believe.
WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat - Wrestlemania 3
Another classic old school match that I never tire of. This match feels like its an hour long but is only really about fifteen minutes, and its simply because you get so caught up inside the match. It was very rare to see matches like these in those days, especially in WWE and it stands alone as the sole reason to watch Wrestlemania 3.
NWA World Title Match 2 out of 3 Falls: Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat - Clash of the Champions VI
Every single match between these two legends were all time classics, but their two out of three falls match has always stood alone to me as the highlight of their feud. Absolutely breathtaking, the reason why I devour all of the late eighties and early nineties of the NWA/WCW.
NWA World Title "I Quit" Match: Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk - Clash of the Champions IX
Yet another classic feud for the ages between the Funker and the Nature Boy. This was one of their few encounters and god does it pay off in spades. This is just amazing, I can't even really describe it. My favorite match from Terry Funk, ever.
Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart - Wrestlemania X
Many people point to thier match at the following Summerslam in the cage as their classic battle, and while that match is fantastic, I've always found it to be a bit slow. Plus, Owen actually picks up the win this time! What a great way to start off a PPV too with a twenty minute classic between two of the most technically sound wrestlers of their generations, not to mention brothers. Amazing how Bret was able to go on for the main event against Yokozuna, picking up the win after Wrestlemania 9's screwjob.
WWF Title Iron Man Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart - Wrestlemania 12
Now alot of people criticize this match for being too slow and full of rest holds, but honestly considering how long the match is I don't mind certain holds lasting for a few minutes. Still one of the best matches of all time, and IMO the best Wrestlemania main event ever. Seeing HBK come down from the rafters when I was a kid was just amazing and I'll never forget that match.
WWF Title Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind - IYH: Mind Games 1996
What can really be said here? Easily one of the most underlooked matches ever, and another match that I throw out every time someone asks me what my favorite match is. This was Mankind and HBK at their prime and god does it show. Go rent HBK's From the Vault DVD if you haven't seen this match, you need to.
Submission Match: Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold - Wrestlemania 13
Another five star classic and possibly the best match ever. These two guys pull out every move in their book, and even if the match was going to suck the crowd's atmosphere was amazing. When they turned on Hart it was truly the passing of the torch from the old generation of wrestling to the new. The image of Austin caught in the sharpshooter with blood pouring down his face until he's unconcious is one I'll never forget.
WWF Title Casket Match: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker - Royal Rumble 1998
A very often overlooked match that IMO was just a five star effort all the way through. One of the few times I felt the main event was justified in going on after the actual Rumble match. The spots these guys pull are crazy, with HBK pulling the absolute best piledriver-on-steel-steps you'll ever see. Not to mention we see Kane set the casket on fire after Taker is in it, another awesome image I won't ever forget.
WWF Title Match: Stone Cold vs. Dude Love - Over the Edge 1998
Another overlooked match and one of the most entertaining by far. These guys battle all over the arena, on top of demolished cars, through announcers tables, the whole nine yards. Maybe not one of the most technically sound matches but easily one of the most entertaining.
Hell in a Cell Match: The Undertaker vs. Mankind - King of the Ring 1998
Do I really even need to say anything here? The most famous match in wrestling history.
WWF Intercontinental Title Ladder Match: HHH vs. The Rock - Summerslam 1998
Another overlooked match that doesn't get its due. After a classic two out of three falls match the two had the month before at Fully Loaded ended in an expired time limit, you knew they could only get better. And they do. My favorite ladder match ever, just two of the best of all time going at it right before they hit it big. Classic.
WWF Title Match: Stone Cold vs. The Rock - Backlash 1999
It doesn't hurt that I was actually there to see the match, but this is by far their best encounter IMO. The build up and set up to this match was just amazing, and this feud could easily be called the greatest of all time. Their Wrestlemania 15 match was damn good on its own, but this match really outshined it and just dropped my jaw when I saw it at 14, amazed me.
WWF Title First Blood Match: Stone Cold vs. The Undertaker - Fully Loaded 1999
I take that back, this was the greatest build up to a match ever. When this match happened you truly felt that the Austin-McMahon feud was over and that it truly was the "End of an Era". I can't ever remember being more happy when seeing this as a teenager with my friends and jumping up and down, all of us thinking Vince was actually gone for good. Truly great and disgustingly overlooked match.
Terri Invitational Ladder Match: Hardy Boys vs. Edge & Christian - No Mercy 1999
The match that revolutionized the WWE and the ladder match. Before this all you saw was singles matches with ladders that typically involved just hitting eachother with the ladder. The way these two teams innovated and created with these ladders is like art to me, and it showed the world that these two teams were going to be forces to be reckoned with.
WWF Title Street Fight: HHH vs. Cactus Jack - Royal Rumble 2000
Better then their Hell in a Cell IMO, this match was devastating. This was the first PPV i ever bought for myself with my own money and god was I happy I did. Truly a classic match that saw the introduction of barbed wire to WWF TV. Not to mention we saw the most devastating pedigree ever on the thumbtacks. Amazing.
....Wow I just posted like fourteen matches and I still have
alot to go. I'll just list them from now on.
Hell in a Cell: HHH vs. Cactus Jack - No Way Out 2000
Iron Man: HHH vs. The Rock - Judgment Day 2000
TLC: Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boys vs. The Dudley Boys - Summerslam 2000
Ladder Match: Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho - Royal Rumble 2001
3 Stages of Hell: HHH vs. Stone Cold - No Way Out 2001
HBK vs. Chris Jericho - Wrestlemania 19
Damn I didn't even get into ECW and TNA yet...forgive me, I'll have to return later, TNA's Lockdown is starting in five minutes.
