Overlooked Classics

[The Brain]

We all appreciate a great wrestling match. That's what makes us fans in the first place. When talking about the classics there are always certain matches that get mentioned. The iron man match from Mania 12. The ladder match from Mania 10. I'm wondering if you have any opinions on classic matches that don't get talked about that often. Here are a few in my opinion.

Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper, WrestleMania 8:

This was a very good match that had great psychology. Two fan favorites facing each other was still rare in 1992. In the weeks leading up to the match we wondered if these two friends would throw friendship out the window for the sake of the IC title. They told quite a story during that match.

Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels, Survivor Series 1992:

I think this is overlooked simply because of the long rivalry between Bret and Shawn. Sure the iron man match was better. Survivor Series 97 was more memorable. But this was a great match too.

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, WrestleMania 10:

I'm sure most fans agree this is a great match. The only reason I think this is overlooked is because it took place on the same night as the first ppv ladder match. This is probably the greatest one on one, gimmick free match of all time.

Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Jarrett, In Your House 2 July 1995:

I think this is the most overlooked of all. I can see why it's easy to forget. Michales has had so many classic matches over the years against bigger names than Jarrett. Also this was a one month feud that never saw a rematch. That still doesn't take away the twenty minutes of action from bell to bell. This belongs on anyone's list of classics.

Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin, Survivor Series 1996:

Similar to Bret vs. Shawn in 92 I think it's a little overlooked because of the long rivalry between these two. When most think Hart vs. Austin you think about the I Quit match at Mania 13. Survivor Series was the first meeting between the two. This had a special "big match feel" in my opinion with Hart returning for the first time since Mania 12 and Austin on the verge of superstardom.

Owen Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith, European tournament final March 1997:

Probably overlooked because it did not take place on ppv. I wish this happend at Mania 13. Great match.

Owen Hart vs. Steve Austin, SummerSlam 1997:

Remembered for the bothced piledriver, but this was a really good match until that spot. Too bad we didn't get to see the climax. Don't get me wrong I'm not an a**hole. I know Austin's health is far more important. I'm just saying this was on it's way to becoming a classic.

Those are some of my thoughts. What do you think? Do you agree with mine? What am I overlooking? Remember leave out the obvious. Looking for matches that aren't talked about much.

 

[TheBoyWonder]

Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy
Ladder Match, Raw 2002

This match turned me from a casual wrestling viewer into the fan I am today.
And its never mentioned anymore, the night the kid took the deadman to the limit, refused to die and ultimatly gained the respect of The Undertaker.
When Jeff picked up the chair and hit the Undertaker with it, and JR screaming "A KNOCKOUT SHOT, A KNOCKOUT SHOT! GOWAN KID! CLIMB YOUR ASS OFF! LIVE YOUR DREAM" .. Its just something that's always stuck in my mind. One of them defining moments.

 

[bulldog76]

TheBoyWonder
"Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy
Ladder Match, Raw 2002

This match turned me from a casual wrestling viewer into the fan I am today.
And its never mentioned anymore, the night the kid took the deadman to the limit, refused to die and ultimatly gained the respect of The Undertaker.
When Jeff picked up the chair and hit the Undertaker with it, and JR screaming "A KNOCKOUT SHOT, A KNOCKOUT SHOT! GOWAN KID! CLIMB YOUR ASS OFF! LIVE YOUR DREAM" .. Its just something that's always stuck in my mind. One of them defining moments. "

I still get chills everytime I watch that match. For some reason, part of me still gets sucked into that match and I find myself wondering if Jeff is going to win.

The one that never gets talked about that I enjoyed (if you didn't like it then that's cool) was the Iron Man match at Judgement Day 2000. The match had great build up in regards to Triple H and the Rock's rivalry and needing to find out once and for all who the better man was. It had everything the HBK/Bret Hart didn't and was still good: numerous falls, good use of all of the fall rules (DQ's and countouts), champion advantage, HBK as a ref, and outside interference from DX, the McMahons, and the returning Undertaker.

I know it wasn't Bret/Shawn, but I still enjoy it thoroughly.

 

[bigbootydaddyV]

Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy
Ladder Match, Raw 2002

This match turned me from a casual wrestling viewer into the fan I am today.
And its never mentioned anymore, the night the kid took the deadman to the limit, refused to die and ultimatly gained the respect of The Undertaker.
When Jeff picked up the chair and hit the Undertaker with it, and JR screaming "A KNOCKOUT SHOT, A KNOCKOUT SHOT! GOWAN KID! CLIMB YOUR ASS OFF! LIVE YOUR DREAM" .. Its just something that's always stuck in my mind. One of them defining moments.

Oh man that was a great match, one of the most inspiring matches of ALL time!!! Reminded me of Juvie when he was battling giants in WCW for a bit, but 10x better, hands down my fav jeff hardy match.

 

[Jordan adams]

The Brian you named a lot of good matches already. But I am going to add three matches.
Bret Heart vs Mr.perfect summerslam 1991 this match does get talked about a lot but not a enough this match stole the show on a very solid ppv.

Johnny bbadd vs Brian pillman fall brawl 1995 another match that stole the show great wrestling match at time in wcw when wrestling started to become less important than the show.

Shelton Benjamin vs HBK during the gold rush tournament what a great match this was. and till this day i have never seen a better sweet chin music. To end the match

 

[Jason Riptide]

Two early TNA matches stand out as being very overlooked instant classics.

Back when the X-Title meant something (and wasnt being held by a video game character) the Xtitle matches stole the show almost on an obligatory basis.

AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Psychosis vs. Low Ki for the very first X-Title in a double elimination (one on one, rotating out, you lose after getting pinned twice...hard to explain but it wasnt complicated) is a 30 minute epic which really showcased AJ Styles and set the stage for him to be one of the companies biggest stars. This match was on the 2nd TNA show.

A couple months later they had Lynn vs. Stylez vs. Low Ki in a Triple Ladder match. This one was another 25 minute fantastic match, with no dips in pace, and high in innovation.

These matches are just as good the 10th time you see them as they as were the 1st, and if you havent seen them, you're missing out.

 

[koolkeith1224]

there are 3 matches that come to my mind: shawn michaels vs kurt angle at wm21, y2j vs. chris benoit vs kurt angle at wm 2000 and the rock vs kurt angle at no mercy 2001, kurt angle is the best in ring performer in the post bret hart era hands down , who 's with me??

 

[loretta]

Stayin within WWE,

-Randy Orton vs Mick Foley Backlash 2004
One of the Greatest Hardcore macthes ever. Mick says its like his 1st or 2nd favorite macth

-The Rockers vs The Orient Express- Royal Rumble 1991
Wow. A 20 minute classic that showed tag team wrestling at its best. Do yourselves a favor and watch this match

-HHH/Austin vs Jericho/Benoit Tag Titles Raw May 2001
This is the matrch where Triple H wreked his quad. Nontheless what a great tag match, full of emotion

-Chris Benoit vs Stone Cold WWF Title Smackdown 2001
Easily the best match of Austins heel turn after WM 17. 10 german suplexes in a row!

-Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit WWE Title Royal Rumble 2003
A modern day Bret/Bulldog Summerslam 1992 match. technical masterpiece

-Shawn Micheals vs Marty Jannetty Intercontinental Title Royal Rumble 1993
May not be a classic but 1st wretling match I watched. It had a great story with you wanting Marty to get revenge for being tossed through the window and suspence of whose side Sherri would be on. And Marty was beat on for most of the match and when he got on the comeback so many nearfalls! it was great!

- Owen Hart vs 1-2-3 Kid King of the Ring 1994
What a neat, little match that was just so fun to watch

-Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect King of the Ring 1993
What great technical wrestling, on par with their Summerslam match

-Triple H vs Shawn Micheals World Title RAW Dec 2003
One of the best matches on RAW. Shawns hometown. 40 minute classic.

-Rock vs Mankind WWF Title I Quit match Royal Rumble 1999
How could anyne forget Mankind getting blasted 10 times in the head with a chair!

-HHH vs Mankind WWF title Street Fight Royal Rumble 2000
this match legitamized HHH as a main eventer in my opinion

Sorry for listing so many matches but they are all great

 

[Arrynboot]

Man I am so glad somebody else out there thought HBK vs Double J at in your house was a great match, nobody I know even remembers it but its one of the matches that first made me a fan of pro wrestling.
They had awesome chemistry that night.

 

[pyrusane]

Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy
Ladder Match, Raw 2002

This match turned me from a casual wrestling viewer into the fan I am today.
And its never mentioned anymore, the night the kid took the deadman to the limit, refused to die and ultimatly gained the respect of The Undertaker.
When Jeff picked up the chair and hit the Undertaker with it, and JR screaming "A KNOCKOUT SHOT, A KNOCKOUT SHOT! GOWAN KID! CLIMB YOUR ASS OFF! LIVE YOUR DREAM" .. Its just something that's always stuck in my mind. One of them defining moments.

So glad this was one of the first matches mentioned. I actually believed for a few minutes that Jeff might actually win this one, which means they told an awesome story in this match. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Another one I really liked was from a Raw in England a couple of years ago, John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels. This was supposed to be part of a double main event, with Randy Orton in the other match, but Orton got sent home the day before for trashing his hotel room, so suddenly they had like a 48 minute match to put on. With very limited time to prepare I thought they did an excellent job, told a great story, and put on a hell of a match.

An iron man match that gets forgotten a lot is the one between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. Talk about psychology of a match, Kurt lost the first fall when he intentionally got disqualified by hitting Lesnar with a chair in the first five minutes or so, and that fall ended up costing him the match. The announcers referred back to it frequently during the match, so that you didn't forget about it, but not enough to totally give away that Lesnar was going to win by one fall.

Strike Force vs The Hart Foundation, 1987, for the Tag Titles. Yeah, I know, not exactly a classic, but I remember being 12 or 13, watching WWF on Saturday morning, and suddenly Jim Neidhart taps out to the Boston Crab. I had never seen a title change hands without it being a PPV or SNME, (plus I had never seen Neidhart tap out) so I went crazy.

Ok, that's my two cents...

 

[FlairFan2003]

Part of what I think makes a match qualify is that it had significance at the time, which most of these entries did. Certainly Brett/Shawn from Survivor Series 92 was significant because it was a World Title Match on a major PPV, plus this was HBK's first real shot at being a main eventer in WWE for instance.

With that in mind...

Sting vs Flair -1990 Great American Bash - everyone talks about their 1988 Clash Of Champions Match, with good reason. However, this is the match where Sting finally goes over and actually wins the World Title. This was his first match back after a serious knee injury, and the rivalry between them was red hot.

Goldberg vs Hogan - 1998 Monday Nitro - Like him or not Goldberg was the biggest star on the planet no named Austin from 98-99. His winning streak had slowly grown into a phenomenon, and Hogan rarely wrestled during his time as champion in actual title matches, let alone on free TV. The electricty in the crowd at The Georgia Dome was awesome, and both guys pretty much worked their butts off. Hogan may not have been a great ring performer in the HBK sense but he had tremendous charisma and knew how to work a crowd. When Goldberg goes over cleanly with the Jackhammer you knew you just witnessed history.


Tully Blanchard vs Dusty Rhodes - $100,000 vs TV Title Match - 1987 - Went old school for this one, Dusty's feud w/ Flair gets most of he attention for the latter years of his career, but he had tremendous battles with Blanchard as well. The set up was terrific, as Rhodes called out Blanchard's offer of 10 grand to anyone wo could beat him for TV Title in 10 minutes or less by offering 100 grand of his own money for a title shot with a 60 minute time limit. The promos were fantastic, and Rhodes fued with the Horsemen was near its height. Of course the match lasted nearly 50 plus minutes, several near falls, Dusty really works the crowd, and the ending with an injured Magnum TA, in his first public appearance after the car accident that nearly killed him, being attacked at ringside by The Horsemen, forcing Dusty to leave the ring to make the save and get counted out, was priceless, great rulebreaking finish, truly vile stuff for the time. Everyone remembers their 1985 Great American Bash Cage Match where Dusty won Baby Doll off Blanchard, but this match was probably better.

 

[Savage1]

Lots of great ones listed here already...Bret vs Perfect from SS 91 was great, Jeff Hardy vs Taker Ladder match was inspiring as hell and he deserves all the respect he earned that night. Lots of others listed that were great too but I'm not gonna comment on each one.

The Rockers vs Brain Busters from Superstars of Wrestling 89- this was actually a house show match and one of maybe 5 or 6 matches in thier fued. They put on a great match, technical, brawling, high spots, great double team stuff from the Rockers, and a great story. It was listed as one of the top 50 matches by Pro Wrestling Illustrated that year. I remember it so vivdly...as a kid the Rockers were one of the main reasons I was a fan and wanted to become a wrestler.

Macho Man Randy Savage vs Jake The Snake Roberts- Macho had to retire following his match with the Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania and in the following months Jake Roberts kept running his mouth about Savage and then He attacked Savage with a king cobra and Savage was bitten. This lead to Savage being reinstated to get his revenge. They fought at This Tuesday in Texas PPV and had a good match. Maybe not the greatest technically but definitely one of the best as far as ring psychology is concerned.

3 Stages of Hell Stone Cold vs HHH No Way Out 2001- Maybe it is talked about a lot but when I hear about classic matches I dont hear it mentioned much. This match or matches were great! These two beat the hell out of each other for 40 mins or so. You had 3 different matches rolled into one...a normal singles match, a falls count anywhere match and a hell in a cell match. It was so fun to watch and I wonder when they will do another match like this. One of my personal favorites.
There are so many more great ones that are overlooked but these are just a few that I flet like adding to the list.

 

[JTS32]

Randy Savage vs Tito Santanna- The match where Savage won the IC title. It was on Superstars and I remember being like 9 years old and screaming "NO" when Savage hit Tito with that foreign object.

British Bulldogs vs Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake Wrestlemania 2- These two teams had a series of great matches and this saw the Bulldogs finally take the gold.

The Rockers vs The Brainbusters-This match was on the Shawn Michaels DVD. Classic clash of styles the high flying Rockers vs the tough brutal Brainbuster. Great back and forth match even had "Lord" Alfred on commentary.

Cena vs Michaels non title WrestleMania rematch. I though much better than the actual Wrestlemania match. These two tore down the house.

 

[BK Styles]

I think it was Backlash 2001, Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit in a 30 minute Ultimate Submission match. I remember I wasnt a fan of either before, but after the match I had huge respect for them.

Benoit opened the tally with a Knee-bar, though with 19 minutes left Benoit was down 3-1. Kurt had only used the Ankle Lock once; the other two were a Cross Armbreaker and Benoits own Crossface. Though Benoit pulled one back with a Half Boston Crab, it wasnt looking good for the Wolverine.

Then, with 2 and a half minutes left to go, Benoit countered the ankle lock and locked in one of his own! Both men went back and forth, till Angle locked the ankle lock on in the last 10 seconds. Benoit held on and tapped the second that time time ran out. Kurt tried to claim victory but the referee ordered . . . . . SUDDEN DEATH!

They continued battling until finally, Benoit locked in the Crossface to end the match at 4-3.

Sorry for the long match description, but it really was awesome. It was great as well because they werent tapping to eachothers signature submission moves; they were tapping to any (Armbar, Knee bar etc). So you got the sense that at any moment somebody could score a fall, with any submission.

Easily my favorite Benoit match (Him winnning the World title is a close second though)

 

[SneakyGoblin]

Wrestlemania 14, Taka Michinoku vs Aguila (later known as Essa Rios) for the Lightheavyweight Title was amazing, and still is one of my favourite matches of all time. I also believe it's the only time the LHC was defended at Wrestlemania.

The other is from Unforgiven 2000 (Notable for Stone Cold returning after being in his hit and run story, aswell as Chris Benoit winning his first World Title... only to have the decision overturned); more specifically, The Hardy Boyz (oh remember the times of "s" being replaced with "z"?) vs. Edge and Christian in a Cage.
This match was awesome and had it all, even Lita hitting Christian with a hurricanrana from a ladder (Yeah, they included ladders in this Cage match) (Chairs too... the ending was awesome too).

 

[jrcongine]

what about when trips and flair where in evolution and fought for the belt a night after a ppv and flair cut a great promo and actually thought he was going to win the title that night for one last run. man i was on the edge of my seat the whole match.

 

[Jason Riptide]

3 Stages of Hell Stone Cold vs HHH No Way Out 2001- Maybe it is talked about a lot but when I hear about classic matches I dont hear it mentioned much. This match or matches were great! These two beat the hell out of each other for 40 mins or so. You had 3 different matches rolled into one...a normal singles match, a falls count anywhere match and a hell in a cell match. It was so fun to watch and I wonder when they will do another match like this. One of my personal favorites.

Speaking of 3 Stages of Hell, noones mentioned (I think) Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels from Armageddon 2002. They went out and beat the hell out of each other for 40 minutes, and the drama and history of the two only added to the match. It was only 4 months after their street fight at Summerslam, and a month after the Elimination Chamber at Survivor Series, so to top the two of those was no easy task, but Hunter and Shawn put on one "slobberknocker" of a match and succeeded with flying colors. It went from Street Fight, to Cage, to Ladder match, almost mirroring their previous matches, with the ladder being the exclamation point on the feud at that point. It's an instant classic that people seem to forget about, probably because the title reign Shawn had going into the match was only a month old, so that may explain why it gets lost.

Again, if you haven't seen that one, I feel bad for you.

 

[z99zazn]

Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy
Ladder Match, Raw 2002

This match turned me from a casual wrestling viewer into the fan I am today.
And its never mentioned anymore, the night the kid took the deadman to the limit, refused to die and ultimatly gained the respect of The Undertaker.
When Jeff picked up the chair and hit the Undertaker with it, and JR screaming "A KNOCKOUT SHOT, A KNOCKOUT SHOT! GOWAN KID! CLIMB YOUR ASS OFF! LIVE YOUR DREAM" .. Its just something that's always stuck in my mind. One of them defining moments.

God, I was hoping after reading this topic I would be the first person to mention that match! I was only 10 years old at the time, and that match changed wrestling for me. It was so amazing. And inspiring. The commentary was out of this world by JR for that match. Good pick though!

I'd definitely go with that match right there as one that you don't hear about all the time, and it wasn't the prettiest match, but it is the defining match to me in Jeff Hardy's career.

Another match is that tag team match with Y2J/Benoit vs Stone Cold/Trips. That was a hell of a match. I know a lot of people are always hating on Trips on these forums, but he had to be tough as hell to finish that match. Especially seeing as he took the fucking Walls of Jericho with the quad totally fucked up. Amazing.