The Most Underrated Matches

[Tastycles]

Put simply, what matches do you think fail to get the credit that they deserve? For me there is quite a few, but I'm going to go with one I watched half an hour again to begin with.

New Brood v Edge and Christian No Mercy 1999

This match is rarely talked about, largely because it was overshadowed by the TLC matches with the Dudleys. While I agree that those matches were probably better, the influence of this match on them cannot be ignored. As well as being a very entertaining match in its own right, the match was a platform for the people in it. I'm not certain, but I think it was the first time that these four, three of them future world champions, were alone in the ring, without their managers and Gangrel. It was the point where they engaged the audience and when people sat up and took notice.

The other thing is the innovation in this match. There were ladder matches before it, but this truly reinvented the wheel when it came to big ladder spots and having more than one ladder in the ring etc, this is the match that opened that can of worms. All in all, a very enjoyable match that laid the path for the future of both ladder matches and the four men in it.

 

[klunderbunker]

HHH vs. Undertaker WM 17

This match is never really talked about, but it was absolutely awesome. HHH was the hottest thing in the world at this point, having beaten Austin two straight falls the previous month, and we're in Houston, Taker's hometown, in front of 68,000 people. Also, the streak is first mentioned here as far as I can remember. It's more of a street fight tahn a match, but these guys went at it for about 20 minutes with Taker hitting all three of his major finishers. He also took the sledgehammer to the forehead and got up. It had you believing that Taker was finally going to go down, but after the Last Ride, he's 9-0. Go check this match out as it's great.

 

[The Brain]

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. Mr. Perfect, King of the Ring 1993:

This is kind of lost in the shuffle since Bret had three matches that night. This wasn't as good as the SummerSlam 91 match, but that was one of the greatest matches ever. This was also very good.

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 vs. Razor may have been match of the year, but I'm not so sure it was even the best match of the night.

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.

 

[jmt225]

Hmmm... let's see.

Anytime Sting and Meng had a match, it was completely off the charts, yet they never get any recognition. Their matches against one another at The Great American Bash and Bash at the Beach 1995, for example, are classics in my book. In fact, they're BY FAR the greatest 'Hero vs. Monster' matches to ever take place, in my opinion. Meng and Sting played their characters to such perfection, and the action was so fast paced and dramatic, that you couldn't help but get into any match these two had against each other. The chemistry was just unbelievable. How none of these matches have yet to make an appearance on a DVD released by WWE boggles my mind.

Chris Benoit's debut on WCW against Eddie Guerrero is one of the greatest matches I've ever seen, and made me a complete mark for both wrestlers from that day forward. It's featured of the Chris Benoit DVD, but outside of that, you never hear anyone talk about it when discussing the best work we've seen from Benoit and Guerrero, and I don't get that because if anyone's seen that match, then they have to put it in the top 5 best matches to come from either wrestler. It's an amazing match.

I thought Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. from Wrestlemania 24 was a tremendous match for what it was, and it gets shit on by a lot of people. I think those people were expecting shit from the get-go though, and nothing those two guys would have done could have ever changed their perspective of the match being shit, which is a shame because it's one of the most entertaining matches I've ever seen. From start to finish, it's just fun to sit through.

AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe from Sacrifice 2005 is the greatest match to ever take place in TNA, in my opinion; however, it goes under the radar because a month later, the three-way between Joe, Styles, and Daniels would take place at Unbreakable, and people went so ape shit over the Unbreakable match that they all forget how great the match at Sacrifice was.

And Spanky & CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe & Jay Lethal at ROH's Back To Basics never gets the love it deserves from ROH fans. I thought it was an absolutely phenomenal match, and it ranks right up there with my favorite tag matches in history. First of all, each wrestler is awesome in their own unique way, but everything was perfect about this match. None of the spots were huge, but it all ran so smoothly and the false finishes were just fun as hell. And then you add the shocking ending, it's everything you could want in a main event involving a tag match between 4 of your biggest stars. It's a shame it doesn't get any love for the bots.

 

[WWF Wrestling Fan]

I would have to say WCW Brian Pillman vs Jushin '' Thunder'' Liger for the WCW Light heavyweight title at Clash Of The Champions i wanna say 7 8 or 9 i cant remember what one it was in 92 or 93 but it was a great back in fourth match.

 

[Doctor Awesome]

Though it was already pointed out by "The Brain", if there was one match i would have picked it would have been Davey Boy vs. Owen on RAW from Germany in 1997, the finals of the European Title Tourney. great chain wrestling, counter after counter, several close pinfalls, a red hot german crowd and two of the best that knew each other so well, just a phenomenal wrestling match all the way around.

a few other notable matches:
-4 way ECW TV Title Match w/Chris Jericho, 2 Cold Scorpio, Pit Bull #2 and Shane Douglas (1996)
-Steve Austin vs. Ricky Steamboat WCW U.S. Title 1994
-Steve Corino vs. Jerry Lynn series for ECW Title 2000
-Trish vs. Victoria Hardcore Match Survivor Series 2002

 

[TM Punk]

Honestly. Since I saw this match I've always mentioned it when talking about underrated matches. Kevin Nash vs HHH Hell in a Cell Badd Blood 2003. Imo, the most underrated and forgotten Hell in a Cell match ever.

The feud was great marking Nash's return to the ring from a serious injury. It took place at the peek of the HHH/Michaels feud, and just made perfect sense.

This match is easily one of Kevin Nash's best performances in a WWE ring, right up there with WM 11. It is a brutal match seeing Nash take a sledgehammer to the knee he hurt, and also a wooden tool box unprotected to the head. Something that I don't think he would do for anyone but his good friend HHH. The feeling I get throughout the match is surprise, that it's so good, and amazement, that Kevin Nash is taking some of the moves he's taking.

Overall it's a pretty brutal match, and a very underrated match in my opinion.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Wrestlemania 18: Undertaker vs Ric Flair

I think that this match is seriously not given its credit. I can see why, as Hogan/Rock was also on the card. To the point, however, this was an incredible match. Undertaker was a fresh heel and had really just started his Big Evil persona. The story was great. In the weeks leading into the match, you had 'Taker stalking Flair and messing up his family and friends. You had Flair who was, kayfabe co owner of the WWE and had to resign because the board of directors wouldn't allow him to have the match. Then, the match itself was great. 'Taker really put on a show with an ageing Ric Flair and Flair has said it himself, that this was the match that got him back into the active roster.

I loved that match!

 

[byrnside]

What about this little gem I just watched on YouTube?

In Your House 6, February 1996.
The Rocket Owen Hart vs The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels

A little background here, HBK has just won the 1996 Royal Rumble and he'll be facing the Hitman at Wrestlemania XII! ..Or will he? Owen Hart has come out, and he's pissed! He received all the credit for putting Shawn on the shelf a couple months back with his infamous inzuguiri [sp?] Yet, Shawn won the Rumble.. and Owen feels he deserves the shot at 'Mania. So why not settle it inside the squared circle at In Your House Six, winner goes on to face the champ at Wrestlemania XII.

I missed Owen's entrance because the video I saw on YouTube starts as "the band is tuning up." The spotlight hits the roof of the fake house, and HBK is dancing! He swings in on the rope swing we all played as kids. Kind of a big drop, if you ask me, good thing he didn't mess up his knee or anything. HBK runs in and cleans house of Owen and Jim Cornette, and dances some more. HBK strips off the chaps, the bell sounds, and we're off. HBK and Owen go back and forth, testing eachother out. HBK does a baseball slide underneath Owen and lands on the outside.. He runs around the ring and gives everyone a five, even Vince. Vince is so into HBK, laughing it up classic Vince style [HA HA HA HAAAAAAA.] HBK's back and we're at it again. This time Owen wants to try his luck high- fiving the fans.. They're not buying it, and it's classic Owen. I'd love to give him a high five. So the match really gets started now, and they're back and forth similar to HBK/Jericho, or even Sabu/RVD from Wrestlepalooza '98. Matching each others moves, there's even a spot where they both nip up, which I thought was pretty cool. This match goes for about 15 mins, and for most of it they're teasing that inzuguiri kick. Owen finally nails it at about the 10 min mark and HBK rolls to the outside and is out cold.. HBK finally nails Chin Music and it's over. Great match I thought for what the WWF was putting out at the time. But then again I could be biased as these are two of my all-time favorites.

 

[twiztid_lestat]

The Undertaker vs Ken Shamrock (Backlash 1999)
This match is one of the phenoms best, and shows that Ken could at that time go with just about anyone and make it amazing. His chokeslam reversal into an armbar is one of my favorite counters of all time.

Brian Kendrick vs Paul London (Beat the clock challenge 2007)
This cant compare to most indy matches between these two, but for the WWE, This was a HUGE coo for smackdown fans. The countering and the speed was great, though I wish it could have been longer.

Chris Benoit vs DDP (Superbrawl 8)
Probrably my second favorite counter behind the Benoit/Bret owen tribute finish and the Taker/Shamrock match, This had it with the final diamond cutter. DDP showed me ALOT on that night going back and forth with Benoit

 

[Miko]

Not sure how often these get mentioned, I dont see them mentioned often so in my opinion, they are underrated.

Anyway, been a while since I seen it but Undertaker vs Kane - WrestleMania cant even remember which one, cant be bothered to find out. Anyway, fucking great match, two massive powerhouses just beating the shit out of each other.

Kane still had that unstoppable mystique and Undertaker was out for vengeance, it's let down slightly by the fact that Kane costs himself the match by lifting Undertakers arm, therefore discrediting Taker's win a bit. Still the three tombstones to put Kane down and the guy still getting up and chair shotting Taker was awesome. Also that guy he beat up at the begginning was funny.

Goldberg vs DDP - Halloween Havoc Great match, both guys are way over, shows how DDP was actually ruined in WWE, I dont often say things like that. Anyway, I do love a face vs face encounter, I really thought DDP had it when he countered the Jackhammer into the Diamond Cutter.

Warrior vs Savage - Summerslam Overshadowed by their retirement match I think, but this one is special, everything about it was so well done. From the whole, who's the traitor thing and both guys wrestling each other while being aware of Flair and Hennig. To Savage working out that Flair attacked Warrior at the end and proving neither guy was in on it, to Warrior saving Savage from the beatdown at the end. I dont know, I just love it.

 

[TheBigRedMember]

Vengeance 2002-Kurt Angle Vs. The Rock Vs. Undertaker(c)-Undisputed Title

There have been better triple threat matches, but this match had it all. Star power, spots, action, buildup, and time. Watch this match if your looking for a 4 Star match between 3 of the greatest to step foot in the ring.

 

[markmeout]

Most underated matches ever had to be this gem-
Rikishi vs Val Venus for the Intercontinetal Title at fully loaded 2000 the spot that Rikishi did on the top of the cage and the great use of interfeerence and great technical wrestling made this match priceless.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1s59k_rikishi-vs-val-venis-cage-match_events

 

[OWEN-ing It All]

Wow this is a great question. So many matches get overlooked.

Bret Hart vs. Hakushi - In Your House

IMO one of Bret's best matches.

Triple H vs. Taka Michinoku - RAW (I think it was Raw correct me if I'm wrong)

Triple H vs. "Hardcore" Bob Holly - Sunday Night Heat

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Razor Ramon - KOTR 94 - Quarter Final Match

How Bam Bam held Razor up in a torture rack for that long is remarkable. Bam Bam was so underrated it's not even funny, it's sad. He along with Vader and Yokozuna were three of the most talented heavyweights I've ever seen.

Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio - Summerslam 2002

A great opener that was overshadowed by the double main event of Rock-Brock and HHH-HBK.

Bret Hart vs. Diesel - KOTR 94

Triple H vs The Rock - Fully Loaded 98 - 2/3 Falls Match

The Ladder Match at Summerslam always gets mentioned, but this being their best match gets lost in the shuffle.

Owen Hart vs. The British Bulldog - European Title Finals

One of the greatest matches of all-time, better than Bret-Bulldog at Wembley without question.

Al Snow vs. "Hardcore" Holly - Hardcore Title Match - St. Valentines Day Massacre

Great freakin match, so underrated. They put on an exciting show.

Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy - Summerslam 2001 - Ladder Match

Sick match.

Triple H vs. Chris Benoit - No Mercy 2000

Somehow this match got lost in the shuffle, it was unbelievable. Great technical wrestling, throughout.

Randy Orton vs. Shelton Benjamin - Bad Blood 2004

Randy Orton vs. Cactus Jack - Backlash 2004 - Hardcore Rules

This is one of the most underrated matches of all-time.

Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog - Beware of Dog

Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog - KOTR 96

Why this event is remembered for Austin is beyond me.....This match was the best part of it......and one of the best matches of both their careers.

The Rock vs. Mankind - Super Bowl Half-Time Show

Bret Hart vs. Razor Ramon - Royal Rumble 93

The Quebecers vs. The Harts - Royal Rumble 94

D' Lo Brown vs. X-Pac - Judgement Day 98

Ken Shamrock vs. Mankind - Judgement Day 98

Rob Van Dam vs. Sabu - Wrestlepalooza 98

Probably a ton more.......

 

[gully side adidja]

what about bret and owen vs steiner brothers from 93 awesome match that went the whole 30 minute time limit ended in a no contest,half the locker room had to come out to seperate the fight,or how about juvi vs rey vs psicosis vs blitskreig 4 way match for the crusier weight title on nitro /aprilmay 99, that was the best match eeeeeever.

 

[King Blitzkonic]

I would have to say WCW Brian Pillman vs Jushin '' Thunder'' Liger for the WCW Light heavyweight title at Clash Of The Champions i wanna say 7 8 or 9 i cant remember what one it was in 92 or 93 but it was a great back in fourth match.

It was 1992. This match pitted a young upstart from Cincinnati against quite possibly the greatest Jr. Heavyweight of the time in Jushin Liger. I recently watched this match and was awed at how it was FAR better than about 80-85% of the junk we see in WWE/TNA.

My pick for a particularly good underrated match (read: non-PPV) is any Ultimo Dragon v. Rey match as well as a match from 1996 (I think) between Dean Malenko and Sting. Everyone knew that Malenko wasn't going to win over Sting but he showcased himself. Fun note: Sting went to his "crow" gimmick not too long after this match.

 

[Agent_of_Anarchy]

Have to agree that Pillman vs Liger was increadible, those two showed that Light Heavyweights can put on a great show in a time filled with Super Heavyweights.

Someone already mentioned Owen vs Bulldog in Germany in the Euro title tournament and Shamrock vs Taker from Backlash 99 has been mentioned as well, and both are really amazing matches and rarely (if ever) spoken about.

But my number one pick would probaly be Doink the Clown vs Bret Hart. I can't exactly remember when it was and can't be bothered looking it up, but I'm pretty sure it was the first PPV after KOTR 93. Matt Bourne's Doink was (in my opinion) one of the best heel's of his day and played the role of the evil clown perfectly. Bourne was also one hell of a wrestler and he and Bret had a really great match that showcased what WWE was all about back then, Good vs Evil.

 

[Terry'sGordy]

Some from me that are underrated:

The Midnight Express-Fantastic from the Clash of Champions 1988: Great match from a great show, better than Mania that year ! These guys just tore up the place !

Freebirds-Von Erich's 7-4-84: This "Bad Street" rules 6-man tag match was my favorite battle between thses 2 groups ! Just great no-stop action for 10 minutes with blood and was very stiff !

Ricky Steamboat-Tully Blanchard Starrcade 1984: Great match between these 2 great workers who were in their prime and they easily had the best match on the card that year !

 

[Danny Hart]

Bret Hart vs Razor Ramon (Royal Rumble 1993)

This match is another phenomenal carryjob of Bret, Razor was a little green here, this is a carryjob (not WM10 live everybody says)... The match is atleast **** with great storytelling, (something you can always expect from Bret) brawl and technical manouvers.

Nobody passed the torch to Hart,so he had to put classic after classic.

 

[ashe draven]

HBK Vs Bret Hart- WWE's first ladder match. Fantastic as all matches w/ these legends against each other were. Shawn would use the finish in his epic WM X match against Scott Hall.

HBK Vs Marty Janetty '93 Royal Rumble- this was an unbelievable i.c. match with Janetty returning after a long absence after the infamous barbershop incident. Plenty of pop/heat, & GREAT wrestling from two former tag partners who knew each other better than anyone. After this you could see Shawn was destine for greatness.

Any match during the Booker T/Chris Benoit WCW tv title feud- just WOW! these guys had such incredible chemistry. And during this time period i believe was the backbone of the Nitro program. All their matches were similar cuz they knew each other so well, but they kept adding something new & you never knew who was gonna come out on top. But you always knew it was gonna be good.

 

[JerryvonKramer]

I'm not surprised to see that this one hasn't been mentioned yet:

Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude, Iron Man Match - Beach Blast '92

Outside of Savage WM3 and the Flair series, that's probably the best Steamboat match there is. 30-minutes of gripping, edge-of-your-seat awesome wrestling.

Great psychology too. Rude was such a fantastic heel, his heat was off the charts in WCW during 1992, and Steamboat was the consummate babyface. Really amazing match.

 

[Texas Rattlesnake]

undertaker vs Diesel Wrestlemana XII - i always enjoyed this match some good action and diesel hitting the jacknife twice looked awesome,,only thing that spoils this match for me is the fact diesel doesnt attempt to pin taker after the 'knife

undertaker vs mankind King Of The Ring 96 - the first ppv battle between these 2 if i remember correctly, a sick brawl that showed us all what these 2 could do working together, a forgotten match thanks to the hell in a cell and boiler room brawl

stone cold vs dude love Over The Edge 98 - another great mick foley brawl that is rarely talked about , with vince as the referee patterson and brisco ringside as timekeepers announcer etc , then taker coming down to stand over proceedings, some good bumps and a fun finish

 

[Y-2-Jay]

When WMXX gets called crap and rubbish there is one match that gets lost into the shuffle because of the poor matches and the great triple threat match. And this match is:

Chris Jericho VS Christian

The build up was actually pretty good with the two betting on Lita and Trish. This ended up with chris actually liking trish which turns him face in the progress his good friend Christian who had been tag champs at one point too seemed like they wouldnt fued. But Christian who also turned face-ish turned full heel again when he beat up Chris's lover trish. This caused the start of the fued which ended up turning into a WMXX match. The match its self was solid there wasnt reallly any boring parts and really kept me intrested as well the story telling in the match was really good to asthe lover angle continues as Trish turns on Jericho to team up with Christian in a shocking twist. Great build, great match, very underrated.

 

[Safari.GFX]

I think ione of the most underated matches in wr4estling history is Jerry Blackwell, or who some may know as the crusher, vs Stan Hanson. This match had everything you could want, technical, exitment, blood. It was just a great match, but not a very well known match. Though Blackwell was a huge man, he could put on a better match then half of the pretty boys that are around now. Just my opinion.

 

[ZUMBOdriver]

I was just watching some old Wrestlemanias gearing up for this year's installment of the granddaddy of 'em all and found a few matches I consider underrated.

Terry & Hoss Funk vs Tito Santana & JYD - WM2
Solid tag match that features 5 WWE HOFers if you count Jimmy Hart who manages the Funks. Terry Funk really shines in this one. He oversells the faces' offense as he flops around like a fish out of water which is something I've always enjoyed in matches and he ultimately gets the pin fall victory over JYD after a shot with Jimmy Hart's megaphone. Terry Funk also takes what I believe is Wrestlemania's first table bump as JYD bodyslams him onto a table towards the end of the match. Also, Santana & JYD make up a pretty good babyface tag team despite what seems like a random pairing.

Mr. Perfect vs The Blue Blazer - WM5
Growing up I always saw the Coliseum Video version of this match which is heavily edited. When I purchased the Wrestlemania box set I was finally able to see the unedited version of this underrated gem. Mr. Perfect and Owen Hart were two wrestlers whose styles could easily fit into today's faster paced world of wrestling. This match between the two of them is the perfect example of that fact. Jesse Ventura and Gorilla Monsoon even bring up that this match could be the sleeper match of WM5 and they were right.

Chris Jericho vs Christian - WM20
This match was just mentioned but this one certainly makes my list of all time underrated matches. Good in-ring work, a back story with an unpredictable swerve(at least to me), and Christian getting what was possibly his biggest singles victory at the time all made this an underrated classic. This match could have easily got lost in the shuffle with all the big names that were on WM20, but this match was easily one of the best on that card.