Top 5 WWE Matches of the Past 5 Years

[rayisawesomeness]

After reading what you guys put about the top 5 feuds of the past 5 years, I thought it would be pretty interesting to see what you guys look at as the top 5 matches of the past 5 years. Here's my top five matches and reasons and a bunch of honorable mentions.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

- SmackDown Elimination Chamber (No Way Out) - 2009
- Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (WM 24) - 2008
- Edge vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy (Armageddon) - 2008
- Edge vs. The Undertaker (One Night Stand) - 2008
- Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena (WM 23) - 2007
- Edge vs. John Cena (Unforgiven) - 2006
- Edge vs. Mick Foley (WM 22) - 2006
- Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker (No Way Out) - 2006
- Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (Summerslam) - 2005

Note, if I had to pick something from Summerslam+ in 2004, it'd be Benoit vs. Orton but if we're talking about the entire 2004 year, I'd go with the WM 20 Triple Threat, Eddie vs. Brock, and Orton vs. Foley.

TOP FIVE

5. Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio (The Bash) - 2009 - ****1/2
If you haven't seen this match, then you need to! A really heart pounding match with lots of back and fourth action with a bunch of huge spots. Definitely their best match in their great feud.

4. Rob Van Dam vs. John Cena (ECW One Night Stand) - 2006 - ****1/2
This is one of those matches where the crowd really made the match. The match itself was very well done but what really stood out was the rapid ECW fans booing the hell out of Cena. Plus, Van Dam winning the WWE Title was awesome.

3. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle (WM 21) - 2005 - ****3/4
An epic dream match between two of the greatest technical wrestlers in the game, lots of back and fourth action with a ton of huge spots like Angle slamming Michaels' leg into a ring post, Michaels diving onto Angle through a table, an Angle Slam off the top rope, and the awesome ending where Angle wouldn't let go of the Ankle Lock on Michaels.

2. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (WM 25) - 2009 - *****
I put this match over Michaels/Angle because I really enjoyed this match for several reasons. This was amazing match with tons of back and fourth action, Michaels kicking out of the Tombstone where 'Taker then gave his priceless look, and 'Taker diving on his neck after hitting his signature dive over the top rope. But I think I mostly put this match over the Michaels/Angle one because well, I'm just a huge Undertaker fan and I was dying to see this.

1. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (No Mercy) - 2008 - *****
I know a LOT of people are going to disagree with me on this one but I really loved this match. Not only was it a match involving two masters of the Ladder Match and pro wrestling in general, but it was a match that was part of one of my favorite feuds of all time. Bottom line, if you like drama, if you like wrestling, if you like Ladder Matches, then go check this match out because I loved it from top to bottom. A five star match in my opinion.​

 

[TheBigRedMember]

5-Randy Orton Vs. Chris Benoit-Summerslam 2004-WHC

This match showed that Orton could hang with the big dogs. This wasen't just a match where the veteren (Benoit) carried the match. No, both did a great job, and with Orton going over, it made the match that much better.****1/4

4-John Cena Vs. Shawn Michaels-Wrestlemania 23-WWE Title

Wow. I thought this match would be OK, but this match delivered. 2 greats, for the title, and they delivered. While Michaels should have won, and dropped the title at Backlash, Cena winning was just fine. Oh yeah, forgot about the match itself. Great action, great spots, almost perfect, but not quite-****1/2

3-Undertaker Vs. Edge-Summerslam 2008-Hell In A Cell

These 2 had one of the best feuds ever, and they pulled it off in this match with the cell being destroyed, tables, ladders, and chairs were used, steel steps, and the action was great.****1/2

2-Chris Benoit Vs. Chris Jericho Vs. Batista Vs. Triple H Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Edge-New Years Revolution 2005-Elimination Chamber-WHC

Best elimination chamber ever. everyone had a chance to win, and it wasent like 2006 where either cena or michaels was gonna win. great action...infact everything about this match was great.****3/4

1-Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels-Wrestlemania 25

Don't need to say anything here.*****

Honerable mentions

Undertaker Vs. Edge-Wrestlemania 24-WHC****1/4
Kurt Angle Vs. Shawn Michaels-Wrestlemania 21****
Chris Jericho Vs. Shawn Michaels-Ladder Match-No Mercy 2008-WHC****
Chris Jericho Vs. Kane Vs. Edge Vs. Rey Mysterio Vs. Mike Knox Vs. John Cena-No Way Out 2009-Elimination Chamber-WHC***3/4
Batista Vs. John Cena-Summerslam 2008***3/4

 

[JGalaxtic]

TOP 5
ECW championship match on Scifi (Syfy ha) - John Morrison vs. CM Punk (2007)
christ lord! definitely an underrated match - lots of back in forth action. And these two put on a great feud for the title. For a regular tuesday tv night - they put on a match that I still enjoy watching.

Wrestlemania 20 - Christian vs. Jericho (2004)
another underrated match - explosive non stop action - the story line leading up to it was pretty funny - I'm not into the whole chick in the middle stuff but they pulled it off nicely. My favorite match on that years WM card.

One Night Stand TLC match - Edge vs. Undertaker (2008)
The spots in this match were incredible, Edge stopped the world that the Undertaker can be stopped. For a moment Edge really was on top! Too bad it was ruined monday night ugh..

Cyber Sunday ECW title match - Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne (2008)
That night the fans spoke and they wanted Evan "air" Bourne to challenge for Hardy's title. And what a match they gave to the crowd and viewers at home. Solid performers putting their heart and soul in the ring for an exciting title match.

Wrestlemania 25 - Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (2009)
NUFF SAID!

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Here's a real list for you....

5. Summerslam 2007- Randy Orton vs. John Cena- Orton wasn't doing much up to this point but kicking old and retired legends in the head. Then he met up with John Cena who gave Orton one of the best matches of his life. The first few minutes were boring but it picked up and was one of the best Summerslam matches in recent memory.

4. Summerslam 2008- Batista vs. John Cena- This was in the making since Royal Rumble 2005 and both guys delievered. Say what you want about Batista but he can bring it when the lights are on bright. I expected Cena to win this one but I was happy that Batista won.

3. Great American Bash 2004- JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero- Their bloodbath at Judgment Day was great but this one was even better. Eddie Guerrero did everything he could to keep the title and thought he had retained in but video footage showed JBL touched first. This was the beginning of The Wrestling God.

2. Armageddon 2005- Orton vs. Undertaker- When Orton was busted open five minutes into the match, you know that it was going to be good and it didn't fail to dissapoint. Randy brought it to Taker time and time again but at the end, it would be the Deadman that was victorious.

1. No Way Out 2006- Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle- This is the best match I have ever watched and it gets better each and every time I do. You had a feeling that either one was going to win by submission whether it be by the Ankle Lock or the triangle choke. They put it all on the line for over 30 minutes and Angle reversed the triangle choke into a pin for the win. If this match was at Wrestlemania, it would probably one of the top 3 Wrestlemania matches in history.

Honorable Mention: Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio (No Way Out 2006), Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton (Summerslam 2004), Cena vs. HBK (April 2007)

 

[BananaHeel]

In no real order, these would be the matches I would say are the best in 5 years:

1. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit (Wrestlemania XX)
A very explosive matchup that showcased 3 different styles. In the end, though I've got to say was one of the most heartwarming moments in Wrestlemania history with the late Benoit embracing his longtime friend the late Guerrero as the pay per view ended.

2. Rob Van Dam vs. John Cena (One Night Stand)
Not as much of a great match as opposed to the fan interaction that went down. Don't get me wrong I loved the match, but the ECW crowd is what made this Main Event come alive.

3. Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair (Wrestlemania XXIV)
A beautiful storybook ending to yet another amazing Wrestlemania moment. You could cut the tension with a knife as we all knew deep down this was Flair's last hoorah.

4. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton (Armageddon 2007)
Mostly a personal favorite of mine. No one seemed to be able to take The Viper down, and "The Age of Orton" was talked about every week. Then came along the return of Y2J, which caught a lot of us off by surprise, and I like true shock. Save_Us_Y2J was a short-lived but brilliant gimmick that gave Jericho a new look, a new finisher, and made him go over very well with the crowd. If only for a while.

5. Eddie Guerrero vs. Batista (No Mercy 2005?)
Why Eddie Why? was asked throughout the arenas as the late great Guerrero stepped out night after night. None of us knew this would be his last pay per view, and none of the writers knew it either, yet in the end they made Guerrero stand out not as a heel but more of a face because HE WOULDN'T USE THE CHAIR TO CHEAT! and so Batista hit his finisher and that was that. The sting resinates harder knowing he went out not as the bad guy but a redeemable character. R.I.P Eddie Guerrero Viva La Raza

 

[TheGreatSPAMbino]

Here are TheNextVinceRusso's top 5 matches of the last 5 years:

5. Brock Lesnar vs. Eddie Gurrero at No Way Out 2004.
Not only was this a great match between two technically skilled professional wrestlers, this also provided a memorable moment with Eddie Gurrero winning the World title for the first time ever, and that took this great match and turned it into something even better and much more special.

4. Benoit vs. triple H vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 20.
This match has been talked about a lot, and deservingly so. This was probably the best triple threat match of all time and a great way to end two decades of Wrestlemania. At the time, it provided a truly touching and memorable moment the same as Gurrero winning the title did. However, looking back now that moment has become brutally tarnished and sad to watch which is a shame.

3. John Cena vs. Rob Van Dam at ECW One Night Stand 2006.
I have always loved this match and i think it was the best match of John Cena's career (although his LMS match with Umaga was great and his matches with Shawn Michaels were solid as well). The thing that defines this match is the atmosphere, with John Cena as the WWE champion against the ECW original RVD at the ECW arena. It was a surreal thing to witness and it created captivating sports entertainment. The audience may have been the MVP of this match and made what was a good wrestling match into something i will never ever forget. Once again, this great match was capped off by an amazing moment with RVD FINALLY winning a world title in the place we never thought he could, the ECW arena.

2. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair at Wrestlemania 24.
A true example of why Shawn Michaels is Mr. Wrestlemania and why Ric Flair is one of the best of all time. Both guys delivered and gave the people a match that will once again be remembered forever. This was without a doubt an awesome way for Flair's career to end and this match provided one of the best finishes of all time. That finish was definitely the biggest wrestlemania moment of the modern era.

1. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 21.
All of the other matches i have listed were great matches that were capped of by memorable and moving moments that allowed them to be elevated to a higher level. This match is different, this match didn't have a special moment but it didn't need one. This match was so good and such a classic that watching this match unfold became an epic moment. This match is in the top 2 wrestlemania matches of all time and it is the number one match of the last five years.

Honorable Mentions:
Edge vs. Foley Hardcore Match at Wrestlemania 22
Jericho vs. Mysterio at The Bash 2009
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25

 

[KBUnitz]

5. Trish Stratus vs Lita (Unforgiven) - 2006
I'm not into diva matches all that much. Since Unforgiven was hosted in Toronto that year, I went down to see it. In my opinion, that is the greatest diva match of all time, 2 great divas retiring and fighting for the last time.

4. Chris Benoit vs Triple H vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XX) - 2004
This match in my opinion was the best match Chris Benoit wrestled in. It is also one of my favourite WrestleMania matches of all time. Marked the top of Benoit's career. A really intense match.

3. Money In the Bank Match (WrestleMania 21) - 2005
First time Money In the Bank Match was pulled off incredibly. Great memoriable moment with Chris Jericho, Christian, Shelton Benjamin and Kane flying through the air knocking everyone down. T-Bone suplex into the ladder, awesome!

2. Batista vs Triple H (Vengeance) - 2005
Hell In a Cell...chains, steel chairs, barbed wire, sledgehammers, steel steps, Pedigrees, spinebusters, Batista Bomb. Game, set, match!

1. Batista vs The Undertaker (WrestleMania 23) - 2007
I'm not a fan of The Undertaker, but this match was my favourite from all the Undertaker victories at WM. Finishers after finishers, these 2 battled it out non-stop. The intensity level was off the charts. Only way it could be better was if Batista came out in a Mustang driving through a pane of glass.

Honourable Mentions
Team Raw vs Team SmackDown (Survivor Series) - 2005
Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle (WrestleMania 22) - 2006
Kurt Angle vs Randy Orton (One Night Stand 2006)
John Cena vs Rob Van Dam (One Night Stand 2006)
Chavo Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio (I Quit Match) (SmackDown) - 2006
Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels (No Mercy) - 2008
Elimination Chamber (No Way Out) - 2009
Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker (WrestleMania XXV) - 2009
Jeff Hardy vs Edge (Extreme Rules) - 2009
CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy (SummerSlam) - 2009

 

[ryden]

Honorable Mentions:
-Orton vs Edge Vengeance 04-****1\2
-HHH vs Benoit vs HBK Backlash 04-****1\2
-HHH vs Batista Hell in a Cell- ****1\2
-HBK vs Y2J (Ladder)- ****1\2
-Rey vs Jericho (Mask vs Title)-****1\2
-Edge vs Cena (LMS)- ****1\2

My Top 5 Matches From These 5 Years:

5-Orton vs Benoit Summerslam 04- this match is a personal favorite of mine this match was fantastic a great counter wrestling match neither of the wrestlers got the upperhand for much time both man got out there and produce a summerslam classic- ****1\2

4-Orton vs Cena vs Edge vs HBK Backlash 07- fantastic 4 way this is the best 4 way in wwe history great effort by the 4 man- ****1\2

3-HBK vs Angle Vengeance 05- Fantastic, fantastic match this in my opinion was alot better than there match at WM 21 the past was higher and the finish was great- ****3\4

2-HHH vs Benoit vs HBK WM 20- again probably the best 3 way in the history of the wwe alot of great stuff here- ****3\4

1- Orton vs Foley Backlash 04- Fantastic hardcore match, probably orton's best match in his carrer, orton took alot of sick bumps that foley normally takes and both man put on show and this match will be remembered as one the greatest hardcore matches in wwe history along side with the Foley vs HBK Hardcore Match at In Your House 96- *****

 

[666_The_Game_666]

Honourable Mentions
Batista HHH HIAC Vengance 2005
HBK Mr McMahon WM22 2006
Foley Edge WM22 2006
HBK Y2J No Mercy 2008

5 HHH HBK Summerslam 2002: HBK's first match since 1998 and well if you didnt know better it was like the day after WM14 and HBK hadent been away from WWE for 4 years. What he and HHH did this night was pure brutality and to top it off with HHH hitting the back of HBK with the sledge paved way for the next two years of their lives in the ring

4 Angle HBK WM21 2005: Best match at WM21 and continues the HBK theory He has the best match at every WM hes in. They went all out and put on the best all wrestling match since the Iron Man Match it was just a awsome match to see to heal the wins of Cena and Batista later on in the night

3 HBK Ric Flair WM24 2008: The two best inring performers in the ring one final time to farewell the best wrestler of all time in Flair. Nothing else to be said about this match

2 Foley HHH HIAC NWO 2000: First HIAC of the decade and the best Foley ends his carer in the match that defined it and one final time he goes through the cell

1 HBK Taker WM25 2009: Hands down best match of the decade nothing needs to be said about it we all saw what they both did at mania this year

 

[Xbox360]

Honarable mentions
HBK vs VKM WM22 2006
Edge vs Undertaker WM24 2008
Edge vs Undertaker SSLAM 2008
RVD vs John Cena One Night Stand 2006


TOP 5

5.Chris Benoit vs Randy Orton World Heavyweight Championship Summerslam 2004 -I prsonally loved this match as it was orton's coming of age so to speak and orton had been at HHH side while him and benoit fueded througout 2004 during that match it felt like knowone had the upperhand and was a constant battle until Orton finally nailed the RKO out of no where and both Orton and Benoit paid respect to eachother at the end of the match.****1/4

4.Undertaker vs Kurt Angle World Heavyweight Championship No Way Out 2006-This match was incredible.I honestly didn't know who was going to win you Taker who could of won and wrestled At Mania as the champ or angle who could of wrestled at mania as champ as well.Throughout this match both men put on a huge effort and I beleive in this match Taker showed he could still go with the best in the world.****2/4

3.Shawn Michaels Vs Christ Jericho Ladder Match No Mercy 2008-Aweome match with excellent spots during a great fued.****2/4

2.Foley vs Edge Hardcore Match WM 22 2006-I loved this match from beggining to end.Awesome hardcore spots and a freakishly cool ending ****2/4

1.WM25 Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels-WOW this match was Amazing two of the best wrestlers ever gave it there all in this epic battle.*****

 

[Nature Boy]

Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair - Wrestlemania 24
This match was everything I wanted it to be for Ric Flair's last WWE match. It had great chain wrestling, intense drama, and was of course wracked with emotion. Michaels brought out the best in Ric Flair that night, and it will be a match I will watch again and again for many years to come.

Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker - Wrestlemania 25
This was such a great match between to great performers. This match had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I genuinely had no idea as to who would win that night. Both guys pulled out something really special that night and it was one of the most gripping WWE matches I had seen in years!

Ric Flair vs Randy Orton - Taboo Tuesday 2004
I have always really loved Steel Cage matches. This was no letdown for me! The action in this match was intense, with the action going back and forth. This is one of my all time favorite Steel Cage matches.

Randy Orton vs Chris Benoit - Summerslam 2004
I liked Orton from the first time I saw him in 2002. This was a great match, and a wonderful performance by both guys. He was able to stay with Benoit all the way through the match. This was a great main event, and Orton definately earned his victory that night.

Chris Jericho vs Ricky Steamboat Backlash 2009
I was wonderfully surprised by this match. I have been a fan of Jericho for many years. I have been such a huge huge Ricky Steamboat fan since 1989, and have missed him ever since he retired in 1994. This was such a wonderful performance from Steamboat. It was like he wrestled 15 months ago, not 15 years! Steamboat was one of my all time favorite wrestlers, and he didn't disappoint in his comeback!