Top 100 Matches Of Past 50 Years: 100-81

With the success of our Top 100 Wrestlers Of All Time list, we’ve decided to go even bolder. We’re going to rank the 100 greatest wrestling matches of the past 50 years!

Our ranking differs from the PWI 500 because we use math. Well, at least we try to. Just as we did before, we all submitted our own list of the top matches of all time, and each ranking represents points. For example, #1 = 100 points, #2 = 99 points, etc. At the end, we’d calculate which had the most points and assign ranking from there.

We narrowed the list down to the past 50 years because it’s quite challenging to find readily available footage from the 1960s and earlier (all of these matches except for one were televised). In a future Twitter Spaces, we’ll all break down the criteria we used in crafting our own lists. We’ll also bust each other’s balls over our choices and their absurdly low or ridiculously high rankings.

100. Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko, Showdown at Shea

A banner hanging over Shea Stadium says, “We Want Blood, Bruno.” Well, he gave it to them. After being betrayed by his protégé and spending months seeking revenge, “The Living Legend” finally got his wish inside a cage. The sneaky, conniving Zbyszko pounces on Sammartino as soon as he enters, but he immediately regrets that as the former WWE Champion wallops the turncoat to the roar of the crowd. There’s nothing flashy here – it’s just a brutal, believable fight between bitter enemies in which good trounces evil. – John Corrigan

99. Money in the Bank, WrestleMania 21

You never forget your first. Nearly 20 years later it is still regarded as one of the best MITB matches ever. The two big takeaways: Shelton Benjamin showed the world what he could do and Edge jumped into the main event picture. – Juan Bautista

98. Triple H vs. Stone Cold, No Way Out 2001

I’ve always been unsure of whether Steve Austin and Triple H were better friends or enemies. However, their Three Stages of Hell match felt like a culmination of everything good about the Attitude Era coming together in one magnum opus. The first “stage” was a traditional singles match, with the second being a street fight before a steel cage was to be lowered for the final “stage.” Typing it out, it feels like a lot, and there are definitely critics of this match, but it delivered on a level befitting of the standards at that time.

Remember, we got this match just one month before what many believe to be the greatest WrestleMania! I guess I’m really partial to Austin matches that have length. The match kicked off with a wild brawl, not unlike what we’ve come to expect from Austin matches, but longer matches allow the “Texas Rattlesnake” to show his range within the Stone Cold persona. To put it bluntly, it was one giant spectacle of a match that featured a little something for everybody, but the street fight portion was the strongest. Austin’s chairshots, no matter what end he was on, were some of the best we have ever seen or will see in a wrestling ring. – Jack Goodwillie

97. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins, Royal Rumble 2015

A contender for greatest triple threat ever, this WWE Championship match stole the show at Royal Rumble 2015. After ending The Streak and demolishing John Cena at SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar was the most destructive force in wrestling in seemingly forever. Seth Rollins and Cena tried everything to stop The Beast, only slowing him down before he rose again, countering the Curb Stomp into an F-5 in jaw-dropping fashion. – John Corrigan

96. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Wrestle Kingdom 10

This was a passing of the torch, signifying “The Rainmaker” as the best wrestler in Japan. Prior to this bout, Tanahashi was the man on top of NJPW. And then Okada came along, taking the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and cementing his spot as leader of the organization. Tanahashi wouldn’t return to the top of the mountain for another three years, while Okada remains in the title picture today. on top again for another 3 years while Okada remains in the title picture today. – Neal Wagner

95. Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle, WrestleMania XIX

What can I say about this match that hasn’t been said before? How about that in the minds of some, this isn’t even the greatest Kurt Angle-Brock Lesnar match? Many will point to their Iron Man match on SmackDown because it was a little bit cleaner and had more time, but I enjoy this match for its imperfections, as well as the circumstances surrounding the match, from Angle’s inherent struggle with his body to Lesnar nearly killing himself on the botched Shooting Star Press. Both guys busted their asses to meet an unreasonably high standard of wrestling, set earlier in the night by Rock vs. Austin III, Hogan vs. McMahon and Michaels vs. Jericho. – Jack Goodwillie

94. Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome, ECW Heatwave 1998

One of the most violent rivalries in wrestling history – every time these two were in the ring it was a war. Despite Awesome’s best efforts, which included diving off the top rope, Tanaka picked up the win this time around. The trauma they inflicted upon each other would probably be deemed too much for TV these days. – Juan Bautista

93. Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind, In Your House: Mind Games

Perhaps the best match without a clean finish. Despite physically being the antithesis of each other, Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley clicked each time (albeit too few) they worked together. Playing off HBK’s tantrum on Vader a month prior, Michaels blew up on Mankind early on, amplifying the intensity and making you believe this had turned into a legit fight. There’s so many unique, sick spots in which Michaels utilizes everything at his disposal to abuse Mankind. Similar to his later battles with Triple H and Randy Orton, Foley had a way of turning pretty boys into savages. – John Corrigan

92. Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat, SuperBrawl 1992

“The Ravishing One” took his game to another level in WCW, adding a darker edge to his Chippendales act in McMahonland. He and Ricky Steamboat had natural chemistry, producing a series of classic bouts, with this being the most memorable. Even more so with the finish of Paul Heyman disguising himself as “The Dragon’s” ninja! – Juan Bautista

91. Andre the Giant vs. Stan Hansen, Sept. 23, 1981

If you’ve only seen Andre the Giant during the WrestleMania era, you’ll be surprised at how mobile the “Eighth Wonder of the World” used to be. In this thrilling battle of the big men, Andre opens up his arsenal, even chain wrestling with Stan Hansen. The action becomes too heated for the referee, hell, any referee to restore order, but the crowd still gets their money’s worth. – John Corrigan

90. Sting vs. Vader, Starrcade 1992

After Vader demolished Sting for the World Heavyweight Title at Great American Bash, The Stinger learned his lesson and came for revenge at Starrcade. They added new chapters to the big man vs. little man playbook, combining power, speed, agility and intensity into an exciting cocktail. Sting also took a page out of Muhammad Ali’s book, absorbing as much punishment as possible until Vader wore himself out. – John Corrigan

89. Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle, Lockdown 2008

According to OSW Review, Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe headlined the three most-purchased pay-per-views in TNA history. This one, marketed as an MMA fight inside the six sides of steel, was the best. The stakes were raised when Angle put the TNA World Championship up for grabs with Joe putting his career on the line. Obviously, you know who won, but the journey was worth it. – Juan Bautista

88. Midnight Express vs. Rock N’ Roll Express, WrestleWar 1990

The rivalry that transpired throughout the 80’s and early 90’s between The Midnight and Rock N’ Roll is the Auburn vs. Alabama of pro wrestling. It was a rivalry driven by literally every single integer that makes good matches and great wrestlers. A lot of people like to discuss which iteration of The Midnight they prefer most: Dennis Condrey or Stan Lane? I’ve always been partial to Lane, as his athleticism brings an extra dimension to the table, not to mention Jim Cornette can generate more than enough heat for two people plus himself (though Cornette himself is partial to Condrey for his heel work).

Well, Lane was stellar in this match. In fact, everybody did their part to make this match great. This is peak Midnight vs. Rock N’ Roll. The match is an incredible show of athleticism that incorporates an element of real athletic competition that modern tag team matches do not. – Jack Goodwillie

87. Shelton Benjamin vs. Shawn Michaels, May 2, 2005

When people claim Michaels is the greatest in-ring performer, they point to his unmatched storytelling and his innate ability to make the most of his and his opponent’s talents. Exhibit A: this first-round (and first meeting) match in the Gold Rush tournament to name a number-one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship. Both men were faces with zero history together, but within a few seconds, fans were captivated by Benjamin outwrestling the veteran, who was visibly pissed off. That frustration boiled over into Michaels throwing the first strike, and from there the fight was on, culminating in the most exciting finish in Raw history. – John Corrigan

86. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart, WrestleMania XII

The Iron Man match at the Duck Pond here in Anaheim! When it comes to stipulations like this, the outcome is too frequently predictable to the point of it feeling phony. For example, why do two-out-of-three-falls matches ALWAYS go to a third fall? In real sports, sometimes one team will win a best-of-three series 2-0 or a best-of-seven series 4-2. Iron Man scores are so often 4-3, 3-2, or 5-4, but for WrestleMania XII, HBK and the Hitman went the way of Southern Rasslin’ and essentially fought to a 60-minute draw, but since this is WrestleMania, the fans received an extra two minutes of sudden-death overtime perhaps befitting of the arena that’s home to the Anaheim Ducks. It’s the quintessential Shawn vs. Bret match and one of the few times WWE has felt more sport than entertainment. What more could you possibly ask for? A screwjob finish? – Jack Goodwillie

85. Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. McMahon, WrestleMania XIX

This is one of my favorite matches, and that’s a take I’m proud of. It’s also one of Kenny Omega’s favorite matches of all time. In fact, in a seminar he conducted with RFVideo, Omega called Vince McMahon one of the most influential wrestlers in history for his ability to perform. Did he have any technical ability? Hell no. But who cares? The match with Hogan at WrestleMania XIX was less of a match and more of a fight scene in a movie acted out in front of the live capacity audience at Safeco Field. Some of the bumps McMahon, in particular, takes in this match are absolutely insane for a non-wrestler, and the shot of him peering over the ring apron with a steel pipe in hand is one of the best captured stills in the history of WWE. – Jack Goodwillie

84. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, SummerSlam 1994 / Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper, WrestleMania VIII

Sometimes the only way to settle a feud is within a steel cage. With Bret and Owen’s personal vendetta against one-another it was the perfect setting. Under the rules of escaping the cage to win, the Hart brothers created a rollercoaster of drama and excitement. – Steven Jackson

Possibly the only time that Roddy Piper actually wrestled. Of course, Bret Hart brings the best out of everyone. Two childhood friends colliding over championship and pride – they were willing to do whatever it took to win. Well, almost anything, as Piper went against his instincts and refused to cheat, which ended up costing him the title. Bonus points for Hart being busted open in an era where blood was banned. – John Corrigan

83. Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa – NXT Takeover: New Orleans 2018

It was violent, unsanctioned and easily one of the best storytelling matches that WWE/NXT has done in years. There wasn’t an overuse of weapons, but the continuous use of crutches and Ciampa’s knee brace made perfect sense based on what had occurred in the buildup. Former partners turned bitter rivals, Ciampa and Gargano waged war in The Big Easy. – Neal Wagner

82. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn, NXT Arrival

The first match on an NXT special (before the shows were called “Takeover”), Cesaro and Sami Zayn had a tough job given to them. But there was no need to worry. This match was the one which defined NXT as the brand that featured the greatest wrestling in the world, through beautifully told classic wrestling matches. – Steven Jackson

81. Harley Race vs. Wahoo McDaniel, February 10, 1978

Two grizzled warriors unloading on one another for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Wahoo attempts to outwrestle the champion early on before blows are exchanged (Harley’s headbutts vs. Wahoo’s blistering chops). Race takes the first fall, creating tension for Wahoo to come back and somehow topple the champion twice if he wants to take home the gold. Of course, the proud Native American does even the score, and then the third fall turns into a bloodbath. – John Corrigan