2017 WWE Best Matches

2016 WWE was filled with an abundance of great matches.  This mainly had to do with the inclusion of the Cruiserweight Classic, but seemingly every big PPV show had at least one memorable match.  2017 certainly isn't on the level of the previous year, but there were more than enough matches to rave about.

This year, like all others, I made a mental list throughout the year of my favorites and at the end of the year I went back and watched them all.  A surprising number of them didn't hold up this year.  For example, I loved Nakamura vs. Cena from August 1st, but on re-watch it was nothing special.

So here's a few things to remember when reading this list.

• Number one: this is WWE exclusively.  I don't watch enough NJPW or anything else to make a decisive list for those other promotions.  I would like to, but I don't see it happening any time in the near future.  
• Number two: these are listed chronologically.  I have a really hard time ranking wrestling matches because there are so many factors involved, plus I've only seen these matches twice.  If it were an "all time favorites" list, then I would be more inclined to rank them best to worst.    
• Number three: these are purely my opinion.  I don't mind discussions about things, but I hate it when people say, "where is such and such?"  Other than that, have fun with it.

Pete Dunne vs. Mark Andrews UK Show Jan 15

I had no idea who Pete Dunne was coming into these shows.  I instantly became a fan.  They positioned him to look like a bad ass even if he didn't win it all, but had he lost in the first round I think I would have became a fan regardless.  He has an intensity to him you cannot deny.  You believe his stuff, which is a trademark of all the greats.  

courtesy: sportskeeda.com

AJ Styles vs. John Cena Royal Rumble

Many people were calling this match better than their Summerslam encounter.  I didn't agree then, and I don't agree now.  However this is a really good match, on a somewhat forgettable Rumble.  OH, and Cena wins his 16th title for no other reason than to win his 16th title.

Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick vs. Akira Tozawa vs. TJP vs. Tony Nese 205 Live March 14th

Now I realize that everyone is going, "huh?"  Probably because no one watches 205 Live except for me.  This match was for the number one contendership for the title at Wrestlemania.  For kayfabe purposes it was the most important match in 205 history.  Prior to being retired in '07-'08, whenever it was, the CW title hadn't been defended at Wrestlemania since XX in '04 (Ironically on this same date in 2004.  That year build up for WM XX really burned that date into my head.).  Now technically I know the match was on the preshow (hold that thought) but is preshow match really a big demotion in the WWE Network era?  

Most of the time the 205 crowd is pretty dead, and rightfully so, but a nice "Aries" chant breaks out at the beginning of this match.  Really, even if Aries was just sitting on commentary the chant would break out.  Other than Neville, he is the only cruiserweight to get a organic chant going.  Tozawa can eventually win them over with his "ahhs," but sometimes it takes work.  (It's shame that 2 of the 3 guys are now gone.)  

This is your typical stuff up until the closing sequence.  Kendrick gets a really nice near-fall on Aries, that makes the front row (and other sections obviously) visibly stand up and applaud.  Aries soon gets the win to the delight of the crowd.  In my opinion this is the best match in the history of the show.  It gets no love now from WWE because Aries won, and they hate promoting people no longer with the company; even though it was in THEIR company when it took place.  Instead some other fatal five way (seriously how many of them were there this year?) from February gets all the love, and it wasn't even that good.  It's only known for Gallagher's umbrella dive.  Remember that stupid shit?  

I love Austin Aries and I love this match.  Check it out, you may be surprised.  I promise you the crowd is into it!  

AOP vs. Revival vs. #DIY Takeover: Orlando

If you would have told me last year that AOP would be in one of my matches of the year, I would have slapped you silly.  They actually almost made two; with the ladder match just missing the cut.  The DIY and Revival magic is still on full display here, with the big, lumbering giants woven into the action quite nicely.  As of now, this appears to be the last we will see of #DIY vs. the Revival.  An absolute shame.  

courtesy: sportskeeda.com

Austin Aries vs. Neville Wrestlemania

Ah the ole kick-off show.  The first match of the kick-off show even.  Wrestlemania was a really good show this year, and this was a great start to the show.  Both guys got to strut their stuff here, with plenty of time to show why they were head and shoulders better than everyone else on the 205 roster.  I was so happy for both guys to get to hear their names chanted by 80,000ish people.  It's so depressing in hindsight to know that they both would be gone within months.  Okay I'll try to stop being a downer now.  

I'm a huge mark for the top rope hurricanrana.  Not the one when the opponent is sitting on the top rope.  I mean when they both are standing on the top.  It's so dangerous, but so awesome when it's done properly.  (Fun fact: the first time I saw it done this way was Benoit vs. Jericho in 2000.  I've loved it ever since.)  Naturally these guys did that here, which is why I brought it up in the first place.  And much like the last CW match I mentioned, they had a near-fall at the end that I still bit on even on the second time viewing.  Aries hits the 450, (I think the only time he did it in WWE; at least on the main roster) and Neville kicks out at 2.984573.  Aries locks in the Last Chancery, but Neville counters with a rake to bad orbital bone of Aries, which I thought was a really nice touch.  I don't know that it translated the best to the live audience in the huge stadium, but as a viewer at home the announcers played it up nicely.  The eye injury was a theme they used in many of their upcoming matches as well.  It's called "telling a story" folks.  In case you can't tell, I'm a huuuuge fanboy for these two.  

Hardyz vs. Enzo/Cass vs. Gallows/Anderson vs. the Bar Wrestlemania 

What I remember most is obviously the surprise return of Hardyz.  I had no idea they would show up.  You can see the genuine smiles on each of their faces as they come down the ramp.  As a long-time Hardyz fan, this was great for me.  When I re-watched the match, it was Cesaro who stole the spotlight.  Man he is just a freak athlete.  The Hardyz got the win though, in what was the moment of the night.  

Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate Takeover: Chicago

courtesy: dailystar.co.uk

They had two other highly-praised bouts this year, but none could top that night in Chicago.  I really enjoy the announcing combo of Nigel and J.R. which is what we got for this match.  I don't know what I could add about this match that hasn't been said already.  Gun to my head, it may be my favorite match of 2017.  Worst case scenario I would say it's top three.  I will say, I do think it's kind of funny that Bate is the first person to use the Spiral Tap in WWE, and not AJ.  Bravo boys!

MITB Ladder Match, Money in the Bank

There weren't any surprise Hardy Boy returns in this match, so I reverted back to my stance of being completely and totally burned out on ladder matches.  And having this jaded point of view, I thought the match was very run of the mill, nothing special until one moment changed my mind.  The second Styles and Nakamura lock eyes, I was hooked.  The crowd reaction was perfect.  It was a mix of, OH HERE WE GO and I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!  

The match intensity was amplified tremendously after this, even though the Styles vs. Nakamura portion was just a quick tease.  Which I felt was perfect anyway.  How could that not lead to Wrestlemania match?  Regardless it was incredible.  Corbin ending up winning the match and I was all for it at the time.   It's unfortunate the way things would end up transpiring, but that has no merit on this match. 

Asuka vs. Nikki Cross NXT June 23rd
These two beat the shit out of each other.  I feel that Cross is criminally underrated at this point.  Asuka, of course, is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  I'm dumbfounded that this wasn't a Takeover match with all bells and whistles they pulled out here.  This may be my favorite woman's match ever.  

Aleister Black vs. Kyle O'Reilly NXT Episode 404

Bobby Fish had made his debut a few weeks prior against Black, and here was O'Reilly's debut.  These guys had never locked horns before, but are perfect opponents for each other with their striking and submission-based styles.  Black would go on a tear after this match, with his momentum being at an all-time high.  O'Reilly was made to look like a player from the jump in this underrated gem.  

Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade Almas Takeover: Brooklyn 

Almas hasn't had the best luck in NXT.  Which makes his title win even more shocking.  (Granted that makes for only the second most shocking title win this year.)  I think you can point to this match (along with the addition of his manager Zelina) as the turning point.  I don't know how far in advance his title win was mapped out, but part of me thinks this match me have steered the ship in that direction.

The Brooklyn crowd was red hot for NXT that night, (not so much for the rest of the three days there) and this opening athletic contest was perfect to wet their appetite for things to come that evening.  Gargano has assumed Sami Zayn's role as beloved babyface of the company, and they adore everything he does.  Almas gets the biggest win of his career with some excellent foreshadowing for the Gargano vs. Ciampa feud.

Aleister Black vs. Hideo Itami Takeover: Brooklyn     

In between this match and the previous one was a really good tag title match; NXT was on fire this night.  This match, much like the Black vs. O'Reilly was a perfect blend of styles.  Black stayed on his roll, and Itami got the star-making performance (in WWE) I'm sure he was longing for.   I loved this match.

Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns
Since the roster split in '16, Smackdown had been the superior show up until early '17.  We don't need to get into the reasons why here, but Raw was clearly the better show throughout the summer, and culminated here.  Raw's booking of the main event monsters was quite good, and you felt that any of these guys could conceivably be the champion by beating the other.  I hate the stretchering out Brock spot, but other than that this is good stuff.

Usos vs. New Day Hell in a Cell
This match was crazy.  Obviously it was a cell match, but it lost any sort of athletic contest aspect that their prior matches had.  It was an intense fight.  And it didn't let up.  From bell to bell it was a war.  And I loved it.

Aliester Black vs. Velveteen Dream Takeover: Houston
The Dream was unproven in every aspect, being thrown into a feud with the hottest NXT superstar.  I had no intention of liking this feud, let alone match, but it completely surprised me on every front.  Great story-telling and a great athletic contest.

Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles Survivor Series
I can't imagine what this match would have looked like if it Lesnar vs. Jinder.  Big time shudder.  Much like HBK a generation before, AJ has tremendous chemistry with monsters (or anyone else).  The beginning was a bit too one-sided for me, but in the end, the match was a big thumbs up.


Totals:
Styles- 3 matches
Black- 3 matches
Dunne- 2 matches
Lesnar- 2 matches
Gargano- 2 matches
Aries- 2 matches