TUP's All Time Top Matches!

I'm not saying they can't have good matches. I'm sure they can. They wouldn't still be in business if they couldn't. It's just not a program/company/whatever that I enjoy watching. That's just me.

SO! Who won?

Here are my favorites. All of these are W/WWF/E as that's just what I'm mostly a fan of.

20. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley (2001 No Way Out)

While these two had pure hatred for each other (Helmsley had ordered Austin to be hit by a car according to the storyline); but these two still managed to incorporate a perfect mix of wrestling technique into their pure brawling. This match had a sledgehammer, plenty of blood, and a Steel Cage for the final fall. The end came when the two just happened to hit each other and collapse. Triple H happened to land on top.

19. Ultimate Warrior vs Macho Man Randy Savage (Wrestlemania VII, 1991)

Macho Man had cost Warrior the Title. But this match had each of their's careers on the line. Warrior survived five Macho Man Flying Elbow Smashes and still kicked out. Macho Man went for his famous flying double axehandle on to the outside; only to beat himself by colliding with the guardrail. Savage lost the match only to have his manager Scary Sheri add insult to injury by rubbing his face in the mat. But Savage was later reunited with his true love, Elizabeth, who came to the rescue. The action may have entertained the fans; but the WWF's first couple embracing moved some to tears.

18. Royal Rumble Match (1992 Royal Rumble)

In mid match Ric Flair cleared the ring; only to have arch enemy Rowdy Roddy Piper enter for a brawl. Sid Justice literally threw Sargent Slaughter across half the ring and out on to the floor. Hulk Hogan and Sycho Sid had their collision. But this match will eternally be remembered for one thing. Ric Flair lasted from beginning to end and proved to the WWF crowd what the NWA/WCW fans had known for ten years... that the Nature Boy was one of the greatest of all time.

17. Bret Hitman Hart vs Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig (SummerSlam 1991)

By this time, Hennig's greatness was evident. But this was the match that solidified Bret's status as one of the top singles wrestlers around. This is one of the best technical scientific matches ever contested. In the end Perfect went for a legdrop and Bret caught him, wrapped it up, flipped over, and won his first Intercontinental Title.

16. The Undertaker vs The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels (Wrestlemania XXV, 2009)

This match in my opinion better than the one these two would have the following year; and I really had at least momentary doubt as to who would win. I can't say that about any other Undertaker Wrestlemania opponent. Shawn tried his moonsault; but Taker caught him. Shawn calls that "one mistake"; but it had consequences. He may be called the "Deadman"; but his undefeated Wrestlemania streak is very much alive.

15. Bruno Sammartino vs The Russian Bear Ivan Koloff (1975)

Koloff was Bruno's toughest opponent, and the only one who beat him for the Title. When Bruno got the Title back this was a natural feud that climaxed in this Steel Cage Match. Bruno would not leave the cage until Koloff was in a clump in the corner. Within kayfabe, the Champ fought with honor.

14. Hulk Hogan vs The Rock (Wrestlemania X8, 2002)

This one I'm including for the moment. It wasn't the greatest match, it didn't have the best wrestling; but it just had a indescribably induplicatable moment. For the first time in nine long years, Hulk Hogan was in a WWF ring... at Wrestlemania. And the fans payed homage. That's really all the description this match needs.

13. Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2003)

I really think that when Kurt Angle returned from his neck surgery he was better than ever. Brock was on a tear in WWE and Kurt used his amazing skill, drive, and heart to take all Lesnar had and still wrestle circles around him. Kurt put on his best WWE performance ever in my eyes and this match served to be even better than their Wrestlemania battle a few months earlier. "The Next Big Thing" was bested.

12. Hart Foundation vs The British Bulldogs (Saturday Night's Main Event, 1987)

Two of the greatest tag teams ever met in the midst of their Tag Team Championship feud two out of three falls. Both teams put on their best and portrayed indescribable talent.

11. Royal Rumble Match (2001 Royal Rumble)

This is most people's favorite Rumble from what I gather. The Honky Tonk Man had his own guitar smashed over his head, courtesy of Kane. The Brothers Of Destruction showed unity, and owned the middle of the match (Scotty 2 Hotty came in just at the wrong time). This Rumble had the backstory of Stone Cold Steve Austin looking to complete his comeback... as well as the story of those who put him out of action for the previous year. Hunter Hearst Helmsley attacked Austin before he even got in the match; and The Rattlesnake was seemingly out. A while later, Austin got new life merely by gazing his eyes upon Rikishi, who had ran him over a year earlier. Stone Cold and The Rock lock eyes and then commenced battle. Haku makes a surprise return. And Stone Cold tosses out a dominant Kane in the end. One of the greatest Rumbles ever.

10. Bret Hitman Hart vs Razor Ramon (1993 Royal Rumble)

They built this one up perfectly, with Razor attacking Owen a few weeks before and also threatening old man Stu. This was your classic technique vs old school tough guy, or in Ramon's case "Bad Guy". Bret has a beautiful move, sailing over the top rope while Ramon was on the outside; and Bret also invented a new pinning combination in mid match during a Pile Driver attempt. But Bret was just beginning to shine.

9. Bret Hitman Hart vs The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith (SummerSlam 1992)

The finest technical wrestling ever, and two close brothers in law were able to put on a great match. Bret converted a Davey Boy crucifix attempt into a fall away slam. The way it was supposed to go or not; it looked beautiful. Davey Boy had the hometown crowd that added to the match's aura. This was the first time an Intercontinental Title match outshone the World Title match. Bret lost one belt; but he'd soon go on to bigger and better things.

8. Royal Rumble Match (1993 Royal Rumble)

This match is my favorite Rumble ever. It began with two absolute legends, Ric Flair and Bob Backlund. It had Mr. Perfect get revenge against Flair. It had the surprise debut of Giant Gonzales; who became the first guy to ever beat the shit out of Undertaker. It had a big man showdown between Yokozuna and Earthquake. It had half the ring try to gang up on Yokozuna to no avail. It had Bob Backlund last an amazing hour plus, still somehow managing to lift up Rick Martel and eliminate him, only to turn around and be tossed out by Yoko. And it had Macho Man almost take it in the end; only to have Yoko throw him off over the top rope from a laying down position (suspend disbelief here). In my opinion, the greatest Rumble ever.

7. Bret Hitman Hart vs Big Daddy Cool Diesel (1995 Royal Rumble)

Both of these men were fan favorites as faces were called back then; and their two contrasting styles made for a great match. Diesel used his strength and power; Bret his bar none skill. Bret utilized the Figure Four: and Diesel properly sold it by limping the next few minutes. Bret couldn't get the victory with his Sharpshooter because Owen Hart attacked him. Diesel couldn't get the victory with his Jackknife Powerbomb because Shawn Michaels attacked him. And the two fought on. In the end, the ref threw it out as five men interfered. But what a match it was.

6. Team WWF vs Team Alliance (2001 Survivor Series)

The fate of three wrestling organizations was on the line. Words cannot describe the excitement of this time. Say what you want about how the invasion angle was done all wrong (and you would be right); but this match had it all on the line... and egos and and infighting on each team. Chris Jericho almost cost the WWF its existence by attacking the Rock after he was the last member of Team WWF; only to have the loyal Undertaker chase him off. The end came down, appropriately enough, to Austin and The Rock, who battled as heatedly as ever and tried to settle unfinished business. And the mole on Team Alliance (Kurt Angle) came out of nowhere to save the day. The World Wrestling Federation "survived".

5. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock (Wrestlemania X-Seven, 2001)

They exchanged each other's finishing moves, including their backup ones (Sharpshooter and Million Dollar Dream), and then went on to take the match to a whole other level. Add in years of a heated feud beforehand, the Wrestlemania atmosphere, and the Vince McMahon swerve; and this is one of the greatest moments of all time.

4. Bret Hitman Hart vs The Rocket Owen Hart (Wrestlemania X, 1994)

This match is the definition of technical wrestling at it's finest. These two took all the moves, counter moves, and counter counter moves they learned in Stu Hart's Dungeon and displayed it at a Wrestlemania showcase. And they still made it believable that there was a rivalry even though they were loving brothers. Owen got the surprise pin, and a long time "family feud" rivalry began.

3. Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior (Wrestlemania VI, 1990)

As it was billed, these two met title for title in "The Ultimate Challenge". Both men seemed unbeatable going in to this match. For years Hogan had beaten them all, and in recent times Warrior had as well. As would be in the case of Austin and Rock eleven Wrestlemanias later; both men would take and survive moves that was otherwise guaranteed to defeat the opponent and end the match, and went on to fight ever harder. Hogan took the famous Gorilla Press and got up. Warrior took the famous Big Boot.. and rolled out of the way of Hogan's Legdrop. A Big Spash and pin later and The Ultimate Warrior was the first man in years to cleanly pin Hulk Hogan. And Hogan handing the WWF World Title belt over at the end added sportsmanship and class to an already epic match.

2. Bret Hitman Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (1996 Survivor Series)

I know these men fought other times; and their Wrestlemania 13 match is more famous. But this match began the feud and was in my opinion much better. Austin wrestled technical, similar to how he did in his WCW days. And Bret was great as ever. This match had that wrestling technique, but also was injected with just the right dash of brawling and hatred. In the end Bret utilized his creativity and resourcefulness to leap off the top turnbuckle while caught in a hold, flip himself over Austin, and come up with the pin. Bret is "The Excellence Of Execution" indeed. This match is a classic in my eyes.

1. Macho Man Randy Savage vs The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase (WrestleFest 1988)

Why? Not only because of the skill level of each man involved; but how hard each man fought. These two had met before... in the Tournament Final at Wrestlemania IV; but by the spring the two knew each other and their styles so well that they could put on a clinic without thinking. This match was technically sound; and had what seemed like an endless amount of two counts and near falls. To the fan watching in kayfabe, both men fought extremely hard; one challenger to win the belt, but the challenger even harder to keep it. But both men laid their souls on the mat.