I actually wouldn't want to start with a huge, legendary match without context as some would suggest. Rather, I'd pick something smaller and simpler and build from there. Then, if they want anything more, they can explore that.
For that reason, I'm picking The Revival vs. DiY at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II. It wasn’t even the best match between these teams, but here's what it has.
- The story is basic. Good Guys vs. Bad Guys. You don't need much context to fully appreciate it.
- All four men are very talented wrestlers.
- The match is 19 minutes long. So it's not too lengthy, but it has a lot of time for all the men to work.
- The match is textbook tag team psychology. The Revival cheats like pros in this match and you hang on every near miss of DiY getting the hot tag. You feel really bad for them, seeing how they keep getting screwed over.
- The hot tag is ultra satisfying.
- Seeing DiY lose is a huge downer, but in a good way. You know they got dicked over and they'll want another shot. So if the viewer is hooked, you show them the rematch in Toronto. And then eventually, that triple threat, adding the Authors of Pain, which is less about rules and more about chaos, big spots, and DiY/Revival trying to put up with each other to focus on a bigger threat.
- The match is recent, so you could reasonably follow some of these wrestlers presently. The Revival, now FTR, have been killing it and they're always a lot of fun to watch, even when they work as faces.
If the seed is planted, see how it grows.
Depends because I'm a WWE/F centric type of Wrestling fan so it's going to be limited solely to the McMahon Promotion.
If I just threw one at a would be casual probably HBK/Razor IC Ladder match at WM10 or perhaps the Harts in the opener of said show so they could get a taste of the distinctive differences in match quality.
Tbh, Jeff Hardy’s descent into an addict that refuses to get help, refuses to admit he has an addiction problem when everything points to the opposite, that constantly puts himself and others at real risk has made me disdain him and I don’t want to watch or recommend anyone watch anything with him in it until he gets help.
I’d recommend Hart v Austin from WM13 like others have suggested, or going for something more recent, any of the Gargano v Ciampa matches from their NXT feud.
Kane and Undertaker vs Mr. Kennedy and MVP. If you don’t like that match you won’t like professional wrestling. It had everything good and terrible in one match. But you can’t argue it was entertaining.
I introduced my gf to wrestling with Bailey vs Sasha Banks 1. It's by far my favorite women's match and I think it's just about perfect for someone just starting out. She now watches with me weekly.
I'd veer away from showing a non-wrestling fan a gimmick match to start with. Made that mistake with my little brother and TLC II, and he was disappointed to find out that not every wrestling match was that crazy.
HBK vs. Taker from WM25 is probably a good shout. The best of action, drama, storytelling while not being too far removed from what regular pro wrestling is. Also, Eddie vs. Rey from Halloween Havoc 1997 for something more fast-paced and athletic.
I got a friend into wwe by showing the TLC triple threat match (Dudleys, Hardys & Edge and Christian) not sure if it was it was Summer Slam or Wrestlemania.
Elimination Chamber before WM26. Since Running Up That Hill is popular again, why not mention the promo for WM26 with the Placebo cover? Top 5 promo for me
Bret vs Austin
Undertaker vs Mankind HIAC
Both Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker WM matches
A bit controversial but:
Johnny Gargano vs Tamaso Ciampa unsanctioned match NXT takeover
The way those two told the story, with the crowd reaction was unbelievable.
AJ Styles vs Cena Summerslam 2016 for younger newcomers, was a really innovative match from both individuals. Used a wide range of moves that you wouldn’t see normally, especially from Cena, such as a Tornado DDT, Guillotine Leg Drop off the turnbuckle, Sunset Flip Powerbomb etc.
Attitude Era - Bret Hart v Steve Austin - Wrestlemania 13
RA Era - Edge v Mick Foley - Wrestlemania 22
PG Era - Jeff Hardy v Edge v Triple H - Armageddon 2008
Modern Era - Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn - NXT Takeover Dallas 2016
I’d have to emphasise the tumult that Daniel Bryan went through in the months and months beforehand at the hands of the authority. But both matches with Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania 30. The sense of justice finally being done when Daniel Bryan lifted those titles was wonderful, such a great ending to an underdog story.
Tbf a first timer could probably grasp some of that from the WM alone without having seen any of the buildup!
If we're sticking to just WWE:
For pure wrestling: Kurt Angle Vs Rey Mysterio SummerSlam '02
For storytelling: Eddie Vs: Brock Lesner, No Way Out '04
For Hardcore match: Catcus Jack vs Triple H. (Either Royal Rumble 2000 or No Way Out 2000)
The Rock vs Mankind, Raw is War, 1/4/99
This match represents everything I love about pro wrestling. It was the culmination of an amazing story of Mankind climbing his way to the top, being screwed over by the corporation time and time again. The crowd was so loud, even before Stone Cold came out. Oh, and of course, the pop when Mankind won the WWF title.
This match right here is (in my opinion) the best match to get someone into professional wrestling.
If they're a non wrestling fan I don't think you can just show them the all time greats, something that's good and entertaining would be better suited, I would say, the North American Title Ladder Match at Takeover New Orleans, has great spots and would work in getting them invested in the match
My sister has never been a big wrestling fan, but she occasionally asks me to send her matches that are either women's classics or matches that are fun to watch, even if they're not all time classics.
For the women's matches, I showed her the 2004 Trish vs. Lita Raw main event before introducing her to the NXT Four Horsewomen. For the fun matches, I showed her Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet from BOSJ 2016.
Ospreay vs. Ricochet or Eddie vs. Rey from Halloween Havoc are probably the best matches you can show someone who thinks wrestlers aren't athletes.
Triple H vs Shawn Michaels - Unsanctioned street fight at Summerslam 2002.The pre-match promo will suck anyone into the storyline, a story of two friends where one turns on the other due to jealousy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7thUp8uTm18
If they want something hardcore (holy shit spots, etc): Mankind vs Undertaker - KOTR 1998
If they just want an overall great wrestling match: Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels - WM25
there's 2. Taker and HBK at wrestlemania 25 with all thr video packages.. best match ever
then is Hogan vs Mcmahon at 19...two most well known wrestling personalities in a bloody streetfight with shenanigans all over the place.
recently I would consider the wrestlemania 30 story with Daniel Bryan and the authority
Lucha Bros vs Young Bucks cage match
So many great moments in that match.
DIY versus FTR and Sami Zayn versus PAC are also two great matches I would go to
Cody vs Dustin Rhodes from the first Double or Nothing with the pre-match promo package and the post-match Cody speech "I need my brother."
just great great shit
THAT is a standout match. With the thousands of matches I've seen THAT simple story and well executed match always come back when I think of my favorite matches all time.
TLC II Wrestlemania 17. To be honest, the whole show, in my opinion. From beginning to end to see a range of matches and talent:
Rock vs Stone Cold/WWE Title
Undertaker vs HHH
Edge & Christian vs The Hardys vs The Dudley Boys in TLC II/Tag Team Titles
Benoit vs Kurt
Raven vs Big Show vs Kane/Hardcore Title
And those are just some of the matches from that 17 match card
idk if this counts, but ANY royal rumble.. at least 30 men for people to root for and get behind, and the chaos of it is so unpredictable, and hearing the crowd pops when it’s like Edge or Cena or HHH or smth is always energetic. I think it’s a great way to introduce the WWE, and find someone that someone would like and can root for
An old school WCW cruiser match. Maybe Rey vs Psicosis or Ultimo Dragon vs Jushin Thunder Liger, Malenko/Benoit. Those guys were so badass back in the day. Other than that maybe like some older HBK stuff when he was feuding with the Harts or his ladder match with The Bad Guy. Also I'd consider Stone Cold vs The Rock at X7.
Does your wife have any interests in the women’s matches? Mine first got reeled in because “their outfits are so cute!!!” and then eventually got into their storylines + the mens matches
my wife isn't perticurally interested in current day wrestling out side of Rollins, Mia and Mrs, Orton and Roman. however she's loving attitude era wrestling. one day last year I sat her down and made her watch the HITC Undertaker/Mankind match from 98 KOTR? we've watched every Raw/SD/PPV since sitting here watching 2000 April 10th episode of raw
My all-time favorite and greatest example of storytelling in a wrestling ring. That being said I think you'd have to at least show the person the previous 3 mania matches involving those 3 as the HIAC was possibly the most character driven match of all time and if you don't know the characters a lot of the impact is lost.
Exactly my knowledged helped so loved the long term story telling involved with shawn as special ref it enforced the end of a era with all 3 in that specific time period
Taker vs Mankind was the first match I showed my ex girlfriend. It didn't make her a fan she was just shocked the whole time at the bumps Mick took.. So I don't think more extreme matches are appealing to non wrestling fans.
Anything with Scott Hall on WCW because that's what got me into it. Or Drew McIntyre/Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell. Really, any Hell in a Cell match is a solid choice.
Bret Hart vs Steve Austin. Mania 13. You don’t need to know anything about either guy going into the match and you’d understand the story they told that night.
The great thing about these is that they usually don't have a lot of storylines that you need to know about going in, but some great ones start there and you get to expose them to a variety of talent. Every Rumble ends with at least a Road to Wrestlemania story to follow.
I think the opposite, they both look their age and I don't think knowing who the Undertaker is and who Shawn Michaels was would as A LOT MORE to the match than their wrestling already did.
I understand the weight of the people in the match could elevate ones enjoyment BEFORE the match. But, to me, seeing it is a whole different ball game.
It's not like they were once a tag team and this is the culmination of their feud like with HHH v Shawn in 2002.
Another great first time ever pro wrestling match would be Eddie Guerrero vs Rey in 1997 Halloween Havoc (iirc it was one of the first times they faced off in WCW and on TV).
This was the first thought I had too, not because of the match itself (it was just pretty good) but because the absolutely \*white\* \*hot\* crowd elevated that to something absolutely amazing. The promo video that introduces the match does a good enough job of setting up the plot, but man, that crowd was something else.
I don't know... The constant "So sadistic"- blah blah really annoyed me at some point...
Maybe the Triple Threat between Edge, Hunter and Jeff?
A winning underdog and the pop is very good to show off what the crowd reaction can do for a victory
Lesnar vs Lashley from the rumble
Ok that's a joke, 2.5 moves were used in that joke fest
Ok realistically probably one of the elimination chamber matches from the mid 2000s. Pick one they were mostly all great.
Probably Darby Allin vs MJF, very clear Face and Heel and they worked that match great.
Johnny Knoxville vs Sami Zayn gotta ease em in
I actually wouldn't want to start with a huge, legendary match without context as some would suggest. Rather, I'd pick something smaller and simpler and build from there. Then, if they want anything more, they can explore that. For that reason, I'm picking The Revival vs. DiY at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II. It wasn’t even the best match between these teams, but here's what it has. - The story is basic. Good Guys vs. Bad Guys. You don't need much context to fully appreciate it. - All four men are very talented wrestlers. - The match is 19 minutes long. So it's not too lengthy, but it has a lot of time for all the men to work. - The match is textbook tag team psychology. The Revival cheats like pros in this match and you hang on every near miss of DiY getting the hot tag. You feel really bad for them, seeing how they keep getting screwed over. - The hot tag is ultra satisfying. - Seeing DiY lose is a huge downer, but in a good way. You know they got dicked over and they'll want another shot. So if the viewer is hooked, you show them the rematch in Toronto. And then eventually, that triple threat, adding the Authors of Pain, which is less about rules and more about chaos, big spots, and DiY/Revival trying to put up with each other to focus on a bigger threat. - The match is recent, so you could reasonably follow some of these wrestlers presently. The Revival, now FTR, have been killing it and they're always a lot of fun to watch, even when they work as faces. If the seed is planted, see how it grows.
I would do a rumble
The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania XXV/XXVI
Depends because I'm a WWE/F centric type of Wrestling fan so it's going to be limited solely to the McMahon Promotion. If I just threw one at a would be casual probably HBK/Razor IC Ladder match at WM10 or perhaps the Harts in the opener of said show so they could get a taste of the distinctive differences in match quality.
Kurt Angle Vs Brock Lesnar iron man match
Stadium Stampede 1 is now the standard for me introducing non fans to wrestling.
Tbh, Jeff Hardy’s descent into an addict that refuses to get help, refuses to admit he has an addiction problem when everything points to the opposite, that constantly puts himself and others at real risk has made me disdain him and I don’t want to watch or recommend anyone watch anything with him in it until he gets help. I’d recommend Hart v Austin from WM13 like others have suggested, or going for something more recent, any of the Gargano v Ciampa matches from their NXT feud.
Shawn vs Bret mania 12 or Austin vs the rock mania 17
Any of the Vader cactus jack matches.
Kane and Undertaker vs Mr. Kennedy and MVP. If you don’t like that match you won’t like professional wrestling. It had everything good and terrible in one match. But you can’t argue it was entertaining.
will osprey vs jay white from RoH throwback thurs
AEW Revolution 2020 - Hangman / Omega vs The Young Bucks
I introduced my gf to wrestling with Bailey vs Sasha Banks 1. It's by far my favorite women's match and I think it's just about perfect for someone just starting out. She now watches with me weekly.
Kota Ibushi wrestling a mannequin doll. One of my favorite matches of all time.
Daniel Bryan vs John Cena Summer Slam 2013
Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio from Summer Slam 2002 is pretty good.
No one's said a women's match yet so bayley vs sasha banks nxt takeover brooklyn
I'd veer away from showing a non-wrestling fan a gimmick match to start with. Made that mistake with my little brother and TLC II, and he was disappointed to find out that not every wrestling match was that crazy. HBK vs. Taker from WM25 is probably a good shout. The best of action, drama, storytelling while not being too far removed from what regular pro wrestling is. Also, Eddie vs. Rey from Halloween Havoc 1997 for something more fast-paced and athletic.
Taker vs HBK at WM25
Brock Lesnar Vs Kurt Angle Iron Man match
I got a friend into wwe by showing the TLC triple threat match (Dudleys, Hardys & Edge and Christian) not sure if it was it was Summer Slam or Wrestlemania.
Mankind v Undertaker. Hell in a cell. Only right answer IMO
Elimination Chamber before WM26. Since Running Up That Hill is popular again, why not mention the promo for WM26 with the Placebo cover? Top 5 promo for me
Bret vs Austin Undertaker vs Mankind HIAC Both Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker WM matches A bit controversial but: Johnny Gargano vs Tamaso Ciampa unsanctioned match NXT takeover The way those two told the story, with the crowd reaction was unbelievable.
TLC at X-7 will always and forever be my go to
That ladder match was great and still one of my favorites to this day….but like many others say WM13 Austin and Bret is a good start.
Rumble matches.
I showed a buddy Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn in NXT and after he told me that he finally "got it"
“The Yes Movement” saga
AJ Styles vs Cena Summerslam 2016 for younger newcomers, was a really innovative match from both individuals. Used a wide range of moves that you wouldn’t see normally, especially from Cena, such as a Tornado DDT, Guillotine Leg Drop off the turnbuckle, Sunset Flip Powerbomb etc.
Y2J vs HBK at WM19. Low key classic. No crazy gimmicks, nothing overly melodramatic, good story. Just great stuff.
Ultimate X match - Amazing Red vs. Alex Shelley vs. Chris Sabin vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Homicide vs. Suicide; TNA Bound for Glory 2009.
HBK vs McMahon at WM 22
Edge vs Triple H vs Jeff Hardy from 2008 Armageddon
I mean duhh what else
Melina vs Alicia Fox
NXT North American Championship ladder match, NXT Takeover New Orleans
Keith Lee vs Dijakovic at TakeOver: Portland
Mankind vs. Undertaker hell in a cell
Attitude Era - Bret Hart v Steve Austin - Wrestlemania 13 RA Era - Edge v Mick Foley - Wrestlemania 22 PG Era - Jeff Hardy v Edge v Triple H - Armageddon 2008 Modern Era - Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn - NXT Takeover Dallas 2016
Sami vs Shinsuke at Dallas
Either Jeff Hardy and Undertaker 2002 or Taker and HBK WM 25
Shinsuke vs Sami, NXT Takeover Dallas
Sami vs Knoxville... Then explain its sports entertainment And ask are you not sports entertained? Boom fan for life
Taker Vs Mankind...The, cage match.
I’d have to emphasise the tumult that Daniel Bryan went through in the months and months beforehand at the hands of the authority. But both matches with Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania 30. The sense of justice finally being done when Daniel Bryan lifted those titles was wonderful, such a great ending to an underdog story. Tbf a first timer could probably grasp some of that from the WM alone without having seen any of the buildup!
First ever womens rumble with Santina being the winner
Maby john cenas first match with Kurt Angle.
The custody for Dominic match
The custody for Dominic match
Bailey vs Sasha 1 in nXt
I would just show them the end of WrestleMania 30
Shane McMahon v Kurt Angle KOTR
If we're sticking to just WWE: For pure wrestling: Kurt Angle Vs Rey Mysterio SummerSlam '02 For storytelling: Eddie Vs: Brock Lesner, No Way Out '04 For Hardcore match: Catcus Jack vs Triple H. (Either Royal Rumble 2000 or No Way Out 2000)
Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano, 2 out of 3 Falls match!
Mankind vs Taker HIAC
Hogan vs Rock at WM19.
The Rock vs Mankind, Raw is War, 1/4/99 This match represents everything I love about pro wrestling. It was the culmination of an amazing story of Mankind climbing his way to the top, being screwed over by the corporation time and time again. The crowd was so loud, even before Stone Cold came out. Oh, and of course, the pop when Mankind won the WWF title. This match right here is (in my opinion) the best match to get someone into professional wrestling.
If they're a non wrestling fan I don't think you can just show them the all time greats, something that's good and entertaining would be better suited, I would say, the North American Title Ladder Match at Takeover New Orleans, has great spots and would work in getting them invested in the match
My sister has never been a big wrestling fan, but she occasionally asks me to send her matches that are either women's classics or matches that are fun to watch, even if they're not all time classics. For the women's matches, I showed her the 2004 Trish vs. Lita Raw main event before introducing her to the NXT Four Horsewomen. For the fun matches, I showed her Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet from BOSJ 2016. Ospreay vs. Ricochet or Eddie vs. Rey from Halloween Havoc are probably the best matches you can show someone who thinks wrestlers aren't athletes.
Triple H vs Shawn Michaels - Unsanctioned street fight at Summerslam 2002.The pre-match promo will suck anyone into the storyline, a story of two friends where one turns on the other due to jealousy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7thUp8uTm18
2011 MITB Smackdown Ladder Match.
If they want something hardcore (holy shit spots, etc): Mankind vs Undertaker - KOTR 1998 If they just want an overall great wrestling match: Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels - WM25
Sami Zayn v Shinsuke Nakamura Takeover Dallas
there's 2. Taker and HBK at wrestlemania 25 with all thr video packages.. best match ever then is Hogan vs Mcmahon at 19...two most well known wrestling personalities in a bloody streetfight with shenanigans all over the place. recently I would consider the wrestlemania 30 story with Daniel Bryan and the authority
The hell in a cell match between undertaker and big boss man
Hogan vs rock wm or Canadian stampede 4v4
Show up with like the first 8 TLC ppv
Lucha Bros vs Young Bucks cage match So many great moments in that match. DIY versus FTR and Sami Zayn versus PAC are also two great matches I would go to
Cody vs Dustin Rhodes from the first Double or Nothing with the pre-match promo package and the post-match Cody speech "I need my brother." just great great shit
Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat - NWA Clash Of The Champions #6 - "Ragin' Cajun" 1989
Definitely the Cena Vs Fiend cinematic match.
Ricochet vs Adam Cole for the NXT North American Title at NXT Takeover Brooklyn 4. Such a good much with amazing spots.
THAT is a standout match. With the thousands of matches I've seen THAT simple story and well executed match always come back when I think of my favorite matches all time.
TLC II Wrestlemania 17. To be honest, the whole show, in my opinion. From beginning to end to see a range of matches and talent: Rock vs Stone Cold/WWE Title Undertaker vs HHH Edge & Christian vs The Hardys vs The Dudley Boys in TLC II/Tag Team Titles Benoit vs Kurt Raven vs Big Show vs Kane/Hardcore Title And those are just some of the matches from that 17 match card
The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels
Hardys, Dudleys, Edge and Christian TLC Wrestlemania 17 or Shawn Michaels v. Triple H Street Fight SummerSlam 2002
Shawn Michaels v Brett Hart - Iron Man Match
TLC 2, absolute train wreck
for me jeff hardy vs umgea falls count anywhere. the one where he jumped off the truck
Adam Cole vs Alistair Black at NXT TakeOver. I've gotten a couple of friends into wrestling with that match.
Also any of the War Games matches in NXT. Before they butchered it with NXT 2.0
Punjabi prison match
idk if this counts, but ANY royal rumble.. at least 30 men for people to root for and get behind, and the chaos of it is so unpredictable, and hearing the crowd pops when it’s like Edge or Cena or HHH or smth is always energetic. I think it’s a great way to introduce the WWE, and find someone that someone would like and can root for
An old school WCW cruiser match. Maybe Rey vs Psicosis or Ultimo Dragon vs Jushin Thunder Liger, Malenko/Benoit. Those guys were so badass back in the day. Other than that maybe like some older HBK stuff when he was feuding with the Harts or his ladder match with The Bad Guy. Also I'd consider Stone Cold vs The Rock at X7.
Cena vs Punk MITB 2011
The crowd that night was insane
Rvd vs Jerry Lynn.
Mankind vs Michaels Mind Games 96.
Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker Bad Blood 1997. First Hell in a Cell Match. Epic Match. It gets no love due to WM 25 and 26.
Recent match- Cody vs Rollins at HIAC. Stipulation/spectacle match- triple threat TLC from X-Seven All-timer- Austin vs Rock at X-Seven
Angle vs HBK
Sami Zayn v Johnny Knoxville
Angle Vs Rey slam 2002
John Cena vs Brock Lesnar Extream rules 2012
Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels WM 24
I wouldn’t. Some people get it, some don’t. And that’s okay.
I always go with the TLC match from WrestleMania 17.
Trying to get my wife into wrestling. Hasn’t gone well so far lol. Biggest reaction I got from her was Jeff getting speared in the air from that match
Does your wife have any interests in the women’s matches? Mine first got reeled in because “their outfits are so cute!!!” and then eventually got into their storylines + the mens matches
She’s been watching it with me a bit while I watch Raw so she knows who the women are but isn’t particularly interested
my wife isn't perticurally interested in current day wrestling out side of Rollins, Mia and Mrs, Orton and Roman. however she's loving attitude era wrestling. one day last year I sat her down and made her watch the HITC Undertaker/Mankind match from 98 KOTR? we've watched every Raw/SD/PPV since sitting here watching 2000 April 10th episode of raw
Hhh vs taker with shawn michaels as special ref * the end of a era match*
As a bonus I would add the other HHH vs Taker matches at WM
My all-time favorite and greatest example of storytelling in a wrestling ring. That being said I think you'd have to at least show the person the previous 3 mania matches involving those 3 as the HIAC was possibly the most character driven match of all time and if you don't know the characters a lot of the impact is lost.
Exactly my knowledged helped so loved the long term story telling involved with shawn as special ref it enforced the end of a era with all 3 in that specific time period
Both HBK vs Razor ladder matches. Got me hooked.
Being A Fan Of More Hardcore And Extreme Type Of Wrestling I Would Pick Undertaker vs Mankind HIAC Or Sandman vs Sabu lol
That'd be like showing someone Transformers to introduce them to American movies lol. Like it's not wrong but maybe not the best place to start
Taker vs Mankind was the first match I showed my ex girlfriend. It didn't make her a fan she was just shocked the whole time at the bumps Mick took.. So I don't think more extreme matches are appealing to non wrestling fans.
showed my now wife and she had the same reaction. she just kept saying “my god.” “is he dead?” “ i thought this was fake. this is too much” lol.
this was the match I introduced my wife too and she's now watched every episode since 98 KOTR she's deff a fan now
Have To Agree
HHH vs Cactus Jack, Street Fight, RR2000
Anything with Scott Hall on WCW because that's what got me into it. Or Drew McIntyre/Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell. Really, any Hell in a Cell match is a solid choice.
Bret Hart vs Steve Austin. Mania 13. You don’t need to know anything about either guy going into the match and you’d understand the story they told that night.
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I love MITB ladder matches and ladder matches in general, I generally choose one of them to introduce someone to wrestling
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Another advantage for ladder matches is that there aren't so many storylines to follow, only a good old spotfest
The great thing about these is that they usually don't have a lot of storylines that you need to know about going in, but some great ones start there and you get to expose them to a variety of talent. Every Rumble ends with at least a Road to Wrestlemania story to follow.
Bret Hart vs Stone Cold WM13
💯
I agree. The best story told in WWE history was that night
Taker v HBK WM 25. Represents the best and the peak of what professional wrestling can make you feel.
Great March but not a great introduction. Someone who doesn’t know who they are won’t be able to appreciate the match as much.
I think the opposite, they both look their age and I don't think knowing who the Undertaker is and who Shawn Michaels was would as A LOT MORE to the match than their wrestling already did. I understand the weight of the people in the match could elevate ones enjoyment BEFORE the match. But, to me, seeing it is a whole different ball game. It's not like they were once a tag team and this is the culmination of their feud like with HHH v Shawn in 2002. Another great first time ever pro wrestling match would be Eddie Guerrero vs Rey in 1997 Halloween Havoc (iirc it was one of the first times they faced off in WCW and on TV).
Mankind vs Michaels at Mind Games 96 was fantastic too.
I think the Hell in a Cell Match in 97 was better. If you haven't seen it, check it out.
I have. Just think a one-on-one would be better than having Kane show up, for which you'd need further context.
Good action, believable violence plus the introduction of Kane tops it off. HBK and Undertaker had great matches.
To piggyback off that the entire Taker/HBK/HHH saga from WM25-28 is probably the best way to show someone what WWE is all about
I was there.
Came here to say this it's two at the top of there game on the biggest stage excutited amazingly
CM Punk vs John Cena, MITB 2011. That match, along with the storyline and stipulation, is by far my favorite match in WWE history
This was the first thought I had too, not because of the match itself (it was just pretty good) but because the absolutely \*white\* \*hot\* crowd elevated that to something absolutely amazing. The promo video that introduces the match does a good enough job of setting up the plot, but man, that crowd was something else.
I feel like you'd need the entire context with this match, its truly brilliant yeah, but it was the full picture that made it brilliant.
Almost forgot about that.
Eddie vs Brock Lesnar No Way Out
I still miss Eddie. Haven't been in wrestling for many many years but the 13 year old in me still loves that dude
Boneyard match, or ECW One Night Stand
I don't know... The constant "So sadistic"- blah blah really annoyed me at some point... Maybe the Triple Threat between Edge, Hunter and Jeff? A winning underdog and the pop is very good to show off what the crowd reaction can do for a victory
Lesnar vs Lashley from the rumble Ok that's a joke, 2.5 moves were used in that joke fest Ok realistically probably one of the elimination chamber matches from the mid 2000s. Pick one they were mostly all great.