Although WWE fans may complain that the product is weaker nowadays than it was back in the Attitude Era, one aspect of WWE that has evolved and flourished even more in recent years is the in-ring action.
Sure, the quality of storylines and promos may have decreased to some degree, but the wrestlers are constantly wrestling brilliant matches, especially on PPV.
With the returning brand split in July, there have been more PPVs than ever as of late. Still, even with the crowded schedule, the in-ring excellence has remained. Whether they’re in dream matches between some of the best wrestlers in the world, or in the workhorse Intercontinental Title matches, WWE’s in-ring talent never fail to excite.
So, which have been the best matches of this year thus far? Let’s find out, as I rank the 5 best WWE matches so far in 2016.
#5 Extreme Rules Fatal 4-Way: Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn vs Cesaro vs The Miz (Intercontinental Championship):
Somehow, these four men exceeded the already lofty expectations placed on this bout by fans. With four extremely talented in-ring performers involved, fans knew they would steal the show. Not only did they achieve that, they also wrestled one of the best matches of the year (so far).
Awesome false finishes, high-octane energy, and big moves; this match was absolutely spectacular. Unlike the Wrestlemania 32 ladder match, this bout highlighted the storytelling for each competitor throughout, with a number of sub-plots taking place.
Whether it was Zayn and Owens’ continuous rivalry, Cesaro and Miz’s bad blood, or Zayn and Cesaro’s mutual respect, there was never a moment where fans didn’t have a reason to care about what was occurring.
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Each man had an equal chance of winning as well, as fans didn’t see Miz as a permanent champion. This made the crowd even louder for each big move and near fall, as the four men kept fans on the edge of their seats with some awesome sequences.
Each superstar had their time in the spotlight as well, with each man looking dominant at some point in the bout.
The finish was wonderfully told, as Zayn’s issues with Owens caused him to lose focus, while Miz sneaked in to steal the win as he escaped with the title. Overall, a wonderful bout between four tremendous in-ring workers, as they stole the show in a terrific Fatal 4-way.
#4 No Mercy - Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz (Intercontinental Championship):
How this wasn’t the main event of the PPV still baffles me, as this was one of the best matches all year compared to the slow and plodding Orton vs Wyatt bout we got instead to close the show. With the two men’s splendid chemistry, the incredibly high stakes and a hot crowd, Miz and Ziggler wrestled one of the best matches of their respective careers.
With Ziggler’s career on the line, the incredible emotion surrounding this bout had fans jumping out of their seats at every pinfall. Miz’s great heel work meshed perfectly with Ziggler’s resilience and heart, as he fought off every trick Miz had to throw at him.
This led to a tremendous ovation when he finally beat the A-Lister, as the climax was assisted perfectly by the build-up. Even the Spirit Squad and Maryse’s interference was justified, as they were a factor in the lead-up to this bout. After a wonderful build, they had finally clashed in this third bout at No Mercy, producing a storytelling masterpiece.
The high drama and emotion combined with the two men’s incredible in-ring chemistry led to a classic bout, and a monumental win for Ziggler. Overall, a fantastic matchup at No Mercy between the two men that is considered one of the best WWE matches so far in 2016.
#3 Battleground - Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn:
Already competing in a stellar bout at Payback, Owens and Zayn outclassed their previous effort with a match of the year candidate at Battleground. A perfect climax (for now) to the rivalry that started back in 2014 in NXT, Owens and Zayn tore the house down with an insane bout that had fans in awe.
The number of incredible spots was amazing, as they only added to the already emotional matchup. The brainbuster on the apron was mind-boggling, and the back-to-back exploder suplexes earned a standing ovation from the Washington crowd.
The in-ring storytelling was top notch also, as the underdog Zayn fought back with everything he had against the arrogant bully Owens. This storytelling throughout the match climaxed beautifully with the finish, which saw Zayn finally overcome his long-time foe with two Helluva kicks.
The crowd was incredibly hot as well, reacting to every near fall and big spot from the bitter rivals. The two men’s ridiculously strong chemistry elevated the bout even further, and it will be a delight to see them clash in future with a title on the line.
Even though Zayn hasn’t garnered as much success as fans may have wanted, this huge win and incredible encounter with Owens established the Underdog from the Underground as one of the best in-ring workers in the entire company.
Owens had already proved to fans that he was amazing in the ring, but this further cemented his ability to steal the show from anyone and everyone. Overall, an extraordinary bout that had fans ecstatic, as Owens and Zayn ended their feud (for now) with a bang.
#2 Summerslam - AJ Styles vs John Cena:
Instant Classic. Those two words sum up this match perfectly, as Styles and Cena’s much-anticipated dream match exceeded the hype. After already wrestling a tremendous bout at Money in the Bank, the two men somehow orchestrated an even better matchup at the Biggest Party of the Summer.
With an incredible build after both men being drafted to Smackdown Live in July, Styles and Cena delivered when it mattered, entertaining the Brooklyn crowd so much that they peaked halfway through the PPV.
Incredibly hot for the encounter, the crowd elevated the matchup even further, as shades of CM Punk vs Cena were present in the insane support for the Phenomenal One over Cenation. It wasn’t just the hot crowd that made this match special, however. It was the two performers.
Producing a spectacular match with awesome moves, sequences and counters; springboard frankensteiners, rapid-fire finishers, and incredible near falls had fans on their feet. Styles and Cena stole the show with ease, proving why they are both considered two of the best wrestlers in the world.
Even though the in-ring action and build were fantastic, the finish is what will be talked about for years to come. Shockingly kicking out of an Avalanche AA, Styles countered a second AA, hitting Cena with the Styles Clash, followed by the Phenomenal Forearm, pinning Cena clean.
This evoked a huge ovation from the crowd (and fans across the world), as Styles was firmly cemented as a top star in the WWE. Now holding the WWE World Championship, Styles proved at Summerslam why he is the new “Face that Runs the Place”.
Even though he lost clean, Cena once again proved why he is one of the best in-ring workers in the world, despite the heavy criticism he receives. Overall, Styles and Cena delivered on the anticipation for their dream match, wrestling a 5-star classic and one of the best matches in recent memory.
What could possibly beat that? Leave it to NXT.
#1 Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn (NXT - Takeover Dallas):
The match of the year for 2016. Even though Styles vs Cena occurred on the larger stage of Summerslam, nothing this year has or will beat this epic encounter that took place in April. Outclassing every match that followed and preceded it so far in 2016, Nakamura vs Zayn was special.
Not only were the crowd one of the hottest in years, chanting and cheering for both men fanatically, but the stiff and intense in-ring action was a testament to Nakamura’s Japanese wrestling origins. Many fans worried that Nakamura’s ‘strong style’ that he perfected in Japan wouldn’t be fully embraced in WWE. Boy, were they wrong.
Nakamura was stiff, hard-hitting and intense, and Zayn countered with a similar style, leading to a number of incredible sequences throughout the bout. Neither man was booed, so every wrestling sequence was followed by applause and cheers, and this sort of environment led to magic.
Yes, it may sound a little ridiculous to refer to wrestling as magic, but Nakamura vs Zayn was a beautiful work of art, and it deserves to be described as ‘wrestling magic’.
The fact that this was Nakamura’s WWE debut made it that much more memorable, and with a dream opponent in Zayn facing him, the Dallas crowd had every right to be as hot as they were.
Arguably the best part of the bout occurred when the two men traded vicious forearms back and forth for minutes, evoking a standing ovation from the already ecstatic audience. With Zayn on his way out of NXT and Nakamura just getting started, this was the ultimate passing of the torch, and it was spectacular.
With two of the best in-ring workers in the world facing off in a dream match that exceeded expectations, in front of one of the hottest crowds in recent WWE history, there is just nothing that can beat this match. A 5-star, legendary bout that will go down as the best WWE match of 2016.
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