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We saw the best Rumble match in a long time, but was it the best of the month?

The top 10 WWE matches of January 2018

In a flash, the first month of 2018 has come and gone. As far as WWE is concerned, the year looks promising. While the build to the Royal Rumble was lacklustre and Raw's 25th-anniversary episode was a big disappointment, we saw a slew of quality matches this month, some of which will be contenders in December for the match of the year award. Additionally, for the first time in years, the Royal Rumble, January's biggest highlight, delivered.

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Which were the best matches this month? Let's take a look at January's top 10.

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#10 Asuka vs. Nia Jax (Raw, January 15th)

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In what was Nia Jax's best Raw showing to date, we were treated to an enjoyable encounter that built up two favourites heading into the first women's Royal Rumble match.

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The dynamic in the match was Asuka's speed and striking ability against Nia's power and size and in my opinion, this match exceeded their two in NXT. Short enough to not expose Nia's weaknesses, the two competitors traded their offence until Asuka won on a technicality with a well-placed kick, leaving Nia looking strong heading into Philadelphia while preserving Asuka's streak.

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#9 AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (Royal Rumble)

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The Royal Rumble handicap match wasn't as good as it could have been, given the names involved, but it was a strong showing, the best of the night's undercard. While the Universal Championship match was a watered down and less electric version of the explosive SummerSlam main event last year, the handicap WWE Championship match was a solid display of wrestling in an intriguing angle.

The finish allowed AJ Styles to escape with his title intact while Kevin and Sami Zayn's bratty rebellion continued.

#8 Braun Strowman vs. Kane (Raw, January 29th)

This was perfect. Not every last man standing match needs to be a back and forth struggle. Kane has long overstayed his welcome since returning in October and has cooled Braun Strowman off from his summer highs.

This was a way for the new monster to put the old one out to pasture in decisive, convincing fashion.

Unfortunately, Kane might not be done just yet, but this was glorious to watch.

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#7 Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)

When NXT booked this match, it looked like it had driven itself into a corner. Shayna Baszler was pushed so hard in the build to this TakeOver that she could ill-afford a loss. At the same time, Ember's reign as champion has been precarious. She couldn't beat Asuka for the title and losing in her first TakeOver defence would have only solidified her as a geek that couldn't get the job done.

What to do?

Proving that it can always be trusted, NXT exploited Shayna Baszler's MMA background to deliver some vicious offence on Ember Moon's arm, almost taking her out of the match. The champion refused to tap, showing heart and grit, escaping with her title intact via her abilities on the mat, which Shayna might not have been as experienced in.

The result was that Shayna got over as a bullying heel. Ember got over as a heroic fighting champion, and both kept their momentum. Everybody won.

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#6 Asuka vs. Sasha Banks (Raw, January 29th)

In what was easily the best women's match of the year so far, Asuka and Sasha Banks tore each other apart on this week's Raw. The Empress prevailed, but not by much. Sasha looked better than she has in a year, dangerous botch aside.

If this was a test of a potential WrestleMania match, it passed with flying colours. There are scant few people that wouldn't be interested in part two on a bigger stage, with more time, preparation, and build. It would be exactly what the Raw Women's Championship needs after the doldrums of Alexa Bliss' reign.

#5 Women's Royal Rumble match

There were a ton of doubters, but the first women's Royal Rumble match was a resounding success. The current roster, returning legends, and NXT talent paid tribute to the past, present, and future of women's wrestling in one match. Though honestly, I would have preferred to see fewer legends and more NXT talent who could have used the exposure more.

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Regardless, it succeeded in getting key players on the roster over and had the right winner in Asuka. Ronda Rousey did appear, but it didn't affect the match, and in most ways that was the best of both worlds.

#4 Men's Royal Rumble match

In recent years, the Royal Rumble match has become an event of trepidation rather than excitement among the WWE faithful. Year after year this decade, the company picked winners that were less than palatable.

This year, the company finally reversed that trend. In a thrilling setup, we saw the previous winners get whittled down until it was only Roman Reigns and Shinsuke Nakamura standing. Philadelphia held its breath, thinking that the company would troll it yet again, but Nakamura prevailed, to a tremendous pop.

The victory set up what should certainly be a match of the year contender at WrestleMania between Nakamura and AJ Styles. Everyone left the Wells Fargo centre thrilled.

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#3 Johnny Gargano vs. Velveteen Dream (NXT, January 24th)

The go-home show TakeOver: Philadelphia saw a tremendous #1 contender's match between Johnny Gargano and Velveteen Dream. Proving the flamboyant Dream wrong in his doubting of him, Johnny Gargano prevailed and kept his ticket to the title match in Philly.

The match was as good a match as NXT TV has ever given us. Velveteen Dream proved once again that he's the next big thing in the company. His time will come, though worries of what the main roster will do to him must always be present.

Meanwhile, it heated up Johnny Gargano even further ahead of his instant classic in Philadelphia.

#2 Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)

When this was announced as a no-disqualification match, the NXT faithful knew they were in for something special. That can work against the performers though, as high anticipations leave much room for disappointment. That didn't happen. Black and Cole met expectations and more.

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In a total war which saw a slew of outside interference to keep other feuds alive, Aleister Black defeated Adam Cole. Yet, the setup left room for this feud to continue, and it should. There's plenty left to explore. Aleister Black and Adam Cole being the top feud in NXT for 2018 is a mouthwatering prospect.

#1 Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)

There was never a doubt about this one. Dave Meltzer and many others have called it the best match in NXT history. While I wouldn't go quite that far, there's no doubt it was a phenomenon and will surely be one of the 10 best WWE matches of 2018 (unless we see a string of truly stunning matches indeed).

After Adam Cole and Aleister Black tore the house down minutes earlier, Gargano and Almas had a tough act to follow, but they did it in spades.

For 30 minutes, these two waged a war for titles and honour. Zelina Vega's antics were appropriately placed as well and managed to get Candice LeRae, NXT's newest female competitor, over.

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After trading moves and near falls, the champion retained and gave another heartbreaking loss to Gargano, who was attacked by former partner Tomasso Ciampa when taking that long, hard walk up the ramp. This placement bugged me, as Ciampa screwing Gargano just as he was on the verge of triumph would have made for an even more powerful ending.

But beyond that, there's nothing to criticize about this match.

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Edited by
Tanya Rudra
 
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