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February couldn't match the quality of the matches we saw in WWE in January. This doesn't say the best of things about the build to WrestleMania. Elimination Chamber was a disappointing pay-per-view, for example.
Nonetheless, February gave us some truly unique matches, a reboot of 205 Live, and a fantastic rematch between two guys who just can't seem to have a bad showing when they're in the ring together.
#10 SAnitY vs. The Undisputed Era (NXT, February 7th)
This 6-man tornado match was something rarely seen in WWE these days, as was the backstage brawl. This match wasn't the best showing from these competitors, who put on a far more impressive display in their War Games match in November, but it was still a fun showing that still managed to be better than the Elimination Chamber matches that took place later in the month.
#9 Roderick Strong vs. Hideo Itami (205 Live, February 6th)
Roderick Strong made a significant splash on 205 Live when he beat Hideo Itami in his first match. The victory for strong was something of an upset, as many expected Itami to go far on the purple brand. Infamously, Itami seemed to imply that his future in WWE will be short after this contest.
That shouldn't take anything away from the match, though. Both men impressed. They did so well that the normally dead post-SmackDown crowd got into things as the competition heated up. Roderick Strong has a bright future on the brand.
#8 Bobby Roode vs. Rusev (SmackDown, February 6th)
The blue brand has struggled mightily of late, but this match showed how good Rusev can be when you give him a chance.
Bobby Roode and Rusev went back and forth and exchanged thrilling near-falls. The crowd was clearly behind Rusev to win and was disappointed when he didn't, but the match gave fans their money's worth.
#7 John Cena vs. The Miz (Raw, February 12th)
This match was probably better than their forgettable WrestleMania 27 main event. A strong back and forth affair with some thrilling near-falls, these two opened Raw to great fanfare. The stakes involved in the match raised its profile as well since the loser would enter the Elimination Chamber match first.
Both men kicked out of each other's finishers, adding some unpredictability to the contest, but ultimately John Cena would finish his rival off with a Super Attitude Adjustment. The crowd clearly appreciated both of their efforts as they got a standing ovation.
#: Apollo Crews vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. Matt Hardy (Raw, February 12th)
This "second chance" fatal 4 way soon turned into a fatal 5 way. Each man in it gave us thrills. Even Apollo Crews looks more relevant than he's ever been. It's usually difficult for multi-man matches like this to find a rhythm, especially since we've seen so many of them, but this one did.
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor's joint victory put both of them in the Elimination Chamber, which was an outcome that most people wanted to see.
#5 Asuka vs. Bayley (Raw, February 5th)
While not as good as their NXT matches or the Asuka/Banks match the week before, this was good for the best women's match of the month. In taking on Asuka, Bayley got to show how good she is to an audience that might have forgotten thanks to her bad booking over the past year. Asuka, meanwhile, showed just how tough she is to beat.
The match also acted as a vehicle to explore the tension between Sasha and Bayley, which was an added bonus.
#4 Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese (205 Live, February 13th)
205 Live has had a remarkable turnaround in the past month. What was once unwanted extra content has since become can't-miss. It's well on its way to living up to its moniker of the most exciting hour on WWE television.
This is mostly thanks to Triple H taking over and rebooting the program. The presentation is now close to the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic, with a tournament for the vacant Cruiserweight Championship to culminate at WrestleMania.
Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese was the best match of that tournament so far. Just as the show is changing, Drew Gulak changed. Drake Maverick wanted him to shed the politician image and get back into wrestling and that's what he did. Gulak, like a man possessed, snapped, destroyed Tony Nese at the end of their match, and made his intentions clear.
He must be considered a favourite to win.
#3 Roderick Strong vs. Pete Dunne (NXT, February 14th)
Take two of the grittiest, hardest-hitting superstars on the roster and put them in a match. What do you get? You get a great wrestling match, that's what!
Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong just went out there and beat the crap out of each other over the UK Championship. Both superstars hit each other hard, but Pete Dunne's small joint manipulation would pay off in the end, as he used it to escape the best Roderick Strong had to offer and then finish him off.
If you want to see the best of NXT this past month, this is a match you must watch.
#2 Gauntlet match (Raw, February 19)
Having one match take two-thirds of Raw was a bold decision. It's hard to rank the gauntlet match since it was many matches rolled into one, but as a whole, Seth Rollins carried its first hour into something spectacular.
By beating Roman Reigns and John Cena back-to-back, Seth Rollins showed the world that he was still a force to be reckoned with, and everyone was behind him.
The match dragged off from Rollins' elimination until Braun Strowman concluded things, but the former's performance was unforgettable.
#1 Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas (NXT, February 21)
They did it again.
Is it possible for these two to have a match that's just "good" and not spectacular?! It would appear not.
While this match didn't reach their classic at TakeOver: Philadelphia, it was still a tremendous contest, and the stakes were even higher. If Gargano lost, he would have to leave NXT.
Unfortunately for "Johnny Wrestling," that's precisely what happened, though not through any fault of his own. He had the champ beat, but Tommaso Ciampa screwed him out of a victory, taking advantage of a downed ref.
A tremendously-worked match with a heartbreaking ending, Gargano/Almas IV takes home February's gold.
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