15 Best World Heavyweight Championship Matches in WWE History

For all the wrestling fans, like me, who grew up watching the WWE in the Ruthless Aggression Era and whatever they call the era after that, the now-defunct World Heavyweight Championship holds a very special in their hearts.

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Once regarded as Triple H's personal property, the title then became the staple of the Blue Brand for the rest of its existence where it was proudly held by the likes of Edge, CM Punk, Batista and, of course, The Undertaker, who called the belt his Holy Grail.

Before it became a super Intercontinental title during its final years, the World Heavyweight Title was rated equally, maybe even higher, to the WWE Title by the fans and there was always a question on who the better World Champion is in the WWE.

In fact, there was a time period between 2007, when Batista and Undertaker had that universally acclaimed feud, and 2009, when Punk and Hardy shared the honour of holding the Big Gold Belt that it became the highest prize in WWE.

World Heavyweight Title matches always featured prominent superstars fighting for the belt, and was a staple of the main event of a grand number of pay per views.

As a small nostalgic trip, we take a look at the 15 best matches that were fought with the World Heavyweight Title on the line.

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#15 Undertaker vs Edge - TLC Match (One Night Stand 2008)

While not as technically sound as their WrestleMania encounter (about which we'll talk later), or as jaw-dropping as their stunning Hell in a Cell match at Summerslam, it was the TLC match between the Undertaker and Edge that had the most emotional factor attached to it.

It was not just about the World Heavyweight Title anymore and was way more personal at One Night Stand. It was about career this time.

After successfully defending the title against Edge at Backlash 2008, Undertaker was controversially stripped of the title when his submission move was deemed too dangerous.

Similarly, he was screwed off the title once again when he was not awarded the title after a count out win at Judgment Day.

Third time's the charm they say, but it wasn't to be for Taker, as not only was he fighting for the title he never lost, he was also fighting for one more thing - his Career!

With Edge being the master of TLC matches and the constant interference from La Familia, The Undertaker was definitely the underdog in this match.

However, the two veterans gave one of the best performers of their career to wrestle one of the best TLC matches in recent times.

After a 24-minute violent match, Undertaker took a huge bump that not only ended his quest for the World Heavyweight Title but also brought a storyline end to his WWE career.

#14 Kurt Angle(c) vs The Undertaker (No Way Out 2006)

This match is probably the only shining light in that rather horrendous period for the World Heavyweight Title throughout 2006, and why would it not be.

It featured two of the best professional wrestlers in the WWE at that time, and they shared stunning chemistry with each other.

This match had a WrestleMania show stealer written all over it, but, for some reason, took place a month before Mania 22 at No Way Out.

Kurt Angle's surprise World Heavyweight Title victory was the best thing that could have happened to the title after Batista's injury.

In the middle of his wrestling machine persona, Angle was regularly wrestling stunning matches and had successfully defended the title against Mark Henry at Royal Rumble. However, he was straight away challenged by The Undertaker, who returned after that match and somehow caused the ring to collapse.

In a match that had WrestleMania implications, Undertaker and Angle wrestled a barn-burner of a match for just shy of half an hour. A tremendous fusion of Taker's Brawling and Hard-Hitting style with Angle technical and mat wrestling, this encounter was easily the best World Heavyweight Title match in over two years.

Angle rightfully won the match after one of the most interesting finishing sequences, but this easily stands as the best among his 3 pay per view title defense.

#13 Edge(c) vs Alberto Del Rio vs Kane vs Rey Mysterio - Fatal 4 Way TLC Match (TLC 2010)

Kane's lengthy run as the World Heavyweight Champion in 2010 was a huge disappointment. His post-summer feud with The Undertaker delivered three underwhelming matches, and his subsequent feud with Edge had failed to generate enough curiosity from the fans. However, one can safely say that his reign came to an end in the best possible way when Kane faced Edge, Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio at TLC 2010.

With the entire feud revolving around the abduction of Paul Bearer in the initial phase, it was bound to bomb big time. However, Edge's victory over Kane allowed him to choose a stipulation of his choice for their TLC match and, as expected, he chose TLC.

At the same time, Mysterio and Del Rio were embroiled in their own personal rivalry, but their rivalry was suddenly fused with the World Title feud, turning this match into a Fatal-4-Way.

Considered a highly underrated match up, this 23-minute clash stole the show at the Toyota Center that night.

The presence of Mysterio and Del Rio kept the pace of the match, while Kane complemented them with his power and strength.

Del Rio and Mysterio took huge bumps during the course of the match, but it was Edge began his final World Heavyweight Title reign by knocking Kane down and unhooking the belt.

#12 John Cena(c) vs Edge - Last Man Standing (Backlash 2009)

It was really hard to separate Edge and John Cena for too long between 2006 and 2009 as the two constantly fighting for the World Titles. While their initial matches revolved around the WWE Title and featured the memorable TLC encounter at Unforgiven 2006, a lot had changed when they again came face to face three years later

Not only was it for a different World Title, this time, both had matured in the ring and the feud was way more personal this time out.

Their feud, which also involved Vickie Guerrero and Big Show, saw the two exchange the title at No Way Out and at 'Mania 25.

However, they saved the best for their final one-on-one match - A Last Man Standing Match at Backlash 2009.

For over 28 minutes, both superstars tried everything they had to keep their opponent down. Both men felt steel piercing through their bodies, tried running through the crowd and even got hit by finishing movers, but still managed to answer the count of 10.

Right when it seemed Cena was about to dispatch Edge, a massive chokeslam from Big Show into the spotlight rendered Cena unable to answer the 10 count.

#11 Batista(c) vs The Undertaker - WrestleMania 23

Although The Undertaker was 14-0 at Wrestlemania till 2006, he had not yet had that one breathtaking match at The Show of Shows.

His Rumble victory in 2007 gave him the opportunity to finally challenge for the top title at Wrestlemania.

His opponent, Batista, had been the blue brand's top guy for the past two years, on par with John Cena in the organization but despite the Rumble winner involved in this matchup, it was relegated to the mid-card for some weird reason.

Rumours are Batista and Taker were not happy with this decision and decided to make most of the time they were given and boy, what a treat it was for fans.

The crowd was red hot for both the superstars even before the bell rang. Neither of the two were great in-ring technicians, yet they managed to produce a clinical contest.

Batista started straight with a spear, something that we saw a few more times during the 16-minute showdown.

The moment of the match came when Batista powerslammed The Deadman through the announce table. Batista even tried the spinebuster/Batista-bomb combination late in the match, but 'Taker finally hit the Tombstone Piledriver to register his 15th Wrestlemania win.

So good was this encounter that it even overshadowed the subsequent Battle of the Billionaires as well as the WWE Title Main Event.

#10 Edge(c) vs Jeff Hardy - Ladder Match (Extreme Rules 2009)

There is no better dynamics for a WWE rivalry than a crowd favorite face superstar that the everyone loves to cheer and a vile, cocky heel that everyone loves to hate, and Jeff Hardy and Edge were respectively on the top of either list at the time of 2009 Extreme Rules. Their classic at Extreme Rules brought an end to this year-long fantastic rivalry.

After their World Title match at Judgment Day ended in a controversy, after Matt Hardy interfered and attacked Jeff Hardy, it made absolute sense to give Jeff his rematch at the next event.

And what better way to wrap up an awesome rivalry by fighting in a match that made each of them megastars - A Ladder Match.

It's not that often that you see two superstars main event two successive pay per views in the presence of John Cena, but, since this rivalry was more personal, this match went at last.

Ladders were shattered, bodies were broken in that 25-minute contest before Hardy trapped Edge and unhooked the title belt to bring an end to the show, or as everyone thought.

CM Punk rushed out, MITB briefcase in hand and a referee behind him, and pinned Hardy to win the World Title from him, ending the night and Hardy's reign on a sour note.

#9 Christian(c) vs Randy Orton - No Holds Barred(Summerslam 2011)

The Summer of 2011, also known as The Summer of Punk, can be labelled as the best period for the World Titles in the history of WWE.

While the pair of John Cena and CM Punk were engaged in one of the most heated feuds for the WWE Title, it was the Blue Brand's pair of Christian and Randy Orton who were continuously wrestling sensational matches for the World Heavyweight Title, and it all ended with this violent match at Summerslam 2011.

Already engaged in a rivalry since May, their rivalry became more personal and intense when Christian turned heel.

After losing the title to Christian at Money in the Bank when he was disqualified for hitting his opponent with a low blow after being spat on the face, Orton was granted another match at Summerslam for the World Heavyweight Title. The only difference this time - It was a No Holds Barred Match.

Fighting in the co-main event along with the WWE Title match, these two veterans stole the show from under the nose of Punk and Cena with this good ol' style hardcore match.

For over 23 minutes, the two completely battered each other with tables, kendo sticks, chairs, trash cans and their finishing moves.

The RKO to end the match stands as one of the best executed moves of all time as WWE closed the chapter of one of its best World Title feuds.

#8 Sheamus(c) vs Daniel Bryan - Two out of Three Falls Match (Extreme Rules 2012)

Now, this is what you expect from two superstars who are as talented and smooth in the ring as Daniel Bryan and Sheamus, not the horrendous, joke of a contest that we got to witness between the two at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Bryan's slow brewing heel turn also added more buzz and animosity to this rivalry.

Extreme Rules 2012 is one of the best WWE pay per view of all time, and this match is a big part of its success.

Unarguably the best pure technical match from this decade, this match stole the show on a night that had CM Punk and Chris Jericho tear each other apart and had Brock Lesnar's first WWE match in eight years.

The 2-out-of-3 falls stipulations played really well, for the vile challenger as he deliberately lost the first fall by disqualification before making the champion pass out on his submission move to level the score.

The last five minutes were as thrilling as a 'Mania main event, as Sheamus made a herculean style comeback to dispatch Bryan and win this instant classic.

#7 Chris Benoit(c) vs Triple H vs Shawn Michaels - Backlash 2004

It is a rare feat for a group of wrestlers to fight with each other on successive pay per views, that also in the main event match, and deliver two universally acclaimed matches that are, till this date, regarded as two of the best Triple Threat Matches in Professional Wrestling.

But if the names involved in the match are Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels and Triple H, then it possible that we can expect this result many a number of times.

After losing his title in probably the best main event in the history of WrestleMania, HHH was drafted to Smackdown and Michaels was made the No. 1 contender for Benoit's Title.

However, not only was HHH traded back to Raw the same week but he was also included into the match at Backlash, turning the Backlash main event into a hot sequel to the WrestleMania main event and into one of the hottest rematches of all time.

Just as expected, the match as sensational as the original encounter. With the match taking place in Canada, the crowd was red hot for the champion and booed both the challengers pretty heavily.

After a 30-minute brawl that saw each of the competitors taste their own blood, Benoit successfully made Michaels submit to the sharpshooter, as a reverse to the infamous Montreal Screwjob, to retain his title and bring an end to this sensational rivalry.

#6 Alberto Del Rio vs Christian - Ladder Match (Extreme Rules 2011)

This match was the culmination of a long journey for one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time.

As someone who grew up watching Christian wrestle with some of the biggest names in the wrestling world in the decade before this showdown, this classic has a very special place in my heart.

Staying in the shadow of his more successful best friend Edge for the majority of his career, Christian finally got his log due chance to fight for the World Title after Edge was forced to retire and relinquish the title due to injury.

This match was less about the rivalry between the two wrestlers. It was more about a long due quest of one of the most deserving WWE wrestler.

Del Rio played his part pretty well, constantly trying to stop his determined opponent on every step.

Even the outside interference from Del Rio's stooges wasn't enough to halt Christian's quest, as he finally climbed the top of the ladder to win the title.

With his best friend Edge watching from ringside, this was one of the most memorable feel-good moments in WWE history, as evident from the pop Christian's win generated.

#5 Edge(c) vs The Undertaker - WrestleMania XXIV

In 2007, Edge was the most hated heel in WWE. His Money in the Bank cash-in on a beaten, bloodied Deadman made him the top villain on the blue brand.

By the end of the year, these two, along with Batista, were involved in a heated three-way rivalry over the World Heavyweight Title.

With Edge holding the title and 'Taker winning the Elimination Chamber match to earn a title shot at Wrestlemania, the stage was set for the showdown between two superstars who were undefeated at Wrestlemania (Edge in singles competition).

For Edge, it was a chance to prove that he could end the legendary streak. For Undertaker, it was all about regaining his holy grail from which he was robbed several times by his opponent in the past year.

Closing the Show of Shows, the two wrestled an evenly contested match full of near falls and counter attacks. Spears were reversed into Chokeslams, Last Rides into Neck breakers and Tombstone Piledrivers into Edgecutions.

With the Referee knocked down, Edge attacked 'Taker with a camera, a deja vu from Survivor Series, but the Undertaker fought back with another Tombstone while a new referee ran to the ring in a jaw-dropping sequence.

Interference from Ryder and Hawkins allowed Edge to hit a spear for a close call. A second spear followed, which was countered into a Hell's Gate submission, giving Undertaker his second successive World Title victory at Wrestlemania.

A jaw-dropping encounter, this 24 minute classic was the last time a Smackdown match was the main event of Wrestlemania.

#4 Triple H(c) vs Booker T vs Chris Jericho vs Kane vs Rob Van Dam vs Shawn Michaels - Elimination Chamber (Survivor Series 2002)

It is always a big risk when introducing a new type of match in WWE because no one has any idea how the fans are going to react to the match itself.

Just ask the inventors of the Asylum Match, Punjabi Prison Match and Barbed Wire Cage Match how they felt after the horrendous response those matches got.

However, the moment the first ever Elimination Chamber match was announced, the whole wrestling world went into frenzy.

Scheduled for the Survivor Series pay per view in 2002 instead of the traditional elimination matches, this match, a mixture of Royal Rumble, Hell in a Cell and War Games, was so unique that no one knew how the match would pan out. Neither did the six participants - World Champion HHH, Shawn Micheals, Booker T, RVD, Kane and Chris Jericho - knew that they would create history when they put their bodies on the line in that demonic structure.

The match, itself, was a stunning affair from the opening bell to the closing bell. The six competitors nearly beat each other to death, with Triple H receiving the maximum amount of beating.

In fact, a botched frog splash from the top rope legitimately injured Triple H's larynx. 39 minutes and a lot of blood loss is what it took for Shawn Michaels to pin HHH to win his fourth World Title.

Even after 15 years, the image of Michaels waving his hand with the title on his shoulders remains an iconic image.

#3 Jeff Hardy(c) vs CM Punk - TLC Match (Summerslam 2009)

2009 was undoubtedly the best year for the World Heavyweight Title. From the stunning matches between John Cena and Edge in the first few months to the re-ignition of the acclaimed rivalry between Undertaker and Batista in the last few months, World Heavyweight Title reached the pinnacle of its 12-year history in 2009.

But, neither of this would have been possible without the best ever feud for that title - Hardy v Punk.

A rivalry between a red hot babyface and a hated villain is probably the best scenario for WWE. Punk's Money in the Bank cash in over Hardy at Money in the Bank, and his subsequent slow-burning heel turn and his straight edge lifestyle turned him into a hated villain, while Hardy was easily the biggest babyface at that time.

After two World title matches, the second of which saw Hardy regain the title, a grudge match, was scheduled between the two for Summerslam 2009.

Given the main event slot ahead of Cena-Orton and DX-Legacy matches, the two took full advantage of the opportunity given to them and wrestled one of the best TLC matches in recent memories.

Tables were shattered, ladders were bent, chairs were crushed and bodies were sacrificed in this instant classic. After 21 full minutes, Punk put the penultimate nail in Hardy's WWE career as he knocked him down and unhooked the title belt.

Oh, and The Undertaker returned and chokeslammed Punk. So, Happy Ending for everyone.

#2 Chris Jericho(c) vs Shawn Michaels - Ladder Match (No Mercy 2008)

Now, this is how you conclude one of the most intense and personal rivalries of all time. While their first feud back in 2003 was about Chris Jericho's obsession with Shawn Michaels and proving that he was the better wrestler, it became a lot more personal in 2008.

Jericho was now more vile and dangerous than he had ever been in his career, and his attack on Michaels, his wife and his eye turned him into the most hated man in the entire industry.

Just when everyone thought that they had witnessed the end of this Feud of the Year with that sensational Unsanctioned Match at Unforgiven, things took an unexpected turn for the good. Not only did Jericho became the World Heavyweight Champion, Michaels became the No.1 Contender for his Title for No Mercy. If that wasn't awesome enough, Michaels chose the stipulation that he helped make famous in WWE - A Ladder Match.

Rated as the match of the year by most of the wrestling fans, this match was a perfect example of the chemistry these two living legends had with each other.

Given the main event slot, these two sworn enemies battered and broke each other for a good 22 minutes.

The ending sequence was also perfectly executed, with both superstars holding an end of the title belt before Jericho knocked down Michaels, took possession of the belt and brought an end to this rivalry.

#1 Triple H(c) vs Chris Benoit vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XX)

Irrespective of what happened Chris Benoit did in his later life, we can not deny that he was a demon inside the ring.

He was never the type of wrestler who had what it takes to be the top guy. He was one of the best in-ring performers, no doubt, but lacked the charisma that WWE wanted in its top superstars.

Hence his Rumble victory, following an Iron-Man performance, was a pleasant surprise for the fans who were aware of his in-ring credentials.

His opponents, Triple H and Shawn Michaels had been embroiled in a heated rivalry for the past two years. Hence it made perfect sense for the two of them to finally end their rivalry on the Grand Stage.

The stage was set for a spectacular triple threat showdown at Madison Square Garden between three of the biggest superstars in WWE. Who would have thought they would end up wrestling the best match for that Championship?

Shawn Michaels was the glue that held the match together, taking a lot of beating and spending maximum time inside the ring.

In a 25-minute slugfest that brought out the best of the three participants, all the participants beat the crap out of each other.

That night, however, belonged to Chris Benoit, who completed his climb to the top of the WWE ladder and won the World Heavyweight Title in the main event of WrestleMania