5 best Fatal Four Way matches in WWE history

WWE has many match types that have become synonymous with the promotion. From Hell In A Cell and Elimination Chamber to Money In The Bank and TLC, the company has devoted its main events and even entire pay-per-views around these stipulations. A former major show that was based on a stipulation was Fatal Four Way.

The promotion has decided contenders and new champions in the Fatal Four Way match. Whether it be in singles or tag teams, there have been many memorable encounters under this famous match type. The constant action in the squared circle with four competitors makes it entertaining and consistently delivers fun contests.

WWE first introduced the Fatal Four Way match at the Final Four pay-per-view in 1997 with Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vader and the Undertaker competing to determine a new WWE Champion. With a long history to remember, let's take a look at the five best Fatal Four Way matches in WWE history.

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5.) Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman in a Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Universal Championship (WWE SummerSlam 2017)

Heading into WWE SummerSlam 2017, Brock Lesnar was the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion. After defeating Samoa Joe at Great Balls of Fire, the Beast Incarnate had a murderer's row of contenders looking to vie for his title in Joe, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. It was determined that the four men would compete for the gold in the main event of the show.

This was unique to every other Fatal Four Way that has taken place beforehand in the WWE. There were four competitors in the ring that were known for wrecking their opponents, so there was plenty of chaos in this one. Brock Lesnar was his usual self, suplexing anyone in sight, but he was faced with a new challenge.

Braun Strowman was just as powerful as Lesnar and overwhelmed the Beast with his strength. His destruction of Brock left the Universal Champion in a heap under the announce table at ringside. Samoa Joe had his moments to own the spotlight with his signature offense, while Roman Reigns sold wonderfully for every other superstar.

The finish saw Brock hit the F-5 on Reigns to retain the WWE Universal Championship. It was a complete heavyweight slugfest that left carnage in its wake. All four superstars looked fantastic and played their roles well. It was an excellent Fatal Four Way that gave a memorable ending to SummerSlam 2017.

4) Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch vs. Bayley in a Fatal Four Way Match for the NXT Women's Championship (NXT TakeOver: Rival)

When asked about the most desired matchups in WWE today, a Fatal Four Way match between the Four Horsewomen of Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Bayley is often mentioned. However, some fans might not know or remember that this contest has occurred once before during their time in NXT.

The Queen defended the NXT Women's Championship against Banks, Lynch and Bayley and the four women delivered a stellar display of what the future would on.

The sequences between these ladies fit their characters and had fans captivated throughout. The Boss finally won the title by pinning Charlotte to win this early TakeOver classic.

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3) John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton in a Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Championship (WWE Backlash 2007)

The main event of Backlash 2007 saw John Cena defend the WWE Championship in a Fatal Four Way Match against Shawn Michaels, Edge and Randy Orton.

The Doctor of Thuganomics overcame HBK at WrestleMania 23, but Michaels got his win back in a 58-minute barnburner over Cena. Meanwhile, the Rated RKO tag team partners were experiencing dissension.

The Fatal Four Way had everything WWE fans could ask for. Every participant played their roles perfectly with Edge being sneaky and trying to fool Orton into helping him, Orton attacking his opponents out of nowhere, HBK making spirited comebacks and Cena using his power to overcome the odds.

The finish was outstanding as Cena was superkicked by Shawn into the cover on Orton to win.

2) Neville vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Sami Zayn in a Fatal Four Way Match for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4 Way)

2014 was the year that the WWE Network launched with NXT at the forefront as one of the main draws of the over-the-top service.

At the second TakeOver event, Neville defended the NXT Championship in a Fatal Four Way Match against Tyson Kidd, Tyler Breeze and Sami Zayn. These were four of the top performers on the black and gold brand, so expectations were high.

NXT established with this exceptional main event what would be the standard for their headline encounters on TakeOver. WWE was changing with more former independent stars circulating the main roster and bringing with them a fast paced, American strong style that was becoming popularized. These four superstars were the ideal choice to show that NXT would be taking things to the next level.

The Fatal Four Way main event was physically intense and had non-stop action throughout. Neville showed that he has depth to his excellent high flying ability with some of the best psychology that he has ever displayed. His desperation as the defending champion became evident as the match went on. Kidd and Breeze were great as outright heels working together against the more popular opposition.

Sami Zayn had yet another star-making performance at a major event for the WWE here. His incredible offense excited every fan in attendance at Full Sail University and rallied behind him to finally claim the gold.

Just as he looked on the brink of victory, Neville pulled the referee out of the ring, shocking his friend and the crowd.

Neville followed up by taking Zayn out with a superkick and hitting the Red Arrow on Kidd to retain the NXT Championship. This doesn't get brought up much, but it should be regarded as a top ten TakeOver main event. Everyone played their roles superbly and made this a very special encounter.

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1) Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit vs. Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boys in a Fatal Four Way Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships (WWE SmackDown 5/24/01)

The only thing to improve on the previous entry is to add four more men, tables, ladders and chairs. Fatal Four Way Tag Team matches are extremely rare in the WWE. However, the Attitude Era saw the company taking risks to evolve some of their signature stipulations.

The Tables, Ladders and Chairs match saw classics both times out with the Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boys, Edge and Christian. When the promotion added a fourth team, they included two of the best technicians in Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho. The two rivals formed a partnership due to mutual enemies and defeated Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin to win the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Just three nights after their victory, the Two Man Power Trip got a bit of vengeance with Vince McMahon placing the champs in a Fatal Four Way TLC Match against the iconic trio of teams famous for their match type. It went on to become one of the greatest SmackDown matches in the show's history.

Edge and Christian were their usual awesome heel characters, while the Dudley Boys brought their brute violence and their love for the use of tables. The Hardys flew off ladders to cause pain to their opponents or themselves. Benoit and Jericho brought their newfound aggression to this stipulation and added to a great story that unfolded.

Benoit tried to deliver a diving headbutt off a ladder through a table, but he missed and was taken out of the match. Jericho fought with resilience to overcome the odds against him. However, Benoit returned and eventually climbed the ladder to retrieve the titles.

This was an amazing spectacle that was an instant classic. That's why TLC 3 is the best Fatal Four Way Match in WWE history.

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What is your favorite Fatal Four Way match of all time? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.