5 Best Wrestling Matches of 2010

2010 was the closest anyone got to actually competing with WWE on a regular basis. Their product was stagnant, with little in the way of growth or excitement. Sure, there was the high-profile Nexus storyline, but we all know how that ended.

TNA, meanwhile, tried their best to become the new #2 promotion by trying to go head-to-head with Monday Night RAW on a weekly basis. This new ‘competition’ was spearheaded by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, who tried to re-create the Monday Night Wars like it was the 1990s all over again. Despite putting on a few great matches, TNA failed to make an impact (pardon the pun) and remained in relative obscurity when compared to the juggernaut that was WWE.

ROH was firmly entrenched as the top indy promotion in North America, but not even the high number of great matches they put on could turn them into genuine competition for WWE.

Yet these two smaller companies did manage to compete with WWE in the great match department. Yet which one of these promotions put on the best matches of the entire year? Read on to find out…

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#5 The Kings of Wrestling vs. The Briscoes - ROH's The Big Bang

These were two of the best teams in ROH at the time

What do you get when you take two of the most famous workhorses in the entire wrestling industry (Kings of Wrestling) and pit them against one of the greatest tag teams in ROH history? You get thirty minutes of literal non-stop action.

For half an hour, these two teams tore into each other with almost no rest periods. It wasn’t about clever ring psychology or limb targeting; it was a war between two teams that both wanted to be champions. The big question that loomed during the match was, ‘who wanted it more?’

These two teams threw absolutely everything at each other, hitting big move after big move after big move. While some might dismiss that was overkill, the fact is that feeling never came up in this match. It was pure, nonstop entertainment for thirty whole minutes, which isn’t easy to accomplish in this day and age.

#4 Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson - TNA Lockdown

While 2010 was something of a bad year for TNA (thanks to the debuts of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff), that company still managed to produce a few hidden gems, including this one.

Without understanding any story or rivalry, Anderson and Angle wrestled a dramatic cage match that the crowd loved from the moment it started. They cheered in approval without ever quieting down, even during the typical ‘low’ points in a wrestling match.

While Anderson tried his best, he was simply no match for Angle. Kurt was as much a wrestling machine here as he had ever been, showing his typical intensity and determination. He put his own body through incredible punishment and dished it out all the same, including a German Suplex off the top rope as Anderson tried to climb the cage.

Angle proved just how crazy and passionate he is for wrestling in this match. Despite having the key to escape the cage, Angle re-locked the cage, threw away the key, and decided to hit a moonsault off the top of the cage. He didn’t have to do this; he did it anyway just to prove he still had it. People thought Angle was done by 2006, yet he was still able to pull off great things at least four years later. He truly was one of the best wrestlers in the world.

#3 El Generico vs. Kevin Steen – Mask vs. Career – Fight Without Honor, Final Battle 2010

In arguably the biggest feud in ROH history, Kevin Steen and El Generico destroyed each other in this brutal No-Disqualification match.

For almost thirty minutes, they hit each other in some of the most violent ways imaginable. Steen started bleeding within the first few minutes, but that actually turned into a benefit for him. He seemed to relish in the fact that he was busted open, and turned that into a psychological weapon by ‘writing’ on Generico’s body with his blood.

Steen tried everything to defeat his greatest rival: vicious Powerbombs, merciless weapon shots, and devastating Piledrivers. He even resorted to hitting a Piledriver on a referee after a two-count.

But El Generico wouldn’t give up, no matter how hard Steen hit him. Generico gave as much punishment as he received, including an incredible Brainbuster on the top turnbuckle. Not even outside interference from Steve Corino could break Generico’s spirit.

With great psychology, fantastic moves, and a riveting story, this is one of the best matches in ROH history.

#2 Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards – Death Before Dishonor VIII

Before Seth Rollins was ruling RAW, he was having MOTY-quality battles

If you ever wondered why WWE signed Tyler Black and turned him into Seth Rollins, this is the biggest reason. Black and Richards put on a barn-burner of a match that was as intense as it was dramatic. For over thirty minutes, they traded big moves and kicked out of crazy sequences, all of which was clearly noticed by the vocal crowd in attendance.

The big story of the match was Black being the top guy and Richards doing whatever he could to prove he could beat Black, even though he admitted Black was a better wrestler. This was an obvious nod to the dynamic of Misawa and Kawada from June 1994, as the story in that match was referenced throughout this contest. That dynamic translated into several amazing spots, including an amazing BuckleBomb/Superkick combo. These two wrestlers managed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats for over thirty minutes, which is hard to do in this day and age.

While it might not be to some fans’ tastes – there is a ton of false finishes, signature moves repeated many times and more kickouts at two than a John Cena match – it is filled with drama and a raucous crowd. While finding a video of this match might be hard to find outside of buying a ROH DVD, getting the chance to watch this match is definitely worth the search.

#1 The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XXVI – Streak vs. Career

Two of WWE's greatest wrestlers ever fighting on the grandest stage of them all...again

The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels had an epic encounter in 2009, so naturally, they had to do it again. But things were different this time, with this match having much higher stakes. Not only was Shawn desperately trying to beat the Streak, but his career would end if he lost. That made this match so much more dramatic, as every pinfall and submission risked ending Shawn’s career.

While their first WrestleMania encounter saw both men on equal footing, this match was all about Michaels’ unyielding determination. It felt much more like Michaels was trying to win no matter what and was fighting with the odds stacked against him.

Michaels fought from below in this match, and resorted to more high-risk moves, like his Moonsault off the top rope onto the Spanish announce table. In one of the most dramatic pieces of storytelling ever seen in WWE, Undertaker looked down in pity at Shawn, only for HBK to slap ‘Taker in defiance. This, in turn, led to ‘Taker hitting the spike/leaping Tombstone, putting an end to Shawn’s storybook career (at least, until WWE Crown Jewel, which effectively nullified the drama and significance of this match).

Just like in 2009, this match was voted Match of the Year by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In putting on this set of legendary matches, Undertaker and HBK managed to do what only one other duo could: win the Match of the Year award twice in a row.