'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With a lackluster (at best) Extreme Rules pay per view during the month, where none of the matches got past third gear, all of July's top ten bouts came on regular, televised programming. Unfortunately, the two biggest expectations on the show - Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler and AJ Styles vs. Rusev - didn't live up to the hype. Perhaps WWE is practicing for next year when those huge new TV deals come in.
Sportskeeda is the one-stop destination for latest WWE rumors and wrestling news.
Unsurprisingly, the yellow brand ruled the roost in July, delivering its top two matches which were legitimate match of the year candidates. 205 Live also had a strong showing, with its own best match falling just short of that mark.
SmackDown had some good action and Raw's one match on the list features a couple of names you probably wouldn't be surprised to find here.
As the road to NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn and SummerSlam kicked off in earnest, these are the superstars you should be paying close attention to. Their efforts will make or break the summer's two biggest shows, but if these matches are any indication, we're in store for a couple of special nights. Hopefully, the company doesn't screw things up.
#10 Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz (SmackDown, July 3rd)
These two had an excellent match a few months earlier, and they were back at it on SmackDown to kick the month off.
Neither man got a true advantage on the other for most of the match. While it looked like Miz might have begun taking control after ramming Hardy into the barricade outside, the two would go on to trade near falls in the middle of the ring.
Miz almost won when he got his feet on the ropes for a pin, but the referee saw it. When Miz argued, he had his back turned, leading to a Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb. Hardy retained his championship.
#9 Cedric Alexander vs. Hideo Itami (205 Live, July 10th)
Cedric Alexander has had better matches, but this was still a hard-hitting encounter that demonstrated the skill of the Cruiserweight champion, while Itami looked better than he has in a while.
Itami looked like he had the upper hand for a while with his strikes, but he wasn't able to finish off Alexander. Eventually, Alexander would hit the Lumbar Check for the victory out of nowhere. While the finish might have struck some as anticlimactic, it did its job in putting the move over as arguably 205 Live's most dangerous. As they were keen to remark last night, Alexander is undefeated in 2018, in no small part thanks to his finisher.
#8 AJ Styles vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas (SmackDown, July 17th)
This was a way to get attention during the MLB All Star Game. After months of meandering, it was an incredible showing for Almas, who reportedly impressed the backstage powers so much that he's in line for a big push. They shouldn't have needed this to know it. The former NXT Champion has had an amazing year, and this was a match that was eagerly anticipated once he was called up to the main roster.
The match started off slow, but after Almas fooled Styles into attempting a dropkick while he hung tranquilo on the ropes, the physicality picked up quickly. Rapid fire moves from both competitors lit up the ring until Styles trapped Almas in the Calf Crusher and forced a submission.
While Almas tapped out rapidly, this loss won't hurt him much. He took the WWE Champion to the limit and opened a lot of eyes in the process.
#7 The Usos vs. The Bar (SmackDown, July 31st)
What a way to end the month! Since WrestleMania, tag team wrestling has taken a backseat, much to the detriment of the show. Lest we ever forget how great last year's tag team renaissance was, we need to look no further than this contest.
In a match that nearly rivaled their Survivor Series encounter from 2017, The Usos and The Bar tore SmackDown up to get a step closer to SummerSlam, the Bludgeon Brothers, and the tag team titles.
Ultimately, The Bar advanced. They hadn't missed a beat in the two months since they were seen on SmackDown!
#6 Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre (Raw, July 9th)
Of their two matches in July, this was the better one. This was outstanding and proved just how good Drew McIntyre has become. For Seth Rollins, it was another strong entry in his 2018 CV.
It was a perfect scrappy underdog vs. imposing heel story, with McIntyre imposing his will throughout most of the contest, but Rollins somehow being able to chop "the oak" down at times. McIntyre was by no means lumbering throughout, however, as his agility was as impeccable as his power.
Unfortunately, the distraction finish marred it somewhat, but it was still a great match.
#5 Kairi Sane vs. Nikki Cross vs. Candice LeRae (NXT, July 18th)
This was the best women's match in a while. The three battled for a shot at TakeOver: Brooklyn while Shayna Baszler loomed large on commentary. All three showed off their styles as the action spilled all over the ringside area.
The finish was particularly memorable. Candice LerRae connected with a lionsault on Nikki Cross to nearly take the win, but Kairi Sane was already perched atop the turnbuckle. While LeRae was pinning cross, Sane connected with the Insane Elbow, covered her for the three count and punched her ticket to Brooklyn.
#4 Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami vs. TJP (205 Live, July 24th)
This fatal four-way match was an excellent tale of the sole babyface, Mustafa Ali, trying to overcome the odds. With crisp action encompassing numerous styles throughout the contest, one wondered if the heart of the high-flying Ali would be enough.
After hitting the 054, it looked like Ali had it in the bag, but there were too many moving parts. Drew Gulak would ultimately capitalize to win the match, earning himself a shot at Cedric Alexander's title at SummerSlam. It's nice to see the performers of 205 Live finally being acknowledged on pay per view again.
#3 Buddy Murphy vs. Mustafa Ali (205 Live, July 3rd)
205 Live's two MVPs had their best match yet in this no-DQ contest. Weapons weren't actually used that often, but when they were, the spots were huge. The steps came into the ring and were used in creative spots. Who will forget Ali standing atop the steps, which had been placed in a precarious, upright position, and superplexing Murphy off the top, or the Spanish Fly from the top of the barricade onto the announce table?
In addition to this, Ali's selling of his back was great and made his comeback win more thrilling. Unfortunately, this match didn't lead to anything in the weeks afterward, but we can hope both will be in the title picture soon enough.
#2 Moustache Mountain vs. The Undisputed Era (NXT, July 11th)
Their first match at Royal Albert Hall in London was a barnburner. The sequel exceeded the original. Dave Meltzer enjoyed it so much that he gave it five stars. While I wouldn't go that far, because Tyler Bate standing there for minutes instead of breaking up the submission was psychologically jarring, this was nevertheless a match of the year candidate.
Trent Seven's selling of his injured leg is what this match will be remembered most for, but Tyler Bat'es explosive entrance into the contest got everyone on their feet. His double airplane spin was a huge crowd popper!
Eventually, Seven unwisely tagged himself back in and Bate would have to literally throw in the towel. These teams will collide again at TakeOver: Brooklyn. Be excited.
#1 Aleister Black vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT, July 25th)
It's almost cliche when it comes to a match featuring either Tommaso Ciampa or Johnny Gargano, but was there ever any doubt? Aleister Black, too, is having a fantastic year, even if it's under the radar, so when these two collided, we knew we were in for some fireworks!
Everything about this match was excellent, from the work rate to the character work. The little subtleties, like Black taunting Ciampa to "tweet about this!" only added to the intensity. Callback elements like exposing the concrete floor were masterfully placed as well.
Johnny Gargano's interference leading to Ciampa's shocking win was the icing on the cake, all the while Black was protected in defeat.
