'%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)
SmackDown LIVE's historic 1000th episode on October 16 draws near. With keeping that in mind, WWE.com recently published an article listing the 15 Greatest SmackDown matches of all time.
The Blue Brand has fascinated the WWE Universe to this date. Some would even state that SmackDown Live's 2-hour dose of weekly wrestling entertainment in 2018 is superior to that of Monday Night RAW. So without any further ado, let's take a look at the Top 15 SmackDown Matches Of All Time, as officially listed by WWE.com.
#15: Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H – Intercontinental Championship Match: April 12, 2001
The Charismatic Enigma decided to take matters into his own hands after Matt Hardy, himself and Lita suffered a vicious assault at the hands of Triple H, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Stephanie McMahon way back in 2001.
Even the Intercontinental title had to be put on the line. To speak the truth, nobody expected Jeff Hardy to even survive, let alone win the championship here.
But he did manage to do so, with a little help from his brother Matt, & a perfect blend of aerial movies & techniques that helped him stay one step ahead of The Game throughout the bout's entirety. The WWE Universe could not help but gasp at the unexpected turn of events they got to witness during this one.
#14: Team Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri – WWE Tag Team Championship Match: May 29, 2003
Hardcore WWE Fans might remember that time when Eddie Gurrero framed Charlie Haas for striking him in the head with one of the twin titles. It was indeed a glorified part of this tag-team championship classic way back in 2003.
Tajiri acted as Chavo Gurrero's replacement for this contest. While the match itself represents the entire SmackDown Tag Team Division in this list, the one moment that struck viewers the most was watching Eddie & Tajiri bouncing away in their low-rider after their victory!
#13: Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss - SmackDown Women's Title Steel Cage Match: SmackDown LIVE, Jan 17, 2017
The WWE Universe thought that this match would finally see Becky being crowned as the new SmackDown Live Women's Champion.
To some extent, that assumption would seem quite obvious. There was nowhere left for Alexa Bliss to run. But in an interesting turn of events, Becky's victory was stolen away from her when an unexpected visitor- La Luchadora entered into the frame.
A frustrated Lynch went after this masked stranger, & also snatched away the disguise, only to reveal that La Luchadora was none other than a returning Mickie James!
#12: Triple H vs. The Rock – WWE Championship Match w/ Shawn Michaels & Shane McMahon as special guest referees: Aug. 26, 1999
In a blockbuster main event for the very first edition of SmackDown back in 1999, The Rock challenged Triple H for the WWE Championship.
The match itself saw many twists & turns, with HHH relying too much on his allies, whilst The Rock tried to keep the momentum on his side throughout the bout.
HBK's Sweet Chin Music & One Pedigree Later, Triple H retained his championship while also reuniting the DX founders at the same time.
#11: Kurt Angle vs. Booker T – WCW Championship Match: July 26, 2001
To Booker T, this was more than just an inter-promotional World Title match. Booker T had to prove himself all over once again in order to excel in the WWE.
Facing off against the Olympic Gold Medallist, Kurt Angle- It was a huge honour & opportunity to do the same. Booker T was the WCW Champion going into this contest.
Angle eventually won the match (and the title), but Booker T also thoroughly impressed us with a marvellous in-ring performance...
#10: Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match- June 27, 2017
Following a controversial 'first-ever' Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match, WWE immediately decided to make a statement against the controversy by doing it all over again on the 27th June 2017 edition of SmackDown Live.
Ellsworth tried to get involved again, but Becky Lynch made sure things wouldn't turn out the same as they did the last time around. However, it was Carmella who won the briefcase in the end, following a great match, & a certainly better one than the previous version of it...
#9: Eddie Guerrero vs. John Cena – United States Championship Parking Lot Brawl: Sept 11, 2003
On the flipside of 'traditional wrestling matches', there are several others that break the mold & push the boundaries even further than before.
Both competitors were fully aware of their surroundings as Cena & Eddie incorporated their ideas as cleverly as possible. Eddie sprayed windshield wiper fluid into Cena's eyes and even burned him with a car cigarette lighter.
There was also good wrestling to be found. Eddie delivered a frog splash from the top of a minivan onto the hood of an adjacent vehicle where John Cena's carcass lay. A must-watch for every hardcore wrestling fan.
#8: Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Hardy – Cruiserweight Championship Match: June 5, 2003
Rey Mysterio had to enter this battle with a troubling groin injury & his family was in attendance too. A rather odd entry into WWE's official list, as the injuries, even forced Rey to tone the fast-paced action a little bit.
While the ultimate underdog has been part of several astounding live TV matches, this particular contest ended with Mysterio winning the championship in nearly four years via a quick roll-up.
#7: John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura- August 1, 2017
Ask any Professional Wrestling Fan In general- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. John Cena was always a "What If" alternate universe scenario until it actually happened right in front of our eyes during the 1st August 2017 edition of SmackDown Live.
Both of them kept it right to the point. The whole match was a highlight reel from start to finish, as both Cena & Nakamura gave all they had during the comparatively short time they were provided to work with.
The King Of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura emerged victorious in the end nevertheless. This is a victory that people will always talk about for a long, long time.
#6: JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero – WWE Championship Steel Cage Match: July 15, 2004
Do you remember Eddie Gurrero jumping off the top of a Steel-Cage onto JBL's prone body?
Well, that moment happened in this classic contest. Even JBL expressed that he could not feel the entire right side of his body for about 45 seconds after it happened!
Even if Kurt Angle cost Eddie his victory by showing up in a luchador mask, the sight of Eddie Gurrero jumping off that massive steel-cage structure has been ingrained into each & every wrestling fan's memory forever.
#5: Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Los Guerreros – No. 1 Contender Match for WWE Tag Team Championship: Oct. 24, 2002
Like the last entry, Kurt Angle also interfered in this particular match, robbing this instant classic of a proper conclusion.
But this contest was unbelievably fast-paced. All four competitors were at the top of their game, with Chavo Gurrero displaying an acrobatic side of him we had never seen before. Rey Mysterio was impeccable at being Rey Mysterio, Edge upped his game & Eddie Gurrero just so happens to pop into this list more as we progress even further!
#4: New Day vs. Bludgeon Brothers - SmackDown Tag Team Titles No DQ Match: Aug. 21, 2018
The New Day had to reach for the extra mile in order to defeat The Bludgeon Brothers here. Even if our favorite Pancake loving stable emerged as five-time Tag Team Champions, it was no easy task for sure.
The New Day basically got obliterated for the entire first half of the match. The tables only turned when Kofi & Woods decided to use Harper & Rowan's lust for mass destruction against them.
We certainly have a tag-team flair going around here, don't we?
Up next, the top 3 matches in SmackDown history (as according to WWE.com's official list)...
#3: The Shield vs. Randy Orton & Team Hell No: June 14, 2013
Perhaps the main reason why this particular match inserted itself into one of the top 3 spots is that of its historical significance.
Kane, Daniel Bryan & Randy Orton somehow managed to coexist by handing The Shield their first Six-Man Tag Team Match loss in June 2013.
But the moments leading up to the finish were great too. Daniel Bryan eventually made Seth Rollins tap-out. Matches of this category get harsh rep, but this contest certainly ranks among the better half of the six-man tag team matches out there for sure.
#2: Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle – WWE Championship Iron Man Match: Sept. 18, 2003
According to the Legendary Mr. Howard Finkel himself, this contest is absolutely deserving of being called 'one greatest matches ever to have taken place on a SmackDown telecast'.
The match was initially tied at 1-1. However, Lesnar dominantly pushed towards a lead of 5-2 soon after. But somehow, Kurt Angle miraculously came back & brought the score closer to 5-4.
Kurt Angle was just about to tie this bout using an ankle lock, but the clock ticked against him as the match went into overtime. Brock Lesnar became the new WWF Champion, but only by a very small margin.
#1: Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero – No Disqualification Match: Sept. 26, 2002
Alas, the 'chart-topper', if you will...
This match has the honorous prestige of being officially titled as the greatest match in SmackDown Live's history by the WWE.com staff.
Rightly so, not only did this match put everyone on the edge of their seats, but it was also responsible for setting a precedent for the future of SmackDown itself.
Edge proved to be the ultimate victor in the end, & this match is certainly the one to watch if your watchlist needs updating...
What do you think? Do you agree with WWE's official list of the 15 Best SmackDown matches of all time? Are there any matches they missed? Sound off in the comments section regarding your thoughts.
Thanks for reading this article, you can follow me here for all the latest content. Stay tuned for more...
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
