2013 was a pretty interesting year all around for wrestling. A lot of ups, a whole lotta downs, but that doesn't mean there weren't some amazing matches this year. I started thinking about what my favorite matches were and decided to compile a list of my top ten matches of 2013. Now this list, like most, will be incomplete because I didn't see everything. This list is based off only the matches I watched and is strictly opinion.
10. The American Wolves vs Adreneline Rush
So this match I saw live at the Ring of Honor TV tapings after their 11th Anniversary IPPV. It was the first match of the day and it was incredible! This could have been a PPV match easily but it was just a normal tag match on TV. The styles of The Wolves and Rush are both fast and high flying and led to an explosive high flying match. I'm not sure exactly what day it was on I just know it aired in March so just try and look up the March ROH shows after their Anniversary show.
9. Jeff Hardy vs Chris Sabin in Full Metal Mayhem on Impact
What can I say? This match was Sabin and Hardy doing what they do best. This was the first match of TNA's world title tournament after AJ Styles won the title (and well into TNA's decline) and was one of the company's best matches all year (one of.) Tons of hardcore and high flying action that any wrestling fan should be happy to watch. Plus it's always awesome to watch Hardy Swanton over a ladder.
8. Rhodes Brotherhood vs The Shield vs The Usos' at Hell in a Cell
Tag Team wrestling has been pretty dead for a couple years. That is until we Goldust came back to the WWE, The Shield appeared, and the Usos' got more TV time. Three of the WWE's best tag teams in one match that was full of great spots and convincing tension. Its hard to pull off a good tag team match convincingly, it's even harder to do it with three teams and somehow this match turned out to be the best on a pretty lame pay per view that should have been awesome. Luckily it's the first match so you can start Hell in a Cell and then turn it off when the match is over.
7. Daniel Bryan vs Antinio Cesaro on RAW
Daniel Bryan was head butting with the Authority to prove he deserved his title shot. Their response? Make him run a gauntlet of three of their biggest stars. The second match brought in Cesaro and what we got was some old school ass ROH wrestling. This match was phenomenal exposure for both of them, and when you put two ROH guys against each other (a company that prides itself on wrestling talent more than production values) then you will get one hell of an entertaining match on a grand stage for everyone to see. The match was long and brutal and solidified both Bryan and Cesaro as top wrestlers.
6. The Rock vs Cm Punk at Royal Rumble
The Rock's comeback for 2013 peaked pretty early and then fizzled out fast. We all knew it was leading up to Rock vs Cena at Wrestlemania and CM Punk was well into his lengthy title reign. Punk had already conquered every challenge in his way and I badly wanted to see him beat The Rock because that would have been a nice bullet point on his résumé but sadly The Rock beat Punk for his title at the Rumble with a People's Elbow (meh) but it was a pretty solid feud and great match!
5. Triple H vs Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 29
Well this was a rematch from maybe one of the weakest matches I have ever seen at Summerslam. Triple H and Brock Lesnar rolled around on the ground for about fifteen minutes in the same wrist lock (so just like UFC) until Lesnar "broke" Triple H's arm. It was then followed up by the most confusing retirement speech ever. So naturally they needed some big names to draw in Wrestlemania and we saw the rematch. Now it was a solid match with some good spots but makes the list really for being a million times better than their Summerslam match and being one of two matches that made Wrestlemania 29 worth watching.
4. Bully Ray vs Sting at Slammiversary
The Aces & Eights had such promise. It was a solid idea that was dragged out and misused but led to some great matches like this one. Two guys who have been in the business for a long time, and should be way past their prime, put in some of the best work of their careers. Slammiversary was a solid PPV and worth a DVD buy. If TNA held this momentum they would be doing fine now but sadly it may be the last great thing that happens to them. Bully Ray had made a big name for himself as a singles competitor and held his first world title as was defending it against Sting, who if lost could "never earn a world title again." The match was great, kept you on the edge of your seat, and had some great hardcore spots. The highlight was Bully Ray cutting up the ring and wrestling on the wood. This is the best TNA match in a couple years, and probably the last great match Sting will have.
3. Daniel Bryan vs John Cena at Summerslam
Daniel Bryan is one of the best workers in the WWE today, and while he's held the World Heavyweight title before (which means nothing. Sad.) this was his time to step up. A great story of the doubts Bryan had to overcome and his eventual win (and immediate loss) of the title was one of the best moments of the year. The match had one major botch from Cena but overall it was amazing and had a feeling of triumph for Daniel Bryan that the WWE will be trying to capture for a long time.
2. Cm Punk vs Undertaker at Wrestlemania 29
Well Cm Punk couldn't beat the streak but he did put on one of the best matches in Wrestlemania history when he took on the Undertaker. This match was so good that even the botches looked flawless and purposeful. Cm Punk isn't te biggest guy but is convincingly able to take on the big men with ease. Even though Undetaker only wrestles once a year now (and without the power of his flowing loches) this match managed to steal the entire show at Wrestlemania. Now hopefully we can just get Punk to headline the next one.
1. Cm Punk vs Brock Lesnar at Summerslam
And maybe he can headline against Brock Lesnar because these two convinced the world that they could put on the greatest match in wrestling history. These two exploded as soon as the bell rang and didn't stop until the three count. Cm Punk was up against impossible odds, and while he still lost, he showed that he can make even the biggest opponent blink. The Best vs The Beast was one of the best (but shortest) rivalries in a long time and easily the best match I have ever seen, let alone being the best of 2013.
So there you have it, my personal top ten matches of 2013. What do you think? Anyone agree or disagree? As always sound off in the comments and toucan find me on Twitter @advent_crash
