Chris Benoit vs HBK vs HHH at WM 20 is damn near perfect. Regardless of what Benoit did by itself this match is amazing. The action was balanced and the under dog winning is still something fans nowadays love. In my opinion, it's the greatest Triple Threat Match in WWE history.
Greatest Triple Threat ever. Never felt convoluted, three of the best to ever do it absolutely on fire, and that ending was incredible before it was tainted.
What do you mean, there was no Triple Threat matches at Wrestlemania 20... And there wasn't any winner at the 2004 Royal Rumble... What a silly concept...
I always go back to Shawn Michaels vs Triple H from SummerSlam 2002. It’s an incredible match with an incredible story and it baffles me that Meltzer didn’t give it 5 stars and it’s why I don’t put any stock in his opinion.
Triple H vs The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 28 should've gotten a 5 star rating, the end of an era and a 4 year storyline with every match in it is a banger that everyone should watch.
@@valeriewithsalt That one also deserve 5 stars, it's the only thing that deserves a re-watch from the entire Wrestlemania 27 card and it's a great match.
I agree with this one. I feel like the storytelling in this one was unmatched. I remember walking into it wanting Triple H to beat Undertaker and end the streak and then halfway through, I switched position and didn’t want to see the streak end, ever
I think Rock/Austin II at WM17 is often overlooked because of the Austin heel turn, but this is one of my favourite matches for the story of Austin, the former beloved hero desperate to be relevant and champion, does whatever it takes to win, incorporating moves he didn’t use for years, moves from old rivals, getting more and more deranged until finally succumbing to throwing in with his old nemesis, a perfect 30-minute story of a fallen idol.
@@SM2344 it was what it was imo. Austin couldn't beat Rock after unleashing everything in his arsenal, it made sense for Austin to simply snap by taking extreme measures (hitting countless chair shots) to shut down Rock for good.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock Lesnar was a beautifully put together match with a great underdog storyline and a memorable finish and crowd reaction. Definitely 5 stars to me.
100% the first match I thought of that match is just perfect to me how much of a underdog Eddie was what he had to go threw to get to that point the hole crowed rooting for Eddie to win and the roof coming off when he did its my favorite match of all time for that reason.
Eddie Guerrero vs Edge No DQ on SmackDown. This match cemented Eddie in the permanent 'we will always have something for you' booking position he had for the rest of his life. The Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ladder is an incredible spot and both men deserved their standing ovation both from the fans and from Shane McMahon backstage.
@@Ajr5691 lol nah, he did that himself by being a prick historcially his entire career. Not to mention, douche wouldn't have had a company to come back to if it weren't for the Bucks in the first place.
That bret and owen cage match where thier rivalry was forced to play out through running away from the opponent to win, rather than pin or submission to prove who’s superior.
CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar Summerslam 2013. The crowd was hot the entire match, the story and drama throughout was fantastic. This match is criminally underrated, especially since it was given only 4.5 stars.
The sheer storytelling in Eddie Guerrero vs Brock Lesnar it No Way Out 04 made me a life long wrestling fan. I was shocked to find out it only got 4 stars.
Angle vs Benoit at the '03 Rumble is an absolute AMAZING match and probably one of the best WWE Championship matches in WWE. A ridiculously amazing match between 2 super workers.
That Shawn vs Rated RKO match on RAW in the build to WrestleMania was another great David vs Goliath story that gets overlooked. Maybe not exactly a 5-star match, but the crowd that night made it even more special.
I respectfully disagree to your opinion. I can see how people like it but for me it's overrated to a degree. It takes so much time to get going, call it working the crowd but it's a match mostly remembered for the kickouts and facials. Call me work-rate, technical and stiff geek but l watched it live as kid and even now I don't get it.
25 is an amazing match but there is that awkward moment when Michaels trips Taker and there is a brief pause. It feels like a botch and is a blemish on an otherwise perfect match.
DIY vs. Revival 2-out-of-3 falls not being 5-stars is insane. I'd say it's better than any Revival vs. Bucks and Briscoes match they've had because of the long-term storytelling (it had callbacks to Gargano and Ciampa's Cruiserweight Classic match which was MONTHS AGO). It's my favorite tag match of all time, yet it was rated the same as their previous match which it definitely improved upon.
TLC 2 really should be up there too. It's the match all ladder/TLC matches try to emulate now. Also WM19 could have had two 5 star matches with HBK Vs Y2J and Brock Vs Angle.
Only one. That botched Shooting Star immediately loses it a quarter star. Any match with a botch is automatically and should be automatically disqualified from ever having 5 stars.
I know it will never get the appreciation it deserves due to one of the participants involved, but Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle at Royal Rumble 2003 is some of the best, simple storytelling WWE has told in the last 30 years. It NEVER gets brought up when people talk about the Benoit/Angle feud. And it was basically the starting point of the "Benoit can't win the big one" storyline. Easily (for me) the most underrated match of all time.
we really should get more lists narrated by jack the jobber. his commentary and humor in this video was on point, and i'd love to see more of it in future list videos
I’m likely going to take heat for this, but for the next round I’d like to submit for your consideration the New Day vs. Usos Hell in a Cell match from 2017. It was one of the most inventive and underrated HIAC matches in the past decade, during a time when the two teams (along with The Bar) were carrying the tag team division on their backs, with New Day playing the comical roll of Edge and Christian; the Usos taking up the mantle of the Hardy Boyz; and The Bar channeling the toughness of the Dudleys. I, of course, am not making a direct comparison, but it had a similar vibe for the PG era.
Even Chris Jericho admits he hard time getting the same crowd reactions in his match against Triple H, following The Rock vs Hogan, because The Rock and Hogan were two of the biggest names of wrestling at the time.
Taker/Mankind Hell in A Cell at KOTR1998. A complete car crash of a match, things going worse than it should have... Yet somehow made the match all the more frantic and insane with Foley ready for more and even Taker being all "You gotta be fucking kidding.". It's not a technical masterpiece, but the story, crowd reaction and escalation is what makes it my personal favorite match AND one that deserved to get a five star, but didn't.
Honestly that match just gives me a pit in my gut because it’s a match that should’ve ended the life of a man who’s already given too much for the business. It should not have happened and despite its legacy, should not be 5 stars, because that is not something a wrestler should ever strive to recreate.
@@nikhilbhavani981 I feel the same but I and I respect Foley from there. Yeah he could have ended his life, taker was not on board for this but mankind insisted on doing it I'm okay with it being 5 stars. That spot was on the fly I. Sure if it was pre planned it woulda been scrapped, it's no different than the shit they did in the old ecw, especially new jack sandmam or Sabu... That Foley spot had nothing on what those guys did. I dunno if your old enough to watch the pre WWE, ECW brand... So yes that's a 5 star and best matches in history. I know it's hard for some ppl. Foley did it for us of anything about it makes me feel bad I'd it went south
The Undertaker vs Mankind KOTR 98, obviously. There was an Hell in a cell match between The Uso's vs The New Day a few years back that ones criminally underated too.
DIY vs The Revival is a perfect call. Dave wasn't comfortable giving a WWE match 5 stars yet. That's really the issue. Whatever side you're on, you cannot deny that he has promotions and wrestlers that he roots for. Dunne vs Bate from Takeover Chicago deserves a shout as well. The way they dragged the crowd into that was special.
New Day vs Usos (Hell in a Cell 2017) is arguably one of the best HIAC matches ever and deserved 5 stars. SCSA vs Dude Love (Over the Edge 1998) is an underrated hidden gem Hart Foundation vs SCSA, Goldust, Shamrock, and Legion of Doom (Canadian Stampede) really plays into the crowd thing like Rock/Austin. Cena/Lesnar/Rollins (Royal Rumble 2015) is arguably the greatest triple threat of all time and rightfully so. Amazing story and action Angle/McMahon in a street fight (KOTR 2001) just for Angle pulling off those amazing matches wirh triple duty. Owens/Zayn/Cesaro/Miz (Extreme Rules 2016) one of the best IC matches to date
No Triple Threat will ever top Rock/Undertaker/Angle for me. Royal Rumble 2015 was too much of a choreographed spotfest, from what I remember. And aesthetically, I just didn't like the look of the show.
Other matches that deserved a 5 star rating would be: Edge & Christain vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz - WM X7 Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins - Royal Rumble 2015 Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair - Evolution The Undertaker vs. Triple H - WM 28 Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn - NXT TakeOver: R Evolution AJ Styles vs. John Cena - Royal Rumble 2017 Pete Dunne vs. WALTER - NXT TakeOver: New York AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan - SmackDown 2020 The Undisputed ERA vs The Kings of NXT - NXT TakeOver WarGames 2020 Big E vs. Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison vs. Kevin Owens vs. King Nakamura vs. Ricochet vs. Riddle vs. Seth Rollins - MITB 2021 Edge vs. Seth Rollins - Crown Jewel Team 2.0 vs Team Black & Gold - NXT: WarGames Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - No Mercy 2008 Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H - WM XXX Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz - No Mercy 2016 Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn - Battleground 2016 The Usos vs The New Day - HIAC 2016 Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan - Survivor Series 2016 Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston - WM 35 Jordan Devlin vs. Tyler Bate - NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool 2 Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair - WM 38
Taker/Jeff Hardy Ladder Match, MNR 2002. I don't care what anyone says. The crowd was 100% invested. The commentary is the single greatest example of why JR is the greatest Play-by-Play guy in wrestling history. It will always be a 5* to me.
Doesn’t matter if the crowd is into it. It wasn’t a good match. 2 stars for the inring work at most. And that’s the only criteria for this scale. FOH actually thinking that was a decent wrestling match. Stunt fest =/= a good match
Some other matches to consider for the next list: HBK/Kurt Angle at WM 21, Walter/Pete Dunne at Takeover: New York, Benoit/Angle at RR ‘03, TLC 1 & 2, and Stone Cold/The Rock at WM X7.
Triple H vs Dude Love SummerSlam 97 is underrated. Great story telling if u watch the build up. Love this match. Triple H vs Shawn at SummerSlam 2002 is also brilliant from an emotional standpoint. Idk the star ratings for these matches but these are some of my all-time favorites
The triple threat matches at Mania 20 and Mania 30 are SO similar, you've got the undersized, technically proficient Babyfaces in Benoit, and Bryan. Then you've got one of the top main event guys from the most recent generation, in Triple H and Randy Orton. and finally you have the formerly top guys, who recently came out of retirement, while for obviously different lengths of time, in Michaels and Batista. Not to mention the way the under dogs won, both making the top guys tap out, in the Crippler Crossface.
Most of the notable omissions have been mentioned already, but one I haven’t seen mentioned that’s a runner and rider- the Title vs Mask bout between Mysterio and Jericho in 2009. Their chemistry was off the charts good, the feud was arguably the best of 09 (it’s that or Hardy vs Punk) and it would’ve been Match of the year if it wasn’t for Taker vs HBK
I love what Al Snow said one time somewhere when asked what was the best match at Wrestlemania 3 was and he said, without hesitation, that it was Hogan vs Andre. Savage vs Steamboat was fun to watch, but Hogan and Andre are what put butts in the seats and it's hard to argue with him.
This was the match I was excited to see for sure, I hated Macho for putting Steamboat out (oh those were the days of ignorance being bliss) and I remember the pop when Ricky won
Pete Dunne vs Adam Cole at survivor series. Its an amazing hard hitting match with awesome spots, a hot crowd, and it even has a flippy indy lad that Dave loves.
I appreciate it is Meltzer’s personal opinion, but I just cannot fathom how Savage v Steamboat didn’t get five stars, but the Sheephearders (Bushwhackers) v the Fantastics from the following year did. I’ve seen the tag match and, not only does it not stand the test of time IMO, but it also goes to a non-finish!
Brett Hart vs Mr Perfect '91 Summerslam for the IC title. Brett has said that this is his favorite match of his career, if I remember it correctly and he also loved working with Mr Perfect.
@@tacticalg754 People are being critical of his rating system. It is totally subjective but you should see the absurd number tricks he does to not give WWE 5 stars. He loves giving WWE 4.5, 4.85, 4.87 type shits. It is silly. Just like he has the right to his opinion people have the right to be critical of his opinion.
@@WuwuWuwuTV I know. But cmon, his ratings don't worth sh!t. Al those shawn vs Kurt/Austin vs Rock/etc matches are gonna remembered as absolute classics for atleast +10 more years. But who tf even talks about his 5 star AEW/NJPW matches a month later after airing? Literally %90 of people forgot quickly. That's what matters.
😂😂 Telling a wrestling fan to just enjoy a product and not make everything a comparison is like telling them to grow up, its not gonna happen.
2 роки тому
that HBL royal rumble elimination is one of my all time favs, seeing him trying with every inch of his life to reach the top rope is *chef’s kiss* amazing
Mysterio vs Morrison for the IC title on SmackDown in 2009, a 4.25 star match. Only reason I can think of it not getting the last .75 of a star is that it had commercials that kinda take you out of the action.
Totally agree- WM 26 Michaels and Undertaker is one of my favorite matches ever because of the storytelling. If you take their matches out of context then sure, WM 25 was better, but taking it all together, 26 deserves 5 stars!
Taker vs HBK shouldn't just have been 5 stars. It should've been 7 on Meltzer's dodgy broken scale. And that's why I don't put any weight in his ratings.
"First ever" ladder match of Shawn vs. Razor at WrestleMania 10 should be up there. Like he said about Savage and Steamboat, it might not be up to par by modern standards, but at the time it was crazy. Now the idea seems a little played out, but I remember seeing that match for the first time and it seemed like the most creative and dramatic thing that had ever happened in a ring. I was also 8 at the time, so that could be part of why I remember it being so awesome.
Matches from the mid 2010s to 2021 I believe should have gotten five stars 2015: Sasha Banks vs Bayley Takeover Brooklyn 2016: Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens Battleground 2017: John Cena vs AJ Styles Royal Rumble 2018: Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan Survivor Series 2019: Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole Takeover 25 2020: AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan Smackdown 2021: Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan Smackdown
I always think Dave graded matches back in the 00s on a curve. Just seems crazy to me how few five star matches he had back then, but now it seems like every aew event has at least one. Wwe has had two in 2022 alone
I would make an argument for the 1992 Royal Rumble match. The structure was near-perfect, the crowd red hot and the storyline (and what it meant, with Vince letting an NWA guy basically lead the match) was tremendous.
Savage vs Steamboat is one the prime examples of how you incorporate amazing athleticism while still presenting an actual struggle as opposed to a choreographed circus routine.
@@HEagle72 yeah only because Savage was determined to have the main event match whether he was in it or not. Plus people only know the entire thing was choreographed now, as opposed to a lot of modern matches that look choreographed to anybody watching.
Bret vs Davey Boy at Summerslam 92 is a slam dunk for a 5- star match. Would also put Bret's KOTR 93 match against Hening as a 5-star match (even if a bit on the short side).
That picture of Benoit and Eddie both champion at the end of WM20 is still an amazing pic. Another Foley match that I love is the hardcore one vs Edge.
A personal favorite of mine because I was in the audience that never gets talked about is the Matt Hardy vs Edge cage match at 2005's Unforgiven. The real life story between Hardy, Edge and Lita made the atmosphere electric. Fans were disappointed by the pairs underwhelming Summerslam match that was stopped with the heel beating the hell out of the baby face in very unusual booking. This match had everything and more. A white hot heat heel the crowd wanted to see get obliterated by a man the company was clearly not behind. If you haven't seen it give it a watch and let me know what you think.
That DIY vs. Revival match at Toronto was the match that got me into NXT to begin with. Stopped watching back in 2013, had gotten back into wwe in late 2016, and gave takeover Toronto a shot when it was on. Definitely so glad I did 😭
I agree with the Top 3, especially with the #1 being the famous "should be a 5-star match but is not" in Taker/Shawn in WrestleMania XXV and here are some matches that I would think deserves 5-stars: AJ Styles vs. John Cena [either SummerSlam 2016 or Royal Rumble 2017, both are classics] Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch [Hell in a Cell 2019, a great modern day HIAC match that is unfortunately overshadowed by *that* main event] Kota Ibushi vs. Cedric Alexander [Cruiserweight Classic 2016] John Cena vs. Umaga [Royal Rumble 2007, another 2000s WWE match that deserves to be 5-stars as well, one of the best Last Man Standing matches] Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic [NXT TakeOver: Portland] Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens [Royal Rumble 2016, a personal favorite match and another great Last Man Standing match] Brawling Brutes vs. Imperium [Extreme Rules 2022, recency bias but idc the stipulation was unnecessary for the six men to go violent with their physicality] Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles/Daniel Bryan [Survivor Series 2017/2018, both were really good]
A number of good cases. But Rock vs Hogan, despite the crowd, wasn't 5 stars, as great as the atmosphere was. I get the specialness of it, but it wasn't that great.
You can't really feel that match if you weren't a hulkamaniac. Maybe that's why you feel it's not that good. Hogan returning home after 8 years was the best thing about 2002. It was so good that Vince made Hogan champion to cash on nostalgia. And Hogan vs Rock was all about nostalgia.
The base line for Meltzer is WWE starts at -1 star, AEW starts at +1 and anything in Japan starts at +2. Therefore a 4 star WWE match = a 7 star Japanese match or a 6 star AEW match. Given how he scored some of these greats that might be close to accurate.
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels at WM 21 deserved 5 stars. It got 4.75 but that match stole the show. Two of the best in ring workers WWE has ever had.
Literally my favorite match of all time. I KNEW it was going to be on this list. I assume it'll be on the sequel.
@@wyattangle Agreed. It’s in my top five matches of all time. It’s my favorite WM match
Apparently didnt have enough gymnastics in the eyes of Meltzer.
Was going to comment this.
Dave hates WWE is the only explanation.
Cena vs styles at the rumble, for me was fantastic
W
ABSOLUTELY... that San Antonio crowd was immaculate and Styles was amazing
It was overrated. Cena didn’t do anything, it was all AJ. He can have a 5 star match with James Ellsworth.
@@brandongordon2392 yup, styles carried cena.
@@MoeCamera it takes 2 to tango & let’s not act like Cena from 2015-2017 Cena wasn’t putting on great matches with damn near the whole roster
Chris Benoit vs HBK vs HHH at WM 20 is damn near perfect. Regardless of what Benoit did by itself this match is amazing. The action was balanced and the under dog winning is still something fans nowadays love. In my opinion, it's the greatest Triple Threat Match in WWE history.
Facts
Greatest Triple Threat ever. Never felt convoluted, three of the best to ever do it absolutely on fire, and that ending was incredible before it was tainted.
What do you mean, there was no Triple Threat matches at Wrestlemania 20...
And there wasn't any winner at the 2004 Royal Rumble...
What a silly concept...
Yes but it dose not dezer 5 stares coz of wut he did so no it shud be striped of all its stars s
@@marcarthur100 Do you know the concept of "appreciating the art, not the artist", by any chance?
It's been a CRIME to this day that The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels match at WrestleMania 25 was not 5 stars
Yeah, but if you go back and listen to his then justification for it, it's somewhat understandable.
@@quentinkaasa47it really wasn't and Chris Van Vliet perfectly called him out on his explanation
@@plshelpmeawkdoughInstead of worrying about matches that didn't get five, how about checking out the list to see the ones that did?
I always go back to Shawn Michaels vs Triple H from SummerSlam 2002. It’s an incredible match with an incredible story and it baffles me that Meltzer didn’t give it 5 stars and it’s why I don’t put any stock in his opinion.
Triple H vs The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 28 should've gotten a 5 star rating, the end of an era and a 4 year storyline with every match in it is a banger that everyone should watch.
their match a year prior was better imo
@@valeriewithsalt That one also deserve 5 stars, it's the only thing that deserves a re-watch from the entire Wrestlemania 27 card and it's a great match.
I agree with this one. I feel like the storytelling in this one was unmatched. I remember walking into it wanting Triple H to beat Undertaker and end the streak and then halfway through, I switched position and didn’t want to see the streak end, ever
I think Rock/Austin II at WM17 is often overlooked because of the Austin heel turn, but this is one of my favourite matches for the story of Austin, the former beloved hero desperate to be relevant and champion, does whatever it takes to win, incorporating moves he didn’t use for years, moves from old rivals, getting more and more deranged until finally succumbing to throwing in with his old nemesis, a perfect 30-minute story of a fallen idol.
This guy gets it.
Ignoring the heel turn, the finish always frustrated me. So many finishers and then to end on all those chair shots, it felt weird.
@@SM2344 it was what it was imo. Austin couldn't beat Rock after unleashing everything in his arsenal, it made sense for Austin to simply snap by taking extreme measures (hitting countless chair shots) to shut down Rock for good.
@@SM2344 yeah i I thought his psychosis was the best bit about it! It was fucking bruuuutal. Imagine if he’d done that and didn’t turn heel?!
One factor in that match I feel gets overlooked is the fan reaction, the fans were so divided and the outcome was unpredictable.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock Lesnar was a beautifully put together match with a great underdog storyline and a memorable finish and crowd reaction. Definitely 5 stars to me.
100% the first match I thought of that match is just perfect to me how much of a underdog Eddie was what he had to go threw to get to that point the hole crowed rooting for Eddie to win and the roof coming off when he did its my favorite match of all time for that reason.
The storytelling, commentary, audience investment, and perfect finish has me agreeing.
This was such a great match.
@@BigEvil6686 disagree. brock kicked out of spear.
eddie reversed the f5 on belt that brock brought in and frog splashed him all by himself.
@@thedominatior39 I absolutely loved how his mom was at ringside and crying of joy when her son won! His brother Mando was there as well.
Eddie Guerrero vs Edge No DQ on SmackDown. This match cemented Eddie in the permanent 'we will always have something for you' booking position he had for the rest of his life. The Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ladder is an incredible spot and both men deserved their standing ovation both from the fans and from Shane McMahon backstage.
Would love to see a "10 five star matchs that didnt deserve 5 stars" would be an interesting watch
Most of them would probably be aew matches.
The recent WWE ones
@@Ajr5691 lol cope crybaby
@@Ajr5691 lol nah, he did that himself by being a prick historcially his entire career. Not to mention, douche wouldn't have had a company to come back to if it weren't for the Bucks in the first place.
That bret and owen cage match where thier rivalry was forced to play out through running away from the opponent to win, rather than pin or submission to prove who’s superior.
CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar Summerslam 2013. The crowd was hot the entire match, the story and drama throughout was fantastic. This match is criminally underrated, especially since it was given only 4.5 stars.
The sheer storytelling in Eddie Guerrero vs Brock Lesnar it No Way Out 04 made me a life long wrestling fan. I was shocked to find out it only got 4 stars.
Angle vs Benoit at the '03 Rumble is an absolute AMAZING match and probably one of the best WWE Championship matches in WWE. A ridiculously amazing match between 2 super workers.
John Cena vs. Umaga from Royal Rumble 2007 deserves five stars in my opinion. It did the David vs. Goliath story in a beautifully brutal fashion.
^this 👏
I mean everyone knew super Cena was winning
Umaga played a great david
That Shawn vs Rated RKO match on RAW in the build to WrestleMania was another great David vs Goliath story that gets overlooked. Maybe not exactly a 5-star match, but the crowd that night made it even more special.
Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at both WM 25 & 26 matches deserved to get 5 star matches . Shame
I respectfully disagree to your opinion. I can see how people like it but for me it's overrated to a degree. It takes so much time to get going, call it working the crowd but it's a match mostly remembered for the kickouts and facials. Call me work-rate, technical and stiff geek but l watched it live as kid and even now I don't get it.
26 yes
25? Absolutely not. One bad botch immediately denies it ever having 5 stars.
The build is great l concur.
Wrestlemania 25's is one of my top 3 favorite matches.
25 is an amazing match but there is that awkward moment when Michaels trips Taker and there is a brief pause. It feels like a botch and is a blemish on an otherwise perfect match.
If The Great Khali vs Kane happened in the Tokyo Dome it would get 5 stars
I'd say so given who gives the stars haha
This is such a stupid trope. He really isn't biased in favor of the Tokyo Dome at all. The last several main events there got less than 5.
DIY vs. Revival 2-out-of-3 falls not being 5-stars is insane. I'd say it's better than any Revival vs. Bucks and Briscoes match they've had because of the long-term storytelling (it had callbacks to Gargano and Ciampa's Cruiserweight Classic match which was MONTHS AGO). It's my favorite tag match of all time, yet it was rated the same as their previous match which it definitely improved upon.
Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit RR 2003 should be a 5 star match too. It is one of the greatest wrestling matches I have ever seen with my own eyes
Roller coaster. Beat the hell out of each other. The selling. The snot! Man a gem most don’t remember
Especially when you consider it saved the show after that dreadful HHH/Steiner match
So many great SmackDown Six matches at this time. Kurt Angle was such a great wrestler in all aspects.
This is the one I was looking for. Absolute masterclass of a wrestling match. Even ended with a standing ovation.
My favorite when the crowd cheers the wrestling chain sequence, I wish more wrestlers would do this
John cena vs aj styles at the royal rumble in 2017 was absolutely brilliant definitely should have been a a 5 star rated match by dave meltzer
In my opinion, Kurt Angle VS Chris Benoit at Royal Rumble 2003 deserves 5 stars
Almost any Benoit or Angle match deserves 5 stars.
Dave never gave Kurt any 5 star ratings.
@@quentinkaasa47 well Dave Meltzer's an idiot.
TLC 2 really should be up there too. It's the match all ladder/TLC matches try to emulate now.
Also WM19 could have had two 5 star matches with HBK Vs Y2J and Brock Vs Angle.
Only one. That botched Shooting Star immediately loses it a quarter star. Any match with a botch is automatically and should be automatically disqualified from ever having 5 stars.
Triangle ladder match was way better than TLC 2 and that wasn't 5 either
I know it will never get the appreciation it deserves due to one of the participants involved, but Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle at Royal Rumble 2003 is some of the best, simple storytelling WWE has told in the last 30 years. It NEVER gets brought up when people talk about the Benoit/Angle feud. And it was basically the starting point of the "Benoit can't win the big one" storyline. Easily (for me) the most underrated match of all time.
we really should get more lists narrated by jack the jobber. his commentary and humor in this video was on point, and i'd love to see more of it in future list videos
Jack the Jobber is simply one of the best personalities on UA-cam .
@@thedoctor3528 me looking for who tf asked
I’m likely going to take heat for this, but for the next round I’d like to submit for your consideration the New Day vs. Usos Hell in a Cell match from 2017. It was one of the most inventive and underrated HIAC matches in the past decade, during a time when the two teams (along with The Bar) were carrying the tag team division on their backs, with New Day playing the comical roll of Edge and Christian; the Usos taking up the mantle of the Hardy Boyz; and The Bar channeling the toughness of the Dudleys. I, of course, am not making a direct comparison, but it had a similar vibe for the PG era.
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It's a super underrated match. I rewatched it a while back and I forgot how creative it was.
Bret Hart vs Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania 8. Absolute classic!
Even Chris Jericho admits he hard time getting the same crowd reactions in his match against Triple H, following The Rock vs Hogan, because The Rock and Hogan were two of the biggest names of wrestling at the time.
Taker/Mankind Hell in A Cell at KOTR1998. A complete car crash of a match, things going worse than it should have... Yet somehow made the match all the more frantic and insane with Foley ready for more and even Taker being all "You gotta be fucking kidding.". It's not a technical masterpiece, but the story, crowd reaction and escalation is what makes it my personal favorite match AND one that deserved to get a five star, but didn't.
That match made my adrenaline just flow overboard
Honestly that match just gives me a pit in my gut because it’s a match that should’ve ended the life of a man who’s already given too much for the business. It should not have happened and despite its legacy, should not be 5 stars, because that is not something a wrestler should ever strive to recreate.
@@nikhilbhavani981 I feel the same but I and I respect Foley from there. Yeah he could have ended his life, taker was not on board for this but mankind insisted on doing it I'm okay with it being 5 stars. That spot was on the fly I. Sure if it was pre planned it woulda been scrapped, it's no different than the shit they did in the old ecw, especially new jack sandmam or Sabu... That Foley spot had nothing on what those guys did. I dunno if your old enough to watch the pre WWE, ECW brand... So yes that's a 5 star and best matches in history. I know it's hard for some ppl. Foley did it for us of anything about it makes me feel bad I'd it went south
@@nikhilbhavani981 Oh, I agree with ya', knowing how much it took now. But i'd be lying if I can't turn away and enjoy the match
Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 21. Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit at Royal Rumble 2003.
The Undertaker vs Mankind KOTR 98, obviously. There was an Hell in a cell match between The Uso's vs The New Day a few years back that ones criminally underated too.
Bret Hart vs British Bulldog from Summerslam 1992 should've been a 5 star match. Same with Rock and Austin from Wrestlemania 17.
HBK vs Cena at raw 2007 in UK
Nearly One hour long epic, It was the best match in the raw history
End of an era hell in a cell match shoulda been 5 stars , it had good story telling and brutal match that put an end to an era we all enjoyed
DIY vs The Revival is a perfect call. Dave wasn't comfortable giving a WWE match 5 stars yet. That's really the issue. Whatever side you're on, you cannot deny that he has promotions and wrestlers that he roots for.
Dunne vs Bate from Takeover Chicago deserves a shout as well. The way they dragged the crowd into that was special.
New Day vs Usos (Hell in a Cell 2017) is arguably one of the best HIAC matches ever and deserved 5 stars.
SCSA vs Dude Love (Over the Edge 1998) is an underrated hidden gem
Hart Foundation vs SCSA, Goldust, Shamrock, and Legion of Doom (Canadian Stampede) really plays into the crowd thing like Rock/Austin.
Cena/Lesnar/Rollins (Royal Rumble 2015) is arguably the greatest triple threat of all time and rightfully so. Amazing story and action
Angle/McMahon in a street fight (KOTR 2001) just for Angle pulling off those amazing matches wirh triple duty.
Owens/Zayn/Cesaro/Miz (Extreme Rules 2016) one of the best IC matches to date
Dude how do you remember each and every match from different generations I don't remember the last match you mentioned 😂
@@adityabute2107 I keep a list of matches on my phone and my own ratings for discussions like this
I love this list and agree with every match on it there are just too many matches that deserved 5 stars underatted and known
No Triple Threat will ever top Rock/Undertaker/Angle for me. Royal Rumble 2015 was too much of a choreographed spotfest, from what I remember. And aesthetically, I just didn't like the look of the show.
Aj Styles Vs Christopher Daniels Vs Samoa Joe for the X Division title in 2005 is the greatest Triple Threat ever
Other matches that deserved a 5 star rating would be:
Edge & Christain vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz - WM X7
Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins - Royal Rumble 2015
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair - Evolution
The Undertaker vs. Triple H - WM 28
Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn - NXT TakeOver: R Evolution
AJ Styles vs. John Cena - Royal Rumble 2017
Pete Dunne vs. WALTER - NXT TakeOver: New York
AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan - SmackDown 2020
The Undisputed ERA vs The Kings of NXT - NXT TakeOver WarGames 2020
Big E vs. Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison vs. Kevin Owens vs. King Nakamura vs. Ricochet vs. Riddle vs. Seth Rollins - MITB 2021
Edge vs. Seth Rollins - Crown Jewel
Team 2.0 vs Team Black & Gold - NXT: WarGames
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - No Mercy 2008
Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H - WM XXX
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz - No Mercy 2016
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn - Battleground 2016
The Usos vs The New Day - HIAC 2016
Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan - Survivor Series 2016
Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston - WM 35
Jordan Devlin vs. Tyler Bate - NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool 2
Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair - WM 38
Taker/Jeff Hardy Ladder Match, MNR 2002. I don't care what anyone says. The crowd was 100% invested. The commentary is the single greatest example of why JR is the greatest Play-by-Play guy in wrestling history. It will always be a 5* to me.
Doesn’t matter if the crowd is into it. It wasn’t a good match. 2 stars for the inring work at most. And that’s the only criteria for this scale. FOH actually thinking that was a decent wrestling match. Stunt fest =/= a good match
@@Y3ntiLS0uP stunt fest? Im guessing you’ve never seen a Young Bucks or Ospreay match
I can never figure out why anyone cares how many stars a match gets due to one man's opinion?
Exactly!
Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk Summerslam 2009,they had the feud of the year and this match it was the peak of their feud.
Some other matches to consider for the next list: HBK/Kurt Angle at WM 21, Walter/Pete Dunne at Takeover: New York, Benoit/Angle at RR ‘03, TLC 1 & 2, and Stone Cold/The Rock at WM X7.
I was there in the building for Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 and it was a privilege to be there.
Triple H vs Dude Love SummerSlam 97 is underrated. Great story telling if u watch the build up. Love this match. Triple H vs Shawn at SummerSlam 2002 is also brilliant from an emotional standpoint. Idk the star ratings for these matches but these are some of my all-time favorites
Triple H VS HBK
Summerslam 2002
Unsanctioned Match
That match is so perfectly built
The triple threat matches at Mania 20 and Mania 30 are SO similar, you've got the undersized, technically proficient Babyfaces in Benoit, and Bryan. Then you've got one of the top main event guys from the most recent generation, in Triple H and Randy Orton. and finally you have the formerly top guys, who recently came out of retirement, while for obviously different lengths of time, in Michaels and Batista. Not to mention the way the under dogs won, both making the top guys tap out, in the Crippler Crossface.
Also main event guys were from one faction both times (Shaun and HHH from DX/ Batista and Orton from Evolution)
I’ve never liked Meltzer or most of the dirt sheets, I’ve always felt they had anti WWE bias.
More like anti Vince bias by their recent behavior. I don't know what Vince did to them
@@ananyaraizada7657 Maybe he didn’t give them enough info or worked them.
They should, WWE is a really shady company.
Most of the notable omissions have been mentioned already, but one I haven’t seen mentioned that’s a runner and rider- the Title vs Mask bout between Mysterio and Jericho in 2009. Their chemistry was off the charts good, the feud was arguably the best of 09 (it’s that or Hardy vs Punk) and it would’ve been Match of the year if it wasn’t for Taker vs HBK
0:45 had me dying laughing! Jack's " oh God!!!" Was priceless
really? you must piss your pants on ANY video then
I love what Al Snow said one time somewhere when asked what was the best match at Wrestlemania 3 was and he said, without hesitation, that it was Hogan vs Andre. Savage vs Steamboat was fun to watch, but Hogan and Andre are what put butts in the seats and it's hard to argue with him.
Taker vs HBK, both. Literally the best matches ever with two men that age. Not flashy, just an excellent story played out by two of the best ever.
Great video as always but I think it would be more interesting to have a list of 10 matches rated 5 stars that probably weren’t in reality.
That can just be a separate video
Undertaker vs HHH from wrestlemania 28 and Undertaker vs kurt Angle from no way out 2006, should be included in next list.
A top 10 list NOT narrated by Pacitti? Okay, why not. But there will be riots.
If Savage vs. Steamboat isn’t a 5-star match , then I don’t know what is. Literally the greatest match ever
This was the match I was excited to see for sure, I hated Macho for putting Steamboat out (oh those were the days of ignorance being bliss) and I remember the pop when Ricky won
Tiger Mask vs Dynamite Kid was waaaaay better.
Pete Dunne vs Adam Cole at survivor series. Its an amazing hard hitting match with awesome spots, a hot crowd, and it even has a flippy indy lad that Dave loves.
Cena vs Batista last man standing match? Very clever ending, great story telling and high work rate
Request: 10 matches that weren’t supposed to be good but were
Lesnar vs Reigns SS 2022
Sheamus vs Big Show HIAC 2012
The Great Khali vs. John Cena (c) at One Night Stand 2007
Just a personal one. I did not know how how good Gunther was. So when he and Sheamus at clash of the castle was a banger
This list is solid and proves that Uncle Dave's opinion isn't consistent or even important.
I appreciate it is Meltzer’s personal opinion, but I just cannot fathom how Savage v Steamboat didn’t get five stars, but the Sheephearders (Bushwhackers) v the Fantastics from the following year did. I’ve seen the tag match and, not only does it not stand the test of time IMO, but it also goes to a non-finish!
Hopefully Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels Mania 25 is on this list because that was a crime. That's all I will say
The Rock vs HHH Backlash 2000. That match has everything, and Dave’s star rating for it should be criminal
Brett Hart vs Mr Perfect '91 Summerslam for the IC title. Brett has said that this is his favorite match of his career, if I remember it correctly and he also loved working with Mr Perfect.
The fact that Shawn Michaels doesn't have more 5 star matches is a crime to the sport of proffesional wrestling.
Had to put in an extra F, for the lack of Shawn’s 5 stars.
Why are y'all referring to Meltzers star ratings as if they are some form of objective?
@@tacticalg754 People are being critical of his rating system. It is totally subjective but you should see the absurd number tricks he does to not give WWE 5 stars. He loves giving WWE 4.5, 4.85, 4.87 type shits. It is silly. Just like he has the right to his opinion people have the right to be critical of his opinion.
@@WuwuWuwuTV I know. But cmon, his ratings don't worth sh!t. Al those shawn vs Kurt/Austin vs Rock/etc matches are gonna remembered as absolute classics for atleast +10 more years. But who tf even talks about his 5 star AEW/NJPW matches a month later after airing? Literally %90 of people forgot quickly. That's what matters.
@@tacticalg754 Agreed. Why you fighting me for? We are on the same side.
The New Day vs The Usos from HIAC 2017 really deserves 5⭐. These two teams took tag team wrestling to another level.
Telling a wrestling fan to not argue is like asking them to wear deodrant.
It's not gonna happen.
😂😂 Telling a wrestling fan to just enjoy a product and not make everything a comparison is like telling them to grow up, its not gonna happen.
that HBL royal rumble elimination is one of my all time favs, seeing him trying with every inch of his life to reach the top rope is *chef’s kiss* amazing
Mysterio vs Morrison for the IC title on SmackDown in 2009, a 4.25 star match. Only reason I can think of it not getting the last .75 of a star is that it had commercials that kinda take you out of the action.
John Cena vs Shawn Michaels 1 hour match on Raw in 2007 was phenomenal
Totally agree- WM 26 Michaels and Undertaker is one of my favorite matches ever because of the storytelling. If you take their matches out of context then sure, WM 25 was better, but taking it all together, 26 deserves 5 stars!
Taker vs HBK shouldn't just have been 5 stars. It should've been 7 on Meltzer's dodgy broken scale. And that's why I don't put any weight in his ratings.
Wait, I could've sworn Owen vs Bret at WrestleMania X WAS given a 5 star rating
Their Summerslam match was given 5 stars
Honestly it's just one man and his opinions, he is just a fan among others. People take his words too seriously imo
I'm glad they appreciate Benoit in ring on here. He's one of the best ever. Outside the ring excluded
More people should just separate the art from the artist
"First ever" ladder match of Shawn vs. Razor at WrestleMania 10 should be up there. Like he said about Savage and Steamboat, it might not be up to par by modern standards, but at the time it was crazy. Now the idea seems a little played out, but I remember seeing that match for the first time and it seemed like the most creative and dramatic thing that had ever happened in a ring. I was also 8 at the time, so that could be part of why I remember it being so awesome.
That’s already rated as 5 stars. Completely agree with the summation, though, as did big Davey M.
Taker v mankind kotr 98 hell in a cell. Will never forget that
Matches from the mid 2010s to 2021 I believe should have gotten five stars
2015: Sasha Banks vs Bayley Takeover Brooklyn
2016: Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens Battleground
2017: John Cena vs AJ Styles Royal Rumble
2018: Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan Survivor Series
2019: Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole Takeover 25
2020: AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan Smackdown
2021: Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan Smackdown
Brock vs Bryan had a heel vs heel dynamic and meltzer doesn't like that.
Takeover 25 got 5.25 stars
I always think Dave graded matches back in the 00s on a curve. Just seems crazy to me how few five star matches he had back then, but now it seems like every aew event has at least one. Wwe has had two in 2022 alone
Are you joking? The Rock hasn't put on a five star match ever, neither has Hogan.
I would make an argument for the 1992 Royal Rumble match. The structure was near-perfect, the crowd red hot and the storyline (and what it meant, with Vince letting an NWA guy basically lead the match) was tremendous.
Honestly been very much looking forward to this upload!
TLC 2 at WM17. Considered by many to be the best WrestleMania and this was the best match.
Savage vs Steamboat is one the prime examples of how you incorporate amazing athleticism while still presenting an actual struggle as opposed to a choreographed circus routine.
Lmao that entire match was choreographed move for move by Savage. Y'all are wild
@@HEagle72 yeah only because Savage was determined to have the main event match whether he was in it or not. Plus people only know the entire thing was choreographed now, as opposed to a lot of modern matches that look choreographed to anybody watching.
"I can only assume that's how Bret felt at WrestleMania X".
Hilarious!
Bret vs Davey Boy at Summerslam 92 is a slam dunk for a 5- star match. Would also put Bret's KOTR 93 match against Hening as a 5-star match (even if a bit on the short side).
Kurt vs Shawn at WM21 hands down!!!
Honorable Mention to Bret vs Perfect at KOTR '93
That picture of Benoit and Eddie both champion at the end of WM20 is still an amazing pic.
Another Foley match that I love is the hardcore one vs Edge.
A personal favorite of mine because I was in the audience that never gets talked about is the Matt Hardy vs Edge cage match at 2005's Unforgiven. The real life story between Hardy, Edge and Lita made the atmosphere electric. Fans were disappointed by the pairs underwhelming Summerslam match that was stopped with the heel beating the hell out of the baby face in very unusual booking.
This match had everything and more. A white hot heat heel the crowd wanted to see get obliterated by a man the company was clearly not behind.
If you haven't seen it give it a watch and let me know what you think.
not a WWE match, but what first came to mind was Rey Misterio vs Eddie Guerrero Mask vs Title at Halloween Havoc 97
Nakamura Vs Zayn was/still is one of the best NXT matches ever
Rock vs Hogan ❌
Michaels vs Angle ❌
Cena vs Styles ❌
Random match on dynamite ✅
Good job Meltzer
HOLY STUFF, YES! michaels/take 26 over 25. bar none. both were excellent but the story telling for 26 was epic
I'm shocked that the Savage - Steamboat match wasn't given 5 stars by Meltzer. Zayn vs. Nakamura too.
Batista vs HHH Hell in a cell
Yes
Sassy Jack is the best Jack. Great work as always, this video was a joy to watch.
Team Cena Vs Team Authority was memorable for me
That DIY vs. Revival match at Toronto was the match that got me into NXT to begin with. Stopped watching back in 2013, had gotten back into wwe in late 2016, and gave takeover Toronto a shot when it was on. Definitely so glad I did 😭
Rock Hogan isn’t a 5 star match but it’s a 10 star moment, I dare say it’s the most electric goosebump moment in pro wrestling history.
Good list. I would love to see the reverse. Dave Meltzer WWE 5 star matches that shouldn't have been 5 stars
I agree with the Top 3, especially with the #1 being the famous "should be a 5-star match but is not" in Taker/Shawn in WrestleMania XXV and here are some matches that I would think deserves 5-stars:
AJ Styles vs. John Cena [either SummerSlam 2016 or Royal Rumble 2017, both are classics]
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch [Hell in a Cell 2019, a great modern day HIAC match that is unfortunately overshadowed by *that* main event]
Kota Ibushi vs. Cedric Alexander [Cruiserweight Classic 2016]
John Cena vs. Umaga [Royal Rumble 2007, another 2000s WWE match that deserves to be 5-stars as well, one of the best Last Man Standing matches]
Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic [NXT TakeOver: Portland]
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens [Royal Rumble 2016, a personal favorite match and another great Last Man Standing match]
Brawling Brutes vs. Imperium [Extreme Rules 2022, recency bias but idc the stipulation was unnecessary for the six men to go violent with their physicality]
Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles/Daniel Bryan [Survivor Series 2017/2018, both were really good]
A number of good cases. But Rock vs Hogan, despite the crowd, wasn't 5 stars, as great as the atmosphere was. I get the specialness of it, but it wasn't that great.
This. Great atmosphere. But not a 5 star match.
You can't really feel that match if you weren't a hulkamaniac. Maybe that's why you feel it's not that good. Hogan returning home after 8 years was the best thing about 2002. It was so good that Vince made Hogan champion to cash on nostalgia. And Hogan vs Rock was all about nostalgia.
@@ananyaraizada7657 I loved the feel and atmosphere. It made everything better. But the match was Ok.
@@danielebowman the match does not matter, wrestling is about storytelling; not a bunch of flips that we see all the fucking time
I really liked One Night Stand (WWE) Awesome vs. Tanaka. Even the wrestlers were Staring in amazement
The base line for Meltzer is WWE starts at -1 star, AEW starts at +1 and anything in Japan starts at +2. Therefore a 4 star WWE match = a 7 star Japanese match or a 6 star AEW match. Given how he scored some of these greats that might be close to accurate.
That’s just not true. A 4 star match in wwe is the same as a 4 star in new Japan. Cope and seethe retard.