So far in WWE this year, we've witnessed some amazing matches, but what are the best? I took some time, watched a ton of the better matches this year and here comes a list of my top 10 so far for 2016. Let's get into it.
10. Bayley vs Asuka
NXT Takeover Dallas
-This was the end of Bayley and the era of her in the NXT landscape. Bayley was the champion for a number of months and it was obvious that Asuka was likely take the belt from her. This match was a great contest that saw Asuka get a big victory and start her era in NXT. Who will dethrone Asuka? Only time will tell.
9. Sasha Banks vs Charlotte
RAW July 2016
-This match was something special. I remember just sitting back and thinking it would end with some nonsense. On a match level, the Triple Threat at Wrestlemania 32 is slightly better as a match, but this was just a better outcome and less sloppy in execution. Sasha wins and walks away with the belt she should have won at Mania.
8. AJ Styles vs Roman Reigns
Extreme Rules 2016
-While Reigns isn't necessarily my favorite, I loved what he and AJ did in this match, despite not enjoying the outcome. I think AJ truly put on a great performance, and Reigns managed to keep up with the superior athlete. Reigns wins this match and retains, but this is a great contest regardless.
7. Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns
Battleground
-The Shield Triple Threat was long overdue, and a match that I enjoyed and ended the way it should have. Ambrose won a great contest, one that might be remembered as a classic when it's all said and done. Reigns takes the pin this match, which was a shock to me honestly, but Ambrose winning was the right call. Great contest.
6. Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens
Payback
-This match is underrated as it's the lesser of the two big single matches between the two stars. Regardless, this was a definite classic, as these two pushed each other to the limit, and Owens picked up the victory, continuing his torment of Zayn and controlling the rivalry.
5. The Miz vs Sami Zayn vs Cesaro vs Kevin Owens
Extreme Rules
-I hated the outcome. I think Sami should have won, but seeing how the draft went, I guess I get why it ended the way it did. Still, each of these stars put in an amazing effort, and with Miz getting the victory, it almost ruined a match that is a classic for this year. Anytime you put Owens, Zayn, and Cesaro in the ring together, you're bound to get something great. Miz just happened to benefit.
4. John Cena vs AJ Styles
Money In The Bank
-I thought these two put on a hell of a show. AJ was in mode as usual and Cena stepped up to the challenge, as expected. After a 25 minute battle, interference from the Club sealed the deal for AJ and Cena lost in the middle of the ring. We knew this was the beginning of something long term, and sure enough we'll have another contest at Summerslam which could be better than this one. Only time will tell.
3. Cedric Alexander vs Kota Ibushi
WWE CWC (2nd Round)
-It's surreal for me to have just watched this match and put it on the list so high already, but it deserves to be top 3 of the year so far. I came home, watched this match and sat in absolute awe of what I witnessed. Ibushi was great, but the star of this match was Cedric who managed to somehow upstage Ibushi just a bit, so much so that he ended the match getting a huge cheer and the crowd telling him to "Please Sign Cedric". The fact that they kept Cedric and HHH's moment with him on the show speaks volumes to possible plans that they have for him. This was the official coronation of Cedric Alexander as a WWE star.
2. Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens
Battleground
-I was blown away by this contest. No shock that Sami Zayn or Kevin Owens are involved in many of the choices in this list. Another Owens match against Dean Ambrose from the Royal Rumble just missed the mark on this list, and Sami has other matches that almost made this list, including his near hour match with Samoa Joe, which is pretty slept on. Regardless, this contest was a true classic, flawless from beginning to end, with Zayn finally getting the win over Owens.
1. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn
NXT Takeover Dallas
-Is there any other choice? Nakamura and Aries just missed this list too, and Nakamura is likely to add another match on this list soon against Joe in Brooklyn. This was WWE debut and he showed out. The pacing, the action, the suspense, the showmanship, it had everything you would want in a big fight. The big fight feel was definitely in effect here too and both men did exactly what you'd expect and that's steal the show. I don't expect any match to be better than this the rest of the year, but it is possible. We shall see. But for now, this is no. 1.
See a choice of yours missing from the list? Post it in the comments below.
-True
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