#25
WWE Championship Match
John Cena (c) vs Daniel Bryan
Summerslam 2013
This match was the start of Daniel Bryan's megapush to the top, which ultimately culminated at WrestleMania 30. But as for a start, going over John Cena clean was the ultimate rub for Daniel Bryan. But more than just the finish and the match and what the match led to, this was just an amazing show of ability by two of the best wrestlers alive today. While I've never thought of Cena as a bad wrestler, in 2013, it wasn't often that we got to see him wrestle these kinds of matches against smaller, more technically proficient guys like Bryan. And in this big match environment, both performers flourished. With Bryan and Cena pulling innovative offense out of absolutely nowhere, combined with the shocking finish and Daniel Bryan's new finisher, this match had plenty to bring to the table.
#24
WWE Championship Match
John Cena (c) vs Shawn Michaels vs Randy Orton vs Edge
Backlash 2007
In what was definitely the greatest Fatal 4 Way match in the history of WWE, John Cena solidified his 2007 World Championship match by following up a great defense against Shawn Michaels with this absolute gem of a match. It wasn't quite as fast paced as the match from No Way Out 2001 that I highlighted earlier in the list, but it made up for a slower pace with well-timed and well-thought out spots and an incredible finish. Orton and Edge working as a tag team throughout the match was a nice touch, doing wonders as far as developing the story of the match. All in all this match took all the positive elements of a Fatal 4 Way and executed them to the very highest degree.
#23
Unsanctioned Street Fight
Triple H vs Shawn Michaels
Summerslam 2002
As far as return matches go, this has to be in the upper echelon of them all. After taking four years off wrestling for a combination of a broken back and reinventing himself as a person outside of the ring, HBK came back better than ever. In his first match back, he was already engaged in a personal rivalry with his real-life best friend, Triple H. And I couldn't imagine a better match for his return. The entire match was intense and emotional, and even beyond the end of the match it maintained that emotion, as a bloodied-up Triple H breaks a sledgehammer over HBK's back, and the final shot of him laughing at The Showstopper being stretchered away is one of the greatest visuals in professional wrestling history.
#22
WWF Championship Match
Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) vs Kurt Angle
Unforgiven 2001
Many may prefer their Summerslam bout from the previous month, but to me, nothing compares to the emotions that made this match amazing. Austin's desperate attempts to hold on to his Championship coupled with the rarely-seen rage that Kurt Angle displayed in his hometown were a perfect storm on this night, on the first PPV after 9/11. While Kurt's submission victory (Austin's only tap out in the last 5 years of his career) may have been entirely a sympathy win for a feel-good moment, as he lost the title just weeks later on RAW, the moment on this night felt special, especially when Angle's family rushed the ring after the match to celebrate.
#21
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Brock Lesnar (c) vs John Cena vs Seth Rollins
Royal Rumble 2015
This match was originally supposed to be a not-very-highly-anticipated fourth contest between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. The addition of Seth Rollins turned it into so much more. Each wrestler brought something different to the table. Cena, as the big brawler, Lesnar, as the unstoppable machine, and Rollins as the athletic, smarmy pest. Lesnar took more punishment than possibly anyone I've ever seen take in one wrestling match just for the purpose of getting over even more before his WrestleMania match with Roman Reigns. This match showcased Rollins' abilities on a higher level and proved that he can indeed hang with the company's main eventers.
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