In additional methods than one, the Angle Period perpetually modified the wrestling business, resulting in superstars inhabiting extra practical gimmicks, in addition to clashing in model new match variations (the hardcore match, the Hell in a Cell match, the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match). These new developments immediately gained followers over, propelling the WWE (then generally known as the WWF) ahead of their rankings conflict in opposition to WCW and ECW.
From well-known matches contained in the Hell in a Cell to thrilling bouts between among the WWE’s most legendary rivals, listed below are the best possible matches of the WWE’s Angle Period.
The Undertaker vs. Mankind (King of the Ring 1998)
A match so good it actually has a whole Wikipedia web page devoted to it. A bout that actually examined the bounds of wrestling – blurring the road between kayfabe and actuality – there is not a match that comes near surpassing how downright harmful the Hell within the Cell bout between Mankind and the Undertaker was on the 1998 King of the Ring.
Well-known for holding not one however two practically deadly falls, the picture of Mankind being hurled off the highest of the cell will perpetually be ingrained in each wrestling followers’ reminiscence. It didn’t matter in case you had been a fan of WWF, WCW, or ECW – you needed to reward Mick Foley for his full and utter willingness to take bumps only a few individuals would even contemplate taking. It was dramatic, harmful, demonstrated each wrestlers’ dedication to their craft, and left us on the sting of our seats all through. In different phrases, it’s a basic match we’d by no means seen earlier than, and we’ll virtually actually by no means see it once more.
The Rock vs. “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin (WrestleMania X-Seven)
Technically talking, the Angle Period got here to an unofficial finish in some unspecified time in the future in 2002 – possible across the time WWF rebranded itself because the WWE. However looking back, the closest factor we needed to a definitive conclusion to the Angle Period was the fateful primary occasion between The Rock and “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin at 2001’s WrestleMania X-Seven.
After an intense and bodily brawl, Austin and Rock proceeded to beat one another bloody of their emotional rematch from WrestleMania XV two years prior. With Rock seeking to avenge his earlier loss and Austin hoping to achieve the WWF Championship, the group was totally electrical as they watched these two males throw every little thing they’d at each other. And, after all, the stunning finale, which noticed longtime rivals Stone Chilly and Mr. McMahon shake arms, spelled out the top of the Angle Period as we knew it – one thing that, with the onset of Austin’s heel flip and the Invasion storyline, turned out to be the case.
Bret Hart vs. “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)
In 1997, the Angle Period was in its infancy, with future star “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin nonetheless eking out a reputation for himself because the tough-talking Texas Rattlesnake audiences would come to know and love within the years forward. Initially portrayed as a villainous character, Austin’s first main feud below his Stone Chilly moniker got here reverse Bret Hart, leading to an “I Stop” match at WrestleMania 13.
Performing a uncommon double flip which noticed Austin flip face and the heroic Hart heel flip, Austin and Hart’s match at WrestleMania 13 is usually cited not solely as the most effective matches in WrestleMania historical past however the official place to begin of the Angle Period itself. With the conclusion of this match – which noticed a bloodied Austin passing out from the Sharpshooter moderately than selecting to submit – Austin grew to become a breakout star in WWF, elevating him to the highest of the corporate’s programming for the subsequent 5 years.
Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz (WrestleMania X-Seven)
When trying on the giant assortment of previous WrestleManias, it turns into clear that few had as spectacular a line-up of matches as WrestleMania X-Seven, together with the historic Tables, Ladders, and Chairs rematch between Edge & Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz—a significant enchancment upon the already implausible first T.L.C. at Summerslam 2000, T.L.C. II is one other licensed basic, practically overshadowing WrestleMania’s primary occasion between Austin and The Rock.
Sustaining a high-octane velocity, T.L.C. II had every little thing you’d come to count on from a T.L.C. match and extra – the falls had been greater, the ladders had been taller, the wrestlers keen to take even riskier bumps (like Jeff Hardy being speared by Edge 12 ft above the ring). If Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels set the boundaries of the Ladder Match at WrestleMania X, these six males took it one step additional, elevating the match to untold new heights (figuratively and actually talking).
The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)
It’s at all times nice seeing wrestlers of two completely different generations lock up at WrestleMania, whether or not it’s John Cena and The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII or Kevin Owens and “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38. Years earlier than these aforementioned matches, although, there was the primary official “Icon versus Icon” match between The Rock and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8.
Why The Rock versus Hogan wasn’t billed as the principle occasion of WrestleMania X is among the universe’s nice mysteries. Simply stealing the present from the pay-per-view’s primary occasion match between Chris Jericho and Triple H, The Rock and Hogan had all the SkyDome on their ft, clamoring to see which veteran wrestler would find yourself on prime. Properly taking part in to the group’s power, the 2 had an intense back-and-forth match, The Rock making the smart move to play the straight heel to Hogan’s babyface hero. Valuing story over pure athleticism, although Hogan misplaced, he nonetheless got here out trying like an enormous, serving to The Rock fend off his former n.W.o. compatriots Kevin Nash and Scott Corridor as Hulkamania went wild within the background.
Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz (Summerslam 2000)
At WrestleMania 2000, Edge & Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz had the definitive greatest match of the evening with their show-stealing six-man ladder match, paving the way in which for a feud between the three groups that may final into the next 12 months. 5 months later, the three groups met once more at Summerslam, this time dealing with off in what could be the first-ever Tables, Ladders, and Chair Match in wrestling historical past.
Whereas their later rematch at WrestleMania X-Seven is an total enchancment upon their authentic encounter right here, it’s not possible to take something away from T.L.C. I. Performing revolutionary strikes the likes of which no one had ever seen earlier than, these six males had the distinctive alternative to construct a proto-typical match from the bottom up. It was a excessive bar they set for themselves, full of violent chair photographs, lethal-looking bumps by tables, and heart-stopping dives from the tops of ladders. If it weren’t for T.L.C. II, it’d most likely stay the perfect match of its form at the moment.
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (Badd Blood: In Your Home)
After costing the Undertaker an opportunity on the World Title at Summerslam, Shawn Michaels grew to become embroiled in an epic feud with the Phenom for the rest of 1997. Recent off their inconclusive first bout at Floor Zero: In Your Home, Michaels finally confronted the Useless Man within the first-ever Hell in a Cell match at Badd Blood: In Your Home two months later.
Just like the above-mentioned T.L.C. I, Undertaker and Michaels helped set the usual for the Hell in a Cell match, illustrating simply how violent and sometimes sudden a match it could possibly be. Recent off his victory over the British Bulldog at One Evening Solely and drawing oodles of warmth from the group, Michaels lastly received his simply desserts by the hands of the Undertaker, leaving the Heartbreak Child a bloody mess as they battled within the ring and each round and on prime of the cell. In fact, it’s not possible to debate this match with out mentioning the sudden debut of Kane, igniting one of many hottest feuds of the Angle Period between Undertaker and his long-lost brother.
Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart (Survivor Sequence 1998)
These days, the notorious ending to Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels’ grudge match at Survivor Sequence 1998 tends to overshadow the precise match itself. Whereas most wrestling followers are conscious of the infamous Montreal Screwjob, merely trying on the scandal itself doesn’t do practically sufficient justice to absolutely the slobber-knocker of a bout HBK and the Hit Man had in what could be their final match-up collectively.
Drawing unbelievable ranges of warmth from the group, Shawn Michaels on the peak of his run because the chief of DX – a trash-talking, Canada-hating dangerous boy with a significant chip on his shoulder. Bret Hart was the beloved Canadian champion seeking to defend his belt, hoping to redeem his loss to the Heartbreak Child at WrestleMania XII. Figuring out the private points these two had backstage, it’s merely unbelievable to see how implausible they labored collectively, laying it out all out within the ring – even when the match resulted in essentially the most controversial means possible.
Mankind vs. The Rock (Royal Rumble 1999)
If Mankind’s match in opposition to the Undertaker at King of the Ring 1998 didn’t illustrate that he was keen to take some insane bumps, his 1999 bout with The Rock on the Royal Rumble as soon as once more proved it. One more extremely harmful match that’s legitimately uncomfortable to sit down by at instances, Mick Foley put his literal life on the road in his “I Stop” match in opposition to the Company Champ, subjecting himself to a complete of 11 unprotected chair photographs to the top within the span of two-and-a-half-minutes.
Simply probably the most violent matches in WWE’s historical past, it’s laborious to emphasise how a lot injury Foley bodily went by on this match. A testomony to Foley’s bravery and dedication to the enterprise, it’s simply another reason to like Mrs. Foley’s Child Boy, respecting him for his toughness, tenacity, and dedication to the game.
Cactus Jack vs. Triple H (Royal Rumble 2000)
A uncommon pay-per-view match that Mick Foley didn’t virtually die competing in, Foley’s long-dormant alter ego, Cactus Jack, made his momentous return to WWF tv firstly of 2000. Difficult then-WWF Champion Triple H to a Road Combat on the Royal Rumble, the 2 males beat one another senselessly by Madison Backyard Sq., pulling out each age-old trick within the hardcore handbook and some new ones.
Utilizing metal chairs, handcuffs, and barbed wire 2x4s, Foley and the Recreation had the perfect match of their rivalry on the time. Although a heel, Triple H lastly proved he had what it took to be the WWF’s World Champion, his victory over Foley additional legitimized his ascendancy to the highest of WWF tv. Not solely that, however the match’s conclusion – which noticed Cactus Jack take a second improvised Pedigree on a pile of thumbtacks – once more hammered dwelling the lengths Foley would go to make sure his bouts had been essentially the most sudden and entertaining on tv on the time.
Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (Royal Rumble 2001)
Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho are two of essentially the most underrated wrestlers to ever compete in WWE’s Angle Period. Having made a reputation for themselves in WCW’s Cruiserweight division, the 2 finally discovered their method to WWE within the early 2000s, paving the way in which to a number of match-ups that pitted Y2J in opposition to his former adversary with the Intercontinental Championship mendacity within the steadiness.
Having had a number of nice matches all through 2000, Benoit and Jericho’s feud ended with a positively terrific ladder match at Royal Rumble 2001. Counting on the identical mat-based technical wrestling fashion the 2 had been recognized for, Benoit and Jericho additionally expertly integrated quite a lot of artistic spots involving the token ladders of their encounter right here. It might not have been practically as revolutionary because the T.L.C. or ladder matches that includes the Dudleys, Edge & Christian, or the Hardys, however that didn’t cease Jericho and the Rabid Wolverine from having an in any other case stellar match.
Shane McMahon vs. Kurt Angle (King of the Ring 2001)
Subsequent to Mick Foley, just one man comes near matching the identical degree of high-risk strikes because the Hardcore Legend, that particular person being none aside from Vince McMahon’s son, Shane. An indelible on-screen persona in virtually storyline he discovered himself in, Shane additionally proved he may again his spectacular mic work with some distinctive wrestling skills as nicely, collaborating in a number of memorable match-ups, none extra well-known than his Road Combat in opposition to Kurt Angle at 2001’s King of the Ring.
Like Mick Foley, Shane had a penchant for taking riskier bumps in the middle of his matches, falling from 50 ft within the air in his Summerslam 2000 match in opposition to Steve Blackman and diving off the highest of the Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 32. At King of the Ring, Shane’s caution-to-the-wind angle was on full show, with Angle suplexing Shane a number of instances right into a plate glass window, sending Shane crashing onto his head every time. It’s a marvel each males may even collect the energy left to complete this match, and a real miracle they weren’t taken away on a stretcher the primary time Shane truly went by the glass.
Cactus Jack vs. Triple H (No Method Out 2000)
Persevering with their rivalry after their brutal Road Combat at Royal Rumble 2000, Cactus Jack confronted Triple H in a rematch at No Method Out one month later. This time round, nevertheless, they might meet within the match that Foley had made well-known, battling contained in the infamous Hell in a Cell. In a match that was as bodily and bloody as their earlier encounter, Cactus Jack and Triple H dialed it as much as 11 once more, performing hardcore maneuvers in and out of the eponymous Cell.
Naturally, most individuals have a tendency to recollect this match for the characteristically insane bump Foley took that despatched him crashing by the highest of the cell onto the mat beneath. As noteworthy as that spot was, it’s vital to notice simply how implausible a match it was contained in the cell, even earlier than it spilled onto the skin of the cage. Each males needed to know fan expectations had been excessive – but they greater than managed to ship.
The Rock vs. Triple H (Summerslam 1998)
The Rock and Triple H grew to become two of the mainstay faces of the Angle Period by 1999. Nonetheless, in the midst of 1998, they had been merely on the prime of the midcard, feuding for the Intercontinental Championship for the higher a part of the summer season. This rivalry finally got here to a head by Summerslam 1998, which noticed the 2 pitted in a ladder match with The Rock’s Intercontinental Championship title on the road.
Although missing the identical high-flying offensive fashion because the Hardys or Shawn Michaels, The Rock and Triple H nonetheless had a relatively nice ladder match in opposition to each other, presumably even upstaging the present’s primary occasion match between Steve Austin and the Undertaker. The quantity of out of doors interference from the Nation of Domination and DX was good, and utilizing the ladders as a weapon was fittingly uncooked. With how nicely this bout turned out to be, Triple H and The Rock confirmed the world they’d what it took to be key gamers within the WWF, serving to cement their rise within the firm.
Staff WWF vs. Staff Alliance (Survivor Sequence 2001)
The Rock, Chris Jericho, the Undertaker, Kane, and the Large Present versus “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Shane McMahon. Was there ever a time when so many stars had been featured in a single match? Maybe the best 10-man elimination tag workforce match in Survivor Sequence’ historical past, the ultimate showdown between Vince McMahon’s Staff WWF and the joint Alliance of WCW and ECW superstars was nothing in need of spectacular.
Sure, you may argue that the bout barely featured any ECW or WCW wrestlers apart from RVD and Booker T, however the match’s strengths greater than outweigh its weaknesses, ending the Invasion story angle in one of the simplest ways doable. You had Shane proving a thorn in Staff WWF’s aspect by breaking apart pin-covers left and proper, an egomaniacal Jericho betraying his personal workforce, Angle bashing Austin within the brow along with his personal title, and The Rock and Austin renewing their WrestleMania match as the ultimate two males within the match. From its chaotic opening to its hair-raising conclusion, it’s a picture-perfect instance of a 10-man elimination match accomplished proper.