There was a time when house shows would feature matches that would put WrestleMania to shame. There have also been several title changes when the cameras weren’t rolling. At several instances, house shows have even gone on to feature matches that would have never happened at a televised event. Here are ten rare matches that were never aired on television:
#10 The Nation of Domination v/s Austin, The Undertaker, Cactus Jack and Terry Funk
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The line-up itself is worthy of eliciting an adrenaline rush. The event, which surprisingly was a dark match, transpired after a RAW taping in December 1997. To see Austin and Undertaker on the same page, wasn’t a rare occurrence, back in the day; with both having teamed up on numerous occasions.
Terry Funk’s inclusion in the match happened after Vader was ruled out of the equation. The Nation of Domination, a heel faction, proved to be noteworthy competitors and this star-studded match-up was a treat to watch for all those in attendance. The team of Austin, Taker, Jack and Funk went on to pick up the victory.
#9 Bret Hart v/s Shawn Michaels
In the ladder match oeuvre, this match-up was the linchpin! If you think Razor Ramon v/s Michaels was the first ladder-match in the history of the WWE, you’re mistaken!
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels had quite a tempestuous relationship (trying to pry on the Screwjob, yet again) and both faced off in 1992 in a pilot ladder-match with The Hitman Hart’s Intercontinental Championship on the line. It took place at the behest of Vince McMahon who wanted to know if the ladder-match concept would work or not.
#8 John Cena v/s CM Punk v/s Jack Swagger v/s Dolph Ziggler v/s Alberto Del Rio
This match was well worthy of being part of a pay-per-view event for two reasons. One: it was a star-studded match up; two: it was Hell in a Cell. The fatal five-way match inside the demonic structure featured the biggest names in the WWE but much to the dismay of fans from around the world, it was a dark match.
This match, of epic proportions, happened right after the RAW episode on September 26, 2011, and John Cena’s WWE Championship was on the line, which he retained (no surprises there)
#7 Ric Flair v/s Bret Hart
The World Wrestling Federation belt changed hands at a house event! Would you believe it?
Out of all possible events, Ric Flair was forced to submit his title to Bret Hart at a Coliseum Videotaping! Vince McMahon’s genius was at work again, and the title changing hands actually went a long way in boosting ticket sales for house shows. Bret, The Hitman Hart, would hit the sharpshooter to take away Ric Flair’s gold.
#6 Diesel v/s Bob Backlund
Another instance where the championship belt would change hands at a house show. Big Daddy Cool faced off against Bob Backlund, who laid claim to the championship after defeating Bret Hart at Survivor Series in 1994. Only after three days of holding the belt, Backlund had the title taken away from him after being put through a jacknife powerbomb at a house show in November of 1994.
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Bob was made the scapegoat by Vince as he didn’t want Bret to lose directly to Big Daddy Cool. Diesel, after claiming the gold, would enjoy a championship reign that lasted 358 days!
#5 Eddie Guerrero v/s The Undertaker
Eddie Guerrero was one of the best heels in WWE history. Right after his heel turn, during the early part of 2005, Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker worked a series of matches at house shows. The Phenom emerged victorious on all four occasions of their meeting.
It comes as a surprise that both men never faced each other in a televised WWE match.
#4 The Undertaker, Rey Mysterio and Kane v/s Eddie Guerrero, Edge and Kurt Angle
This was a match of stellar proportions as adjudicated by the major names on the marquee. It transpired in a WWE Supershow in Japan in July 2005, and all six superstars who competed in the match-up were on top of their game.
According to the sources, The Brothers of Destruction hit simultaneous chokeslams on Edge and Angle, while Mysterio did a sit-down splash on Guerrero for the triple pin.
#3 The Undertaker v/s Macho Man Randy Savage
Throughout the summer of 1991, The Undertaker would work a series of matches with Macho Man Randy Savage. Randy would replace The Ultimate Warrior (who previously competed in singles action against The Deadman at house shows) and pick up victories on three occasions.
It was a pity that these two competitors never went head-to-head in televised events.
#2 Batista and Shawn Michaels v/s Triple H and Ric Flair
This tag-team match-up was worthy of headlining a WrestleMania. It was that time of the year when both Batista and Shawn Michaels were babyfaces. They went on to team up against Triple H and Ric Flair in a house show in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
The match was won by the team of Batista and Shawn Michaels (no surprise there).
#1 Bret Hart and 1-2-3 Kid v/s Shawn Michaels and Owen Hart
A match that at least deserved a RAW taping! This was a well-worked house match (1994) which included all four names being involved in major storylines. Bret and Owen were at the pinnacle of their sibling rivalry, Michaels was preparing for his WM match against Razor Ramon and 1-2-3 Kid (later known as X-Pac and the lead actor of the hit film “One Night in Chyna”) had just won tag team gold with Marty Janetty.
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