While we may all complain every now and again about WWE’s booking direction, there is no mistake that despite that hindrance, we have had some great WWE World Heavyweight Championship matches to come out of it all.
When sports entertainment’s grandest prize is on the line, every man gives his all and sometimes puts on the best performance of his life in the quest to gain the Championship.
Over the last ten years, we have certainly had some great WWE World Heavyweight Championship matches and these matches ultimately represent what we love about pro wrestling.
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On that note, here is a collection of 10 great matches that were fought over the most coveted prize in pro-wrestling.
#10 CM Punk vs Chris Jericho – Chicago Street Fight, Extreme Rules 2012
Whether you love the man or hate him, you can’t exclude CM Punk from this list.
In the course of his 434 day history making WWE World Heavyweight Championship Reign, Punk has certainly had the incredible body of work that went hand in hand with the feat.
Perhaps one of his best feuds though, came against the returning Chris Jericho right after WrestleMania 28.
Using CM Punk’s drug-free, straight-edge lifestyle to drive their story, both men turned it up a notch in this brutal bout. Punk eventually retained the Championship, but the match itself, with its generous dose of in-ring psychology, was an instant classic.
#9 Randy Orton vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose – Fatal Four Way Match, Payback 2015
This match from Payback was best known for the subtle reunion of The Shield despite almost being in singles competition for a year. Match stipulations were the main cause for the four men to clash together at the event.
There were great moves through the match with some good high flying moves thrown in for added measure. The Authority interference was overkill, but just for a sweet, brief moment, The Shield united to execute the Triple Powerbomb to Orton through a table.
It was almost a tease for reminiscing about the good times. I can live with that.
The sparring between Reigns and Ambrose was added fun, but Rollins would end up retaining his title thanks to the Authority.
#8 Roman Reigns vs Sheamus – Raw, December 2015
In what was Reigns’ most favorable night with the WWE Universe, Vince McMahon entered the equation after Reigns had brutally assaulted Triple H at TLC the night before.
This was the Reigns fans wanted to see, and just for some days we got it.
The buildup on Raw was brilliant for this match, from the opening between Reigns and Stephanie to the detail that it was Reigns’ daughter’s eighth birthday. Sheamus offers himself for a match during Reigns’ confrontation with Vince McMahon.
The match itself had old school elements courtesy of the McMahons. However Reigns was able to oust Sheamus and capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the second time.
This whole period, albeit shortlived, was golden.
#7 John Cena vs Edge – TLC Match, Unforgiven 2006
In one of WWE’s greatest rivalries post-Attitude Era, John Cena and Edge were embattled in a highly shocking and emotional feud ten years ago.
2006 was Edge’s coming out party, and the TLC Match at Unforgiven was the culmination of what was a fantastic feud. The TLC match was Edge’s specialty, and he showed no remorse as he drove Cena to his limits. The story of the year was told in grand fashion with both men fighting to the finish.
Cena was able to maneuver Edge into the FU (AA for younger folk) from the top of the ladder, sending him down a stack of tables to capture the Championship. Edge may have lost, but his legacy was changed forever thanks to the feud with Cena.
#6 Seth Rollins vs Neville – Raw, August 2015
This surprise match came about in San Jose, CA, where Rollins won the Championship and where Cena started the US Open Challenge.
Prior to this, Rollins had broken Cena’s nose and in classic heel fashion, issued his own challenge.
As per the Authority’s stipulations though, the Superstar to answer the challenge had to be under six feet and under two hundred pounds.
Neville answered the challenge, looking to make the most of his opportunity and his performance reminded us of why he excelled in NXT. Rollins underestimated Neville, who almost secured an upset victory over the champion.
Rollins then retained after Neville missed the mark with the Red Arrow.
#5 Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels – Ladder Match, No Mercy 2008
The newly crowned Champion Jericho started off his reign with a bang. When it was announced that Michaels would be facing Jericho at No Mercy, fans knew they were in for a great match.
Fans certainly remembered the classic dream match these two had at WrestleMania XIX five years prior. So it was no surprise that this match delivered to match the expectations fans had harboured for it.
Being the veterans that both men were when it came to ladder matches,they effectively used props throughout this match. Some of the most dangerous tumbles from the ladder, no question, were seen in the match.
Jericho retained the Championship after a close tug of war on top of the ladder.
#4 Randy Orton vs Christian – No Holds Barred Match, SummerSlam 2011
This feud was one of the best and the most intense ones of 2011.
However, it was met with controversy, as Christian lost his newly won first Championship to Orton in a rematch just days later on SmackDown. Christian eventually regained the Championship at Money in the Bank though, after provoking Orton to get himself disqualified and earning the win.
Triple H issued the match, and the two men came to blows and tore the house down in Los Angeles. The emotion in this match was super intense, especially when each man tried to outsmart the other and Christian spat in Orton’s face again.
Orton rose above the incident though and captured the Championship after a devastating RKO onto the steel steps.
#3 John Cena vs Seth Rollins vs Brock Lesnar – Triple Threat Match, Royal Rumble 2015
Rollins was the star in this matchup, despite the other two being powerhouses.
Plus, it was one of the first times we saw Lesnar not be the complete dominant monster thanks in part to J & J Security and the odds of the matchup. It was also his best match on this WWE run, no question.
All three men took a beating, especially Lesnar, who was temporarily put out after going through a table. Rollins’ Phoenix Splash was a thing of beauty and was a highlight in the match. Lesnar, however, was able to overcome the odds and retain the Championship.
#2 CM Punk v. John Cena – Money in the Bank 2011
The story behind this match was unique; in real life CM Punk’s contract was set to expire around the same time as the PPV was being held. WWE decided to use this as the story in the match, billing it as Punk’s last night with the company.
Also it being in Punk’s hometown of Chicago made the occasion even better. Crowds make the match sometimes, and the Chicago crowd didn’t disappoint.
Punk made Cena work in this match; this was one of both Superstars’ best matches. Punk ran off with the title into the crowd after winning it in the end, leaving Vince McMahon shocked that it had even happened. This match catapulted CM Punk’s WWE Legacy and capped off the Summer of Punk on a high note.
#1 Daniel Bryan vs Batista vs Randy Orton – Triple Threat Match, WrestleMania 30
WWE made things right with the WWE Universe on this one, especially when tensions got high surrounding the WrestleMania main event.
Bryan was white-hot over with the fans but it was apparent that WWE had other plans. With CM Punk walking out on the company, it was a blessing in disguise for the company, leaving Triple H without an opponent and thus able to book the continuation of Bryan vs The Authority.
WrestleMania 30 was Bryan’s night, as he overcame insurmountable odds between the injured shoulder, wrestling Triple H in the opening bout, and then was in for the fight of his life in the main event.
A true underdog story was told that night, and Bryan’s greatest moment came out of it all. It was one of the greatest WrestleMania moments, and caps off our list of 10 great WWE Championship matches in recent history.
