Top 10 Matches of the Week: May 19th - May 25th

#10. Randy Orton vs. Big Show (WWE Extreme Rules)

In a match that almost no one really cared about, Orton and Big Show put on one hell of a show and gave us a reason to watch them. With some great in-ring chemistry, some cool spots, and a rare punt kick, this match ended up being one of the highlights of the show. As much as we like to crap on both Big Show and Orton for being quite bland, they can put on some damn good matches when given the opportunity. Now if they can just give us some good build-up to accompany those good matches…

#9. Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dean Ambrose (WWE Extreme Rules)

When Kofi Kingston for seemingly no reason beat Antonio Cesaro to win his 200th United States Championship, we all knew he was going to be a transitional champion. When has Kofi not been? But who was Kingston going to drop the title to? Well, I can say that I was 100% sure that it was going to be Fandango, but the WWE gave us something even better. Dean. Freaking. Ambrose. Yes, Cesaro dropped the title so Ambrose can have it. And while the idea that Ambrose won a championship might have overshadowed the actual match, Kingston and Deano put on a great match in the very small time slot they were allotted. Just imagine what they could’ve done if given 15 minutes.

#8. Taiji Ishimori vs. Roderick Strong (Ring of Honor)

I can honestly say that after watching Taiji wrestle, I have an extreme urge to watch Japanese wrestling. Yes, after putting on a classic match with Eddie Edwards at Border Wars, Taiji returned to the Ring of Honor ring to face indy veteran Roderick Strong. While the match wasn’t as good as his match with Edwards (how could it be?), him and Strong still put on a very entertaining match. The crowd continuously chanting for Taiji to do “FLIPS!” was pretty cool to.

#7. The Shield vs. Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, & Sheamus (WWE Smackdown)

Have the Shield ever put on a bad match? Even though it seems like WWE is scrambling to pit the up-and-coming starts against 3 established guys every single show, the matches they put on are always the highlight of the show. Not one of the highlights, THE highlight. I think the best part of all of this is that they are beating all these teams cleanly. When’s the last time a heel faction did that for 6 months?

#6. Team Hell No (c) vs. The Shield (Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins) (WWE Extreme Rules)

This isn’t the last time you’re seeing these guys on the list. At Extreme Rules, Team Hell No and the Shield finally faced off for the tag team championships after months of build-up. Was the match a little too short? Yes, but the amount of action we got in seven and half minutes was pretty damn good. It also gets bonus points for finally putting the tag team championships on the Shield. It’s about damn time!

#5. Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger (WWE Extreme Rules)

Del Rio and Swagger are a confusing case. Their characters are boring, and you never really want to see them on your TV. But they put on amazing matches. Swagz and Del Rio keep proving everybody wrong by putting on awesome matches, as seen once again at Extreme Rules in their “I Quit” match. Was the ending crap? Yes, but the 10 minutes of wrestling that came before it was just awesome.

#4. Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar (WWE Extreme Rules)

In the best match of their trilogy, Brock Lesnar defeated Triple H in a brutal match. In a perfect showcase of in-ring psychology and pacing, these two part-timers tore the house down. Too bad they can’t do the same with their feud. But we’re finally moving on from that, and Lesnar can go on to do bigger and better things. Feud with CM Punk anyone?

#3. Daniel Bryan vs. Jack Swagger (WWE Smackdown)

Daniel Bryan is going back down the path of singles stardom. After losing the tag team championships at Extreme Rules, Daniel Bryan has begun to blame himself and call himself the “weak link”. Now he’s trying to prove to himself that he isn’t. How? By being a beast in the ring. Bryan faced off against Swagger in an amazing match, where Bryan showed intensity and aggression that he hasn’t shown before. After some intense, quick-paced action, he even made the former World title contender tap out. Hopefully we get to see Bryan with a world championship later this year.

#2. John Cena vs. Ryback (WWE Extreme Rules)

In another one of those so-called “neither man can wrestle” matches, Cena and Ryback put on match of the night at Extreme Rules in a brutal contest that featured a number of memorable spots. Whether they were putting each other through tables, spearing each other through barricades, jumping off of ledges, or going through the tron, every second of this match kept the viewers interested, and the ending made both men look strong. I wouldn’t expect their upcoming ambulance match at Payback to be as good, but hopefully they’ll prove me wrong. Again.

#1. The Shield vs. Team Hell No & Kofi Kingston

For what seems like the 20th time, the Shield faced off against Team Hell No and (insert partner here) in match of the week. In a blend of high octane, ground and pound, high flying, and technical wrestling, the Shield once again beat Team Hell No and their partner of the week. I think it’s safe to say that the Shield are quickly becoming one of the best factions of the last decade.