The Top 25 Matches of 2008 (Full Results)

[MGH]

Looking over this list as I was putting it together, it's really clear how good of an in ring year 2008 was for WWE. Guys like Jericho, Edge, Bourne, Morrison, Punk, Shawn, and many others putting on great match after great match. Had a TON of nominations for this list, and the eventual winner only took it by a mere 4 points. The third straight list with the winner taking it by single digits. Here are the gems that just missed the cut:




26) Smackdown Elimination Chamber - No Way Out

27) WWE Championship Scramble - Unforgiven

28) Rey Mysterio vs. Evan Bourne - 10/27 Raw

29) Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy(c) vs. Chris Jericho - 03/10 Raw

30) CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho - 12/22 Raw

31) WWE Championship Elimination Match: Randy Orton(c) vs. Triple H vs. John Cena vs. JBL - Backlash

32) Triple H vs. The Undertaker - 10/24 Smackdown

33) World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho(c) vs. John Cena - Survivor Series

34) WWE Championship Steel Cage Match: Triple H(c) vs. Randy Orton - Judgment Day

35) Singapore Cane Match: Big Show vs. CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Chavo Guerrero - One Night Stand

36) Extreme Rules: Jeff Hardy vs. The Undertaker - 11/14 Smackdown

37) Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show - Wrestlemania 24

38) Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin, & William Regal vs. Batista, CM Punk, Matt Hardy, Kofi Kingston, & R-Truth - Survivor Series

39) ECW Championship: Matt Hardy(c) vs. Evan Bourne - Cyber Sunday

40) I Quit Match: Beth Phoenix vs. Melina - One Night Stand

41) Big Show vs. The Undertaker - No Mercy

42) Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Great Khali, Shad, & JTG vs. JBL, MVP, Kane, The Miz, & John Morrison - Survivor Series

43) New York City Parking Lot Brawl: JBL vs. John Cena - Great American Bash

44) The Miz & John Morrison vs. Shawn Michaels & Rey Mysterio - 11/17 Raw

45) Chris Jericho vs. JBL - Royal Rumble

46) United States Championship: Matt Hardy(c) vs. Shelton Benjamin - Great American Bash

47) Batista vs. Shawn Michaels - Backlash

48) Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender Tournament Semi-Finals: CM Punk vs. John Morrison - 12/08 Raw

49) WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match: Triple H(c) vs. Randy Orton - One Night Stand

50) The Miz & John Morrison vs. Triple H & Shawn Michaels - 11/03 Raw

51) ECW Championship #1 Contender Match: Matt Hardy vs. Finlay vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison - 07/22 ECW on Sci-Fi

52) Lance Cade vs. Paul London - 07/21 Raw

53) Extreme Rules: Tommy Dreamer vs. Jack Swagger - 11/25 ECW on Sci-Fi

54) World Tag Team Championships: The Miz & John Morrison(c) vs. CM Punk & Kofi Kingston - 12/15 Raw

55) ECW Championship: Matt Hardy(c) vs. Finlay - 11/11 ECW on Sci-Fi

56) King of the Ring Semi-Finals: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho - 04/21 Raw

57) Last Man Standing Match: Undertaker vs. Big Show - Cyber Sunday

58) World Heavyweight Championship: Edge(c) vs. CM Punk - 06/30 Raw

59) World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk(c) vs. Batista - Great American Bash

60) John Morrison vs. Evan Bourne - 09/09 ECW on Sci-Fi

61) #1 Contender Match: John Cena vs. Jeff Hardy - 06/08 Raw

62) ECW Championship: Kane(c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show - Night of Champions

63) The Miz vs. John Morrison - 03/14 Smackdown

64) Women's Championship: Mickie James(c) vs. Melina vs. Beth Phoenix - Judgment Day

65) Women's Championship: Beth Phoenix(c) vs. Mickie James - 04/14 Raw

66) United States Championship: MVP(c) vs. Matt Hardy - Backlash

67) WWE Championship: Randy Orton(c) vs. John Cena - No Way Out

68) Randy Orton vs. Batista - Armageddon

69) CM Punk vs. Edge - 04/25 Smackdown

[Marvelously Mediocre]

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9. WWE Championship Scramble, Unforgiven [22]
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[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

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10. The In Crowd vs HBK and Rey Mysterio (Raw before Survivor Series)
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12. Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather (Wrestlemania)
13. Undertaker vs Batista vs MVP vs Khali vs Big Daddy V vs Finlay - Elimination Chamber (No Way Out)
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15. John Cena vs Chris Jericho (Survivor Series)

[MGH]

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15) Randy Orton vs. Batista - Armageddon

[Marvelously Mediocre]

why are 21-25 being included in the best of the rest when it's the top 25?

[MGH]

Dec 26, 2008 21:02:27 GMT -5 Marvelously Mediocre said:

why are 21-25 being included in the best of the rest when it's the top 25?

Ah, I'll fix it. Those are actually 26 and onward. I'm just used to numbering them off starting at 21.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[parder]

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14. Matt Hardy vs. Finlay vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison - ECW on Sci Fi 22/7/08 [#51]
15. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina (I Quit Match) - One Night Stand 2008 [#40]

I basically included those two to give a bit of broader representation of matches that might easily get overlooked from a good year of in ring WWE action. I'm quite pleased Beth and Melina at ONS got some recognition. But the four way number 1 contender's match is particularly worth another watch - just a really well put together match by 4 guys who know exactly what they're doing and results in some cleverly worked spots. It also meant I had some Adamle commentary in my list

[bob]

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8 Melina vs Beth Phoenix One Night Stand (40)
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10 JBL vs John Cena NYC Parking Lot Brawl (43)
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14 Matt Hardy vs MVP United States Championship Backlash (66)
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[Widow's Peak]

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12. John Cena vs. Jeff Hardy: Raw(#61)
13. CM Punk vs Chris Jericho - King of the Ring Semifinal Match - Raw (#56)
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40) I Quit Match: Beth Phoenix vs. Melina - One Night Stand

I forgot about this one. Really good match for what it was.

[MGH]

I was actually able to get the entire countdown put together tonight for a change!

Expect it bright and early tomorrow .... er ... around 10 or 11.

[Crappler El 0 M]

14. Finlay v. Matt Hardy (ECW) [55]

[thealrightkali]

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3. Chris Jericho vs Jeff Hardy- Raw 3/10/08 (Intercontinental Championship)
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7. Evan Bourne vs Rey Mysterio - Raw
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11. Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather- WM
12. John Morrison vs The Miz vs Finlay vs Matt Hardy- ECW 7/22/08
13. Jack Swagger vs Tommy Dreamer- ECW 11/25/08 (Extreme Rules)
14. Beth Phoenix vs Melina vs Mickie James- Judgement Day
15. John Morrison vs Evan Bourne- ECW 9/9/08

A lot of my lower matches got knocked off, and I can't belive Y2J vs Jeff Hardy didn't make the main list.

[Gregor-2012]

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5. World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho vs. John Cena, Survivor Series
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14. Evan Bourne vs. Rey Mysterio, RAW
15. Extreme Rules: Jack Swagger vs. Tommy Dreamer, ECW

Cant believe that Cena v Jericho didnt get in!

[MGH]

Well, seeing as an electrical problem got me out of bed already this morning and I'm wide awake now, how about we just go ahead and get this thing moving?

#25
Total Points: 10



World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: Batista(c) vs. Chris Jericho - 11/03 Raw

Full Match

In the night’s main event, Chris Jericho received a rematch against Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship he lost to The Animal at Cyber Sunday. The two Superstars faced off in a match where they had nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide inside a 15-foot steel cage. In spite of the thorough beating Jericho received at the hands of Batista little more than a week before, the first-ever Undisputed Champion managed to once again slip away with a win by way of his underhanded tactics, bludgeoning The Animal with a steel ring wrenched from the cage surrounding them.

Going into Survivor Series, Chris Jericho is once again World Heavyweight Champion, and as decreed by Shane McMahon, will defend his title against a returning John Cena. Shane’s sister Stephanie was bothered that he would make the match without consulting her first, but both of Mr. McMahon’s progeny agreed that they wished their father was there to enjoy the celebration of Raw’s milestone 800th episode.

[MGH]

#24
Total Points: 10



World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: Chris Jericho(c) vs. CM Punk - 09/15 Raw

Full Match

The night’s first match was an eagerly anticipated Steel Cage Match between CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho, which saw the Straightedge Superstar attempt to win back the title he was unable to defend at Unforgiven. The punt in the head that Punk received from Randy Orton a week ago proved to be too much to overcome, however, as Jericho escaped the steel cage, once again slipping away with the title.

[MGH]

#23
Total Points: 11



World Heavyweight Championship: Edge(c) vs. Rey Mysterio - Royal Rumble

Part 1
Part 2

NEW YORK – The family that stays together – and cheats together – once again won together at Royal Rumble. SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero’s involvement enabled Edge to defeat Rey Mysterio and escape Madison Square Garden with the World Heavyweight Title still slung over his fortunate shoulder.

The Big Apple got a taste of rottenness to its core, care of the Rated-R Superstar and his “opportunistic” (or underhanded) victory in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Supported at ringside by Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins and his General Manager main squeeze, Edge could barely withstand the torrent of high-impact offensive attacks from his opponent.

Mysterio – who looked to make this Rumble as successful as it was for him in 2006 – took the fight to the champion and came within inches of seizing the gold on several occasions. The overwhelming odds stacked by the Ultimate Opportunist and his clan were further balanced when referee Mickie Henson ejected Ryder and Hawkins from the arena.

Just when it appeared that the Master of the 619 might reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship, the “Guerrero family’s” most influential member inserted herself in the match and interrupted Mysterio’s attempted pinfall. Seconds later, Vickie – up from her wheelchair – received a 619 from the challenger. This distraction, however, enabled Edge to prepare for Mysterio’s West Coast Pop from the ring apron and land a perfectly planted spear directly into the masked Superstar’s abdomen, for the win.

The Rated-R Superstar’s triumph was undoubtedly attributed to his family and though Edge’s injured lover didn’t leave New York City celebrating, the championship remained in the family.

[parder]

Dec 27, 2008 9:16:06 GMT -5 MGH said:

#23
Total Points: 11



World Heavyweight Championship: Edge(c) vs. Rey Mysterio - Royal Rumble

Part 1
Part 2

NEW YORK – The family that stays together – and cheats together – once again won together at Royal Rumble. SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero’s involvement enabled Edge to defeat Rey Mysterio and escape Madison Square Garden with the World Heavyweight Title still slung over his fortunate shoulder.

The Big Apple got a taste of rottenness to its core, care of the Rated-R Superstar and his “opportunistic” (or underhanded) victory in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Supported at ringside by Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins and his General Manager main squeeze, Edge could barely withstand the torrent of high-impact offensive attacks from his opponent.

Mysterio – who looked to make this Rumble as successful as it was for him in 2006 – took the fight to the champion and came within inches of seizing the gold on several occasions. The overwhelming odds stacked by the Ultimate Opportunist and his clan were further balanced when referee Mickie Henson ejected Ryder and Hawkins from the arena.

Just when it appeared that the Master of the 619 might reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship, the “Guerrero family’s” most influential member inserted herself in the match and interrupted Mysterio’s attempted pinfall. Seconds later, Vickie – up from her wheelchair – received a 619 from the challenger. This distraction, however, enabled Edge to prepare for Mysterio’s West Coast Pop from the ring apron and land a perfectly planted spear directly into the masked Superstar’s abdomen, for the win.

The Rated-R Superstar’s triumph was undoubtedly attributed to his family and though Edge’s injured lover didn’t leave New York City celebrating, the championship remained in the family.

There's a high quality version of the full match (promoting Edge's new DVD) on WWE.com here: www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/dvdpreviews/2008/december1-7/8829596

[MGH]

#22
Total Points: 16



The Miz & John Morrison vs. Rey Mysterio & Evan Bourne - Raw 09/08

Full Match

Continuing the Raw-ECW talent exchange, two high-flying Superstars, Rey Mysterio & ECW’s Evan Bourne, took on the overly-confident team of The Miz & John Morrison. Though the former WWE Tag Team Champions have worked well together in the past, they had trouble with their chemistry as they appeared outside their regular brand, allowing Mysterio & Bourne to pick up the win.

[Marvelously Mediocre]

i seem to be doing well. still just one.

[MGH]

#21
Total Points: 17



ECW Championship Scramble - Unforgiven

Part 1
Part 2

CLEVELAND – After the contest was unscrambled and the winner was clear, Matt Hardy stood victorious as the new ECW Champion in the opening Scramble Match at Unforgiven.

The first entrant in the bout, Hardy fell to former ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero to make the self-proclaimed “Mexican Warrior” the first interim champion in the match. He quickly rebounded to earn the second pin, returning the favor to Guerrero. Late in the match, Hardy dropped another pin to Finlay, only to pin The Miz seconds later with just over three minutes left. Playing defense to other attempted pinfalls, the new champion held on as time ticked out.

Hardy has been chasing the title for months. Just two days following Henry’s win to retain ECW’s most coveted prize against Tommy Dreamer at The Great American Bash, Hardy issued a challenge to the World’s Strongest Man. He had his opportunity at SummerSlam, but as a result of interference from WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas, Hardy was left wanting.

SummerSlam didn’t slow Matt down, but only made him stronger as he defeated former ECW Champion John Morrison to qualify for the Scramble Match.

Mark Henry has done everything in his power – and Atlas’ – to ensure he remains the title holder. The odds, however, proved to be too much for even the World’s Strongest Man to overcome.

After a passion-driven, career-long hunt to possess a World Title, the deliverer of the Twist of Fate has found himself atop the mountain in the Land of the Extreme.