Stipe Miocic: The Firefighter Champion’s Greatest Battles
Early Life and Early CareerStipe Miocic, the current UFC heavyweight champion born on August 19th, 1982, in Euclid, Ohio, is known for his hard work and dedication when it comes to MMA and his career as a firefighter. Miocic grew up in a Croatian immigrant family, which meant that he was raised with the ethics of hard work and modesty. He was an athletic student in high school, where he played baseball, football, and also wrestled. He is physically well-built and an athlete, which helped him be offered a scholarship to join Cleveland State University to play baseball while studying communications.Miocic, after he left college, joined the firefighting services, where he worked as a firefighter and a paramedic, which he is still doing to date. The fact that he is a firefighter and still able to train for his MMA fight speaks a lot about him as a hard-working person. It remains a testament to his character that, despite managing his career and training for both, he stands out from his peers in the sport. Entry into the mixed martial arts business Miocic said he started his training in MMA in 2005, although he was a wrestler practicing it to stay fit. However, the competitive spirit and athletic skills appeared rather soon, so he decided to take the sport more seriously. He started his professional MMA career in February 2010, and within that year he became unbeaten with a record of 6-0 and also won the title belt of the NAAFS Heavyweight Championship.He then became successful on the regional circuit, and he was noticed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Miocic joined the UFC in 2011. He entered the organization on October 8, 2011 against Joey Beltran at UFC 136. The fight went the distance, and he was awarded a unanimous decision victory. This was the start of a phenomenal run in the UFC’s heavyweight category. Rising through the ranks Miocic’s climb up the heavyweight division ladder was characterized by a series of impressive wins. His fourth fight in the promotion was against another tough competitor, Roy Nelson, at UFC 161 in June of 2013. By out-striking Nelson and having better stamina, Miocic proved to be superior in the stand-up department and won the first three rounds decisively, thus getting the unanimous decision victory. This performance was the beginning of Miocic’s rise as a contender in the division.The next fight for Miocic was against former heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos in December 2014, which proved the toughness of Miocic. Although he was narrowly defeated, Miocic proved a lot to the fans and other participants of the event and left no doubt that he deserves a shot at a championship bout. The First Title Shot and Championship Reign The first shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship happened on May 14, 2016, when Miocic fought Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198. Werdum had recently defeated Cain Velasquez in a submission hold, and many saw him as a tough champion. However, Miocic surprised the MMA fans and defeated Werdum in the first round to become the new heavyweight champion and prove everyone wrong.Miocic’s first title defense was against Alistair Overeem at UFC 203 on September 10, 2016. In this particular fight, Miocic got knocked down early in the fight but rose up and won by striking Overeem down and completing him with ground and pound in the first round. This victory made him the heavyweight champion, and it also showed that he has the spirit of endurance.Miocic was to face Junior Dos Santos for the second time in a rematch on May 13, 2017 at UFC 211. This time around, Miocic did not give Dos Santos a chance, as he knocked him out in the first round to maintain his title. The victory not only avenged his previous defeat but also demonstrated Miocic’s growth as a contender.The third title defense fight was held in January 2018 at UFC 220 against Francis Ngannou. Cairo-born Ngannou was considered one of the most dangerous strikers in the division; all of his previous opponents had been dispatched via strikes. Nevertheless, Miocic followed a perfect strategy by taking Ngannou to the ground and using his wrestling and cardio to blunt the knockout threat and win by unanimous decision. This victory made Miocic the UFC record holder for consecutive title defenses in the heavyweight division, making him one of the greatest heavyweight fighters the world has ever seen. The Trilogy with Daniel Cormier It can be remembered that Miocic has had a long-standing feud with Daniel Cormier. The first fight occurred on July 7th, 2018 in the UFC 226 event. Cormier, the current light heavyweight champion, took the fight to Miocic to seek the heavyweight champion title. Cormier also made a stunning victory by KO in the first round to become the new heavyweight champion.And without a doubt, the champion was not willing to forfeit his title and therefore stepped up to fight Cormier again on August 17, 2019, during UFC 241. In a very competitive bout, Miocic started to make changes in the fourth round by focusing on Cormier’s midsection. That was the strategy that was fruitful, as Miocic knocked out Cormier with a combination of punches in the last round to reclaim the heavyweight belt.The trilogy was fought at UFC 252 on August 15, 2020. In a much-awaited fight, Miocic and Cormier fought hard, and the fight lasted for five rounds. Miocic showed better preparation and made better adjustments, and that’s why he won a UD victory and is now the greatest heavyweight in the UFC. Defending the Legacy Following the Cormier trilogy, Miocic challenged Francis Ngannou at UFC 260, which transpired on March 27, 2021. Since the first fight, Ngannou has come a long way; this time he used his new skills to KO Miocic in the second round to claim the heavyweight championship belt. The loss was a drawback for Miocic, but the title of champion and all that he has done for the
The Rise of Seth Rollins: Architect of the Shield to WWE Champion
Colby Lopez, commonly known as Seth Rollins, has become one of the most influential and dynamic performers in the history of WWE. From the indie circuits to WWE Champion, his story tells of perseverance, talent, and evolution. He reinvented himself at each turn in his career and was thus tagged “The Architect,” manifesting his versatility inside and outside the ring. This article discusses in detail how Seth Rollins rose from his early days through the process to finally becoming WWE champion, and highlights all the moments and matches that made his career define itself. Early Life and Independent Circuit Early BeginningsColby Lopez was born on May 28, 1986, in Davenport, Iowa. He fell in love with professional wrestling at a very young age. Among his idols during childhood and adolescence were Shawn Michaels and Eddie Guerrero. With supreme determination, he started training in a local wrestling school in the late years of his teens. It wasn’t long before Lopez’s hard work ethic and natural athleticism set him apart. Independent Circuit SuccessLopez debuted under the ring name Gixx but went almost immediately to Tyler Black. With a huge impact on the scene of independent wrestling, he surged primarily through the ranks of such promotions as IWA-MS, FIP, and PWG. Still, it was in Ring of Honor where he would make his stamp as one of the top rising stars in wrestling. In ROH, Black formed the tag team The Age of the Fall with Jimmy Jacobs. He won the ROH World Tag Team Championship with Jacobs and eventually went on to win the ROH World Championship owing to his in-ring skill. Title matches with Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) and Nigel McGuinness established that he literally could hang with the best of them, marking him as one of the finest independent wrestlers in the world. Joining WWE Signed with WWEIn 2010, Lopez started wrestling for WWE on a developmental contract. He was subsequently sent to Florida Championship Wrestling, at that time WWE’s developmental territory, where the name Seth Rollins was pitched for him. From this moment, attributes began to emerge that marked him as a future star: he picked up the WWE style quickly and won the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship. NXT: A Star BornWhen FCW was rebranded into NXT, Rollins became a major stakeholder in the new developmental brand. He entered the first-ever Gold Rush tournament to crown the inaugural NXT Champion. He defeated Jinder Mahal to become the first-ever NXT Champion in an exciting final match-up. This cemented Rollins as a pillar of NXT and a beacon of hope for WWE main-stay talent. The Shield: A Dominant Faction Debut and ImpactAt Survivor Series on the November 18, 2012 pay-per-view, Seth Rollins debuted in the main roster alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns as The Shield. During the pay-per-view main event, the stable came out and assaulted Ryback, thereby allowing CM Punk to retain the WWE Championship. With their tactic-oriented attacks and unity, The Shield fast gained the reputation of being the “Hounds of Justice.” Key Matches and FeudsThe Shield was an organization right out of the box that played a significant part in changing WWE. They went on to have high-profile feuds with workers such as John Cena, The Undertaker, and Team Hell No. Normal characteristics associated with matches by this group would have been the ingenuity in their tactics and the energy levels displayed during performances in the ring. Some say it is one of the best six-man tag team matches in WWE history—that between The Shield and The Wyatt Family from Elimination Chamber 2014.Championship gold was also garnered by Rollins, Ambrose, and Reigns. Even more title success for The Shield came when the duo of Rollins and Reigns won the WWE Tag Team Championship. Rollins was the in-ring standout of the faction due to his versatility and ability to adapt to a wide range of opponents. The Breakup of The ShieldJune 2, 2014, was the unthinkable: Seth Rollins turned his back on his Shield brothers and attacked Ambrose and Reigns with a steel chair.That was the sharp betrayal that ended The Shield and began Rollins’ life as a singles competitor. It was a monumental turn in WWE history, and his aligning himself with The Authority—a villainous faction led by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon—would start it all off. The Authority Architect Aligning with The AuthorityBy joining the Authority, Rollins became their golden boy and “The Architect” of WWE’s future. He was the face of The Authority, whereby he mostly enjoyed special treatments and first opportunities. His alliance with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon from the Authority allowed Rollins to exploit his character for all its cunning and manipulative worth. Money in the Bank VictoryAt Money in the Bank 2014, Rollins won the highly regarded Money in the Bank ladder match to capture a contract for a WWE Championship match at any time. This was huge in Rollins’ career, where the Money in the Bank contract had paved ways for many successful championship reigns previously.Feuds and MatchesDuring his run with The Authority, Rollins had a worthwhile reign that featured ongoing, red-hot rivalries and fantastic wrestling. But probably most prominent was his war with his former Shield brother Dean Ambrose. This would turn out to be an emotional and brutal string of matches, including a Hell in a Cell match and a Lumberjack match at SummerSlam 2014. Rollins also clashed with other top stars like John Cena and Randy Orton. His match against Orton at WrestleMania 31 featured one of the most spectacular RKO finishes in WWE history. Rollins’ ability to deliver in high-stakes situations solidified his reputation as one of WWE’s top performers. WWE Championship TriumphWrestleMania 31: Heist of the CenturyThe journey reached its peak with WrestleMania 31, after he lost earlier that night to Randy Orton. In the main event, Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract in the Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns match and, quite surprisingly, made the match a triple threat and
CM Punk’s Pipebomb: How One Promo Changed Wrestling
Colby Lopez, better known by his ring name Seth Rollins, entrenched himself as one of the most influential and dynamic performers in WWE history. From the independent wrestling circuit to WWE Champion, it’s a story of overcoming, talent, and evolution. He reinvented himself around every turn in his career and is thus regarded as “The Architect,” not only inside but also outside the squared circle. In this piece, Seth Rollins’s emergence from the early days to his reinvention as a WWE champion is reflected upon. Early Life and Independent Circuit Early BeginningsColby Lopez was born on May 28, 1986, in Davenport, Iowa. He fell in love with professional wrestling at a very young age and redeemed stars such as Shawn Michaels and Eddie Guerrero. Dazzled by the appeal of pursuing his dream, Lopez began training at a local wrestling school in his late teens. It would soon become apparent that his hard work and natural athleticism made him special.Independent Circuit Success Lopez debuted under the ring name Gixx and shortly after assumed the name Tyler Black. What he did on the scene was influential indeed, with many U.S. promotions through Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Full Impact Pro, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. However, it is in Ring of Honor where he really stamped his ticket to being a fast-rising star.In ROH, Black formed a tag team with Jimmy Jacobs and held the title under the umbrella of The Age of the Fall. Being the ROH World Tag Team Champion wasn’t enough for Black, as his in-ring skill made him also become the ROH World Champion. His work during this period, particularly with Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) and Nigel McGuinness, proved he could hang with the best and forever left his stamp as one of the best independent wrestlers in the world. Joining WWE and NXT Signing with WWEIn 2010, Lopez signed a developmental contract with WWE; this was a new turning point for his career. He reported to WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, before his name was changed to Seth Rollins. Seth adapted to the style of WWE fast and won the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, really showing the potential he had of being a future star. NXT: A Star BornWith the rebranding of FCW to NXT, Rollins joined the top guys for this new developmental brand. He was a part of the first-ever Gold Rush tournament, which crowned the inaugural NXT Champion. During that final match against Jinder Mahal, Rollins won to become NXT Champion and really put a stamp on being part of the foundation of what NXT is today, packaging himself as one of the most exciting prospects in sight for WWE’s main roster. The Shield: A Dominant Faction Debut and ImpactAt the Survivor Series pay-per-view on 18 November 2012, Seth Rollins made his main roster debut alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns as The Shield. The trio marched out to ringside, getting involved in the main event and where they laid a beating on Ryback, thus securing the win for CM Punk in his WWE Championship defense. Very early on in their career together, The Shield began taking calculated attacks, showing camaraderie, and following in the model of the “Hounds of Justice.” Key matches and feudsThe Shield made an instant effect on WWE, embarking on some high-profile feuds against top stars like John Cena, The Undertaker, and Team Hell No. Their matches were tailored with an innovative style of performance, executed in a very energetic and entertaining manner. Their match with The Wyatt Family at Elimination Chamber 2014 is often cited as one of the best six-man tag team matches in WWE history. Championship gold wasn’t beyond Rollins, Ambrose, and Reigns’ reach either. The WWE Tag Team Championship was won by Rollins and Roman Reigns, touting the team’s dominance that was The Shield. But more than being merely a team player, in-ring chameleon Rollins has made himself—arguably—the standout performer within the faction. The Breakup of The ShieldJune 2, 2014: the impossible. Seth Rollins turned on his brothers in The Shield and laid them out with a steel chair when he betrayed Ambrose and Reigns. That shocking betrayal marked the end of The Shield and began Rollins’s journey as a singles competitor. The turn proved huge in WWE history, and coupled with the heel faction The Authority—in effect led by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon—to actually lay the groundwork for his rise to the top. The Architect of The Authority Aligning with The AuthorityMost especially, joining the Authority well placed him as their golden boy and “The Architect” of WWE’s future. Many times, he became the frontman of The Authority and received special treatment and advantages. Joining Triple H and Stephanie McMahon further brought out the clever and manipulative sides of Rollins’ character. Money in the Bank VictoryAt Money in the Bank 2014, Rollins received the big win in the prestigious Money in the Bank ladder match to acquire a contract for a WWE Championship match at any time of his choice. This was gigantic in terms of victory for Rollins; through the years, with the Money in the Bank contract, people generally went on to have very successful title reigns. Feuds and MatchesIn the course of his work with The Authority, intense rivalries and memorable matches dominated Rollins’ run. Notably, one that really stood out was when he went at it with Dean Ambrose – his fellow brother in the Shield. From Hell in a Cell to lumberjack matches at SummerSlam 2014, everything [was] war-minded and powered on adrenaline, like something seen before. He also locked horns with other top guys, including John Cena and Randy Orton. That WrestleMania 31 bout with Orton had perhaps the best RKO finish ever, at least that had been seen inside a WWE ring. A penchant for delivering in big spots would help cement Rollins’ position as one of the best there is in WWE. WWE Championship Victory WrestleMania 31: Heist of the CenturyThe journey for Rollins too gone
AJ Styles: The Phenomenal One’s Impact On WWE
“The Phenomenal One,” AJ Styles has undoubtedly left his stamp on professional wrestling. Ever since he made his debut for WWE in 2016, Styles has turned in quality work every night and quickly become one of the most reliable, if not popular, stars working for the company. After all, it was the years of grinding and success in other promotions that served as a roadmap for his eventual coming and making an impact in WWE. This article delves into AJ Styles’ impact on WWE, examining his career highlights, influence on the industry, and lasting legacy. The Road to WWE Early Career and TNA SuccessAJ Styles made his debut in the late 1990s, wrestling for independent promotions. It was not long before this talented, athletic man caught the eyes of larger companies, and in 2002, he signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He became one of TNA’s cornerstones, where he gained promotions related to in-ring experience and extreme versatility. During his time in TNA, Styles won multiple championships, which include the World Heavyweight Championship, X Division Championship, and Tag Team Championship. His great matches with Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and Kurt Angle remain a high note to this very day for TNA history. He was innovative in his offense, combining flying with technical skill in a manner that cemented his place in many people’s minds as one of the best wrestlers in the world. International StardomFollowing his release from TNA in 2013, Styles spent time. He met a lot of success working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he was part of the Bullet Club and became a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. These are what primarily served to cement his reputation as an elite talent—thanks to his matches at NJPW against them, including Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi. The success Styles was getting in NJPW, combined with his continued working of independents around the world, created a buzz on the wrestling scene. His huge matches and great performances made him one of the hottest free agents in the wrestling world, priming the ground for his eventual move to WWE. WWE Debut and Immediate Impact Royal Rumble DebutAJ Styles made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in January 2016, entering third. A lot of time, the reaction from this crowd was electric; fans were erupting in cheers while Styles came out for his debut. It was one of those ‘hyped’ moments, and Styles didn’t let the fans down—one that lasted almost 30 minutes of the match and gave quite an exhibition against some of the top talent WWE had to offer.Styles’ debut in the Royal Rumble marked the beginning of his journey in WWE, and right from the very first moment, one could just see that this guy is going to be a big deal. His coming infused a lot of energy into the roster, and fans were prone to know how “The Phenomenal One” was going to perform in WWE. Feud with Chris JerichoAfter his debut, AJ Styles feuded with Chris Jericho. It all came down to that one match at WrestleMania 32, setting the tone for Styles to establish a foothold as one of WWE’s bigger dogs. Their matches were only highly competitive, providing the magic it needed for Styles to adjust to WWE’s style while holding on to his unique offense. Although Styles lost to Jericho at WrestleMania, the feud helped elevate his status, showing that he could hang with WWE’s more established stars. It also revealed some of Styles’ range, as he did play both a babyface and heel in the course of the feud. Main Event Successful WWE Championship VictoryProbably one of the defining moments in AJ Styles’ WWE career was at the Backlash pay-per-view back in September 2016, defeating Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship. What that victory did was seal something quite major: he became the first man in history to win the top titles in TNA, NJPW, and WWE. The title reign right there proved he had arrived, with an eye-opening display of his talent and hard work; this was what truly established him as one of WWE’s top stars. With regard to this period, Styles had memorable wars and matches against some of the game’s biggest stars, including John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Kevin Owens. He had a match against John Cena at the 2017 Royal Rumble, widely considered one of the very best matches WWE has ever staged; both men made their way in a masterclass of storytelling and action in the ring. United States Championship and Further SuccessApart from the success in the main event scene, AJ Styles had a loud run as a United States Champion; he held the title many times and was engaged in feuds with Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Moreover, he put back importance into the United States Championship as a prestigious title, which further proves how valuable he was to WWE.Styles just kept giving, churning out great matches and performances no matter where he was placed on the card. His versatility and consistency made him an invaluable talent for WWE, and he remained a core element of the company’s programming. In-Ring Style and Influence Innovative OffenseProbably the most distinctive hallmark that has defined AJ Styles’ career is his new, dynamic in-ring style. With power blurbs of athleticism, it incorporates several moves into the arsenal: high-flying, technical holds, and hard-striking. Those signature moves—the Styles Clash, the Phenomenal Forearm, and the Calf Crusher—have become a fan favorite and often make up the broadcast edit of his matches. Besides the obvious answer, Styles’s capability of combining different wrestling styles so smoothly has helped him become a wonderful performer. Whether he is working with a high-flier, technical wrestler, or powerhouse, Styles changes his strategy to make the match in-ring performance exciting. Styles matches are usually fast and their sequences can be very exciting to view throughout. Effects on Modern WrestlingAJ Styles’ impact on modern wrestling extends beyond his in-ring performances. His success and popularity have
Eddie Guerrero’s Legacy: Viva La Raza’s Greatest Matches
Known best as “Latino Heat” and for his mantra “Viva La Raza,” Eddie Guerrero is one of the most loved, influential professional wrestlers in the history of the sport. With his current level of charisma, he was great in-ring and connected with an audience enough to make him a standout performer in every promotion he worked for. From Mexico and Japan at the very beginning of his career, through legendary runs in WCW and WWE, Eddie Guerrero made unforgettable matches and moments. Herein lies a look into the legacy left behind by Eddie Guerrero through some of his greatest matches, which truly manifest the README talent and passion brought into the squared circle. Early Career and Rise to Stardom New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the Black Tiger CharacterEddie Guerrero really started to make a name for himself in wrestling during the mid-1980s by participating in the Lucha Libre circuit of Mexico. It was his work, years later, in New Japan Pro-Wrestling that would secure some credence internationally. As masked wrestler Black Tiger, Eddie brought a style full of flying and technical grappling. One of Eddie’s most remembered NJPW matches was against Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit) in the final of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in 1996. The match—displaying technical brilliance and high-flying moves—cemented the legacy of both men as top junior heavyweights. His time in NJPW really helped Eddie make a cornerstone for where he would move on from here. Extreme Championship Wrestling ECWIn the mid-1990s, Eddie Guerrero moved on to ECW. With this promotion, he quickly became one of its top workers. To this day, his matches against Dean Malenko are widely praised for their degree of work and storytelling. Their final match, a Two-out-of-Three Falls deal at the ECW Arena in 1995, is considered among the best ECW matches ever.That bout cemented Eddie as someone who would merge technical wrestling with high-flying spots in order to earn the accolades from fans and peers alike. WCW: Cruiserweight Division and Beyond Cruiserweight Classic: Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.Eddie Guerrero’s move to World Championship Wrestling in the mid-1990s established him as central to the promotion’s budding Cruiserweight Division. One of his most famous matches from the era was against Rey Mysterio Jr. at Halloween Havoc 1997. This match—by itself for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship—is widely regarded as among the best matches WCW produced and one of the greatest cruiserweight matches ever. It was the epitome of a well-rounded bout with high-flying action, technical wrestling, and storytelling. Eddie played the part of the aggressive heel to perfection, targeting Rey’s mask and using underhanded tactics galore; in return, Rey, the underdog babyface, did his part by showing a variety of athleticism and resilience. The fast pace and innovation of the spots kept the audience enthralled; ultimately, Rey’s win cemented this as an instant classic right then. United States Championship Feud with Diamond Dallas PageApart from construed successes in the Cruiserweight Division, Eddie Guerrero had two of his more memorable feuds come in WCW’s heavyweight divisions. One of his most famous feuds was against Diamond Dallas Page, who had the United States Championship in 1997; therefore, really showing Eddie’s versatility to compete with larger opponents. These matches were intense and hard-hitting, pitting Eddie’s cunning and technical facility onto DDP’s brawling style and resilience. Probably one of his best, most remembered matches was the one against DDP for the United States title at Starrcade 1996. It really showed the many different combinations of technical wrestling and brawling that Eddie could bend into. On the end, Eddie lost the match, but he was so talented and versatile throughout; it really sealed the point of how great he performed during the feud until now. WWE Rise of Latino Heat Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam The move to WWE, then WWF, in 2000 was the most successful period in Guerrero’s career. One of the very first great matches he had in WWE was against Rob Van Dam in a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship on one of the episodes of Raw in 2002. It was a very athletics-laden, ultra-innovative match with both competitors using the ladder in a variety of creative and perilous ways. Eddie’s heel persona, “Latino Heat,” was in full effect, as he used underhanded tactics and had no qualms about risking life and limb to win. High spots include Eddie’s Frog Splash from the top of the ladder and a Van Daminator by Van Dam. This didn’t just finally establish Eddie as one of WWE’s elite performers, but it helped set him up for future championship pursuits. No Way Out 2004: Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock LesnarProbably the most defining moment in Eddie Guerrero’s career occurred at No Way Out 2004, where he challenged Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship. The following is not only one of Eddie’s very best matches but among the most emotionally binding moments in wrestling history. The underdog, taken on by an unstoppable Brock Lesnar, came up with a real testament to his resolve and sense of fight filled into this match. The match itself was simply a master class of storytelling, with Eddie countering Lesnar’s overwhelming power and brute force with his speed, agility, and technical skills. The climax of the match saw Eddie hit a Frog Splash on Lesnar after countering an F-5 to secure the win and his first WWE Championship. The place erupted, with Eddie’s emotional reaction to winning the title still resonating with fans. WrestleMania XX: Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt AngleSome really memorable matches were the result of Eddie Guerrero’s Wrestle Championship run. Following this, definitely, was his match against Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XX. It became specialty technical with two of the finest in-ring performers of their respective generation. Eddie and Angle turned in a wrestling clinic, weaving together mat-based grapplery, high-impact moves, and intricate storytelling brought throughout. This finally would be what I remember best, below the ingenious finale of this match. By loosening his
The Hardy Boyz: Extreme Moments and Unforgettable Feuds
The Hardy Boyz, which includes real-life brothers Matt and Jeff Hardy, have forever etched their mark in professional wrestling. Their aerial acrobatics, near-death stunts, and trendy tag team wrestling have stamped the business. Matt and Jeff have had some extreme moments in wrestling history during their illustrious careers, working up some unforgettable feuds against the best teams and wrestlers in the business. This article looks at some of the extreme moments and unforgettable feuds that define The Hardy Boyz legacy. Early Beginnings and Rise to Prominence Omega Wrestling and WWE DebutMatt and Jeff Hardy initiated their wrestling career in the early 1990s. As a way to express themselves and show passion for the sport, they created their promotion known as Omega Championship Wrestling. It was through this unique, innovative, and high-risk style that quick recognition brought them into the labor pool, eventually earning them a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (then WWF) in the late 1990s, where they came in as enhancement talent but worked their way into regular spots. Breakthrough in the Tag Team Division The Hardy Boyz came into the WWE’s tag team division during the late 1990s, and with them was Michael Hayes as their manager. A key feud with Edge and Christian, another surfacing tag team, became a staple of WWE’s tag team division.Their ladder match against Edge and Christian at No Mercy 1999 was their breakout, content that showed just how far the Hardy Boyz would push the idea of mayhem and risk their bodies for entertainment. Extreme MomentsTLC Matches Another career-defining attribute for The Hardy Boyz has been Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, or TLC, matches. Arguably the first TLC match ever between The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian, and The Dudley Boyz at SummerSlam 2000 really reset that extreme wrestling bar. It was such an absolute messy display of a match with truly breathtaking stunts and high-risk moves that left the audience gasping. Jeff Hardy’s Swanton Bomb from a 20-foot ladder onto Bubba Ray Dudley is still to this day among the most memorable moments in WWE history—matches that cemented this team as larger than life while occasionally redefining precisely what exactly fans could come to anticipate from tag-team wrestling. Swanton Bomb Off of a Ladder at WrestleMania X-SevenWrestleMania X-Seven, in many regards, has been mentioned time and again as one of the greatest WrestleManias ever, and its legend includes, undoubtedly, the TLC with The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian, and The Dudley Boyz. Jeff Hardy hitting a Swanton Bomb off a tall ladder onto a prone Rhyno and Spike Dudley that is lying on tables outside the ring is one of those moments that would be regarded as an instance when ‘this is awesome’ is spoken. It really sums up Jeff Hardy’s lack of fear in wrestling and his propensity for jeopardizing his body for the Please. The Broken UniverseIn 2016, Matt Hardy bestowed upon the world the “Broken” character, which accrued a cult following in very short order that revealed in its weirdness and ridiculousness. The “Broken Universe” storyline—the sadly unforgettable “Final Deletion” match—was simply some next-level creativity and extreme storytelling. This angle opened a road for both Hardys to further explore new dimensions of their characters and really push things as far as wrestling narratives go. Unforgettable Feuds Dudley BoyzNext to this, the rivalry between The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz stands as one of the greatest tag team wrestling rivalries. As a Tables-loving hardcore team, The Dudley Boyz were the perfect kind of opponents for the likes of The Hardy Boyz. Their matches in TLC, in particular with the classics at WrestleMania 2000 and WrestleMania X-Seven, stand to this very day among the greatest tag team matches ever held. The rivalry was rated highly by both teams for the brutal and innovative matches, mutually propelling each other’s strengths. The power and brawling of the Dudleys were an excellent match for the high-flying and risk-taking of the Hardy Boyz; hence, their feud together was dynamic and engaging. Edge and ChristianThe feud between Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian is arguably one of the greatest rivalries ever seen in WWE. This tag team had a chemistry that got a hold of many Washington-classics between the two. Even to this day, their ladder and TLC matches are the gold standard of tag team wrestling. The rivalry was more than just the action in the ring, as it also held some really great storytelling and character development. Edge and Christian’s cockiness and arrogance played so well against The Hardy Boyz’s underdog spirit and determination, blending together to create a story the fans could get behind. These would put a stake on these teams’ matches, an incredible display of athletic ability, and moments remembered forever. The Brothers of Destruction.In 2001, The Hardy Boyz found themselves embroiled in the feud against The Brothers of Destruction: the unstoppable team of The Undertaker and Kane. This rivalry put The Hardy Boyz through their paces, facing them off with two giants among innumerable forces that had ever competed in WWE. These matches against these teams were a real style clash, with the high-flying tactics of The Hardy Boyz quite the opposite of the power and pure intimidation of The Brothers of Destruction. But even in this one-way battle, The Hardy Boyz would not back down, which won them a lot of respect from the fans and their foes. This definitely cemented their reputation as one of the most fearless and resilient teams within WWE. The New DayIn 2017, The Hardy Boyz returned to the WWE at WrestleMania 33 by coming out for a Fatal 4-Way ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Their surprise return and win were two of the spots in that event. Following their return, The Hardy Boyz have been part of some notable feuds with teams such as The New Day, one of the most popular and successful tag teams from WWE’s modern era. These teams’ matches have been a celebration of
Randy Orton’s Apex Predator Moments: Top 10 Viper Victories
Randy Orton, “The Viper,” and “The Apex Predator” dealt their own destinies, selected under deviousness, mercilessness, and the unquestionable in-ring acumen that has sustained over two decades. In a 20-year career, Orton was repeatedly the cornerstone of WWE’s success, single-handedly delivering some of the most memorable matches and moments in the history of wrestling. The big question was, how these wins of Randy Orton changed the course of WWE and people’s life. Orton’s SummerSlam victory solidified the work that he did in the ring as part of the faction known as Evolution, formed by Triple H, Ric Flair, and Batista. Evolution was one of the major setups that shaped Orton’s nurture. It gave him the opportunity to work and learn from some of the bests on the circuit. That win celebrated his rite of passage since, stepping out of the mentors’ shadows, Orton pinned his drive home, establishing a force to reckon with inside WWE. The match was a technical masterpiece as Orton and Benoit put on a wrestling clinic. Orton went on to win the match after he hit Benoit with the RKO—cementing the one move that would go on to become iconic in WWE years down the line. The rest became history at this important milestone fight for Orton on the building blocks of all future main eventers. This match wasn’t only important for the reunification of the titles but was important for the storyline part of it: Orton was “The Authority’s” champion. Through that win and subsequent title reign, Orton becomes the face of the company and goes on to engage in multiple feuds, which were arranged in prominent matches later on. Because of this, Orton’s plan for the match was to use weapons as possible encase such tables, ladder, and chairs to be able to do the most damage to Cena. This led up to the very ending in which Orton had Cena hand-cuffed onto the ropes, leaving Orton to the asylum to climb the ladder and retrieve both championship belts unopposed. That win reinforced just how smart and resourceful Orton is and has been throughout his career. Orton’s win was the one moment that — considering the storyline was about The Legacy, a faction involving Orton, Ted Dibiase Jr., and Cody Rhodes — always has been remembered by fans. The people’s founding leadership helped Orton through eliminating the necessary participants that could deprive him of the victory in the Rumble match. This victory put Orton eventually to a main event match with Triple H at Wrestlemania 25, a furtherance of his status as WWE’s top talents. It was largely a master class by Orton in timing and strategy, as he bided his time, taking no unnecessary risks while waiting for his opportunity to strike. Finally, Orton won by eliminating his former mentor and bitter rival, Triple H. This victory guaranteed a high place for Orton and literally laid the foundation for one of the most personal and intense WWE rivalries in history. The match was brutal and emotional, to say the least, with both the superstars giving everything in that ring to gain supremacy into the match. Orton’s aggressive nature and psychological warfare finally got the better of Triple H, ultimately sealing his dominance in the cerebral and dangerous superstar department. This win slightly confirmed a fact that Randy Orton did step up in extreme high-time pressure situations and delivered when it mattered the most. This really stern feud was spearheaded with not-so-casual promos and physical brawls between Randy Orton and Triple H, the culmination of their mirthless hatred for each other coming at the biggest pay-per-view event of the year. Orton was at his best, such as when he handily attacked Triple H’s injured leg and used every way possible to make the environment of a wrestling ring work to his own advantage. The victory at this stage represented a real shot of adrenaline into the career of Orton, proving that he could defeat one of WWE’s most decorated champions on the grandest stage of them all. It was an important victory for Orton in the sense that it will validate him or be able to supervise and lead over most of the highlighted talented figures of the WWE. This was a match of deadly mixture among technical potencies and fatalistic moves filled with mind games from both sides, where he emerged with the sinister means of sheer guile. His ability to beat The Undertaker further placed Orton as one of the major players in the WWE today. The build to the match had seen Orton playing mind games with The Undertaker, employing tactics that would become his trademark. A psychological, physical war would take place in the ring when both the Superstars were taking one another to their limits. Orton’s victory had come after he had countered The Undertaker’s finisher Tombstone Piledriver with an RKO, completing a sudden move that had left the audience in shock and his reputation restated as an original strategist. Orton’s win was extremely dramatic because of the main atrocity quality of the other competitors. Cena and Triple H were a match between them in the establishment, having both high calibers with appreciable main-event exposure, hence giving a very good statement about the win for Orton. Overcoming such formidable foes proved Orton’s capability at the big occasion of WWE, hence carrying his legacy altogether to the high-order champions’ seat. It had all the action in the world, and every superstar did one’s job: Orton, trying to work it to his favor, waiting for the right moment. The finish came as Orton gave a Punt Kick to a well-beaten Triple H and pleased himself by finally pinning down Cena to retain the title. This finish would stand out in the end as a defining moment which proved that he can handle the pressure, producing results when it really matters. The timing and precision demanded by that RKO were amazing and the ease with which Orton executed the move was
Chris Jericho’s Reinventions: A Career Of Constant Change
Chris Jericho is hardly a name that needs an introduction to the professional wrestling world, being born Christopher Keith Irvine. All through his amazing wrestling career, Jericho has constantly evolved. There have been so many changes of persona and wrestling style to keep up with the fast-moving wrestling industry. From his early days in Canada and Mexico to his rise as an international superstar in both WWE and AEW, it is his ability to reinvent himself that makes Chris Jericho one of the most vital personalities wrestling has to offer. This paper will investigate in detail the many phases of Chris Jericho’s career, pinpointing the key reinventions that have defined his legacy. Early LifeChris Jericho’s start in wrestling was during the late 1980s, while getting professionally trained at the Hart Brothers School in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In the first parts of his career, he wrestled across the globe for various promotions in the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico and Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) in Japan. Mexico, Japan, and the origin of The LionheartIn Mexico, Jericho adopted the nickname “Lionheart,” a name used to describe his lionhearted in-ring style of aggressive wrestling and no-holds-barred competitiveness. Wrestling in CMLL truly bettered the learned lessons and gained invaluable precious international experience. His performance in FMW, all-rounder from Japan, shows his versatility and ability to cope with different wrestling styles. ECW: The Next StepJericho’s first great exposure in the United States came in 1996, after signing up for Extreme Championship Wrestling. The promoter Paul Heyman helped shape the character of the “Lionheart” that began to appear in the fans’ eyes. He wrestled the elite roster in the league and then gained the respect of fans and many a superstar throughout ECW. His matches with the likes of Tazz and Sabu showcased his technical prowess and high-flying abilities. WCW: The Ayatollah of Rock ‘N’ RollaFor the year 1996 through World Championship Wrestling, Chris Jericho celebrated one of his memorable reinventions. He was portrayed as a clean-cut babyface, first of all, upon entering the eyes of the crowd, until his character slowly evolved into a more take-charge, flashy individual, ultimately turning into the “Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla.” The Cruiserweight DivisionJericho soon debuted with WCW’s cruiserweight division and immediately began having classic matches with the likes of Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, and Dean Malenko. Through just the first week, it was self-evident that Jericho held all the technical prowess and charisma required of a main event-level worker. Particularly, his feuds with Malenko made headway just as much for the compelling storytelling as for the in-ring excellence aspect of his performances.The Man of 1,004 HoldsThere is, of course, Jericho’s “Man of 1,004 Holds” promo with WCW. He lapsed into a marvelous segment of WCW Monday Nitro, which was his retort to the rhetorical issue: his challenger Malenko already bears the nickname “The Man of 1,000 Holds” by ever-artfully pretending to read thousands of holds from an evidently long-roll paper. The feeling coming from that promo did really epitomize Jericho with his comic timing and creativity, endearing him to the fans and setting his reputation really high as one of the best talkers in the business. Conspiracy VictimJericho continued down a theme that had him being the paranoid “tinfoil hat” character, believing that the WCW management was conspiring against him and working to never let him succeed. Jericho was then capable of expanding his comedic talent to the fullest and grew beyond being a wrestler into somebody who was always speaking out about the evil that was working against him. His cute rants with the WCW commissioner J.J. Dillon regarding conspiracies were quickly becoming comrades in the making. Y2J: The WWE Millennium ManChris Jericho made one of the most impactful debuts in the history of WWE in 1999. After weeks of mysterious countdowns, Jericho interrupted The Rock’s promo on an episode of Raw and declared the arrival of “Y2J”: a nomenclature reference to the coming Millennium. That marked the beginning of Jericho’s reinvention and red debut as a main event-caliber Superstar. It culminated in 2001 with Jericho defeating both The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin at Vengeance to become the first Undisputed Champion: a win that chewed in stone Jericho’s brand within WWE’s highest echelons of talent. Being a comedy wrestler, he obviously displayed that he could include it with his serious wrestling and also often engaged himself in comical segments like the “List of Jericho,” but still he maintained his validity as a champion. Feuds and AlliancesJericho was able to enjoy memorable feuds and alliances with many superstars of WWE during his time. His 2008 feud with Shawn Michaels has been regarded as one of the most compelling of WWE storylines. From thereon, adopting a more serious and no-nonsense attitude, the altercation came to a halt here where Jericho was pitted to fight one another brutally and emotionally in an Unsanctioned match against Shawn Michaels at No Mercy.Jericho then went on to be part of other successful tag teams, such as forming one with The Big Show, called Jeri-Show, and with Kevin Owens, known as Jeri-KO. All these mentioned teamwork forms help Jericho portray varying sides of him and his creative approach to keep on entertaining fans. The Best in the World at What He Does: Reinventing Himself in the 2010sContinuing to reinvent himself through the 2000s as much as wrestling reinvented itself, Jericho remained an active performer even while he worked on his music career with Fozzy, an extended break from WWE. When he returned, he assumed a greater work focus, though he continued to perform his old staples in high-pressure matches. Return of the ListIn 2016, Jericho introduced “The List of Jericho,” a comedic prop that instantly became one of the most popular of his characters. The List would hold the names of those who committed some misdeed in Jericho’s eyes, with his maxim “You just made the list!” the catchphrase. Such reinvention showcased Jericho’s talent in blending humor within
The Women’s Revolution: Key Matches And Milestones
The Women’s Revolution in WWE has been one characterized by growth, breaking through barriers, and changing the role of the woman in professional wrestling. With such groundbreaking matches and huge milestones marking its way through history, this movement catapulted women’s wrestling to new heights. This article will look through those defining key matches and milestones that make up the Women’s Revolution, celebrating the success stories of women who have paved the way for future generations. A New Beginning: The Four HorsewomenThe Women’s Revolution really began when the Four Horsewomen—Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, and Bayley—finally made an entrance into the scene. Legend has it that these four women originally began with WWE’s developmental brand NXT before making a gigantic stamp in WWE by way of great wrestling skills and exciting storylines. Charlotte vs. Natalya: NXT TakeOver, May 29, 2014One of the initial defining moments for this Women’s Revolution had to be the match between Charlotte and Natalya for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT TakeOver. It was a very technical wrestling match with loads of the emotional elements of storytelling, won by Charlotte. Weight from such WWE legends as Ric Flair and Bret Hart added to the evening’s exercises in respect for a tradition in women’s wrestling and its future. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Rival, February 11, 2015In a Fatal 4-Way for the NXT Women’s Championship, the Four Horsewomen went at it. This was one of those action-stipulated, high-octane stipulations that really showed off just how deep with talent the women’s division in NXT was. Sasha Banks would come out on top of this stipulation to win the championship and cement her place as someone very special in WWE. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015Possibly the most signature match during the early Women’s Revolution was an NXT Women’s Championship match between Sasha Banks and Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. Many consider this one of the best women’s matches in WWE history. The point being, it really was an emotionally charged moment—Bayley’s win sealed that scene right there, along with the post-match embrace by the Four Horsewomen, a picture of a new beginning for women in wrestling. Breaking Barriers on the Main RosterSoon after, this Women’s Revolution trickled down to WWE’s main roster, where they began giving female Superstars privileged positions and opportunities. Stephanie McMahon – The Announcement – July 13, 2015It was on an episode of Monday Night Raw that Stephanie McMahon broke the news about Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch coming over to the main roster, which really started the ball rolling for the Women’s Revolution in WWE primary programming. Therefore, this was invested with huge importance for a change in direction by the company toward women’s wrestling. The new era would be competitive and respectful to female performers. WrestleMania 32, April 3, 2016WrestleMania 32 was big in real прик Reiha, for t-he Women’s Revolution especially did ensue with a huge moment: Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch in a Triple Threat match for the newly introduced WWE Women’s Championship, which would be, is now known as the Raw Women’s Championship. The addition of this match replaced the Divas Championship and showed a shift away from the “Divas” era into more competitive and respected female wrestlers. Charlotte won the match, thus becoming the first WWE Women’s Champion in the modern era.Hell in a Cell (October 30, 2016) For the very first time in WWE history, the final gimmick on a pay-per-view event was sacrificed to a Hell in a Cell match between women. Sasha Banks defended the Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in an appalling, historic fight to prove what level of physicality and beating could be put on by the females inside a ring, thus breaking one gender barrier apart and setting another standpoint regarding women grappling. Asuka’s Rise and the Rise of the NXT Women’s DivisionWhile the Four Horsewomen were breaking sweat on the main roster, NXT remained a breeding ground for top female talent, with Asuka coming out to be a dominant force. Asuka versus Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Dallas, April 1, 2016 Asuka captured the NXT Women’s Championship from Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, leading to one of the most dominant reigns of the championship in WWE history. Not having lost a single time and bell-ringing in style put Asuka midfield as that standout performer, an enormous figure for the Women’s Revolution. Asuka’s Undefeated StreakAsuka went on to establish an undefeated streak from NXT to the main roster, building the momentousness of her dominance and skill. This lasted for more than two years until the most recent WrestleMania 34, when she met Charlotte Flair in the ring for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. This was yet another milestone that set up the biggest stage with two of WWE’s top female Superstars. Mae Young ClassicAnother huge step in this Women’s Revolution was the Mae Young Classic, an all-women’s tournament paying respect to WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young. Said event would be headlined by talent from all around the world to give a showcasing of depths and diversity for women’s wrestling. The inaugural Mae Young Classic 2017The first Mae Young Classic in 2017 had 32 competing women representing a multitude of nationalities and backgrounds. In essence, it was more like a festival of women’s wrestling—talent that hadn’t been experienced by the world as of yet. Kairi Sane won the tournament over Shayna Baszler in the final match. The Second Mae Young Classic 2018If anything, the second Mae Young Classic in 2018 was an improvement over the very first. It maintained many returning competitors with new blood, all boiling down to the match-up between Toni Storm and Io Shirai for the finals. The win of Toni Storm showed even more: stating the real meaning of women’s wrestling—international with a deep pool of talent. First-Ever Women’s Royal Rumble (January 28, 2018)Another groundbreaking moment in the women’s revolution was when the very first Women’s Royal
The Best of NXT TakeOver: Matches That Stole the Show
Ever since the very start, NXT TakeOvers became a synonym for high-quality wrestling and storytelling, with the matches establishing themselves among the best that WWE has to offer. Pure wrestling, supported by character work and strong stories, had given rise to numerous ongoing memories, keeping fans up on their toes all the time. The article baits the best NXT TakeOver matches that have indeed stolen the show, with its bouts shaping ethos and creating an indelible mark within the wrestling business. The Birth of NXT TakeOverBefore delving into the matches, some context is needed concerning the importance of NXT TakeOver events. The first NXT TakeOver event happened on May 29, 2014, and it was a realization of the vision of WWE in building a developmental brand that can stand alone as a major attraction. In fact, NXT quickly became known for high-quality wrestling, with its showcase being on new talent. It is through TakeOver events that these stars were really given that grand plateau to perform, head-to-head with the main roster shows, due in large part to their sheer intensity and passion. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn – NXT Arrival (February 27, 2014)A bit further back, one of the very first matches that really set the bar for what NXT TakeOver would grow into was Sami Zayn against Cesaro, at Arrivals. A match with brains, a boatload of violence, and remarkable athleticism, carrying on an intense rivalry: a clinic at how wrestling is done by Zayn and Cesaro in usage of flying and technical prowess. The emotional and physical intensity of that one took fans on a ride and put NXT on the map for match-of-the-year candidates. Charlotte vs. Natalya—NXT TakeOver May 29thAnother classic from NXT TakeOver was the match between Charlotte and Natalya for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship. This was really one of those defining moments in Women’s Evolution that proved to everyone just how athletic and talented female professional wrestlers could be. Each competitor gave a great performance with good technical wrestling and some empathy storytelling. The presence of Ric Flair and Bret Hart in their respective corners added to the match’s prestige, and Charlotte’s victory marked the beginning of her ascent as one of WWE’s top stars. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015Perhaps one of the biggest matches in NXT history, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley is considered by many fans and outlets to be the turning point for women’s wrestling. Quite possibly one of the biggest matches to ever take place in NXT history, this was being built as an underdog moment for Bayley. The match between them was a thriller; I mean, a masterpiece of storytelling, athleticism, and emotion. Sasha and Bayley displayed moments that the fans would consider a five-star segment and an amazing chemistry with wrestling ability. The post-match celebration with the Four Horsemen shows the victory Bayley scored unquestionably kicks off a dimension in women’s wrestling. Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015The same night, another force was increased when Finn Bálor defended his NXT Championship against Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match. It was a very brutal, slobber-knocker match, very befitting of WWE’s two hardest hitters in NXT. Both Bálor and Owens took really huge risks, put their bodies on the line, used the ladder as a weapon and a prop for taking those big bumps. The victory for Bálor here will rubber-stamp and send him as one of the top champions in NXT, while what Owens did will continue to solidify him as one of the most interesting characters in all of wrestling. Shinsuke Nakamura versus Sami Zayn, NXT TakeOver: Dallas, April 1,Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT debut match against Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Dallas was very much a dream match in itself. In fact, there was actually nothing much to ask for in such a contest. This was the right dish prepared with the exact ingredients: solid hits combined with great technical work and show. His unreplicable charisma and in-ring style make the one-on-one performance matched with Zayn’s fiery passion and resilience. The energy was palpable within the crowd, and this was run at a stellar pace. For Nakamura, it marked the first step on the road to NXT for him, after his win, Zayn got a grand farewell from the audience. DIY vs The Revival – NXT TakeOver: Toronto – November 19, 2016The NXT Tag Team Championship match between DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) at NXT TakeOver: Toronto has often been referred to as the greatest tag team match in WWE history. This 2-out-of-3 Falls match was really a classic one in tag team wrestling, when both teams put up a real clinic of psychology, teamwork, and storytelling. The high-flying and technical prowess were perfect contrasts from the old-school antics of Revival. DIY overcame, put an emotional victory on the backburner, and cemented a legacy on the night. Asuka vs. Ember Moon – NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III (August 19, 2017)It was a night to remember as Asuka’s record-setting reign as NXT Women’s Champion faced its toughest challenge at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III against Ember Moon. The result was the exquisite brutality of Asuka’s striking mixed with the overt greatness of Ember Moon’s athleticism and never-say-die attitude. Both women turned in an extremely hard-hitting, energetic contest that had fans at a fever pitch throughout. Despite considerable effort from Ember, Asuka held onto the title and kept her undefeated streak alive. This is one of those encounters where the bar was not only high, but the setting was high. Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas – NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, January 27This tug-of-war brought the best out in Johnny Gargano while he fought the lifetime match with Andrade “Cien” Almas at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. The match was a technical marvel that blended high-flying moves perfectly with stiff strikes and well-spun storytelling. It was Gargano’s underdog spirit combined against Almas with new levels of aggression