Hidden Gems: Underrated WWE Matches You Must Watch

Certain matches in the grand spectacle of WWE take the center of attention, fanfare, or become immured into history in a list of some of the greatest wrestling matches ever to take place. Among those, there are a vast number of under-reported matches that never received, because of this or that, the recognition they deserved. These are professional wrestling hidden gems, and this kind of work in the ring with the aggressive storytellers puts moments of brilliance in those fans that are usually lost. We go deep into some of the most underrated WWE matches that you must watch right now, from meaning and context to why it all matters.

1. Bret Hart vs. 1-2-3 Kid

The Context
In the early 1990s, Bret “The Hitman” Hart was making his name as the top technical wrestler in WWE, while the 1-2-3 Kid—later known as X-Pac—was making a name as a scrappy underdog. Their July 1994 match on Raw is a classic example of both story and technical wrestling, as the veteran Hart tries to outmaneuver the young exuberance of the Kid.

The Match
The match opened by Hart overlooking his opponent, and a spate of near falls proceeding that; it had the audience on the edge of their seats. As the match really started to heat up, the 1-2-3 Kid turned on an incredible display of resilience and high-flying, leading Hart in desperate attempts to dig deep into his arsenal to secure victory.

The Impact
This is an underrated match; it showcases great chemistry between Hart and the Kid and really proves how very important a good story told around the match can be. It is a good indicator of just how great Hart was in the ability to make his opponents look strong—an ongoing reason he was always granted true professional holding.

2. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio

The Context
While not classified as a WWE match, the importance that this fight has in the careers of both Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio—even in their WWE careers thereafter—cannot be underestimated. This match in question pits the two horn-to-head wrestlers in WCW, with Guerrero defending his Cruiserweight Championship while Mysterio puts his mask on the line.

The Match
This is, more often than not, regarded as one of, if not the greatest, cruiserweight match of all time. Guerrero and Mysterio—two fans’ darlings, each at the top of their game—had such great chemistry that it all just came together: right, fast in pace, and very aerial, with the style piling on fans’ faces. It featured the right blend of technical wrestling, high spots, and storytelling, making for an instant classic.

The Impact
Although this went down in WCW, the effects of the match would be felt in the WWE, where both Guerrero and Mysterio went on to have Hall of Fame careers. It’s just really one of those things required viewing for any fan of wrestling, as it showcases what both men brought to the table during their time in WWE.

3. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (Royal Rumble 2003)

The Context
Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit can easily be stated to come under some of the most technically sound wrestlers of their time. Their Ladder match for the WWE Championship at 2003’s Royal Rumble really did assert the technical accolade and storytelling capability.

Description: A tale
It was a wrestling clinic as the two men exchanged holds, counters, and suplexes in a match that really focused on their mat-based skill. There was certainly an intensity and feel of physicality in the match where both Angle and Benoit pushed each other to their respective limits.

The Impact
While not regarded as one of the more famous Royal Rumble matches, this match, even aside from its essential viewing, represents a master class in wrestling and becomes an absolute joy simply through the determination on display by both competitors. It really dug deep into how good these two were when working with each other and gave an idea of what WWE was producing during those good golden years of wrestling.

4. The Shield vs the Wyatt Family (Elimination Chamber 2014)

Context
By 2014, The Shield were Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose, while The Wyatt Family was Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan. Both factions had grown to dominate WWE. Their meeting at Elimination Chamber 2014 was eagerly, if somewhat surprisingly, built.

The Match
This six-man tag team match was crazy, a high-energy affair that showed off both strengths of the factions well: The Shield versus The Wyatt Family in cohesive strategic teamwork against a very unorthodox brawling style. There was so much going on, with memorable spots and intense confrontations galore, that grabbed the attention of the massed throng from the first punch onwards.

The Effect
This match is a hidden gem in the context that it showed how hot faction warfare can actually get in the WWE. It also showed all the individual talent within both groups, which would then eventually build into single’s careers for all. The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family is an instance that boiled multi-man matches with thrilling spirits amidst the storyline.

5. William Regal vs. Chris Jericho, No Mercy 2001
   The Context
   William Regal and Chris Jericho found themselves in quite a heated rivalry back in 2001, with the whole competition boiling to their match come No Mercy. Regal, a brawler with a bundle of technical skills and stiffness, took on Jericho, the charismatic and versatile, in a match that flew under the radar.

The Match
This bout was an amalgamation of sub-based submission offense from Regal and high-flying/technical lug-head action from Jericho. The two veterans wove an interesting tale of Regal working over the limbs of Jericho, only for him to fight back in trademark resilience and elan.

The Impact
This little gem of a match tends to get lost among other high-profile contests from that period, but it’s truly admirable in terms of technical aptitude and straight-up storytelling. The chemistry between Regal and Jericho blended to make for a very entertaining match that demonstrated the skills of both of these men and further enriched their ongoing feud.

6. John Cena vs. Umaga (Royal Rumble 2007)

The Context
John Cena held the WWE Championships in 2007. During that span, he dominated the different challengers in his way. His match-up for the title, which was rough and with great acting, was against Umaga at the Royal Rumble. It was perfection with brutality. There was extra intensity with a Last Man Standing stipulation on the bout.

The Match
Demanding physically, the actions of the match were from the get-go as both men worked in and out of the environment with multiple weapons—to try and get the initial advantage. Cena choking out Umaga with a ring rope, the finish, was creative and memorable, putting both Cena over as resourceful and Umaga as tough.

The Impact
A little buried treasure, it showed the flexibility of John Cena’s style to match different opponents and situations. In addition, this actually proved that Umaga could really become main-event level material. The brutality and creativity evident in it make this match a must-see for fans of rough, stiff wrestling.

7. AJ Styles vs. John Cena (SummerSlam 2016

The Context
When AJ Styles made his WWE debut in January of 2016, fans expected great things from him with all of the big names in the company. He feuded with John Cena in a match at SummerSlam 2016 that was everything one could have hoped and then some.

The Match
The two conjured up an instant classic with high-impact moves, matched with dramatic near falls and emotional storytelling taking place inside the squared circle. It was the kind of performance that played up not only to Styles’ ability in the ring but also Cena’s ability to rise to the occasion against top competition. There was literally electricity tingling through the crowd at the enormity of what was before them.

The Impact
This contest normally flies under the radar due to the other super-high-profile matches on this card, but it earns its place here by quality and momentousness alone. This pretty much solidified Styles as one of the greatest top-level superstars in WWE, even being a reminder to everyone out here of John Cena’s ongoing versatility in the ring. A prime example of what great chemistry with a dance partner and storytelling can do inside the squared circle.

8. Randy Orton vs. Christian, Over the Limit 2011

The Context
The 2011 feud of Randy Orton and Christian was based on the World Heavyweight Championship. The heel turn of Christian came from him feeling stabbed in the back by a quick Orton win. Number one out of their umpteen matches has to be their bout at Over the Limit 2011.

The Match
The Orton-Christian match took on a skillful, clinic-like pace with attached emotions where displays of the full range of skills at disposal were on show. Falls came left and right in this boat, and it was very dramatic right till close, when just one dramatically flawless RKO gained Orton any kind of control.

The Impact
It’s an underestimated match, maybe not storyline-wise, but definitely in the chemistry both Orton and Christian shared. What it really did is show just how good Christian truly is as a main event star, and also cemented this match unequivocally in the classic category as representative of a top champion’s legacy. This match is highly recommended for its technical wrestling and emotional depth.

9. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

The Context
While this has been praised on many fronts, it does not get the universal claim it should among WWE’s all-time great matches.

The Game
Banks and Bayley were technically very good, very emotionally involved, and probably the most important match in history. The storytelling, from Bayley as underdog to the Banks display of ruthlessness, worked for the audience very well. The climax of the match was when Bayley nailed a Bayley-to-Belly from the top rope, so the pedestal was well deserved.

The Impact
If ever anything, it was a must-watch due to its historical significance—the first edition that will be the case that propels women’s wrestling to further unprecedented levels. That went on to show to many minds, quite contrary to the point, that women were capable of main eventing, which is essentially what that represented: taking another step through that women’s revolution and leaving an impact. This can really be said as grand thanks to the really hard work and talent possessed by both Banks and Bayley.

10. CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan (Over the Limit 2012)

The Context
This was a contest with two of the finest and most popular contestants of that particular wrestling generation: CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. Both these gentlemen had superb careers on the independent circuit and brought their own flavor to WWE.

The Game
Punk vs. Bryan was a technical classic, full of submission holds, counters, and high-impact moves. It was a slow build for a hot finish, but finished in a very controversial manner where it had appeared that Bryan barely failed to regain the title from Punk.

Impact
This is a match that most of the time gets overlooked next to other high-profile encounters but should really not be ignored; it, for the largest part, was technically brilliant and full of great storytelling. It proved to the naysayers that WWE ‘could’ provide matches that would cater to both the hardcore wrestling fan and the casual viewer. Together, Punk and Bryan did something that was absolutely unforgettable—a match that, no matter when it happened, will be recalled for many years to come.

Conclusion
WWE has made countless memorable matches over the years, no doubt, but there are many other gems that deserved more attention and acclaim. These underrated gems outline sizzling wrestling contests to emotionally charged payoffs, spelling out the diverse flair of WWE superstars. Every one of these displays bears testament to the artistry and athleticism that defines professional wrestling. These gems are what true fans of WWE use to admire its depth and range within the squared circle; pointing to the fact that some fond memories within wrestling might have come on any given night and undefeated location. From long-time fans to persons just dipping their toes into the World Wrestling Entertainment, these matches are must-see viewing for anyone who has a desire to delve into the rich tapestry of the professional wrestling game.