20 WWE matches that should be rated 5 stars (10-1)
Throughout its 30-plus year history, WWE has tirelessly tried to present epic narratives involving conflict between characters as its main storytelling device. While the most famous of these stories tend to be performed in a safer, simplistic in-ring style than the more physically-demanding indie and international promotions, the character work, rivalry building, psychology, and crowd reactions in a WWE classic match done right are superb.
These additional qualities are just as important as the in-ring 'work-rate' because they enhance and contextualize the physicality, giving meaning and depth to something that is otherwise nothing but a pre-determined athletic showcase.
While the Tokyo Dome has consistently outmatched Madison Square Garden in terms of wrestlers pushing their bodies to the absolute limit with innovative maneuvering, WWE's entertainment-driven focus has no rival in terms of using scripted personas and angles to draw in the mass consumer. Within its own respective limits, the company has produced more than several perfect matches, some of which have impacted the entire business or defined an era in time, and should be praised accordingly.
These are 20 WWE matches that should be rated 5 stars (10-1).
#10 Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz (Triangle Tag Team Title ladder match, Wrestle Mania 2000)
Building on the first ever Ladder Match at Wrestle Mania X between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon (which was rated 5 stars by the Wrestling Observer), The Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian took the match concept to a new level at the turn of the millennium.
The three teams feuding over the tag titles during the red hot Attitude Era, created six-man mayhem at WrestleMania 2000 when they took what Michaels and Ramon started and made it twice as compelling with more ladders and far more stunts.
Though not a technical masterpiece by any stretch, The Hardyz, Dudleyz and Edge and Christian put on the match of the night from a mid-card slot, even surpassing a Double Title Triangle Match (Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle) and a Fatal 4-Way main event (The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Mick Foley vs. Big Show). The sheer brutality made for the most must-watch Ladder Match ever, until about five months later at SummerSlam.