The 10 Best WWE Matches of 2017
December is now upon us, and all of the major WWE pay-per-views are now behind us. The lone remaining PPV of the year, Clash of Champions, of a developing card that doesn't look like it has much potential for a match of the year candidate, the best matches of 2017 have come into focus. It's very unlikely anything will top these in the next month, which looks like a semi-hibernation leading into WrestleMania season.
While the lows were very low this year, 2017 has arguably had the best programs and matches in years. Exactly what defines a good match is open to interpretation. It's not just the work rate or pace of action - if that were the case, the often lifeless cruiserweight matches would automatically become some of the best of the year.
Rather, the work rate needs to be combined with "the moment." A good match should have an electric atmosphere, something that's difficult to describe but lets you know you're seeing something special. All 10 of these matches delivered on that. Though no one will ever agree entirely on a list like this, I believe, in principle, most would have chosen the lion's share of these matches for a list of "top 10 of 2017."
Before we get into the best of the best, let's acknowledge some honourable mentions:
- Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne (UK Tournament Final)
- Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (Royal Rumble)
- Bray Wyatt vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe (Extreme Rules)
- Asuka vs. Nikki Cross, Last Woman Standing match
- The Usos vs. The New Day (Summer Slam)
- Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus and Cesaro (SummerSlam)
- Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus and Cesaro (No Mercy)
- The Authors of Pain vs. SAnity vs. the Undisputed Era (NXT TakeOver: War Games)
#10 The Usos vs. The New Day (Hell in a Cell)
The Usos and the New Day carried SmackDown throughout its dismal summer and early fall. No match they had disappointed. Every segment they had delivered. Both teams proved they were the two best in the world. Yet, no team seemed to be able to gain a decisive advantage over the other.
The SmackDown Tag Team Championships changed hands numerous times and though a game of hot potato with the title is usually a bad thing, this time it wasn't as both teams were just that damn good. The Hell in a Cell match would act as it should this time around - the ultimate end to a blood feud.
The action kicked into high gear immediately as both teams left the ring to retrieve some toys. Each would have some adrenaline-pumping spots and the brutality would rage back and forth in a painful war of attrition. Big E dropped Xavier Woods with a chain wrapped around his fist? The Usos would respond by throwing a chair in the latter's face when he was on the top rope sometime later.
We also saw the use of entirely innovative weapons in this match. Trombones would be used as clubs and break apart spectacularly. Cowbells would appear. Kendo sticks became an entirely new kind of weapons system when both sides used them in conjunction with the cell to imprison their foes.
Handcuffs would later be used for that same purpose, with the Usos confining Xavier Woods in a manner that almost looked like a crucifixion, beating him with kendo sticks to make the similarity more complete. Big E would ultimately save him, only to take a flurry of superkicks.
The cell itself also saw liberal use as a weapon, with spears, body splashes, and shoulder tackles against its cold steel a frequent occurrence.
A still handcuffed Xavier Woods tried to turn the tide, taking another kendo stick beating for his efforts and receiving a Double Uce with a chair atop his body at the climax, giving the Usos the win and proving them the undisputed best tag team of 2017.