There were so many many matches to pick from. I loved the 90’s, as most of my generation did, and the Wrestling that went on during that decade was phenomenal. Consider we had WCW, ECW and WWF all running strong on television and in pay-per-views. You’ll recall that ECW got their first cable deal with TNN, now Spike TV. What a decade it was.
So, upon reflection, I came up with the five matches that are most memorable for me.
#5 Warrrior vs Hulk Hogan, WrestleMania 6, 1990: If you think about it, this really was Hogan passing the torch and putting over the Warrior. At the time, Hulk Hogan was WWF’s franchise for about 6 years, and by 1990 the man never lost to anybody on pay per views. As far as I can remember, I’m pretty sure he never lost to anybody before this match. So when the Ultimate Warrior handed Hogan his first PPV loss, at a Wrestlemania at that, it was a big – very big- deal. So, for the passing of the torch, and for such a stunning run, this one makes my list.
#4 Ric Flair vs Sting, Great American Bash, 1990: Without question, out of all the Sting/Flair match-ups this is my favorite – the NWA World Championship contest at the 1990 Great American in Baltimore, where we saw Flair pass the torch and give the ball to Sting. He believed in Sting, and Sting was already a hot commodity. Flair recognized that and Sting won his first WCW World Title. His run would last until January of 1991.
#3 Mankind vs The Undertaker, King of The Ring, 1998: HITC Match was a moment I could not believe. When I found out what Undertaker did to Mick Foley, I still remember it like it was yesterday – my friend telling me that Undertaker threw Mankind off the cell. I still remember my “Oh my God, really?” reaction. Yes, it happened and Mick Foley still went on with the match. After all the crazy sick, insane bums he took, what a war. What a hardcore epic match that put the Attitude era and WWF on the map. I still love watching this match to this very day and don’t know how Foley went on and finished the match.
#2 Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart, WrestleMania 12, 1996: It was the first one hour WWF match in history and the very first Iron Man Match on pay per view. The back and forth action and stellar wrestling showcase, make this one of the best pure Wrestlemania, and indeed wrestling matches, I have ever seen to this day.
#1 Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin, Wrestlemania 13, 1997: It had it all. It was in the middle of the Attitude Era. It was the match that turned and made Stone Cold Steve Austin a star and jump started his career in the WWF after working for WCW from 1991 to 1994. It was an I-quit match with guest referee and UFC badass Ken Shamrock. What a match. Not only was it the match of the year in 1997, but it was easily the most memorable for me because of the quality and for it having launched one of the greatest careers in recent memory into mainstream.
Other matches that did not make my list but deserve a mention:
WCW Great American Bash 96: Hall, Nash and Hogan vs Macho Man Randy Savage, Lex Luger and Sting
HBK vs Bret Hart, Survivor Series, 1997
Kane vs Undertaker, Wrestlemania 14
Stone Cold vs The Rock, Wrestlemania 15
Hogan vs Piper, Starrcade, 1996
Hogan vs Sting, Starrcade, 1997
Piper vs Goldust, Wrestlemania 12
WCW Fall Brawl 96: the Wargames match, the NWO vs WCW
That’s my 1990’s favorite matches list hope you enjoyed the read.
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