Best: Chris Jericho v Shawn Michaels (Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship; No Mercy 2008)
It’s hard to imagine that a program between two iconic wrestlers would fly under many a radar. Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels engaged in a very personal feud that saw Y2J accidentally assaulting HBK’s wife. It brought out a vicious side from the Heartbreak Kid and led to some fantastic matches, the best of which was their blowoff Ladder Match at No Mercy.
Jericho and Michael’s ladder match hit all the high spots one would hope for. There was great storytelling, ladder spots, and a fantastic finish featuring a dramatic tug-of-war atop the ladder. Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels put on a show and ended No Mercy on the highest of notes.
Worst: Kane v The Undertaker (Hell in a Cell Match for the World Heavyweight Championship; Hell in a Cell 2010)
When the Brothers of Destruction took up their old family issues, the Attitude Era had long passed. Kane had gotten to a point in his career where he lost his aura. His World Championship reign was a reward for all his hard work, but it didn’t result in many great matches. Kane and The Undertaker were a nice nostalgic callback, but their PG Era Hell in a Cell didn’t set the world on fire. Yes, WWE’s new rating didn’t help matters much, but that shouldn’t have prevented a compelling match.
A Hell in a Cell match needs a level of violence to keep it interesting. It’s a level that this match was sorely lacking. Kane and The Undertaker didn’t put together anything interesting and seemed to be going through the motions. The PG Era hampered their ability to put on a compelling Hell in a Cell match, and it finished with some lazy interference.
