{"id":135318,"date":"2025-05-14T11:20:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T15:20:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=135318"},"modified":"2025-05-14T11:20:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T15:20:34","slug":"wwe-storyline-matches-the-best-and-why-it-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/05\/14\/wwe-storyline-matches-the-best-and-why-it-works\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE Storyline Matches: The Best and Why It Works"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This past weekend at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/05\/10\/wwe-backlash-2025-st-louis-review-star-rating\/\" target=\"_self\">WWE Backlash<\/a>, we saw Pat McAfee compete in his eighth match against former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This match pairing seems unusual when comparing the competitors, but it managed to capture the audience&#8217;s attention. It was the latest in a longline of WWE storyline matches that focused on a narrative over in-ring work. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it was an unexpected match-up, the crowd was roaring during this match for McAfee and Michael Cole when he began getting involved. McAfee isn\u2019t as experienced in the ring as other wrestlers, but despite this, he and Gunther told a story that got the fans involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What other storylines have we seen in the WWE where the fans were more excited about the story than the in-ring ability? Let&#8217;s take a look at some WWE storyline matches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>WWE Storylines<\/h3>\n<h3>Michael Cole Matches<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though McAfee was the most recent commentator to have a match in the ring, we can\u2019t forget about Michael Cole&#8217;s matches. Throughout 2011 and 2012, Cole had a handful of matches as he was one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2021\/04\/30\/remembering-heel-michael-cole\/\" target=\"_self\">best heel commentators<\/a> the WWE has seen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As cherished as Michael Cole is now by the WWE Universe, he made everyone in the arena hate him during this time. The fans anticipated his matches due to his limited in-ring experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His matches were successful because the fans loved seeing Cole being beaten up. Out of the 11 matches that Michael Cole has been in (not including the 2012 Royal Rumble match), he has only won three, defeating Jerry Lawler twice, and in a tag team with Jack Swagger against Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"John Cena vs. Michael Cole: Raw, June 4, 2012\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JcT1QdGI-aI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Rey Mysterio vs The Great Khali<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The WWE Universe is no stranger to the fact that <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/03\/11\/rey-mysterio-hall-of-fame\/\" target=\"_self\">Rey Mysterio<\/a> puts on phenomenal matches and is a legend in the business. However, the size difference between The Great Khali and Mysterio was too significant for Mysterio to put up much of a fight despite his efforts during their bout on WWE SmackDown in 2006.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fans can expect the outcome, but the size difference between them is not something you see daily (unless you&#8217;re Khali). The anticipation of the match centered on how Mysterio could fight back, also leaving fans speculating about what could happen to Mysterio during the match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It wasn\u2019t shocking that Khali won the match, but how he easily threw Mysterio around is astounding. It is one of WWE\u2019s most popular YouTube videos, with 152 million views.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rey Mysterio vs. The Great Khali: SmackDown, May 12, 2006\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6kC4lzb1L9s?list=PLqIVmFaHA8Bri01a2ZDk47kZx6xCwXBWW\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Bad Bunny<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arguably, Bad Bunny is one of the best, if not the best, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2022\/04\/10\/celebrity-guests-in-wwe-from-stephen-amell-to-bad-bunny\/\" target=\"_self\">celebrities to have had a WWE match<\/a>. He&#8217;s had two matches and been involved in two Royal Rumble contests. Even though Bad Bunny proved himself in the ring, going into the match, the WWE Universe never knows what to expect from a celebrity guest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad Bunny\u2019s first match in the company (not including the 2021 <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2022\/01\/30\/bad-bunny-2022-mens-royal-rumble\/\" target=\"_self\">Royal Rumble match<\/a>) was at WrestleMania 37, partnering with Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and John Morrison. Going into this match, Bad Bunny took the time to help build the performance and the story. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has also reached a high point in his music career, which has drawn in and excited his fans. It also helped that he was working with some of the company&#8217;s most entertaining and experienced men. Combining all these factors gave a significant buildup to their WrestleMania match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike every celebrity guest, Bad Bunny made a very impressive match for it being his first one. The success of this match led to Bad Bunny having a street fight match against Damian Priest at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/03\/08\/wwe-backlash-puerto-rico\/\" target=\"_self\">WWE Backlash 2023.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bad Bunny stuns the WWE Universe at Wrestlemania 37 match: SmackDown, Dec. 31, 2021\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ox5fN9FE5Kw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Team Cena vs. Team Authority<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Team Cena vs. Team Authority falls into the category of unforgettable Survivor Series matches. If it hadn\u2019t been for the story surrounding the match, it would not have succeeded in the way that it had.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The story behind the match was taking down The Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, and Randy Orton), who consistently put people such as Dean Ambrose, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/04\/20\/wwe-wrestlemania-41-john-cena-wins-17th-record-title-controversial\/\" target=\"_self\">John Cena<\/a>, Dolph Ziggler, and more in unfair matches. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/12\/01\/why-wwe-survivor-series-2014-was-so-exciting\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">The Survivor Series 2014<\/a> match was Team Cena (John Cena, Dean Ambrose, Erick Rowan, and Ryback) vs. Team Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, Luke Harper, Mark Henry, and Rusev).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The match had high stakes, considering that Team Cena was standing up to the team of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The buildup to the match was immense because everyone knew there could be consequences for those involved in Team Cena.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The match at Survivor Series was full of surprises, from Big Show turning on Team Cena to Ziggler being the sole survivor and culminating with the debut of Sting in the WWE. The story continued after Survivor Series, and new stories, such as Seth Rollins and Sting, were opened.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH - Team Cena vs. Team Authority - Elimination Tag Team Match: Survivor Series 2014\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gD7qJ3TW1jw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Header photo &#8211; Carter Sterling\/ Flickr &#8211; Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WWE and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out WWE programming on <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/browse\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Netflix<\/a> (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&amp;E (WWE Superstar Sunday \u2013 Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/wwe_speed?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">X (WWE Speed). <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This past weekend at WWE Backlash, we saw Pat McAfee compete in his eighth match against former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. This match pairing seems unusual when comparing the competitors, but it managed to capture the audience&#8217;s attention. It was the latest in a longline of WWE storyline matches that focused on a narrative [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5214,"featured_media":135322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2192,4,3],"tags":[3015,2091,886,9076,4999],"class_list":["post-135318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestling","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-bad-bunny","tag-michael-cole","tag-rey-mysterio","tag-survivor-series-2014","tag-the-great-khali"],"modified_by":"Laurence Gibbons","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135318"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":135323,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135318\/revisions\/135323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/135322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}