The WWE has been one of the top providers in entertainment over the last five decades and they’ve once again delivered the goods by making select areas of their Network available free of charge.
With Wrestlemania scheduled for April 4 (which can you bet on here), the WWE has unlocked all of their Big Four events (Summerslam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania) in an attempt to keep everyone entertained during this period of self-isolation.
As an excuse to a) watch wrestling and b) beat boredom, we’ve listed 10 Must-See Matches from all four events below.
Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels – Royal Rumble 1998 (Casket Match)
To be totally honest, this match was a little rough to watch at times, but the ending is 10/10. It’s also another reminder that late ‘90s Kane was actually terrifying.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/Royal-Rumble-1998-11817
Cactus Jack vs Triple H (Street Fight) – Royal Rumble 2000
Some might say this match was a little… tacky.
Adding to the long list of must-see Mick Foley matches, is this gritty street fight against
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/Royal-Rumble-2000-11778
Undertaker vs Bret Hart (w/ special guest referee Shawn Michaels) – Summerslam 1997
This match went on to set up the infamous ‘Montreal Screw Job’ on Bret Hart months later at the Survivor Series after Shawn Michaels inadvertently helped Hart win the title with a chair shot to The Undertaker.
Aside from that though, it was a fairly technical match that lasted just under half an hour.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/SummerSlam-1997-11806
Triple H vs Shawn Michaels – Summerslam 2002
How this wasn’t the main event I’ll never know, but it remains to this day one of the greatest promos, greatest matches, and greatest rivalries ever scripted.
Michaels returned to the ring for the first time since Wrestlemania 14 after missing four years with a back injury. After 27 minutes of bloody action, Michaels won the title in front of a very rowdy Long Island crowd. The pop was incredible and Triple H hitting Shawn with the sledgehammer moments later was the icing on the cake.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/SummerSlam-2002-10323
Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (Submission Match) – Wrestlemania 13
This was a real turning point in Bret Hart’s career as he went on to become one of the most loathed heels in the late ‘90s.
It’s also one of the better submission matches you’ll see, even if Stone Cold never actually… y’know, tapped out.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/WrestleMania-13-5483
Edge and Christian vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz (TLC) – Wrestlemania 17
Utter carnage capped off by one of the most famous spots in wrestling history – Edge spearing Jeff Hardy off a 20-foot ladder.
They don’t do tag team wrestling like they used to.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/WrestleMania-17-5556
Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker – Wrestlemania 30
One of the most exciting parts in the leadup to Wrestlemania is seeing who is booked to face The Undertaker.
In 2014 Undertaker’s streak sat at a perfect 21-0, right before Brock Lesnar turned the entire wrestling world on its head. To be fair, this was a pretty ordinary match, but the reaction to Lesnar pinning The Undertaker after a third F-5 was like nothing else.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/WrestleMania-30-95219
Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair – Wrestlemania 24
This was a dream match and a dream ending for the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair.
I can’t think of a more dramatic and emotional ending to a match than Michaels mouthing “I’m sorry, I love you” right before super kicking Flair into oblivion. Still brings a tear to the eye.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/WrestleMania-24-5622
The Rock vs Mankind (I Quit) – Royal Rumble 1999
Plenty of people refer to Mick Foley’s famous ‘Hell in a Cell’ match against the Undertaker as the most graphic match in wrestling history. But I think there’s a case to be made for this ‘I Quit’ match against The Rock as a close second.
Without giving too much away, Foley took repeated chair shots to the head with his hands cuffed behind his back. To make matters worse, his wife and two young kids were in attendance at ringside.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/Royal-Rumble-1999-11828
Booker T vs Kane vs RVD vs Triple H vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho (Elimination Chamber Match)- Survivor Series 2002
A jam-packed Madison Square Garden. The first-ever Elimination Chamber. Jericho being thrown through the glass. Shawn Michaels winning the title in his second match since Wrestlemania 14. Jim Ross screaming “Michaels is the World Champion!”. Just an all around great match.
Full match: https://watch.wwe.com/episode/Survivor-Series-2002-11843