The Best WWE Matches of 2016 (Part 1)

2016 was a decent year in some aspects and a tumultuous one in the same token.

But if we’re talking about wrestling, this year was jam packed with some quality matches. The usual suspects, such as AJ Styles, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler and others stepped up to the plate to take part in amazing main show/PPV bouts. The true Women’s Wrestling Revolution also stood out as a shining beacon of the WWE. Plus some of the more shocking moments of 2016 just so happened to take place during the majority of the matches we’re going to speak on. There were so many awesome matches this year, which is why we’re going to mention them all in a 3-part series.

Let’s reminisce about the best WWE matches of 2016 during the 1st part of our year-end list.

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose (Royal Rumble)

Taken from Match Review: Ambrose and Owens have developed quite the rivalry and chemistry in the ring, haven’t they? Want more proof of that proclamation? Make sure you check out this Last Man Standing match if you missed it. Both men pulled out their best moves and plenty of under-the-ring hardware during this no-holds-barred brawl. The crowd (and us) came alive during the bigger moments involving both Superstars crashing through tables. The emotion that builds in most Last Man Standing Matches was prevalent here, as we were on the edge of our seat as both men fought to get back to their feet. There were moments where the action died down for far too long, though. The awesome table finish still did a great job of making this title match an excellent opener.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 5-Way (Feb. 15th Raw)

Ambrose was proud to defend his IC Championship during the beginning of 2016. He’d already dealt with Kevin Owens, but this Raw Fatal 5-Way presented him with insurmountable odds. Ambrose, Owens, Stardust, Ziggler and Breeze all did battle in a barnburner of a title match. Ambrose and Owens embroiled in some big back and forth moments, but plenty of props needs to go out to the rest of the competitors here. Breeze pulled off an amazing near fall that nearly made us think he could pull off the big win. Ziggler laid in a cool Zig Zag to Ambrose whilst he was dropping Stardust with Dirty Deeds. And Stardust seemed extra motivated to perform at a higher level on this evening. In the end though, Owens laid Breeze down with a nasty Pop-Up Powerbomb to reclaim the IC Title. This was the most enjoyable type of car crash mayhem.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho (Fastlane)

Taken from Match Review: GOOD LORD! Was this match amazing or what? Styles and Jericho not only topped their previous matches, but they managed to bring the crowd’s excitement level to its maximum. Styles proved himself once more and threw out the most unique moves in his repertoire. Jericho scouted his high-flying opponent well though and saw Y2J counter Styles during a plancha and Springboard Forearm attempt. Jericho got even more physical with Styles and seemingly went back to his evil days as the Undisputed Champion from 2001-2002. As the match entered into its middle and ending stages, AJ and Y2J turned up the intensity and truly got things underway. AJ hit his Stylin’ DDT and Pele, while Jericho locked in his Walls of Jericho and brought back his Lionsault. We came out of our seats when Styles crashed Jericho to the mat with his Styles Clash (which Y2J kicked out of). The finish came when Styles locked in his incredibly painful looking Calf Crusher. Styles and Jericho’s back and forth feud over the past few weeks culminated with this amazing tie-breaker of a match. As AJ’s theme says – THEY DON’T WANT NONE!

Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose (Fastlane)

Taken from Match Review: The mayor of Suplex City made this triple threat match all the more entertaining. Lesnar went on an insane mean streak and suplexed his opponents all over the place. The opening moments of this main event were amazing. Lesnar made his dominance known and had the crowd chanting “SUPLEX CITY!” Reigns and Ambrose teamed up of course and played up their past stable unity by Powerbombing Lesnar through two announce tables. Both former Shield mates went toe to toe in some quick but fun exchanges while Lesnar lay incapacitated outside the ring. We lost our minds when Lesnar hopped back into the ring and German Suplexed Reigns while Ambrose was stuck in a Samoan Drop position. There were several moments where we though someone besides Reigns was going to grab the victory. The best moment by far has to be when Reigns speared Lesnar, Lesnar locked in his Kimura Lock and Ambrose went to town on them both with a steel chair. But even after all that lovely madness, Reigns emerged the winner (what a shocker, huh?). While the result was far from a surprise, the match itself was simply excellent.

Triple H vs. Dean Ambrose (Roadblock)

Taken from Match Review: Our expectations ran high for this championship encounter. It’s safe to say that they were certainly met. “The Game” and “The Lunatic Fringe” put on a great main event during the very first Roadblock. This match started out slow as both men started to get the crowd within the palm of their hands. Ambrose smartly targeted Ambrose’s leg and got in a ton of offense on HHH. HHH used his immense power to slam Ambrose and cause him further punishment as their bout wore on. Ambrose was in fine form here as the match reached its crescendo. Imagine out shock when we though Ambrose finished HHH with his Dirty Deeds and won the championship! It was all for naught, though. After that big moment, the match continued on and got even better. Ambrose cost himself the match after missing a big elbow drop through the announce table, which led to him getting finished with a Pedigree. This was a great match filled with near falls, Ambrose’s infectious personality, HHH’s domineering presence and smartly paced sequences.

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT TakeOver: Dallas)

Shinsuke Nakamura’s arrival to the WWE was highly anticipated. Everyone who followed his NJPW exploits knew just how incredible he could be. But WWE fans not in the know may not have known much about the Japanese superstar. This match not only solidified him as a legit star, it also gave him the perfect introduction into the WWE. Zayn and Nakamura tapped into their own version of “Strong Style” and emerged with one of the best NXT matches of the year. Zayn used everything he’d learned up until this point, while Nakamura tapped into his stiff offensive arsenal to wear down his opposition. This one ran long and we’re glad it did. Both men presented a modern classic to the live crowd in Dallas, Texas that made them all chant “FIGHT FOREVER!” Zayn exited NXT on a high note, as expected. As for Nakamura, he excelled here and gave us a hint of what’s to come.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania 32)

Taken from Match Review: AJ came to his 1st WrestleMania with something to prove to his doubters. He certainly performed like the Superstar we’ve always known him to be. AJ and Y2J got enough time to put on an incredible back and forth contest that had the crowd going wild. Both men broke out every move in their wide arsenal and tried to put each other down permanently. AJ pulled out everything from his Springboard 450 Splash, Brainbuster and a Styles Clash. Jericho came prepared as he locked in the Walls of Jericho on two occasions. This match went long and we’re glad it did. AJ caught a big Codebreaker and that was that. AJ lost in his ‘Mania debut, but he has nothing to be ashamed of. This match was a top-notch contest between two amazing dance partners.

Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks (WrestleMania 32)

Taken from Match Review: All three Women marked the revival of the WWE Women’s Division in a big way. First off, let’s give them kudos on their flashy entrances. Secondly, let’s also give them all a round of applause cause their ring gear was phenomenal (especially Banks’ “Latino Heat” tights and Charlotte’s light blue robe). And finally, we have to give these three incredible talents all the credit in the world for putting on an amazing contest. This one never seemed to enter a dull period. From the opening bell, all three women pulled out their best moves and doled out their smartest counters. Charlotte worked extra hard as the defending champion, Banks use her wits to pick hr best spots and Becky landed a nice series of suplexes on her two opponents. We legit laughed for a good while Ric got put on his back via a Becky Lynch plancha. The finish had us biting out nails since we thought Banks was gonna win via submission. But Charlotte used her Figure Eight Leglock (plus her father’s assistance) to grab the sneaky victory. This awesome match will be remembered for a long time as the rebirth of the Women’s division.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro (April 4th Raw)

The night after WrestleMania is often heralded as the more anticipated event than ‘Mania itself. We tend to agree with that sentiment and this match is proof of that statement. Four of the WWE’s most amazing Superstars who always put on amazing matches fought tooth and nail here to become the #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. A Tower of Doom spot was just one of the many highlights of this Raw main event. AJ crushed Y2J with a Springboard 450 Splash, Cesaro went European Uppercut crazy, Y2J hopped over Owens for a Code Breaker, Cesaro locked in the Sharpshooter on Y2J after some intense counters and AJ rocked Cesaro with a Phenomenal Elbow while he had Jericho locked into his submission. The Styles Clash finished off Jericho, gave us a new challenger for Roman Reigns and gave the live crowd something to remember for years to come.

Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles (Payback)

Taken from Match Review: Not only was the action inside and outside the ring during this match awesome, but the match stipulation changes made it even more of an insane event. AJ and Reigns fought tooth and nail during this entire main event. AJ used his agility and unique moveset to keep the champ off balance. Reigns reached into his powerful offense and continually put AJ on his back. There were moments where the match seemingly ended, but Shane and Steph saw fit to restart it on two occasions. The crowd (including us) came unglued when AJ hit his Phenomenal Forearm to Reigns through the announce table. We equally lost it when Reigns hit a Superman Punch on AJ while he took to the air. Once Anderson & Gallows and The Usos got to fighting, the action intensified. AJ and Reigns both took to the air to cut off their respective allies. The finish came during a cool moment where AJ went for a springboard maneuver, but he flew over Reigns and got finished with a Spear. Reigns retains after a pretty crazy encounter.

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