Wrestling Rumors’ 10 Best WWE Matches of 2014 So Far

Editor’s Note: We’re just four months into the calendar year, yet we’re already seeing a slew of WWE matches that we’ll be mentioning in December as potential “Match of the Year” candidates here at WrestlingRumors.net.

Guys like John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro and Randy Orton are carrying the load by putting on the highest of high-quality matches on nearly a weekly basis. Even the crop of talent down in NXT are putting their best foot forward and building their reputations through their exceptional ring work.

Narrowing down our list of the “10 Best WWE Matches of 2014 So Far” was a difficult process. Be sure to let us know which matches you think were snubbed or ranked too high/low by leaving a comment and giving us your feedback.

Enjoy!

 

10. Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian vs. Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler (Monday Night RAW, 03-24-14)

With a shot at the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line, four former World Heavyweight Champions did battle in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine who would challenge Big E the following night on “WWE Main Event” for the gold.

Christian emerged victorious after delivering a Killswitch to Dolph Ziggler, although he was never able to cash-in his title shot due to a concussion he received during this match.

Result: Christian b. Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler – Killswitch to Ziggler (12:00)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=cMmp2anCmC8

 

9. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton (Monday Night RAW, 02-03-14)

During the weeks leading up to the “WWE Elimination Chamber” pay-per-view, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton was forced into singles matches against all five of his Elimination Chamber adversaries.

In a shocking turn of events, Orton lost cleanly to Daniel Bryan in the first of his five encounters, giving the leader of the “Yes!” Movement a huge momentum boost as the title match drew near.

Result: Daniel Bryan b. Randy Orton – Running knee (26:58)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=GQgImlN8Lko

 

8. WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton(c) vs. John Cena (Royal Rumble, 01-26-14)

After defeating John Cena in a “Tables, Ladders and Chairs” match to become the first-ever WWE World Heavyweight Champion at the TLC pay-per-view in December, Randy Orton was forced to defend his newly-won gold in a rematch the following month at the “WWE Royal Rumble” event.

Both superstars traded using their opponent’s signature moves until The Wyatt Family made their presence felt, attacking Cena and leaving him vulnerable for Orton to pick up the pieces and retain his championship.

Result: Randy Orton b. John Cena – RKO (20:53)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=IC_gJD1wB-c

 

7. NXT Championship Ladder Match: Bo Dallas(c) vs. Adrian Neville (NXT Arrival, 02-27-14)

In the main event of the first-ever airing of NXT on the WWE Network, Bo Dallas put his 280-day reign as champion on the line in a Ladder match against upstart high-flyer Adrian Neville.

After executing a picture perfect Red Arrow off the top rope with Dallas laid out on the ladder, Neville scaled the rungs, pulled down the belt and celebrated with the fans at Full Sail University.

Result: Adrian Neville b. Bo Dallas to become the NEW NXT Champion (16:02)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=R6qvRiUB42A

 

6. Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan (Royal Rumble, 01-26-14)

After weeks of (apparently) being under the influence of Bray Wyatt and his family, Daniel Bryan decided that his charade had gone on long enough. This inevitably led to the two facing each other in a grudge match at the “WWE Royal Rumble” pay-per-view.

Bryan went for the final blow when he attempted a suicide dive through the middle rope, but Wyatt had other plans, catching Bryan in mid-air and delivering his Sister Abigail finisher right into the barricade. A second Sister Abigail in the middle of the ring was all she wrote.

Result: Bray Wyatt b. Daniel Bryan – Sister Abigail (21:37)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=7Bdmcoa08aU

 

5. John Cena vs. Cesaro (Monday Night RAW, 02-17-14)

With just six days remaining before challenging for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the “WWE Elimination Chamber” pay-per-view, two of Randy Orton’s five challengers looked to prove that they were the better man when the “Swiss Superman” Cesaro took on John Cena during an episode of “Monday Night RAW.”

Cena triumphed in the end with his Attitude Adjustment finisher, but even in a losing effort, Cesaro garnered a huge amount of respect for his valiant effort against arguably the greatest WWE superstar of the past decade.

Result: John Cena b. Cesaro – Attitude Adjustment (19:08)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=jymC3UkMuGU

 

4. WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton(c) vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan (WrestleMania XXX, 04-06-14)

Competing in his second match of the night, Daniel Bryan defied all odds as he defeated two former Evolution members in the main event of WrestleMania XXX.

With confetti falling from the sky and fireworks going off in the background, 75,000 fans chanted “Yes!” as Bryan hoisted his newly-won belts in the air as WrestleMania went off the air.

Result: Daniel Bryan b. Randy Orton and Batista to become the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion – Yes! Lock (23:21)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=wnnRk4rHPyM

 

3. The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family (Elimination Chamber, 02-23-14)

In one of the most-anticipated matches in WWE history, two dominating heel factions went head-to-head as The Shield and Wyatt Family looked to position themselves near the top of the company food chain by eliminating their immediate competition.

Luke Harper dived through the middle rope, Seth Rollins went through a table and the fans chanted “This is Awesome!” before the teams even touched each other. Need I say more?

Result: The Wyatt Family b. The Shield – Sister Abigail on Roman Reigns (23:21)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=D8AzbTBNem8

 

2. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXX, 04-06-14)

To qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match later that night, Daniel Bryan had to successfully defeat a man who had been tormenting him for months as COO of the company; Triple H.

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart at WrestleMania X now has some serious competition for the title of “Greatest Opening Match in WrestleMania History” in the form of a classic, fundamental wrestling bout between Bryan and HHH.

Result: Daniel Bryan b. Triple H – Running knee (26:01)

 

1. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn (NXT Arrival, 02-27-14)

It’s a testament to how strong the NXT roster is that the top WWE match of 2014 (so far) didn’t take place on a network-televised program or a pay-per-view/special event.

Sami Zayn and Cesaro have had several incredible matches in the past, dating back to their days competing on the independent circuit. This one was no different. In fact, it may have been their best one yet.

Result: Cesaro b. Sami Zayn – Neutralizer (22:55)

httpss://youtube.com/watch?v=XTqHH0NFKu4