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This is the first part in a five part series of columns detailing my favourite matches of all time. Now, before I start, let me get this straight: I haven’t seen every match ever wrestled, so “of all time” is more of a figure of speech than anything! I’m also strictly referring to WWE matches, as that’s the only professional wrestling promotion I watch. And finally, I got into the WWE in 2001, so all of the top 5 are from that time onwards…

Which brings me to my fifth favourite match, one of the first matches I saw since I got into professional wrestling in April 2001, which has stuck in my mind as a wrestling “clinic”, as J.R. would say. Not only was it contended between two wrestling greats, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, but it also took place inside a cage. Those types of matches have the potential to be pure violence and blood with the use of the cage as a weapon, however the cage in this match served as a barrier to keep both men inside the ring, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who provided commentary for the bout, out of the ring. It also served a purpose in allowing Benoit to administer the nine German suplexes, pretty much in succession, and for the high-impact moonsault and flying head butt off of it.

In addition to the suplexes, which is one of two aspects of the match that stay in my mind, and probably many others’ minds, Benoit pulled out his Ric Flair-inspired chest chops for the majority of the beginning of the match. Benoit seemed to have the upper hand on Angle for the first few minutes, however Angle then countered by shoving Benoit into the cage, then tossing him around like a rag doll.

The balance tipped again in Benoit’s favour, as Angle tried to escape the cage but Benoit floored him with a suplex off the cage and halfway across the ring. Designed as a message to Stone Cold on the outside, J.R. commented that that could be the move that earns Benoit Austin’s title at King of the Ring. (We know a World title wouldn’t be in Benoit’s future for another three years.) A shot of Austin at the announce table shows that he was visibly shaken by the move.

Benoit then goes to the top in preparation for the diving head butt, but Angle doesn’t miss a beat and throws him off the cage, followed by a flying elbow.

The other high point of the match is Angle’s failed moonsault off the top of the cage. One of the most extreme moves I’ve seen, especially in a more technical match, it is definitely a defining moment in the match, as well as the careers of both men.

Angle bounced back pretty quickly, but it was the opening Benoit needed to administer the nine suplexes, as well as the successful diving head butt from the top of the cage.

The end of the match was somewhat anti-climactic, with a run-in from Stone Cold, and Angle escaping the cage rather than going in for the pin. While this match is not as technical wrestling-heavy as the other four matches on my list, it features two of the most celebrated professional wrestlers, WWF-attitude, and the biggest star in wrestling history. Throw in some high-impact spots and you have a match to remember, and match number five.