Have someone in your life who doesn’t watch wrestling? Have a significant other who doesn’t get why anyone would want to watch sweaty people in spandex battle in a squared circle? I get it. Not everyone appreciates a 5-star NJPW classic or a hilariously bad 80’s WWF promo. People might even hate those. Sometimes we need a way to draw people into our world and that’s where I come in.

THE 5 BEST WWE MATCHES TO WOO SOMEONE INTO WRESTLING

It’s hard to show your love of something with a best of seven series or a gauntlet, but it is easy to show someone a star they know – like Hulk Hogan or The Rock – in a single moment that makes everyone drawn to the screen. These are the matches that entertain. Tell a story. As well as, have those magic names people may know and are a great stand-alone event. Onto my Top 5 Matches!

#1 RICK FLAIR WINS THE 1992 ROYAL RUMBLE – WWE

First of all, Ric Flair is cool. Ric Flair has always been cool, stylin’ and profilin’ his way into the pop culture zeitgeist on the WWE. His idea of what it means to be rich and famous is so burned into all of our brains that he is still popular decades later. If you know someone into hip hop or rap music, they probably know Ric Flair just because of how many people are his fans and tell you about it. LeBron James loves Ric Flair so much that Ric Flair gave his introduction to the NBA All-Star Game.

Thankfully, on top of his showmanship, Ric Flair is also a great in-ring performer as well. Famous for his cowardly actions, but still has amazing skills. This Rumble Match is the Ric Flair show but is also full of other fun names that permeate pop culture: The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, Hulk Hogan, and Randy Savage. And the best part? This Royal Rumble tells its own, self-contained story.

The 1992 Royal Rumble is so good that it’s on the WWE’s official YouTube to draw in fans.

#2 UNDERTAKER BREAKS MANKIND IN HALF FROM THE TOP OF THE CELL

This meme will always be funny.

Next on my list, the WWE match of Undertaker vs. Mankind. Hell in a Cell. Mankind broke in half. This match has even become a meme outside of wrestling fans. Inside wrestling, however, it’s revered for being absolutely insane and something that no one should ever do again. The match is a ton of fun, with one infinitely recognizable pop culture icon, The Undertaker, and one fun weirdo, Mankind.

This is also a great match to show someone who is into UFC, heavy metal, or other overly manly things to get them into wrestling. Trick them with the dark, evil characters and staged violence. After your friends are into wrestling, show them some great colorful matches or non-violent, 4-star Lucha matches. Lure them in with insanity, make them stay for the extreme ballet that is pro-wrestling.

THE CAR CRASH THAT IS THE TLC MATCH AT X-7

Know someone who isn’t into wrestling, but loves high-impact sports? Or crazy video game moments? The TLC match at Wrestlemania X-7 – yes, that TLC match – is the perfect introduction to seeing the craziest moments in wrestling with a great story surrounding it. Plus, most of the participants will be recognizable.

This match has The Hardyz, Edge, and Christian, and The Dudley Boyz. It is dubbed one of the greatest and craziest matches in history. It’s a great match for non-fans because everyone in the match looks different and stands out with their own style. Four of the participants are also still active, so if someone falls in love with the sport they can see what they are up to now.

Oh, and Edge spears Jeff Hardy from an impossible height, leading to many shocked faces for those who don’t know.

ASUKA AND CHARLOTTE FLAIR SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WOMEN CAN DO AT WRESTLEMANIA 33

This is my WWE wildcard pick.

If you are a woman looking for inspiration, a fan of modern stuff who hates anything retro, or someone who wants to see something pure wrestling and less entertainment, this is the match to start with. Trick your spouse, friend, or enemy by telling them you can see 2 beautiful women in a classic athletic competition. Then… BAM! Asuka, the Empress of Tomorrow!

Neither names are famous in the way others on this list are to the general public, but Charlotte Flair is the daughter of the aforementioned Ric Flair. Asuka is fairly popular for her fun and weird social media stuff. The match itself is a great, classic wrestling match with an easy-to-follow storyline and not a lot of extra gimmicks. It’s a perfect way to get someone into being a wrestling nerd.

STEVE AUSTIN REFUSES TO SUBMIT TO BRET HART AT WRESTLEMANIA XIII

Everyone alive in the ’90s knows the name Steve Austin. A good number of people alive in the late ’80s and early ’90s know Bret “the hitman” Hart. Bret Hart also made a funny, famous appearance on The Simpsons. Outside of Hulk Hogan vs. the Rock at Wrestlemania X8, this is one of the matches with 2 of the most recognizable wrestlers in history! And is one of the best matches of all time!

In my opinion, this match IS the best match in WWE history. It is the perfect blend of in-ring action and story, with a brilliant double turn where the good guy ends as the bad guy and vice versa. Plus, fighting legend Ken Shamrock is the referee.

The basic idea is that Bret Hart and Steve Austin hate each other. Bret is a submission expert and a good guy, whereas Austin is a bad guy who just wants to fight like a barroom brawler. By the end, Austin passes out, covered in blood, and becomes arguably the greatest pro-wrestler of all time as a result. It’s a perfect moment, a perfect match, and a perfect way to get someone into discovering a love of wrestling.

If you see this match and you don’t end up loving the sport of professional wrestling, you never will.

What do you think of my list? Let me know if you give any of them a try! And make sure to come back to That Hashtag Show for all your WWE needs!