Best WWE New Generation Era Matches, Ranked & Reviewed By Quality

The New Generation Era of WWE is considered to be the time period in which many of WWE’s biggest and best stars jumped ship and headed over to WCW, leaving the main event scene void of star power (with the need for a “new generation” of names to rise) and a complete lack of depth throughout the card. There were some highlights though when it comes to in-ring showcases.

TheSportster’s rating system will take a look through the years of 1993 to late 1997 to determine the very best matches of the New Generation Era. These ratings will be compared to those from Cagematch.net and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

8

Razor Ramon Vs. Shawn Michaels (WWE SummerSlam 1995)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.75/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.88

Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels would have a much more legendary ladder match, but this one at SummerSlam 1995 was still very special and among the New Generation Era’s best ever matches.

There were plenty of unique spots and new innovations throughout, and in places it was more brutal than its predecessor. The lack of a defined heel/babyface dynamic did somewhat hinder things, but the story told in the ring was still fantastic as Michaels stood tall as Intercontinental Champion.

7

Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind (WWE IYH 10: Mind Games 1996)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.04

One of the most unsung matches from WWE’s New Generation Era came when Mankind challenged Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship at In Your House 10: Mind Games in a splendid matchup that proved to be a unique clash of styles that delivered the goods.

Mankind’s character work, selling, and in-ring psychology was all flawless (with an example being the moment in which he stabbed his leg with the announcer’s pen to get feeling back into it). From purely an in-ring standpoint, this would have been even higher had it not been for the frustrating DQ ending that took things down a level or two. It is still a classic, but it could have been even greater.

6

Bret Hart Vs. Owen Hart (WWE SummerSlam 1994)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.07

Bret Hart and Owen Hart always created magic together, whether that be as opponents or partners, each proving themselves to be pivotal parts of WWE’s New Generation Era. One of their finest matches came at SumerSlam 1994 in what is often considered to be the best Steel Cage match in the history of WWE.

The levels of psychology and storytelling were through the roof, with this an example of the best use of the “escape the cage” rule, as so much of the action centred around this plot point in a masterful way. Bret Hart would retain the WWE Title, but both men once again showed their enormous levels of class.

5

Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon (WWE WrestleMania 10)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.29

The first ever ladder match on WWE programming came at WrestleMania 10, with both Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon laying the foundations for what would come in this match type. Their inventive use of the ladder was like nothing ever seen before in a WWE ring, using the weapon as a storytelling tool as opposed to simply a prop used for hurting each other. The match was expertly crafted around the ladder, allowing both men to show off their characters and personalities too.

It wasn’t always perfect, but it was as close to perfect as you’re likely to get in a ladder match scenario. Michaels’ dive from the top of the ladder remains to this day an all-timer moment from the New Generation Era, and the image of Ramon standing tall as Intercontinental Champion will be remembered forever.

4

Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (WWE Survivor Series 1996)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.75/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.02

Somehow, Bret Hart & Steve Austin would go on to have an even better match than this one, leading to their Survivor Series 1996 classic getting overlooked. Everything about this was sensational; the pacing, the crowd control, the build in anticipation to each move, the smoothness in their offense, were all stunning as Hart secured a big win over his rival.

The only thing stopping this from being a level higher was due to the fact that their next match would feature an even more thunderous crowd, and the hatred between the two was not yet at its highest level.

3

The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels (Bad Blood 1997)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.75/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.49

History was made at Bad Blood 1997 as The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels competed in the first ever Hell In A Cell match, setting unattainably high expectations for every Cell match that came after this one. It carried the gruesome, gritty nature that fans love from this stipulation, jam-packed with heat, hard-hitting action, brawling, weaponry, and more. Undertaker & Michaels have flawless natural chemistry, and this was on full display here.

Some of the highlights included Michaels falling from the side of Cell and through the announce table, and the iconic debut of Kane, who arrived to attack The Undertaker and Michaels the victory.

2

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WWE WrestleMania 10)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 10/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.43

To open up WrestleMania 10, Bret Hart & Owen Hart collided in one of the most beautifully wrestled matches in the entire history of professional wrestling. With rich hatred and storytelling due to their ruined relationship as brothers, and with so much depth to their respective characters going in, the fans were heavily invested and provided a timeless atmosphere.

The in-ring work was simply superb, with both Hart brothers putting in masterful, fluid, and smooth performances in a bout that featured unbelievable technical ability, submissions, slams, big moves, and more, all leading to Owen Hart shocking the world by blocking a victory roll and securing a major win.

1

Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (WWE WrestleMania 13)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 10/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.63

In what is often considered to be the greatest match of not just the New Generation Era, but in the history of WWE, Bret Hart and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin collided in an all-time classic at WrestleMania 13, executing the best double turn ever as Hart’s anger, frustration, and hate took over, with Austin’s resilience and never-say-die attitude getting the fans on side. Even in defeat, Austin was a made man and elevated to new heights.

In a submission match, Hart & Austin executed flawless psychology in this well-wrestled, sluggish, brutal, and gritty fight full of world class in-ring work, tactical prowess, and a crowd who were carried all the way in a phenomenal matchup.