WWE: 15 Best Matches of 2016
By Tim Sherry
WWE.com
3. Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens – Battleground
Is it possible for these two guys to have a bad match against each other? Granted they’ve been warring with each other in the WWE and the indy wrestling scene for the past 7 years and have battered each other in every type of match you can think of, but still. At Battleground in July the two engaged in just a regular-old singles match and proved that no matter what setting they wrestle each other in it’s always going to be a classic.
2 months prior to this match, the two beat the tar out of each other as members of the aforementioned fatal 4-way with The Miz and Cesaro. In fact, their utter disdain for each other was the reason neither won that night as they couldn’t focus on the task at hand with blind hatred in their eyes. So when they finally met up again on PPV, they took every emotion the past 7 years had built up and let it loose. Owens was surgical, dissecting Zayn’s arm after after Sami had fallen awkwardly on a botched flip to the outside. Zayn was just as vicious, suplexing KO on the apron and delivering two massive Helluva Kicks for the victory.
At one point, the two stood in the middle of the ring delivering simultaneous punches to each other’s heads. It was like the embodiment of this storied rivalry. And although this was the “blow-off” match in 2016, it would be a shame and a shock if this feud is not reignited some time soon. Ranking number 3 in 2016, it was still the best match that the main roster produced and one that is capable of being a main event on any show, regardless of the stage.