If you are a hardcore wrestling fan you are likely familiar with the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer. He rates a lot of matches from a variety of promotions. The ratings are out of 5, with 5 being the highest. His ratings are not gospel (since it is only his opinion) but he is a good indicator considering that he has been covering wrestling for a number of decades. There have only been a few WWE 5 star matches that have ever happened. Below are the matches that have received the rating from 1994 to present.

WWE 5 Star Matches List According To Dave Meltzer

1) Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels

Event: Wrestlemania X | Date: March 20th, 1994

Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels competed in a ladder match to determine who was the undisputed Intercontinental Champion. This was the first televised ladder match in history. Both Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon had their titles hung above the ring. The rules were simple, the first person to climb the ladder and grab both belts was the true Intercontinental Champion.

Razor picked up the win in a classic match to become undisputed champion. The match was very groundbreaking and showed fans how awesome ladder matches could be. Decades later, the ladder match is still a fixture on WWE television and without this first match, it might not be where it is today.

This was the first ever WWF match to receive a five-star rating from Meltzer. It was voted the match of the year for 1994 from both the Wrestling Observer and Pro Wrestling Illustrated. This is the only time that Razor Ramon appears on this list but it would not be the final time for the Heartbreak Kid.

2) Bret Hart vs Owen Hart

Event: Summerslam 1994 | Date: August 29th, 1994

In a family affair, Bret Hart took on his brother Owen Hart in a steel cage match at Summerslam 1994 for the WWF Championship. The feud between Owen and Bret really took off at the 1994 Royal Rumble where Owen turned heel by attacking the injured leg of his brother. The storyline involved Owen being upset that Bret wanted to keep him in his shadow. The two squared off at Wrestlemania X where Owen was victorious [by the way, the match at Wrestlemania X received 4.75 stars]. The feud continued, leading to this memorable match at Summerslam 1994 inside of a steel cage.

The match went for over 30 minutes and featured an incredible display of technical prowess and wrestling psychology from both men. Bret successfully retained the WWF Championship in a match that is considered one of the best in Summerslam history. The feud between the brothers was voted feud of the year from the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1994.

A really great match and worth a re-watch.

This was the first of two 5 star matches in Bret’s career and this is the only time that Owen made the list in his career.

3) Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin

Event: Wrestlemania 13 | Date: March 23rd, 1997

The famous submission match at Wrestlemania 13 between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin received a five-star match rating. Steve Austin passed out in a pool of his own blood while locked in the sharpshooter, refusing to tap out. This was a great example of a ‘double turn’ in professional wrestling. Hart kept the sharpshooter locked in even after he was awarded the match from special guest referee Ken Shamrock, turning heel in the process. Austin became a fan favorite for his incredible guts and refusal to give up.

A fantastic match that also helped launch Steve Austin into the stratosphere for his career. The match earned match of the year honors for 1997 from both the Wrestling Observer and Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

Certainly, a match that will live on in history.

This was the second and final time that Bret received the match rating in his career. This was Austin’s first 5 star match in WWE but he was also a part of one in 1992 prior to joining the company.

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