9 Times A Lumberjack Match Was Actually Good
Truth be told, lumberjack matches are usually pretty bad because they are boring, insignificant, or simply absurd. This stipulation has never been as flashy as others, and therefore when a lumberjack match is booked, it doesn't generate high expectations, to say the least.
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However, throughout history, there have been a few lumberjack matches that were actually good. These matches made a bit of a difference, because they were quite entertaining, with good in-ring action, good spots, solid performances, and decent booking. That said, let's take a look at nine times a lumberjack match was actually good.
9 Booker T Vs. Steve Austin – RAW
Booker T and Stone Cold Steve Austin had a very fun feud, but for some reason, they never faced each other at a PPV. Instead, they faced off in a grocery store, in a church, and they even had a lumberjack match.
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It happened on the May 13, 2002, episode of RAW. It was a short but fun match, with some great moments, like Brock Lesnar as a lumberjack attacking Austin and Ric Flair delivering a series of chops to Austin. Despite taking a beating, Austin managed to defeat Booker T.
8 Eddie Guerrero Vs. Kurt Angle – SmackDown
On the September 9, 2004, episode of SmackDown, Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle collided in a lumberjack match.
It was a 15-minute affair, perfectly paced with some great spots. Guerrero and Angle had a lot of chemistry and they worked very well together. This bout was not bad at all, but obviously, it would have been better without the lumberjack stipulation. The match ended in a no-contest because the lumberjacks entered the ring and everything became chaos.
7 Asuka Vs. Sasha Banks – RAW
The night after their terrific match at SummerSlam 2020, Sasha Banks and Asuka faced off again, this time in a lumberjack match.
It certainly wasn't anything special, but overall, it was a good match. Sasha's selling was masterful and Asuka looked great and got another win over Sasha to move on and look for another opponent. This match also served to further develop the storyline between Banks and Bayley, which would eventually lead to their split and epic feud.
6 Cody Vs. Orange Cassidy - AEW Dynamite
On the October 28, 2020, episode of Dynamite, Cody defended the TNT Title against Orange Cassidy in a lumberjack match.
This was a pretty good match, as the stipulation actually worked perfectly. Cody and Orange Cassidy did a good job, their performances were solid, they executed several great spots and the storytelling was brilliant. Nonetheless, the ending didn't sit well with some fans, but it was somewhat predictable considering the stipulation.
5 John Cena Vs. Sabu - Vengeance 2006
At Vengeance 2006, John Cena and Sabu delivered an enjoyable lumberjack match, frankly much better than expected. It was a hard-hitting bout, with Cena using his powerhouse style and Sabu bringing some hardcore action as well.
Overall, it was a fun match, but it lasted just under seven minutes, and the fans wanted to see a little more. In the end, John Cena defeated Sabu, which was predictable, but Sabu proved he could go toe-to-toe with the face of WWE.
4 Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Prince Devitt - NJPW Destruction 2013
This has to be one of the best lumberjack matches of all time, hands down. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Prince Devitt (now known as Finn Balor) put on a great show at Destruction 2013.
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This match turned out to be a pleasant surprise, as it was very good. Tanahashi was simply fantastic, while Balor also played his part to perfection. Back-and-forth action from start to finish, with several incredible maneuvers and several exciting near-falls. After 13 minutes, Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Prince Devitt.
3 Big E Vs. Sami Zayn – SmackDown
Big E and Sami Zayn were tasked with closing out one of the best SmackDown episodes of 2020, and they certainly didn't disappoint.
This time, the whole point of the stipulation was to prevent Sami Zayn from being able to run away, as he had been acting like a coward recently. So, Zayn had no choice but to wrestle, and boy did he put on a great performance. Fans were already starting to miss an actual match from Sami.
Nevertheless, it was Big E who stole the show after winning the match and becoming Intercontinental Champion.
2 Luchasaurus Vs. Wardlow - AEW Dynamite
On the June 24, 2020, episode of Dynamite, Luchasaurus faced off against Wardlow in a lumberjack match.
This was a solid match, two big men fighting with momentum, trying their best to get the victory. It was a fairly even match until MJF distracted the referee and Wardlow took advantage of the moment to deliver a low blow to Luchasaurus, which lead to Wardlow’s win.
1 Dean Ambrose Vs. Seth Rollins – SummerSlam 2014
At SummerSlam 2014, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins delivered arguably the best lumberjack match in WWE history. The match was extremely entertaining, at the time, Ambrose and Rollins were at a superlative level and knew how to use the stipulation very well to deliver a great show.
It was a 10-minute affair full of non-stop action and chaos, there were some great spots and very exciting sequences. In the end, Seth Rollins was the one who prevailed.
