And finally ... Here it is.
As stated in the OP, I went ahead and did this exercise myself before realizing it would make a cool forum game. Things I tried to do in my own card:
1. I decided quickly that the only match I absolutely HAD to have was the TLC tag title match at WM 17. There’s not a lot of truly great tag title matches available, and that match is off the charts anyway.
2. Because of that decision, I didn’t want to have any other ladder matches on my card. I can see putting two on a card if you staggered them right, but to me, having that TLC tag match on the card will completely kill how revolutionary the HBK/Razor ladder match at 10 was. And having three ladder matches on the card is, to me, just plain bad.
3. I really, really, REALLY wanted Hogan/Warrior as my main event ... but ultimately settled for a different Hogan main event because I decided I wanted Warrior/Savage as well ... at the expense of Savage/Steamboat ... which is when my head started to swell and I realized this is tougher than I thought.
I only got three of my highest priority matches on the card (2, 8 and 9). I made compromises I was happy with on 4, 7 and 10. Overall, I selected eight matches pretty quickly, but once I did, literally every match I had pulled out as a possibility was eliminated by one of the rules. Matches 1 and 3 on my card were the ones I went back and found.
As I said before, I think my card is in the bottom half (if not the bottom third) of the ones turned in. I’ll post more of my thoughts later.
Note: Do not consider match order in the judging. Cards which I ordered (meaning the creator didn’t) are marked as such. I only did it to help judges out.
Without further ado:
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antidan444 (not eligible for “win”)
1. Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (27)
2. WWE tag title TLC: Edge/Christian vs. Hardys vs. Dudleys (17)
3. Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) (5)
4. IC/European titles, 2 falls: Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle (16)
5. Edge vs. Mick Foley (22)
6. World title: Triple H vs. Batista (21)
7. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (7)
8. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (13)
9. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (25)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (3)
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dnkyhunter31
1. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (10)
2. WWE tag titles, triangle ladder match: Dudley Boys vs. Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boys (16)
3. MITB: CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito vs. Chris Jericho vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. John Morrison vs. MVP (24)
4. The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan (18)
5. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (26)
6. Ultimate Warrior vs. Triple H (12)
7. WWE title: John Cena vs. JBL (21)
8. IC title: Ricky Steamboat vs Randy Savage (3)
9. Women’s title: Trish Stratus vs Mickie James (22)
10. WWE title: Brock Lesnar vs Kurt Angle (19)
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Dylan
1. Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio (27)
2. MITB: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito vs. Mr. Kennedy (24)
3. WWE women’s title: Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James (22)
4. Undertaker vs. Randy Orton (21)
5. World title: Triple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels (20)
6. Steve Austin vs. The Rock (19)
7. WWE tag titles, triangle TLC match: Dudley Boys vs. Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boys (17)
8. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart (10)
9. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (7)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant (3)
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wesrwood (I ordered)
1. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (10)
2. Million Dollar title: Jake Roberts vs. Ted Dibiase (6)
3. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (21)
4. US title: JBL vs. Chris Benoit (22)
5. Tag title TLC: Dudleys vs. Hardys vs. Edge & Christian (17)
6. Undertaker vs. Triple H (27)
7. IC title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (3)
8. Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels (24)
9. WWE title: Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk (28)
10. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (18)
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DWetzel (I ordered)
1. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart (10)
2. Trish Stratus vs. Jazz vs. Victoria (19)
3. MITB: RVD vs. Matt Hardy vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin, vs. Fit Finlay (22)
4. US Title: Chris Benoit vs. MVP (23)
5. WWE Tag Titles: British Bulldogs vs. Valentine & Beefcake (2)
6. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (21)
7. IC Title: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage (3)
8. World Title: John Cena vs. Edge vs. Big Show (25)
9. Undertaker vs. Triple H (28)
10. WWE Title: Steve Austin vs. The Rock (17)
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ucaclint (I ordered)
1. MITB: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito vs. Mr. Kennedy (24)
2. Bobby Lashley vs. Umaga (23)
3. IC title: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage (3)
4. Undertaker vs. Randy Orton (21)
5. Women’s title: Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus (22)
6. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart (13)
7. World title: Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (20)
8. WWE tag title TLC: Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boyz (17)
9. Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock (18)
10. WWE title: Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (19)
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Eskimo-Sickness
1. Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio (27)
We open the show with imo one of the most underrated matches of the last few years, and the second best match these guys had in a great feud which rejuvenated life in to Rey’s character, and more importantly really put Cody in to a new level as a singles competitor. Opening the show with a serious but dynamic match should get the crowd in to it.
2. WWE Tag Titles: British Bulldogs vs. Dream Team (Valentine/Beefcake) (2)
We back this up with a match I really don’t know much about. I really wanted a TLC but getting it was impossible so I had to sacrifice. Tag team wrestling is crucial to have on the card, and having a title on the line makes this important early.
3. Hardcore Battle Royale featuring Tazz, Crash Holly, Viscera, Funaki, Rodney, Joey Abs, Thrasher, Pete Gas and Hardcore Holly (16)
Probably not just the worst match on my card, but the worst match that will be picked on any card. However, I stand by it. For younger and more casual fans, an element of comedy can keep them entertained. Also, this had quite a fun back story with being the blowoff conclusion to the 24/7 element with the hardcore title. It is technically a title match, but not one anyone cares about. It basically serves to allow a pissbreak be that literal or mental to close out the first quarter/third of the show.
4. US Title: John Cena vs. Big Show (20)
I think this match and the next work very well together. Here you have the up and coming face that has a wave of momentum take the first of the three meaningful singles titles. He faces the monster heel, and comes out on top with the crowd going crazy. A star is born, and show is a great jobber here.
5. Randy Orton vs. Undertaker (21)
Here we have the inverse of the above story; yet in many ways with a similar result for the up and comer. Imo legend killer and phenom are the two greatest gimmicks of all time; and come up against each other perfectly. On Orton’s side the up and coming heel finally learns some respect, but is put over enough by the legend that he gains respect too. On Undertaker’s side, the streak continues, as does his legacy.
6. IC Title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (3)
To be a great card, there needs to actually be amazing wrestling on it, which this match offers. The second most important title and one of the two best wrestled matches fits nicely in to rounding out the second third or so of the show, and caters to smarks (who can appreciate the match work), and marks (who can cheer for the babyface Steamboat). This match would probably be the second most built prior to the show, needing time to get the audience in to the payback aspect of the match for Steamboat.
7. Women’s title: Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James (22)
For many reasons I wouldn’t be surprised if this makes it on to most cards. Serves a great purpose in being clearly the best divas WM match of all time, and slots in well between a lot of serious men’s singles matches. I think it’s important to have the women’s champion wrestling on the card, and sadly good women’s matches in the WWE are few and far between.
8. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (24)
The final three matches I think also fit together very well, almost a show within a show, but played to a well prepared crowd. We start with the ending of an absolute legend, and arguably the greatest of all time. We then pair him with the guy on the other side of that argument, and get not only an amazing match, but an amazing story. The retirement leaves the crowd saddened, but in awe that they have truly witnessed history.
9. MITB: CM Punk vs. Christian vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. Fit Finlay vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP (25)
Off the back of one door closing, we get to see another open, as CM Punk gets elevated. I feel like it’s also important to have a spotfest, and ideally in between serious matches (in fact as previously said, I really wanted TLC as well as this, but xtian was very problematic). We see Shelton try to kill himself for the true high spot of the night, and the crowd gets pumped up again leading in to the main event.
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior (6)
Given what most people think of Warrior I’m sure I will be mocked for having this as my main event (particularly as Rock/Austin as well as a lot of others were still possible). However, in terms of building to a conclusion, which is what WM should be all about, there are few matches that did it as well as this one did. This was the unbeatable no-selling uberface Hogan finally putting over the guy that had done everything to get in this spot then take his opportunity. It’s not the best technical match of all time, but to close the card a story needs to be told and end, and this is one of the best wrestling stories of all time. Not to mention the crowd was massively in to this match, and post-WM we are left wondering about the next year as we have a volatile champ who could easily be turned either way and be paired with Cena, Orton, Punk, Hogan or Michaels, with Punk waiting in the wings.
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teejayC (I ordered)
1. Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Bourne (1)
2. IC/Euro titles, two falls: Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho (16)
3. WWE women’s title: Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James (22)
4. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (7)
5. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (21)
6. WWE tag title TLC: Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boyz (17)
7. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart (13)
8. The Rock vs. John Cena (28)
9. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (25)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant (3)
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littlekeed
1. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (10)
2. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (21)
3. MITB: John Morrison vs. CM Punk vs. Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Chris Jericho (24)
4. Edge vs. Mick Foley (22)
5. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (17)
6. WWE tag titles: British Bulldogs vs. Valentine & Beefcake (2)
7. The Rock vs. Steve Austin (19)
8. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (25)
9. IC title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (3)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior (6)
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TrueNorth
1. IC/European titles, 2 falls: Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (16)
2. Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) (5)
3. Tag titles, TLC match: Edge & Christian vs. Dudley Boys vs. Hardy Boys (17)
4. Rock & Sock Connection vs. Evolution (20)
5. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin, submission match (13)
6. Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior (7)
7. Women’s title: Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James (22)
8. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (25)
9. Million Dollar Belt: Jake Roberts vs. Ted Dibiase (6)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (3)
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LKJ
1. US title: Big Show vs. John Cena (20)
2. MITB: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito vs. Mr. Kennedy (24)
3. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (13)
4. Vince McMahon vs. Shane McMahon (17)
5. European title: Triple H vs. Owen Hart (14)
6. Tag titles, ladder match: Edge/Christian vs. Dudley Boys vs. Hardy Boyz (16)
7. IC title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (3)
8. Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock (18)
9. WWE title: Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (19)
10. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (25)
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yankeys316
1. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (21)
2. Women's title: Alundra Blayze vs. Lelani Kai (10)
3. Undertaker vs. CM Punk (29)
4. Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer (5)
5. WWE Tag Title TLC: Edge/Christian vs. The Dudleyz vs. The Hardy Boyz (17)
6. IC title: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage (3)
7. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin: Submission Match (13)
8. World Title: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H vs. Chris Benoit (20)
9. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (18)
10. WWE title: Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (19)
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diskoteque (I ordered)
1. Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (27)
2. US title: Chris Benoit vs. MVP (23)
3. Women’s title: Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James (22)
4. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (13)
5. Tag title TLC: Edge/Christian vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz (17)
6. Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) (5)
7. IC title: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage (3)
8. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (25)
9. WWE title: Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle (20)
10. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (18)
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qbler (I ordered)
1. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (21)
2. Tag title ladder match: Dudleys vs. Edge/Christian vs. Hardys (16)
3. Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) (5)
4. Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior (7)
5. World title: Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (20)
6. Undertaker vs. Kane (14)
7. IC title: Chris Jericho vs. William Regal (17)
8. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (13)
9. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (18)
10. WWE title: Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle (19)
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rublicious
1. Brutus Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect (6)
2. Money in the Bank: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. Carlito vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. John Morrison (24)
3. Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd (1)
4. WWE tag titles, triangle ladder match: Dudley Boys vs. Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boys (16)
5. Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon (17)
6. IC title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (3)
7. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart (13)
8. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (25)
9. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (18)
10. WWE title: Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (19)
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spring83
1. Ultimate Warrior vs. Triple H (12)
2. Undertaker vs. CM Punk (29)
3. Tag title triangle ladder match: Edge/Christian vs. Dudleys vs. Hardys (16)
4. Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar (20)
5. Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd (1)
6. The Rock v. Hulk Hogan (18)
7. IC title ladder match: Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels (10)
8. Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon, street fight (17)
9. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin, submission match (13)
10. WWE title: Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair (8)
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tpir
1. Tag titles, TLC: Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian (17)
2. Randy Savage vs. The Ultimate Warrior (7)
3. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero (21)
4. MITB: CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Jericho vs. Carlito vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. John Morrison (24)
5. US title: John Cena vs. Big Show (20)
6. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, submission match (13)
7. Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock (18)
8. World title: Undertaker vs. Batista (23)
9. IC title, ladder match: Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon (10)
10. WWE title: Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle (19)
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thediceman
1. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (7)
2. Million Dollar title: Ted DiBiase vs. Jake Roberts (6)
3. IC title ladder match: Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels (10)
4. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (17)
5. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (21)
6. Undertaker vs. Kane (14)
7. Tag title ladder match: Edge & Christian vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz (16)
8. World title: Triple H vs. Booker T (19)
9. MITB: CM Punk vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Jericho vs. Carlito vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. John Morrison (24)
10. WWE title: Steve Austin vs. The Rock (15)
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derwipok
1. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (10)
2. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (21)
3. Tag titles, TLC: Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian (17)
4. Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (27)
5. IC/European titles, 2 falls: Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (16)
6. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (7)
7. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (24)
8. Hell in a Cell: The Undertaker vs. Triple H (28)
9. The Rock vs. Steve Austin (19)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (3)
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eternalrage19 (I ordered)
1. Tag title ladder match: Dudleys vs. Hardys vs. Edge & Christian (16)
2. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (21)
3. European title: Triple H vs. Owen Hart (14)
4. Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (27)
5. World title: Undertaker vs. Batista (23)
6. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (17)
7. Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather (24)
8. IC title ladder match: Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon (10)
9. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin, submission match (13)
10. WWE title: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage (5)