Opening Contests

[Wolfpack423]

We all know about some of the great main events that have taken place over the years, but what are some of your guys favorite openers. Some of mine are:

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart- Wrestlemania 10 (I also thought this was the best match at that Mania).
Triple H vs. Mankind (Steel Cage Match)- Summerslam 1997
D-Lo Brown vs. Val Venis- European Championship-Summerslam 1998
The Brood vs. The Ministry- Backlash 1999
Edge vs. Jeff Jarrett- Intercontinental Championship-Fully Loaded 1999
Kurt Angle vs. Tazz- Royal Rumble 2000
Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho- Intercontinental Championship- No Way Out 2000
Edge and Christian vs. X-Pac and Roaddogg- Tag Team Championship Backlash 2000
Kurt Angle, Edge and Christian vs. Rikishi and Too Cool- Judgment Day 2000
Lita and The Hardy Boyz vs. T&A and Trish Stratus- Fully Loaded 2000
Edge and Christian vs. Lance Storm and Mike Awesome-Invasion 2001
Edge vs. Lance Storm-Summerslam 2001
RVD vs. William Regal- Intercontinental Championship-Wrestlemania 18
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio- Summerslam 2002
Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy- No Way Out 2003
Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero- United States Championship- Vengeance 2003
Team Lesnar vs. Team Angle- Survivor Series 2003
John Cena vs. The Big Show- United States Championship- Wrestlemania 20
Rey Mysterio, Billy Kidman and Paul London vs. The Dudley Boyz- Summerslam 2004
Rey Mysterio vs. Billy Kidman vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Spike Dudley- Cruiserweight Championship- Survivor Series 2004
Edge vs. Shawn Michaels (though I liked the Street Fight on Raw better)- Royal Rumble 2005
Randy Orton vs. Kurt Angle-Vengeance 2006
Jeff Hardy vs. Johnny Nitro- Intercontinental Championship Unforgiven 2006
Chris Benoit and The Hardy Boyz vs. MVP and MNM-No Way Out 2007\
Money In the Bank- Wrestlemania 23
MVP vs. Matt Hardy- Great American Bash 2007
CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz- ECW Championship Survivor Series 2007
John Cena vs. JBL- Judgment Day 2008

[Volare]

Mankind vs Dwayne Gill Survivor Series 98'.

[BizarroKing]

Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero: Wrestlemania 21

[VSG]

Huge list FTW! I will however with the 2nd item in your list: HHH-Mankind at Summerslam '97 holds a special place for me.

[CSL]

The Rockers/Orient Express RR '91.

[jskinnyg]

Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero: Wrestlemania 21

Oh.. HELL... YEAH!

[Mr. Nerfect]

I love great opening contests. They really set the mark for a great PPV. If an opening contest falls short, then it sets the tone down for the rest of the show. A great opening contest should, ideally, be a good match (but not a show-stealer), with a face act people like, and a heel act people like to boo.

That's why The Hart Dynasty are making it on pretty much every PPV without being featured on TV each week, I think. They are over as faces, their matches are usually good, and their opponents are usually two guys that are defined enough as bad guys, even if they aren't over. The Unified WWE Tag Team Championship makes for a great opening act right now.

[Joesgonnakillyou]

RVD vs Y2J at KOTR 2002 sprung to mind, they always gelled well in the ring and this match was incredible

[Rammsteinmad]

Chris Benoit VS Eddie Guerrero - Vengeance 2003.

[XL]

Chris Jericho vs. Lance Storm - ECW One Night Stand 2005.

[XCaliber]

Royal Rumble 1991 The Rockers vs The Orient Express.

[Gertner]

WCW used to have awesome opening contests as well.

[BollywoodSingh]

The best ever was Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart at WrestleMania 10.

Other good ones that come to mind:

Jericho vs. RVD - KOTR 2002
Angle vs. Mysterio - SSlam 2002
Kidman vs. Mysterio vs. Juvi - Starrcade 1998