WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS: Picking every game in the area & ranking 'Fave Five' wrestling matches

A couple of weeks ago while teaming with Rider coach Marc Bindel to call the WFHS-Iowa Park game on WFISD’s YouTube channel, I was challenged by Bindel to come up with my five favorite pro wrestling matches of all time.

If the topic doesn’t interest you, scroll down to my picks below.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but what Bindel proposed has been the most difficult “Fave Five” list I’ve ever tried to do.

Limiting this list to five is almost impossible for me. My first memories watching wrestling happened when I was 5 years old, and I fell in love with it.

So much so, that my biggest dream as a teenager was to be a professional wrestler. My friends and I made at least a dozen videos of us putting on wrestling matches, filled with storylines and an imaginary championship title.

About a decade and 125 pounds ago, I pursued my dream, spending a summer training with a professional wrestling school in Odessa (shoutout to Old School Wrestling and it's revival show coming in December) and eventually participating in a 20-man Battle Royale match during which I was thrown over the top rope.

I blogged about the entire experience as “Reverend” — my gimmick as a Baptist preacher gone bad — and it remains the coolest thing I’ve done in my career with doubts that anything will ever top it.

I tell that story to say that my favorite wrestling match of all time is naturally the only one I participated in.

But I won’t include it in this list.

I went with the matches that came to mind first as I thought about my favorites. There are some that many will list as their favorites aren’t on my list. There are too many to choose from. I don’t know that I will ever do another list that is more subjective.

5. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian, WrestleMania X-7

The greatest Tables, Ladders and Chairs (TLC) match. It had been done once before, but this one is the standard.

The match left the crowd in awe. I should know — I was there. This was the first of two WrestleManias I attended, but this is the more memorable one. It’s one of the greatest WrestleManias ever.

The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin were in the main event with Austin turning heel thanks to interference from Vince McMahon. But it’s the TLC match that stands out most from the event.

It was this match that took this WrestleMania from being good to being arguably the best ever.

4. Ric Flair vs Sting, NWA Clash of the Champions I

Sting is my favorite wrestler of all time, and it was his feud with Ric Flair that made me love him. This is also my favorite wrestling feud of all time.

There are a lot of Sting matches that stand out for me over his career, particularly matchups with The Great Muta, and a late 90s bout with Diamond Dallas Page that was a surprising show stealer at the time.

But Sting was Flair’s handpicked successor to end one of the latter’s great NWA title reigns. And this card was NWA’s answer to WWE’s WrestleMania IV, offering Clash of the Champions free on TV opposite the pay-per-view mega event.

Sting was young, and he would have better performances in the ring, but this match launched his career as a main event fixture. Flair prevailed, but the match made Sting a star.

3. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks, NXT TakeOver: Respect

I consider this the greatest women’s wrestling match ever, but it deserves even more acclaim than that. It’s the best match in NXT history, which is really saying something for those familiar with the brand, and I think it holds its own on a list of best matches of all time.

The backstory of this rivalry was so well executed, and Bayley had the potential to be a megastar had WWE used her correctly when called up to the main brand. She was continuously getting the biggest pops at NXT events.

Triple H was booking NXT and handled Bayley’s character with perfection as this lovable underdog who “lacked top-talent skill” developing into a main eventer.

This match was the rematch from Bayley winning the title from Banks at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, which many consider the superior match of the rivalry.

I prefer this one as a 30-minute Iron Man match with whoever secures the most pinfalls or submissions during that time winning. It added some drama to it, and Banks was absolutely nasty as a heel during the match, boosting the love for Bayley to unprecedented heights for a female wrestler.

2. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, WrestleMania X

This is one of the most underrated matches of all time, and Owen Hart is one of the most unappreciated wrestlers of all time.

Owen wasn’t considered a main event talent at the time, while Bret was in the world title conversation. Bret won the title later on this card, beating Yokozuna in the main event.

But Owen came out the victor in this incredible display of technical wrestling matched with the drama of a sibling rivalry.

This was Bret Hart at his best. I got to interview The Hitman about 12 years ago, and he was incredibly gracious. I wanted to ask him to put me in his finishing move, the Sharpshooter, but chickened out.

He had so many matches I considered for this list including an Intercontinental Championship bout with Mr. Perfect, his submission matchup with Stone Cold and Iron Man match with Shawn Michaels.

1. Undertaker vs. Triple H w/ Shawn Michaels as special referee, Wrestlemania XXVII

I have two childhood friends with whom I bonded over our love for wrestling. I talked with Cody and Kyle about this list.

It’s appropriate that the top match on my list involves their personal favorite wrestlers — HBK for Cody and Undertaker for Cody.

I watched this particular WrestleMania with Cody, and he’s one of the main reasons this is my all-time favorite.

Yes, wrestling is scripted. Don’t call it fake. I promise there is very little that feels fake in the ring during a properly executed match. Everything in the ring hurts. There’s only a thin mat on top of wood and steel. The ropes are basically steel wire wrapped in tape.

But throw out the script. I watched my friend react to this match, and it was very real to him. And I’m not talking about us as kids. This is when he was in his late 20’s. The storytelling in the ring was epicly performed by three of the greatest to ever compete in the sport.

It always jumps to mind first when I think about the best match I’ve ever seen, although most prefer Undertaker’s two ‘Mania matches with HBK or even his earlier ‘Mania showdowns with HHH.

On to the picks…

I’m turning up the blame on my permanent scapegoat Zach Duncan as I have now fallen five games behind Cory Hogue in the TRN picks standings. I feel certain this is the biggest deficit I have faced against anyone except Zach during my tenure with the TRN.

You can find the entire “expert panels” picks below, and be sure to find our college and NFL predictions against the spread at the bottom of the article. We’re all doing pretty well this season, too.

Maybe it’s time for a group trip to Vegas.

More: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Undefeated Vernon, Clyde matchup highlights loaded Week 7 menu

WFISD

Rider 31, Abilene Cooper 22 – I expected more from Cooper this season. The Cougars just haven’t lived up to expectations. I know they’ve played some Class 6A foes, but they haven’t been competitive in most of those games. I think Rider wears the Cougars down and sets up a potential district title showdown with Abilene Wylie next week.

Graham 45, Hirschi 14 – Depth is an issue for Hirschi this season, and that’s not good for a matchup with a Graham offense that’s hitting on all cylinders.

WFHS 34, MIneral Wells 18 – The Coyotes are a good 1-5 team that could easily be 3-3. Mineral Wells hasn’t played as difficult of a schedule, and an opportunistic WFHS defense can force enough extra opportunities for the Coyote offense to put the Rams away.

CLASS 4A

Decatur 48, Burkburnett 13 – A couple of the most surprising results during my tenure at the TRN has been Burkburnett upsetting Decatur. Not this time.

CLASS 3A

Vernon 29, Clyde 28 – This was not a matchup I’ve had circled as a defining district bout. In fact, I didn’t really take it seriously as one we might even cover until two weeks ago. And now it’s the Weekly Special on the Area Menu. I’m taking Vernon on a two-point conversion to win it.

Breckenridge 33, Iowa Park 27 – I have really tried to talk myself into taking Iowa Park. Where I struggle is the Hawks’ inconsistency protecting the ball. But I like IP’s run game, and if it can limit turnovers, this is a game it can win.

Jim Ned 38, Bowie 10 – Bowie is drawing a talented Jim Ned team that went into its open week with a disappointing loss to Eastland. That’s dangerous.

Jacksboro 46, Eastland 30 – Another sneaky district matchup I wasn’t taking seriously until two weeks ago. Eastland is better than its 1-4 record suggests. The Mavericks have played an impressive schedule. I’ll take Jacksboro in a shootout, but this isn’t a given.

Henrietta 30, City View 24 – This is one of the toughest games to predict. It’s actually Henrietta’s two narrow losses to Windthorst and Jacksboro that sway me the most. The Mustangs seem to like it when I pick against them anyway.

Holliday 54, Valley View 0 – In 2020, Holliday’s varsity team was put in quarantine due to a CoVid-19 outbreak, so the Eagles took their JV to play Valley View’s varsity and won. Now, many players on that JV team are seniors. This won’t be close.

CLASS 2A

Cisco 21, Olney 15 – Cisco has the better strength of schedule, and Olney hasn’t scored more than 16 points against a UIL opponent.

Nocona 48, Whitewright 7 – Whitewright has scored 21 points in the past four weeks. Nocona routinely does that in one quarter.

More: Nocona makes season debut in this week's TRN Top 10

Quanah 16, Memphis 13 – Both teams are winless, so I side with strength of schedule. And the Indians get home-field advantage too.

Archer City 34, Electra 20 – I’m tempted to go with the upset here and take the Tigers. But Archer City deserves more respect than that.

Haskell 44, Munday 13 – Haskell’s 20-point win against Petrolia impressed me, particularly with a young team coming off a blowout loss.

Windthorst 36, Petrolia 7 – Petrolia has consistently played good defense except for one week. The Pirates may do enough to hamper Windthorst temporarily, but the Trojans will win decisively.

SIX-MAN

Knox City 45, Forestburg 0 – This one is over by halftime and by whatever score Knox City chooses.

Northside 42, Moran 22 – The Indians move to 6-1, feeling confident heading into district play.

Bryson 48, Lingleville 18 – It may not be a mercy-rule win, but Bryson still cruises.

Crowell 68, Harrold 20 – Harrold saw its undefeated run end last week against Wichita Christian. Crowell is decisively better.

Benjamin 66, Paducah 14 – Will it end by halftime? I think it may take until the third quarter for Benjamin to end this one. But it ends early all the same.

Throckmorton 45, Lueders-Avoca 0 – Throckmorton starts a run of mercy-rule wins as it finally enters district play.

Union Hill 58, Gold-Burg 40 – Gold-Burg lost for the first time last week, and Union Hill is always a quality opponent. But the Bears will enter district play better for having played this game.

Wichita Christian 54, Savoy 14 – WCS moves to 6-0 and looks ready to contend with Kingdom Prep for a district title.

Newcastle 66, Decatur Victory 16 – This was a late addition to the schedule. Either way, Newcastle wins big.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Week 7 Wichita Falls area high school football predictions