WWE RAW delivered many blockbuster matches in 2007. The red brand gave fans multiple Match of the Year contenders weekly. Stars like Shawn Michaels and John Cena emerged as two of the most consistent performers on the roster.
The Heartbreak Kid and the Cenation leader had some incredible matches on weekly television and pay-per-view events. Michaels also delivered classics against the likes of Randy Orton and Edge.
That being said, let’s check out some of the best WWE RAW matches of 2007 featuring the Showstopper and other superstars:
Ric Flair vs. Triple H (Career on the Line Match – December 31)
Ric Flair and Triple H had some incredible matches against each other between 2002 and 2007. This match was tied into The Nature Boy’s feud with Shawn Michaels heading into WrestleMania.
The storyline was simple. Flair would be forced to retire if he lost even one match heading into the Biggest Show of the Year. This was a solid main event that was heavy on the storyline aspect. Flair picked up the win against his former Evolution stablemate with a DQ.
John Cena & Shawn Michaels vs. Batista & The Undertaker (Tag Team Match – March 26)
This blockbuster tag team match took place six days before WrestleMania 23. John Cena and Shawn Michaels defeated Batista and The Undertaker in their tag team main event at No Way Out 2007.
Michaels and Cena worked as a cohesive unit compared to their opponents in this WWE RAW tag team match. Taker walked out in the middle of the match by throwing Michaels on Batista just as he was about to put away Cena with his finisher.
Michaels also turned on his partner by hitting Cena with the Sweet Chin Music before he could lift Batista for the Attitude Adjustment (formerly FU). The Animal used the distraction to pin Cena for the win.
Edge vs. Shawn Michaels (Street Fight – January 22)
Edge and Shawn Michaels had two street fights against each other in their careers, and both of them were brutal. The first Street Fight took place in 2005. The second Street Fight between the bitter opponents occurred on WWE RAW in 2007.
This feud stemmed from Rated RKO’s issues with D-Generation X. Michaels was forced to watch Triple H take a break due to the injury he suffered at New Year’s Revolution 2007. The Showstopper found himself at odds against Rated RKO.
The whole angle led to their Street Fight. This match was all sorts of brutal. Michaels and Edge made creative use of foreign objects to try to put each other away. In the end, Randy Orton’s interference cost Michaels the match.
Edge vs. Randy Orton (WWE RAW – April 30)
Edge and Randy Orton had great success as Rated RKO in 2006. However, frustrations quickly emerged after both men failed to capture the WWE Championship at Backlash 2007. Vince McMahon booked a grudge match between the former tag team partner on the following RAW.
This match turned out to be a lot better than their previous outings. Orton cut himself open during the match after he landed head-first on the exposed turnbuckle. Edge capitalized on the injury to put away the Legend Killer with a spear.
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels (WWE RAW – April 23)
After giving fans Match of the Year contender at WrestleMania 23, John Cena and Shawn Michaels ran it back at a live WWE RAW in England. Both men entered the match with the hopes of outdoing their previous encounter, and they did.
Cena showed some rare mat work as he dominated the early goings of the match, much to Michaels’ frustration. The action only got more thrilling with time. The Heartbreak Kid showed his fiery offense with some incredible chops.
This match lasted for nearly an hour, and what a classic it turned out to be. Cena and Michaels left everything inside the squared circle. The Showstopper finally picked up the winner over Big Match John with a thunderous Sweet Chin Music.
Also read: Shawn Michaels Reflects On 35 Years With WWE
