Others Receiving Votes (2019 Results)

Alright folks, let the first GME rollout begin. Below you will find all matches up to 101 on the final list.  The matches will be rolled out in three stages: up to 201 on Friday, 200-151 on Saturday, and 150-101 on Sunday I am sure there are plenty of types and match listings aren't completely consistent, but you will get the picture.  I know I wound up doing the counting around the ties backwords, but I didn't realize it until I was about to post this and I am not going back to redo it all. The top 100 will still be the same.

Lets keep all conversation about this section of the list here.

So, here we go!

491. (tie) AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode (TNA 12/11/11)
Total Points: 1 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (100)

491. (tie) Misawa/Kawada vs. Baba/Andre (AJPW 12/2/1991)
Total Points:1 (1 ballot)
High Vote: fxnj (100)

491. (tie) Toshiaki Kawada vs Keiji Mutoh (AJPW 4/14/01)
Total Points: 1 (1 ballot)
High Vote: WrestlingFan (100)

491. (tie) Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks (WWE Raw - Falls Count Anywhere - 11/28/16)
Total Points: 1 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Kadaveri (100)

“One of my favorite matches from modern day WWE. The tug of war over the kendo stick, the subsequent kendo stick beating, and the finish are some of the most unforgettable moments in recent WWE.” - Elliott

487. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu vs. Nobutaka Araya (WAR 1/14/1998)
Total Points: 2 (1 ballot)
High Vote: fxnj (99)

487. (tie) Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS 1/23/1999)
Total Points: 2 (1 ballot)
High Vote: shodate (99)

487. (tie) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi (NJPW - 8/4/2013)
Total Points: 2 (1 ballot)
High Vote: NintendoLogic (99)

484. (tie) Sting vs Diamond Dallas Page (WCW Nitro 4/26/99)
Total Points: 3
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (98)

484. (tie) Bull Nakano & Grizzly Iwamoto vs Aja Kong & Bison Kimura (AJW 8/19/90)
Total Points: 3
High Vote: Elliot (98)

“Awesome insane brawl with the unforgettable spot of Bull no-selling repeated kendo stick shots. Anyone who loves brawling matches would love this one.” - Elliott

484. (tie) Mitsuharu Misawa vs Takeshi Morishima (NOAH 3/5/2006)
Total Points: 3
High Vote: NintendoLogic (98)

481. (tie) Fujita Jr Hayato vs Koji Kanemoto (NJPW 12/22/09)
Total Points: 4
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (97)

481. (tie) Lou Thesz vs Ray Gunkel (Texas - 5/30/1951)
Total Points: 4
High Vote: Shodate (97)

481. (tie) Four Horsemen ( Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Sid, and Larry Zbyszko) vs. Sting, Brian Pillman, Rick & Scott Steiner (WarGames - WCW WrestleWar -2/24/1991)
Total Points: 4
High Vote: Kas (97)

481. (tie) Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE 2/22/2015)
Total Points: 4
High Vote: fxnj (97)

477. Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon (WWE 3/30/2003)
Total Points: 5
High Vote: fxnj (98)

476. (tie) The Sheiks vs Crusher & G. Gagne (AWA 3/25/84 Steel Cage)
Total Points: 5
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze(96)

476. (tie) Mitsuharu Misawa/Toshiaki Kawada/Kenta Kobashi vs. Jumbo Tsuruta/Great Kabuki/Masanobu Fuchi (AJPW 5/26/1990)
Total Points: 5
High Vote: fxnj (96)


476. (tie) Pirata Morgan vs El Faraon (Hair vs Hair – 11/16/1990)
Total Points: 5
High Vote: Cap (96)

“Great match with one of the most memorable blade jobs in Lucha history and think of the ground that covers.” - Elliott

476. (tie) Atlantis vs Blue Panther (EMLL 8/9/91)
Total Points: 5
High Vote: Elliot (96)

“One of the most beautiful Lucha title matches ever between two masters. Great mat work and drama.” - Elliott

476. (tie) Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena (WWE Summerslam - 8/17/2014)
Total Points: 5
High Vote: Microstatistics (96)

471. (tie) Antonio Inoki vs Chris Markoff (JWA - 5/16/1969)
Total Points: 6
High Vote: fxnj (95)

471. (tie) El Hijo del Santo vs Brazo de Oro (Mask vs Hair - 1/13/1991)
Total Points: 6
High Vote: NintendoLogic (95)

“One of about 50 Santo matches I considered. He’s the best big match wrestler ever and this is yet another classic.” - Elliott

471. (tie) Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Yoji Anjoh (UWFi - 7/3/1991)
Total Points: 6
High Vote: Microstatistics (95)

“The best match ever between two guys with less than 20 matches to their name combined. Young Tamura was the bomb.” - Elliott

471. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara vs Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto (WAR - 03/02/1994)
Total Points: 6
High Vote: WrestlingFan (95)

“This is everything you would want this to be. 4 dudes beating the shit out of each other.” - Elliott


471. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto vs Keiji Muto (G1 Climax Final - 8/15/1995)
Total Points: 6
High Vote: andylfc (95)

471. (tie) Bret Hart vs The Undertaker (WWF World Heavyweight Title - WWF One Night Only - 09/20/1997)
Total Points: 6
High Vote: Kadaveri (95)

465. (tie) Chris Benoit vs Shawn Michaels (RAW 5/3/04)
Total Points: 7
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (94)

465. (tie) Katsuyori Shibata vs. Jun Akiyama (WRESTLE-1 8/4/2005)
Total Points: 7
High Vote: Kas (94)

463. (tie) Negro Casas vs. Mocho Cota (CMLL - 9/23/1994)
Total Points: 8
High Vote: Microstatistics (93)

463. (tie) Shawn Michaels/Diesel v 1-2-3 Kid/Razor Ramon (WWF, 9/28/94)
Total Points: 8
High Vote: NintendoLogic (93)

461. (tie) Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (WWF - 2/15/87)
Total Points: 9
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (92)

461. (tie) Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith (WWF SummerSlam, 8/29/1992)
Total Points: 9
High Vote: Microstatistics (92)

“Maybe the most impressive carryjob of all time as Bret pieces together a classic out of nothing” - Microstatistics

461. (tie) Homicide vs. Steve Corino (ROH 8/16/2003)
Total Points: 9
High Vote: shodate (92)

461. (tie) KENTA vs SUWA (NOAH 9/18/05)
Total Points: 9
High Vote: NintendoLogic (92)

457. (tie) The Destroyer vs The Spirit (AJPW - 7/25/1975)
Total Points: 10
High Vote: Microstatistics (91)

“Initially, Destroyer outwrestles Spirit but as the latter refuses to stop with the cheating, he responds in kind. Supremely entertaining match” - Microstatistics

457. (tie) Toshiaki Kawada vs. Osamu Nishimura (AJPW 3/9/2004)
Total Points: 10
High Vote: fxnj (91)

457. (tie) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (NJPW 8/16/2015)
Total Points: 10
High Vote: NintendoLogic (91)

454. (tie) Toshiaki Kawada vs. Akira Taue (AJPW 4/8/1995)
Total Points: 11
High Vote: fxnj (90)

454. (tie) CM Punk vs. John Cena (WWE 2/25/2013)
Total Points: 11
High Vote: Kadaveri (90)

452. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Gary Albright (AJPW 7/24/1996)
Total Points: 12
High Vote: fxnj (93)

451. (tie) Nick Bockwinkel vs Billy Robinson (AJPW - 12/11/1980)
Total Points: 12
High Vote: fxnj (89)

451. (tie) Brock Lesnar vs Undertaker (HIAC - WWE - 10/20/2002)
Total Points: 12
High Vote: NintendoLogic (89)

449. (tie) Ric Flair vs. Ron Garvin (Cage - [JCP 9/26/87]
Total Points: 13
High Vote: Mattsdmf (88)

449. (tie) Yuji Nagata vs Kazunari Murakami (NJPW 12/12/02)
Total Points: 13
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (88)

449. (tie) Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS 4/22/1997)
Total Points: 13
High Vote: fxnj (88)

449. (tie)AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels (TNA 2/13/05)
Total Points: 13
High Vote: Kas (88)

445. Sting vs Big Van Vader (White Castle of Fear Strap Match – 2/21/1993)
Total Points: 14
High Vote: Mattsdmf (91)

444. (tie) Fuerza Guerrera vs Octagon (EMLL - 11/1/1991)
Total Points: 14
High Vote: Elliot (87)

“Incredible match that I could have easily ranked 25 spots higher (I ranked it 87th). This is a wild violent brawl...but it has Fuerza Guerrera so it has some of the most amazing schtick ever. Must see even for non-Lucha fans.” - Elliott

444. (tie) Toshiaki Kawada vs. Steve Williams (AJPW 4/16/1994)
Total Points: 14
High Vote: fxnj (87)

444. (tie) Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Psychosis (WCW - 7/07/1996)
Total Points: 14
High Vote: Kas (87)

“A match I’ve always had a soft spot for. During this era, Rey Jr was the holy shittingest holy shit wrestler of all time.” - Elliott

444. (tie) LA Park vs. El Mesias (AAA 6/18/2011)
Total Points: 14
High Vote: shodate (87)

441. (tie) Giant Baba vs Fritz Von Erich (AJPW - 7/25/1975)
Total Points: 15
High Vote: stunninggrover (86)

“Two legends square off in this super fun brawl. Feels like a template for the Baba vs Hansen matches of the 80s.” - Elliott

441. (tie) Randy Savage vs Ronnie Garvin (Steel Cage - ICW - 1982/1983)
Total Points: 15
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (86)

441. (tie) Greg Valentine vs Tito Santana (WWF 7/6/85)
Total Points: 15
High Vote: WrestlingFan (86)

441. (tie) Carlos Colon vs. Stan Hansen (WWC, 10/12/86)
Total Points: 15
High Vote: Boss Rock (86)

“One of the best under 10 minute matches ever.” - Elliott

“Not the best Stan Hansen match, but probably the match that encapsulates everything about him and why he’s an all-time great.”-Boss Rock

437. Terry Funk vs Stan Hansen (AJPW - 9/11/1982)
Total Points: 16
High Vote: Bossrock (91)

“Everybody loves the match from April 83, but this is a worthy top 100 contender. Terry Funk throws a chair at Hansen who responds by catching the fucking chair like he’s John Wick or something.” - Elliott

436. (tie) Jack Fallon vs Tibor Szakacs (Joint Promotions - 4/19/1972
Total Points: 16
High Votes: Shodate (85)

436. (tie) Rick Martel vs Jumbo Tsuruta (AWA 9/29/85)
Total Points: 16
High Vote: WrestlingFan (85)

434. (tie) Mitsuharu Misawa vs Yoshihiro Takayama (NOAH 4/15/01)
Total Points: 17
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (84)

434. (tie) Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (NWA World Championship - WCW - 3/18/1989)
Total Points: 17
High Vote: Boss Rock (84)

“Better than the WrestleWar match.”-Boss Rock

434. (tie) Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 10/24/1991)
Total Points: 17
High Vote: fxnj (84)

“Excellent Bigger Veteran vs Younger Smaller Guy on the RIse style match. One of my favorite 90s AJPW matches.” - Elliott

434. (tie) Dick Togo vs. Antonio Honda (DDT 1/30/2011)
Total Points: 17
High Vote: NintendoLogic (84)

“One of the 5-10 best matches of the last decade.” - Elliott

430. El Hijo del Santo vs Espanto Jr (UWA - 04/10/1988)
Total Points: 18
High Vote: shodate (83)

“Yet another classic match from one of the best rivalries of all time.” - Elliott

429. (tie) Masahiro Chono vs. Rick Rude (NJPW 8/12/1992)
Total Points: 19
High Vote: NintendoLogic (82)

429. (tie) Wild Pegasus vs. Great Sasuke (NJPW Super J Cup, 4/16/1994)
Total Points: 19
High Vote: stunninggrover (82)

427. LA Park vs El Mesias (AAA - 12/5/2010)
Total Points: 20
High Vote: shodate (82)

426. William Regal vs Kassius Ohno (NXT - 3/21/2013) Aired 4/10/2013
Total Points: 20
High Vote: Microstatistics (81)

“Anyone who says William Regal never had an all time classic match hasn’t seen this one. This is an incredible performance by Regal.” - Elliott

“The Regal Show. Slick grappling, finger twisting and disrupted equilibriums” - Microstatistics

425. Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch (NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable - 5/20/2015)
Total Points: 21
High Vote: Kadaveri (82)

424. (tie) Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba (AJPW - 2/4/1982)
Total Points: 21
High Vote: stunninggrover (80)

“I really wish I had found a place for this. If we did a strictly “favorite matches” list this might make my top 10. This is like a Rock vs Hogan type match. Just pure fun and probably the best possible version of a Hansen vs Baba first match.” - Elliott

424. (tie) Tatsumi Fujinami, Nobuhiko Takada, Riki Choshu, Akira Maeda & Super Strong Machine vs Antonio Inoki, Dick Murdoch, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Masa Saito & Seiji Sakaguchi (Elimination Match - NJPW - 9/17/1987)
Total Points: 21
High Vote: Elliot (80)

“80s NJPW 10 man Elimination matches never fail to be incredible. This one feels pretty dang underrated considering it only made one list.” - Elliott

424. (tie) Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Joe Malenko (PWFG - 6/1/1993)
Total Points: 21
High Vote: fxnj (80)

424. (tie) Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Yoshihiro Takayama (NOAH 9/23/2002)
Total Points: 21
High Vote: NintendoLogic (80)

424. (tie) Yuji Nagata vs Togi Makabe (NJPW- 7/6/07)
Total Points: 21
High Vote: Microstatistics (80)

“Batshit insane bloodsoaked brawl as champion Nagata looks like he wants to kill Makabe while Makabe utilizes every dirty trick in the book to win” - Microstatistics


419. (tie) Muta vs Hiroshi Hase (NJPW - 12/14/1992)
Total Points: 22
High Vote: Microstatistics (79)

“I have always and will always love this. Probably one of the first 10 Japanese Wrestling matches I ever saw.” - Elliott

“Muta goes from monster heel to blood drenched warrior in about 15 minutes as Hase’s darkside comes to the forefront” - Microstatistcs

419. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto vs. Genichiro Tenryu (WAR 6/17/1993)
Total Points: 22
High Vote: NintendoLogic (79)

“I didn’t end up ranking any of their matches, but considered like 4 or 5 of them. One of the great feuds of the 90s.” - Elliott

419. (tie) Chris Hero vs Ikuto Hidaka (Evolve 3/13/10)
Total Points: 22
High Vote: Elliot (79)

“I thought this was the best match I saw from 2010-2019 and my top US Indy match of all time. I love big guy vs little guy matchups and they did a great job of playing that up while putting on an absolute show of some of the best matwork you’ll ever see in the US. How is this match not talked up more?” - Elliott

416. (tie) Kenta Kobashi & Akira Taue vs Genichiro Tenryu & Jun Akiyama (NOAH 9/18/05)
Total Points: 23
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (78)

416. (tie) Antonio Inoki vs. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW 9/19/1985)
Total Points: 23
High Vote: shodate (78)

416. (tie) Ishikawa/Otsuka vs. Ikeda/Ono (BattlARTS 10/30/96)
Total Points: 23
High Vote: Boss Rock (78)

“A precursor for what was to come as this was the first truly great match to take place in what turned out to be the best promotion in late 90s-early 00s Japan. Gave you a glimpse of everything we’d see over the next 5 years with Ikeda & Ishikawa doing their thing, Otsuka becoming the most unique wrestler in the world (ever?) and little Ono being a big jerk.” - Elliott

416. (tie) Shinobu Kandori vs Yumiko Hotta (LLPW 3/21/98)
Total Points: 23
High Vote: Elliot (78)

“Brutal match that would probably be best described as a shoot style brawl between the two biggest badasses in women’s wrestling. Kandori always brings her A game to big matches and this is a prime example.” - Elliott

416. (tie) Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW 5/1/1998)
Total Points: 23
High Vote: fxnj (78)

416. (tie) Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. HHH (WWE - 3/14/2004)
Total Points: 23
High Vote: Kas (78)

410. (tie) Johnny Valentine vs Wild Bill Curry (Houston - 6/20/1969)
Total Points: 24
High Vote: Elliot (77)

“This one match will make you believe all of the stories old timers told/tell about the greatness of Johnny Valentine. This is a brutal and bloody match with an all time great selling performance from Valentine..” - Elliott

410. (tie) Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon (WWF 8/27/95)
Total Points: 24
High Vote: Kas (77)

410. (tie) KDX (Taka Michinoku, Mens Teoh, Dick Togo, Shiryu & Shoichi Funaki) vs Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Super Delphin, Tiger Mask & Masato Yakushiji (Michinoku Pro "These Days" - 10/10/96)
Total Points: 24
High Vote: stunninggrover (77)

“The amazing high spots hold up in this classic match that is much more than a spot fest. The character work is still genuinely engaging 20+ years later. One of those matches I can’t really imagine people not liking no matter what styles of wrestling they generally prefer.” - Elliott


407. Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus (2/3 Falls - WWE - 4/29/12)
Total Points: 25
High Vote: NintendoLogic (83)

“Really great ⅔ falls match. Excellent clash of styles. These two were great together and this was their standout performance” - Cap

406. (tie) Francis Sullivan & Albert Sanniez vs Bernard Caclard & Tony Martino (France 60s?)
Total Points: 25
High Vote: Elliot (76)

“The 60’s French wrestling might be the most impressive stuff we have on film from anywhere and anytime, we just have no context or frame of reference makes ranking it difficult. Another mind blowing match though. Great heel/face dynamic, ridiculous pacing and exchanges and some brutally stiff strikes. Must see.” - Elliott

406. (tie) Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich (Mid-South - 4/28/85)
Total Points: 25
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (76)

“Kerry might actually be my favorite Flair rival. Their matches kind of stand as the perfect ideal of NWA Champ vs Home Town Star archetype in my mind. This is yet another one of their classics, but might only be my third or fourth favorite of their matches!” - Elliott

406. (tie) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi (NJPW G1 Climax - 8/12/18)
Total Points: 25
High Vote: WrestlingFan (76)

403. (tie) Volk Han vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (RINGS 6/17/95)
Total Points: 26
High Vote: Microstatistics (75)

“Yamamoto lacks the experience or the expertise but refuses to back down as the maestro attempts to school him” - Microstatistics

403. (tie) Ric Flair vs Randy Savage (WCW GAB 6/18/95)
Total Points: 26
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (75)

“I don’t know how this doesn’t get more talk. A mid 90s US PPV main event and it is a stone cold classic match.” - Elliott

403. (tie) AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns (Extreme Rules 05/22/16)
Total Points: 26
High Vote: Kadaveri (75)

400. Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW - 3/4/2012
Total Points: 27
High Vote: Kas (85)

399. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Shinya Hashimoto (NJPW 6/1/94)
Total Points: 27
High Vote: fxnj (74)

398. Dick Murdoch vs Killer Karl Kox (AJPW - 12/9/1976)
Total Points - 28
High Vote: stunninggrover (84)

“I loved this. Two big tough dudes beating the crap out of each other. That’s kind of all you need.” - Elliott

397. Andre The Giant vs Killer Khan (NJPW - 4/1/1982)
Total Points: 28
High Vote: Mattsdmf (80)

396. Jerry Lawler vs Austin Idol (Hair vs Hair Steel Cage Match CWA 4/27/87)
Total Points: 28
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (77)

“One of my all time favorite matches. The post match scene is one of the legendary moments in all of wrestling.” - Elliott

395. (tie) Akira Hokuto vs Kaoru (GAEA - 4/12/1997)
Total Points: 28
High Vote: Microstatistics (73)

“Vicious, aggressive title match as Kaoru attempts to overcome a confident Hokuto and the hierarchy difference” - Microstatistics

395. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto vs. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW 6/5/1998)
Total Points: 28
High Vote: shodate (73)

395. (tie) Untouchables vs. BURNING (AJPW 3/6/99)
Total Points: 28
High Vote: NintendloLogic (73)

392. Akira Hokuto vs Shinobu Kandori (AJW - 12/6/1993)
Total Points: 29
High Vote: andylfc (90)

“Awesome forgotten match because it is wedged in between DreamSlam I and the Queendom 94 tag. These two once again try to kill each other and it is magnificent.” - Elliott

391. The Rock vs Hulk Hogan (WWE - 3/17/2002)
Total Points: 29
High Vote: Wrestlingfan (73)

“A legitimate contender for my favorite match of all time which seems insane because I like bloody violent brawls. But this is about as fun as a match could be and has never failed to be a blast no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Best crowd ever. Like Kobashi/Kikuchi vs Can Ams but with 60,000 more people.” - Elliott

390. (tie) Kenta Kobashi vs Akira Taue (GHC Heavyweight Championship - NOAH - 9/10/2004)
Total Points: 29
High Vote: Wrestlingfan (72)

390. (tie) Tatsumi Fujinami vs Ray Mendoza (UWA 8/13/1978)
Total Points: 29
High Vote: Shodate (72)

390. (tie) Tatsumi Fujinami vs Ryuma Go (NJPW - 11/30/1978)
Total Points: 29
High Vote: fxnj (72)

390. (tie) Takayama/Suzuki vs. Nagata/Yamamoto (NJPW 10/9/2006)
Total Points: 29
High Vote: NintendoLogic (72)

386. (tie) Tatsumi Fujinami vs Mando Guerrero (LA - 8/11/1978)
Total Points: 30
High Vote: Shodate (71)

386. (tie) Los Brazos vs. Los Infernales [CMLL 11/22/91]
Total Points: 30
High Vote: Mattsdmf (71)

“This is one of the best trios matches of all time. Two of the best trios teams ever in a classic world title match style match.” - Elliott

386. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto & Takashi Iizuka vs Naoya Ogawa & Kazunari Murakami (NJPW 1/4/00)
Total Points: 30
High Vote: Elliot (71)

“This is another match that might rank in my top ten favorite matches of all time. I actually love the Hashimoto vs Ogawa matches, even if the booking is terrible, and when you add the all time sneering punk piece of shit Murakami during his peak to the already awesome Hash/Ogawa matchup, you end up with one of the most compelling matches of all time.” - Elliott

386. (tie) Ishikawa & Sawa vs Super Tiger II & Hara (BattlArts 11/16/08)
Total Points: 30
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (71)

386. (tie) Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn (NXT 11th December 2014)
Total Points: 30
High Vote: Kadaveri (71)

381. (tie) Ric Flair vs. Koko Ware (11/18/85 Memphis NWA Championship)
Total Points: 31
High Vote: WrestlingFan (70)

381. (tie) Ric Flair vs. Sting (Clash of the Champions 03/27/88)
Total Points: 31
High Vote: Kadaveri (70)

379. The Funks vs Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik (AJPW - 12/15/1977)
Total Points: 32
High Vote: Elliot (74)

“The match that really started the legend of Babyface Terry Funk in Japan with the evil monsters stabbing him in the arm repeatedly. A must see match for anyone interested in wrestling history.” -Elliott

378. (tie) The Funks vs Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik (AJPW - 12/13/1979)
Total Points: 32
High Vote: Elliot (69)

“The last classic match of one of the truly great feuds of all time. The atmosphere in these matches is always truly something special and the chaotic out of control style they work only adds to the spectacle.” - Elliott

378. (tie) Tatsumi Fujinami vs Dynamite Kid (NJPW - 2/5/1980)
Total Points: 32
High Vote: Nintendologic (69)

“Classic junior heavyweight style match that is the best match I’ve ever seen Dynamite Kid have. There aren’t 10 junior matches I think are better than this one.” - Elliott

378. (tie) Jerry Lawler vs Rick Martel (Memphis 10/12/85)
Total Points: 32
High Vote: WrestlingFan (69)

378. (tie) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn (NXT - 4/1/2016)
Total Points: 32
High Vote: Kadaveri (69)

“This is probably my second favorite NXT match. Just a fantastic debut for Nakamura. It felt like we were entering a hole new and exciting chapter for him and for the WWE. Unfortunately, this was about as good as it got from him under the WWE banner. Zayn was also fantastic here. For him it was very much a sign of a bright future” - Cap

374. (tie) Mick McManus vs Alan Sarjeant (Joint Promotions - 11/30/1974)
Total Points: 33
High Vote: shodate (68)

374. (tie) Tsuyoshi Kohsaka vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (RINGS 4/4/97)
Total Points: 33
High Vote: fxnj (68)

372. (tie) Alan Sarjeant vs Clay Thompson (Joint Promotions - 6/6/1973)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: Shodate (67)

372. (tie) Carlos Colon vs. Hercules Ayala (WWC Texas Death Match - 1987)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: Boss Rock (67)

“Colon vs Ayala is one of the most shockingly great feuds of 80s wrestling with multiple matches that are legitimately great matches, including this one. They have a barbed wire match and a fire match and this might actually be the most harrowing and difficult to watch if you can believe that. At this point everyone knows all about Colon vs Hansen, but people need to start getting hip to Colon vs Ayala.” - Elliott

“When it comes to the greatest babyface of all-time, Carlos Colon absolutely needs to be in the discussion. This match is a prime example.”-Boss Rock

370. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu vs. Stan Hansen (AJPW 7/27/1988)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: NintendoLogic (67)

370. (tie) Nobuhiko Takada vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara (UWF 2/27/1990)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: fxnj (67)

370. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto vs. Genichiro Tenryu (NJPW 8/8/93)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (67)

370. (tie) Bret Hart vs Diesel (No Holds Barred - WWF World Heavyweight Title - WWF Survivor Series - 11/19/1995)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: stunninggrover (67)

“This match continues to hold up every time I re-watch it. Bret Hart carried Diesel to one of Kevin Nash's best matches ever. It was one of the best WWF matches of 1995. Bret's selling and overall work was tremendous and Diesel did a pretty good job himself. The table spot is one of the most memorable table spots ever.”-stunninggrover

370. (tie) Kiyoshi Tamura vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (U-Style 2/4/04)
Total Points: 34
High Vote: Elliot (67)

“This is not so far removed from the 98/99 Tamura matches that this seems completely forgotten while those have reached legendary status. This is a classic match and Tamura was the best wrestler on the planet at this time.” - Elliott

365. Low Ki vs KENTA (ROH 12/17/2005)
Total Points: 35
High Vote: andylfc (72)

“This match felt special. It felt like we were getting something truly once in a lifetime. Of course KENTA came back and had more heralded matches, but there was something in the air on this one.” - Cap

364. (tie) Roy and Tony St. Clair vs Vic Faulkner and Bert Royal (Joint Promotions - 12/1/1971)
Total Points: 35
High Vote: Shodate (66)

364. (tie) Stan Hansen vs Carlos Colon (WWC 2/28/87)
Total Points: 35
High Vote: Elliot (66)

“Another just classic brawl from one of the great feuds of the 80s. This is a little longer than their early matches and a bit more traditionally structured while maintaining that chaotic atmosphere of the late 86 match.” - Elliott

362. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Kazuo Yamazaki (UWF - 4/15/1990)
Total Points: 36
High Vote: Microstatistics (74)

“It’s a little unnerving that, in a span of 14 months, this is only Fujiwara’s 3rd best match” - Microstatistics

361. (tie) El Satanico vs El Dandy (EMLL 10/26/90)
Total Points: 36
High Vote: Elliot (65)

“Satanico rips out El Dandy’s armpit hair and then theatrically blows the hairs away into the air. I don’t know what more you would ever need to know about a match.” - Elliott

361. (tie) Terry Funk vs Atsushi Onita (Exploding Barbed Wire - FMW - 5/5/1993)
Total Points: 36
High Vote: WrestlingFan (65)

“This was one of my very last cuts and one of my bigger regrets. One of the great spectacles in wrestling history.” - Elliott

361. (tie) Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon (Ladder Match - WWF WrestleMania X - 3/20/1994)
Total Points: 36
High Vote: stunninggrover (65)

358, Toshiaki Kawada vs Kensuke Sasaki (NJPW 10/09/00)
Total Points: 37
High Vote: andylfc (78)

357. Juventud Guerrera vs. Rey Misterio Jr.(ECW - 9/3/96)-Actual date is 3/9/96
Total Points: 37
High Vote: Kas (72)


356. (tie) Manami Toyota vs. Shinobu Kandori (AJW 8/23/1998)
Total Points: 37
High Vote: stunninggrover (64)

“This was another one of my last cuts. I love matches between two wrestlers of contrasting styles and this is such a great example of that.” - Elliott

356. (tie) Akira Hokuto vs Meiko Satomura (GAEA - 4/29/2001)
Total Points: 37
High Vote: Cap (64)

“I’ll never forget Hokuto’s slaps in this match. Holy shit.” - Elliott

“I can’t get over how much I love this match. It feels like a sort of passing of the torch in a way. Its put together wonderfully and features so much physicality and struggle. Top notch stuff to me” - Cap

356. (tie) Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT - 6/16/2018)
Total Points: 37
High Vote: Boss Rock (64)

353. (tie) Mark Rocco vs Marty Joines (Joint Promotions - 7/26/1978)
Total Points: 38
High Vote: Shodate (63)

353. (tie) Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee (Loser Leaves Town CWA 7/14/86)
Total Points: 38
High Vote: Elliot (63)

“At one point, I had a rough draft with 5 singles matches between Dundee and Lawler. Its the best US rivalry in history.” - Elliott

353. (tie) Vader vs Antonio Inoki (NJPW - 01/04/1996)
Total Points: 38
High Vote: NintendoLogic (63)

“Inoki go splat.” - Elliott

350. Shinya Hashimoto vs Naoya Ogawa (NJPW - 4/7/2000)
Total Points: 39
High Vote: fxnj (79)

“Another one of my last cuts. I love these matches. The atmosphere and brutality are just incredible. I know the feud was poorly booked, ruined Hashimoto in NJPW, etc etc, but I just love these matches so much. The “You can feel the electricity in the air” is such a lame cliche, but you really do with these matches.” - Elliott

“One of the more bittersweet wrestling matches, both in and out of kayfabe” - Microstatistics

349. (tie) Ivan Koloff and Krusher Khruschev vs RNR Express 7/9/85
Total Points: 39
High Vote: Mattsdmf (62)

“Maaaaaan,I will admit this got lost in the shuffle for me. I forgot all about it during my initial work nominating matches and never saw the thread nominating this one. I would have given this real consideration as I’ve always thought of it as one of the best US tag matches of the 80s.” - Elliott

349. (tie) Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Genichiro Tenryu (8/31/1987)
Total Points: 39
High Vote: NintendoLogic (62)

347. Jushin Liger vs Great Sasuke (NJPW - 4/16/1994)
Total Points: 40
High Vote: Boss Rock (75)

“The greatest ‘botch’ of all time” - Microstatistics

346. Midnight Express vs Rock n Roll Express (WCW - 2/25/90)
Total Points: 40
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (72)

“Another match that would d do extremely well on a list of just “favorites.” The wrestling is great but I think Cornette really puts this over the top. Sort of the “greatest hits” version of the best tag team rivalry ever.” - Elliott

344. (tie) Monster Roussimoff vs Strong Kobayashi (⅔ Falls - IWE - 5/6/1972)
Total Points: 40
High Vote: Wrestlingfan (61)

344. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu vs Great Muta (WAR 10/11/96)
Total Points: 40
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (61)

344. (tie) Kana/Yamamoto vs. Syuri/Ikeda (Kana-Pro 6/17/2012)
Total Points: 40
High Vote: shodate (61)

342, Invader I vs Ron Starr (WWC 9/19/86)
Total Points: 41
High Vote: Elliot (60)

“Must see match for anyone who loves brawls. Invader I is legitimately one of the best brawlers and sellers of all time. His selling in this is on the short list of best selling performances ever. Must see match.” - Elliott

341. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 10/21/1992)
Total Points: 43
High Vote: Kadaveri (85)

340. El Hijo del Santo vs La Parka (Super Libre - Monterrey - 12/23/2001)
Total Points: 43
High Vote: Boss Rock (74)

“He had a few classic performances before this, but I always looked at this as the introduction to the world of all time great brawler La Parka. We all loved La Parka before this, but this is sort of what we were waiting for. Yet another notch in Santo’s “best big match wrestler ever” belt.” - Elliott

339. (tie) Mil Mascaras vs The Destroyer (AJPW - 7/25/1974)
Total Points: 43
High Vote: Shodate (58)

“This juuuust missed my list. Really great old school match. Destroyer is literally always great but Mil is actually awesome in this as well bringing all sorts of funky mat work to the party.” - Elliott

339. (tie) Nick Bockwinkel vs Rick Martel (AWA - 9/20/1984)
Total Points: 43
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (58)

“I think this is the best Martel match I’ve ever seen and actually really close in quality to the Hennig 60 minute draw. I think the leg selling here is even better than Kawada’s in the famous 12/93 tag.” - Elliott

339. (tie) El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas (Mask vs Hair 7/18/87)
Total Points: 43
High Vote: Elliot (58)

“The first great match of the greatest rivalry in wrestling history. This is sort of like Misawa beating Jumbo or Steamboat vs Savage where there might be better matches, but they are important matches and all fans like us should see them.” - Elliott


335. Midnight Express vs Southern Boys (WCW - 7/7/1990)
Total Points: 44
High Vote: andylfc (62)

“I’ve always slightly preferred the WrestleWar match with the Rock and Rolls, but barely. This match is an absolute blast and is another one of those “I can’t imagine someone not liking this” matches. The hillbilly karate exhibition mid-match enhances the match in every way possible. “ - Elliott

334. (tie) El Hijo del Santo and Eddie Guerrero vs Blue Panther and Negro Casas (Juarez - 1987)
Total Points: 44
High Vote: Shodate (57)

334. (tie) The Enforcers vs Ricky Steamboat and Dustin Rhodes (WCW - 11/19/1991)
Total Points: 44
High Vote: Nintindologic (57)

“Classic southern tag from early 90s WCW that might actually be the best of the bunch. The Steamboat reveal is one of the classic moments of this era.” - Elliott

334. (tie) Jun Akiyama vs HIroshi Hase (AJPW - 5/1/1998)
Total Points: 44
High Vote: fxnj (57)

332. Kerry Von Erich vs Michael Hayes (Loser Leaves Town Cage Match - WCCW - 11/24/1983)
Total Points: 45
High Vote: Elliot (68)

“This is an absolute war with these two straight up beating the shit out of each other in front of an absolutely white hot crowd. Perfect climax to one of the best feuds of all time. Both of these guys are severely underrated” - Elliott

331. (tie) Antonio Inoki vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara (NJPW - 2/6/1986)
Total Points: 46
High Vote: fxnj (55)

“The most fun and best Antonio Inoki singles match ever.. Fujiwara is amazing.” - Elliott

331. (tie) Aja Kong vs Dynamite Kansai (AJW - 8/30/1995)
Total Points:46
High Vote: Nintindologic (55)

331. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu vs Kensuke Sasaki (NJPW - 1/4/2000)
Total Points: 46
High Vote: WrestlingFan (55)

328. (tie) Canis Lupus vs Trauma 1 (Mask vs Mask - IWRG - 9/5/2016)
Total Points: 46
High Vote: Kas (55)

327. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 1/22/1999)
Total Points: 47
High Vote: fxnj (59)

“The match that killed Giant Baba.” - Elliott

330. Terry Gordy vs Killer Khan (Texas Death Match - WCCW - 11/22/1984)
Total Points: 47
High Vote: WrestlingFan (54)

“Classic brawl that managed to stand out in an era of great brawls because Khan was such a unique figure. Anytime he had a great match it was going to stand out.” - Elliott

329. Bayley vs Sasha Banks (Ironwoman Match - NXT - 10/07/2015)
Total Points: 48
High Vote: Kadaveri (57)

“I absolutely love this match. Sasha is an amazing heel and if i had to do a post 2000 top 100, Sasha Banks would be the Hijo del Santo of that list with like 20 matches on it. Talking shit to a little girl and making her cry is truly great pro-wrestling. God Bless Sasha Banks.” - Elliott

328. (tie) Raven vs Stevie Richards vs The Pitbulls (ECW - 9/16/1995)
Total Points: 48 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Mattsdmf (53)

328. (tie) El Satanico vs Lizmark (CMLL - 7/14/1998)
Total Points: 48 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (53)

“Absolute masterclass by Satanico, this is an underappreciated lucha gem IMO” - Microstatistics

328. (tie) AJ Styles vs Paul London (ROH - 6/14/2003)
Total Points: 48 (1 ballot)
High Vote: fxnj (53)

328. (tie) Black Terry vs Wotan (Chilangamask - 8/21/2016)
Total Points: 48 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Cap (53)

“I get why some people don’t love this match. I do. To me it is sort of singular. I can’t really think of a match that feels like this one does. It is brutal, but really organized well. It chaotic and unhinged, but also still very much put together in a way. The end is where this goes over the line for some but secures its spot on my list. The brawl in the gravel, the bloody handprint on Wotan’s back… it's just chaos. It's a match that feels kind of like a bar fight at times and it ends like so many actual bar fights end, with two guys not really wanting to fight anymore but not willing to back down sort of staring at each other. This is an all time classic to me” - Cap

324. (tie) Ric Flair vs Terry Taylor (Mid-South - 5/3/1985)
Total Points: 49 (1 ballot)
High Vote: WrestlingFan (52)

324. (tie) Manami Toyota vs Aja Kong (AJW - 11/20/1994)
Total Points: 49 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Nintindologic (52)

322. Manami Toyota vs Aja Kong (AJW - 6/27/1995)
Total Points: 50
High Vote: Stunninggrover (73)

321. Chris Benoit vs Steve Austin (WWE - 5/31/2001)
Total Points: 50
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (69)

320. Jesse James vs Al Costello (LA - 6/8/1960)
Total Points: 50
High Vote: fxnj (54)

319. (tie) Buddy Rogers vs Pat O’Connor (NWA Title Match - Chicago - 6/30/1961)
Total Points: 50 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Wrestlingfan (51)

“If you look up “Classic NWA Title Match” on dictionary.com there is just a link to this match.” - Elliott

319. (tie) Naomichi Marufuji vs Tatsuhito Takaiwa (NOAH - 12/9/2001)
Total Points: 50 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (51)

“Unexpected juniors classic for the ages” - Microstatistics

317. Antonio Inoki vs. Masa Saito (NJPW 4/27/1987)
Total Points: 51
High Vote: fxnj (50)

316. Steve Austin vs Dude Love (No DQ Falls Count Anywhere WWF Over the Edge 5/31/98)
Total Points: 52
High Vote: Elliot (62)

“The best WWE match of all time, the attitude era version of Dibiase/Duggan All Gimmicks match, and including pre and post match shenanigans quite possibly the most fun match ever.” - Elliott

315. Tatsumi Fujinami vs Ryuma Go (NJPW - 10/2/1979)
Total Points: 53
High Vote: fxnj (73)

314. Naomichi Marufuji vs. KENTA (NOAH Autumn Navigation 10/29/2006)
Total Points: 53
High Vote: WrestlingFan (49)

313. Jerry Lawler vs Bam Bam Bigelow (Texas Death Match - Memphis - 9/7/1986)
Total Points: 54
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (65)

“Classic Big Guy vs Little Guy style match-up with Lawler teaching the green Bigelow how to have a great match. One of the best Lawler performances and easily Bigelow’s career best match.” - Elliott

312. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu vs KENTA (Pro Wrestling NOAH - 10/8/2005)
Total Points: 54 (1 ballot)
High Vote: WrestlingFan (47)

“I think this match is incredibly overlooked. Holy crap is this a phenomenal sprint. Even at 55, Tenryu looks like one of the best wrestlers in the world. He gives KENTA one of the worst beatings I've ever seen for about five minute straights before KENTA begins to mount the mother of all comebacks. Just an unbelievable amount of violence and aggression. Arguably one of the greatest sprints of all-time.”

312. (tie) Bryan Danielson vs. Homicide (ROH - 12/23/2006)
Total Points: 54 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (47)

“Funny how maybe the most historic match in ROH history might also be the most underrated. The best title reign of the modern era ends on a high” - Microstatistics

310. Volk Han vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS 8/24/96)
Total Points: 55
High Vote: Elliot (46)

“I hope folks who are still new to shoot style give this a look next year. This should be talked about with the best RINGS matches. For all the same reasons those mathes are great, this is great.” - Elliott

309. Mayumi Ozaki, Cutie Suzuki, Candy Okutsu & Sumiyo Toyama vs Dynamite Kansai, Devil Masami, Hikari Fukuoka & Hiromi Yagi (4x4 1-Count Match - JWP - 03/21/95)
Total Points: 56
High Votes: Boss Rock, Elliot (73)

“One of the rare matches where the “every move matters” cliche actually does apply. This is one of the most spectacular and dramatic matches you’ll ever see. Brilliantly booked and worked with the advantage of having Kansai & Devil on the same team against all the smaller women is somewhat neutralized by the 1 count stipulation.” - Elliott

308. (tie) Randy Savage vs Tito Santana (No DQ - Intercontinental Championship - WWF - 5/4/1986)
Total Points: 56 (1 ballot)
High Vote: stunninggrover (45)

308. (tie) Kiyoshi Tamura vs Mikhail Ilioukhine (RINGS 1/21/98)
Total Points: 56 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Elliot (45)

“Shockingly amazing match that is never talked about but is on the level of the other classic matches Tamura was having at this time. Volk Han is in the corner cheering on his protege against his greatest rival. This is peak level RINGS so the mat work is the best matwork in wrestling history.” - Elliott

306. El Hijo del Santo vs Felino (Monterrey 10/18/98)
Total Points: 57
High Vote: Microstatistics (62)

“Yet another all time classic from El Hijo del Santo. Santo and Felino were in the midst of a nice rivalry around this time with several matches from 1997 also worthy of consideration for the list, but this is the best of the bunch. Just a classic, long lucha title match.” - Elliott

“This was a last second entry. I like a lot of Santo title bouts built around matwork but I had yet to see an all time classic, until this one.” - Microstatistics

305. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW 10/28/2000)
Total Points: 57
High Vote: fxnj (56)

304. (tie) Axel Dieter vs Moose Morowski (Hannover - 10/5/1980)
Total Points: 57
High Vote: Microstatistics (44)

“A terrific brawl/title match hybrid and Germany’s best” - Microstatistics

304. (tie) Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich (⅔ Falls - WCCW - 8/15/1982)
Total Points: 57
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (44)

“My favorite of the classic Flair vs Kerry match-ups. Perfect NWA Title Match” - Elliott

304. (tie) Akira Maeda vs. Super Tiger (UWF - 9/2/1985)
Total Points: 57
High Vote: fxnj (44)

“This is a really great unheralded rivalry overall with multiple great matches. They sort of felt like the Hashimoto vs Ogawa matches of their time.” - Elliott

304. (tie) Kandori/Endo vs. Hotta/Maeka (LLPW 8/15/1997)
Total Points: 57
High Vote: shodate (44)

300. Tenryu/Orihara vs. Kabuki/Kitahara (WAR 7/14/1992)
Total Points: 58
High Vote: fxnj (64)

299. Volk Han vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS - 7/16/1996)
Total Points: 58
High Vote: Microstatistics (58)

“Technical wizard Kohsaka poses a real challenge to Han, leading to one of the most memorable shoot style finishes” - Microstatistics

298. Mima Shimoda & Etsuko Mita vs Ayako Hamada & AKINO (ARSION - 12/11/1999)
Total Points: 58
High Vote: Microstatistics (48)

“Awesome match with a fantastic Veterans vs Younger Wrestlers narrative worked to exceedingly violent conclusions. Wild out of control bloodbath with great psychology.” - Elliott

“The babyfaces get annihilated by invading barbarians but their stubborn resistance keeps them and ARSION alive” - Microstatistics

297. (tie) Jack Brisco vs Jumbo Tsuruta (NWA - 1/30/1974)
Total Points: 58 (1 ballot)
High Vote: WrestlingFan (43)

297. (tie) ROH vs CZW (Cage of Death - ROH - 7/15/2006)
Total Points: 58 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Boss Rock (43)

295. (tie) Jerry Lawler vs Dutch Mantell (Memphis - 3/22/1982)
Total Points 59 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (42)

295. (tie) Keiji Muto vs Masa Chono (G1 Climax Final - NJPW - 8/11/91)
Total Points: 59 (1 ballot)
High Vote: NintendoLogic (42)

“Classic match that has held up as 5 star all time great for almost 30 years. Truly stands the test of time.” - Elliott

295. (tie) Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW-10/14/2013)
Total Points: 59 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Boss Rock (42)

292. Buzzy Sawyer vs Tommy Rich (Last Battle of Atlanta GCW 10/23/83)
Total Points: 60
High Vote: Elliot (64)

“Classic violent brawl that lived up to its mythical billing amongst tape traders when it finally landed 30 years after the fact.” - Elliott

291. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Yuji Nagata (4/13/07)
Total Points: 60
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (56)

290. (tie) The Rockers vs The Orient Express (WWF Royal Rumble - 01/19/1991)
Total Points: 60
High Vote: stunninggrover (41)

“41st!! Holy crap!” - Elliott

290. (tie) Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (AJPW - 10/21/1997)
Total Points: 60
High Vote: WrestlingFan (41)

290. (tie) Kobashi vs Honda (4/13/03)
Total Points: 60
High Vote: shodate (41)

287. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Yuji Nagata (4/13/07)
Total Points: 61 
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (56)

286. Hashimoto vs Ogawa 10/11/99
Total Points: 61
High Vote: fxnj (48)

285. (tie) Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi (AJPW 4/13/1995)
Total Points: 61
High Vote: fxnj (40)

285. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto vs Kazuo Yamazaki (NJPW 8/2/98)
Total Points: 61
High Vote: NintendoLogic (40)

283. America's Most Wanted vs. Triple X (TNA - 12/5/2004)
Total Points: 62
High Vote: Kas (70)

282. Manami Toyota vs. Akira Hokuto (9/2/95)
Total Points: 63
High Vote: stunninggrover (59)

281. Misawa & Ogawa vs KENTA & Marufuji (NOAH 4/25/04)
Total Points: 63
High Vote: NintendoLogic (56)

280. Necro Butcher vs Super Dragon (No DQ – 9/2/2006)
Total Points: 63
High Vote: Boss Rock (39)

“This is like if Road House was a wrestling match. Its soooo goood.” - Elliott

“If this was a favorites match list this might be in my top 10. This is just a chaotic shit show of a match and I love every second of it.” - Cap

279. (tie) Tatsumi Fujinami vs Riki Choshu (NJPW - 4/3/1983)
Total Points: 63 (1 ballot)
High Vote: WrestlignFan (38)

279. (tie) Rey Hechicero vs Charles Lucero (Monterrey - 8/4/2013)
Total Points: 63 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (38)

“Detailed, thoughtful wrestling and a cool young vs. old dynamic build to a dramatic third fall” - Microstatistics

277. Ric Flair vs Lex Luger (NWA World Heavyweight Championship - 2/25/90)
Total Points: 64
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (68)

276. Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect (WWF King of the Ring - 06/13/1993)
Total Points: 64
High Vote: stunninggrover (37)

275. Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho vs. Steve Austin/HHH (WWE Tag Team Championship - WWE - 5/21/2001)
Total Points: 65
High Vote: Kas (65)

274. Shinya Hashimoto vs Riki Choshu (G1 Climax - NJPW - 08/02/96)
Total Points: 65
High Vote: shodate (45)

“One of the best Japanese Heavyweight matches of the 90s. This is a beautiful war as the aging master has to face the warrior raised to the top. Some of the best selling and psychology of the 90s.” - Elliott

273. Kenny Omega vs. Kota Ibushi (DDT 2/18/2012)
Total Points: 65
High Vote: Kas (36)

272. Koji Kanemoto vs. El Samurai (Best of the Super Juniors Final - NJPW - 6/5/1997)
Total Points: 66
High Vote: Boss Rock (65)

“If you want a match that has cool moves as well as hate-filled violence, look no further than this match. Absolute lock.”-Boss Rock

271. Aja Kong vs KAORU (AAAW Title – 2/13/2000)
Total Points: 66
High Vote: Kadaveri (61)

“This match is an absolute banger. Aja is about as mean as it gets in this and KAORU somehow comes out looking like her equal despite being damn near murdered. Top notch stuff” - Cap

270. The Funks vs Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik (AJPW - 12/9/1978)
Total Points: 66
High Vote: Elliot (52)

“Another chaotic violent tag team war.” - Elliott

269. A.J. Styles vs. Abyss (TNA Lockdown-4/24/2005)
Total Points: 66
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (46)

“If someone wanted to argue this is the greatest David vs. Goliath match, I would listen.”-Superstar Sleeze

“Seriously shockingly stupefyingly great.” - Elliott

“TNA’s best match ever, which is funny considering it’s not even the best match of the day” - Microstatistics

268. (tie) Mocho Cota vs. Americo Rocca (EMLL - 1/27/1984)
Total Points: 66
High Vote: Microstatistics (35)

“This ended up as my highest ranked lucha title bout. The extra aggression behind everything might have put it over the top” - Microstatistics

268. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto vs Genichiro Tenryu (NJPW - 2/17/1994)
Total Points: 66
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (35)

“Epic spectacle to blow off the Tenryu vs NJPW feud 92-94. Everything from the Hashimoto enzugiri over the ref’s head to the finish is top notch. As good of a blow of match as you’ll see.” - Elliott

266. Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura (Real World Tag Leauge - AJPW - 11/29/89)
Total Points: 67
High Vote: stunninggrover (46)

“One of the most fun matches ever as the legends are jumped by the most badass team ever and get their asses kicked trying to figure out a way to make a comeback against these monsters.” - Elliott

265. Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers (AWA 12/25/86)
Total Points: 67
High Vote: WrestlingFan (34)

264. 5x5 Gauntlet (NJPW - 5/1/1986)Team New Japan (Tatsumi Fujinami, Kengo Kimura, Seiji Sakaguchi, Shiro Koshinaka & Keiichi Yamada) vs Team UWF (Akira Maeda, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Osamu Kido, Kazuo Yamazaki & Nobuhiko Takada) (5x5 Gauntlet - NJPW - 5/1/1986)
Total Points: 68
High Vote: WrestlingFan (33)

263. Lou Thesz vs Buddy Rogers (Chicago - 6/21/1950)
Total Points: 69
High Vote: Microstatistics (57)

“Rogers lays out the blueprint for almost every great US heel by combining showmanship with viciousness. Interesting contrast to the Misawa like performance by Thesz” - Microstatistics

262. Akira Hokuto/Aja Kong vs Dynamite Kansai/Yumiko Hotta (AJW - 8/24/1994)
Total Points: 69
High Vote: Microstatistics (36)

“A companion piece to Queendom, one of the finest pieces of ambitious storytelling” - Microstatistics

261. (tie) NJPW 10 Man Elimination Match (NJPW - 8/19/1987)
Total Points: 69 (1 ballot)
High Vote: NintendoLogic (32)

261. (tie) Black Tiger II vs Wild Pegasus (NJPW - 6/11/1996)
Total Points: 69 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (32)

“A match of thirds: Eddie’s speed vs. Benoit’s grind followed by the famous sleepers section and then, finally, a bombfest. A showcase for why Eddie was so great but also Benoit’s career performance” - Microstatistics

261. (tie) El Hijo del Santo vs Blue Panther (UWA 10/6/04)
Total Points: 69 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Elliot (32)

“Truly beautiful match that is one of the greatest displays of mat wrestling ever. Must see match.” - Elliott

258. Steve Grey vs Clive Myers (Joint Promotions - 11/20/1975, [air: 11/22/1975])
Total Points: 70
High Vote: Shodate (64)

“This might be the slickest grappling match I have ever seen. It’s such a wonderful display of technique. Myers is a wizard and Grey is every bit his equal despite being outsized. Just fantastic” - Cap

257. Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW G1 Climax -8/6/16)
Total Points: 70
High Vote: Kas (62)

256. Bob Backlund vs Ken Patera (Texas Death Match - WWF World Championship - WWF - 5/19/1980)
Total Points: 72
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (64)

255. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Shinya Hashimoto (AJPW 2/22/2004)
Total Points: 73
High Vote: shodate (54)

254. Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (ROH-2/23/2008)
Total Points: 73
High Vote: Boss Rock (28)

“Quite possibly one of the greatest in-ring stories I’ve ever seen with Bryan refusing to go for shots to the head even when he has the opportunity to win. Nigel is a brilliant shit as he tries to get disqualified when Bryan accidentally drops him during a German suplex and then takes the most dastardly route imaginable in response to Bryan’s code of ethics.”-Boss Rock

253. Billy Robinson vs Jumbo Tsuruta (NWA United National Heavyweight Championship - AJPW - 3/5/1977)
Total Points: 75
High Vote: Cap (52)

252.Ric Flair vs Ted DiBiase (NWA Heavyweight Championship - Mid-South - 11/6/1985)
Total Points: 76
High Vote: Mattsdmf (55)

251.Terry Funk vs Bob Orton Jr. (Southwest - 5/26/1983)
Total Points: 76
High Vote: Kas (35)

“I love this match as it is yet another example of Terry Funk having an amazing match that wouldn’t be described as a wild brawl. Classic title match that builds and escalates. Awesome stuff.” - Elliott

250. Shinya Hashimoto vs Genichiro Tenryu (NJPW G1 Climax - 8/1/1998)
Total Points: 76
High Vote: WrestlingFan (28)

249. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW 7/29/1993)
Total Points: 76
High Vote: fxnj (25)

248. Toshiaki Kawada vs Gary Albright (AJPW - 10/25/1995)
Total Points: 77
High Vote: fxnj (52)

247. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Hiroyuki Ito (U-Style - 8/18/2004)
Total Points: 77
High Vote: Microstatistics (25)

“Classic match on the level of the best Tamura stuff. Somehow got deleted when I was making edits to my list, but that will be fixed next go round. Incredibly dramatic match.” - Elliott

“The definitive ace vs. young lion match” - Microstatistics

246. (tie) Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers (AWA 1/17/87)
Total Points: 77 (1 ballot)
High Vote: WrestlingFan (24)

246. (tie) AJ Styles vs. John Cena (WWE Royal Rumble 01/29/2017)
Total Points: 77 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Kadaveri (24)

244. Chigusa Nagayo & Lioness Asuka vs Jaguar Yokota & Devil Masami (AJW 6/28/1984)
Total Points: 78
High Vote: Elliot (23)

“One of the best tag matches ever. Incredibly high spots and crowd heat as you’d expect from Joshi of this era with these wrestlers. But the character work is also amazing. Jaguar and Devil were amazing heels in this (especially Jaguar) and of course the Crush Gals are one of the all time great babyface teams. This is something everyone should see, especially if you like those big 90s AJPW tags.” - Elliott

243. Keiji Muto vs Vader (G1 Climax - NJPW - 8/10/1991)
Total Points: 79
High Vote: NintendoLogic (60)

“This is a really great match, probably my favorite Muto match and a top 5 Vader match. A sort of hidden gem in some ways still, this is such a wonderfully dynamic performance from both men.” - Cap

242. El Hijo del Santo, Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto vs Negro Casas, Tim Patterson & Horace Boulder (FMW/WWA 5/16/92)
Total Points: 79
High Vote: Elliot (22)

“I once saw this described as “A Santo and Casas match with sharks surrounding the ring” and that is the perfect description. Everyone needs to check this out. Santo vs Casas hitting all of their marks having an incredible match as the FMW guys brawl all around the arena. What is not to love?” - Elliott

241. Greg Valentine vs Roddy Piper (JCP 7/9/1983)
Total Points: 80
High Vote: fxnj (71)

“Holy shit level match. This is secretly the best feud of the 80s apparently.” - Elliott

240. Shinya Hashimoto vs Nobuhiko Takada (NJPW - 4/29/1996)
Total Points: 80
High Vote: Microstatistics (42)

“Classic match. Just epic “main event style” perfect for the Tokyo Dome.” - Elliott

239. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker (WWE Wrestlemania - 3/28/2010)
Total Points: 80
High Vote: Microstatistics (41)

“Smart, intrinsically put together piece with great action and theatre” - Microstatistics

238. Bret Hart vs. 1-2-3 Kid (WWF World Heavyweight Title Match - WWF Raw - 7/1/1994 Aired 7/11/1994)
Total Points: 80
High Vote: stunninggrover (28)

237. Bob Backlund vs Sgt. Slaughter (WWF - 3/21/1981)
Total Points: 80
High Vote: WrestlingFan (21)

“Great, great match. Best steel cage match I've ever seen. How can you possibly say Backlund wasn't a great wrestler after seeing this match ?”-WrestlingFan

236. (tie) Akira Taue vs. Stan Hansen (AJPW - 4/11/1994)
Total Points: 81 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (20)

“Amazing performance by Stan Hansen. You wouldn’t think it at first, but Hansen is one of the best sellers of all time and this is one of his best performances in that area.” - Elliott

“With the exception of 6/9/1995, this ended up beating everything from 90s All Japan on my list. Hansen’s performance is rightfully pimped but Taue is there with him every step of the way” - Microstatistics

236. (tie) Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW - 1/4/2018)
Total Points: 81 (1 ballot)
High Vote: stunninggrover (20)

“I actually really enjoyed this and don’t remember ever seeing a better Chris Jericho match.” - Elliott

234. Pat Patterson vs Sgt Slaughter (Ally Fight - WWF - 5/4/1981)
Total Points: 82
High Vote: WrestlingFan (37)

233. Rene Ben Chemoul vs Gilbert Cesca (France 1960s)
Total Points: 82
High Vote: Shodate (19)

232. (tie) The Funks vs Bruiser Brody and Jimmy Snuka (RWTL - AJPW - 12/13/1981)
Total Points: 84 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (17)

“Terry Funk diving from the top rope to the floor is one of the greatest spots of the 80s. All time classic match.” - Elliott

232. (tie) Misawa/Kawada/Kobashi v Tsuruta/Taue/Fuchi (AJPW, 5/22/1992)
Total Points: 84 (1 ballot)
High Vote: andylfc (17)

232. (tie) Alexander Otsuka vs Mitsuhiro Matsunaga (BattlARTS - 11/09/1999)
Total Points: 84
High Vote: Elliot (17)

“The wildest most insane and ridiculous match of all time.” Elliott

229. El Hijo Santo/ScorpioJr/Bestia Salvaje vs Nego Casas/El Dandy/Hector Garza (CMLL 11/29/96)
Total Points: 85
High Vote: NintendoLogic (71)

228. Infierno en el Ring (El Satanico, Averno, Mephisto, Tarzan Boy, Ultimo Guerrero, Rey Bucanero & Mascara Magica CMLL 9/28/01)
Total Points: 85
High Vote: Elliot (16)

“The peak of El Satanico’s career. Truly amazing match with some of the best storytelling and psychology I’ve ever seen.” - Elliott

227. El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas (WWA 5/17/91)
Total Points: 86
High Vote: Cap (55)

“Another chapter in the greatest rivalry in wrestling history. This has ferociously brutal mat work. A must see match” - Elliott

226. (tie) Yoji Anjoh vs Naoki Sano (UWFi - 8/13/1993)
Total Points: 86 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Microstatistics (15)

“High end grappling, classic heel work and an underdog tale all in one match” - Microstatistics

226. (tie) Yuki Ishikawa vs Daisuke Ikeda (BattlArts 5/27/1998)
Total Points: 86 (1 ballot)
High Vote: fxnj (15)

226. (tie) Genichiro Tenryu vs Keiji Muto (Triple Crown Title - AJPW - 6/8/2001)
Total Points: 86 (1 ballot)
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (15)

223. Angel Blanco Jr./El Hijo del Solitario v. El Hijo Del Santo/Villano IV TXT 2/25/2012
Total Points: 87  
High Vote: Elliot, Microstatistics (70)

222. Misawa/Kobashi vs. Kawada/Taue (AJPW 6/1/1993)
Total Points: 87
High Vote: andylfc (49)

221. Tatsumi Fujinami vs Osamu Nishimura (MUGA - 9/25/2006)
Total Points: 87
High Vote: shodate (38)

“The quintessential teacher vs. pupil match” - Microstatistics

220. El Satanico vs Shiro Koshinaka (Hair vs Hair 7/30/1984)
Total Points: 87
High Vote: Microstatistics (14)

“Classic apuestas with the blood and brawling you expect but also tight wrestling sequences and an unorthodox character dynamic” - Microstatistics

219. The Von Erich's vs The Freebirds (2/3 Falls - WCCW -7/4/83)
Total Points: 88
High Vote: Mattsdmf (32)

218. Yuki Ishikawa vs Daisuke Ikeda (BattlArts - 4/15/1997)
Total Points: 88
High Vote: Microstatistics (13)

“An interesting twist on classic defensive wrestling as it’s built around aggressive and persistent counterattacks from Ikeda that attempt to keep Ishikawa at bay” - Microstatistics

217. Shinobu Kandori vs Devil Masami (JWP - 7/14/1988)
Total Points: 89
High Vote: Elliot (49)

“A match that reminds me a lot of something like a Misawa vs Kobashi match only with more violence and less dumb shit.” - Elliott

216. Dick Togo, TAKA Michinoku, Mens Teoh, Shiryu & Shoichi Funaki vs Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji & Super Delphin (MPro 12/16/96)
Total Points: 90
High Vote: andylfc (55)

“My favorite of the Michinoku Pro matches. This holds up as a holy shit level match for its best spots, but also the timing of everything and all of the character work is top level. Add the superb crowd giving this a great atmosphere and this holds up as a classic match. “ - Elliott

215. Jun Akiyama vs Masao Inoue (NOAH - 4/23/2006)
Total Points: 90
High Vote: Microstatistics (11)

“Everything wonderful, ridiculous and special about pro wrestling concentrated into 20 odd minutes” - Microstatistics

214. (tie) Shinya Hashimoto & Yuji Nagata vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama (Z1 3/2/2001)
Total Points: 92 (1 ballot)
Hig Vote: WrestlingFan (9)

214. (tie) Negro Casas vs. Blue Panther (CMLL 3/2/2012)
Total Points: 92 (1 ballot)
High Vote: shodate (9)

212. Steve Austin vs. Triple H 2/3 Falls (WWF 2/25/01)
Total Points: 93
High Vote: Kadaveri (26)

211.Shingo Takagi vs Masaaki Mochizuki (Dragon Gate 11/01/2015)
Total Points: 93
High Vote: Kas (8)

“I'm going to go on record and say that Mochizuki's performance is the greatest I've ever seen inside a wrestling ring. His intensity, his selling, his comebacks, his athleticism, there is literally nothing I can critique about his performance. Shingo for his part was awesome as the big bad bully, being an overall bastard to Mochizuki and constantly throwing bombs to try to stifle Mochizuki's comebacks.”-Kas

210. Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood vs Sgt Slaughter and Don Kernodle (Cage Match - NWA Tag Team Championships - NWA/MA - 3/12/1983)
Total Points: 95
High Vote: Elliot (54)

“Classic match that is as good in the ring as it is historically important.” - Elliott

209. Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (NOAH 11/01/03)
Total Points: 95
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (30)

208. Dump Matsumoto vs Chigusa Nagayo (AJW - 11/7/1986)
Total Points: 95
High Vote: Elliot (6)

“These matches are about as good as pro wrestling can possibly be.” - Elliott

207. Ric Flair vs Lex Luger (NWA World Heavyweight Championship - 12/26/1988)
Total Points: 96
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (5)

206. Jumbo Tsuruta vs Nick Bockwinkel (Honolulu - 2/14/1979)
Total Points: 97
High Vote: WrestlingFan (62)

“Even though it’s Hawaii, it feels like a home game for Jumbo so Bockwinkel turns up the heel antics in this classic old school bout” - Microstatistics

205. Invader I vs Al Perez (Street Fight WWC 10/26/86)
Total Points: 97
High Vote: Elliot (10)

“Anyone who likes brawls needs to watch this. They try to violently murder each other multiple times before Al Perez is thrown down a flight of stairs. The most unhearlded great match of all time.” - Elliott

204. Jushin Liger vs Great Sasuke (NJPW - 7/8/1994)
Total Points: 99
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (38)

“THIS IS A BANGER! It is full throttle, pedal to the metal pro wrestling. However, it has meaningful momentum shifts, the moves have consequence and there was a narrative. Yeah it was that damn good. *****”-Superstar Sleeze

203. Bryan Danielson vs KENTA (ROH World Championship - ROH - 9/16/2006)
Total Points: 99
High Vote: andylfc (18)

“The Kobashi/Akiyama of indie wrestling but with only one all time great wrestler, which speaks to the greatness of Bryan. They go all out when it comes to maximalist action and fighting spirit but the nuance and psychology remain” - Microstatistics

202. Kerry Von Erich vs Jumbo Tsuruta (2/3 Falls NWA Title Match - AJPW - 5/22/1984)
Total Points: 100
High Vote: WrestlingFan (39)

“One of the best NWA Title matches of the 80s. It has to be the best not involving Ric Flair. Great pacing and build over 3 falls with fantastic psychology.” - Elliott

201.Bryan Danielson vs Low-Ki (ROH - 3/30/2002)
Total Points: 100
High Vote: Cap (30)

“This is maybe the match that made me fall in love with wrestling again in the early 2000s. I had been out of the loop for a while and got kinda into TNA which led me to ROH. This match put it over the top for me, just a masterful piece of work and really underrated on the whole to me. It launched my fandom to the point where I am today… working on greatest match ever projects on the internet” - Cap

We had listed one match twice. I took that match out of this list because it is ranked much higher. I did not renumber so numbering after the 240s will be off by one.

We also added an extra vote to another match that needed to be moved down to 444. Again, I have not renumbered so there will be further misnumberings after 444.

200. Io Shirai vs Mayu Iwatani (World of Sardom Championship - Stardom 12/22/16)
Total Points: 102
High Vote: Kas (51)

199. Masakatsu Funaki vs. Tatsuo Nakano (UWF 7/24/1989)
Total Points: 102
High Vote: shodate (32)

“All time great match and easily the best sprint ever. The sheer heat and intensity and brutality with which they went at each other is legendary it starts with usual young lion refusing handshake. But then it turns into joe vs butcher ina uwf ring. They struggle and dorough strikes to break hold. They went at each other with really great urgency too with both guys trying to finish each other as fast as possible.the holds are a lot better than i remember some neat takedowns and great grinding.and man this is really fucking stiff and they just nuke each other with reckless shots. The stopping makes this reach another level as after funaki concussed nanako he still dont give up but is swollowed and has blood coming from mouth and his skin is ripped. He then just tries to destroys funaki. But on this night he can't beat funaki no matter what he does. Just some of the stiffest shots in history the whole match great urgency great holds drama all time great crowd a street brawl and uwf doing frye vs takayama before frye vs takayama but better” - shodate

198. Johnny Saint vs Steve Grey (Joint Promotions - 1/28/1980 [air: 2/2/1980))
Total Points: 104
High Vote: Cap (48)

“This is my vote for best classical British style wrestling match. It mixes in everything I like about it in sort of the perfect ratios. It is competition, a little toothiness, smooth grappling, and a dash of desperation. Both of these guys are a pleasure to watch. Saint is sort of the poster boy for the style in some ways and Grey is my personal favorite from the era. Wonderful chemistry and character building throughout the match.” - Cap

“Face vs. face is not easy to do but these guys nail it as a tenacious Grey tries to prove his win over Saint in December was no fluke” - Microstatistics

197. The Shield vs. Ryback and Team Hell No (WWE - 12/16/2012)
Total Points: 104
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (43)

“This match is a truly amazing match from modern WWE. Truly chaotic match in a way you’ll rarely see in modern WWE. Kind of gets forgotten because it was the start of the Shield’s run, but this is the match from that run I’ve come back to the most and been most impressed with. “ - Elliott

196. Ric Flair vs Terry Taylor (NWA World Championship - Mid-South - 6/1/1985)
Total Points: 106
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (23)

195. Yuki Ishikawa vs. Carl Greco (BattlArts - 6/1/2008)
Total Points: 107
High Vote: fxnj (42)

“Carl Greco is the lost/forgotten super worker of the mid 90s-mid 00s. He’s probably the best american born mat wrestler of all time. This is a holy shit level match, totally different from what you’d see in 2008. Absolutely incredible grappling.” - Elliott

“I regret not getting to this on my rewatch spree. A dream for fans of pure grapplin” - Microstatistics

194. Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle (WWF World Championship - WWF 8/19/2001)
Total Points: 107
High Vote: NintendoLogic (30)

193. Terry Funk vs Jumbo Tsuruta (NWA Heavyweight Championship - AJPW - 6/11/1976)
Total Points: 108
High Vote: Cap (63)

“For years, this was the go-to response for people who wanted to counter the outrageous “Terry Funk is just a brawler” claim. This is as about as great of a classic NWA Title match as you’ll ever see with the precocious Tsuruta pushing the World Champ to the limit.” - Elliott

192. The Shield vs The Wyatt Family (WWE - 2/23/2014)
Total Points: 109
High Votes: Mattsdmf, Kadaveri (59)

191. El Satanico vs Pirata Morgan (Hair vs Hair - AAA - 11/26/1993 [air: 12/12/1993])
Total Points: 109
High Vote: Cap (41)

“One of the more famous lucha matches of the 90s as this has an all time blade job. One of standout matches from the early days of AAA.” - Elliott

190. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (IC Championship - WWF - 3/29/1987)
Total Points: 110
High Vote: NintendoLogic (49)

“This feels like it has become the most underrated great match of all time.” - Elliott

189. Akira Hokuto and Manami Toyota v Kyoko Inoue and Toshiyo Yamada (Tag League Final - AJW - 12/10/1993)
Total Points: 110
High Vote: stunninggrover (34)

188.Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax - NJPW - 8/4/2018)
Total Points: 110
High Vote: Kas (30)

187. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Akira Maeda (UWF - 8/13/1989)
Total Points: 112
High Vote: Microstatistics (28)

186. Kenta Kobashi vs Yoshihiro Takayama (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 5/26/00)
Total Points: 114
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (37)

185. Toshiaki Kawada & Masanobu Fuchi vs Yuji Nagata & Takashi Iizuka (NJPW - 12/14/2000)
Total Points: 115
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (28)

“Iizuka has the weirdest resume ever. He has this match, the amazing January Dome show match, and the legendary tag match with Fujinami where the Steiners try to commit murder on a US PPV. And then I don’t think I could name another memorable Iizuka match to save my life.” - Elliott

184. Verne Gagne vs Billy Robinson (IWE - 11/20/1974)
Total Points: 116
High Vote: fxnj (35)

“I don’t think Verne doesn’t get the respect he deserves as a wrestler, promoter and historical figure. He’s almost 50 when he has this classic and the matches we have from his younger days he tends to look amazing.” - Elliott

183. Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada vs Dynamite Kansai & Mayumi Ozaki (2/3 Falls - WWWA Tag Team Championship - AJW - 4/11/1993)
Total Points: 116
High Vote: stunninggrover (29)

“I know her rep has taken the biggest hit of anyone in Joshi (or maybe just anyone anywhere), but Manami Toyota is amazing in this match. One of the great spot fests of all time.” - Elliott

182. Bull Nakano vs. Akira Hokuto (WWWA World Championship - AJW - 1/4/1991)
Total Points: 116
High Vote: Kas (20)

181. Mayumi Ozaki vs Dynamite Kansai (Street Fight - JWP - 3/17/1995)
Total Points: 117
High Vote: Cap (31)

One of the things I realized I liked in wrestling during this project was a feeling of organic violence, not contrived…. But this feeling that shit might be going wrong. Of course there are limits to that. There are matches that go a little too far in that direction and aren’t fun anymore. This match goes right up to the line for me. It’s a wonderful nightmare of violence. Kansai comes off like an absolute badass (as always), but Ozaki is the star of the show to me. She seems like a legit sociopath in this match. I get that some people don’t love the flash finish, but I thought it was fine because I am not really sure what they could have done to build the violence further.” - Cap

“Dynamite Kansai wraps a chain around her combat boot and kicks Mayumi Ozaki in the face. 5 Stars.” - Elliott

180. Jumbo Tsuruta & Akira Taue vs Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 9/30/1990)
Total Points: 117
High Vote: WrestlingFan (5)

179. Ric Flair vs Jumbo Tsuruta (NWA orld Heavyweight Championship - AJPW - 6/8/1983)
Total Points: 118
High Vote: Kadaveri (16)

"Ric is uncharacteristically brutal and dominant in this epic match, the images of Jumbo Tsuruta desperately fighting out of the figure four are mesmerising." - Kadaveri

178. Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa (Unsanctioned Matche - NXT - 4/7/2018)
Total Points: 119
High Vote: Kas (48)

177. Sasha Banks vs Bayley (NXT Women’s Championship - NXT - 8/22/2015)
Total Points: 119
High Vote: Kadaveri (40)

“The culmination of a year-long build that combines spectacle with smart limb work.”-Boss Rock

176. Mayumi Ozaki & Dynamite Kansai vs Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada (WWWA Tag Team Championship - AJW - 12/6/1993)
Total Points: 119
High Vote: Kas (22)

175. The Destroyer vs Mil Mascaras (⅔ Falls - PWF U.S. Heavyweight Championship - AJPW - 10/9/1973)
Total Points: 122
High Vote: fxnj (31)

174. Blood Generation vs. Do Fixer (ROH - 3/31/2006)
Total Points: 123
High Vote: Kas (32)

“If there's one thing I love in matches, it's escalation. The action needs to feel earned. It's good when a match starts off hot and with urgency, but it's extremely difficult to maintain that pace for too long before your mind starts to wander and you find yourself checking your watch. It's all about building to that wonderful crescendo of action and excitement. Each moment needs to feel bigger than the last and this match pulls that off near flawlessly. And what's even better, it leaves you wanting MORE. Never once does it overstay its welcome no matter how fast things are moving. When Todd Sinclair's hand finally hits the mat for three, you find yourself asking for just five more minutes.”-Boss Rock

“Kinda like if Rey Jr vs Eddy from Halloween Havoc had 70% less character work but 4 more dudes and 2000% more ridiculous spots.” - Elliott

173. Vader vs. Sting (World Heavyweight Title - WCW - 12/28/1992)
Total Points: 124
High Vote: NintendoLogic (34)

172. Bull Nakano vs. Aja Kong (Cage Match - AJW - 11/14/1990)
Total Points: 128
High Vote: Elliott (42)

“The trouble with this project is that everytime I’ve watched this I’ve come away thinking “OMG top 10 contender holy shit” but then when it comes time to make a list, my head can’t rank it where my heart wants. Wild chaotic spectacles are probably my favorite thing in wrestling, and that’s exactly what you’d want from these 2 in a cage. The attack on Aja’s arm (leaving her famous scars) and of course the finish are two of the most memorable moments in Joshi. Required viewing.” - Elliott

171. Eddie Guerrero vs Brock Lesnar (WWE Undisputed Title – 2/15/2004)
Total Points: 129
High Vote: NintendoLogic (23)

“To me this is the Ultimate Feel Good match in WWE history. In a promotion that built its success on heroes vanquishing villains of all shapes and sizes, is there a more uplifting story of Eddie vanquishing his personal demons for one night and breaking through the unspoken size limitations to become THE MAN of the WWE. That post-match celebration is the best of all time. I love Eddie and this is a crowning achievement. No one can ever take this away from him. Oh yeah, before I forget, Brock Lesnar is fucking awesome and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Just an absolute beast and one of the best heels ever.” - Superstar Sleeze

“Great spear by Goldberg.” - Elliott

170. Torneo Cibernetico (CMLL 4/18/97)
Total Points: 129
High Vote: Mattsdmf (19)

“The lucha version of the 1984 NJPW Gauntlet or one of the classic M-Pro 10 man tags. Incredible mat work, high spots, a great story and Santo/Casas are on opposite sides.” - Elliott

169. Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto vs. Kendo Nagasaki & Masanobu Kurisu (Texas Death Match - FMW - 4/1/1990)
Total Points: 130
High Vote: Boss Rock (24)

“Match structure is overrated. Not really, but that’s just how awesome this was. So wild and chaotic yet featuring fantastic babyface performances from Onita and Goto. And as much as I adore Kobashi laying over Misawa, Onita had him beat by 5 years.”-Boss Rock

“The line “This looks like a street fight” has become such a lame cliche to describe crazy brawls when I typed it I literally heard it in Jim Ross voice. But this shit looks like a street fight..” - Elliott

168. Verne Gagne vs Edouard Carpentier (⅔ Falls - Chicago - 5/2/1958)
Total Points: 130
High Vote: fxnj (20)

167. Undertaker vs. MIchaels (WWE - 04/05/09)
Total Points: 130
High Vote: Kas (5)

“After watching this I couldn't help but think it's a pretty big shame that this match has come to be viewed in some circles as one of the first self-conscious epics or a finisher-fest, as it really is far from that. Those last 10 minutes of finisher kick-outs are what's famous, but what makes the match is the 20 minutes of build to it. I remember seeing people say this match would get shit on if it happened on the indies or that it only because people give some goodwill to finisher kickouts in Undertaker Wrestlemania matches, but that's bullshit. They do such a great job of slowly introducing bigger moves and selling the exhaustion and disbelief as the match goes on that I would call this a masterclass in escalation. Each section of the match built logically on what came before and every near fall felt like it made perfect sense for the story being told, which isn't something I can say about a lot of the pimped lucha matches I've watched where you get guys wrestling a certain way in the first 2/3 and then forgetting it to do a 50/50 stretch run because tradition. Beyond that, I'd really call this a match that exceeds in a multitude of facets of great wrestling with some badass standing sections, daredevil high-flying, engaging limb work, and an epic atmosphere wrapped within a great story.” - fxnj


166. Gilbert Cesca and Ben Chemoil vs Anton Tejero and Inca Peruano (French Catch - 3/12/1965)
Total Points: 133
High Vote: Elliot (24)

“If we had an equal amount of 60s French wrestling to the typical territory, my list would probably be like 80 French matches and then just a bunch of Terry Funk and Hijo del Santo matches. Seriously the French stuff is required viewing and unlike anything you’d ever expect.” - Elliott

165. Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams (Triple Crown #1 Contender's Match - AJPW - 8/31/1993)
Total Points: 133
High Vote: Kadaveri (21)

“Everyone remembers the finish, but it's really Kobashi who makes this memorable with how awesome he is on offense and I also love the slow hulk-up Williams does to end Kobashi's first big control segment.”-fxnj

“Someone made the point about this being the best offensive match ever and they’re probably right.” - Elliott

164.Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 1/4/2017)
Total Points: 133
High Vote: stunninggrover (10)

“Unfortunately I think the number of stars thrown at this match has overshadowed how great it truly is. I agree the match is a bit slow in the beginning but it has one of the greatest second acts I’ve ever seen.”-Boss Rock

163. Naoki Sano vs. Minoru Suzuki (PWFG 7/26/1991)
Total Points: 134
High Vote: shodate (6)

“I've always thought it to be one of the best shoot-style match. Two hungry young guys going at it and cutting a blistering pace for 30 minutes. Great coming party for Suzuki as he hangs with a former NJPW junior champ. Lots of strikes and big throws to even keep non-shoot style fans interested.” - fxnj


162. Vader vs Nobuhiko Takada (Best of the World 94 Final - Pro Wrestling World Championship - UWFi - 8/18/1994)
Total Points: 135
High Vote: andylfc (42)

“I for one love seeing Vader in shoot style matches. I think he adds a layer to those matches that is so much fun and makes the matches feel special. His grappling isn’t amazing or anything, but it doesn’t need to be. Vader and Takada were made for each other in some ways. This has always been my favorite of the trio. It is where I think they hit their stride and balanced their strengths perfectly.” - Cap

161. Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 9/3/1994)
Total Points: 135
High Vote: Kas (34)

“How the hell did this rank over the 1993 version?” - Elliott

“To answer Elliot’s question, I think this match has far more drama and big moments. Over forty-minutes and nary a down moment.”-Boss Rock

“I agree that the 93 match is better, but this is a pretty damn good match too. Kobashi - I think - brought the bet out of Williams. He was the right amount of crazy to really play off Williams’ strengths and weaknesses.” - Cap

160. Daniel Bryan vs HHH (WWE - 4/6/2014)
Total Points: 136
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (22)

“This is probably the best match I have ever seen live. To me, it was so much more than the match itself. It was the company being forced (I still think they were forced) to recognize Bryan as a main event talent. It features a really great dynamic. My friend and I talked about this after and he said it felt like HHH was drawing form some 90s AJPW heavies and Bryan was drawing from NOAH Jrs in a way. All of that blended into the WWE universe… and I’ll be damned if it didn’t work wonderfully.” - Cap

159. AJ Styles vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW - 8/1/2014)
Total Points: 137
High Vote: Kas (24)

“One of the best heel vs. heel matches. Another one of those matches I give points to for going outside the comfort zone of the promotion's style and pulling it off. Suzuki is terrifying in this match. The way he counters everything Styles attempts with such blunt force trying to snap fingers and stuff like that, he looks like a total psychopath.”-Kadaveri


158. Adrian Street vs Jim Breaks (Joint Promotions - 2/12/1972)
Total Points: 141
High Vote: Microstatistics (45)

“For a really long time, this was my favorite classic British style match. Breaks his fantastic here, but my lord, Adrian Street is an absolute gem. The way he gets under Breaks’ skin and switches between flamboyant mind games and just gritty violence really stands out here.” - Cap

157. Daisuke Ikeda & Takahiro Oba v. Makoto Hashi & Kengo Mashimo (FUTEN - 10/24/2010)
Total Points: 141
High Vote: Microstatistics (31)

“Incredibly enthralling yet also incredibly disturbing match. Seriously, the number of headbutts in this match is disgusting. And yet...this is still a tremendous tag match. When you take into consideration the other factors of this match: the length, the psychology, the violence, the grappling, and the will to prove that you're better than your opponent, this is indeed one of if not THE pinnacle of the BattlArts style.”-Boss Rock

156. Samoa Joe vs CM Punk (ROH World Championship - ROH - 12/4/2004)
Total Points: 141
High Vote: Microstatistics (30)

“The top indie match of all time. It’s able turn the weakness of the style (being excessively ambitious) into a strength by maintaining incredibly strong fundamentals” - Microstatistics

155. Butch Reed vs Dick Murdoch (North American Championship - Mid South - 9/22/1985)
Total Points: 142
High Vote: shodate (46)

“Really awesome to see Butch Reed vs Dick Murdoch in a prime NWA Champ Ric Flair level title match. Fans of Flair vs Kerry or Flair vs Windham or even Bockwinkel vs Hennig would really dig this I think.” - Elliott

154. Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine (WWF Heavyweight Championship - WWF - 2/19/1979)
Total Points: 143
High Vote: shodate (28)

“You will be hard pressed to find a better 30 minutes in pro wrestling history than those last thirty minutes. The first twenty minutes are solid. The 20-30 minute stretch keeps this from being a strong Greatest Match of All Time, but this is safely a ***** because of those last thirty minutes. Battle of Wills is how I sum it. Backlund's leg selling is incredible. Valentine is a God on offense. What makes this match extraordinary is the selling of fatigue and how they incorporate bursts of energy. You gotta two beasts slugging it out in the 60th minute! Best Backlund match ever and maybe the best Valentine match ever!” - Superstar Sleeze


153. Stan Hansen vs Kenta Kobashi (AJPW - 4/16/1993)
Total Points: 143
High Vote: Cap (9)

“I knew I would be the high vote on this, but when I watched it in the final weeks leading up to submission I was absolutely blown away by how well it held up next to the all time classics. To me this falls just behind the more famous encounter, mostly because it builds to that match and is a little more deliberate where that one hits the ground running. On the other hand, I like some parts of this much better. Particularly, I think this is the best death-shot KO finish I can think of, so I rate the finish of this match much higher. I also like how this one builds and gives us more of a dynamic flow. Regardless, this match is a top shelf piece of work and I’ll defend it to the grave.” -Cap

“2nd best match from the best 90s AJPW rivalry.” - Elliott

“I still give the edge to the July match (although I think the finish to this match is better), but this an incredible yet overlooked chapter. Best fancam match ever.”-Boss Rock

152. Jushin Liger vs. Shinjiro Ohtani (J Crown Championship - NJPW - 2/9/1997)
Total Points: 145
High Vote: Kas (41)

“Nemesis follows complacency. Ohtani bests Liger but is unable to conquer himself” - Microstatistics

151. Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith (IC Championship - WWF - 12/17/1995)
Total Points: 145
High Vote: stunninggrover (38)

_______________

The final 5 honorable mentions!

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150. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 10/25/1995)
Total Points: 146
High Vote: Boss Rock (11)

“Yeah, this match is incredible. Great story, great bombs, epic finish. Unreal that a match this good somehow got lost in the shuffle.”-fxnj

“Probably the greatest display of offense in a match ever. One of Kobashi’s greatest yet most unheralded performances.”-Boss Rock

149.Dump Matsumoto vs Chigusa Nagayo (Hair vs Hair - AJW - 8/28/1985)
Total Points: 146
High Vote: Elliot (9)

“Like if Lawler vs Funk empty arena was full of people way too invested in Lawler winning and then he lost, and then Funk did the plastic bag spot and actually killed him. Nine may have been too low.” - Elliott

148. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Riki Choshu (NJPW – 6/9/1987)
Total Points: 147
High Vote: WrestlingFan (30)

“The match structure is super basic with Fujiwara jumping Choshu & bloodying him and Choshu having to fight his way back. But I love that structure and I love these two wrestlers. The sort of match that has a simple storyline and basic moves but is lifted to a level of greatness it could only reach with two great wrestlers at their peak.” - Elliott

147. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 6/6/1997)
Total Points: 150
High Vote: fxnj (10)

146. Brock Lesnar vs CM Punk (No DQ - WWE - 8/18/2013)
Total Points: 151
High Vote: NintendoLogic (38)

145. Steve Veidor vs Gwyn Davies (Joint Promotions British Championship - Joint Promotion - 5/26/1976)
Total Points: 151
High Vote: Shodate (18)

“I thought this was by far the best British match I’ve ever seen.” - Elliott

144. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Super Tiger (UWF - 9/7/84)
Total Points: 152
High Vote: fxnj (32)

“For me, the best of their series. If their December 84 match inspired shoot style/MMA, this spawned the BattlARTS hybrid style” - Microstatistics

“This is one of the great feuds of the 80s and all of their singles matches probably deserve real consideration. These are sort of the defining grappler vs striker matches.” - Elliott

143. Mariko Yoshida vs Hiromi Yagi (Queen of ARSION Championship - ARSION - 2/18/1999)
Total Points: 152
High Vote: Microstatistics (23)

“Pretty much the female BattlARTS and this is up there with the best of Ikeda/Ishikawa” - Microstatistics

“I have not seen an Ikeda vs Ishikawa match that is this good, and Ikeda vs Ishikawa is one of my favorite rivalries in all of wrestling. One of the top tier Japanese matches of the 90s.” - Elliott

142. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 6/11/2017)
Total Points: 152
High Vote: stunninggrover (5)

“I like that the way they worked this match didn't make it obvious that it was going to be a 60-minute time limit draw (which sometimes is the case with 60-minute time limit draws) and that was one of the reasons it didn't even really feel like a 60-minute match.”-stunninggrover

141. Jim Londos vs Bronko Nagurski (World Heavyweight Championship - Philadelphia - 11/18/1938)
Total Points: 156
High Vote: fxnj (36)

“The oldest truly great match” - Microstatistics

“Really a revelation. I was a mark for Bronko as a kid reading about him as a football player so it was so cool to see this and it be so great.” - Elliott

140.Yuki Ishikawa, Alexander Otsuka & Munenori Sawa vs Daisuke Ikeda, Katsumi Usuda & Super Tiger II (Elimination Match - BattlArts - 7/26/2008)
Total Points: 157
High Vote: shodate (29)

“The GOAT trios and a really clever tactical battle” - Microstatistics

“The length might be a turn off for some, but this is hugely entertaining. Brutal striking and suplexs, great grappling and submission attempts and high drama.” - Elliott

139. Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior (Retirement Match - WWF - 3/24/1991)
Total Points: 157
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (20)

“Really surprised this match didn’t make the cut. This is the birth of WWE main event style, an all-time performance from Savage, Warrior’s best performance AND match, and it's got what I think is at least a top-3 post match segment in all of wrestling. I won’t lie. I have teared up watching Liz and Savage reunite. Everything you want from a certain genre of wrestling” - Cap

“This really should have made the top 100.” - Elliott

138. El Dandy vs Pirata Morgan (Hair vs Hair - EMLL - 9/23/1988)
Total Points: 160
High Vote: Mattsdmf (37)

“Really amazing match and probably the first time El Dandy looked like the best wrestler in the world (at least on film). Pirata is one of the most underrated wrestlers ever and an incredible lucha brawler. But Pirata could also bump, fly and chain wrestle with the best of them. This is a match I think even non lucha fans would dig because of the amount of blood mixed in with some huge bumps and dives” - Elliott

137. El Dandy vs Angel Azteca (NWA Middleweight Title – EMLL - 6/1/1990)
Total Points: 162
High Vote: Mattsdmf (12)

“Sort of like the lucha version of the Flair vs Steamboat matches from 1989.” - Elliott

136. Jerry Lawler vs Dutch Mantell (Barb Wire Match - NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship - Memphis - 3/29/1982)
Total Points: 165
High Vote: Shodate (26)

“Best match in a classic feud that should be remembered as one of the great feuds of the 80s. Great psychology and drama.” - Elliott

135. Stan Hansen vs Carlos Colon (Bullrope - CWP - 1/6/1987)
Total Points: 167
High Vote: Cap (13)

“This has always been my favorite matches from one of my favorite feuds of all time. It is just absolutely brilliant in every sense of the word to me. They play the gimmick beautifully. This is also one of my favorite performances from Hansen because he is so giving but also still such a menacing monster.” - Cap

“I am devastated this did not make the top 100. Thought not the blow-off to the feud, this is easily the greatest ‘revenge’ match ever. Hansen stole the title and Colon finally has him within reach (literally) to make him pay.”-Boss Rock

134. Ric Flair vs Ricky Morton (Cage Match - NWA World Heavyweight Championship - JCP - 7/5/1986)
Total Points: 167
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (1)

“In a feud that was centered around what a real man is and how that relates to what women find attractive, I can't think of a better ending then a fucking ballshot by the man posturing as a tough, macho man, but is really a vindictive, arrogant and small man. They both focused on the face with laser precision. There was only one way to end this and that was an attack on the anatomical representation of manhood. It worked on two levels it exposed Flair as the total opposite of what a real man is by stooping so low to win the match and also to psychically assault Morton's manhood after disfiguring his face. I think I just convinced myself this is the greatest pro wrestling match of all time. *****”-Superstar Sleeze

“Flair’s masterpiece. Violent cage match as Flair tries to disfigure Morton in a fit of jealous insecurity while Morton fights fire with fire” - Microstatistics

“This pulling a #1 vote is fantastic. Totally get it. It’s one of my 2 or 3 top ranked Flair matches and is absolutely one of the greatest matches of all time. Also has the greatest entrance to a match in history.” - Elliott

133. Cactus Jack vs Triple H (Street Fight - WWF World Championship - WWF - 1/23/2000)
Total Points: 168
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (34)

"High end plunder brawl with smart psychology and a great story" - Microstatistics

132. The Fantastics vs. The Midnight Express (U.S. Tag Team Championships - JCP - 03/27/1988)
Total Points: 168
High Vote: Mattsdmf (29)

131. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Kazuo Yamazaki (UWF - 7/24/1989)
Total Points: 168
High Vote: fxnj (21)

“I fucked up and forgot to rank this in what could have only been a cut & paste error as this was penciled in at around a top 50 match for the entire project. This might be Fujjiwara’s greatest performance. I like Yamazaki more than most, but this is a Fujiwara masterclass.” - Elliott

130. El Satanico vs Sangre Chicana (EMLL - 5/26/1989)
Total Points: 169
High Vote: Microstatistics (27)

“THE wrestling brawl. Absolutely unique and resembles a shoot at times” - Microstatistics

“I remember being about ⅔ of the way through the 80s Lucha set and thinking “damn, I wish there was a Satanico vs Chicana singles match.” And then I got to this disc and I was like holy fuck there’s a Satanico vs Chicana singles match! There’s actually another match between these two, a title match worked the day after the famous Chicana/MS-1 hair match, that is like the lucha take on Regal vs Larry Z. This is like...I dunno. A lucha brawl crossed with the 1990 FMW Tag match crossed with Ali vs Frazier? MOTY from the GOAT Wrestling Years.” - Elliott

129. Golden Lovers vs. Young Bucks (NJPW, 3/25/2018)
Total Points: 170
High Vote: stunninggrover (33)

“The melodrama wasn’t enough to derail this absolute classic.” - Boss Rock

“The title of jdw’s favorite porno. ” - Elliott

128. 1992 Royal Rumble Match (WWF - 1/19/1992)
Total Points: 176
High Vote: WrestlingFan (25)

“I’m not sure if they really meant to be so allegorical or if it was just by happenstance, but this is an ode to Ric Flair and the territories in a WWF ring. Kind of fucking insane that it ever happened. When you add the post match promo and Heenan on commentary , this whole thing is just top of the line pro wrestling. It seems weird since he wins the title, but Flair should have retired right here.” - Elliott


127. Antonio Inoki vs Tatsumi Fujinami (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 8/8/1988)
Total Points: 179
High Vote: fxnj (8)

“I'd like to direct every insult imaginable at the DVDVR people who decided to leave 8/8/88 off the 80's NJPW set. Best NJPW match, 80's match, and overall top 10 match for me. Biggest discovery of the project match-wise” - fxnj

126. Dangerous Alliance vs Sting's Squadron (Wargames - 5/17/1992)
Total Points: 182
High Vote: Mattsdmf (16)

“The pop when Sting climbs on top of the cage to stop Madusa’s interference is one of the most memorable in a good way WCW moments ever.” - Elliott

125. Gilbert Cesca vs Billy Catanzaro (French Catch - 1960s)
Total Points: 183
High Vote: Elliot (47)

“Seeing this match for the first time was like discovering a new culture out of nowhere. It is fantastic, blowing everything I thought I knew about how was or wasn’t “ahead of their time” in terms of physical ability in the ring. I still need to watch more French Catch, so I sort of struggle with what exactly to do with it given that I don’t have a ton of context for even what the average match looks like, but I remain confident that this is a truly great match” - Cap

“They do a fucking ganso bomb.” - Elliott

124. Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Davey Boy Smith, Brian Pillman & Jim Neidhart vs Steve Austin, Goldust, Ken Shamrock & The Road Warriors (WWF - 07/06/1997)
Total Points: 186
High Vote: stunningrover (17)

“I love this whole thing start to finish. If I was Canadian it would probably be my #1.” - Elliott

123. Chigusa Nagayo vs Devil Masami (WWWA All Pacific Championship - AJW - 8/22/1985)
Total Points: 187
High Vote: Elliott (39)

“Incredible Title match that probably looks more like Bryan vs Cena from SummerSlam than Flair vs Kerry from Hawaii.” - Elliott

122. Kenta Kobashi vs Samoa Joe (ROH - 10/1/2005)
Total Points: 187
High Vote: Kadaveri (28)

"I can't think of a single match that had more to live up to in terms of unreasonable, baseless expectations... and then somehow did. This is a real testiment to both men and their ability to produce greatness when called upon." - Cap

121. Vader vs Sting (World Heavyweight Title - WCW - 7/12/1992)
Total Points: 187
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (21)


"Maybe the top David vs. Goliath match" - Microstatistics

120. Buzz Sawyer vs Jim Duggan (No DQ - Mid-South - 11/11/1985)
Total Points: 188
High Vote: Mattsdmf (26)

“I’m a little surprised but delighted by how well this did in the rankings. One of the best brawls of the 80s. Jim Duggan was an amazing babyface ass kicker before he went to WWF. Folks who only know him from WWE & WCW would be blown away by Mid-South Duggan.” - Elliott

119. Daniel Bryan vs John Cena (WWE Championship - WWE - 8/18/2013)
Total Points: 190
High Vote: andylfc (28)

“For my money this is the best version of a match the WWE has leaned on pretty heavily over the past 5-6 years, the indy darling vs sports entertainer match. Stylistically everyone stayed in their lane a bit better than usual (looking at you, Cena) and the match was much stronger for it. It very much feels like a WWE main event organized by the best mind in modern wrestling, Bryan… because it probably was.” - Cap

118. CM Punk vs John Cena (WWE World Championship - WWE - 7/17/2011)
Total Points: 191
High Vote: Kadaveri (19)

"The slightly partisan Chicago crowd make this match white hot before it even started as they cheer on their hometown hero as he nihilistically attempts to ruin the wrestling company they just bought tickets to see. Truly unique match." - Kadaveri

117. Necro Butcher vs Samoa Joe (IWA Mid South - 6/11/2005)
Total Points: 192
High Vote: Boss Rock (36)

“Had it not been for Aja-Hotta, this would be the most violent match in history. One of the greatest sprints ever and easily the bloodiest.”-Boss Rock

“I prefer the Super Dragon match because it is more evenly worked but this is has to be the best squash/ass kicking ever. - Elliott

115. (tie) Carlos Colon vs. Stan Hansen (Steel Cage Match - CWP - 3/14/1987)
Total Points: 193 (4 ballots)
High Vote: Kadaveri (15)

“Carlos is such a babyface that of course he thinks running out of the cage to save his mates is more important than further brutalising Hansen, who's already beaten at this point anyway. Makes total sense. Plus Hansen's selling in this match is incredible, his transformation from a big bully into this terrified little man shaking in realisation that he's bitten off more than he can chew is perfect.”-Kadaveri

“Now I have mathematical proof that this is better than the Bullrope match.” - Elliott

115. (tie) LCO vs Ito & Watanabe (Rage in a Cage - AJW - 9/21/1997)
Total Points: 193 (4 ballots)
High Vote: Boss Rock (15)

“The greatest cage match ever, and with escape rules no less! The first time I watched this match I had no context but by the end I was on the edge of my seat.”-Boss Rock

“By far my biggest disappointment of the whole project. This was a total aimless wandering mess. I also understand and get that you can have a great match without a great crowd, but this wasn’t a great match and the crowd knew it. When you’re the blow off of the biggest blood feud in the promotion, and the crowd is silent, I don’t know how we can call the work great. I wanted to love it and based on memories it would have been a lock, but yuck.” - Elliott


"The GOAT cage match and a joshi classic" - Microstatistics

114. Terry Funk vs Jerry Lawler (No DQ - CWA - 3/23/1981)
Total Points: 193 (7 ballots)
High Vote: stunninggrover (18)

“I wish there were 100 matches between these two from this era.” - Elliott

113. El Hijo del Santo & Octagon vs Eddie Guerrero & Art Barr (Masks vs Hair - AAA Tag Team Championships - AAA - 11/6/1994)
Total Points: 194
High Vote: Microstatistics (12)

“At the point in which you are actually scared that El Hijo del Santo might lose his mask, you have found yourself watching an all time great. Wonderful performances all around, wonderful storytelling, top-tier healing from Barr and Guerrero.” - Cap

“A perfect match that should have made the top 100.” - Elliott

112. Tomohiro Ishii vs Katsuyori Shibata (G1 Climax - NJPW - 8/4/2013)
Total Points: 198
High Vote: Kas (15)

“What to say about this match other than 10 minutes of pure, unbridled violence? An ultimate battle of wills between the two toughest and hardest-hitting guys in New Japan. The no-selling is a bit much but no one else would have come close to making it as believable as these guys did. Really the match that made the wrestling world take notice of both guys.”-Boss Rock

111. The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger, & JJ Dillon) vs The Road Warriors, Nikita Koloff, Dusty Rhodes & Paul Ellering (War Games – JCP – 7/4/1987)
Total Points: 198
High Vote: Mattsdmf (4)

“I guess this is officially the most underrated famous match ever. Literally a perfect match that I thought about as a #1 option. It is a brutal, bloody, perfectly structured match with probably the hottest crowd of all time. I mean, Jim Ross is screaming at the top of his lungs on commentary and you literally can’t hear him because the crowd is going bananas. I say that fully aware of Kobashi/Kikuchi/Can Ams tag or one of about 40 Carlos Colon matches. This crowd is perfect. The match is perfect. One day I’ll write the 5000 word essay this match deserves, but I never thought needed. What the fuck yall? Mattsdmf gets it.” - Elliott

110. Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano (IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 1/31/1990)
Total Points: 201
High Vote: Microstatistics (37)

“Glorious blowoff to a great juniors series. Sano demolishes a defiant Liger but in the end learns a valuable lesson: Domination means nothing if you can’t seal the deal” - Microstatistics

“Terrific mix of violence and high-flying action. I understand folks liking the ‘89 match more, but this was always my favorite between the two.”-Boss Rock

“One of my last cuts and biggest regrets. I still think this is the best Juniors singles match ever. It just didn’t quite make it.” - Elliott

"God I love this match and I wish I had time to rewatch it. I can see this being higher next time around. This takes a lot of what I like about NJPW Jrs and adds some absolute brutality that I can definitely get behind.” - Cap

109. Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham (NWA World Heavyweight Title - NWA - 1/20/1987)
Total Points: 202
High Vote: stunninggrover (39)

“OVER WAR GAMES?” - Elliott

108. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Minoru Suzuki (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 10/08/2012)
Total Points: 203
High Vote: Kas (21)

“While NJPW in recent years has become known for a ‘more is more’ approach to wrestling, this match is proof that the opposite can be just as good and at times, even better. One of the greatest limb-based matches in history with excellent face and heel performances by Tanahashi and Suzuki respectively”-Boss Rock

107. Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito (G-1 Climax - NJPW - 8/13/2016)
Total Points: 204
High Vote: Kas (18)

“The match that made the world take note of Kenny Omega: ‘possible best wrestler in the world’. One of the greatest bombfests of the 21st century.”-Boss Rock

106. Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito (G-1 Climax - NJPW - 8/13/2017)
Total Points: 205
High Vote: Kadaveri (23)

“While the first match cranked the offense to 10, the rematch cranked it up to 11 or even 12. Lots of big move kick-outs and yet everything felt earned.”-Boss Rock’

105. Eddie Guerrero vs John Bradshaw Layfield (WWE Undisputed Championship - WWE - 5/16/2004)
Total Points: 206
High Vote: Cap (8)

“I am sort of crushed that this match didn’t make it the top 100. This is - in my mind - the greatest WWE match of all time. I sometimes have trouble explaining it without simply reducing it to one of the craziest blade jobs ever by one of my favorite wrestlers ever. However, it is much more than that to me. This match encapsulates in perfect wrestling form a compelling socio-political dynamic that I think is important and compelling. That story and the way each play their character makes the action - even where JBL is criticized - make sense. It has, from curtain to curtain, one of the greatest individual performances I have ever seen from Eddie. Finally, it isn’t just the bladejob, but the comeback in spite of the blood that always gives me chills. When Eddie is firing back and doing his little shimmy covered in blood, there might not be a moment in all of wrestling that just hits me harder than that. Oh, and the cherry on top, a face dq finish followed by an unhinged brawl up the ramp. That is high degree of difficulty stuff. This is an absolute classic in my mind.” - Cap

“Top 100 lists are so goddamn hard.” - Elliott

104. Steve Austin vs The Rock (WWF World Championship - WWF - 4/1/2001)
Total Points: 210
High Vote: Kadaveri (44)

“It is not singular climax we are so used to seeing wrestling. It is about the journey of the character, Stone Cold Steve Austin, as you can watch him lose all grip on his own sanity. So powerful. Then of course the moment none of us believe we would see, the anti-establishment asskicker shaking the hand of Corporate Satan. Desperate men do desperate things.” - Superstar Sleeze


103. Billy Robinson vs Antonio Inoki (⅔ Falls - NJPW - 12/11/1975)
Total Points: 213
High Vote: fxnj (33)

102. Thunder Queen Battle 60-Minute Match (JWP, 7/31/1993)
Total Points: 214
High Vote: Kas (16)

101. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Volk Han (RINGS 9/25/1996)
Total Points: 215
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (26)

“So the other two matches did better and I think are generally ranked higher by most fans, but this is my favorite Tamura/Han match. I love the story told here. I love that Tamura is sort of plucky and overmatched, but scraps his way to putting Han in some bad spots. This may represent the first chapter of a longer story, but it’s the most compelling part of the story to me.” - Cap

“I kinda think this would have made a neat #100 so it’s a bummer it just missed out. It only takes about 20 seconds after the bell rings before you realize these two are wrestling soul mates.” - Elliott