The 100 Greatest Matches Ever (2019 Results)

“Even at this stage, Akiyama was one of the best offensive wrestlers on the planet and Kobashi as a babyface selling his knee is always gold. There is big move no selling and excessive head dropping towards the end that foreshadows where the style was going, but in the context of the match they built it's fine. Maybe the best “NOAH match” ever.” - fxnj

80. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue vs Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa (Real World Tag League FInal - AJPW, 5/21/1994)
Total Points: 268
High Vote: stunninggrover (7)

“One of the greatest tag team matches of the 1990s. The Four Pillars of Heaven once again showed their greatness. The selling was phenomenal. The crowd heat was tremendous. It was a great culmination of all the months and years these four workers had worked their way up the ranks in All Japan and had a history with each other.”-stunninggrover

79. Negro Casas vs El Dandy (CMLL World Middleweight Championship - CMLL 7/3/1992)
Total Points: 271
High Vote: Mattsdmf (7)

“I’ve always liked this the most of the famous El Dandy title matches. Considering how unlucky we are when it comes to lucha footage, I was always kinda grateful for this match. Two guys considered to be all time great luchadores in their absolute prime and we have this super long title match between them. Imagine if the only Misawa vs Kawada match was 6/3/94. Thats sort of how this makes me feel. Easily one of the 100 best matches ever.” - Elliott

78. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW - 9/1/1990)
Total Points: 272
High Vote: Cap (22)

“This is - to me - the quintessential passing of the torch feud. I can see how many prefer the first match, but for my money, this was actually where the rubber hit the road. This match provided an excellent combination of chess match, urgency, and visceral anger. I like ‘no-more-bullshit-Jumbo” in this match a lot. It is a match that I didn’t get to rewatch for the project, but it is also one that has stuck with me and stands out over time.” - Cap

77. Jumbo Tsuruta vs Mitsuharu Misawa (AJPW - 6/8/1990)
Total Points: 278
High Vote: NintendoLogic (37)

“ That moment before Misawa's entrance is still one of the hottest crowds I've ever. Misawa gives easily the performance of his career to this point and Jumbo is incredible selling for him and playing the arrogant vet who refuses to take his opponent seriously until it's too late. The ending with Misawa being hoisted on the shoulders of Kawada and Kobashi while the commentator declares it the beginning of a new era might be most beautiful moment I've ever seen in a wrestling.”-fxnj

“Neat that these are back to back.” - Elliott

“The second match is better” - Cap

76. El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas vs El Dandy (Elimination Hair vs Mask - CMLL - 12/6/1996)
Total Points: 279
High Vote: Mattsdmf (23)

“I’m happy this made it, especially over those last two super famous matches. This is a famous and well known match in its own right, but it’s lucha, so you keep your expectations low. This is kinda of a precursor to the Santo vs Parka bloodbath as this is one of the bloodiest matches of all time. Again, probably 50 spots low in my eyes, but I’ll count this in the top 100 as a victory.” - Elliott

“I know most people prefer the latter brawling to the earlier ‘expositional’ stuff but the start illustrates why wrestling is so special. No talking needed, such simple body language and pretend fighting communicate a pretty intricate narrative perfectly. This loses a bit of steam as it goes on so it fell out of my Top 50 but this is still a classic apuestas” - Microstatistics

75. Brock Lesnar vs John Cena (Extreme Rules Match - WWE - 4/29/2012)
Total Points: 282
High Vote: Kadaveri (14)

"There is no match quite like this in the WWE canon. The company's top babyface gets his head split open in the opening seconds by a returning desertee of the promotion, and suddenly no one has any idea what is happening." -Kadaveri

74. Terry Funk vs Stan Hansen (AJPW – 4/14/1983)
Total Points: 284
High Vote: Elliot (31)

“This might have made my Top 25 had Hansen bothered to sell the knee work properly but his epic offensive onslaught and Funk’s babyface performance are enough for this to land a spot on my list” - Microstatistics

“Terry Funk Cheerleaders.” - Elliott

73. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada - (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 7/24/1995)
Total Points: 290
High Vote: shodate (20)

“The great detail work in the narrative and great expressions and character work. Ie kawada and misawa trading elbows, kawada losing cool and great standing and staring. The kicking by misawa etc. Great camera work as we get some epic selling and expressions . The submissions in this are great as they really suffocate and grind and kawada uses a illegal hold. Awesome execution and again boxing type epic strike exchanges.“-shodate

72. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 8/12/2017)
Total Points: 291
High Vote: stunninggrover (11)

“IMO, the best modern NJPW match by a mile, mainly thanks to how compact and focused it is. High end action but also urgency, momentum shifts and cool psychology. Good long term storytelling” - Microstatistics

“This match took everything great about the first two matches, cut the fluff, and condensed it into a 25-minute bombfest. It also did a tremendous job encapsulating both men’s journeys during the G1 leading to a highly-satisfying second act and conclusion.”-Boss Rock

71. Sgt Slaughter vs Iron Sheik (Boot Camp Match - WWF - 6/16/1984)
Total Points: 293
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (16)

"Sgt. Slaughter's selling of blood loss in this match should be required study." - Kadaveri

“Candidate for the Greatest Match of all time. You need to see Sarge turn babyface and lead the crowd in Pledge of Allegiance. Chills! The build up matches are also required viewing. It all leads to this, a bloody, patriotic brawl that epitomizes pro wrestling in America in the 1980s.”-Superstar Sleeze

70. El Satanico vs El Dandy (Hair vs Hair - EMLL - 12/14/1990)
Total Points: 296 (4 ballots)
High Vote: Mattsdmf (22)

“In my opinion, this is the greatest lucha match and brawl ever. Builds beautifully off their previous match in October and is pure, unbridled, bloody violence. And while the finish seems cheap, it's really a tremendous callback to the first.”-Boss Rock

69. Tatsumi Fujinami, Keichii Yamada, Shiro Koshinaka, Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura vs Hiroshi Saito, Kuniaki Kobayashi, Super Strong Machine, Masa Saito & Riki Choshu (Elimination Match - NJPW - 9/12/1988)
Total Points: 296 (5 ballots)
High Vote: WrestlingFan (22)

“It's an awesome match, thrilling from the beginning to the end. The end with Fujinami, Choshu and Saito is really great. A must see. It's currently on my list. ****¾” - WrestlingFan
“My favorite of the NJPW 10 man matches from the 80s. Masa Saito’s performance in this match might be the best in the history of wrestling.” - Elliott

68. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 6/12/1998)
Total Points: 297
High Vote: fxnj (2)

“I would rank up there with the best singles matches from AJPW, maybe it's even the best. It has everything you'd want out of a big AJPW match and then some. #1 candidate.”-fxnj

67. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker (Hell in a Cell - WWF World Championship - WWF 10/5/1997)
Total Points: 301
High Vote: Boss Rock (13)

"So often imitated, yet no-one ever succeeded in recreating the dark mood of this slasher-flick as a wrestling match."-Kadaveri

“It still blows my mind that the first Hell in a Cell match is the best. There’s so much trial and error in gimmick matches but Shawn and Taker absolutely nailed it and understood their roles completely. They managed to circumvent the “no escape” aspect of the cell with absolute brilliance and pulled off an interference finish without feeling cheap or contrived. So much could have gone wrong and instead we got an absolute masterpiece. The greatest WWE match ever.”-Boss Rock

66. Shinjiro Otani vs El Samurai (UWA Light Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 1/21/1996)
Total Points: 303
High Vote: Microstatistics (19)

“Gritty battle as the emotion of Ohtani takes on the no nonsense approach of Samurai in the most compelling dueling limb work display in history” - Microstatistics

"Such a fantastic match. It takes everything I love about 90s NJPW Jrs and adds a little something extra.  Master class in limb work and excitement." - Cap

65. The Funks vs Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik (⅔ Falls - AJPW - 7/15/1979)
Total Points: 306
High Vote: WrestlingFan (12)

"The atmosphere is unmatched as The Funks vow to drive their sworn enemies out of Japan for good." - Kadaveri

64. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi (IWGP IC Championship - NJPW - 1/4/2015)
Total Points: 306
High Vote: Kas (11)

“Ibushi snapping into killer mode is always great to see, and the final stretch was amazing as well, with an incredibly smooth sequence where Nakamura hits a beautiful Landslide before finally nailing the Bomaye to the back of the head for the win. A lock for my top 20 and one of the greatest examples of the New Japan main event style you will see.”-Kas

“Ranks up there as one of if not the best match of the 21st century. Incredible back-and-forth war with Ibushi attempting to not only step up to but even big league Nakamura, who makes him pay in return. Still, Ibushi won't go down and withstands everything Nak throws at him.”-Boss Rock


63. Billy Robinson vs Giant Baba (PWF Heavyweight Championship - AJPW - 7/24/1976)
Total Points: 308
High Vote: stunninggrover (31)

“This is one of Baba’s very best matches ever, in my opinion. Robinson certainly was a big factor in the greatness of this match, which is not surprising because Robinson was one of the best workers in the world in the mid 1970s. It is one of my favourite matches from the 1970s.”-stunninggrover

"The match that finally got me to "get" Baba.  This ages really well. I think I like it more every time I watch it." - Cap

62. Bryan Danielson vs Takeshi Morishima (ROH World Championship - ROH - 8/25/2007)
Total Points: 308
High Vote: Kadaveri (18)

"ROH's best match. Somehow manages to be an all-time classic despite Morishima's performance not being all that special if you watch closely, but Danielson is so amazing in every moment you barely notice."- Kadaveri

“This match would have probably been 101 for me. I tried so hard to squeeze it onto the list. It is probably my favorite ROH match ever, even if I think there are others that are better. I loved this feud from start to finish. Such a wonderful dynamic” - Cap

“Bryan’s take on 1995 Misawa” - Microstatistics

61. The Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers (AWA World Tag Team Championship - AWA - 8/30/1986)
Total Points: 310
High Votes: Superstar Sleeze, Kadaveri (33)

“The top US tag match of all time” - Microstatistics

"Hate-filled and seemingly out of control from the get so. Shawn Michaels may never again have a selling performance as good as this." - Kadaveri

60. Jushin Liger vs. Naoki Sano (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 8/10/1989)
Total Points: 321
High Vote: fxnj (24)

“Heated, energetic, violent, sublime selling blood from Sano and a raging climax. Maybe a hotter transition back to Sano is keeping this from the full Monty. Just doesn't feel that level but goddamn this is just insanely great pro wrestling. ****¾”-Superstar Sleeze

59. Tenryu & Hansen vs Jumbo & Yatsu (All Japan World Tag Team Championships - Real World Tag League - AJPW - 12/6/1989)
Total Points: 326
High Vote: Boss Rock (17)

“The greatest AJPW match of the 80’s. Hansen and Tenryu lay the groundwork for the Holy Demon Army of former blood rivals turned allies who annihilate their opponents”.-Boss Rock

“I don’t know if this match is better or worse knowing what we know about CTE (probably worse, lets be honest) but this is incredible. Tenryu and Hansen literally try to beat Yatsu’s brain out of his head. Also I think the finish is one of the best finishes ever and something I remember rewatched like 5 or 6 times when I first saw it. Incredible timing.” - Elliott

58. Jushin Liger vs El Samurai (Super Juniors Final - NJPW - 4/30/1992)
Total Points: 326
High Vote: Microstatistics (10)

“One of the most unique and memorable match structures ever as Samurai’s initial rudo-ish ambush unleashes Liger’s wrath, leading to an impressive display of resilience as Liger struggles to finish him off” - Microstatistics

“The greatest babyface comeback in a match ever? Liger’s performance absolutely ranks up there.”-Boss Rock

57. Katsuyori Shibata vs Kazuchika Okada (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 4/9/2017)
Total Points: 329
High Vote: Boss Rock (9)

“It’s always a bit weird to talk about this match considering the seriousness of Shibata’s injury. But I cannot deny that this is still arguably the greatest match of the 2010’s. For all the violence and stiffness, it’s the character work that truly makes this match a classic. Shibata as the long-time sentimental favorite who questions the champion’s toughness, and Okada as the dominant, hot shot ace who questions whether Shibata has what it takes to be champion.”-Boss Rock

56. The Revival vs DIY (⅔ Falls - NXT Tag Team Championships - NXT - 11/19/2016)
Total Points: 330
High Vote: andylfc (23)

“The greatest Southern tag match of the 21st century. This is quite literally an 80’s tag match with a modern, workrate-heavy style. And they pulled it off.”-Boss Rock

55. Magnum TA vs. Tully Blanchard (Steel Cage - I Quit - U.S. Heavyweight Championship - JCP - 11/28/1985)
Total Points: 332
High Vote: Mattsdmf (15)

“It admittedly took me a few views to fully appreciate this match, but once I did I couldn’t deny it’s all-time status. While not the best cage match in my opinion, it really encapsulates what a cage match should be (i.e. a bloody and violent fight that leaves no question who the better wrestler is)”.-Boss Rock

“Surprised this didn’t make the Top 20” - Microstatistics

54. The Destroyer vs Giant Baba (⅔ Falls - NWA International Championship - JWA - 3/5/1969)
Total Points: 337
High Vote: Stunninggrover (21)

“The shortest 60 minute draw ever. And I’m not even picking on it for not actually being 60 minutes. I mean this is total blast of a match. The Destroyer is one of the most entertaining wrestlers of all time and one of the smartest and you can see all of that play out in this match. His depth of knowledge of holds is incredible. He clearly knows every trick in the book but he also engages the crowd and keeps them thoroughly entertained throughout. This is an absolute masterclass.” - Elliott

“Even though this match took place in 1969, it is a match that still holds up nowadays because of the great psychology.”-stunninggrover

53. Megumi Kudo vs Combat Toyoda (No Rope Electrified Barbed Wire Match - FMW - 5/5/1996)
Total Points: 338
High Vote: Mattsdmf (13)

“This is a match where truly every move mattered. Some of the most harrowing spots in history and Onita’s sideline and post match performance add so much richness.” - Elliott

52. Atlantis vs Villano III (Mask vs Mask - CMLL - 3/17/2000)
Total Points: 346
High Vote: shodate (14)

“Great selling overall and awesome selling of the good backwork by villano. It's the villano show but atlantis more than held his own. The ending gets a hashimoto vs takada domeish gigantic reaction maybe the loudest to a finish ever.”-shodate

“It’s like they tried to tell the history of lucha libre with a match. Listen to how many old stars are mentioned in commentary.” - Elliott

51. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 6/11/1999)
Total Points: 346
High Vote: shodate (13)

“Though not as good as their classic 1997 or 1998 matches, Misawa and Kobashi put on another amazing match here. Just a tremendous display of offense and selling.”-Boss Rock

“Urge to kill rising.” - Elliott

50. Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, and Kenta Kobashi vs. Jumbo Tsuruta, Masa Fuchi, and Akira Taue (AJPW - 10/19/1990)
Total Points: 346
High Vote: Boss Rock (8)

“While I think the 4/20/1991 encounter surpasses this one, this is still easily one of the greatest trios matches ever. Perfectly intertwines the Jumbo-Misawa and Kawada-Taue rivalries while featuring excellent face in peril work by Kobashi and one of the hottest finishing stretches in history.”-Boss Rock

“I really love this match. If I was going to have a 3rd match from 90s AJPW on my list, it was going to be this.” - Elliott

49. El Satanico vs Gran Cochisse (NWA World Middleweight Title – EMLL – 9/14/1984)
Total Points: 347
High Vote: shodate (1)

“Simplicity is beauty. A great story told through expert body language and very basic, well executed wrestling” - Microstatistics

“The lucha title match style is probably my favorite “non-brawling” style of wrestling, and this is the best lucha title match. It feels like the Flair vs Steamboat (pick you favorite) of Lucha” - Elliott

48. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (WWE World Heavyweight Championship - WWE - 3/29/2015)
Total Points: 348
High Vote: Microstatistics (26)

“Epic heavyweight clash with near perfect selling, character work and off the charts violence. Great story of upcoming ace vs. invincible champion. The finest hour for both guys” - Microstatistics

“Imagine how different Roman Reigns’ career would be if they had just pulled the trigger and let him with this strait up?” - Cap

47. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 4/7/2013)
Total Points: 355
High Vote: Kas (2)

“The peak of the legendary series between these two.”-Kas

“This match is tremendous for a number of reasons. First, it has masterful selling of the arm by Okada. Every time he hits a forearm or elbow he cringes in pain and cannot properly follow-up on any further offense. He's also initially unable to lock in the Red Ink. Another is the character work of Tanahashi. His desperation to rid himself of Okada sees him attack the arm relentlessly even if it means forgoing his winning strategy of attacking the leg. And finally, you have the maturation of Okada from cocky prodigy to potential ace to lead the company into the future.”-Boss Rock

46. Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuinness (ROH Heavyweight Championship vs ROH Pure Championship - ROH - 8/12/2006)
Total Points: 356
High Vote: Boss Rock (23)

“Quite possibly the best match of the 2000’s. An awesome battle of attrition that mixes violent strikes with sick submissions and a 3-rope break rule that makes for a perfect ‘Who wants it more?’ story.”-Boss Rock

“My pick for best ROH match. It did fall a bit in the final hour for me as I watched it alongside some other classics. Even still, this is an all timer to me. Two great wrestlers going all in to close an amazing feud with the highest of stakes in front of a white hot crowd… what more could you ask for?” - Cap

45. Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee (No DQ - Loser Leaves Town - Dundee’s Hair on the Line - AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship - Memphis - 12/30/1985)
Total Points: 364
High Vote: Elliot (12)

“The best match from the best American feud in wrestling history. Lawler’s selling of the eye injury is the best individual body part selling performance I’ve ever seen.” - Elliott

“Everything great about the minimalist Memphis style condensed into one match” - Microstatistics

“The clipping bothers me a bit. It would be higher for me if we had the whole thing I think. That said, Dundee’s combo’s to Lawler’s eye are an absolute thing of beauty.” - Cap

44. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (⅔ Falls IWGP Heavyweight Championship - NJPW - 6/9/2018)
Total Points: 364
High Vote: Kas (1)

“Some may scoff at this notion, but the Okada-Omega series is the 21st century equivalent to Flair-Steamboat and this match is the epitome. Quite simply, it’s about two of the absolute best athletes in wrestling pushing each other to their very limits and beyond. The action, selling, and escalation is out of this world and the desperation in both guys as they’re running on fumes makes for one of the most memorable finishing stretches ever. It’s only fitting that such a historic title reign goes out with a bang.”-Boss Rock

43. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Super Tiger (UWF 12/5/1984)
Total Points: 371
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (4)

“No Irish Whips. No Moonsaults. No Tombstone Piledrivers. Just close contact grappling and swift kicks. On this day, Mixed Martial Arts was born to a man in a tiger mask. *****”-Superstar Sleeze

“Super Tiger wrestling a match like this while wearing the Tiger Mask is hysterical to me. But this is one of the greatest matches of all time. Classic grappler vs Striker style match with perhaps the most compelling finish of the decade.” -Elliott

42. Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Nobuhiko Takada, Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura vs Riki Choshu, Yoshiaki Yatsu, Animal Hamaguchi, Isamu Teranishi & Kuniaki Kobayashi (5X5 Gauntlet - NJPW - 4/19/1984)
Total Points: 372
High Vote: Mattsdmf (10)

“This match encapsulates the peak of Inoki-led NJPW and things would never really be same afterwards with the UWF exodus and Choshu's guys leaving later in the year.”-fxnj

“This has to be the hottest sustained crowd ever, right? They are going nuts for the entire hour plus. Maybe the all time “I know it is outrageously long, but you still really have to watch this” match. But it is wildly entertaining throughout.” - Elliott

41. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (NWA World Championship - WCW - 2/20/1989)
Total Points: 378
High Vote: andylfc (6)

“The Clash of the Champions match is usually heralded as the best, but Chi-Town Rumble has always been favorite. Literally a 23-minute sprint.”-Boss Rock

“Taue’s last ditch desperation eye claw is the second greatest moment in wrestling history” - Microstatistics

30. Kenta Kobashi vs Yoshihiro Takayama (GHC Heavyweight Championship - NOAH - 4/25/2004)
Total Points: 461
High Votes: WrestlingFan, Superstar Sleeze (11)

“This match was wrestled more like an intense title match with a David vs Goliath dynamic rather than 2000 match where Takayama heeled it up. It shows how far Takayama had come as a credible challenger to any major Japanese title. The match showcases Kobashi at his best working from underneath. Using his histrionics to full effect to get the crowd cheering for his eventual comeback and who better to dish out punishment than the Bleach Blond Badass. Takayama gave as good as he got as his chest looked like raw meat after this match. The right arm was why Kobashi could never string together a combination of offense until Takayama had finally punched himself out and also why Kobashi had to bust out the moonsault (on the face) because he could not physically hit the Burning Hammer. Also for the first time, Kobashi was pushed to the limit as he was forced to dig deep in his bag of tricks to beat this giant. It was an excellent payoff to many different levels of storytelling before the biggest match in NOAH history against Akiyama in the Dome. *****”-Superstar Sleeze

“This match didn’t make my list, but I am really glad it made the list as a whole. In Kobashi’s epic GHC Title run, this match stands out in a big way. Its peak dickhead Takayama and triumphant hero Kobashi clashing and the chemistry is wonderful. I have this just above their big AJPW and is a must-see match as far as I am concerned.” - Cap

“I know I watched it for the project and there was a Takayama/Kobashi match I liked but I literally have no idea which one. It had to be this? Right? 30? Holy shit.” - Elliott

“Update: Ok, I watched this. And yeah, that’s the one I liked. I have kind of conflicted feelings on it. On the one hand, I thought it was ridiculous that it was 30 minutes and they probably could have cut like 10 minutes out of it and it would have been better. On the other hand I fucking loved it and thought it was the best NOAH match I’ve ever seen. Even the apron bump that was a NOAH staple was really well done in this match. I couldn’t help but think that 2004 Kobashi & Takayama would have been perfect 90s NJPW guys working with Hashimoto, Choshu and Tenryu in 15-20 minute long matches instead of 2004 NOAH where they’re forced to go 30 minutes and do half nelson suplexes and 20 knees to the head when like 5 knees to the head is plenty. Anyway, I’m glad you maniacs made this 30th overall forcing me to go watch it because it rules. Sleeze putting this at 11 is another cool Sleeze move btw.” - Elliott

29. Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue (Real World Tag League - AJPW - 12/3/1993)
Total Points: 471
High Vote: fxnj (7)

"Kawada firmly makes the case for the best seller of leg-injuries ever in this legendary tag team war."-Kadaveri

“Kawada gives possible the best single match performance I've ever seen with his leg selling and everything else about the match is top-notch. More compact than their other matches and relies more on selling and psychology to draw you in with a relatively conservative finish run compared to later stuff. An easy ***** in my book and should do quite well for me.”-fxnj


28. Team New Japan (Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Kengo Kimura, Umanosuke Ueda & Kantaro Hoshino) vs Team UWF (Akira Maeda, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Nobuhiko Takada, Kazuo Yamazaki & Osamu Kid) (“Elimination Match - NJPW - 3/26/1986)
Total Points: 477
High Vote: Mattsdmf, shodate (21)

“They nail all the dynamics and just fucking potato each other brutal hard as fuck shots the violence and everything flowed well logical progression great execution even great selling by everyone involved for the way this was worked in terms of structure also good focus unique logical spots and smart counters that worked with narrative. Great facial expression also nobody is better than inoki at playing ace and nobody is better than Fujiwara at defensive selling and body language and takada is a great young boy in underdog type deal/role. An all time classic *****.”-shodate

“The peak of what was probably the greatest in-ring feud in wrestling history in terms of sheer amount of great matches. 80s NJPW 10 Man Matches were literally always great it seems like And this might be the best” - Elliott

27. Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Misterio Jr (Title vs Mask - Cruiserweight Championship - WCW - 10/26/1997)
Total Points: 478
High Vote: NintendoLogic (7)

“All time great sprint with an incredible heel performance by Eddie and spectacular spots and nuanced selling by Rey” - Microstatistics

“This is more than a spotfest but has to be the greatest spotfest in history in terms of holy shit level spots and the execution of said holy shit level spots. Still. 22 years later.” - Elliott

“There was a time in my life I would have told you this is the greatest match in wrestling history. It isn’t so much that my opinion of the match has gone down, but that I have watched a lot more wrestling and my tastes have changed just a bit. This match is high art. It has everything: a compelling story, clear but interesting characters, and lots of drama. I often refer to matches as must see, but this is canonical.” - Cap

26. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Volk Han (RINGS - 9/26/1997)
Total Points: 516
High Votes: Microstatistics, shodate (7)

“Tamura tries to put the pieces together and combine emotional maturity with skill and grit in an attempt to finally topple the Russian maestro. Insane grappling and counters and a lot of struggle. The continuity with the past, especially when it comes to specific spots, is off the charts great.” - Microstatistics

“Every time I’ve ever watched these matches, I’ve watched them together. So this has always been my least favorite one of the 3 because it means I don’t have any more Tamura vs Han matches to watch.” - Elliott

25. Akira Hokuto & Shinobu Kandori vs Bull Nakano & Aja Kong (AJW - 3/27/1994)
Total Points: 525
High Vote: Kadaveri (1)

“The biggest and most ambitious story ever perfectly told in a wrestling match. Two hated foes are forced by circumstance to team together to fight for their lives against the most imposing force imaginable. The post-match is simply the peak of pro wrestling anywhere.”-Kadaveri

“This match may be the epitome of the maximalist style while at the same time telling a great story through body language alone.”-Boss Rock

“The post match is the greatest moment in wrestling history” - Microstatistics

“If I start talking about this I won’t shut up.” - Elliott

24. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jun Akiyama (AJPW - 2/27/2000)
Total Points: 528 (7 ballots)
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (3)

“This match reminds me so much of The Dark Knight in how it is perfect confluence of the superficial with meaning. What makes the Dark Knight so great is there is enough fireworks and eye candy to appeal to our audiovisual senses, but all rooted in a beautifully woven story. It appeals to pretty much facet of humanity, much like this match. You have the story of the young upstart looking to dethrone warrior-king by attacking his neck ruthlessly and violently. The old warrior-king has plenty of fight left in him, but eventually he overcome by the surmounting pain and the indefatigable resolve of the young upstart. On top of that, this is one of best offensive spectacles to ever be produced. Akiyama does a tremendous job of never letting up just zeroing in when Misawa is coming back he does not stop coming forward. Misawa is one of the ultimate underneath workers in this match he gives Akiyama even more offense than he would usual, which shows how much he trusted him at this point.”-Superstar Sleeze

“Did you mean the Dark Knight Rises? The Dark Knight is the one with Heath Ledger and isn’t a mess. ” - Elliott

23. Shawn Michaels vs Mankind (WWF World Championship - WWF - 9/22/1996)
Total Points: 528 (8 ballots)
High Vote: Microstatistics (3)

“Maybe the only match where something interesting happens almost every second. So many creative, chaotic and violent transitions” - Microstatistics

“There’s so much to love about this match. Shawn having to bend the rules to do any damage and Mankind’s selling of the leg and hand make it career performances for both. And for a match that has no blood or much plunder, it’s definitely a contender for most violent WWE match ever.”-Boss Rock

“I’m really happy this did so well. Awesome match.” - Elliott

22. Stan Hansen vs Andre The Giant (NJPW - 9/23/1981)
Total Points: 534
High Vote: Mattsdmf (6)

“May very well be the greatest spectacle match of all-time.” -Boss Rock

“I can’t imagine a better hoss fight. This match is an absolute blast, start to finish. Andre is an absolute monster but he really lets Hansen shine all the same. I wound up with this match at #7, but seriously considered it for #1. Absolute classic” - Cap

“Something I thought seriously about ranking #1. Sort of the defining wrestling match. Two abnormally enormous humans pretending to hurt each other in exciting and compelling fashion. This is really the best possible portrayal of that. Oh and Stan Hansen plays Ricky Morton underdog. What more could you want?” - Elliott

"Godzilla vs. King Kong as a wrestling match." - Kadaveri

21. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Volk Han (RINGS - 1/22/1997)
Total Points: 547
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (10)

“Great callbacks to the first match. Awesome progression from Tamura. I feel like there was a lot of nervous energy in the first match (in a good way) here he is much more in the zone. He acquits himself well with the Mat Wizard from Soviet Russia but starts to make inroads in the stand up game. However, Han can still take him down at will and Tamura really does not have a defense against the double wristlock or ankle cross. The kicking out the plant leg and just watching Tamura's knee buckle was crazy. The progression from Tamura and the awesome finish make this another stone cold RINGS classic” - Superstar Sleeze

“This has always been my favorite of their matches, but probably more in the way someone has a favorite child than it actually being a favorite if that makes sense. I rated all three of these matches because I always watch them together and can’t separate them. I’ve always liked the finish of this one the most so it gets my highest rating. “The best mat work in wrestling history” actually feels like an understatement when talking about these matches.” - Elliott

“Great continuity from 9/25/96 as Tamura is much deadlier here but is not mature enough to take it home. The flashiest of their matches I think” - Microstatistics

20. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (WWF - 3/20/1994)
Total Points: 573
High Vote: Microstatistics (6)

“Truly beautiful wrestling match. One of a kind narrative, near perfect pacing and fluid, seamless transitions” - Microstatistics

“I’m kinda surprised this did so well, but I’m glad it did.” - Elliott

19. Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig (AWA Heavyweight Championship - AWA - 11/21/1986)
Total Points: 590
High Vote: Superstar Sleeze (6)

“What can I possibly say about not just possibly the greatest one hour draw of all time, but possibly the greatest match of all time? It was totally engrossing. I love professional wrestling, but my mind will always wander it is just natural for me. Now you take two men put them in a single bout that goes roughly 2-3x longer than the average match and I am going to lose focus at some point and have to rewind. I have watched this match multiple times and that has never ever happened to me”-Superstar Sleeze

“To me, this is a perfect wrestling match. It is the best time limit draw ever and it escalates in absolutely wonderful fashion. By the time you get to the blood and the figure four at the end you are so drawn into their back-and-forth you forget that you have been watching wrestling for an hour. This match is a true classic in every sense of the word and gives you a sense of what both men, particularly Bockwinkel were capable of.” - Cap


18. Ric Flair vs Terry Funk (NWA Heavyweight Championship - WCW - 7/23/1989)
Total Points: 594
High Vote: Boss Rock (7)

For my money the greatest North American match and greatest brawl ever. Fired-up babyface Flair is the best Flair and Funk is at his most sadistic while still bumping and selling like crazy. Nonstop action for 17 minutes.”-Boss Rock

“I actually prefer this to the I Quit match. It's up there with Austin vs. Dude Love as one of those chaotic brawls where the overbooking enhances it.”-Kadaveri

“Doug Dillinger is a civilian!” - Elliott

17. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS - 6/27/1998)
Total Points: 599
High Vote: Cap (10)

“The most athletically impressive match in history. Who needs rope running?” - Elliott

“This is my highest rated shoot style match right now, though my tastes in the style are still evolving since I came to it through this project. This is just perfect in a lot of ways. I love the leg work, the strikes, and the pace of the match. I am not sure if I could find anything to complain about in this match. Perfection” - Cap

16. Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, and Kenta Kobashi vs. Jumbo Tsuruta, Masa Fuchi, and Akira Taue (AJPW 4/20/1991)
Total Points: 600
High Vote: Boss Rock (5)

“They took the multi-layered storytelling of the 10/19/1990 match (Misawa and Jumbo’s battle for dominance, Kobashi’s desire to prove himself, and Kawada and Taue’s disdain for each other), spread it out for nearly an hour, and never once allowed the action to slow down or drag. That’s what makes it the greatest six-man tag ever. Kawada flipping off Fuchi is also one of the greatest visuals in wrestling history.”-Boss Rock

"The greatest trios match in wrestling ever. Somehow over 50 minutes long and barely a down moment."-Kadaveri

15. Sangre Chicana vs MS-1 (Hair vs Hair - EMLL - 9/23/1983)
Total Points: 606
High Vote: Cap, Elliot (2)

“This lost its #1 spot at the last minute, but I’m not degrading it. Because this is perfect. Sangre Chicana’s performance in this match is the single greatest individual performance I’ve ever seen by a wrestler. The things I always think about are his stumbling around selling, THE COUNTERPUNCH, and Chicana’s tope. I always kind of forget that MS-1 has the single greatest RUDO performance in history. This is the definitive smarmy, cocky, smirking asshole heel performance made all the worse (better?) because he’s so handsome, AND he also brings incredible and brutal offense just walloping the shit out of poor Chicana, our hero. This is as great as a wrestling match could be.” - Elliott

“There are two matches that I remember where I was when I first watched it. I mean remember in that visceral kind of way where watching the match put a sort of stamp in my mind. I know where I was for plenty of matches, but not for the same affective reason. This match and Kandori/Hokuto etched themselves in my brain when I watched them. This is just perfect. From Chicana getting his ass beat in front of his smoking mother to that haymaker left (I genuinely believe Chicana’s haymaker counter left is the best move in all of wrestling history), to the pure exhaustion they are both selling at the end… This is everything I love in wrestling wrapped in a relatively simple package and it is better for it. To me, this unquestionably belongs among the true elite matches.” - Cap


14. Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy vs Genichiro Tenryu and Toshiaki Kawada (All Japan Tag Team Championship - Real World Tag Finals - AJPW - 12/16/1988)
Total Points: 611
High Vote: Nintendologic (5)

"A match most fans will have seen before by now, if only in gif format of Stan Hansen's most devastating lariat ever."-Kadaveri

“Had it not been for the Real World Tag League final the following year, this would without a doubt be the greatest AJPW match of the 80’s. As it stands, a terrific and wonderfully violent ensemble performance by all four wrestlers.”-Boss Rock

“I laughed when I saw Kadaveri’s comment about Hansen’s lariat because I was like “wait, which lariat was this” and then I looked and I’m like “Yeah that was nuts, but I’m still not sure that’s #1.” The lesson, as always, is that Stan Hansen will kill a motherfucker. Great match that set-up the formula for the classic AJPW tags of the 90s in much the same way 6/5/89 set the template for the Triple Crown matches to come.” - Elliott

13. Kenta Kobashi vs Mitsuharu Misawa (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 10/31/1998)
Total Points: 615
High Vote: Bossrock (3)

“The ending is the probably the only reason I didn’t rank this match ahead of 1/20/1997. But without a doubt this is one of the greatest AJPW matches and one of the greatest matches of the 90’s. The trend of Kobashi overwhelming Misawa only to fall short after one major turning point is on full display and the apron Tiger Suplex remains one of the craziest spots in wrestling.”-Boss Rock

12. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (Rings - 6/24/1999)
Total Points: 664
High Vote: Microstatistics (2)

“These two had legit heat with each other and the Korakuen Hall fans knew all about it, giving this an atmosphere few matches in late 90s Japan could compete with. Tamura vs Kohsaka always struck me as a more “sporting rivalry” and while Tamura and Volk Han will never make you confuse them for besties, you could get a sense that there was a level of respect between them. You don’t get that feeling watching these two. It is still RINGS so it isn’t like they are brawling around the arena. But there is a palpable edge to this match not present in the Tamura vs Han matches. The mat work is amazing of course. Perhaps it isn’t as flashy as a Han match, but it is still at a level above literally everyone else in wrestling history. The striking is about as fast and violent as you’ll ever see in a wrestling match and the drama down the stretch is as well done as anything I’ve ever seen. I “only” ended up ranking this at 20, but I think Micro’s #2 is probably closer to where this should be ranked.” - Elliott

“Animosity and pride take the stage in probably the finest display of refined grappling and stand up fighting ever” - Microstatistics

“A shoot match with a little extra to it. There is a toothiness to this match that even the best and most believable shoot matches don’t really have. Personally i should probably have this match higher, but I never got a chance to rewatch from my initial viewing. I could see this match being higher for me next time around, but I am really glad it finished so well in the overall rankings. It's a match that sticks with you and stays in your head because it's believable.” - Cap

11. Kenta Kobashi vs Mitsuharu Misawa (GHC Heavyweight Championship - NOAH - 3/1/2003)
Total Points: 718
High Vote: Andylfc (7)

“I love excessive excess and boy does this deliver. The great culmination of a great feud that Misawa/Kawada is missing. Kobashi seizes the torch from Misawa. Easy lock for the list.”-Superstar Sleeze

“I thought this match would be a bit more of a love/hate thing. It is as excessive as excessive gets. Death-wish Kobashi at his most death-wishy. Even still, I can’t help but love it. I can’t help but look at this as a sort of exclamation point on their singles feud, a final and complete passing of the torch and, in turn, a benchmark moment in both men’s careers. I don’t think this match should be oversimplified either. Its excessive, but it is also packed with drama and nuance.” - Cap

“The ultimate passing of the torch match. Tremendous continuity from their late 90s matches. THE maximalist classic between these two” - Microstatistics

10. Kenta Kobashi & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas (All Asian Tag Team Championships - AJPW - 5/25/1992)
Total Points: 754
High Vote: stunninggrover (8)

"Aided by one of the best crowds ever, the best southern tag occurs right here in Japan."-Kadaveri

“Amazing crowd. This is arguably the most wild and enthusiastic crowd ever. The match itself is great by itself, but the tremendous crowd heat really cements it an all-time classic. Great performance by all four workers in the match (and great performance by the All Japan commentator Akira Fukuzawa and especially the All Japan fans).”- stunninggrover

“I’ve never seen a bad word about this. I think it is the most universal wrestling match ever meaning I cannot fathom the idea of someone watching it and disliking it, thinking it is bad/boring, or not “getting” it. Like when people say “I try to watch Lucha, but I don’t get it” or “I can’t get into shoot style” or “Lawler is boring and just punches” or “mid 00s indies were too excessive” or “modern WWE is too soulless” or “70s US and Japan is too slow” I get all of that. I may not agree, but I can at least understand where there are coming from. The idea of someone not enjoying (at worst) this match is literally ridiculous and I would just assume the person was lying specifically so they could be a contrarian. Structurally and psychologically this match is brilliant and separating everything else, it will always be a great match because of the structure and psychology. What really stood out to me on my 500th rewatch was how well it holds up from a MOVEZ standpoint after more than 25 years. Kobashi’s high arching moonsault and Furnas’ Frankensteiner still come across as high end moves because of the execution and the size of the guys performing them. Obviously the thing that makes this so memorable and separates it from other psychologically great matches with all sorts of hot MOVEZ and nearfalls is the most entertaining crowd of all time. Saying the crowd is “legendary” or even “the best crowd of all time” really doesn’t do it justice. This and maybe Rock/Hogan are the only times I can think of where the crowd doesn’t just enhance a match, instead it feels like they are active participants making the match something greater than great. Something eternal and universal. For real if you don’t like this match you’re doing it wrong.” - Elliott

“Determining what the best wrestling matches are will ultimately come down to style preference, but I honestly think this is one the rare gems that literally anyone can enjoy. Lots of hard-hitting action, a great Southern tag formula, and clear face/heel dynamics. Add in one of the greatest crowds of all-time and you have a classic.”-Boss Rock


9. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin (Submission Match - WWE - 3/23/1997)
Total Points: 801
High Vote: Mattsdmf (2)

“This is Bret Hart's Five Act Masterpiece. Act One: Brawl Outside sets the mood, establishes this a fight. Act Two: Bret works the knee. We get the rhythm of the match and it's a submission match and the Sharpshooter is always looming. Act Three: Austin's first desperation comeback with the steel chair. He tries to win the match with conventional submissions. Act Four: Austin is busted wide open. Bret beats the shit out of him and is almost taunting him in the way he is not putting Austin away and is instead dishing out excessive punishment like he is running up the score. Act Five: Austin, bleeding profusely, makes a furious comeback that includes nutshots, middle fingers and trying to choke out Bret with with an electrical cord, but Bret hits Austin with the ring bell. Then it all climaxes in that amazing moment that is seared in all wrestling fans' minds with Austin fighting through the Sharpshooter, blood squirting from his head, passing out from the pain. It is a boring selection, but there's a reason it is boring, this is the Greatest WWF Match of All Time. *****”-Superstar Sleeze

“THE wrestlemania match was far as I am concerned. It's the match that launched the most popular ace the company has ever known. It's the match that perfectly executed a double turn and gave us maybe the most satisfying non-finish in history. In many ways this is the best version of both men, performing on the biggest stage, leaving nothing on the table. Its pro wrestling canon for a reason and in this case it is well deserved.” - Cap

“Aggressive brawling and neat psychology combined with a complex narrative in front of a white hot crowd make for a historic classic” - Microstatistics

"No one who's seen this match ever forgets the image of bloodied Steve Austin fighting out of the sharpshooter." - Kadaveri

“This is in the running for the match I’ve watched the most times in my life. That finish does not age.” - Elliott

8. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (⅔ Falls - NWA World Championship - WCW - 4/2/1989)
Total Points: 842
High Vote: Mattsdmf (3)

“The selling is top-notch and it really has the vibe of a great championship match. This is one of my favourite matches ever and it has always been one of my favourite matches ever since I first watched it in 1997. This is easily my favourite Flair vs. Steamboat match and I think it's the greatest American pro wrestling match from the 1980s.” - stunninggrover

“Incredible match on so many levels from a physical standpoint to go 54 minutes and still be wrestling so fast and so quickly speaks to their conditioning. From a booking standpoint, this is a great way to sell the PPV rematch with the draw finish that still ties back to the pure wrestling. From a psychology and pacing, just great with Flair trying so much at the beginning, but Steamboat having an answer for everything. Flair winning the first fall even though Steamboat dominated was smart booking because he made the second fall that much hotter and this was a much longer second fall than in most 2/3 falls matches. Flair got some solid heat and I really liked the run up to the Double Chickenwing. I loved the pacing hey wrestled an excellent 35 minutes, but really kicked into high gear in the last twenty minutes, HUGE chop exchanges, great Steamboat selling and big nearfalls.”-Superstar Sleeze

"Still the most incredible display of athleticism within a psychologically-sound wrestling match. 57 minutes long and wrestled like a sprint." - Kadaveri

“How do you sum up Flair/Steamboat Clash VI in a blurb? It’s Flair/Steamboat Clash VI.” - Elliott


7. Stan Hansen vs Kenta Kobashi (AJPW - 7/29/1993)
Total Points: 849
High Votes: Cap, Mattsdmf (5)

“The greatest chapter in the Kobashi-Hansen saga. Kobashi’s offensive onslaught is probably the greatest start to a match ever and Hansen’s comebacks are intelligent and cunning. And that’s to say nothing of the finish”-Boss Rock

“This ended up my as my highest ranked AJPW match at #11 overall. I think this is one of the most translatable matches in history. It worked in 1993, but I think it would have been just as great in 1983, 2003, 2013 and will still be great in 2053. The beauty of this match is that it works both on the surface and on a deeper level. Fans experienced with AJPW can point to this match as a key moment in the careers of both Stan Hansen and Kenta Kobashi but also as a key point in their rivalry. Kobashi is both no longer the young boy to be destroyed by more experienced wrestlers, and Hansen is no longer capable of steamrolling lesser wrestlers. This match was important in that growth. This match is also perfect in a complete vacuum. You don’t need to know about Hansen’s decade of destruction in All Japan or that Kobashi lost the first 80 matches of his career. The character work is so well defined from the moment the video starts, the viewer can “get it” even if they have never seen a Japanese wrestling match before. Stan Hansen, the clearly aging cowboy, stomping the head of a younger wrestler outside the ring, which opened the door for the precocious Kobashi’s attack tells you everything you need to know about these characters in just the first few seconds. From there it is truly a performance for the ages from both wrestlers. Kenta Kobashi probably has a wider variety of offensive moves than just about anyone else in the history of wrestling and older Stan Hansen is one of the best sellers in history. Conversely, Hansen’s more understated but still brutal offensive is the perfect counterpoint to Kobashi’s overly theatrical stylings. The big transition to Hansen on offense for the first time (you know what this is) is one of the most memorable transition spots in all of wrestling (and led to one of the most famous post match photographs ever) while the finish stands out as iconic in a promotion of iconic finishes. A truly must see match.” - Elliott

“There are lots of great big match wrestlers, but Hansen and Kobashi might have the best big match ethos. Anytime either steps into the ring there is a sense of urgency and importance. These are two absolute stars going in and doing what they do best and it somehow exceeds expectations. This match is absolute classic start to finish.” - Cap

"The wrong result? Maybe. But it's impossible to not be entralled as Kenta Kobashi fights his heart out to finally take down the man he just cannot beat, and comes so close..." - Kadaveri

6. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue vs Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama (Real World Tag League Finals - AJPW - 12/6/1996)
Total Points: 885
High Vote: andylfc (2)

“Not sure if it has quite the same level of drama as 6/9/95, but it's a wonderful, 30+ minute story with absolutely no downtime. So many memorable moments: Jun continuing to prove himself as Kawada and Taue's near equals and their frustration boiling over into the apron chokeslam. Misawa's next-level resiliency in a 2-on-1 situation. Kawada's desperation in putting Misawa away. Taue's clean-up hitter offense. Jun's largely futile attempts to protect Misawa being an excellent and ironic role reversal of the May match.”-Boss Rock

“As much as I enjoyed their 5/23 match from earlier that year, I think this one from 12/6 is slightly superior. This was the final of the Real World Tag League. This is my pick for 1996 MOTY.”-stunninggrover

"A match that feels like it's reached its climax now and cannot possibly go higher for about twenty minutes it's such non-stop unparalleled action." - Kadaveri

“Shocked this didn’t pull a single #1 vote.” - Elliott

5. Jumbo Tsuruta vs Genichiro Tenryu (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 6/5/1989)
Total Points: 909
High Vote: andylfc (5)

"Jumbo Tsuruta reaches his peak with this match as he so perfectly conveys the company's Ace becoming consumed with jealousy and bitterness by a more popular rising star." - Kadaveri

“Jumbo Tsuruta’s finest hour. Perhaps the most fire and anger I’ve ever seen in a match. Tenryu’s selling is terrific as well.”-Boss Rock

“Great violence with the throat chops the stomps etc every strike is great. Supreme narrative structure no down time at all *****.”-shodate

“Even though Giant Baba was the innovator of the King’s Road style, Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro Tenryu really shaped the mold of what a King’s Road style match would become. They paved the way for what wrestlers like Misawa and Kawada would accomplish in the 1990s. “-stunninggrover

“The crowd getting more and more annoyed as Jumbo ruthlessly works over Tenryu’s injured neck has to be one of the great wrestling moments” - Microstatistics

“This has to be the greatest match of all time that no-one calls #1, right? Generally speaking if you know and love this match you likely know and love the classic 90s stuff and are more likely to rank those higher because they take so many elements of this and keep pushing it to the next level. And then there are weirdos like me that aren’t as big on 90s AJPW but still love the hell out of this because it is less excessive yet still rich with psychology. I’ve never seen someone say they didn’t like this match.” - Elliott

4. Akira Hokuto vs Shinobu Kandori (AJW DreamSlam - 4/2/1993)
Total Points: 926
High Votes: Cap, stunninggrover (1)

“A great tale of hate and hubris. Drags a little in the middle for me but this is still the ultimate battle of attrition” - Microstatistics

"Hokuto with a legendary bladejob as she tells the story of the stubborn warrior who will fight to her last breath against the most dangerous of opponents, just to prove she will." - Kadaveri

“I like how almost everything they did seemed to have a lot of intensity behind it. Neither women wanted to disappoint the promotion they were representing. It was a matter of pride. This match was almost like the joshi puroresu version of a lucha libre brawl. Big splash by Hokuto off the top rope. Big powerbomb by Kandori. This match was so interesting to watch that time seemed to fly by quickly. This was a war featuring blood and drama. Hokuto hit Kandori with the Northern Lights Bomb. Kandori hit Hokuto with the Northern Lights Bomb! Hokuto punched Kandori. Kandori punched Hokuto. Both women punched each other at the same time. Hokuto crawled over… covered Kandori and pinned her! Hokuto won the battle! The match lasted 30 minutes. I think this will be my pick for #1 Greatest Match Ever.”-stunninggrover

“My final decision of this whole project was which match would be #1 (this or Sangre Chicana vs MS-1). I watched them back to back. My default answer had always been Sangre Chicana vs MS-1, but when push came to shove, I couldn’t deny this match. Its ebbs and flows, the drama, the violence, the exhaustion… its edged out the top stop by the slimmest of margins. This is a match that wears me out every time I watch it. It’s a rollercoaster. It's a wonderful story. It layers real life concerns over Hokuto’s health into this absolutely brutal spectacle. I am not sure it will always land in this #1 spot, but it will never be far away. This is as good as it gets in wrestling for my money.” - Cap

“I’m really happy this made the top 5. I know a lot of us have come to the realization that the once commonly held belief that Shinobu Kandori wasn’t very good was an insane opinion and that she was clearly a great wrestler who excelled in exactly this sort of big heated match. So the idea that this is a Hokuto carry job is silly. This match isn’t as good if someone else is in the Kandori spot. Her presence, charisma, style and background were necessary components for this match to reach the heights that it did. Nonetheless, Akira Hokuto was the greatest wrestler of all time on this night. And then again the next March.” - Elliott


3. Kenta Kobashi vs Mitsuharu Misawa (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 1/20/1997)
Total Points: 1115
High Vote: WrestlingFan (1)

“The greatest match of arguably the greatest rivalry of all-time. A maximalist masterpiece of action and selling.”-Boss Rock

“This was one of three matches that I was deciding between for #1 at the very end. While it ended up being a pretty clear #3 to me, it is still in rarified air near the top of the mountain. To me, this is the best from a time and place many people think the best wrestling came from. Kobashi is - in my mind - the perfect foil for the Ace. It's just an absolute thing of beauty.” - Cap

“Rewatched this recently and most of my review still holds up. It should be said that the level of storytelling complexity and care taken in every big transition really is remarkable. Someone in the thread calls it the Shakespeare or Beethoven of wrestling matches, and I think that's a pretty good description. Whoever was the agent for this match really deserves the award here. If I had to pick a flaw in this match, though, it's that I think Kobashi takes a bit too much before the finish run. Up until the powerbomb->hurricanrana reversal he dominates the match and it's almost worked as a passing of the torch moment, but after that it's basically treated as a reset spot even though he really hasn't taken much damage compared to what he's done to Misawa up to that point. If Misawa had followed up on it with something like a tiger driver there would be no problem, but as it is I'm not sure about it. Still just a nitpick in the grand scheme of things and an easy #1 candidate for all the stuff they get right.”-fxnj

“Greatest match of all time? No, I don't think so. Lock for top ten of 90s All Japan and pretty easy Top 25 match of all time. If someone has it as their greatest match of all time, I have no problem with that. *****”-Superstar Sleeze

"The most detailed and intricately thought-out wrestling match ever. Each transition is amazingly logical and organic, and you watch the wrestlers adjust their long-term gameplans to win this match with each significant moment." - Kadaveri

“Even I think this is an undeniable classic. They all should have just shut it down right here.” - Elliott

“I was the low vote on this and kind of screwed this match over. Before the project, this was in my Top 25 and had it remained there, it would have finished at #2 or maybe even #1. Still #3 is not bad and completely understandable given Kobashi’s masterful performance and Misawa’s clever arm selling” - Microstatistics

2. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (Triple Crown Championship - AJPW - 6/3/1994)
Total Points: 1122
High Vote: fxnj (1)

"A match that could not possibly live up to the hype. Then did anyway." - Kadaveri

“While I’ve always preferred the Kobashi-Misawa series to Misawa-Kawada, there’s just no denying this match is an absolute classic. For a guy who’s gimmick was literally just being ‘the best’, Misawa turned in one of the greatest performances of his career by playing defense. Easily the greatest Kawada singles performance as well.”-Boss Rock

“The main thing that's fascinated me on my past few viewings has been the rhythm of the first half bout. Whereas most big matches (try to) start slow and progressively build to a blazing crescendo, here it's more peaks and valleys. The crowd is already wild as soon as the bell rings and they feed into them a little, but then they bring things down a bit with some slow shoulder work. Later, they go wild after Misawa attacks the leg for a bit, so they slow things down by giving Kawada some time to recover before going to the next big spot. But they're also careful to avoid slowing things down for too long so they don't lose the crowd. The famous ear bladejob comes during a down point in the match to wake the crowd up. Really, this is great case study in crowd manipulation.”-fxnj

“This is the perfect heavyweight match and possibly the perfect match period. There are things that can be nitpicked and we can fantasize how it could have been made even better somehow, but the same can be done with literally every other match. More important than any individual detail is the overall sum of the work and what the match symbolizes. This is the Citizen Kane or Hamlet of wrestling matches, at least as far King’s Road vision of wrestling is concerned. The magic combination of a pure sports build, learned psychology, realistic selling, and perfect escalation that was first teased with Robinson/Baba and further fleshed out in Jumbo/Tenryu is perfected here. It is a crowning achievement of absolute genius from which the entirety of mainstream wrestling history since has unfolded underneath. Without this match, there would be no Misawa/Kobashi, no WWE main event style, and no 10’s NJPW. Yet for as many matches have been influenced by this or outright copied it, the work done on 6/3/94 is just so perfect that it has lost none of its luster.”-shodate

“For years, most of us Western puroresu fans have been told on several the message boards and websites that this match is THE greatest pro wrestling match ever. While that idea has perhaps been challenged in recent years, it remains an all-time classic for sure.”-stunninggrover

“Not much to say here, a classic heavyweight title bout. They lose their way a little bit in the middle but remain tremendously focused for the most part. Nice callbacks to previous matches, smart psychology and even more stiffness than usual” - Microstatistics

1. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue vs Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa (Tag League Championship - AJPW - 6/9/1995)
Total Points: 1178
High Votes: Boss Rock, Microstatistics, Mattsdmf, NintendoLogic, andylfc (1)

"It feels impossible for everything to come together so perfectly in a wrestling match, but this match is impossibly great. Kenta Kobashi with his most heart-breaking performance." - Kadaveri

“An undeniable classic. It is hard to really say anything about a match that is so universally recognized and understood as great” - Cap

“Imagine if the movie ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ was the greatest movie ever. Now imagine that movie was made into a wrestling match. That match would be Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue on June 9th, 1995. Not just the pinnacle of the King’s Road Style, but the pinnacle of tag team wrestling and professional wrestling as a whole. It may sound like I’m being hyperbolic, but literally everything about this match is perfect. Misawa and Kobashi’s selling. Kawada and Taue’s ruthlessness. The desperate last ditch effort by the faces to survive. There has been no better blend of action, storytelling, psychology, callbacks, and escalation in any match before or since. And that’s why it’s the greatest match ever.”-Boss Rock

“As close to perfection as you can get. The last 15 minutes or so are inconceivably great” - Microstatistics

I used to prefer most of the other big matches involving these workers. However, I’ve finally reached the point where I am truly appreciating the greatness of this match and where I see it should be mentioned every time a discussion about the Greatest Matches Ever is being started. I’m convinced this is now my favorite tag match between these four workers. It really is such a great match, one of the greatest matches in pro wrestling history. Especially when you know the history these four had prior to his match. The selling is tremendous, and you can really feel the struggle. It really feels like a battle where both teams go the extra mile to beat the other team. Great tag team wrestling. Kawada & Taue are probably the best tag team in pro wrestling history, but Misawa & Kobashi were a great tag team as well. Kobashi trying to protect Misawa from a Kawada & Taue beating was tremendous. Kawada finally pinning Misawa was a big moment.”-stunninggrover

“A worthy #1.” - Elliott