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Post by nintendologic on May 26, 2020 19:04:05 GMT -5
I thought this would be a fun topic of discussion. What matches do you consider essential viewing for a serious wrestling fan? I have some thoughts on the matter, but I'll open it up to the floor before chiming in. I do have a request, though. We're all passionate about the matches we like, but in the interest of keeping this somewhat manageable, please limit your selections to matches you think people absolutely must see and not list ones you merely think they should see.
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Post by bossrock on May 26, 2020 20:28:06 GMT -5
Flair-Steamboat trilogy: Sets the stage for modern workrate, epic title matches.
Kobashi/Kikuchi vs. Pan-Am Express: I've come to believe this is the most universal wrestling match ever. Plenty of action, impressive moves, and an excellent Southern tag match formula.
Misawa-Kawada '94: Hugely influential, epic title match.
Misawa/Kobashi vs. Holy Demon Army 6/9/95: The greatest match ever.
Misawa-Kobashi '97: Greatest title match ever.
Bret-Austin Mania 13: I forget if this was Cap or Elliot who said it, but this is wrestling canon for a reason. An all-time great match and the birth of a megastar with one of the most iconic images in wrestling ever.
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Post by elliott on May 26, 2020 22:07:29 GMT -5
I think Flair/Steamboat was more of a last hurrah for a style that was on its way out than setting the stage for anything. Jumbo and Tenryu were setting the modern epic template.
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Post by bossrock on May 26, 2020 22:13:38 GMT -5
I suppose Jumbo-Tenryu 6/5/89 deserves mention as well.
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Post by elliott on May 29, 2020 2:04:34 GMT -5
Been thinking about this and I guess it depends on how we're defining the phrases "essential viewing" and "serious wrestling fan."
My knee jerk reaction was to think about it as an academic experience. If pro wrestling as an art form were considered important enough to be studied like literature, music, film etc what are the matches that one would have to be familiar with no questions asked. So for me the must see matches are things like:
Jim Londos vs Bronko Nagurski - Major match and best existing example of the biggest wrestling star Pre-Hogan.
Buddy Rogers vs Pat O'Connor - Major NWA title change, classic style.
Flair vs Kerry Xmas Cage - Classic NWA title defense that also kickstarts one of the most famous angles in history.
Flair vs Harley Starrcade - The dawn of the super show.
Hogan vs Sheik - The Start of Hulkamania
Hogan & Mr T vs Piper & Orndorff - The beginning of WrestleMania
Hogan vs Andre WM III - The biggest match of all time.
Nash, Hall & Mystery Partner vs Savage, Sting & Luger WCW Bash 1996 - Most important match since Hogan/Andre.
Bret vs Austin Submission Match - The start of something.
Bret vs HBK Montreal - Probably the most referenced match in history at this point right?
Hogan vs Sting - WCW's biggest moment also a glimpse at the beginning of their end as they fuck up the finish of their most important match ever.
Austin vs Michaels - Coronation of Stone Cold
Hogan vs Nash Fingerpoke of Doom - WCW's march to death begins.
Austin vs Rock - The Hogan/Andre of the era.
Hardly a complete list, but when I think of "essential viewing for serious fans," I think of stuff like this before the sorts of matches I would vote for on a top 100 GME list.
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Post by pterois on May 29, 2020 10:14:53 GMT -5
My issue with your list Elliott is that there is no puroresu, lucha libre and european wrestling.
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