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Post by tetsujin on Jan 20, 2022 5:00:16 GMT -5
Sure, go for it, thanks! 499-T. Ron Garvin vs. Tully Blanchard (NWA - 5/3/1986) Total Points: 21 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 80 I watched this just before sending my ballot, and while it didn't made it, for sure this is a great match worthy of consideration. The way they interact with each other is so organic and intense, it's mesmerizing. I know Tully is considered a better wrestler but I didn't expect Garvin to look that great. Gotta explore him more. 499-T. Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith (WWF - 8/29/1992) Total Points: 21 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 80 Fuck Savage/Warrior, this has to be the best carryjob ever. The match is nowhere near greatness but man, Bret managed this situation with so much profesionalism, you just have to admire him. Also, neat finish. 499-T. Ric Flair vs Randy Savage (WCW - 6/18/1995) Total Points: 21 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 80 Definitely their best match against each other, and considering this is happening in 1995, that's crazy to me. Wonderful brawl. Possibly the last Savage great match? Definitely not Flair's, though. 499-T. Io Shirai vs Mayu Iwatani (Stardom - 6/21/2017) Total Points: 21 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 80 I watched the 2016 Year End Climax match and it was great, but not MOTYC level. Hopefully they improve upon it this time. Both are really underrated WOTD contenders. 494-T. Jerry Lawler vs Bam Bam Bigelow (CWA - 9/7/1986) Total Points: 22 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 79 I almost voted for this. Second best Last Man Standing match ever, second only to Cena/Umaga (obviously). This is so energetic, Bigelow's performance is astonishing and Lawler is giving his all selling and punches like he always does, so yeah, super great stuff. Definitely a top 100 contender, extrange it only had one vote. 494-T. Cactus Jack vs Paul Orndorff (WCW - 2/21/1993) Total Points: 22 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 79 Oh fuck, it's been forever. Honestly I don't even remember this. 494-T. Vader vs Dustin Rhodes (WCW - 11/16/1994) Total Points: 22 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Darrenn - 90 Yeah this is a very fun match but it isn't as great as some people say. More on the "***3/4" side than on the "****1/4" side, if you wanna put it in stars language. 494-T. Eddie Kingston vs Chris Hero (IWA-MS – 9/29/2007) Total Points: 22 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap - 79 Yeap, it's been forever. I should definitely rewatch this and see how far they have come since. 494-T. Blue Panther vs Villano 5 (CMLL - 9/19/2008) Total Points: 22 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 81 Haven't watch this, but as I said before, I don't like Blue Panther so I hope Villano V is super duper cool because otherwise... 491-T. Dustin Rhodes vs Bunkhouse Buck (WCW - 4/17/1994) Total Points: 23 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 78 No fucking idea, who is this fella? Sure Dustin looks cool. 491-T. Mayumi Ozaki, Cutie Suzuki, Candy Okutsu & Sumiyo Toyama vs Dynamite Kansai, Devil Masami, Hikari Fukuoka & Hiromi Yagi (JWP - 3/21/1995) Total Points: 23 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 78 Oh my fucking god this match. I love it. Why didn't I rewatch it before sending my list!? 491-T. KDX vs Great Sasuke & Gran Naniwa & Masato Yakushiji & Gran Hamada (BattlARTS - 01/21/97) Total Points: 23 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: andyLFC - 78 I was reading the names and thinking "oh yeah, another one of those M-Pro crazy multitags!" and then saw this happened in BattlARTS and wtf man. Definitely interested. 490 Vader vs Antonio Inoki (NJPW - 1/4/1996) Total Points: 24 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci - 85 Inoki with one of the greatest entrances ever made. Vader with one of the greatest suplexes ever made. Very clever match except for the actual finish, I really think Inoki shouldn't have submited Vader that easily. But hey, a classic. 486-T. Ric Flair vs Lex Luger (NWA - 2/25/1990) Total Points: 25 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: JKWebb - 76 Another good carryjob, I remember watching this the first time and thinking it was great... and then Luger did his comeback and no sold his arm a single fuck. Sure it's still good, though. Flair busted his ass. 486-T. Nasty Boys vs Steiner Brothers (WCW - 10/27/1990) Total Points: 25 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 82 So much nostalgia, this was one of the first WCW matches I saw back in early 10s, when I started to watch non-WWE wrestling as an early teenager. Haven't watched again since, shame on me. I guess I'll have to fix that. 486-T. Barry Windham vs 2 Cold Scorpio (WCW - 6/16/1993) Total Points: 25 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 76 I don't know why I didn't make time for this at any point in my life before. I'm dumb. 486-T. Zeus vs Kento Miyahara (AJPW - 7/28/2018) Total Points: 25 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 76 Kento is like Okada, because they were only taught to work a big epic main event, but Kento at least does it in an interesting way. Well, when he has to lose. When he's winning, match would be great 90% of its time and then Kento will no sell a single thing and start spamming stuff until he comes back like a superman. But if he's actually losing, oh boy, those few matches are heart-stopping. 482-T. Andre the Giant vs Killer Khan (NJPW - 4/1/1982) Total Points: 26 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 75 This is definitely very fun. It is also definitely nothing more than that. 482-T. Lex Luger vs. Ricky Steamboat (WCW - 7/23/1989) Total Points: 26 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 75 Oh, this is interesting. Was Luger heel here? Because if this is a face vs face match, I'm tempted because I know Steamboat is good enough to carry Luger, but at the same time I'm not really sure if Steamboat can be great against another big babyface. 482-T. Manami Toyota vs. Shinobu Kandori (AJW - 8/23/1998) Total Points: 26 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 77 Great match, dragged juuuust a bit at the second half, but still something remarkable for either woman's career. 482-T. Samoa Joe vs. Bryan Danielson (ROH - 10/2/2004) Total Points: 26 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 75 I don't know why because these are two of the best wrestlers of their generation, and Joe is at his peak here and Bryan is pretty close to his, but I'm lazy towards this match. I know it's long, but these two have proven to being able to work long matches. But still, so long. But they're so good. But it's so long... 479-T. Gilbert LoDuc vs Rocco Lamban (French Catch - 10/30/1958) Total Points: 27 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: mvz - 74 No fucking idea, but as I said before, I'm interested in French Catch. 479-T. Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich (MId-South - 4/28/1985) Total Points: 27 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 74 Definitely not as good as the August 82 match, but I still remember it being quite good. 479-T. Hiromu Takahashi vs Taiji Ishimori (NJPW - 6/4/2018) Total Points: 27 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 74 Everyone went crazy when this match happened, but I... honestly... didn't get the hype. I love both guys, but they had a series of matches this late 2020-early 2021 that is absolutely bonkers in comparison. It is good but it's also so overrated. 474-T. Nick Bockwinkel vs Billy Robinson (AJPW - 12/11/1980) Total Points: 28 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 73 I've never been the higher guy on this match. You know when a modern epic match tends to look like a "your turn, my turn" kind of spotfest? I feel the same about this match, but with a 70s mindset. 70s wrestling is usually better than current wrestling, so this is still a great match, but they didn't went all out and it's a shame because, c'mon. It's Robinson and Bockwinkel together. I'm mad. 474-T. Shinobu Kandori vs Kyoko Inoue (AJW – 8/25/1993) Total Points: 28 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap - 73 I don't like Kyoko but damn Kandori is so fucking badass. 474-T. Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams (AJPW - 8/31/1993) Total Points: 28 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Bossrock - 79 I prefer the TC match the following year, as they have more time to focus on their dynamic together. This is still pretty good but the action feels a bit rushed, and the ending is a bit of a disgusting overkill. What a 1993 Kobashi had, though. 474-T. Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith (WWF - 12/17/1995) Total Points: 28 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 73 Yes, this is better than the famous one. Not much better, but hey, at least DBS knows what he's doing here. It's also quite different from the Wembley match and I appreciate that a lot. 474-T. Shinya Hashimoto vs. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW - 6/5/1998) Total Points: 28 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: mvz - 73 Man, I should have vote for this. One of the smartest matches I've ever seen, and one of the best examples of Hash's approach to strong style. Fujinami feels larger than life here, in a way that looks like a resurrection of his peak days: he's just taking a fucking beating and figthing throug it, but this time he also has the experience on his side. Magic storytelling. 470-T. Manami Toyota vs Mima Shimoda (AJW 7/23/1995) Total Points: 29 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 72 Haven't watch. Pretty sure it's gonna be at least good. 470-T. Untouchables vs. BURNING (AJPW - 3/6/1999) Total Points: 29 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 72 I'm confused about the date, this isn't the classic one right? Because that one is fucking awesome. 470-T. Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Jun Akiyama (NJPW - 8/17/2003) Total Points: 29 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 72 Tenzan is my least favourite of the Third Generation guys, by far, but you gotta trust Akiyama. Will watch this. 470-T. Undertaker vs. AJ Styles (WWE - 4/4/2020) Total Points: 29 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 72 Not nearly as fun as The Final Deletion, the greatest comedy match ever filmed. But it's fine. 465-T. Lou Thesz vs. Verne Gagne (Chicago - 1/25/1952) Total Points: 30 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 78 I really want to rewatch this. This year I wanna focus on the 50s stuff on chronological order. 465-T. Shinya Hashimoto vs Victor Zangiev (NJPW - 4/24/1989) Total Points: 30 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 71 Fucking badass match. It isn't as good as most people will say, but still a testament of what Hashimoto would become in the future. And Zangiev is like a little Lesnar with moustache, so there's that. 465-T. Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper (WWF - 4/5/1992) Total Points: 30 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Darrenn - 88 Ohhh, classic match. Almost made my list. Definitely the WWE MOTY for 1992 and one of the greatest star-making matches. 465-T. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs Shinya Hashimoto & Michiyoshi Ohara (NJPW - 6/14/1993) Total Points: 30 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 71 More NJPW vs WAR? Exactly what I've been looking for! Gimem a link, please. 465-T. Yuki Ishikawa vs Daisuke Ikeda (BattlArts - 5/27/1998) Total Points: 30 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 85 I'd say the 97 match is technically worse, but damn this is so uncomfortable to watch most of the times. Their stiffest match, to the point it becomes their most pointless match. And the worse part is that it's still a very good fight. 459-T. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Super Tiger (UWF - 9/7/1984) Total Points: 31 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 70 Ok, I know this match is legendary, but shoot style wasn't even defined yet. This is the worse of their matches together and, honestly, I think each one of their matches improve over the last one. But everyone should watch this series just for historical value alone. 459-T. Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers (AWA - 12/25/1986) Total Points: 31 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: JKWebb - 70 Is this the cage match? I liked it, but cage matches are not my thing, so it's nowhere near their most famous bout. 459-T. Carlos Colon vs. Hercules Ayala (WWC - 7/18/1987) Total Points: 31 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 70 Carlitos is so fun to watch even if he's not that good without Hansen. I remember this being quite enjoyable. 459-T. Lola Gonzalez VS. Pantera Surena (EMLL – 9/12/1988) Total Points: 31 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap - 70 Pantera Sureña might be one of the coolest wrestling names ever. La Galáctica is another one, actually even better. This lady knows about names. Oh, and I have this on my priorities list, don't worry. I'll watch it soon. 459-T. Holy Demon Army vs. Burning (AJPW - 10/11/1998) Total Points: 31 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 70 How is this match so under the radar? It's literally three of the Pillars + Akiyama. Guess I'll have to rewatch it and try to give it more buzz if it holds up as greatly as I remember. 459-T. Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus (WWE - 4/29/2012) Total Points: 31 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 80 Yeah this fucking rocks. Maybe Sheamus' best match ever, and one of the greatest of Bryan's WWE run. The 2/3 Falls gimmick is so overused pre-90s that matches doesn't feel that special those days, but here, in the middle of the PG Era WWE, it sure as hell does feel unique. They used the stipulation in a very clever way, as they should. 454-T. Satánico vs. Sangre Chicana (EMLL - 5/26/1989) Total Points: 32 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 77 They had legit beef against each other, am I right? I vastly prefer the 83 title match between these two, but this is fun enough to be considered, specially if you're really into lucha. 454-T. Akira Taue, Toshiaki Kawada & Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (AJPW- 6/3/1993) Total Points: 32 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 69 It's been fucking ages man. But look at those names. You know it's great. 454-T. KENTA & Taiji Ishimori vs. Kota Ibushi & Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH - 7/15/2007) Total Points: 32 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 69 Crazy match. Maybe Ibushi's best until G1 13 with Nakamura. Gotta rewatch it sooner than later, it might be a contender. 454-T. Daisuke Ikeda vs Takeshi Ono (Futen - 9/26/2010) Total Points: 32 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 69 Hahaha, love this. Maybe the second best short match ever, right below Hiromu/KUSHIDA and the first Money in the Bank cash in. 454-T. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW - 8/2/2013) Total Points: 32 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 74 Oh my god this fucking match. This is excellent pro wrestling right here. It's crazy this match has become underrated, I know NJPW has been putting on absolute bangers since, but this still holds up as one of their greatest hits of last decade. It makes me sad that these two never rediscovered their magic here, but hey, we still have the original Ishii-rocking-the-G1 match. Serious contender, will rewatch before next GME.
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Post by mrman on Jan 20, 2022 9:52:23 GMT -5
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Post by club on Jan 20, 2022 10:13:41 GMT -5
Loving these write-ups. We have the same #11.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 20, 2022 12:24:07 GMT -5
Thanks! And I'm so glad to hear that. CHOSHUUUUU needs to be highly remembered as an S+ tier match.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 22, 2022 16:19:47 GMT -5
448-T. Carlos Colon vs Hercules Ayala (WWC - 9/10/1988) Total Points: 33 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 68 Might be the best non-Hansen Colón match. 448-T. Atlantis vs Blue Panther (EMLL - 8/9/1991) Total Points: 33 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 68 The only Blue Panther match I would consider great. 448-T. Undertaker vs. Mankind (WWF - 10/20/1996) Total Points: 33 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 68 This has to be the Boiler Room match, right? That was fun. These two had chemistry. 448-T. Kaoru Ito vs Manami Toyota (AJW - 3/23/1997) Total Points: 33 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 68 Have I seen this before? Not sure. Sure it's at least good. 448-T. Burning vs. No Fear (AJPW - 10/30/1999) Total Points: 33 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 68 Ohhhh yes THIS is the classic one! This is up there with some of the more famous 90s AJPW tag matches, no doubt about that. A serious contender for my list. 448-T. Bryan Danielson vs. Homicide (ROH - 12/23/2006) Total Points: 33 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 68 Never been a Homicide fan, so I don't get this match as much as some other people. 440-T. Chigusa Nagayo & Dynamite Kansai vs Mayumi Ozaki & Devil Masami (GAEA - 4/15/1995) Total Points: 34 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kadaveri - 67 This match is insane. They literally destroy the ring. We don't deserve Devil Masami. 440-T. Eddy Guerrero vs. Shinjiro Ohtani (WCW - 12/27/1995) Total Points: 34 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 67 Not as good as you would expect, but still a super interesting watch. Also, why would you call him "Eddy"? 440-T. Daisuke Ikeda & Katsumi Usuda vs. Yuki Ishikawa & Takeshi Ono (BattlARTS - 1/21/1997) Total Points: 34 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: andyLFC - 67 I use to like BattlARTS tag matches far more than singles. I firmly believe the style suits tags much better. 440-T. Mitsuharu Misawa/Jun Akiyama vs. Toshiaki Kawada/Akira Taue (AJPW 11/27/1997) Total Points: 34 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: JKWebb - 67 The weakest of all their matches, and one of the dumbest and most anticlimatic finishes that I could think of: why the hell would Misawa let Akiyama lose!? Still a good match though. 440-T. Yuki Ishikawa vs Kazunari Murakami (Battlarts - 11/26/2000) Total Points: 34 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 67 Hyped for this. I don't know why, but I feel I will love it. 440-T. Chris Benoit vs. Steve Austin (WWE - 5/31/2001) Total Points: 34 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kadaveri - 80 What a crazy good tv match. And what a year these two had. 436-T. Crush Gals vs Lola Gonzalez and La Galactica (AJW - 10/16/1984) Total Points: 35 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: mvz - 66 I NEED THIS. 436-T. Mitsuharu Misawa/Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams/Johnny Ace (AJPW - 12/10/1994) Total Points: 35 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 66 Good lord it's been forever. I mean, I don't ever remember a single thing about it, and it's a pretty famous 90s AJPW match. Gotta rewatch it soon. 436-T. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Psychosis (WCW - 7/7/1996) Total Points: 35 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 66 As I said, not a big fan between these two, but this actually is a match I considered really great last tiem I watched it (a few years ago). So this might actually get a chance! 436-T. Negro Casas vs. Blue Panther (CMLL - 3/2/2012) Total Points: 35 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 66 Ok, I've never seen this before but if I had to trust anyone to get an excellent match out of Blue Panther, that would be Casas. We'll see. 434-T. Fabulous Ones vs Moondogs (CWA - 4/4/83) Total Points: 36 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 65 Never seen. I don't think I know who Moondogs are. But this is Memphis so it has to be fun, at least. 434-T. Los Infernales vs. Los Brazos (CMLL 11/22/1991) Total Points: 36 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 65 Man, what a super duper fun tríos match. Iconic. So much charisma displayed by every single one of these gentlemen. 432-T. Volk Han vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS - 11/22/1996) Total Points: 37 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 64 Hey look, another titanic Han/Kohsaka clash! Love this pairing. 432-T. Matt Hardy vs Edge (WWE - 9/18/2005) Total Points: 37 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 64 I kinda hate this match, because most people in these IWC forums tend to name it as the only really good match in Edge's career and that's BLASPHEMY. But yeah, it's good. 427-T. Sgt Slaughter & JYD vs Iron Sheik & Volkoff (WWF – 10/13/1984) Total Points: 38 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 63 This is one of those matches that I think can be either pretty awesome or really awful... and it ends up being just ok. 427-T. 4 Horsemen (Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Sid & Larry Zbyszko) vs Sting, Brian Pillman, Rick & Scott Steiner (WCW - 2/24/1991) Total Points: 38 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 63 Oh shit, this is a Wargames right? Gotta admit, I think I haven't seen this match. I'm ashamed. I mean, look at those big names up there, man. And Sid is there too! 427-T. Genichiro Tenryu & Takashi Ishikawa vs. Hiroshi Hase & Tatsumi Fujinami (WAR - 2/14/1993) Total Points: 38 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 63 YESYESYESYESYESYES hook it to my veins! 427-T. 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Shane Douglas vs. Chris Jericho vs. Pitbull - 2 (ECW - 7/13/1996) Total Points: 38 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 63 What the hell even is this? This sounds stupid. I'll watch it soon. 427-T. William Regal vs Cesaro (WWE NXT - 11/21/2013) Total Points: 38 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 63 A serious contender for my list, just a wonderful example of dramatic yet minimalist storytelling. Great pick, Cactus, seriously. 419-T. Crusher Blackwell and Sheik Adnan Al-Keissee vs Baron Von Raschke and Mad Dog Vachon (AWA - 3/13/1983) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: mvz - 68 I laughed when I read this, idk why. I'm not a fan of any of these guys but I'm pretty sure they managed to craft something good here. It's a weird feeling. 419-T. Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee (CWA - 12/21/1985) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 62 There's no way this is the LLT match right? This has to be the title match in Memphis tv a few days before that. I really liked it. 419-T. Hart Foundation vs. Killer Bees (WWF - 2/17/1986) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 62 Hey look, another underrated Hart Foundation match! 419-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Yoji Anjoh (UWFi - 8/28/1992) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 65 Might be the very first great Tamura match. 419-T. Kenta Kobashi vs. Akira Taue (AJPW - 7/24/1996) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: andyLFC - 62 Really underrated pairing. This isn't their best match together but a lot of wrestlers wish for a match this good in their careers, I'm sure. 419-T. Damiancito El Guerrero v Cicloncito Ramirez (CMLL - 1/7/1997) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 62 I almost watched this before sending my ballot last year, I've always been so curious about this match. But, I promise, I will watch it this year. It has to be amazing, right? 419-T. Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima (ROH - 11/30/2007) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Darrenn - 62 I only remember the Mayhem match and the Fight Without Honor, but I'm sure this one is also great, even if not as great as those other two. 419-T. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado (NJPW - 12/11/2020) Total Points: 39 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 62 The best 2020 pandemic-era wrestling match by far. Absolutely dramatic spectacle. Serious contender. 417-T. Nick Bockwinkel vs Rick Martel (AWA - 9/20/1984) Total Points: 40 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 77 FUCK, WHY DIDN'T I VOTE FOR THIS!?!? HOW COULD I FORGET!?!? I'm so fucking dumb. THIS IS A TOP 10 CONTENDER!!! 417-T. Bull Nakano vs Yumiko Hotta (AJW - 1/23/1991) Total Points: 40 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 61 You know this is brutal. Go watch it. 414-T. Jerry Lawler & Bam Bam Bigelow vs Tommy Rich & Austin Idol (CWA – 3/16/1987) Total Points: 41 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 60 Another one of these territory tags that I know will be funnier than expected. This one is in the context of the great Lawler/Idol rivalry iirc, so extra points for that. 414-T. Misawa/Kawada/Kikuchi vs. Jumbo/Taue/Fuchi (AJPW - 10/15/1991) Total Points: 41 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 60 Poor Kobashi, he's out of this Imagine if Kikuchi put on a 5* performance here, maybe he would have become the other Pillar and Kobashi would have been stuck in the Jrs division with Fuchi for years. Scary timeline. 414-T. Dusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, and The Nasty Boys vs Terry Funk, Arn Anderson, Bunkhouse Buck, and Robert Parker (WCW - 9/18/1994) Total Points: 41 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 60 This match sounds stupid and really fun. I'm in. 409-T. Tony Oliver vs Bert Royal (French Catch - 2/22/1957) Total Points: 42 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: mvz - 59 Not seen, probably will. 409-T. A.J. Styles vs. Abyss (TNA - 4/25/2005) Total Points: 42 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 59 Sadly this didn't hold up as much as I expected. AJ did great but Abyss was so bad most of the times, their timing was a bit awful and the match itself was really slow most of the times. With all that, this is still a great, 4* match or so, so imagine how fucking hard AJ carried it. 409-T. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshihiro Takayama vs. Naofumi Yamamoto & Yuji Nagata (NJPW - 10/9/2006) Total Points: 42 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 59 Holy fucking hell NL you know how to get me. 409-T. KUSHIDA vs Kyle O'Reilly (BOSJ 2015 Final - NJPW - 6/7/2015) Total Points: 42 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 59 Pretty great match, but I would say, their 2016's rematch is even better, I promise. Both matches are two of the best Jr matches of the 10s so give them a try, c'mon. Cool pick, Control21. 409-T. Becky Lynch vs Charlotte (WWE - 10/28/2018) Total Points: 42 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 59 Oh, the Last Woman Standing right? Pretty cool match and a fucking great moment for Lynch. I remember being so invested in this, and so afraid at the posibility of WWE putting the title back on fucking Charlotte again instead of going along with the Becky boom, but finally they did a good call. The rest is history. 406-T. Yuki Ishikawa vs Daisuke Ikeda (BattleArts – 8/29/1999) Total Points: 43 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap - 58 This might be my second favourite one of their matches (FUTEN). Still super stiff, but much less disturbing to watch and with much better character work. 406-T. Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn (NXT - 12/11/2014) Total Points: 43 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 58 Holy fucking shit, this was an instant classic. This was peak NXT (yeah fuck everything that came after), and I remember watching this entire show live (one of the absolute best pro wrestling shows ever made, by the way) and I seriously thought this was one of the absolute best matches I've ever seen. I still think it could be. A beautiful build up, super great action, one of the best moments of the company's history (yeah fuck it) and a crazy post match to end it all. This is perfect. God, I need to watch it again. Thanks, EnviousStupid. 403-T. Wayne Shamrock vs Naoki Sano (UWFi – 5/19/1991) Total Points: 44 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci - 62 Another fucking unbelievable match that I should have revisited before sending a ballot. I'm sure this will be on my top 100 next time. Just an incredibly intense chess match, and Sano with one of the greatest defensive performances ever, à la Fujiwara. Grande, Gramsci 403-T. Fuerza Guerrera vs Octagon (CMLL - 11/1/1991) Total Points: 44 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 57 Sorry I hate this match. No pyschology at all. 403-T. Kana vs Arisa Nakajima (JWP - 12/15/2013) Total Points: 44 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 65 I watched this when WWE hired Asuka and everyone (including me) wanted to know who this badass asian girl was, and holy shit. Gotta rewatch it, but damn I remember being blown away. 401-T. Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich (WCCW - 8/15/1982) Total Points: 45 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 63 Great pick, me! But seriously, consider this one, guys. Listen to me: a serious contender for best Flair match ever. Clear 1982 MOTY and serious 80s MOTDC. It is that good. Trust me here. 401-T. Aja Kong vs. Manami Toyota (AJW - 8/20/1997) Total Points: 45 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 56 If only we had the full match, because what we have is pretty awesome. Not as good as the Big Egg match three years earlier, but still awesome, for sure. It's Aja and Toyota. XXX. Tetsuya Naito vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW - 6/11/2017)++ Total Points: 45 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 56 I didn't vote for this because I want to nominate the full trilogy first, and then rank them all next time. But yeah, this match is fucking excellent. I know 10s NJPW won't appeal to some guys here, but what If I told you this is as close to an 80s brawl as you will get in 10s NJPW? Peak Naito is seriously one of the best wrestlers *ever*, and Tanahashi with one of his greatest, out-of-his-comfort-zone performances. God, I LOVE this rivalry.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 24, 2022 5:19:44 GMT -5
396-T. Double Inoue vs. Cuty Suzuki & Mayumi Ozaki (AJW 4/2/1993) Total Points: 46 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 55 I remember this being pretty good, maybe my favourite Kyoko match apart from ThunderQueen. But, obviously, not the best match of the day. 396-T. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (Cage – WWF – 8/29/1994) Total Points: 46 # of Ballots: 1 HIgh Vote: Control21 - 55 The best steel cage match in WWE history. And if not for Duggan/DiBiase, probably of any company ever. A contender for my list. Only one ballot saddens me. 396-T. Kenny Omega vs Kota Ibushi (DDT - 8/18/2012) Total Points: 46 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 55 I use to get bored while watching this. Pre-2016 Kenny is as uninteresting as any other random wrestler. 396-T. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tomoaki Honma (NJPW - 8/3/2014) Total Points: 46 # of Ballots: 1 HIgh Vote: NintendoLogic - 55 This two are underrated together. This and the 2016 G1 match are incredible fights. 2014-16 Honma was sooooo fucking good. 396-T. Black Terry vs Wotan (Chilanga Mask – 8/21/2016) Total Points: 46 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap 55 I seriously need to watch this. Been hearing wonders about it since it happened, but always had something else to watch instead. But one day I will watch it and I'm sure it's gonna blow my mind. In fact, I'm surprised only one person voted for it. 389-T. Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 10/24/1991) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 54 At this point Kawada was the best Pillar, no doubt about it. 389-T. Aja Kong vs. Bull Nakano (AJW - 4/25/1992) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 54 I prefer this to DreamRush, because this has much more animosity. Sadly neither one of them are great to me, but the 1990 Cage match is something else and a clear contender for my list. 389-T. Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue (AJPW - 10/15/1995) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 54 I don't remember a single thing about this one. I always thought for 1995 it was the 1 hour draw, 9/6/95 and the RWTL Finals. What is this? 389-T. Shinya Hashimoto and Takashi Iizuka vs Naoya Ogawa and Kazunari Murakami (NJPW - 1/4/2000) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliot - 73 Not a fan of the Hash/Ogawa matches at all, and Iizuka is... not really interesting for me, so I'll be honest: I don't think I'll watch this. 389-T. Yoshihiro Takayama vs. KENTA (NOAH - 6/27/2004) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Darren - 54 Fucking amazing match, David vs Goliath is such an easy yet exciting formula and this was one of the best interpretations of said formula I've seen. Great pick, Darren, yessir. 389-T. Kazuchika Okada vs Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW - 8/6/2016) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: andLFC - 65 I almost voted for this, it's on the 100-110 range, no kidding. This match is fantastic, and god I would have loved if Okada stayed doing 15 minute sprints like this instead of 35 minute epics. Fuck you, Gedo. 389-T. Josh Barnett vs. Minoru Suzuki (GCW - 4/4/2019) Total Points: 47 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattdmf - 54 Such a magic feel for this match, it's really hard to explain. This show also had a pretty good Hideki Suzuki vs Tim Thatcher fight, and it's probably better than this one from a technical standpoint, but the aura this match had is just something else. Really. Cool pick, Mattdmf. 384-T. Johnny Valentine vs Wild Bull Curry (Houston - 6/20/1969) Total Points: 48 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 53 I don't like this match. Well, to be fair, I don't like Wild Bull Curry in this match; Valentine is really fun to watch. 384-T. Terry Funk vs Bob Orton Junior (Southwest - 5/26/1983) Total Points: 48 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 53 I remember thinking this match was pretty dope when I watched it five years ago (whaaaa?), but honestly can't remember a single thing now. Time for a rewatch! 384-T. Shinobu Kandori vs Devil Masami (JPW – 7/14/1988) Total Points: 48 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap - 53 Still haven't watch this. Probably the match I want to watch the most right now. If I remember correctly, someone was working on the drive version, so I'll wait if that's still a thing ongoing. 384-T. Dynamite Kansai & Mayumi Ozaki vs Yumiko Hotta & Takako Inoue (JWP - 1/15/1993) Total Points: 48 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 53 You can't go wrong with any of these great women. If Ozaki and Hotta are underrated, Takako is like the ultimate underrated wrestler. 384-T. Jushin Liger vs Great Muta (NJPW - 10/20/1996) Total Points: 48 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 53 KISHIN LIGER!!! 380-T. Terry Gordy vs Killer Khan (WCCW - 11/22/1984) Total Points: 49 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: JKWebb - 52 A classic match that sadly I've never connected with as much as most people. I know it's really good, I can appreciate that, but I don't see anything truly special. 380-T. Yuki Ishikawa, Alexander Otsuka & Munenori Sawa vs Daisuke Ikeda, Katsumi Usuda & Super Tiger II (BattlArts - 7/26/2008) Total Points: 49 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: andyLFC - 52 Never seen this, never heard of it before, actually. But sounds suuuuper fun. 380-T. Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji (NJPW – 10/10/2016) Total Points: 49 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 52 I prefer the G1 match but this is still one of the greatest Okada title defences ever, only hurt by Marufuji obviously not having a fucking chance at winning. 380-T. Sasha Banks vs Charlotte (WWE - 10/30/2016) Total Points: 49 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 52 Is this the HIAC match or the FCA match? I like them both but the FCA is much better. This series is underrated, like Charlotte as a whole (as a wrestler, obviously the company fucking gives her everything and more). 377-T. Jerry Lawler vs King Kong Bundy (CWA - 7/16/1984) Total Points: 50 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 51 Lawler against big guys will always be much better than Hogan against big guys. Really fun. 377-T. Raven & Stevie Richards vs. The Pitbulls (ECW - 9/16/1995) Total Points: 50 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 51 Never seen and quite posibly never will. But an almost top 50 vote surprises me... 377-T. Mankind vs The Undertaker (WWF - 6/22/1998) Total Points: 50 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 51 Maybe the most famous match of all time. So much that everyone forgets that, after the two insane bumps, there's a fantastic, chaotic, brutal match to check out. 373-T. Tully Blanchard vs Ron Garvin (JCP - 7/26/1986) Total Points: 51 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: mvz - 50 Oh, now I'm confused. Earlier on this countdown we had a Blanchard/Garvin match that I thought was the one I watched and found great. But now I don't know if it was this one or that one. Anyway, these two showed me they had really good chemistry so I would watch their other match soon. 373-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (U-Style - 2/4/2004) Total Points: 51 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci - 60 Ohhhhhhh! Never seen this. I'll OBVIOUSLY watch it soon. 373-T. Cheerleader Melissa vs MsChif (Shimmer - 2/12/2006) Total Points: 51 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 50 I saw a couple of MsChif matches like, ten years ago (wtf) and not impressed. 373-T. Young Bucks vs Candice LeRae and Joey Ryan (PWG - 7/26/2014) Total Points: 51 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 50 Not even with someone else's eyes. 365-T. Billy Robinson vs Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW – 3/5/1977) Total Points: 52 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cap - 49 Pretty cool match, one of pre-89 Jumbo's best. Much better than Baba/Robinson, too. 365-T. Sgt. Slaughter vs Bob Backlund (WWF - 3/21/1981) Total Points: 52 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 49 I remember this match having some stupid shit. Not a fan. 365-T. Ted DiBiase vs Magnum TA (Mid-South - 5/27/1984) Total Points: 52 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: JKWebb - 49 Ok this sounds promising... 365-T. Mayumi Ozaki vs. Chigusa Nagayo (JWP - 5/22/1994) Total Points: 52 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 62 Bossrock, my man. What a pick. 365-T. Volk Han vs Yoshihisa Yammamoto (RINGS - 6/17/1995) Total Points: 52 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tetsujin - 64 Incredibly underrated shoot style fight. Veteran vs young promise at his very best. Excellent match that everyone should consider. 365-T. Negro Casas & El Hijo del Santo vs. Scorpio Jr & Bestia Salvaje (CMLL - 3/19/1999) Total Points: 52 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 49 I was kinda dissapointed with this match. I found it a bit too chaotic for my taste. Casas was great in it, though. 362-T. Akira Hokuto vs Kyoko Inoue (AJW - 11/26/1992) Total Points: 53 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 48 Hmmmm it's Hokuto so I'll try. I hope it isn't long. 362-T. Terry Funk & Hiroshi Ono vs. Shoji Nakamaki & Nobutaka Araya (IWA Japan - 11/13/1994) Total Points: 53 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 48 I don't know anything about this other than if 90s Terry is in it it would be at least funny. 362-T. Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino, & CIMA vs. Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi, & Ryo Saito (ROH - 3/31/2006) Total Points: 53 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 48 Oh my god it's been so long. Not the most exciting match to rewatch, and definitely not for everyone, but I remember liking it. Maybe not loving it, but liking it. We'll see. 361. El Hijo del Santo, Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto vs Negro Casas, Tim Patterson & Horace Boulder (FMW/WWA - 5/16/1992) Total Points: 54 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 47 Omg, I've never seen this. This has my attention, no doubt. 359-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Yoji Anjoh (UWFi - 7/3/1991) Total Points: 55 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 66 I kinda don't like Anjoh that much. Don't remember anything particularly great about this. 359-T. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada (NJPW - 1/4/2015) Total Points: 55 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Cactus - 66 Yeah, fantastic Tokyo Dome main event. They put each other to their limits like never before, making it feel like an organic progression in their rivalry. Okada should have won here instead of waiting another fucking year, but hey, Tanahashi makes you love him that much that in the end you can't help but be happy for him. Definitely top 100 worthy. XXX. Kenny Omega vs Kazuchika Okada (NJPW - 6/11/2017)** Total Points: 55 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 46 Oh, the second one. You know what? I actually liked this more than the first one when it first happened. I really thought both of those matches were super great, but I liked this just a bit more. Times have change though, I rewatched the first one and thought it holds up pretty well (not an all-timer, but definitely a great match), so I need to rewatch this and the G1 match in order to clear my mind. I'm sure it will be better than the fourth one, also, but that can be said about almost every single match in history 355-T. El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas (WWA - 7/18/1987) Total Points: 56 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Cactus - 69 I know I voted for this, but now that I have rewatched, I'm not sure I will again. Super great match, but I always had this ahead of the 1997 match, and now that's not the case anymore. Both guys being so young works in favour of and against the match at the same time, if you know what I mean. Splendid athleticism and timing, but not so great pyschollogy. 355-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima (U-Style - 4/6/2003) Total Points: 56 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 45 No fucking idea. Hope it's great. 355-T. Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles (WWE - 11/19/2017) Total Points: 56 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kadaveri - 72 Pretty enjoyable match for basically everybody. This might be up there with matches like Kobashi/Kikuchi vs Can-Arm, or Kobashi/Hansen, in terms of "matches that are worked in a way that could make them universally adored". As I said before, David vs Goliath is a wonderful story and these two did it justice. It was a contender for my list, and while it's too simple, it isn't an exhibition at all. Lesnar had a fucking terrific 2017, and AJ had a terrific last third of 2017 (blame Shane for the first two thirds), so yeah. Amazing. 355-T. Shingo Takagi vs Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW - 8/8/2019) Total Points: 56 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 45 I liked this match, but it was just an exhibition. They exchanged they signature spots and went home. The match worked because these two might have two of the greatest arsenals in wrestling today, and the fighting spirit is unleashed in its glory, but it's too superficial for me to consider it great. 354. Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho vs. Steve Austin & Triple H (WWE - 5/21/2001) Total Points: 57 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Cactus - 58 I fucking hate Hebner in this match. I mean, I hate him in almost every match he is in, but this is one of his worse performances. Selfish motherfucker. But yeah this match was an instant classic. I don't think it's great, but definitely god damn good, and the crowd is insane.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 29, 2022 10:47:48 GMT -5
349-T. Fabulous Ones vs Moondogs (CWA – 1/16/1984) Total Points: 58 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 43
Don't see who Moondogs are. But I trust Memphis.
349-T. Jushin Liger vs Great Sasuke (NJPW - 4/16/1994) Total Points: 58 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 43
Only one ballot saddens me to death. This is literally my #101 match ranked, so my fault I guess. But c'mon this is one of Liger's best performances, has the most famous (not infamous) botch in history, and while lucharesu isn't a style I consider has aged well, it definitely works with Sasuke here.
349-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Hiroyuki Ito (U-Style - 8/18/2004) Total Points: 58 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci 61
Never seen before, but one of my priorities, like every 2000s Tamura match I can find.
349-T. Kenta Kobashi/Go Shiozaki vs. Genichiro Tenryu/Jun Akiyama (NOAH - 4/24/2005) Total Points: 58 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 43
Why didn't Kobashi and Tenryu had a singles match this year? It would have been much better than the Tenryu/Misawa match, that's for sure. Their interactions here carry this (and the Taue tag) to being from just very fun to really great.
349-T. Kenny Omega vs Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW - 8/4/2018) Total Points: 58 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 43
Omg this match. I would have vote for it if I rewatched it in time, I promise. Their saga is a bit of everything, but this and the NJ Cup match are amazing. Ishii is the perfect pro wrestler everytime he has to be the tough underdog working from underneath against main eventers, it's so cool. The only thing against this match was that, if you were following the G1, you knew Omega had to lose, or he would have won the block at mid-tournament (fucking Gedo always does that, embarassing). But fucking unbelievable match anyways.
343-T. Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich vs Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy (WCCW – 11/4/1983) Total Points: 343 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 42
Yeah this is pretty fun. My two favourite Von Erichs against two guys that I don't consider great, but they clearly were motivated in this rivalry.
343-T. Carlos Colon vs Stan Hansen (WWC - 10/12/1986) Total Points: 59 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: mvz - 56
This is the match I remember the less of theirs. Gotta change that.
343-T. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (AJPW - 6/11/1999) Total Points: 59 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 42
Only one ballot doesn't surprise me at all, because this is the one match with so much excess. It's still an excellent match, for sure, but still. Also, Kobashi should have won here.
343-T. Brock Lesnar vs John Cena vs Seth Rollins (WWE - 1/25/2015) Total Points: 59 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tetsujin - 42
Don't be afraid of Rollins guys. He's sensational here. In fact, this is my favourite triple threat match because all three workers play their respective roles perfectly, and they work pretty god damn good together. The only thing I don't like are Cena's AA spamming and that little Cena-Rollins segment before Brock returning to the match, other than that this is literally perfect. It's funny because this PPV was on its way to becoming one of WWE's best ever, but then the worst Rumble match in history happened.
343-T. Adam Page/Kenny Omega vs The Young Bucks (AEW - 2/29/2020) Total Points: 59 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Bossrock - 64
Big nope, sorry. Hate the Elite melodrama. It's funny how Hangman eclipses them, though.
337-T. Jerry Lawler & Bam Bam Bigelow vs Tommy Rich & Austin Idol (CWA – 3/23/1987) Total Points: 60 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliot - 41
This is part of one of the best rivalries of the 80s, so at least go watch it for that alone.
337-T. Arn Anderson/Tully Blanchard vs Barry Windham/Lex Luger (NWA - 3/27/1988) Total Points: 60 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: mvz - 75
Five ballots and still not making it, uh? I guess we love this match, but it's one of those "ok last few entries on my list" type of matches. I won't vote for it again, because right now I need something a bit more complex or special for just a top 100, but hey this is as fun as any good tag match ever.
337-T. Tatsumi Fujinami, Keichii Yamada, Shiro Koshinaka, Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura vs. Hiroshi Saito, Kuniaki Kobayashi, Super Strong Machine, Masa Saito & Riki Choshu (NJPW - 9/12/1988) Total Points: 60 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 41
Liger already looking like the next big thing, even without the Liger gimmick. Other than that and Fujinami's performance (something you can always say when talking about any NJPW multitag match in the 80s), this didn't blow my mind. I don't even like Saito's bladejob that much, I think it drags a bit.
337-T. Genichiro Tenryu vs. Atsushi Onita (FMW - 5/5/1994) Total Points: 60 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Darrenn - 51
Ok I'm gonna say it: this is booooooring. They work a fucking regular, generic match most of the time and then it's like they remember they're surrounded by a literal fucking electrified steel cage, so they use it for a couple of spots and teases, and then they go back to their boring generic match and then the match is over. That's it. Super dissapointing stuff, sadly. Onita was a megastar, but as a worker... I have my doubts. And Tenryu didn't look precisely excited to be part of this. Onita/Funk or Omega/Moxley smokes this.
337-T. Golden Lovers vs Young Bucks (NJPW - 3/25/2018) Total Points: 6 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Bossrock - 49
Remember when I said I hated Elite melodrama? Well, at least at AEW we had Hangman to entertain us. This is one of Ibushi's most soulless performances. Some of the action it's pretty good, but the bad stuff totally drowns this match.
333-T. Jushin Liger vs. Naoki Sano (NJPW - 1/31/1990) Total Points: 61 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 44
Wow, didn't expected just two votes for this one. I've never been super high on it because its lack of cohesion, but this is a pretty fucking famous and appreciated match. 1989 will always be much better, though.
333-T. Koji Kanemoto vs El Samurai (NJPW - 6/5/1997) Total Points: 61 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Bossrock - 69
Yeah this is a pretty cool match. Not great, but pretty good. I prefer Kanemoto's BOSJ Final against Dr Wagner Jr next year, though.
333-T. Genichiro Tenryu vs Shinya Hashimoto (NJPW - 8/1/1998) Total Points: 61 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 40
My least favourite one of their matches together, and it's still pretty cool. Their chemistry is just so fucking good and something I hope more pro wrestlers take notice of.
333-T. Mercedes Martinez vs Kylie Rae (RISE - 3/29/2019) Total Points: 61 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 40
Oh yeah I remember this. Cool pick, Grimmas. It isn't as good as you would expect from a "no rope submission match" with Mercedes on it, but it's still pretty enjoyable. My favourite part is the very beginning, that should have been an instant classic visual.
332-T. Mitsuharu Misawa/Toshiaki Kawada vs. Jumbo Tsuruta/Akira Taue (AJPW - 11/29/1991) Total Points: 62 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 39
I've been wanting to rewatch this for years now, but never were in the mood. Someday. Probably best pre-1993 Misawa match.
327-T. Francis Sullivan & Albert Sanniez vs Bernard Caclard & Tony Martino (France - 10/21/1967) Total Points: 63 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 38
No fucking idea. But that will change someday, I promise.
327-T. Kerry Von Erich vs Michael Hayes (WCCW – 9/5/1983) Total Points: 63 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 38
Have I seen this one? I don't remember, actually. I know I have watched at least one singles match between them but... Well, have to watch it soon, then! I hope it's a good old funny yet vicious territory brawl.
327-T. Shinya Hashimoto vs. Nobuhiko Takada (NJPW - 4/29/1996) Total Points: 63 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci - 65
One of the greatest matches of all time in terms of importance and drawing power. When it comes to the ringwork it isn't as solid because it's too short and Hash wins too easily, but it's still pretty enjoyable and the Tokyo Dome crowd goes absolutely insane.
327-T. Shinya Hashimoto vs Kazuo Yamazaki (NJPW - 8/2/1998) Total Points: 63 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 47
Ha, more Shinya stuff. This match dissapointed the shit out of me last time I watched it, again, Hash wins too easily and this time we also have some selling problems with his leg, but hey. It's Hash in a big match. You know at least it will be entertaining. Not the best Yamazaki match, that's for sure.
327-T. Austin Aries vs Nigel McGuinness (ROH - 12/29/2007) Total Points: 63 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 38
Oh my god Kas, you were going hard with this one. I like that. These guys at their peaks looked wonderful, it's a shame they weren't consistent enough for different reasons, but at least they have this match together. Will rewatch soon, fuck it.
322-T. Bull Nakano & Condor Saito vs Crush Gals (AJW - 10/11/1987) Total Points: 64 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 37
I'm interested. Baby Bull has to be cute. And scary.
322-T. Midnight Express vs. Fantastics (JCP Pro - 3/26/1988) Total Points: 64 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 37
This was awesome for what it was. Great sprint.
322-T. Keiji Muto vs Vader (NJPW - 8/10/1991) Total Points: 64 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 37
OH MY FUCKING SWEET JESUS
322-T. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 7/29/1993) Total Points: 64 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 37
This is pretty good, nowhere near their best stuff (both in singles and tags/multitags) but still pretty good. Obviously, not the best match of the card.
322-T. Daniel Bryan v. Randy Orton (WWE - 12/16/2013) Total Points: 64 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Darrenn - 37
I don't remember this one specially, they had a lot of singles matches back in 2013-14 and none of them resonated a lot with me, sadly.
320-T. Bret Hart vs 1-2-3 Kid (WWF - 7/1/1994) Total Points: 65 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 36
Super great match, Waltman never looked as good again. Savage loosing his shit in commentary is so satisfying, you know a match is good when one of the best ever marks like one of us.
320-T. Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio (WWE - 6/23/2005) Total Points: 65 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 36
Fuuuuuck, this is fucking brilliant. Why didn't I rewatched it before voting? Maybe, just MAYBE, their best match ever. Not just together, as a whole. Eddie's best match and Rey's best match.
318-T. Clive Myers vs Steve Grey (JP - 11/20/1975) Total Points: 66 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 35
This might be my second favourite comedy match ever (just behind The Final Deletion). I know it still is a serious, competitive match, but the comedy is perfectly done throughout the whole match, it's undeniable to me. Strong contender for my list next time, for sure. I love Steve Grey, but never seen more of Myers out there, anny recs?
318-T. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Jun Akiyama (WRESTLE-1 - 8/4/2005) Total Points: 66 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid 35
Super badass stuff. Shibata is the best stubborn wrestler ever and Akiyama bullies the shit out of him like only he knows. Great pick, Envious.
313-T. Lawler & Savage vs Bundy & Rude (CWA - 9/10/1984) Total Points: 67 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 34
If this is the regular tag match, it's super fun but not great because Bundy sells too much and doesn't feel like a monster heel at all, just a fatter Rick Rude. If this is the No DQ rematch, still haven't seen it, but I hope it's cool as well.
313-T. Ric Flair vs Terry Taylor (Mid-South - 6/1/1985) Total Points: 67 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 34
This is one of the big Flair matches I still haven't seen. Shame on me, I guess.
313-T. Butch Reed vs Dick Murdoch (Mid-South - 9/22/1985) Total Points: 67 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: JKWebb - 50
This is a great match and maybe Murdoch's best performance ever, but the problem is that I don't find Butch Reed as good as most other people, and this match drags a lot sometimes because of his limitations. Why it had to be that long?
313-T. Arn & Ole Anderson vs. Rock N Roll Express (JCP - 7/19/1986) Total Points: 67 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Darrenn - 34
Yeah, I would love a link for this one right now, please.
313-T. Blue Panther vs. Atlantis (CMLL - 12/5/1997) Total Points: 67 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control31 - 34
Not close to being as good as the '91 match.
310-T. Midnight Express vs. The Fantastics (WCW - 5/14/1988) Total Points: 68 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: JKWebb - 33
Oh shit now I don't know which one I saw. Is this the Clash I match? Stupid dates system.
310-T. Mitsuharu Misawa & Yoshinari Ogawa vs KENTA & Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH - 4/25/2004) Total Points: 68 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 42
I really love this. One of the very best post-2003 Misawa matches.
310-T. AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura (NJPW - 1/4/2016) Total Points: 68 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 33
A bit dissapointing, but still their best match together (the Last Man Standing is pretty close, though) and something pretty good any fan of these two would appreciate.
307-T. El Hijo del Santo & Eddy Guerrero vs. Blue Panther & Negro Casas (Juárez - 1987) Total Points: 69 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci - 63
Oh my. Even with Blue Panther in it, this is hard to ignore. Gotta watch this sooner than later.
307-T. Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker (WWE - 10/20/2002) Total Points: 69 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 51
One of the best matches of the decade and something I would like to vote for this year, if it's as good as I remember. A bit of Kong/Hotta but in a fucking hell in a cell.
307-T. Eddie Kingston vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW - 10/29/2021) Total Points: 69 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 32
I love a vote for this. Maybe the best Kingston's match ever, but just another day in the office for Bryan. Great dynamic.
305-T. Jon Moxley vs. Josh Barnett (GCW - 4/8/2021) Total Points: 70 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 31
This shit is unbelievable. One of those short matches that do everything they fucking can with the little time they have and create magic. Savage stuff.
305-T. Utami Hayashishita vs Syuri (Stardom - 6/12/2021) Total Points: 70 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 31
Probably won't see this in a pretty long match. I'm kinda allergic to COVID era puroresu.
301-T. Jaguar Yokota vs Lioness Asuka (AJW - 8/22/1985) Total Points: 71 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 30
I want to rewatch this because when I saw it back in the day I wasn't fully invested in joshi yet, and I know I wil appreciate more now. Probably still not a top 100 contender, but at least I want to give it another try.
301-T.Akira Maeda/Nobuhiko Takada vs Shiro Koshinaka/Keiji Mutoh (NJPW – 3/20/1987) Total Points: 71 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21- 30
This sounds extremely fun. Will watch it soon, yeah. Thanks, Control121.
301-T. Steve Austin vs. Triple H (WWF - 2/25/2001) Total Points: 71 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kadaveri - 30
This is worked pretty decently considering the dangerous stipulation, but has almost-inevitable structure and selling issues. Still freaking great and something that adds for either guy's careers, but yeah, not as good for a project like this. Top 30 pick surprises me a lot.
301-T. Walter vs Ilja Dragunov (NXT UK – 10/29/2020) Total Points: 71 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 48
It's a shame this happened when thunderdome was a thing (it already was, right?), otherwise I would have been the first guy on the planet to watch it and mark like a kid. I really like their chemistry.
301-Genichiro Tenryu vs Keiji Muto (AJPW - 6/8/2001) Total Points: 73 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 28
Yeah, this is great. Probably the most surprising match between two old puro legends, but you gotta admire Tenryu's longevity. They knew their limitations and worked the match in a pretty intelligent way, with tons of pyschology. This isn't close to the '96 Tenryu/Muta match, but that shit is fucking ridiculous and plays on its own league; this is totally diferent and still a great fight, so yeah. God bless these two together.
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Post by kas on Jan 29, 2022 11:06:20 GMT -5
301-T. Walter vs Ilja Dragunov (NXT UK – 10/29/2020) Total Points: 71 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 48 It's a shame this happened when thunderdome was a thing (it already was, right?), otherwise I would have been the first guy on the planet to watch it and mark like a kid. I really like their chemistry. This actually didn't take place in the Thunderdome! This was in the UK with it's own, way less distracting set-up, and even though there was piped in crowd noise, it's really quiet. It's one of the only matches I can think of that was enhanced by it's empty arena setting, cause they laid in their strikes even more than they usually do, so you can hear every single brutal strike.
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Post by club on Jan 29, 2022 22:28:43 GMT -5
318-T. Clive Myers vs Steve Grey (JP - 11/20/1975) Total Points: 66 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 35 This might be my second favourite comedy match ever (just behind The Final Deletion). I know it still is a serious, competitive match, but the comedy is perfectly done throughout the whole match, it's undeniable to me. Strong contender for my list next time, for sure. I love Steve Grey, but never seen more of Myers out there, anny recs? Myers had an earlier match with Grey in October '75 that's well worth your time. Also, his January 75 match against Cyanide Sid Cooper. Enjoy!
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 31, 2022 8:18:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll check WALTER/Ilja and those Myers matches, then.
299-T. Oney Lorcan vs. Lars Sullivan (WWE - 9/27/2017) Total Points: 74 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Darrenn - 27
I know Busick (Oney Lorcan is the worst name ever given to somebody) is one hell of a sprint worker, but I don't think that makes for a top 100 match of all time, let alone against this fucker.
299-T. Walter vs. Darby Allin (EVOLVE - 6/23/2018) Total Points: 74 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Gramsci - 42
Unsurprising great pairing. WALTER's 2018 is one of those absolute wonderful years that only few wrestlers in history have (thinking about Flair '89 or Kobashi '03, for example), and while some of the choreographies and spots weren't that organic, it still is a great match with an unbelievable finish.
293-T. Buddy Rose vs Rick Martel (PNW - 9/20/1980) Total Points: 75 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tetsujin - 26
Maybe the best Portland match ever. One of the greatest 2/3 Falls matches in history.
293-T. Akira Maeda/Nobuhiko Takada vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara/Kazuo Yamazaki (NJPW – 5/25/87) Total Points: 75 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 26
I remember liking this a lot. Not enough for a top 100 but it might deserve some consideration. Badass pick.
293-T. Aja Kong vs. Bull Nakano (AJW 11/26/1992) Total Points: 75 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 26
Sadly this match wasn't as great as it should have been, otherwise this would have the same recognition as Hokuto/Kandori or Toyota/Aja, for example. The historical value is there.
293-T. Shinya Hashimoto vs Genichiro Tenryu (NJPW - 2/17/1994) Total Points: 75 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 50
Yeah guys I think I should have voted for this. My bad. This is a top 5o contender.
293-T. Nasty Boys vs Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne (WCW - 4/17/1994) Total Points: 75 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Darrenn - 58
Hmmmm I'm not sure about this. It has Foley, but still...
293-T. Kenta Kobashi & Yoshihiro Takayama vs Mitsuhara Misawa & Jun Akiyama (NOAH - 12/2/2007) Total Points: 75 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Cactus - 26
One of the most dramatic matches ever and one of the only few that had made me cry. Also, why the fuck did Kobashi lose!?!?!? We all know and love Misawa, but that was some Triple H's level booking choice.
288-T. Jerry Lawler vs Andy Kaufman/Colossus of Death (CWA 5/2/1983) Total Points: 76 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 25
I'm sure this stuff has to be fun, but I'm also sure it is not top 100 material.
288-T. Bryan Danielson v. Nigel McGuinness (ROH - 6/9/2007) Total Points: 76 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: AndyLFC - 25
Is this the one were Bryan puts a fucking headlock over to the point he has to troll the crowd and change to another resthold? That was fucking brilliant.
288-T. LA Park vs Dr. Wagner Jr. (TXT - 5/11/2013) Total Points: 76 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Grimmas - 33
FUUUUUCK I need to watch this.
288-T. AJ Styles vs. John Cena (WWE - 1/29/2017) Total Points: 76 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kadaveri - 25
I'm not a fan of their matches except the very first one, and this isn't the exception. I mean, it's much better than the SummerSlam! match, but that's more because that one is super bad more than this being super good. Loved the F4 spot and the finish, and it felt like a huge moment for Cena and probably should have main evented WM instead of being at the Rumble PPV, but still. Big moves for the sake of it.
288-T. Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks (WWE - 4/10/2021) Total Points: 76 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Grimmas - 25
Yasss, I really like a vote for this one. And a top 25 one, no less! I'm not as high on this match as most other people, but it's obviously really good and having two black women main event is super huge.
285-T. Ric Flair vs Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW - 6/8/1983) Total Points: 77 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kadaveri - 24
I really like their matches, actually, but this was a bit too much. My favourite is the '81 one.
285-T. Jerry Lawler vs Andy Kaufman (CWA - 11/4/1983) Total Points: 77 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 24
Again, I'm sure the Lawler/Kaufman stuff is fun and will check everything I can some day, but top 100 material? Andy Kaufman? I mean... Hard to believe.
285-T. Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, and Kenta Kobashi vs. Jumbo Tsuruta, Akira Taue, and Masa Fuchi (AJPW - 5/22/1992) Total Points: 77 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: JKWebb - 58
It's crazy to me that Kobashi had this fucking great match and 72 hours later he had an all-time classic tag match with Kikuchi and the Can-Ams.
276-T. Buddy Rogers vs Pat O'Connor (Chicago - 3/30/1961) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Kadaveri - 64
If I could wish for a wrestler to have his/her entire career on tape and watch it all... Well, it would be Nick Bockwinkel, but Rogers is a pretty close second. Every match of his that I watch, I'm super delighted with his performance. This is no exception.
276-T. Terry & Dory Funk Jr vs Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik (AJPW - 12/9/1978) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 40
I like their matches together. Don't love them, but yeah, I like them. They're neat, in their own, disturbing way. This might be my least favourite of them all because I don't usually like 2/3 Falls matches, but it's still a pretty decent match.
276-T. The Fabulous Ones vs The Moondogs (CWA - 5/2/1983) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 59
I feel that I've seen this match on the countdown a hundred times already. Gotta watch one of them at least hahaha
276-T. Andy Kaufman vs. Jimmy Hart (CWA - 7/11/1983) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 23
See what I said at every other Kaufman entry on this countdown.
276-T. Américo Rocca vs Mocho Cota (EMLL - 1/27/1984) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tetsujin - 23
The action in this match ages like the best of wines, specially from Cota. What a brilliant performance he has here. This is one of the few lucha matches where I could feel perfection, and that's special to me because lucha is one of the styles I have more trouble with.
276-T. El Dandy vs. Pirata Morgan (EMLL - 9/23/1988) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 46
Pretty good. Morgan's performance is so vicious, I love it. Sadly, it doesn't feel special because it is the same fucking attitude, and overall structure of the match, that every single lucha de apuestas de cabelleras has. Selling is a bit weird, too.
276-T. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Steve Williams (AJPW - 7/28/1994) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 39
Great match. I prefer the Kobashi TC match when it comes to Williams, but this was huge at the time and still feels that way.
276-T. Kenta Kobashi vs Steve Williams (AJPW 9/3/1994) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 51
HA! Didn't realize these two were back to back. Yeah this is the best Williams match ever. I will never forget the first time I watched this, I was kinda new to 90s AJPW and it blew my mind. It isn't that good, but still a clear top 100 contender.
276-T. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (RINGS - 4/4/1997) Total Points: 78 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 23
I'm not sure I have watched this, and if that's the case, it would be outrageous. Will put it on my priorities list.
275. Don Kernodle and Sgt. Slaughter vs Jay Youngblood & Ricky Steamboat (NWA - 3/12/1983) Total Points: 79 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 22
Is this a cage match? Because if it is, there's muuuuuch less chance of me watching it.
274. Midnight Express vs Rock n Roll Express (JCP – 11/26/87) Total Points: 80 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 21
Not their best batch together. Still so god damn cool.
273. El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas (WWA – 5/17/1991) Total Points: 81 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 20
Honestly, now that I have rewatched both the 87 and 97 matches... this MIGHT BE their best one. I remember unbelievable matwork and athletical sequences, with tons of viciousness as well. Also, I remember the quality of the vid being awful. Bizarre experience.
271-T. Al Perez vs Invader I (WWC - 10/26/1986) Total Points: 82 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 29
Maybe someday. I want to watch some Invader matches but I don't want to watch them at the same time.
271-T. Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch (NXT - 5/20/2015) Total Points: 82 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Grimmas - 46
Sasha's NXT run is fucking tremendous, what a prodigy. I prefer both Bayley matches, specially Brooklyn, but this match with Becky is super great as well, and she elevated Becky to the girl we all falled in love with, and then became a star.
267. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Kazuo Yamazaki (UWF II - 7/24/1989) Total Points: 83 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 25
Maaaaan this match is so. Fucking. COOL. Best Fujiwara singles match, by far I would say. Just a legendary performance that sintetizes everything that's great about him.
266-T. Chicky Starr vs Invader III (WWC - 5/1986) Total Points: 84 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 17
Puerto Rico has tons of fun stuff, for sure. Top 20 pick sounds insane, but not in a bad way.
266-T. Shawn Michaels & Diesel vs Razor Ramon & 123 Kid (WWF - 9/28/1994) Total Points: 84 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 50
The Kliq obviously always had chemistry against themselves. Super fun stuff.
266-T. Octagon, Rey Misterio Jr & El Hijo del Santo vs. Blue Panther, Psicosis & Fuerza Guerrera (AAA - 3/16/1995) Total Points: 84 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 19
Not sure I want to watch this. It has Rey and Santito, and Psicosis is fine too, but I can't stand the other guys.
266-T. Jushin Thunder Liger vs Shinjiro Otani (NJPW - 2/9/1997) Total Points: 84 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 55
As I said in this thread, #55 is too low for this match. This is in the near-perfect territory. Is this or the '89 Sano match for the best Liger match ever.
265. CM Punk vs. John Cena (WWE - 2/25/2013) Total Points: 85 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Tetsujin - 55
I didn't vote for this. I considered it, though, I really love this match. Punk is Cena's best in ring rival and this is up there with MITB as their best encounter. They should have main evented WM that year, but The Rock says hello.
259-T. Ric Flair vs Rick Martel (AJPW - 10/21/1985) Total Points: 86 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Tetsujin - 15
Anytime I think I have this match too high, I rewatch it and remember it is that good. This is Flair's best match, ever. Even the obligatory no contest finish was well made, but I still feel that, with a clean finish, this would be top 5 contender.
259-T. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (WWF - 2/15/1987) Total Points: 86 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: JKWebb - 39
Better than the 'Mania match. I don't think that's an unpopular opinion now.
259-T. Shawn Michaels vs Diesel (WWE - 4/28/1996) Total Points: 86 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 54
Fucking insane brawl. Best performance of Diesel's career and one of the absolute best for HBK as well, and that covers a lot of ground, so yeah this match is amazing.
259-T. KDX (Taka Michinoku, Mens Teoh, Dick Togo, Shiryu & Shoichi Funaki) vs Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Super Delphin, Tiger Mask & Masato Yakushiji (Michinoku Pro - 10/10/1996) Total Points: 86 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 60
Someday, I promise. At least for Togo.
259-T. Mima Shimoda & Etsuka Mita vs Kaoru Ito & Tomoko Watanabe (AJW - 9/21/1997) Total Points: 86 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Bossrock - 15
I really need to watch more LCO, so I appreciate this pick a lot.
259-T. Orange Cassidy vs. PAC (AEW - 2/29/2020) Total Points: 86 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Darrenn - 28
I remember this, it was super great. Best Cassidy's match ever, for sure, it feels like the peak of his character. We don't deserve PAC, he's criminally underrated. Hope he makes next time' GWE because he deserves it a lot.
256-T. Terry and Dory Funk Jr vs Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik (AJPW - 12/15/1977) Total Points: 87 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 14
This might be my favourite of their series. One of the most special matches in pre-90s wrestling. A legend was born.
256-T. Volk Han vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS - 8/24/1996) Total Points: 87 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Control21 - 14
And another Han/Kohsaka match! Thanks guys, you make me happy.
256-T. Stan Hansen/Vader vs Kenta Kobashi/Jun Akiyama (AJPW - 12/5/1998) Total Points: 87 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 58
This is magic. So simple yet at the same time so complex. Much better than most other famous tag matches in history.
254-T. Ric Flair vs Lex Luger (NWA/WCW - 12/26/1988) Total Points: 88 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 13
Haven't seen this. Is it as long as the WrestleWar 1990 one?
254-T. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Yuji Nagata (NJPW - 4/13/2007) Total Points: 88 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: AndyLFC - 66
Fucking brilliant match, one of the very best at showing wrestler's intelligence and relying on strategy to win a big fight. The fact Tanahashi had this particular performance as early as 2007 is just insane to me. What a wrestling genious.
253. Infierno en el Ring (El Satanico, Averno, Mephisto, Ultimo Guerrero, Tarzan Boy, Rey Bucanero & Mascara Magica) (CMLL - 9/28/2001) Total Points: 89 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 12
I have this on my priorities list. So much hype for it.
252. Riki Choshu vs Shinya Hashimoto (NJPW - 8/2/1996) Total Points: 90 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Testujin - 11
Best Hash match ever, and again, so simple yet so complex at the same time, but this one is even more of tboth things, it's a mindblowing match. C'mon guys, put CHOOOOOSHUUUUU on the top 100 next time.
251. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Josh Barnett (U-Style - 11/23/2005) Total Points: 92 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 9
Sadly, I was a bit dissapointed by this, the matwork could have been much better. But the highs in this match are suuuuper high, elite level stuff. So, overall, this is pretty great and definitely something you should watch before voting.
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Post by tetsujin on Feb 4, 2022 7:01:14 GMT -5
248-T. Masahiro Chono vs Keiji Mutoh (NJPW - 8/11/1991) Total Points: 93 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 48 This is up there with almost every single one of the big AJPW singles matches of the decade. It's a very polished, detail-focused match with very strong scalation and sense of progress. A masterpiece, no doubt about it. 248-T. Randy Orton vs Mick Foley (WWE - 4/18/2004) Total Points: 93 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 29 This, on the other hand, is delicious over the top chaos and violence! If not for Bischoff ruining the fire spot, this whould be 5*. Foley's masterpiece and say what you want about Orton, but at 23 years old he looked like the best freaking prodigy ever seen in the industry. 248-T. Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega (AEW - 9/22/2021) Total Points: 93 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Gramsci - 8 Oh man, a top ten vote for this one is huge. What's funny to me is that, yes, this is one of Omega's best matches ever... but just another day in the office for Bryan. Just shows the big gap between the two, to me. 246-T. KENTA vs Low Ki (ROH - 12/17/2005) Total Points: 94 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: AndyLFC - 42 I need to rewatch this asap. I mean, there's no way this isn't cool, but it's been forever so who knows. 246-T. Bryan Danielson vs Chris Hero (PWG - 9/4/2009) Total Points: 94 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 28 Another match I need to rewatch. Probably the best "unnecesarily long" Bryan match, and definitely Hero's best performance. Great pick, Kas. 243-T. Dump Matsumoto vs Itsuki Yamazaki (AJW - 8/21/1986) Total Points: 95 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Elliott - 6 I remember Yamazaki doing a flip using Dump's metal bar, and that was really cool. The rest of the match is boring garbage. 243-T. Toshie Uematsu vs Yoshiko Tamura (GAEA - 7/19/1997) Total Points: 95 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 36 I don't know what is this, but if its GAEA I'm 99% gonna like it. Kas high vote on this one has me intrigued, usually we have very similar tastes (except when it comes to Omega haha) so that's definitely another thing that motivates me to watch this. 243-T. El Hijo del Santo vs Felino (Monterrey - 10/18/1998) Total Points: 95 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Grimmas - 49 This isn't Santito's best match by any means, but it definitely might be his best performance. Just the way he outwrestles Felino in the first fall, with that fucking brutal display of crazy matwork, says it all. Lucha clichés kinda held this match back, but HDS manages to shine like ever before still. What a GOAT. 241-T. Shingo Takagi vs Masaaki Mochizuki (DG - 11/01/2015) Total Points: 96 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: Kas - 5 TOP 5?!?!? Ok, let's see. Shingo has a lot of crazy good matches in NJPW but none of them have resonated with me in a GOATC level, so I'm not sure any of his DG matches will surpass his best NJPW stuff, but who knows. Everything is possible in pro wrestling. 241-T. Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston (WWE - 4/7/2019) Total Points: 96 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Grimmas - 63 Yet again, another Bryan match where he gives his opponent his best match ever, but for him is just another great match to his CV. 239-T. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW - 1/4/2017) Total Points: 97 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 44 I remember this match like it happened yesterday. I wasn't really an Omega fan, but they managed to make me care a lot for him here, I was marking out like a boy. This has some tedious 15 minutes of... nothing, really, before starting to build things up for a good climax, AND THEN, Omega kicks out of the Rainmaker and we move to the climax's climax; it's super well done. Everybody loved Omega after this, but to me, this is one of Okada's finests performances, he really puts the match together in a very subtle but undenniable way. 239-T. Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW - 8/13/2017) Total Points: 97 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Bossrock - 51 Oh my, this is one of my favourite matches. The G1 26 one is much better and a GOATC, but this has to be my favourite between them because, c'mon, this is the Naito boom at his peak. It's him winning the G1 in a big, climactic way. Naito is the best opponent Kenny ever had, because he can play the bombfest game Kenny likes to do, with adding cohesion, character work and dramatic selling to not letting the match be too much nonsense. This match is fucking insane and they destroy each other, but it's just so magical. Also, totally on board with it being ahead of the first Okada/Omega match 238. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Riki Choshu (NJPW - 6/9/1987) Total Points: 98 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 32 I used to be super high on this some years ago. I still am, but not that much. Super fun brawl that definitely deserves consideration for a top 100. Fujiwara is much more versatile that we give him credit for. 236-T. Bret Hart vs Mr Perfect (WWF - 8/26/1991) Total Points: 99 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Cactus - 25 Not as good as the KOTR match, but definitely one of Bret's most important matches ever. I'm so glad this match exists. 236-T. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW - 1/4/2016) Total Points: 99 # of Ballots: 1 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 2 The final chapter of the rivalry of the decade (I like to think about the 2018 trilogy as some kind of epilogue for their saga). A Tokyo Dome super epic bout done pretty well. A bit too much, but that was inevitable when you consider this came after the WK 9 match, which they worked as maximalist as they could without relying of excess. 232-T. Akira Maeda vs Nobuhiko Takada (UWF - 11/10/1988) Total Points: 101 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 27 I really love this. Takada's comeback here is one of the best comebacks ever done in a wrestling match. 232-T. Bull Nakano & Grizzly Iwamoto vs. Aja Kong & Bison Kimura (AJW - 8/19/1990) Total Points: 101 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Bossrock - 40 Ok, I'll watch this. 232-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (RINGS - 9/21/1998) Total Points: 101 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: AndyLFC - 40 The moment they start telling the actual story, this match is bonkers. Sadly, we have like 10 minutes of random, aimless matwork first. But yeah overall pretty fucking great match, still. 230-T. Yuki Ishikawa vs Daisuke Ikeda (Futen - 4/24/2005)* Total Points: 102 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Control21 - 47 Yeah no doubt this is their best match. The only one I considered for my list. 230-T. Bryan Danielson vs Low Ki (JAPW – 6/7/2002) Total Points: 102 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 46 I think Roud Robin Challenge is up there as well, but this feels to me like the indie scene giving a bittersweet farewell to classic catch wrestling, because after this, this style wasn't really seen as much anymore. And considering how fucking good this match was, I don't know why. 228-T. Diesel vs Bret Hart (WWE - 11/19/1995) Total Points: 103 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Grimmas - 57 Absolutely fantastic match. It's like the Extreme Rules AJ/Reigns match, but better. 228-T. La Parka vs. El Hijo del Santo (Monterrey - 12/23/2001) Total Points: 103 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Gramsci - 35 This is like number one or two in my priorities list. Maybe this weekend. It has to be stellar. 226-T. Jerry Lawler vs Andy Kaufman (CWA - 4/5/1982) Total Points: 104 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 22 Hey at least I can use this countdown to write down all these Kaufman matches and watch them in chronological order someday. 226-T. HHH vs. Cactus Jack (WWF - 1/23/2000)+ Total Points: 104 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 49 I almost voted for this, but ended up being a bit dissapointed in my last rewatch. It's still pretty great and a contender, but on the lower side. Has some structure issues. 226-T. The Shield vs Ryback & Team HellNo! (WWE - 12/16/2012) Total Points: 104 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 54 Another tríos match better than the Jumbo/Misawa tríos matches. A perfect debut for The Shield, telling a brilliant story about controled chaos and strategy. 223-T. El Hijo del Santo, Black Warrior, Silver King, El Felino, Dr. Wagner Jr., El Satanico, Scorpio Jr. & Kevin Quinn vs. Negro Casas, El Dandy, Ultimo Dragon, Atlantis, Shocker, Mascara Magica, La Fiera & Brazo de Oro (CMLL - 4/18/1997) Total Points: 105 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 32 I've never seen this before, I'm not really into this Torneo Cibernético matches, but this have some crazy good names in it so we'll see. 223-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Mikhail Ilioukhine (RINGS - 1/21/1998) Total Points: 105 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 22 I remember this being fucking badass, but it's been forever. 223-T. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Suwama (AJPW - 4/9/2008) Total Points: 105 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 41 One of the best early Tanahashi's performances, this one with a subtle heel approach that I really like. Tana is the ultimate underdog, but him being a subtle heel in another company that it's not New Japan, or against an opponent he doesn't see as worthy, is a character trait that suits him surprisingly well. Also, Suwama best match ever and only some of the Miyahara matches come close. 220-T. Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto vs Kendo Nagasaki & Masanobu Kurisu (FMW - 4/1/1990) Total Points: 107 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Bossrock - 25 Not a chance, I think. Top 25 from Bossrock intrigues me, though. 220-T. Jushin Liger vs The Great Sasuke (NJPW - 7/8/1994) Total Points: 107 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 39 Yeah not as good as the J Cup match, but still a worthy rematch. 220-T. The Rock vs Hulk Hogan (WWE - 3/17/2002) Total Points: 107 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 20 Definitely a great experience. The wrestling itself it's pretty mediocre at best, but the charisma and star power is so over the limit, it doesn't matter as much. Unpopular opinion: Vince/Hogan at the next WM is a better version of this match. 219. Giant Baba vs Fritz Von Erich (JWA - 12/3/1966) Total Points: 108 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 41 Wasn't impressed with this match, sadly, because I wanted to like it. It's not bad, but it's too long and repetitive. 218. Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (NOAH - 11/1/2003) Total Points: 109 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 45 One of the most diverse and intelligent Kobashi matches. Ogawa's masterpiece. Should rewatch this before voting because I can see this in my list if I find a full version (last time I watched this it was clipped, sadly). 216-T. Steve Grey vs Johnny Saint (JP – 1/28/1980 [air: 2/2/1980]) Total Points: 111 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Cap - 44 Yeah, this is WOS peak for a reason. Truly spectacular, timeless match. We don't deserve Steve Grey. 216-T. Espanto Jr vs El Hijo del Santo (UWA - 4/10/1988) Total Points: 111 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 10 This is perfect. Even better than the '86 apuestas match, and the best HDS match I've ever seen. Hell, this is the perfect lucha libre match if you ask me. 215. Kazuchika Okada vs Tetsuya Naito (NJPW - 1/5/2020) Total Points: 112 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 27 As a moment, this was one of the very best I've ever experienced. I cried when Naito won. The match itself is great, a bit generic sometimes, but when you finally have Naito winning Okada for the title at the main event of WK in the Tokyo Dome, after I don't know how many years of build up, nothing else matters. 214. Genichiro Tenryu & Koki Kitahara vs. Kengo Kimura & Shiro Koshinaka (NJPW - 10/23/1992) Total Points: 113 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 22 Koshinaka/Tenryu is an underrated pairing. 213. Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada vs Dynamite Kansai and Mayumi Ozaki (AJW 12/6/1993) Total Points: 114 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 29 Their worst match together, and still pretty good. It's just they didn't gave anything new, even when this was the only one fall match of the trilogy, which could have been used in a more efficient way to build tension. 212. Toshiaki Kawada vs. Kenta Kobashi (AJPW - 6/12/1998) Total Points: 116 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: AndyLFC - 18 Kobashi's 1998 is one of those magical years for a pro wrestler, but my god Kawada's performance here is one of his very best. Like, just a step below 9/6/95. A match full of brilliant moments, and the pacing is pretty neat. 209-T. Rock n Roll Express vs The Andersons (JCP - 11/27/1986) Total Points: 117 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: JKWebb - 22 GIMMEGIMMEGIMMEGIMMEGIMME! 209-T. Burning vs. Stan Hansen/Akira Taue (AJPW - 12/3/1999) Total Points: 117 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 35 Hansens' last great match. And a total MOTYC. A very emotional match and crowd, and everyone played their specific role wonderfully. 209-T. Ultimo Guerrero vs Atlantis (CMLL - 9/19/2014) Total Points: 117 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Grimmas - 17 I need to watch this, yeah. Cool pick, Grimmas. 208. Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine (WWF - 2/19/1979) Total Points: 118 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: JKWebb - 38 Another one of those classic 70s matches I want to give a chance. I 100% trust Valentine even if I don't like Backlund that much and I know the match is too long. 203-T. Giant Baba vs Destroyer (JWA – 3/5/1969) Total Points: 120 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Elliott - 56 My number 100, in an honorable mention way. A match this good and timeless this early is... just something I feel obligated to respect. 203-T. Kerry Von Erich vs Michael Hayes (WCCW - 11/24/1983) Total Points: 120 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 27 This was super fun, yeah. Really cool pick, Elliott. Definitely see the appeal for this one. 203-T. Midnight Express vs The Southern Boys (WCW - 7/7/1990) Total Points: 120 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 34 Oh, I'm not sure I watched this ever before. I'm more of a Midnights guy than a RnR guy, so I'm excited. 203-T. Royal Rumble Match (WWF - 1/19/1992) Total Points: 120 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 25 Unpopular opinion: this match isn't that good, and it's not even a contender for best Rumble ever. it's a product of its time. Another underrated opinion: Piper is the MVP of the match, not Flair. I still enjoy the match and appreciate what they did and how they did it, but Rumbles at this point were still in development phase so yeah, doesn't age that well. 203-T. Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect (WWF - 6/13/1993) Total Points: 120 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 46 Yeah that's the good shit. What a match, guys. It's crazy to think this happened in 1993 WWF. 202. AJW vs JWP (JWP - 7/31/1993) Total Points: 121 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 26 A really special match. I love the first part of it, all those singles matches, and then the classic multitag was a bit too much sometimes, but it still had memorable spots and the ending in particular is fucking spectacular, so yeah, an instant classic.
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Post by tetsujin on Feb 5, 2022 7:37:57 GMT -5
Almost there!
198-T. Pat Patterson vs Sgt. Slaughter (WWF – 5/4/1981) Total Points: 122 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Grimmas - 43
I remember likng this match but not loving it. It's been a while, like, five or six years ago, so I need to rewatch it and see if it holds up. Interesting bloodbath.
198-T. Super Vader vs Nobuhiko Takada (UWFi - 8/18/1994) Total Points: 122 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: mvz - 49
I don't remember which one was this, but I loved both matches I saw from them, even if I personally don't consider them contenders for a project like this.
198-T. Aja Kong vs KAORU (GAEA – 2/13/2000) Total Points: 122 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Kadaveri - 63
Fucking amazing match that would have been even better with a good crowd. Like, what the hell japanese people, why are you so quiet here? This is insane. Aja's performance here is everything Dump Matsumoto tried to be.
198-T. TLC 2 (WWE - 4/1/2001) Total Points: 122 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cactus - 29
Legendary match that ages super well, what a surprise.
197. Dustin Rhodes vs Cody (AEW - 5/25/2019) Total Points: 123 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Cactus - 28
Might be the only Cody match I loved since he left WWE.
195-T. Akira Hokuto vs Manami Toyota (AJW – 9/2/1995) Total Points: 126 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Cap - 65
Their best match together by far. Spectacular stuff. I thought the human body couldn't bend in those ways.
195-T. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Hiromitsu Kanehara (Kingdom - 12/2/1997) Total Points: 126 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Control21 - 37
What the hell even is this. First time I've ever heard about this promotion. I know Sakuraba at least. Probably it's good.
193-T. Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW - 10/14/2013) Total Points: 127 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Tetsujin - 32
The Invassion Attack match is so good, nobody remembers poor Kings of Pro Wrestling. And it's almost as good as that one, heck, from a stakes perspective this is even better. These two together, man. Pure magic.
193-T. Kazuchika Okada vs Kota Ibushi (NJPW - 1/4/2020) Total Points: 127 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 17
Highly overrated. A match with no personality or anything different from a standard Okada big match. It's good, very good even, but not somewhere near as a classic.
192. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Kenta Kobashi (AJPW - 10/25/1995) Total Points: 128 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Bossrock - 11
This is my third favourite match of this saga, and considering I firmly believe it's the greatest saga of all time, that's super high praise. The storytelling here is fantastic, with Misawa teaching Kobashi how to work throughout a big, long championship match if he wants to become the Ace in the future.
190-T. Ivan Koloff & Khrusher Khruschev vs. The Rock N' Roll Express (JCP - 7/9/1985) Total Points: 129 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 34
This is one of those matches that it's hard not to enjoy if you're northamerican. Khrusher Khruschev is a silly name though.
190-T. The Fantastics vs. The Midnight Express (WCW - 3/27/1988) Total Points: 129 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 37
I thought this already appeared in the countdown. Whatever.
187-T. The Enforcers vs Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes (WCW - 11/19/1991) Total Points: 130 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Tim Livingston - 19
Oh my. Super charming match. The Enforcers' reaction to Steamboat's return is something else, they put the surprise even much more over. The match itself is super great as well, not very ambitious but everything they did, they did it wonderfully.
187-T. Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles (TNA - 9/11/2005) Total Points: 130 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 26
Crazy match, only damaged by Joe hitting the Muscle Buster super early on and forcing all three guys to improvise the last ten minutes or so. And even with that mess, it's still an excellent match.
187-T. Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima (ROH - 12/28/2008) Total Points: 130 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Darrenn - 6
One of Dragon's greatest babyface performances. And that's saying a fucking lot.
185-T. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Super Vader (UWFi - 6/10/1994) Total Points: 131 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Gramsci - 44
The pairing we never knew we needed until we received it.
185-T. Mayumi Ozaki vs Dynamite Kansai (JWP – 3/17/1995) Total Points: 131 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Cap - 43
This two can go from looking like the best tag team ever, to having this insane match against each other. Gotta respect that. I'll probably vote for this in the future, if I remember to rewatch it.
182-T. Bull Nakano vs Aja Kong (AJW - 11/14/1990) Total Points: 132 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Grimmas - 20
Fucking chaotic spectacle, and I'm all on board for it. Somehow I forgot about this when I called Bret/Owen the second best steel cage match ever, this is clearly better. The finishing spot is one of the most insanes from any match in history. Bull's best match ever with Queendom.
182-T. The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels (WWE - 3/28/2010) Total Points: 132 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Tetsujin - 7
So sad this didn't make it in any of these years. This is peak WWE sports entertainment, guys. There's no way you can't critizise this for having too many finishers and then say something like "Warrior/Savage is the peak of Vince's point of view of wrestling". I dare you to rewatch this and saying it doesn't deserve a spot on the list.
181. Mariko Yoshida vs Hiromi Yagi (ARSION - 2/18/1999) Total Points: 133 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Tetsujin - 33
This was the first match I saw in 2021, and oh my christ. This blew my mind. Is it right to call this the greatest shoot style match ever? Because it definitely feels like it. I'm in love with this match and I'm sure most people will if they give it a chance.
177-T. Antonio Inoki vs. Jack Brisco (JWA - 8/5/1971) Total Points: 135 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 27
The Markoff match is fun, but this has to be the first Inoki classic. Maybe the best Jack Brisco match as well, at least that we have on tape. This isn't peak Inoki yet, but watching this you can see him taking notes and defining his wrestling philosophy, and that's pretty neat.
177-T. Ric Flair vs Ted DiBiase (Mid-South - 11/6/1985) Total Points: 135 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: JKWebb - 40
As everybody says: cool match, excellent angle.
177-T. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (NXT - 10/7/2015) Total Points: 135 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Cactus - 59
When I first watched this, back when it happened, I was blown away. I had it at 5* and yada yada. Banks' heel performance is one of the best ever. Right now, I don't think it's up there with Brooklyn, there are some structure issues because of the Ironwoman gimmick, but the best parts of this match remain. A clear contender.
177-T. Daniel Bryan vs Brock Lesnar (WWE – 11/18/2018) Total Points: 135 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Cactus - 37
A really special match, and the main event of WM we should have gotten back in 2015. Structurally this is basically the same as Brock/Styles, but better because of Bryan's "asshole heel but slowly returning to my babyface YES Movement persona because of the tremendous threat I have in front of me" character work.
175-T. El Dandy vs. Angel Azteca (EMLL 6/1/1990) Total Points: 137 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 14
Very close to the peak of lucha libre's matwork. Maybe a bit too long, though. I need to rewatch it before voting next time, because I have a feeling this will make it. I'm surprised only three people voted for it, too!
175-T. Team Taco vs Alexander Otsuka and Yuki Ishikawa (BattleArts – 10/30/1996) Total Points: 137 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: andyLFC - 51
The first BattlARTS match I ever saw, and man what a ride. It perfectly shows the heart and soul of that weird hybrid style. This may sound extrange, but I kinda don't want to watch this match ever again because the experience I had with it was so fun and fascinating that I don't want to take the risk of losing it.
174. CM Punk vs. Eddie Kingston (AEW - 11/13/2021) Total Points: 139 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Darrenn - 45
If Punk's offense looked better, this would have been a great match, maybe a MOTYC even. It's close, though, but that was the only element of the match that took me out of it sometimes. But fuck yeah this is badass and everything it needed to be. Gotta love Kingston man, he brings something special when working important matches and/or storylines.
173. Akira Hokuto & Aja Kong vs. Shinobu Kandori & Eagle Sawai (AJW - 4/11/1993) Total Points: 141 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Grimmas - 22
Yeah this is amazing. Kandori destroys Hokuto's arm even more, and her beef with Aja is so great as well. Sawai didn't looked out of place surrounded by three all-timers, so also cool.
172. Super Dragon vs Necro Butcher (PWG – 9/2/2006) Total Points: 142 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Bossrock - 39
Oh my, I don't think I want to watch this.
171. Terry Funk vs Jerry Lawler (CWA - 4/6/1981) Total Points: 143 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Elliott - 19
Kinda boring. That's it, I said it. The No DQ match is SO MUCH BETTER, c'mon guys, hear the crowd in that match and then watch this and tell me you prefer this one again. Impossible. The only thing I find great about this is Terry's pre-match promo, that might be one of his best promos ever.
170. DIY vs The Revival (NXT - 11/19/2016) Total Points: 144 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Grimmas - 47
I've been looking forward to rewatch this these days (gotta watch their first match before, though). I love Revival/FTR, but they never have looked as great as in their very first peak year, 2016.
169. Alexander Otsuka vs Mitsuhiro Matsunaga (BattleArts – 11/9/1999) Total Points: 146 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Elliott - 18
This is it. The first match I have on my priorities list. I deserve eternal punishment for not having watch this already.
168. Adrian Street vs Jim Breaks (JP – 2/12/1972) Total Points: 147 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cap - 47
This is funny sometimes, but I don't get it as most other people. Breaks has more interesting matches against better WOS babyfaces. Is there anything I'm missing? Context, maybe?
165-T. Terry & Dory Funk Jr vs Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka (AJPW - 12/13/1981) Total Points: 148 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Superstar Sleeze - 36
Man this match is so fucking boring, even Terry can't carry it. Why do some people like this? We all know Brody was bad, no one has ever recommended another Jimmy Snuka match in the history of mankind, but this match is supossed to be an all-timer? Nah, not buying it. At least Hansen debuted in AJPW, that's great.
165-T. El Satanico vs Gran Cochise (EMLL – 9/14/1984) Total Points: 148 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Cap - 24
Guys you're going to hate me. Another classic match that I find criminally overrated. At least I can say this is good, but man, Satánico has so much charisma and personality that seeing him in this generic lucha title match with a very limited opponent feels like a total waste and dissapointment. The worst thing is, these two show throughout the match some elements, sequences or something very worthy of a project like this, but those are only a few glimpses in the middle of a very souless match.
165-T. Blue Demon Jr vs. Dr Wagner Jr (AAA - 8/3/2019) Total Points: 148 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Gramsci - 36
Yeah I've been looking forward to this. I trust Wagner.
164. Bull Nakano vs Akira Hokuto (AJW - 1/4/1991) Total Points: 149 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Kas - 23
Their dynamic here is fantastic, they bring so much intensity to everything they do, it's mesmerizing. Also, some insane spots.
163. Roddy Piper vs Greg Valentine (JCP - 7/9/1983) Total Points: 152 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: JKWebb - 35
This isn't the Dog Collar, right? Gotta be that new, former match of their rivalry that appeared on the internet some time ago. It's pretty cool, but obviously nowhere near the unbelievable classic at Starrcade.
162. Vader vs Sting (WCW - 2/21/1993) Total Points: 154 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: JKWebb - 27
My least favourite one of their trilogy, but still pretty fun! Gotta love these two.
161. CM Punk vs Samoa Joe (ROH - 10/16/2004) Total Points: 155 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 28
Is this the one Meltzer gave 5*, or the last one? If it's the former, it's not as good, if it's the latter, GOATC.
160. The Rock N Roll Express vs The Midnight Express (WCW - 2/25/1990) Total Points: 156 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 24
Their best match together, probably. Even Cornette's selling is over the top here. Need to rewatch it asap before voting next time, might have a place.
159. Gilbert Cesca vs Billy Catanzarro (France – 5/2/1957) Total Points: 157 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cactus - 46
Yeah, this is mindblowing considering it's 1957. It still feels like a product of it's time in most ways, but there's some crazy stuff that most guys at PWG would never do as well. Definitely something every pro wrestling fan should check.
158. Jerry Lawler vs Austin Idol (CWA - 4/27/1987) Total Points: 159 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Elliott - 8
The perfect example of a legendary storyline elevating a great match into excellence territory. What post-match do people prefer, this one or the first Chiggy/Dump hair match's?
157. Kairi Hojo vs Meiko Satomura (STARDOM - 6/14/2015) Total Points: 160 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Grimmas - 11
A total package of a match. They do a bit of everything and all of it is excellent. #11 is really badass.
155-T. The Fabulous Freebirds vs. The Von Erichs (WCCW - 7/4/1983) Total Points: 161 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 29
Iconic 80s brawl from one of the defining rivalries of that era. And you get that feeling while watching it.
155-T. Masakatsu Funaki vs Tatsuo Nakano (UWFi – 7/24/1989) Total Points: 161 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Control21 - 41
A very special and emotional match, for sure. I will forever love this.
154. Kenta Kobashi vs Stan Hansen (AJPW – 9/4/1991) Total Points: 162 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cap - 41
Their first classic together, how sweet. Also, Hansen murders him right before the bell starts. That's a way to start a relationship.
153. Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Nobuhiko Takada, Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura vs. Riki Choshu, Yoshiaki Yatsu, Animal Hamaguchi, Isamu Teranishi & Kuniaki Kobayashi (NJPW - 4/19/1984) Total Points: 163 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 24
The best NJPW multiman match ever. Gauntlets are much better than elimination matches. This is unbelievable from start to finish and has one of the best crowds EVER for an hour and a half.
152 - Antonio Inoki vs Billy Robinson (NJPW - 12/11/1975) Total Points: 167 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Tetsujin - 18
Strong style perfectly done. The best "chess match" kind of wrestling fight ever done.
151. Toshiaki Kawada & Masa Fuchi vs Yuji Nagata & Takashi Iizuka (NJPW - 12/14/2000) Total Points: 171 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 40
So random this being this high on the countdown but hey, I'll rewatch it to see if it holds up. It's surrounded by some excellent matches.
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Post by tetsujin on Feb 6, 2022 7:15:10 GMT -5
This is it guys. The last chunk. No time to lose. 149-T. Crush Gals vs Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano (AJW - 10/10/1985) Total Points: 176 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Elliott - 7 If there's a Dump match that I could love, it has to be this one. 149-T. Io Shirai vs Mayu Iwatani (STARDOM - 12/22/2016) Total Points: 176 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Grimmas - 29 Great match, but not as much as I expected to. These two ladies have more stuff together so I hope at least one of their other matches reaches at least MOTYC levels for me, I see the potential. 147-T. Dump Matsumoto vs Chigusa Nagayo (AJW - 11/7/1986) Total Points: 177 # of Ballots: 2 High Vote: Elliott - 4 One of the worst big matches I've ever seen. The ref stuff is so stupid and nonsense, but at least it's funny I guess. Chiggy's revenge feels everything but earned and satisfying, because at the end Dump and her gang stay on top anyway. The wrestling itself is kinda forgetable. I like Chiggy's entrance with that awesome sword though, she's badass. 147-T. Bryan Danielson vs KENTA (ROH - 9/16/2006) Total Points: 177 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: andyLFC - 15 I think I've seen so much recent comments about this match being overrated, to the point I think it's becoming kinda underrated, if that makes sense. But gotta rewatch it first, obviously. 146. Billy Robinson vs Giant Baba (AJPW – 7/24/1976) Total Points: 180 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Cap - 45 I used to hate this match and know I'm in peace with it. It's decent at best, but I appreciate what they tried to do, and Robinson in particular gave everything he could to make this work. But working with adult Baba is what it is. 145. Harley Race vs Terry Funk (2/3 Falls Match - NWA - 7/1/1977) Total Points: 185 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 13 THIS HOWEVER, this is something else. I can't belive this happened in 1977, the brutality and authenticity of everything they do here is admirable. Definitely best Harley match ever, and I think only the Portland 1980 Martel match is close. 144. El Hijo Del Santo vs Espanto Jr (EMLL – 8/31/1986) Total Points: 190 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cap - 6 A very special match that feels more like and adventure tale. The production is really remarkable with very interesting shots. These two together were pure gold, and while I prefer the 1988 title match (because I think that's perfect lucha), this one is still excellent and one of the best lucha de apuestas I've ever seen, much better than Atlantis/Villano, Chicana/MS1 or the Santito/Dandy/Casas triple threat. A top 10 vote is amazing. 143. AJ Styles vs Minoru Suzuki (NJPW - 8/1/2014) Total Points: 191 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 31 Heel vs heel is a concept we still haven't seen enough of, if you ask me, and while I get it might be difficult to make that kind of match work, by seeing this match you'll notice how it can be one of the most enjoyable types of wrestling. These two are bastards in their own, different way, and their clash is not only of styles but also personality. The BC vs Suzuki Gun stuff is done pretty early on and doesn't overstay its welcome, they let both AJ and Suzuki give their wonderful match most of the time. This was also the match that made Styles earn the japanese fans' respect, so that's also there if you value stuff like that (I do). 142. Jushin Thunder Liger vs El Samurai (NJPW – 4/30/1992)*** Total Points: 192 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cap - 28 Shocked this didn't make the top 100 this time, but I'm happy with that. This match isn't as good as people say it is. It's a pretty fun match, yeah, but it feels too rushed and with so many things put together in a kinda unnatural way. 141. Carlos Colon vs Stan Hansen (WWC – 3/14/1987) Total Points: 197 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Kadaveri - 14 This is the steel cage, right? I remember being heavily dissapointed by this match, but again, steel cages are not my thing at all and only a few of them are great to me. That said, I don't really remember this one a lot. Maybe it's time for a rewatch, but it's gonna take a lot to make me believe this might be up there with the Bullrope match. 140. Eddy Guerrero Love Machine vs El Hijo Del Santo Octagon (AAA - 11/6/1994) Total Points: 201 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Grimmas - 8 A classic match that... I haven't seen in almost ten years, duh. I don't remember it being that good, but who knows now. 139. Steve Austin vs Dude Love (WWE - 5/31/1998) Total Points: 202 # of Ballots: 7 High Vote: Darrenn - 43 One of the most important matches of the Attitude Era because, well, it was the first success of the Attitude Era style of big matches: overbooking to the max. And it's done pretty well here, mainly because it was the first match to have those elements, but still ages better than 90% of the other overbooked big Attitude Era main events. Still not a contender for my top 100, though. 138-T. Steve Austin vs The Rock (WWE - 4/1/2001) Total Points: 204 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 45 Now, this one is a contender. Best Rock match ever, by far. Peak Attitude Era big match style, and while the ending drags a lot because Vince comes too early and Austin's turn is not that shocking, the story they tell is still pretty god damn great, with Rock demonstrating he's the best one, and SCSA has to literally sell his soul to the devil if he wants to win the championship again. 138-T. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker (WWE - 4/5/2009) Total Points: 204 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Kas - 16 Another WM classic! This one made my list because it might be the best exhibition match of all time. Yeah, they literally just went out there, did their movesets and went home, but they did it with such dramatic selling and a very creative way of inserting their bigger spots... Gotta love Shawn's attitude of "winning no matter what, even if it's by countdown", it shows how obsessed he would become with breaking the Streak and perfectly sets up for the inevitabe rematch next year. Also, the atmosphere is great as well, as it should be. 137. Daniel Bryan vs John Cena (WWE – 8/18/2013) Total Points: 205 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Cactus - 44 People who say this is better than Punk/Lesnar are wrong, but other than that, this is still pretty great. The story basically tells itself, they don't work too much around it and therefore the match ends up being a bit too "generic WWE big main event", only that it's Bryan and Cena the ones making it so it feels much more special. Also, legendary post-match as well. This match is so good, you forget Triple H is the referee, something I 100% appreciate not only for the sake of the match, but also for the plot twist right after. 136. Yuki Ishikawa vs Carl Greco (Battlarts - 6/1/2008) Total Points: 210 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Gramsci - 19 So much hype for this match. You have no idea. 134-T. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (WWF - 3/29/1987) Total Points: 211 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: mvz - 24 Here it is. Maybe the most overrated match of all time, at least until a decade or so. This needed less George Steele in it. Hell, it didn't need that guy and the Elizabeth stuff at all. This should have been all about Steamboat's revenge for Savage crushing his throat months ago, that's it. It's a frustrating match. 134-T. Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW - 8/4/2013) Total Points: 211 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Kas - 21 The best fighting spirit match of all time. For a match this simple and over the top, it's amazing how well they implemented character work: they're not just hitting hard for the sake of it, this is a personal battle of egos and neither of them will accept being weaker than the other. An instant classic everyone should see. 133. Manami Toyota/Toshiyo Yamada vs Dynamite Kansai/Mayumi Ozaki (AJW – 4/11/1993) Total Points: 212 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Grimmas - 32 Who said second parts aren't good? Yeah, this isn't DreamRush, but it still is a pretty fantastic match, and they worked around the 2/3 Falls gimmick in a different way than the previous one, and it works too, so points for that. 132. Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle (WWF - 8/19/2001) Total Points: 214 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 6 Maybe Austin's best match ever. 99% sure it is best performance, at least. Angle was also stellar and he should have remained the top babyface of the company for the rest of the year, leading to him winning both the Rumble and the Undisputed title at WM. But Rock and HHH were there, I guess. 129-T. Terry Funk vs Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW – 6/11/1976) Total Points: 219 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: mvz - 36 Technical crazy wizard is my favourite Terry Funk's version and he's in all his glory here. Jumbo looks fucking amazing for being this young and unexperienced. This doesn't age as well as I expected it, but still remains as one of the best matches of the late 70s and a career defining moment for both wrestlers. 129-T. Vader vs Sting (WCW - 12/28/1992) Total Points: 219 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: JKWebb - 12 My second favourite of theirs. A very well sintetized version of what made the GAB match so great, this time with a happy ending to top it all! 129-T. Bull Nakano vs Devil Masami (JWP – 4/18/1993) Total Points: 219 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Grimmas - 23 Impressive 30 minute sprint, they never stopped attacking each other in so many different ways. Selling isn't as consistent as offense, sadly, but other than that this is amazing, and a real dream match for joshi if you think about it. Not on my list, but definitely a great match worth of consideration. 128. Negro Casas vs El Dandy (CMLL – 7/3/1992) Total Points: 220 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 7 Only five ballots? C'mon guys. This one deserves to be at the list. It's two of the greatest rudos in lucha libre giving it all in a technical championship match. You can feel they want to say "fuck this" and brawl all over the place, being as rudos as they usually are, but they respect the non-script rule of championship matches being worked in a technical way (most of the times, duh), and that dynamic is pretty interesting. All time great matwork. 127. Manami Toyota vs Aja Kong (AJW - 11/20/1994) Total Points: 221 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Tetsujin - 22 All time great David vs Goliath. Also one of the most fucking vicious matches ever. 126. Hart Foundation vs. Steve Austin, Goldust, Ken Shamrock & Legion of Doom (WWF - 7/6/1997) Total Points: 226 # of Ballots: 7 High Vote: Cactus - 30 Super fun stuff, but let's be honest, only Austin, Bret and Owen shine in this. And Owen isn't in the match most of the time. 125. Sangre Chicana vs Perro Aguayo ( EMLL – 2/28/1986) Total Points: 227 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Cap - 16 I have a feeling I would like this much more on a rewatch than I did the first time, three or four years ago. I really liked Perro's performance. 124. Ric Flair vs Barry Windham (JCP - 1/20/1987) Total Points: 229 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: mvz - 41 Their best match together and one I wished we had the full version of. MOTDC. 123. Volk Han vs Kiyoshi Tamura (RINGS – 9/25/1996) Total Points: 234 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Control21-24 Their worst match being this high tells you exactly how excellent these two are. 122. AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe (TNA - 12/11/2005) Total Points: 235 # of Ballots: 7 High Vote: andyLFC - 32 Another all time great David vs Goliath, this one a bit more awkward in some moments because of the stupid hexagon TNA ring, but yeah, best TNA match ever (except for The Final Deletion). 121. Shinobu Kandori vs Yumiko Hotta (LLPW – 3/21/1998) Total Points: 237 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Gramsci - 6 A top 10 vote is fucking amazing. One of the best joshi matches ever, like, probably in a top 5, almost definitely on a top 10. If not for those couple of stupid moments were they go for pins, this would have been perfect and even much higer on my list. 120. Antonio Inoki, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Seiji Sakaguchi, Kantaro Hoshino & Keiji Muto vs Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu, Akira Maeda, Kengo Kimura & Super Strong Machine (NJPW - 8/19/1987) Total Points: 239 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 11 I remember nothing about this one in particular. That needs to change. My bets are that both Fuji's performances are amazing, Inoki wins in a kinda anticlimatic way, and Maeda destroys Muto. 119. Bryan Danielson vs Low Ki (ROH – 3/30/2002) Total Points: 240 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Cap - 7 Damn if I voted for this instead of the submission match it could have made it to the top 100. My bad, guys. But seriously, this match is spectacular, it's so crazy to me that both this guys gave something this good this early on their careers. This is the best match Kem Shamrock ever was a part of, and you know exactly the second one... exactly, the Sano match! 116-T. Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr vs Abdullah the Butcher and The Sheik (AJPW – 7/15/1979) Total Points: 241 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Elliott - 13 The one I remember the less, honestly. But all of them are basically the same match. 116-T. Naoki Sano vs Minoru Suzuki (PWFG – 7/26/1991) Total Points: 241 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cap - 4 Man, a top 5 vote for this is awesome, Cap. I'm sure that when I rewatch this, it's gonna be on my list, probably top 50. This is super special. 116-T. Samoa Joe vs CM Punk (ROH - 12/4/2004) Total Points: 241 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Darren - 3 Right now, my pick for the best match of their trilogy and maybe, JUST MAYBE, the best ROH match ever. It's also hilarious because this is the one with the no time limit stipulation, yet they work it as a sprint and it's less than 30 minutes. 115. Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee (CWA - 12/30/1985) Total Points: 244 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: JKWebb - 16 The one match I would kill for a full version. GOAT heel Dundee's performance. GOAT selling Lawler's performance. 114. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura (NJPW - 8/16/2015) Total Points: 249 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Kas and Envious Stupid - 31 I didn't expected not to be the higher vote for this one, but I'm glad I wasn't. Good job guys. This is one of the best big matches in modern wrestling, full of character work, callbacks to their previous matches, yet it still shines on its own and have a fucking amazing crowd rooting for both. They were te two biggest stars of the company at the moment and it shows why. 113. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Nobuhiko Takada (UWFi – 10/25/1990) Total Points: 251 # of Ballots: 3 High Vote: Cap - 5 I never got the appeal for neither one of their matches. And that's super bizarre to me, because I love both guys and everyone say these two matches are all time great. I don't even know how to explain why I don't like them as much, but that's how I feel. And I'm sorry for that, really. 111-T. Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Buzz Sawyer (Mid-South 11/11/1985) Total Points: 255 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: mvz - 12 I don't like Buzz Sawyer, but Duggan was at his peak and it is a delight to watch. 111-T. Genichiro Tenryu and Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba and Rusher Kimura (AJPW - 11/29/1989) Total Points: 255 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: Elliott - 9 Not for me, both Baba and Kimura look like shit and Hansen and Tenryu had to sell a lot for Baba even if it looks ugly and stupid for them to do so. Still, amazing opening with Tenryu diving onto Baba while he's making his entrance, and obviously a very shocking finish. Also, Hansen's Western Lariat to Kimura while he's trying to come back to the ring for the first time in like 15 minutes or something is hilarious. 110. Shinjiro Ohtani vs El Samurai (NJPW – 1/21/1996) Total Points: 258 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Mattsdmf - 27 Maaaan, this had to be on the list! C'mon. Maybe the most violent Jr match ever. And I know there are ones with blood and all that stuff, but this is the one were the nastyness and viciousness is exploited the most. 109. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kota Ibushi (NJPW - 8/12/2018) Total Points: 261 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: andyLFC - 16 FUCKING TANAHASHI SAYING I'M STILL NOT DEAD MOTHERFUCKER AND WINNING THE G1 WHEN WE WERE ALL ACCEPTING HIS DOWNFALL AS THE ACE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PRO WRESTLING MOMENTS EVER. 108. Team ROH vs. Team CZW (ROH - 7/15/2006) Total Points: 267 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 8 Another one I've been looking forward to for a very long time, now. You guys have no idea how much I want to watch this. 107. Jushin Thunder Liger vs Naoki Sano (NJPW - 8/10/1989) Total Points: 269 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: NintendoLogic - 11 FUUUUUCK, so close to make it! This feels like the perfect Jr match, and probably it is. It has everything you could want, done to perfection. 106. Johnny Gargano vs Andrade Almas (WWE - 1/27/2018) Total Points: 271 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: EnviousStupid - 5 I really love this match. As I said before, this feels like a competitive fighting game match, and I say that in the best way possible. They move so quickly and naturally, doing a lot of stuff, but at the same time they're like 10000% focused and know what they're doing. A masterpiece of a match that I still don't know how it has Johnny Gargano in it working as well as he did. 105. Antonio Inoki vs. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW - 8/8/1988) Total Points: 272 # of Ballots: 5 High Vote: mvz - 20 Fujinami's performance here is out of the world amazing. He becomes the definitive greatest underdog of all time for one night. Still too long and with too much time for restholds. 104. Kenta Kobashi vs Yoshihiro Takayama (AJPW – 5/26/2000) Total Points: 282 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Gramsci - 12 A very explosive match. People don't usually talk about Kobashi's 2000 as much as they do with other years of his, maybe because it's the NOAH split year and we don't perceive his year as a whole, but when you think about it he has the Vader match, this one, the Carny run and finals and the Akiyama rivalry. One heck of a year, if you ask me (and probably not one of the five best years of his career, this guy is insane). Also, Takayama is fucking amazing in this one, don't dare to think Im' forgetting about him. 103. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW - 8/12/2017) Total Points: 286 # of Ballots: 4 High Vote: Gramsci and EnviousStupid - 15 Their best match together, probably. Omega is at his best when he doesn't have to go longer than 30 minutes with a better wrestler like Okada, Naito, Tanahashi or Danielson to guide him. 102. The Shield vs The Wyatt Family (WWE - 2/23/2014) Total Points: 289 # of Ballots: 6 High Vote: Tetsujin - 12 The best tríos match of all time. Come get me.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 7, 2023 19:21:13 GMT -5
So, one of my 2023 proposals was watching more wrestling, because these last three years have been very busy for me, but thankfully things seem to chill right now, and I am thirsty for pro wrestling. So I thought it would be fun to force myself to write something about every single match I watch throughout the year, just for fun. If I find a match worthy of GME consideration (4'25* or more, in my case), i'll dedicate it a proper post and a longer review both here and in the match's proper post on the forum, but this mostly be inmmediate thoughts about random matches. Hope you enjoy, and hope I keep consistency with this one!
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 7, 2023 19:41:07 GMT -5
Sami Zayn vs Johnny Knoxville (Anything Goes match, WWE WM 38): wanted to start the year with something special. One of the best comedy matches in recent years, it started off a bit generic (no pun intended Sami) but once Knoxville started his stuff this quickly became a WrestleMania classic on its own right, even if the execution of some spots was a bit amateur-ish (logically), the laughs are enough. ***3/4
Kaito Kiyomiya vs KENOH (GHC Heavyweight Championship, NOAH The New Year 2023): I really like most of NOAH's roster, but almost never follow their product for some reason. With covid restrictions still strong in Japanese crowds, enjoying wrestling there has become very hard for me, but I want to give a try to at least the very most appealing matches, and this was one of them. I appreciate that they took the main event formula and made it shorter, with more diverse offence than the usual elbow exchanges and head-droping big bombs, and a fast, very fluid pace. The super falcon arrow on the apron was dangerous as fuck, but other than that the match is very, very enjoyable. Give it a try if you haven't already. ***3/4
Sheamus vs Wade Barrett (WWE Main Event, 29/5/2013): As I said in its own post here: Man what a great tv match. Two bulls colliding in a random show, with the crowd randomly hot for it, and it was hella fun. They displayed a lot of chemistry together and it's a shame this didn't happen in a PPV because it would be much more remembered. Don't sleep on this one, guys. Thanks Sleeze for putting this on my radar! ***3/4
Cesaro vs William Regal (WWE NXT, 25/12/2013): crazy that this is nine years old now. Kinda slow, gritty match and a very respectable performance by Regal. Some people have this match very high, and I can see why due to it's dramatic elements near the end, but it didn't get to MOTYC levels to me, althought it's clearly great and something you won't see often in neither Claudio nor Regal. ****
Becky Lynch/Michin vs IYO SKY/Dakota Kai (WWE RAW, 2/1/2023): This started as a handicap match with Becky managing to keep those two on their places somehow, and it was great, but then Michin came to the rescue and became a very fun tag match, with awesome team action by Iyo and Dakota. They have a lot of chemistry together and their win felt important. ***1/2
Austin Theory vs Seth Rollins (WWE RAW, 2/1/2023): Seth Rollins is one of the most underrated, worst treated workers on these kind of forums like PWO or this one. I think the guy is great, and here we have another strong tv match for his résumé. This one in particular had some sparks of greatness near the end, when Seth started to sell a knee injury and based the climax of the match around that. Theory looked here like a bigger future star than ever in WWE. ***3/4
Eddie Guerrero vs CM Punk (IWA MidSouth World Championship, 3/2/2002): quite dissapointed by this one. It's good enough, but it is obvious neither one was at his peak yet, specially a very green Punk. Eddie's selling was a bit annoying, almost non-existant. I remember the triple threath with Rey the day before being much better. Still, a career making match for Punk and a enjoyable victory for him, so you can't call this one a failure by any means. ***1/4
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