The 100 Greatest Matches Ever (2020 Results)

The 2020 Greatest Match Ever results are in and calculated.

This year we had 16 ballots and 597 matches receiving votes. Ties have been decided by high votes.

Wednesday (9/30): 1-10

100. Chigusa Nagayo vs Dump Matsumoto (Hair vs Hair - AJW - 11/7/1986)
Total Points: 230
Ballots: 3
High Vote (4): Elliot
2019 Finish: 208

“I'll probably end up the high voter on this match. I might end up the high voter on both Dump/Chigusa hair matches actually, and this is the one I prefer. They are both legendary matches with the most emotionally invested crowds in wrestling history, but I think this one is the better wrestling match to go along with the all time atmosphere they both share.” - Elliott

99. Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega (2/3 Falls - IWGP World Heavyweight Title - NJPW - 6/9/2018)
Total Points: 232
Ballots: 4
High Vote (2): Kas
2019 Finish: 44

“After an already thrilling trilogy of matches last year, Kenny and Okada still managed to top it at Dominion. This was a masterclass in storytelling, selling, and action. Going 69 minutes seems like it would be tough to pull off, but Kenny and Okada delivered and them some.” - bossrock

It isn't my style of wrestling, but I think it's the best execution of that style I've ever seen. You can't fairly dismiss that they had 12,000 fans in that arena highly engaged all the way through a 60+ minute match, very few wrestlers can say they've accomplished that.” - Kadavari

98. El Satanico vs Sangre Chicana (EMLL - 5/26/1989)
Total Points: 234
Ballots: 3
High Vote (9): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 130

“The best pure brawl of all time. One of the big reasons is that it is so different, completely rejecting the standard structure and themes of 2/3 Lucha brawls and 80s US bloodbaths. Felt like an incredibly gritty yet strategic fight and where they are trying to claw and maim each other but remain somewhat cerebral in their approach even as the intensity ramps up. Dirty tricks and psychological tactics. Includes the best punches ever thrown in wrestling, out of this world great selling from Satanico and the best use of a non-finish ever.” - microstatistics

97. The Destroyer vs Giant Baba (NWA International Title - JWA - 3/5/1969)
Total Points: 236
Ballots: 6
High Vote (36): Cap
2019 Finish: 54

“True classic. It feels almost like a template for wrestling, a stripped down match that gets to the essence of what a wrestling match is. Its heel vs face dynamics. Its hatred. Its urgency. Its strategy. Its a story. This is all of those things in what feels like a pure form. I love that it ends 1-0 and I like the grey area of the finish.” - Cap

96. Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle (WWF World Heavyweight Title - WWF - 8/19/2001)
Total Points: 236
Ballots: 5
High Vote (25): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 194

“This match is how you make somebody. Angle came out of this match looking like a million bucks and like one tough son of a bitch. Austin gave one of the best lunatic performances since Randy Savage's heyday in 1997. It took him decking some refs for me to make that comparison. I love a real unhinged character like that, a completely reprehensible bully. Austin cheated like a muthafucka this whole match and I loved it.” - Superstar Sleeze

95. Steve Austin vs The Rock (No DQ - WWF World Heavyweight Title - WWF - 4/1/2001)
Total Points: 237
Ballots: 7
High Vote (47): Kadaveri, Mattsdmf
2019 Finish: 104

“One of the best executions of the WWE Epic Wrestlemania match. I can see some people being a bit down on it after all the subpar imitations that followed but I still maintain this was great at the time. The segment of the match where there's callbacks to a variety of classic matches going back years (the sharpshooter, Austin going for the Million Dollar chokehold only for Rock to attempt the Bret Hart Survivor Series counter). Made the match feel like this monumental clash that had built for years. The heel turn of course turned out to be a bad business idea, but the performance of it was stellar.” - Kadavari

“This is the perfect attitude era style match with excellent storytelling and great heat. Austin's facial expressions and his depiction of how his character degenerated over the course of the match were ridiculously great, without coming off as cartoonish.” - Microstatistics

94. Team New Japan (Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Kengo Kimura, Umanosuke Ueda & Kantaro Hoshino) vs Team UWF (Akira Maeda, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Nobuhiko Takada, Kazuo Yamazaki & Osamu Kid) (Elimination Match – NJPW – 3/26/1986)
Total Points: 241
Ballots: 5
High Vote (4): Cactus
2019 Finish: 28

“Really dug the shoot feel and how the action was hard-hitting and urgent yet tentative at the same time. Really drove home how high the stakes were even if you're not familiar with this feud. Also liked how the rope eliminations didn't come into play right away. Gave the eliminations a feeling of spontaneity and unpredictability.” - bossrock

93. Tatsumi Fujinami, Keichii Yamada, Shiro Koshinaka, Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura vs Riki Choshu, Masa Saito, Super Strong Machine, Kuniaki Kobayashi & Hiroshi Saito (Elimination Match - NJPW 9/12/1988)
Total Points: 244
Ballots: 4
High Vote (19): Mattsdmf
2019 Finish: 69

“So, this is fucking awesome. Total lock to make my list. Everyone is excellent in this, but Masa Saito is really the star of this match. Yamada & Fujiwara are great in the early-middle portions of this. Fujinami and Choshu are there at the end. But Masa Saito is really the best guy start to bloody finish. He hits one of the more gruesome blade jobs you'll see towards the end.” - Elliott

92. Antonio Inoki vs Tatsumi Fujinami (IWGP World Heavyweight Title - NJPW - 8/8/1988)
Total Points: 255
Ballots: 4
High Vote (3): MakaiClub
2019 Finish: 127

“I expected a lot of sitting around in holds and extended periods of struggle over basic stuff (considering the length and, well, Inoki). But instead, there were a ton of slick counters and jockeying for position here, interspersed with lightning bursts of strikes, flash pins and suplex exchanges.” - microstatistics

“At no point did they go through the motions; at no point (at least in the first 30 minutes) did they make it obvious that they were going to go the full 60 minutes. Every sequence was worked in such a way that it could plausibly lead to a finish, which is exactly why they had the crowd by the balls the whole time. The holds they used were grinding and tight as it gets, and the suplexes were used in awesome ways.” Jetlag

91. Yuki Ishikawa/Alexander Otsuka/Munenori Sawa vs. Daisuke Ikeda/Katsumi Usuda/Super Tiger II (Elimination Match - BattlARTS - 7/26/2008)
Total Points: 259
Ballots: 4
High Vote (7): Jetlag
2019 Finish: 140

“One of the best mutli-man matches ever. This is quasi shoot style so when they're running in to break up pins or submissions, they're just blasting each other in the face. So this is an insanely awesome LONG (close to 40 minutes) elimination match with great submissions, brutal striking and suplexes. Love all of this shit.” Elliott

“Absolutely wild stuff that manages to be an absolute classic and a somewhat deflating letdown at the same time. This needed a winner!” uncledave

90. Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama vs Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue (AJPW World Tag Titles - AJPW - 5/23/1996)
Total Points: 261
Ballots: 4
High Vote (19): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 98

“This match fucking rocked!.... Misawa and Akiyama gelled instantly. Akiyama brought a whole new dynamic to this match up. Misawa and Kobashi were a team of two great singles wrestlers. Misawa & Akiyama were a great tag team and there's a difference. Akiyama was much more strategic in this match. Kobashi gets by on sheer will and passion. Akiyama it is more of a mental game. I tend to favor the emotional, heart-based wrestlers, but I love variety and Akiyama brings a different approach which I appreciate. Akiyama definitely has heart too. He is a nice balance between the red hot Kobashi and the ice cold Misawa. Tremendous finish run. Misawa reacts totally differently to Akiyama than Kobashi. He is more much liberal with his saves and interference. Loved the finish. This was a banger!” - Superstar Sleeze

89. Shinjiro Otani vs El Samurai (UWA World Jr. Title - NJPW - 1/21/1996)
Total Points: 268
Ballots: 5
High Vote (34): Mattsdmf
2019 Finish: 66

“This might be my favorite Jr. match ever. It is at least very much up there. I love me some Samurai (at least big match Samurai), but Otani is the star here to me. His facial expressions add so much to all the action and the action is incredible here. This doesn't fit a mold really. It is a really compelling combination of technical wrestling and speed that gives it an incredible amount of urgency and malice. The stakes just feel big here.” - Cap

“Nasty little fucking match. There's a segment where Sammy is clawing at Ohtani's bloody nose to avoid a legbar and then minutes later Ohtani is biting Sammy's leg to avoid a cross-armbreaker. Nasty little fucking match.” - Superstar Sleeze

88. El Satanico vs Gran Cochisse (NWA World Middleweight Title - EMLL – 9/14/1984)
Total Points: 268
Ballots: 5
High Vote (22): Cap
2019 Finish: 49

“This is an interesting match because it's like an art house film of a wrestling match. Not that lucha isn't weird to begin with. This has the weird color contrast of the bright wrestling ring surrounded by mud, weird sound mix so every bump sounds rough as hell, and the commentator talking about it like you're watching a documentary on youth street criminals. As a match it's a borderline masterpiece anyways and GOAT contender. The holds and matwork are brilliant, but what pushes it ahead is the selling and body language.” Jetlag

“They accomplish a level of intensity and urgency in their grappling that I think is really hard to do. The counters are fluid, but everything still has some sting to it to me. I just stand in awe of this match sometimes. The drama they have by the end, the frenzy they have built is so impressive. This is one that is easy to get lost in.” - Cap

87. Adrian Street vs. Jim Breaks (JP - 2/12/1972)
Total Points: 272
Ballots: 5
High Vote (26): Jetlag, Uncledave
2019 Ballot: 158

“Great great stuff, absolutely at the top of the list of great WoS matches and a serious MOTDC. The best exotico performance ever, technically brilliant and snug like a shootstyle match and heated and violent like a top flight US grudge match.The weirdest thing is that it goes 25 minutes and still feels like it ended early. Never slowed down and kept the tension up while still leaving plenty on the table for a rematch.” - Jetlag

“Outstanding grappling mixed in with both guys constantly trying to cave each others faces in. Very violent and gritty. Really liked the heel vs heel dynamic as well.” - Microstatistics

86. El Dandy vs Angel Azteca (NWA World Middleweight Title - EMLL - 6/1/1990)
Total Points: 273
Ballots: 4
High Vote (22): KB8
2019 Finish: 137

“Classic match during El Dandy's peak year. Either this or the Apuestas match with El Satanico are the standouts from one of the best years ever. Beautiful back and forth mat work that feels like Flair/Steamboat.” - Elliott

85. Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue (AJPW World Tag Titles - AJPW - 5/21/1994)
Total Points: 274
Ballots: 5
High Vote (9): Andylfc
2019 Finish: 80

“You really can't go wrong with these four in the ring… With excellent storytelling and unrelenting action with no downtime for an astounding 44 minutes, you know you have one of the greatest matches of all time.” - bossrock

“The Kawada-Misawa interactions/teases are epic, Kobashi's selling is great, Kawada's mannerisms are tremendous and the crowd is outstanding.” - Microstatistics

84. Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee (AWA Southern Heavyweight Title - Loser Leaves Town - CWA - 6/6/1983)
Total Points: 276
Ballots: 6
High Vote (20): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 91

“I think this is the classic. I don't see this as a hate-filled brawl at all. Just two men desperate not to leave the Town that made them stars. There is so much caution not to make a mistake and each highspot is a miss and causes a major shift. The person who sticks with the basics is rewarded. The feel good ending is great.” - Superstar Sleeze

“One of the greatest brawls of all time. Punching, drama, emotion.” - Elliott

83. Bull Nakano vs Shinobu Kandori (Chain Match - LLPW - 7/14/1994)
Total Points: 282
Ballots: 4
High Vote (19): Cap
2019 Finish: 86

“Who has ever incorporated a gimmick into a match like these two used the chain here? I'm thinking maybe Taker vs. Shawn Hell In A Cell but that's about it. The way they found a hundred ways to utilise the chain to inflict damage and brutality on each other made this so enthralling to watch. I can't think of a match quite like it. 5 Stars for me.” - Kadavari

“I just can’t see this as anything other than absolutely great. Kandori and Bull are two of the most believable wrestlers to ever get in the ring and they beat the ever-loving hell out of each other with a god-damned chain. What is their not to love? This match excels when it comes to producing captivating visuals and awe-inspiring violence. Really, watch this back and look at some of the scenes/moments they create. This is filled with just great images of violence… It's a match you can watch in a vacuum and enjoy with no problem. It holds up across time and space. Its also brings big time rewatch value (which I care about)” - Cap

82. CM Punk vs John Cena (WWE World Heavyweight Title - WWE - 7/17/2011)
Total Points: 282
Ballots: 5
High Vote (16): Kadaveri
2019 Finish: 118

“What can you say about this. The build to this was probably some of the best storytelling/tv the WWE has ever done, at least in recent memory. The crowd was absolutely on fire. Personally, I am not a huge fan of Vince's role and the teasing the screw job stuff, but it can't hold this back from being an absolutely classic.” - Cap

“This match began the WWE Renaissance of 2011-2014 when WWE in-ring work was just stellar. It was one great match after another. My wrestling fandom was on life support, 2010 was a brutally boring year and the first half of 2011 was even worse. CM Punk’s pipebomb promo was an adrenaline shot that WWE badly needed. I was lucky enough to attend the go home show to MITB in Boston Best go home show ever. That Cena/Punk/Vince promo was incredible. We got this PPV, I’d only get one year and this was a must buy. I loved this match. It is sad in a way but it didn’t live up to the memory. It is still great and an incredible moment in time but didn’t have the same zing. Still in my Top 100 but not Top 50 like I expected.” - Superstar Sleeze

81. Akira Maeda vs Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW - 6/12/1986)
Total Points: 285
Ballots: 6
High Vote (10): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 94

“One of the greatest matches of the 80s. This was the height of the NJPW vs UWF feud and had an amazing crowd with two all time greats at their absolute peak. This is Maeda UWF Destroyer of Worlds kicking, suplexing and twisting the fuck out of Fujinami who fights back with traditional pro wrestling.” - Elliott

“UWF top dog delivers a monstrous beating to New Japan's hero, who will not stay down no matter what. Maeda is good as the destroyer but Fujinami's epic selling performance makes this a classic.” - Microstatistics

80. Jumbo Tsuruta vs Mitsuharu Misawa (AJPW - 6/8/1990)
Total Points: 287
Ballots: 6
High Vote (23): Cactus
2019 Finish: 77

“Battle of generations is one of the oldest stories but I don't know if it was ever told better than Jumbo vs Misawa. I think argument can be made for this as the most important match in history. Launched Misawa into superstardom in turn creating the Kings Road style which along with the NJPW Juniors is probably the strongest influence on today's wrestling worldwide.” - Superstar Sleeze

79. Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr. vs Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy (AJPW - 8/31/1983)
Total Points: 287
Ballots: 4
High Vote (10): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 90

“I have always loved this match and again it was a total energetic tour de force. The heels dominate the match and beat the shit out of the Funks, but the Funks are not going down without a fight. I wish Terry got the win over Stan, but Hansen was staying not Terry. At least Terry finally got to knock him off his feet. Still it is a great feel-good moment and balls to the wall action. One of the best tag team matches ever!” - Superstar Sleeze

78. John Cena vs Daniel Bryan (WWE World Heavyweight Title - WWE - 8/18/2013)
Total Points: 287
Ballots: 7
High Vote (22): Kadaveri
2019 Finish: 119

“For my money this is the best version of a match the WWE has leaned on pretty heavily over the past 5-6 years, the indie darling vs sports entertainer match. Stylistically everyone stayed in their lane a bit better than usual (looking at you, Cena) and they avoided overbooking it. Ultimately, the match was much stronger for it. It very much feels like a WWE main event organized by the best mind in modern wrestling, Bryan. Its two of the best wrestlers of our era at their best on a big stage. The execution is absolutely perfect and Cena puts Bryan over clean as a sheet in the middle of the ring. Thing of beauty. ” - Cap

“This is probably Bryan's best WWE match and one of Cena's best as well, and that's covering a hell of a lot of ground.” - Bossrock

77. Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Nobuhiko Takada, Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura vs Riki Choshu, Yoshiaki Yatsu, Animal Hamaguchi, Isamu Teranishi & Kuniaki Kobayashi (5x5 Gauntlet - NJPW - 4/19/1984)
Total Points: 292
Ballots: 4
High Vote (13): MakaiClub
2019 Finish: 42

“The most impressive thing about this match is that in 90 minutes there is literally no downtime at all. Even the Inoki vs. Choshu matwork was compelling. The crowd heat is insane and the fact that that level of heat was consistently maintained for 90 minutes is even more insane. I would say Fujinami was the MVP with Animal as a close second but everyone was great in it. Great match to say the least but one I have had trouble rating because it is difficult to distinguish the individual pairings from the overall story.” - Microstatistics

76. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (NWA World Heavyweight Title - NWA - 5/7/1989)
Total Points: 295
Ballots: 7
High Vote (6): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 92

“It is an all time great Flair/Steamboat match with Garvin/Flair level physicality which adds more heat through in great Flair control segment and an amazing finish especially for the 80s.” - Superstar Sleeze

“I love how much they build on the other matches, how much pace and urgency they give everything in this match.” - Cap

75. Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano (IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title - NJPW - 8/10/1989)
Total Points: 298
Ballots: 6
High Vote (29): JoeG
Total Points: 60

“Love, love, love this match, maybe more than the fantastic blowoff from the following January. Liger delivered the all-time limb-selling performance. But as we watched footage for the DVDVR project, I was struck by what a fresh jolt Sano delivered to the jr. division. What a ridiculously great year for New Japan and wrestling in general, and this match was one of the crown jewels.” - Childs

“Don't really know what to say except that it has maybe the greatest selling performance in the history of pro wrestling. Must see.” - Microstatistics

74. Kenta Kobashi vs Stan Hansen (AJPW - 4/16/1993)
Total Points: 298
Ballots: 5
High Vote (13): Cap
2019 Finish: 153

“These two just have insane chemistry with each other. Kobashi has that "live by the sword, die by the sword" mentality. It is almost like he made a promise to himself "I am going to leave it all in the ring and throw everything I have at this Grizzly Bear". They do such a great job setting this tone right from jump.” - Superstar Sleeze

“Another worthy match from the greatest pairing in wrestling history. I actually prefer the finish of this match to their more famous July match. This is the most satisfying knock dead finish I have ever seen. Wonderful Stuff!” - Cap

73. Chigusa Nagayo vs Devil Masami (WWWA All Pacific Title -AJW - 8/22/1985)
Total Points: 299
Ballots: 5
High Vote (11): Cap
2019 Finish: 123

“This is more like a classic title match. It's all about the struggle over holds and building to the big throws, making the simple work here very compelling. I just love the first nearfall for the surfboard hold. There is some meandering, but Chigusa knew to sell when it was on the money, and Devil looked like a devil. The fact that there's no choreographed spots, making it all feel like it was made up on the spot, adds a ton to the match too. My favourite bit may have been Devil blocking a Sharpshooter, taking out the leg and then both of them going into a greco lock up. Just a great battle of attrition. Chigusa isn't always on point but her UWF offense here was a lot of fun and because she is a megastar she added a ton of heat to the match. Then you have those fucking punches and huge exhaustion in the last couple minutes pushing this into EPIC territory. Magnificent match.” - Jetlag

“This is joshi for people who like 70s and 80s NWA Title matches. But it is also, in parts, joshi for people who like territory brawls… and… well…. joshi. It is a match that I think unintentionally serves a lot of masters, brilliant escalation and story telling from bell to bell. I generally really like this era Nagayo, but Devil Masami is out there showing why she is probably better than your favorite wrestler.” - Cap

72. Kenta Kobashi vs Yoshihiro Takayama (GHC World Heavyweight Title - NOAH - 4/25/2004)
Total Points: 301
Ballots: 6
High Vote (12): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 30

“Takayama is fantastic in this match as he beats down Kobashi, forcing the champ to play underdog. This also features some of Kobashi's finest selling, not just in his injured arm but also just how he looks so fatigued and beat-up as the match goes on. Tremendous performance by both men in front of an all-time great crowd.” - bossrock

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

71. Kota Ibushi vs Shinsuke Nakamura (IWGP Intercontinental Title - NJPW - 1/4/2015)
Total Points: 305
Ballots: 6
High Vote (10): Kas
2019 Finish: 64

“This was just absolutely sensational. For the first time, I'd say, Ibushi showed that he belonged in the upper echelon of New Japan, and showed why he was hotly touted as one of the best up and comers in wrestling showing great character work and storytelling abilities throughout. Nakamura has this uncanny ability to make every match of his feel longer than they are. Sometimes that's detrimental and can make his matches drag, but when it works, it makes the match feel epic, like in this case where the 20 or so minutes felt more like 30. That's not even to mention the incredible offense by both men; Nakamura's knees were brutal, and Ibushi delving into his endless arsenal of moves was awe-inspiring, including an unreal German suplex from the outside to the end. Ibushi snapping into killer mode is always great to see, and the final stretch was amazing as well, with an incredibly smooth sequence where Nakamura hits a beautiful Landslide before finally nailing the Bomaye to the back of the head for the win… one of the greatest examples of the New Japan main event style you will see.” - Kas

70. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Minoru Suzuki (IWGP World Heavyweight Title - NJPW - 10/8/2012)
Total Points: 309
Ballots: 5
High Vote (25): Kas
2019 Finish: 108

“Simplicity at it's finest. Both men working each other's legs in a vicious manner, highly technical work throughout, a few nice submission sequences, and fantastic selling on the part of both men. Most famous for the fact that there were no false finishes at all throughout the match, and to have such a dramatic match in spite of that is a testament to the ability of these two.” - Kas

“Really really good. Suzuki puts in a top shelf performance in terms of facial expressions (surprise surprise). It really helps tell the story here in every phase.” - Cap

69. The Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers (AWA World Tag Titles - AWA - 8/30/1986)
Total Points: 309
Ballots: 8
High Vote (22): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 61

“This is a very strong contender for best US tag match ever.... The peak match in one of the best US feuds of the 80s.” - Elliott

“This feud was really the feud that put the Midnight Rockers on the map. Sherri was in the corner of Rose & Somers, the champions. Michaels, Jannetty and Somers juiced. This was a wild fight. The referee got knocked down at the end and then things got even more out of control. Even without a conclusive finish, it’s a great match because it makes people look forward to their next battle. It is likely this will be in my top 100.” - Stunninggrove

68. El Hijo del Santo vs Espanto Jr (Mask vs Mask - Monterrey - 8/31/1986)
Total Points: 311
Ballots: 5
High Vote (18): Cap
2019 Finish: 89

“God I love this match… I just think this is such a violent and compelling spectacle that doesn't at all lack grace and nuance. This is probably my second or third favorite lucha match from the 80s (of what I have seen). This match is - to me - pretty close to flawless.” - Cap

“Espanto Jr is really the best Santo opponent that wasn't Casas. This is a fucking classic match. I love the hand-held close up camera we get. That plus the crowd and Santo's whole aura really make this feel like a battle between two comic book super heroes. Little kids running up and patting Santo on the back while he's selling in between falls is all that is great about wrestling.” - Elliott

67. Jushin Liger vs El Samurai (BOSJ Final - NJPW - 4/30/1992)
Total Points: 312
Ballots: 6
High Vote (5): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 58

“From the initial all time great rudoing from Samurai to Liger's wrath to Samurai trying to prove he is not just a cheating nobody to Liger pulling out all the stops. Perfect mix of storytelling, action, hate and stiffness.” - Microstatistics

“There are mixed feelings about this match (and about Samurai in general I think), but I'll take this match all day long. Samurai comes out and beats the shit out of Liger and really sets the tone for this being something all together different. They layout of this just feels so unique and cool. They throw things off kilter and really keep the viewer guessing. I think this is an all time Juniors match” - Cap

66. Jushin Liger vs Naoki Sano (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW - 1/31/1990)
Total Points: 326
Ballots: 6
High Vote (15): JoeG
2019 Finish: 110

“This is a great one. It really stands out among Japanese Junior matches to me…. this is such a brilliant match. it is visceral and compelling from start to finish.” - Cap

“The asswhuppin' to end all asswhuppin's. Sano beats Liger like Liger fucked his girlfriend. This is brutal. The crazy thing is I think it goes too long and it goes so overboard that it is hard to believe in Liger's comeback.” - Superstar Sleeze

65. Brock Lesnar vs John Cena (Extreme Rules Match - WWE - 4/29/2012)
Total Points: 328
Ballots: 5
High Vote (3): Cactus
2019 Finish: 75

“Home Fucking Run! Two of the all-time greats putting on a match that displays their unique characters and physical abilities telling the story of Pride vs Perseverance.” - Superstar Sleeze

“I just love this shit. Incredible story telling, pacing, selling, emotion, atmosphere. The opening minutes are unlike anything I've ever seen in WWE. Its like they watched the Hashimoto vs Ogawa series together and said "Lets do this but better." - Elliott

64. Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen vs Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (AJ World Tag Titles - Real World Tag League - AJPW - 12/6/1989)
Total Points: 332
Ballots: 5
High Vote (18): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 59

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

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

63. Mayumi Ozaki & Dynamite Kansai vs Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada (2/3 Falls - WWWA World Tag Team Titles - AJW - 11/26/1992)
Total Points: 332
Ballots: 6
High Vote (11): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 40

“Everything great about pro wrestling encapsulated in about 40 minutes. The non-decisive finish also sets up the rematch perfectly.” - Microstatistics

“The best match of a great trilogy. I love ambitious matches like these because even if there’s so much action at types it’s easy to get lost, you have to appreciate everything how good everything is.”-Boss Rock

62. Aja Kong vs Yumiko Hotta (WWWA World Title - AJW - 1/24/1994)
Total Points: 334
Ballots: 9
High Vote (32): Cap
2019 Finish: 39

“Not Aja Kong's best match but I think this is the best match to define Aja Kong. Such a display of intimidation and power. The spot where she starts to rip open the wound in Hotta's hand is brutal and ruthless. You have to know that if you challenge Aja she's not gonna have a moment's hesitation in doing whatever's necessary to beat you.” - Kadavari

“Adding some support for this match that can be summed up in three sentences: Car Crash. Stigmata. HORROR. Damn. I don't remember this being so brutal. I mean, BRUTAL, yeah, but this felt like one of the Top 10 most gruesome matches I've ever seen. The kicks and palm strikes here put any UWF match to shame.” - Jetlag

61. Jerry Lawler vs Terry Funk (NO DQ - CWA - 3/23/1981)
Total Points: 336
Ballots: 8
High Vote (19): JoeG
2019 Finish: 114

“A legendary match. Terry's performamce, selling like a madman anda trying to end Lawler's career, is awesome. Lawler's comeback is one of the greatest of his life. Just a total war.” - Tetsujin

“Two of the greatest wrestlers ever punching the shit out of each other and then bashing each other with a chair. Which results in one of the greatest under 15 minute long matches ever. This is just classic. This starts as an amazing brawl before the chair gets involved and then it turns up a notch. Funk going after Lawler's knee to set up the spinning toe hold and Lawler's selling is just perfect and really makes this stand out from the pack.” Elliott

60. Kenta Kobashi vs Jun Akiyama (GHC World Title - NOAH - 7/10/2004)
Total Points: 339
Ballots: 5
High Vote (10): JoeG
2019 Finish: 83

“The peak of the NOAH maximalist style. Near perfect build, escalation and layout with extremely layered storytelling. Great post match as well. One of the best matches of the 2000s.” - Microstatistics

“One of the best bombfests ever and the apron and floor spots, as dangerous as they were, made sense within the context of the match. A bit too many finisher kickouts, but it justified Kobashi's need to go for the Burning Hammer.” - Bossrock

59. Bryan Danielson vs Takeshi Morishima (ROH World Title - ROH - 8/25/2007)
Total Points: 348
Ballots: 9
High Vote (15): Kadaveri
2019 Finish: 62

“This is probably the best singles match from the ROH Golden Age. It's an incredible match that really captures the feeling of a promotion at the time in unique ways. The booker was trying to push the promotion forward in ways the fan base wasn't ready for, but was able to capitalize on that to create a drama filled and organic title match and retention.” - jr

“Great, unique match with tremendous pace and just an electric atmosphere… This may honestly be my favourite RoH match because it's compact and I love the crowd going apeshit for Morishima simply buckling over as his leg finally gives out.” - Jetlag

58. El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas vs El Dandy (Hair vs Hair vs Mask - CMLL - 12/6/1996)
Total Points: 354
Ballots: 6
High Vote (19): uncledave
2019 Finish: 76

“Apuestas matches are really just the best style of wrestling possible. And this is a classic with 3 of the best luchadores ever. This is part of the classic El Hijo del Santo heel turn. The is mostly a long Mask vs Hair match between Santo and El Dandy and it is fucking awesome. This is super violent and is one of the bloodiest matches of all time. Great stuff.” - Elliott

“Absolutely epic match. The final fall between Santo and Dandy is incredible and the stuff before that with Casas is not without its value. This is is brutal and compelling lucha at its best. These are three of the best, at their best, with tons of blood, part of one of the craziest turns in wrestling history. What more do you want?” - Cap

57. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker (Hell in a Cell - WWE - 10/5/1997)
Total Points: 354
Ballots: 6
High Vote (13): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 67

“I think Kane's debut adds something more to the match. It's been copied since but wasn't this a really unexpected finish at the time? Can't think of anything like it happening before. Shawn's heel heat came from how he was able to act like such a prick constantly and always managed to escape the consequences, whether it was DX bailing him out or whatever. The cell was supposed to ensure he finally got what was coming to him. The Kane debut inadvertently saved Shawn once again, it's fitting for the story they were telling with him.” - Kadavari

“To me, this is the greatest WWE match of all-time which is pretty impressive considering it was the first time they did this kind of match. Tremendous story of Taker finally being able to get his hands on Michaels and just brutalizing him throughout the entire opening stretch. Michaels is able to use his speed and resiliency to fight Taker off, but only for short bursts. And while the point of the match was to prevent outside interference from DX or Michaels' escaping, the way they circumvented it with the injured cameraman was actually quite brilliant. The ending certainly wasn't clean, but it really worked perfectly.” - Bossrock

56. The Funks vs Abdullah the Butcher and The Sheik (⅔ Falls - AJPW - 7/15/1979)
Total Points: 354
Ballots: 5
High Vote (8): JoeG
2019 Finish: 65

“In terms of Desert Island Matches, this is right up there. The best match of a great feud. I had this at #16 on my ballot, which on reflection seems waaay too low” - uncledave

“Was my #1 in the puroresu.tv before the 80s project. I don't see it slipping out of my top 10.” - JoeG

“A violent and bloody match with a lot of drama. The crowd heat is tremendous for this match. The fans are fully behind the Funks in their quest to defeat the evil garbage wrestling legends, The Sheik & Abdullah the Butcher. Terry Funk’s performance is amazing. Arguably the 1979 Match of the Year.” - StunningGrove

55. Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs Nobuhiko Takada (UWFi - 10/25/1990)
Total Points: 360
Ballots: 6
High Vote (4): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 36

“The ultimate wrestling chess match assessment describes this perfectly. Amazing attention to detail, struggle and violence. Outstanding Takada performance and all time great Fujiwara performance. Builds off their 2/1990 match perfectly.” - Microstatistics

“Since I turned 30 a few years back I started recalibrating my heroes. I needed to set the bar further out a bit. There is this guy I work with who I get a drink with every Thursday and is retiring next year, gives zero fucks, and throws mad shade during meetings. There is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Finally, there is Yoshiaki Fujiwara. I wanna be like Fujiwara when I grow up. Put across from him the guy who might just be my favorite shoot style wrestler and what else could you get but a fucking classic. This climbed up my list in a big way over the life of the project as I realized just how well it stood up against some of wrestling most classic matches.” - Cap

54. Terry Funk vs Stan Hansen (AJPW - 4/14/1983)
Total Points: 363
Ballots: 9
High Vote (28): KB8
2019 Finish: 74

“Two of the best wrestlers ever having a stone cold classic. This is Funk vs Hansen so it is a wild brawl with an epic blade job. This is the one where Funk just constantly goes after Hansen’s leg to set up the spinning toe-hold, ultimately leading to his own demise. Terrific selling, blood, punches and a crazy crowd including the Terry Funk Cheerleaders. Dory running out dressed like an 80s middle school science teacher to brawl is a lovely touch.” - Elliott

“This match is insane, with maybe the most powerful Terry Funk's performance as a babyface and the the most 'son-of-a-bitchesque' performance from Hansen. They had no trouble in making you suffer with the match, to the point of feeling yourself as a pyscho for watching it.” - Tetsujin

53. Stan Hansen vs Carlos Colon (Bullrope Match - CWP - 1/6/1987)
Total Points: 365
Ballots: 5
High Vote (17): uncledave
2019 Finish: 135

“While some among us prefer the cage match, I am all in on this bullrope match as the epitome of the feud and the feud is one of the finest in ring feuds in all of wrestling. The thing is, I generally don't like bullrope matches, or any match where wrestlers have to touch the corners to win. However, this is done so beautifully. The stipulation that usually has me rolling my eyes has them glued to the screen here… I first watched it like 4 years ago, the moment when Hansen gets stopped from getting to the corner and falls to his knees almost crying is one of those wrestling moments that just sticks in my mind. It is such a brilliant little piece of business that I think reflects how well everything is built in this one.” Cap

“This might just be my favourite Hansen match, but then I say that about a bucketload of others. Could make my top ten.” - uncledave

52. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Kenta Kobashi (Triple Crown Title - AJPW - 10/31/1998)
Total Points: 366
Ballots: 7
High Vote (3): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 13

“I understand the excess criticisms, but I don't think I've ever seen a better display of offense and escalation in any other match I've seen. The story is the same as the others in their feud, but I think this one gets the point across the best: Kobashi is Misawa's near-equal and always looks like he's going to put him away but fails because of two things. One, he's unable to hit the surefire move that will beat him. Two, Misawa manages to pull some crazy maneuver out of his hat to permanently turn the tide. And while Misawa has to hit bomb after bomb to put Kobashi away, it's only a matter of time before the latter's reserves run out.” - Bossrock

“Classic, well executed slow burning epic which is only marred by once again overreaching with the absurd length (for a bombfest) and whacky overkill. I want to say they still did the best job they possibly could keeping things believable, as Misawa is the master of the comeback and Kobashi sold his downfall very well and the match never felt dragging, try-hard or overly bloated, so if it happened in 2018 it would probably warrant about 9 ¼ stars… Excellent pro wrestling that made sense but was ever tinged with absurdity and madness and that shade of self destruction you always get from watching Misawa get dropped on his head a bunch and lying motionless on the floor backstage.” - Jetlag

51. John Cena vs Umaga (Last Man Standing - WWE World Title - WWE - 1/28/2007)
Total Points: 367
Ballots: 9
High Vote (34): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 99

“One of the greatest WWE matches of all-time and a career performance for both men (RIP Umaga). Awesome violence that's achieved without the need for big spots and one of the most spirited babyface performances in recent memory.” - Bossrock

“Holy Crap what a fun match. This is another one that just feels singular. It feels so much different than almost anything in the WWE. I wasn't a huge fan of the Umaga gimmick, but it really paid off in the ring sometimes, this was one of those times. This was on another level, fantastic violence, strong story. This brings out a huge investment from the crowd. Great Stuff.” - Cap

50. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Jun Akiyama (AJPW - 2/27/2000)
Total Points: 374
Ballots: 7
High Vote (15): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 24

“In a year that had Atlantis-Villano, this is probably my pick for best match of 2000. A great story of master vs. student and Jun's full coming of age. Misawa's gimmick of being the best in the world is portrayed to perfection as he not only controls the early portions of the match, but he pulls off his flashiest offense with ease simply because he can.” - Bossrock

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

49. Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns (WWE World Heavyweight Title - WWE - 3/29/2015)
Total Points: 391
Ballots: 6
High Vote (6): Cactus
2019 Finish: 48

“Top 5 match in WWE history. Still hate the finish but it doesn't bother me as much as it used to. A heavyweight clash for the ages. Doesn't get much better than this when it comes to selling, bumping, character work and brutal offense. Finest hour for both guys.” - microstatistics

“I also felt a bit robbed by the finish but... this match is incredible. Probably the stiffest Mania match ever and nothing like the WWE house style at all. Both guys give fantastic selling performances not just in terms of bumping but the emotional impact of everything that's taking place. Roman's eyes sticking out his head when he realises he has Brock in trouble is the kind of body language selling we need more of in wrestling.” - Kadavari

48. Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (IWGP World Heavyweight Title - NJPW - 4/7/2013)
Total Points: 391
Ballots: 6
High Vote (1): Kas
2019 Finish: 47

“The peak of the legendary series between these two. Okada came in a lot more focused and less nervous than their previous encounter at WK7, while Tanahashi kept the same demeanor he always has, he believes he has Okada's number and that NB the previous year was a fluke…. This is the match that got me fully into New Japan and one that absolutely any wrestling fan needs to watch.” - Kas

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

47. Negro Casas vs El Dandy (CMLL Middleweight Title - CMLL - 7/3/1992)
Total Points: 394
Ballots: 6
High Vote (1): KB8
2019 Finish: 79

“This is one of those matches that I feel lucky to have. Two of the greatest wrestlers in their prime having a long title match against each other. These are two of the best all around wrestlers in history and here is a great opportunity to see them have a long technical match with each other that shows just how great they are. It is a dream match that happened.” - Elliott

“Total super classic. There may be some questionable selling in the third fall, but fuck it... like 17 minutes of opening matwork. Not super graceful, just a lot of tight body spraining holds trying to sink into a submission or pin, hard slams and takedowns into the mexican brick wall mat. Always twitching and twisting to get out of a hold or the shoulders off the mat, up to the very end. Probably the greatest knee to the balls in a match ever. Then the near fall bonanza with Casas selling like he wants to lie down and quit but his pride won't let him.” - Jetlag

46. Ric Flair vs Terry Funk (I Quit Match - NWA World Title - WCW - 11/15/1989)
Total Points: 401
Ballots: 7
High Vote (22): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 34

“I get why people like the GAB match more. It is more physical, bloody, but I still prefer the I Quit match for the decisive, definitive finish and the bigger, iconic spots. I think nostalgia plays a role for me as this was the first chance I ever got to watch older wrestling thanks to the Ric Flair DVD collection that came out in 2003. Mortal lock for the list with a lot of sentimental value.” - Superstar Sleeze

“Great feud. WCW had some really great matches in 1989 and this was definitely one of them. It's a great brawl featuring two veterans who were still one of the top wrestlers in the world at that time. And then there is the memorable line from Jim Ross after the match: "The Japanese have attacked Flair!" I want to re-watch this match at some point to see if it still holds up as an all-time great match. Either way, this deserves to be on the nominees list.” - Stunninggrove

45. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Volk Han (RINGS – 9/26/1997)
Total Points: 405
Ballots: 5
High Vote (3): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 26

“My favourite from their fantastic trilogy. A great showcase of how learned psychology and storytelling can very much be used in shoot style, and I felt this had an edge in aggression and struggle over their January match which probably had better flash and insane mat sequences, but didn't resonate with me as a whole on that all time scale as much as this one. Of course since it's Tamura and Han it's not like the "work" is going to suffer just because they have a stronger focus.” - GOTNW

“Here Tamura combines his confidence and improved skill from the previous match with new found maturity and so is a much bigger threat. Probably the best Volk Han performance ever with the desperation, urgency, incredible submission assaults and even some arrogance. Tamura weathering the storm and cerebrally going for kill shots is excellent. The best of the trilogy.” - microstatistics

44. Sgt Slaughter vs Iron Sheik (Boot Camp Match - WWF - 6/16/1984)
Total Points: 406
Ballots: 8
High Vote (15): Cactus
2019 Finish: 71

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

“This is one of those "WTF more can you say about it?" matches. It was highly regarded as a classic match when it happened and has remained so with near universal appeal. I can't remember ever reading a bad review or even someone saying it was anything less than a great match. It'll be interesting to see how this does compared to similar matches like Magnum vs Tully. I'd also like to see people talk about it in direct comparison to something like Funk vs Hansen or Chicana vs Perro.” - Elliott

43. Eddie Guerrero vs John Bradshaw Layfield (WWE - 5/16/2004)
Total Points: 407
Ballots: 11
High Vote (8): Cap
2019 Finish: 105

“The fact of the matter is, this match shouldn’t work for me. It features a lot of things I generally don’t like: screwy finishes, ref bumps, JBL laying in chin locks. Despite all this though, every single time I watch this match I am reminded why this is my pick for single greatest performance in wrestling history. Yes… it’s the blood, but it isn’t just the blood. Eddie is absolutely masterful here and this genuinely captures what WWE does best (and inadvertently why it's infuriating when they fail to get me invested). They build a larger than life fight that feels like the stakes are enormous. By the end of this match I am always so genuinely invested in every strike Eddie gets in. It is truly accomplished physical storytelling that crescendos with Eddie – covered in blood – doing his little shimmy before firing off on JBL. If I added up the elements and picked them apart it would be a good not great match, but this match is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is everything I want in my big time pro wrestling: a funhouse mirror reflection of the world that hooks me, tells me a story, gives me a payoff, and makes me want to revisit because its timeless.” - Cap

“This was always my pick for best match in WWE history, at least up until that Wrestlemania theater version of Lesnar/Reigns came out and woke me up to how incredible that match was. I've watched this so many times and I've always feared it might not hold up, but I'm always left satisfied by the end. The classic JBL heel promo, Eddie's acting performance, and the monster blade job are things that just never old.” - fxnj

42. Stan Hansen vs Toshiaki Kawada (AJPW - 2/28/1993)
Total Points: 417
Ballots: 7
High Vote (21): KB8
2019 Finish: 32

“The first twenty minutes of this is just excellent. It is a 5 minute bar room brawl sprint that feels uncooperative, chaotic and like a shoot. Then as each man becomes fatigued it becomes a slugfest first trying to take out each other's legs and then just hitting each other as hard as possible. Hansen sold his ass off for Kawada and really busted out some neat stuff. Kawada felt like a superstar in this match. He was at a disadvantage and turned it around and made you feel like Hansen was the one that was surviving. I think they could have cut out 2-3 minutes of the last 5 minutes of the match and tightened it up. One nearfall for Kawada would have been plenty. Regardless, this match is epic and really shows Hansen's range all in one match and how much of an asskicker Kawada is.” - Superstar Sleeze

“I kind of can't believe this match has the rep it has. Its like a 2004 HHH level main event match. It wouldn't make my top 100 Stan Hansen matches.” - Elliott

“I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I've rewatched this classic. May be the baddest slugfest ever. Any basic move like a stomp or kneedrop here felt like a potential KO and the fighting over basic holds and moves was awesome. Hansen gave this masterful performance of an aging behemoth who was slowly running out of energy but could still crush his opponent. Kawada's bumping was really great as he would just get drilled into the mat whenever Hansen smashed him. God damn Hansen's shoulderblocks were amazing. I guess some of Kawada's comebacks were a little easy, but what do you want. It's 24 minutes of some of the baddest pro wrestling on film. A Top 5 AJPW match.” - Jetlag

41. El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas (Mask vs Hair – EMLL – 9/19/1997)
Total Points: 420
Ballots: 7
High Vote (8): Uncledave
2019 Finish: 35

“This is high art. I will admit that you probably have to like lucha to really like this. I don’t think you have to like lucha to like some of the other highly rated lucha matches (or at least to appreciate them). The best match from one of the 3-4 greatest feuds of all time, this is just a timeless classic. It is a technical masterpiece and a wonderful example of how to build drama.” - Cap

“This is a great example of how to make a match feel completely different and unique even though both performers manage to work in a lot of their usual spots. I feel like I'm in the consensus group, in that it's right in the top tier of lucha matches.” jr

40. El Satanico vs El Dandy (Hair vs Hair – EMLL – 12/14/1990)
Total Points: 423
Ballots: 6
High Vote (10): Mattsdmf
2019 Finish: 70

“The peak of El Dandy and El Satanico’s 1990. They each had one of the best single years ever in wrestling and then cap the year off having their best match against each other. This is an awesome bloody brawl. Blood, punches, fantastic selling from two of the best ever at their best.” - Elliott

“No one better is better at getting their ass whooped and firing back with a bloody comeback than El Dandy was in 1990. This is a wonderful brawl that has all the drama you want. Satanico is an all time performer for me and this is peak work from him. Playing off peak Dandy, this match is must see wrestling, prime stuff.” - Cap

39. Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuinness (ROH World Title vs ROH Pure Title - ROH - 8/12/2006)
Total Points: 431
Ballots: 7
High Vote (21): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 46

“This match would be a surefire classic even without the headbutts, so that bit of stupidity isn't going to stop me nominating this. Bryan Danielson is the best wrestler in the world at this time, and everything about the way he carries himself makes you believe it. It's really impressive how someone who's hardly the most physically imposing guy still has this aura of violence about him.” - Kadavari

“They had great chemistry. Nigel went all in (and I know that bothers some but its a topic for another time). I think it is laid out wonderfully and it keeps me engaged no matter how many times I have watched it.” - Cap

38. Ted DiBiase vs Jim Duggan (LLT, Tuxedo, Coalminer’s Glove, Cage - UWF - 3/30/1985)
Total Points: 442
Ballots: 8
High Vote (23) : Kadavari, KB8
2019 Finish: 38

“First time seeing this match. The stipulation sounds hilarious to me (Cagematch.com has it as "Loser Leaves Town Tuxedo Street Fight Coal Miner's Glove On A Pole Steel Cage Match") but this was an awesome brawl… Great start and finish, high intensity throughout and is there a better punch in the history of wrestling than that one?” - Kadavari

“Perfect confluence of storytelling with all the gimmicks. After Magnum vs Tully you are disturbed at the lengths humans will go to hurt each other, after this you are pumping fist that Duggan finally gave DiBiase what he deserves.” - Superstar Sleeze

37. Ric Flair vs Ricky Morton (Cage Match - NWA World Title - JCP - 7/5/1986)
Total Points: 454
Ballots: 9
High Vote (2): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 134

“In a feud that was centered around what a real man is and how that relates to what women find attractive, I cant think of a better ending then a fucking ballshot by the man posturing as a tough, macho man, but is really a vindictive, arrogant and small man. They both focused on the face with laser precision. There was only one way to end this and that was an attack on the anatomical representation of manhood. It worked on two levels it exposed Flair as the total opposite of what a real man is by stooping so low to win the match and also to psychically assault Morton's manhood after disfiguring his face.” Superstar Seeze

“The Flair vs Morton feud was fucking awesome and it brought out the most vicious side of Flair. Morton standing up to Flair and refusing to backdown is awesome and proof enough that Morton would have been a star as a singles wrestler. This is just a brutal match built around both guys trying to break each others nose. Also has the coolest entrance in history as Flair lands in a freaking helicopter. Yeah. This is the shit.” - Elliott



36. Megumi Kudo vs Combat Toyoda (FMW Ind. Title vs WWA Title - FMW - 5/5/1996)
Total Points: 470
Ballots: 7
High Vote (10): Cactus
2019 Finish: 53

“Easily the best death match ever. This has blood and explosions and neck breaking suplexes, sure, but the psychology and emotion are what put this over the top. I feel like I don’t see it as much these days, but I used to see the “every move mattered” phrase thrown around a lot, and this is really a match where every move mattered.” - Elliott

“I think it might comfortably be my favorite “deathmatch”. It is not my favorite genre on the whole, but this is exactly what I want from the style…. This is all drama and all heart. There is so much to love about this and honestly the violence is completely secondary to the masterful storytelling and orchestration of drama. It is truly stunning. Every big spot feels massive because of how they tease and work up to everything. I familiarized myself with the context a little before going in, but had emotional connection really and they still managed to sell connection and the gravity of the moment to me. That is truly rare.” - Cap

“Kudo’s performance is one of the best in wrestling history. The teases, the selling, the build, the drama. Epic post match.” - Microstatistics

35. Ricky Steamboat vs Rick Rude (30 Minute Iron Man - WCW - 6/20/1992)
Total Points: 473
Ballots: 10
High Vote (23): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 85

“The definitive Iron Man match. The early going is the standout as Rude is hurt straight away, Steamboat is in control but gets rocked with a knee. Rude picks up a fall. This also features the wrestler conceeding a DQ to do more damage and gets the fall back.” - twfi

“I think it was a combination of tremendous selling from both men, great pacing throughout, and a ton of well-built drama. It is easy to lose your attention in 30 minutes but they had me the whole time. At worst, a top five WCW match of the 1990s. It could be the best” - Superstar Sleeze

34. Atlantis vs Villano III (Mask vs Mask - CMLL - 3/17/2000)
Total Points: 488
Ballots: 8
High Vote (4): MakaiClub
2019 Finish: 52

“It's already been said but this truly has the highest stakes of any match, ever. And it is because of that, the back and forth nature of the match works so well because each nearfall and submission hold is treated like life or death. That's what makes this match unique and different from basically every match that is constructed in a similar manner.” - microstatistics

“If you need proof that blood can instantly make a match better, look no further than this match. While it's still a very good match in a vacuum, the blood loss is really what adds to the drama and urgency. You have your standard mat work before the accidental headbutt, but once that happens we're off to the races. Both guys(Atlantis especially as he drops Villano on top of him during the Bow and Arrow lock) sell absolute exhaustion as they try every submission and pin attempt in their bag of tricks to put the other away. Really interesting and unique war of attrition.” - bossrock

33. Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada vs Jumbo Tsuruta, Akira Taue and Masanobu Fuchi (AJPW - 10/19/1990)
Total Points: 489
Ballots: 7
High Vote (8): Bossrock, NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 50

“A great six-man tag with tons of action, character work from all of them and... crossovers! Love how the different rivalries came together in this. I'm a Kobashi guy, so watching him fighting with his famous burning spirit (for maybe the first time in his career?) with Jumbo & company destroying his nose AND STILL having trouble at beating him, earning the crowd's respect, is incredible... But gotta admit, what I really love about this match is the Kawada/Taue dynamic. Both guys fucking hate each other at this point, Jesus.” - Tetsujin

“Lots of awesome flurries of strikes and brutal shots, my favourite being Jumbo near decapitating Kobashi with a lariat and the crowd going wild for it. It had almost a boxing like feel where guys would throw but could get caught with a good surprise shot. I also actually liked the somewhat deplaced nearfall section with Kobashi and Taue. As these guys are so close in their standing that their exchanges actually felt like two young guys trying to prove who's superior….So yeah. Blood, hatred, heat, battling for supremacy, elbows to the kidney. The best AJPW match of 1990.” - Jetlag

32. Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee (Loser Leaves Town/Dundees Hair - AWA Southern Title – CWA – 12/30/1985)
Total Points: 508
Ballots: 9
High Vote (6): KB8
2019 Finish: 45

“Outstanding heel work by Dundee. Agree that this is probably Lawler's masterpiece. The finest selling of his career combined with his best and most gripping comeback. All time great brawl and the pinnacle of the minimalist Memphis style.” - Microstatistics

“Lawler’s selling here is one of the best I’ve ever seen as he has the eye covered up and Dundee just focuses on it like a laser. One of the best storytelling matches ever. Insane heat, blood, best punches ever, ridiculous bumps. This is Lawler at his best.” - Elliott

31. Magnum TA vs Tully Blanchard (I Quit Cage Match - U.S. Title - JCP - 11/28/1985)
Total Points: 526
Ballots: 8
High Vote (9): Mattsdmf
2019 Finish: 55

“A superb brawl. Absolutely visceral hatred, great selling and an all time great finish/post-match.” - Microstatistics

“In many ways this seems to be the epitome of blood feud blow off. Nothing too fancy, just two guys beating the shit out of one another. One is a chicken shit and the other is a walking tall babyface. They are fighting over the affections of a woman and trying to carve each others eyes out in front of screaming fans….. Are you not entertained?!” - Cap

“This is self explanatory. One of the greatest brawls in the history of wrestling. One of those few matches that transcends the genre and is something greater than a wrestling match and more of a life experience.” Elliott

30: Jumbo Tsuruta/Genichiro Tenryu vs Riki Choshu/Yoshiaki Yatsu (NWA International Tag Titles - AJPW – 1/28/1986)
Total Points: 536
Ballots: 9
High Vote (5): KB8
2019 Finish: 37

“One of the best tag matches of the decade. Just non-stop action with intensity, violence, blood, psychology and selling. Incredible amount of hate too. My favorite spot is where Jumbo is seconds away from being beaten but Tenryu is more concerned with beating the fuck out of Choshu at ringside than saving the match.” - Microstatistics

“The height of the Choshu’s Army invades All Japan era and my pick for the best Japanese vs Japanese tag match ever. This has incredible drama and storytelling with everyone hitting their roles just right. This is fast paced with a bonkers crowd, tons of emotion, hot moves and just everything you could want from a big time heavyweight tag match. Holds up remarkably well for a match that is 30+ years old.” - Elliott

29. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (NWA World Title - WCW - 2/20/1989)
Total Points: 555
Ballots: 9
High Vote (14): Cactus
2019 Finish: 41

“Wonderful match which always holds up. I love the basic but increasingly elaborate rope running opening sections. They never go for the obvious while mixing in leapfrogs and slides and keeping the theme of Steamboat one upping Flair. Obviously the chop battles are just awesome. It's not rocket science but Steamboat is a nearly perfect babyface by simply bouncing back constantly and just slugging away at Flair. Also check out how much resistance Flair put up against a basic drop toe hold. Flair came across as the highly precise, more vicious champ who would bully Steamboat to the ropes and and try to beat him down. The finishing stretch is great edge of your seat stuff with the classic reversals and misses. I actually didn't remember who won the match and the finish once again got me. As far as criticism goes, I thought the heat section didn't reach all time levels of intensity and Steamboat could've made a bigger deal of the Figure 4, but the you can only really criticize this match in regards to all time level stuff.” - Jetlag

“It was like a sports contest between two exceptional teams where everyone involved was playing up to their on-paper level. Offences were clicking, everything was fluid, the pace was high, defences had answers to everything, it was an even contest played at the very highest standard. Like, Flair/Garvin is a contest between two teams who do not like each other and it's messy, it's ugly as hell, wild tackles are flying in everywhere, folk are getting ejected. It's a different kind of contest between two great teams, not nearly as crisp or fluid but great in its own way. This borrowed the molten stiffness from the latter and worked it into the former. Great match.” - KB8

28. Roddy Piper vs Greg Valentine (Dog Collar Match - US Title - JCP - 11/24/1983)
Total Points: 560
Ballots: 8
High Vote (8): Elliot
2019 Finish: 33

“If you haven't seen this match YOU NEED TO STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH IT RIGHT NOW OR ELSE!” - uncledave

“So simple yet so effective. Piper is great at controlling Valentine with the chain and pummeling him when he has him trapped and Valentine does a tremendous job working over Piper's ear. That's all there really is to it and that's all they really needed. And Piper looking at the blood from his ear might be one of the greatest fired-up face moments of all time.” Bossrock

“This is one of those transcendent matches for me that rises above the genre and will rank probably way too high because of that. The story of Piper's ear and the selling is brilliant. This shit rocks.” - Elliott

27. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (RINGS - 6/24/1999)
Total Points: 562
Ballots: 8
High Vote (8): MakaiClub
2019 Finish: 12

“What makes this arguably better than the Tamura/Kohsaka match from the previous year, is the shorter time limit (20 min vs 30) and the legit heat between Tamura & Yamamoto. The shorter time limit allows these guys to work at a faster pace and their personal beef had the smart Korakuen Hall fans a little bit more invested than the Kohsaka classic. Great mat work and striking as you’d expect but the drama, pacing and emotion in all of this is what really helps it stand apart.” - Elliott

“It has all the slick work of top shoot matches, but feels even less… umm… friendly. Coming right up to that edge of wondering how much joy each man is taking in actually hitting the other, this is an all timer.” - Cap

“15 minutes of epic matwork and storytelling followed by maybe the 5 most dramatic minutes of wrestling ever.” - Microstatistics

26. Kenta Kobashi/Mitsuharu Misawa/Toshiaki Kawada vs Jumbo Tsuruta/Akira Taue/Masanobu Fuchi (AJPW - 4/20/1991)
Total Points: 570
Ballots: 8
High Vote (5): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 16

“This match lasted over 45 minutes. The Misawa & Co. vs. Tsuruta & Co. feud saw many great six-man tag team matches. This was one of the best matches in their great feud. Kawada and Taue showed a lot of hatred for each other at the time (and later in the decade they would become one of the best tag teams in the world).” - Stunninggrove

“While I think the '90 six-man was the best of the series, this one is absolutely fantastic in its own right. Misawa hangs back a bit in this and it's on the long side, but there's still tons of action and Taue and Kawada deliver star-making performances with their unbridled hatred and aggression. Kawada flipping off Taue has to be one of my favorite moments in all of wrestling.” - Bossrock.

25. Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue (Real World Tag League - AJPW - 12/3/1993)
Total Points: 574
Ballots: 8
High Vote (6): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 29

“Terrific tag match even if it's not the best featuring all four men. Taue is an absolute beast as he launches Misawa into the turnbuckles and just hangs him out to dry on the top rope. Kobashi plays the spirited and emotional underdog as always, and Kawada's leg selling is fantastic. Misawa isn't quite as prominent in this match, but he's still super-fluid and does a great job cleaning house for certain stretches. It really amazes me how much action they're able to pack in these tag team matches that go close to 30 minutes and don't have an ounce of downtime or even a feeling out process.” - Bossrock

“Can you say greatest match ever? Because I sure can. Ok, maybe a little hyperbole, I had have to give it a good think. It is definitely Top 20 all time and probably Top 10. It is my 1993 Match of the Year over either Hansen/Kobashi. Kawada's knee selling is so sublime, but it is so much more than that. It is Kawada/Taue urgently trying to close this out early. It is Kawada's reaction to the first kick to the knee. It is Taue desperately trying to salvage the match. It is Kawada trying to be a gamer and grit through this. It is Kobashi trying to close it out and prove he belongs. Outstanding.” - Superstar Sleeze

24. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (WWF - 3/20/1994)
Total Points: 583
Ballots: 9
High Vote (6): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 20

“Definite Top 5 match in WWF history… Brother vs brother a great natural storyline that we don't get to see enough of.” - Superstar Sleeze

“One of the greatest matches in WrestleMania and WWF/E history. This was the first Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart match. This brings back great childhood memories. I grew up on 1994 WWF and WrestleMania X was the first Coliseum Home Video I got, so it’s hard to be unbiased for me. I still think it was a great wrestling match that told a great story that was a big part of the main feud of 1994 in WWF” - Stunninggrove

“I would rate it the best match in WWF/WWE history” - Shrike02

23. Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig (AWA World Title - AWA - 11/21/1986)
Total Points: 590
Ballots: 8
High Vote (3): Uncledave
2019 Finish: 19

“What can I say about this match. Minute by minute, it may be the best match ever. Every grab, every hold, the body language, every strike, every move, man even the referee's selling during the ref bump is over the top. One of the greatest stories ever told in the ring, as Hennig was becoming better and better, learning about Bock's game, and Bockwinkel desperately tries to remain as the king of the wrestling world. Tons of emotion. A bittersweet ending for both characters, but an incredible, special, unique match for the fans.” - Tetsujin

“In my humble opinion, the best sixty minute match ever.” - Uncledave

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

22. Aja Kong and Bull Nakano vs Shinobu Kandori and Akira Hokuto (AJW - 3/27/1994)
Total Points: 594
Ballots: 8
High Vote (1): Kadaveri
2019 Finish: 25

“I thought it was one of the greatest matches ever the first time I saw it without much knowledge of 90s Joshi, and numerous times now I've watched an earlier match including these four which this match calls back to making it even better than I first thought. Like most recently there's the spot where Bull Nakano attempts to break Kandori's submission with a legdrop but Kandori dodges it. Cool spot. Then I watched the 11/09/93 Nakano/Inoue vs. Kandori/Hozumi tag where Nakano successfully breaks up Kandori's submission with that same leg drop. Learned psychology! As for the length, I strongly feel this is a match which NEEDS to be long otherwise it wouldn't work. The central narrative of the match is Hokuto and Kandori gradually turning from sworn enemies into partners working together. The match needs to be of this length to sell that story believably.” - Kadavari

“The most ambitious match of all time as there is major history on both sides. People often talk about how it’s a few minutes too long and I think it is the perfect length. Four of the biggest Joshi stars ever telling a unique and dramatic story needed to be a long match and it overdelivered.” - Elliott

“Just a perfectly orchestrated tag match. The level of difficulty here is through the fucking roof and they knock it out of the park, providing compelling dynamics between every single competitor that somehow work in concern to tell a cohesive and complete story.” - Cap

“Queendom Queendom Queendom!” - also Kadavari

21 Volk Han vs Kiyoshi Tamura (RINGS - 1/22/1997)
Total Points: 615
Ballots: 11
High Vote (4): Uncledave
2019 Finish: 21

“The second ever match between two of the greatest wrestlers of all time. This will be my highest ranked Han vs Tamura match and a top 10 contender overall. I think this is as great as any match you could put up for “best shoot style match ever.” Just sublime mat work, pacing, selling, striking, and an awesome finish.” - Elliott

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

“This feud was always the feud I heard about. I have probably watched their trilogy 2-3 times since first laying eyes on it because there is just so much to digest. Every time I sort of feel a bit differently about it. This strikes me as the cleanest and most technically sound match. I also really like the dynamic of Han frustrating Tamura.” - Cap

20. Ric Flair vs Terry Funk (NWA World Title - WCW - 7/23/1989)
Total Points: 624
Ballots: 10
High Vote (7): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 18

“I actually prefer this to the I Quit match. It's up there with Austin vs. Dude Love as one of those chaotic brawls where the overbooking enhances it. I'm including all of the post-match as part of the overall package” - Kadavari

“Best match of 1989, possibly best match of the 80's, and I'd wager the best match of either guy's career. Out of control yet still cowardly heel Funk is one of the best ever and Flair proves that he's a tremendous, fired-up face. This is honestly my favorite version of Flair. All-time great brawl” - Bossrock

“I have been blessed to have seen the best. Man alive, what the hell do you say about this match that has not already been said through the decades. I mean Goddamn. I love Flair's entrance reminds me a lot of Starrcade 1993. The way he clenches his fists and his face dripping with emotion. You know you were in for a treat. No wrestling, baby, this here is a fight to the death.” Superstar Sleeze

19. Katsuyori Shibata vs Kazuchika Okada (IWGP Title - NJPW - 4/9/2017)
Total Points: 640
Ballots: 8
High Vote (6): JoeG
2019 Finish: 57

“2017 was a really good year match wise, and this was by far my favorite match from the year. Okada's white meat babyface selling when Shibata is this badass shooter who never stops coming forward. Its really one of the best selling performances of all time by Okada. He sold exhaustion and he sold being knocked silly beautifully.” - JoeG

“It really is arguably the best performance of Shibata's career and one of Okada's best as well. Excellent story of Okada trying to play Shibata's game only to fail, thus forcing him to rely on his bread-and-butter. But when Shibata manages to withstand everything Okada throws at him, he again lets his pride get the better of him. Shibata is at his most violent and resilient, absolutely pounding away at Okada while working over the arm to weaken the Rainmaker. I can see a lot of people leaving this match off due to Shibata's injury and I completely get it. But as a match, this is a NJPW all-timer.” - Bossrock

“On a re-watch, this is a number one contender. While Shibata dominated, I feel Okada got in enough offence to make his victory a lot more believable than something like the Suzuki match in February, and that the somewhat abrupt finish fit in with the overall story of Okada having to capitalise on Shibata's smallest mistakes. I do think Okada was tremendous here, but Shibata absolutely stole the show with his offence, his intensity, his selling, and several of those subtleties that make Shibata stand out as a wrestler.” - Kas

18. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Akira Taue (Champion's Carnival Final - AJPW - 4/15/1995)
Total Points: 647
Ballots: 10
High Vote (3): Superstar Sleeze
2019 Finish: 31

“Probably the "least" of Misawa's best singles matches vs. the other corners (6/3/1994 and 1/20/1997). It'll still make my Top 25. Taue's laser focus on the orbital bone injury ruled. Misawa's comeback is simply the greatest comeback in the history of pro wrestling and probably solidifies this as his hardest fought win.” - microstatistics

“When pro wrestling is done right, I do not think there is a greater medium of entertainment. On April 15, 1995, Mitsuharu Misawa and Akira Taue did pro wrestling right.” - Superstar Sleeze

“This is such a unique and singular match in the Misawa as Ace period of AJPW to me. Taue is a guy who took a minute to grow on me when I first got into this and admittedly took even a while after that for me to think of him on the same level as the other pillars. His climb to legitimacy is really encapsulated in this carnival and this match is such a wonderful punctuation to the whole thing. This is classic stuff. Really great story on the whole and a really great story within the match itself.” - Cap

17. Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero (Mask vs Title - Cruiserweight Title - WCW - 10/26/1997)
Total Points: 671
Ballots: 11
High Vote (12): Kas
2019 Finish: 27

“This is a legendary match. Eddy Guerrero was really at his peak here. Misterio was great as well. The execution is so crisp. It’s one of the top 5 WCW matches ever and the best WCW cruiserweight division match ever.” - Stunninggrove

“Legendary match that stands as one of the best spot fests ever. But there is more to it than just being a spot fest. Yes, the spots are some of the most amazing and perfectly executed spots in the history of wrestling. That is what absolutely makes this stand out. But Eddy's heel work is fantastic and adds so much character to this. Awesome match.” - Elliott

“The speed, efficiency and execution of the work make this match amazing. Eddy post-heel turn in 97 was working at an insane level. He was so damn crisp. Rey Rey in WCW was so revolutionary. The perfect babyface, the perfect heel, two amazing workers and the realization of the potential of the WCW Crusierweight Division.” - Superstar Sleeze

16. Stan Hansen vs Andre the Giant (NJPW – 9/23/1981)
Total Points: 704
Ballots: 9
High Vote (3): Elliott
2019 Finish: 22

“The first non-WWF match I ever saw. Andre's best and one of Stan's greatest performances.” Uncledave

“Unequivocally great. I don't know what to say about it. It is the greatest hoss fight ever. It is a spectacle. It is a blast. It is more nuanced than you would expect. I would consider this required viewing for wrestling fans, just so good and such a master class at working the crowd and working with what you have in front of you from both men.” - Cap

“The greatest King Kong vs Godzilla match ever. This is a match that really transcends wrestling and is compelling as a pure spectacle. Andre is great beyond words as the evil monster. Andre is so great as a heel in this that STAN HANSEN is a freaking underdog babyface. Everyone’s seen it by now, but watch it again. It is perfect.” - Elliott

“Godzilla vs King Kong! Bill Watts' Wet Dream! I really hope someone showed this to Bill Watts because he would fucking love this hoss battle.” - Superstar Sleeze

15. Kiyoshi Tamura vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS – 6/27/1998)
Total Points: 707
Ballots: 10
High Vote (6): Cap
2019 Finish: 17

“I'm glad to see this remains my top shoot style match.... I don't have a lot else to say about this that hasn't been, but I do think the rope breaks down the final 10 minute stretch were MASTERFUL. They played at the endge of disaster/reaching the rope so so well. I also think Tamura is a freak athlete who gets how to translate shoot skills into pro settings in a way no one has (not even the other greats), but I'm hard pressed to think of another performance where he looked this good in terms of his transitions, speed, and selling. This is a masterpiece in the style, all around.” - Cap

“30 minute draws in shoot style are difficult to pull off, but these are two of the best shoot style wrestlers ever and have an absolutely classic match. Everyone knows about Tamura vs Volk Han, but Tsuyoshi Kohsaka matched up perfectly with Tamura as well. The technique, stamina and athletic ability required to have a match like this makes this probably the most athletically impressive match I’ve ever seen.” - Elliott

“30 minutes of slick polished shootstyle. You could sit back and nit pick around this match, but I think it's safe to say that the whole thing was a success.” - Jetlag

“Just finished re-watching this and it's still the 'fastest' 30 minutes ever. I couldn't believe when I checked the clock and it was 13 minutes in for the first rope break. Incredible build, technique and drama for the style.” - Andylfc

14. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (2/3 Falls - NWA World Title - WCW - 4/2/1989)
Total Points: 734
Ballots: 9
High Vote (8): Kadeveri
2019 Finish: 8

“Borderline excellent lengthy old school epic. I always love the rope running exchanges these guys work into their matches. To be honest, the first fall wasn't brilliant, but it sets the tone and the match never slowed down.” - Jetlag

“I think it is the most universally beloved so I expect it to finish pretty high. It is also - to me - the most self evidently great match. It is just an absolutely brilliant, pacy match that feels much shorter than it is. They work in some learned psychology from the last match and add new layers and wrinkles with game plans and counters. This is incredible stuff” - Cap

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

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

13. Kenta Kobashi vs Mitsuharu Misawa (NOAH - 3/1/2003)
Total Points: 734
Ballots: 10
High Vote (5): Andylfc
2019 Finish: 11

“The only match that made me cry TWICE. The ending of the greatest title-chase story ever.” - tetsujin

“Might be their most excessive match and sees Kobashi in all of his chopping caricature glory. That being said...this is an incredible match. A great culmination of everything they had done to that point and again featured the one big spot that looked like Kobashi could never overcome...and then he finally does. Not only that, but he's finally able to hit the Burning Hammer where his inability in the previous matches were a factor in his defeats.” - Bossrock

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

“This is an amazing piece of work.... Very different from their other matches too with a urgent, almost desperate Misawa vs. a more cerebral Kobashi.” - microstatistics

12. Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy vs Genichiro Tenryu and Toshiaki Kawada (AJ World Tag Titles - Real World Tag League Final - AJPW - 12/16/1988)
Total Points: 773
Ballots: 11
High Vote (9): Kadaveri
2019 Finish: 14

“Ohhh Fuck yeah, this is one of my favorite tag matches ever. I love this match and almost everything about it. I love Kawada's place in the match and I love just how much action there is. Hansen and Gordy is one of my favorite pairings and this is probably their peak.” - Cap

“Even though, the last half of the match was full of impending doom, they did a great job working in hope spots. I thought Hansen sold exhaustion fabulously. Gordy was a great dick heel sidekick. Hansen's individual performance in this match is a candidate for greatest performance in a single match. Kawada was great as the fearless rookie and selling the knee is Kawada's bread and butter. Tenryu was perfect in his role as veteran asskicker that's outgunned, but is going to down in a hail of bullets. The best non-90sAJPW tag match in history in my book!” Superstar Sleeze

“It's no surprise that the match with the best lariat from Stan Hansen is also one of the greatest matches of all time. A young Kawada is eager to prove himself while Tenryu, Hansen, and even Gordy do a great job brutalizing each other. All-time great tag match and a strong contender for best match of the 80's.” - Bossrock

“Legendary match tag match. I don't think they created the "Go it Alone" formula here, but this is one of the absolute most memorable examples of it. Classic match. Everytime Hansen & Tenryu were in the ring against or with each other in the late 80s time period was absolutely magic. Kawada managed to keep up with the big boys and added a fresh dynamic to the main event tag mix before getting taken out. Awesome match that totally holds up.” - Elliott

11. Mankind vs Shawn Michaels (WWF World Title - WWF - 9/22/1996)
Total Points: 791
Ballots: 12
High Vote (2): Microstatistics
2019 Finish: 23

“I started watching wrestling in '97, and when I got back into it I mainly watched lucha and Japanese stuff. WWF from earlier in the decade has been a blind spot. This is an incredible match, I can't believe it took me so long to see it.” - Uncledave

“The finish did happen, but that just means instead of being the greatest WWF match of all time, it is like tenth, it is still an amazing way to spend 30 minutes. I think what this match does really well is mix brawling and psychology exceedingly well. Everything is smart & logical without feeling planned. Everything feels intense & chaotic without feeling aimless. It never drags, but it never throws too much at you. It is a very sticky match in that everything sticks with you. To me that is a sign of great pro wrestling storytelling.” Superstar Sleeze

“This is arguably the best match of both Mick and Shawn's careers. A match that didn't need to rely on a bunch of big spots and weapons to get over as something incredibly violent and physical. Even with the non-finish, a strong contender for the best WWE matches ever.” - Bossrock

“Best US match ever and a strong Top 5 contender. Near perfect structure and pacing and containing everything from strategic limb work to shooty brawling to huge bumps. Ingenious transitions and creative spots. Really interesting character dynamics as well.” - microstatistics

10. Sangre Chicana vs MS-1 (Hair vs Hair – EMLL – 9/23/1983)
Total Points: 817
Ballots: 12
High Vote (2): Cap, KB8
2019 Finish: 15

“There are very few matches I remember where I was when I watched them for the first time.... I can’t say anything about Sangre Chinana vs MS-1 that hasn’t been said by better, more articulate fans than I. It is, to me, the perfect lucha brawl… blood, grit, emotion, violence. I don’t want to take anything away from MS-1 in this. He is a wonderful rudo who sets this all-timer tone early and keeps it moving throughout… but this is a story told through Chicana. His selling, movement, comes backs… that is where the narrative beats hit. This is a master class in getting the most out of every movement, punch, submission. Nothing is wasted, nothing lacks emotional weight. You don’t need to do all that much when you do it this well. This is perfect wrestling. .” - Cap

“One of the ripsnorterest, barnburnerest matches ever.” - uncledave

“Chicana at his very best might be the greatest wrestler ever. Chicana’s performance selling in this match is the single greatest selling I’ve ever seen in a match and his transition to offense is the single greatest and most exciting transition I’ve ever seen.” - Elliott

“An absolute bloodbath of a brawl. MS-1 brutalizes Chicana in the early goings leading to some of the greatest selling in wrestling history and a hell of a babyface comeback.” - Bossrock

9. Jun Akiyama and Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue (Real World Tag League Finals - AJPW - 12/6/1996)
Total Points: 838
Ballots: 11
High Vote (2): Kadaveri, Andylfc
2019 Finish: 6

“Might be the greatest tag team match of all time and did a great job building off their previous encounter that year. At the very least, a strong contender for best match of the 90's.” - Bossrock

“From an action/workrate standpoint this is as good as it gets. How they managed to cut that kind of pace while still sold everything for extended periods of time is insane. Also Misawa's performance is out of this world great. He wrestled with even more authority than usual and his selling and display of vulnerability during the 2 on 1 were outstanding. Akiyama's growth was also really good in how he was able to go toe and toe with his opponents and didn't need Misawa to bail him out. Also HDA redeeming their previous tag league failures was also great.” - microstatistics

“I've never seen this as the obvious GME like several people I have a ton of respect for do. It is a classic match but it never stood out like 6/9/95 or DreamRush 92 or Queendom 94 or 1/86 even. Great match.” - Elliott

“As much as I enjoyed their 5/23 match from earlier that year, I think this one from 12/6 is slightly superior.... This is my pick for 1996 MOTY.” - Stunninggrove

8. Kenta Kobashi vs Stan Hansen (AJPW - 7/29/1993)
Total Points: 934
Ballots: 13
High Vote (3): Cap
2019 Finish: 7

“This is where the Hansen/Kobashi dynamic feels like it exists in its purest form and their chemistry is at its best. Hansen’s desperation shots to keep Kobashi from getting too much momentum are just so perfectly timed. The way Kobashi lays things in and demands the most of Hansen is palpable. This is the perfect wresting pairing having about the closest thing to a perfect wrestling match that exists.” - Cap

“I dont think Hansen and Kobashi ever had a bad match together. Their series is almost as prolific as Flair vs Steamboat. Like Flair & Steamboat, they were made for each because they were opposites. Hansen was the obnoxious, foreign, veteran bully doing "Bull in the China Shop" routine while Kobashi was the plucky, native, young upstart whose passion and emotion flows from every pore. This is their most famous match. I love the structure. Kobashi bumrushing Hansen trying desperately to win within the first 10 minutes with Hansen getting very little offense in and then BANG the boot in the corner and the POWERBOMB on the floor and it is a whole different ball game. It is interesting for the first time I just watched the '93 Carnival match and what is weird is that instead of enhancing this match it actually hurt it. I thought the Carnival match had more struggle and Hansen really made Kobashi earn his offense. This Match had the bigger moments.” - Superstar Sleeze

“This has fantastic storytelling, pitch perfect selling, a super hot crowd, maybe the simplest yet most memorable transition I’ve ever seen, and certainly one of the most memorable finishes of all time.” - Elliott

“Just such great pro wrestling with one of the best narratives and some of the best displays of offense and selling.” - Bossrock

7. Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Dan Kroffat and Doug Furnas (All Asian Tag Titles - AJPW - 5/25/1992)
Total Points 958
Ballots: 14
High Vote (1): JoeG
2019 Finish: 10

“If this was a favorites list, this would be a strong #1 contender. Spectacular tag match that was a state of the art take on Southern Tag Wrestling in 1992 that holds up today as a classic match. Maybe the greatest crowd in the history of wrestling that takes beyond being a great wrestling match and makes it feel like a great sporting event. This was like the greatest college basketball game ever.” - Elliott

“The best southern-style tag ever worked in front of the maybe the best crowd ever.” - Microstatistics

“This has a legit shot to be #1 on my list. I like Elliot's college basketball game analogy. I think that's spot on to describe the crowd and how over Kikuchi is with his hometown crowd. He's the Terps at Cole Field House and the Can Ams are Duke.” - JoeG

“Currently my working #2. Sensational match with a legendary crowd and matching performances to boot.” - makaiclub

6. Jumbo Tsuruta vs Genichiro Tenryu (Triple Crown Title - AJPW - 6/5/1989)
Total Points: 990
Ballots: 14
High Vote (5): KB8
2019 Finish: 5

“One of the best matches of the 80s and maybe best Jumbo's performance ever; him working the crowd here is just something else. A great story about the Ace being jealous of his former partner.” - Tetsujin

“So I am not the first person on this here internet to write words about this wrestling match. If you've read a write-up for it in the past then there's a pretty good chance you'll have read something about it being the bridge between the mid-80s Choshu-inspired-all-action bouts and the kind of matches the Pillars would go on to have in the 90s, with the build and extended finishing runs and all that good stuff. I've seen this a handful of times since I started dabbling in the Japanese pro-wrestling, but this time it resonated with me more than ever before. God damn what a fucking peach of a match it is, and this time more than ever before it really did feel like these guys went out and reinvented a style. Shit, maybe they created a new one. First stretch is a massive departure from the early 80s All Japan house style.” - KB8

“I think this is the best Native vs Native All Japan match. Just a classic, universally beloved match. Not much I can say that hasn’t been said before. It’s Jumbo vs Tenryu.” - Elliott

“I honestly don’t know what to say about this match that hasn’t been said 1,000 times over…. It is pure greatness, ahead of its time in terms of its pacing and the story being told via that pace. Two greats who were made for one another putting on their best work.” - Cap

5. Kenta Kobashi vs Mitsuharu Misawa (Triple Crown Title - AJPW - 1/20/1997)
Total Points: 1090
Ballots: 13
High Vote (2): Bossrock
2019 Finish: 3

“For all the shit I've talked and will talk about being disappointed by All Japan, I will say not this match. This still kicks me in the teeth as an amazing match and even though its 40+ minutes and full of bombs, this somehow has never annoyed me with overkill like plenty of shorter AJPW matches have.” - Elliott

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

“The level of complexity in this match is just mind blowing. Thoughts on Misawa's arm selling from 2 years ago: ‘That was one thing that had always bothered me about the match because I thought he used the bad arm for throwing elbows too many times. But on rewatch a few months, I noticed his subtle selling of the pain every time he threw a rolling elbow (crumbling in the corner from the pain, his arm going limp on his side) was a thing of beauty and also fit his character’. Kobashi gives absolutely the GOAT performance here.” - microstatistics

“This match is so unbelievably good. It has all the stuff people know and love from the pillars matches, but this feels more grounded and layered somehow.” - Cap

“One of the best offensive wrestling matches in history with a great story of Kobashi trying to take away Misawa's best weapon (the forearm). And for as long as it is, it never drags or lets up for one second.” - Bossrock

4. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin (Submission Match - WWF - 3/23/1997)
Total Points: 1135
Ballots: 14
High Vote (2): Cactus
2019 Finish: 9

“I can’t express how impressed I am with what they were able to pull off here in terms of turning both men in such an emphatic way. I genuinely believe the double turn is legible whether you watch it in or out of context. This match has brutality, pace, creativity, execution, drama, and some of the most iconic visuals in all of wrestling. Austin’s performance, especially near the end of the match as he pushes for his final comeback and then ultimately falls victim to the sharpshooter, is fantastic. However, this really strikes me as a Bret Hart match. He caries the load with some of his best and most focused work. He keeps the pace with his brawling. He sells well and more than anything he heels it up in a way that forces the double turn. This match is high art” - Cap

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

“One of the few WWE matches that I have penciled in as a lock for my list. Yet another one of those ‘What the hell do you say about this?’ matches. A match I feel like I could close my eyes and watch I've seen it so much.” - Elliott

“WrestleMania 13 was a very mediocre show, but, it featured this match… easily one of the top 5 greatest WWF matches ever (and arguably one of the top 40 greatest pro wrestling matches ever). This was a Submission Match with Ken Shamrock as the guest referee. It’s probably the greatest brawling-type match in WWF history. Great execution by both participants. Austin juiced. Bret won the match when Austin passed out in the Sharpshooter. This was a very important match. It was the match that was the start of Bret’s great heel turn and it marked the beginning of Austin’s legendary babyface run.” - Stunninggrove

3. Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada (Triple Crown Title - AJPW - 6/3/1994)
Total Points: 1202
Ballots 14
High Vote (2): NintendoLogic
2019 Finish: 2

“Maybe the most hyped match ever and still manages to easily live up to the hype for almost everyone.” - Microstatistics

“While I'm not sure this is the greatest AJPW match of all-time or even the best match of 1994, this is still a terrific bout and incredible case study in escalation and psychology. You have the busted ear of Misawa forcing him to go for Kawada's leg, Kawada needing to use the other leg for his heavier strikes, both mens' increasing desperation to put the other away, and ultimately Misawa's earlier gameplan that more or less clinches his victory. Misawa's character of simply being the best is certainly at play here, but Kawada's inability to really deliver on his kicks is ultimately his downfall.” - Bossrock

“It's still holy fucking great, one of the best matches of the 90s and one of the biggest performances from both legends, but not top tier material for me. What I think this match needs to be top tier material, the thing other king's road masterpieces have, is the in ring work being trascendent. The stuff they do is amazing in terms of action and emotion, but not very important in terms of storytelling. Yeah, Kawada is very focused and closer than ever to reach the top of the mountain, and Misawa manages to look like the biggest final boss in pro wrestling history while at the same time making you feel that his reign is in true danger for the first time; but the transitions are kinda poor, the legwork and the bloody ear meant nothing, there was no strong cohesion between the different phases…” - tetsujin

“I still think Tiger Driver '91 looks gnarlier than the Ganso Bomb! How the flying fuck was Kawada still conscious after all that. Misawa was fucking furious! All Japan is so good at working finishing stretches that take you on this roller coaster ride. The build to that first Powerbomb was great. Then the build to Misawa's win was great because those Kappo Kicks came out of nowhere. When they fought, they fucking went after each other. That was the stand up fire fight we wanted to see since they brawled in the middle of that tag match with Akiyama and Fuchi. So is this the greatest match of all time? I dont know. It is definitely a contender. What hurts it is the beginning. I am a big believer in the beginning of the match is just as important as the end. That first 15 minutes is not wrestled at *****-caliber. There are other matches in totality I think are better, but from that build to the Powerbomb to the Insane, Ungodly Misawa Elbow Barrage it is hard to find something better.” - Superstar Sleeze

2. Akira Hokuto vs Shinobu Kandori (AJW - 4/2/1993)
Total Points: 1243
Ballots: 15
High Vote (1): Cap
2019 Finish: 4

“This is the best single wrestling match I have ever seen and every time I watch it, I am more convinced of that fact. Last year it jumped Sangre Chicana vs MS-1 as my default #1 match and nothing has happened since to change my mind. Kandori provides a mountainous obstacle like no one else could. I don’t think Aja or Bull or Dump or anyone could provide the particular type of malice and danger that Kandori does here. Hokuto is the perfect hero to match it and I don’t think anyone could fire back in the pitch-perfect way that she does. I don’t have a single bad thing to say about this match. It is the best ever.” - Cap

“The ultimate battle of attrition in wrestling history with the initial arm injury setup putting it over the top for me. It was a genius decision that really enhanced the drama as Kandori was simply able to apply/grab an arm hold out of nowhere at various points in the match and the crowd completely bought a submission finish.” - microstatistics

“The pace being much slower than usual certainly helped this overall. Everything had a sense of gravity to it, and while talking about transitions and rhythm in joshi is beating a dead horse this clearly wouldn't have worked as well if it followed the standard AJW pattern of the time. It also has one of the best openings of any match ever, with Hokuto decking Kandori and shit-talking her on the house mic and Kandori responding by trying to rip her arm out the socket. It was Thunder Road or Gimme Shelter or the Mortal Kombat opening where Shang-Tsung steals Liu Kang's dweeb brother's soul. Just perfect. And of course there's the tombstone spot which is totally iconic. It's not just the spot itself looking crazy, it's the fact Hokuto was the one who took it there in the first place and learned the hard way not to fuck with Kandori like that (also the close-up of the dented table, and even if I'm pretty sure it was Kandori's knee that left it and not Hokuto's skull it doesn't take away from the visual). So yeah, great match. Like, really great.” KB8

“It's a wonderfully violent spectacle that really comes off as a shoot with the selling, blood loss, and shall I say "sloppiness" of some of the bigger offensive moves. It all came off as very authentic. While I probably still won't rank it as high as most folks, I really do love this match now and am glad I can appreciate it for what it is.” - Bossrock

“Akira Hokuto’s 1993 has the rep as one of the greatest years of all time for a wrestler, and this match is the backbone of that case. Incredible match with everything you could possibly want: Big Bombs, Stiff Strikes, Submissions, Dives, Brawling, Blood, Selling, Psychology, Heat, Emotion. Everything. This match is everything. The fact that it isn’t the obvious #1 is staggering.” - Elliott

1. Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue (All Japan Tag League Championship - AJPW - 6/9/1995)
Total Points: 1280
Ballots: 13
High Vote (1): Mattsdmf, Superstar Sleeze, NintendoLogic, Cactus, Bossrock, Microstatistics, Uncledave, Andylfc
2019 Finish: 1

“The greatest story ever told in a pro wrestling ring.” - Tetsujin

“An all-time great tag team match with four guys who already have some fantastic tags under their belts. Kobashi's selling and comebacks solidify him as one of the greatest babyfaces ever.” - Bossrock

“Well it was nice being the quirky guy with Flair/Morton as my #1, yeah this is the Greatest Match Ever. I reserve the right to change my mind but I probably wont…. Fuck I cant believe the bad guys won. Baba, why did you have to do me dirty like that. I like being unique and I like being original. I really want to hold up a different match and say that is the Best of All Time. But no, this is the Greatest Match of All Time and I am not even sure it is close.” - Superstar Sleeze

“It's annoying how perfect this match is. The main reason I love this match is Kobashi's performance. His knee problems are no secret to anyone. When a simple kick sends Kobashi to the floor, Kawada and Taue devise their strategy to tear his leg to shit. Kobashi takes so many nasty shots to his knees and he makes you wonder if he is actually hurt. In the last 10-15 minutes of the match, Kobashi is barely walking. He tries to save Misawa from a beating by protecting him and it's just brilliant storytelling. This is tense, gripping and ripe with great storytelling. This is the greatest pro-wrestling match ever, in my opinion. I think I am going to struggle to find a match better than this.” - Cactus

“#1” - Microstatistics

Thanks to everyone who participated, whether you submitted a ballot or just participated in the conversation this year. It was - as always - a ton of fun. I hope you all consider submitting a ballot again or for the first time next year as we continue the fun and grow the project!