Top 10 Matches of the 21st Century

Sorry because 70% it's gonna be just WWE and NJPW, but until I finish my 00s rewatch it is what it is.

1. Okada/Shibata sits comfortably at number 1. If not for the infamous headbutt spot, it could easily be my personal choice for GME.

2: Tanahashi/Okada from Invasion Attack 2013. It's basically Kobashi/Misawa from 1/20/97 but with more cockyness and a "this is personal" aura.

3. Undertaker vs HBK, WM XXVI, Streak vs Career. One of the absolute best WWE main event kind of matches, if not the actual best. Shawn's ego, intelligent and well-sold legwork, amazing pace from bell to bell, and one of the best endings ever.

4. Hokuto vs Satomura, GAEA, April 2001. I still can't believe how fucking good this is and how under the radar seems to be. The way these two worked made me mark all the time, it was extremely intense and organic, everything they did was like "fuck yeah!" and a few moments later I realized "damn, that was the perfect thing to do at that moment, I'm hella hooked!".

5. Shield vs Wyatts, EC 2014: the right match, at the right moment. I'm a guy who thinks everything could work in wrestling, and also every match can be a 5* no matter if its a title match, a tv match, random tríos match, comedy, idc, if the timing for it is perfect and the ringwork is excellent, then why not. This is a match full of people I don't think I'll ever give a 5* rating in a singles match, but this match is everything you could ask for and everyone complemented each other in a way I've never seen. To me, this is clearly the best multiman tag ever in pro wrestling history, and think about the ground that covers. Perfect action, always focused, a clever story, memorable spots, character work present in everything...

6. Naito vs Omega, G1 Climax 26. I'm not a Kenny fan. In fact, I kinda hate his work most of the times, he annoys me like few others. But damn this match is gold. It's exactly the kind of match Omega needs the most: a clever bombfest with a better wrestler. And they worked it so wonderfully, they managed to make a leg submission spot one of the most exciting false finishes of the match. In the middle of a spotfest! This is one of the most important matches in recent history for NJPW, as it cemented both Naito and Omega as the new stars of the company alongside Okadahashi, and think of everything that came after because of it.

7. The Final Deletion, BROKEN Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy, TNA IMPACT 2016. Fuck it. This is revolutionary. This is dumb as hell, but it is so. Much. Fun. Like, people talked about how fun Taker/AJ was, and yeah it was cool... But it's nothing compared to this madness. Matt Hardy is seriously one of the best wrestling minds in recent history, he has the Jericho ability to reinvent himself whenever he wants and triumph. I said before i don't care about the type of match you're having, if you're doing it perfectly and in a moment where you have made me care for it, I'm fucking in.

8. Naito vs Tanahashi, G1 Climax 27 & Naito vs Tanahashi, WK 11. Cheating! Just putting these two together. Holy shit guys. When they had the Tokyo Dome classic (and it's possibly the greatest Dome match ever), I thought they could never top that. Then the Dominion match happened, and it was excellent, but not as close to perfection as the first one. And then the fucking G1 match happened and they managed to made the last one the best of the trilogy. Two of the most intelligent big match workers of today, giving it all in a clash about legwork, brilliant character interactions and epicness. The crowd is fucking nuclear in all these matches, because this is peak popularity Naito and Tanahashi is a living legend at this point.

9. Joe vs Kobashi, ROH. Everybody knows this match, and why it is special. There's no way you won't be entertained watching it.

10. Randy Orton vs Mick Foley, WWE Backlash 2004. This is Foley's masterpiece in my opinion. He has a lot of crazy but well-crafted matches, obviously, but this one feels like the one that has it all. If not for Bischoff appearing and ruining one spot, this would be even higher in my overall GME list. You can say whatever you want about Orton but he was a goddamn prodigy in 2002-05. You know you're watching a kid with the sky as his limit, and in this particular match it shows how far he's disposed to go and how good he can be even in a match as vicious and risky as this one.

1. Kazuchika Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata (NJPW - 4/9/0217) - Greatest NJPW match ever. The dominant yet cocky ace is pushed to the limit by the prodigal son turned sentimental favorite. Terrific story of Shibata questioning Okada's toughness and Okada questioning Shibata's ability to win the big one.

2. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi (NJPW - 1/4/2015) - Ibushi goes all out to prove himself to Nakamura and that he isn't just a second-rate comedy wrestler. Only 20 minutes but feels way more epic than nearly ever 30+ NJPW match.

3. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW - 6/9/2018) - The two best and most athletically gifted wrestlers pushing each other beyond their limits. Perfect culmination of their previous trilogy.

4. Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (ROH - 8/12/2006)- The ultimate "who wants it more?" story with a terrific 3 rope break rule. Incredibly intense and physical (a bit too much so near the end).

5. Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (ROH - 2/23/2008) - Few matches have told a more brilliant story. Bryan refuses to compromise his morals and Nigel will do anything he can to win. Like the 2006 match, gets a bit too physical near the end.

6. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata (NJPW - 8/4/2013) - A polarizing match from a polarizing series. But no one makes fighting spirit and no-sells look as believable as these two as they smash each other for 10 minutes.

7. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (Pro Wrestling Noah - 3/1/2003) - As long and excessive as it is, it might be the most cathartic passing of the torch match ever.

8. Necro Butcher vs. Samoa Joe (IWA Mid-South - 6/11/2005) - This is violent, bloody, and a bit difficult to watch. But it's still awesome and the greatest brawl of the 21st century.

9. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW - 10/8/2012) - Chris Hero recently said on his podcast that the mindset in wrestling shouldn't be "less is more" but "get more out of less". This match sums that up perfectly. Classic face and heel dynamics, dueling limb work, impeccable selling, and few nearfalls. For those who don't like current NJPW, I would urge them to check out this match.

10. Necro Butcher vs. Super Dragon (PWG - 9/2/2006) - Necro Butcher's hatred of his own head is disgusting, but he and Super Dragon nearly outdo the Joe match. Tremendous brawl even if some spots are cringey.


Honorable Mentions

11. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW - 10/14/2013) - Most prefer the Invasion Attack match but to me, King of Pro Wrestling 2013 is the greatest Okada-Tanahashi match. Okada's arm selling is brilliant and Tanahashi's willingness to fight dirty makes for a riveting bout.

12. Team ROH vs. Team CZW (ROH - 7/15/2006) - The ultimate War Games match. There's so much going on but you never feel lost watching.

13. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW - 6/11/2017) - The greatest 1 hour draw ever. While their 2018 match was their best, this one gets close.

14. Blood Generation vs. Do FIXER (ROH - 3/31/2006) - The best spotfest ever. Never overstays its welcome and even leaves you wanting a bit more.

15. Golden Lovers vs. Young Bucks (NJPW - 3/25/2018) - Melodrama at its finest. Greatest 21st century tag match ever.

Christ this is incredibly tough. Grimmas I agree this period is far richer than people give it credit for. Top 10 in no particular order if you held a gun to my head. Could/would probably look a bit different if i wasnt doing it on the fly

Daisuke Ikeda, Katsumi Usuda, and Super Tiger II vs. Yuki Ishikawa, Alex Otsuka, and Munenori Sawa (BattlARTS 7/26/08)

Atlantis vs. Villano III (CMLL 3/17/00)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata (NJPW 4/9/17)

Eddie Guerrero vs. JBL (WWE 5/16/04)

Bryan Danielson vs. Low Ki (JAPW 6/7/02)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi (NJPW 8/12/18)

Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jun Akiyama (AJPW 2/27/00)

Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima (ROH 8/25/07)

Yuki Ishikawa vs. Carl Greco (BattlARTS 6/1/08)

Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (U-STYLE 4/2/04)

Dick Togo vs. Antonio Honda (DDT 1/30/11)

I extracted this mini-list from my 2020 ballot. I suspect it'll remain pretty consistent in my ballot later this year, some rearrangement notwithstanding.

1. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (WWE, 3/29/2015). Goofy finish aside, the definitive heavyweight title bout.

2. Rey Hechicero vs. Charles Lucero (Monterrey, 8/4/2013). Amongst the best lucha ever produced.

3. Jun Akiyama vs. Masao Inoue (NOAH, 4/23/2006). Everything great about pro wrestling condensed into 20 odd minutes.

4. Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama (NOAH, 7/10/2004). Not everyone's cup of tea, but to me this is the ultimate maximalist exercise.

5. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Hiroyuki Ito (U-Style, 8/18/2004). THE shoot-style classic of the century.

6. Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk (ROH, 12/4/2004). The indie vision for wrestling realized.

7. Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (NOAH, 3/1/2003). As bossrock noted, the ultimate passing of the torch match.

8. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (WWE, 3/28/2010). Near-perfect amalgamation of action, storytelling, and psychology. Nice to see it on tetsujin's list.

9. Yuki Ishikawa/Alexander Otsuka/Munenori Sawa vs. Daisuke Ikeda/Katsumi Usuda/Super Tiger II (BattlARTS, 7/26/2008). The likely apex of the hybrid style and also the GOAT trios.

10. Bryan Danielson vs. Homicide (ROH, 12/23/2006). A quality match fitting the historic title change.

1. Brock Lesnar vs John Cena (Extreme Rules - WWE - 4/29/2012)
2. Daniel Bryan vs Triple H (WWE - 4/6/2014)
3. Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns (WWE - 3/29/2015)
4. Katsuyori Shibata vs Kazuchika Okada (NJPW - 4/9/2017)
5. Kenta Kobashi vs Mitsuharu Misawa (NOAH - 3/1/2003)
6. Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuinness (ROH - 8/12/2006)
7. Kenny Omega vs Tetsuya Naito (NJPW - 8/13/2016)
8. Kenta Kobashi vs Jun Akiyama (NOAH - 7/10/2004)
9. Kenta Kobashi & Yoshihiro Takayama vs Mitsuhara Misawa & Jun Akiyama (NOAH - 12/2/2007)
10. Cody vs Dustin Rhodes (AEW - 5/26/2019)

According to my list:

1. Bryan Danielson v. Takeshi Morishima (ROH - 12/27/2008)
2. Anarchy in the Arena (AEW - 5/29/2022)
3. Brock Lesnar v. John Cena (WWE - 4/29/2012)
4. ROH v. CZW: Cage of Death (ROH - 7/15/2006)
5. CM Punk v. Eddie Kingston (AEW - 11/13/2021)
6. Samoa Joe v. CM Punk (ROH - 12/4/2004)
7. Samoa Joe v. Necro Butcher (IWA MidSouth - 6/11/2005)
8. CM Punk v. Jimmy Rave (ROH - 5/16/2004)
9. Meiko Satomura v. Akira Hokuto (GAEA - 4/29/2001)
10. Bryan Danielson v. Nigel McGuinness (ROH - 2/23/2008)


The 5v5 match from Forbidden Door on Sunday will probably end up in my top 10. I have watched it three times so far and it’s everything.