The 1996 Wrestler of The Year List
To put together my top 100 list of the greatest wrestlers ever, I am going through each year and putting together a list for that particular year. Previously, on the podcast “Maybe Not Taue,” I compiled a list for 1985, 1990, 1997, & 2021. You can listen to those here. 1983, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2022, and 2023 are on the blog.
1996
If you read my Match of the Year List for 1996, you know how high I was on the matches for this year, but weirdly, the Wrestler of the Year list is much harder! No clear-cut winners and lots of options! Here is what I settled on.
The List
All of the below stats are from Cagematch. Yes, they are not perfect.
The recommended matches are not a definitive list. It’s a list of matches I have watched for this process, plus matches on my spreadsheet from before. Each wrestler probably had more matches I could recommend, but I limited it to keep this cleaner.
The matches listed are all 7/10 or higher; if they are bolded, they are 8/10 or higher.
Honourable Mentions
- The Great Muta
- Jaguar Yokota
- Mayumi Ozaki
- Mitsuharu Misawa
- Psychosis
- El Hijo del Santo
- Terry Funk
- Ultimo Dragon
The List
#25
Owen Hart
Previous Ranking: 1994 (13th) & 1997 (8th)
Years Unranked: 1989, 1990, 1993, & 1995
Matches: 177
Places Worked: WWF, TWWF, & USWA
Titles Won: WWF World Tag Team Championship w/ The British Bulldog
Tournaments: WWF Royal Rumble, WWF World Tag Team Title Tournament w/ The British Bulldog, WWF Kuwait Cup, WWF King of the Ring, WWF Intercontinental Title Tournament, & WWF Middle East Cup
Kind of an under the radar great year for Owen. Sure, he had a PPV match with Michaels, which was so fun, but the rest was squarely playing the role of being the workhouse of big tag matches and working underneath matches. Luckily, he excels in that.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Shawn Michaels, WWF, February 18
- w/ The British Bulldog & Vader vs Ahmed Johnson, Shawn Michaels, & Sycho Sid, WWF, July 21
- vs Savio Vega, WWF, August 18
#24
Dynamite Kansai
Previous Ranking: 1993 (5th), 1994 (11th), & 1995 (2nd)
Honourable Mentions: 2001
Years Unranked: 1997, 2010, 2015, & 2019
Matches: 37
Places Worked: JWP, AJW, GAEA, & Rikidozan Memorial
Titles Won: JWP Tag Team Championship w/ Cutie Suzuki
Few wrestlers are more fun to watch than Kansai. She’s so serious and has such badass offense, yet she has a very fun and colorful outfit. Being stuck with JWP booking doesn’t help anyone, but she is great enough to overcome that and stand out.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Mayumi Ozaki, JWP, August 10
- w/ Aja Kong vs Devil Masami & Kyoko Inoue, JWP, October 13
- w/ Cutie Suzuki vs Devil Masami & Hikaru Fukuoka, JWP, November 26
#23
“Lord” Steven Regal
Previous Ranking: 1993 (37th) & 1994 (23rd)
Years Unranked: 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, & 2010
Matches: 76
Places Worked: WCW, NJPW, ASW, & CWA
Titles Won: WCW World Television Championship
Tournaments: WCW Lord of the Ring, NJPW Japan/US All-Star Tournament, NJPW Super Grade Tag League VI w/ David Taylor, WCW World War 3, & WCW United States Title Tournament
Regal focussed most of the year on the WCW TV Championship and his amazing feud with Finlay. That Finlay feud is probably enough to get anyone onto the list.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Fint Finlay, WCW, March 24
- vs Fit Finlay, WCW, April 27
- vs Lex Luger, WCW, August 20
#22
Scott “Flash” Norton
Previous Ranking: 1995 (14th), 1997 (25th), & 2001 (16th)
Honourable Mentions: 1993 & 1994
Years Unranked: 1989, 1990, & 2010
Matches: 80
Places Worked: WCW & NJPW
Tournaments: NJPW One Night Tag Team Tournament w/ Hugh Morrus, WCW Lord of the Ring, NJPW Japan/US All-Star Tournament, NJPW Super Grade Tag League VI w/ Shinya Hashimoto (winner), & WCW World War 3
Scott Norton has become the person I have been most impressed with coming out of this round of GWE. He is my favourite big man worker, maybe ever. He has the perfect aura and knows the perfect amount to sell. Not too much, so he doesn’t feel like a monster, but enough to get his opponent over. Plus, he carried Ice Train around to good stuff.
Recommended Matches:
- w/ The Steiner Brothers vs Power Warrior & The Road Warriors, NJPW, April 29
- w/ Ice Train vs The Steiner Brothers, WCW, June 16
- vs Lex Luger, WCW, November 11
#21
Devil Masami
Previous Ranking: 1983 (9th), 1985 (6th), 1993 (20th), & 1995 (18th)
Years Unranked: 1994, 1997, 2001, & 2004
Matches: 34
Places Worked: JWP, GAEA, & AJW
Titles Won: JWP Tag Team Championship w/ Hikari Fukuoka
The legendary Masami continues to be great in 1996, mostly being the stand out in tag matches. She has an elite ability to make everything entertaining.
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Kyoko Inoue vs Aja Kong & Dynamite Kansai, JWP, October 13
- vs Chigusa Nagayo, GAEA, November 2
- w/ Hikaru Fukuoka vs Cutie Suzuki & Dynamite Kansai, JWP, November 26
#20
Manami Toyota
Previous Ranking: 1990 (8th), 1993 (13th), 1994 (6th), 1995 (3rd), & 1997 (3rd)
Years Unranked: 1989, 2001, 2004, 2010, & 2015
Matches: 253
Places Worked: AJW & JWP
Titles Won: WWWA Tag Team Championship w/ Mima Shimoda
Tournaments: AJW JAL Scramble Cup Okinawa Tag Tournament w/ Mariko Yoshida (winner), AJW 2nd Grand North Six Woman Tag League w/ Kaoru Ito and Mariko Yoshida, & AJW Tag League The Best w/ Rie Tamada (winner)
Just as I thought Toyota had turned the tables and left all her silliness behind, here comes 1996 Toyota, who let a lot of her bad habits return. Sure, her spots are elite, and her work rate is unreal, but I don’t know if you can tell watching her in 1996 if she knows how to put together a match.
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Kaoru Ito vs Double Inoue, AJW, January 3
- vs Kyoko Inoue, AJW, March 31
- vs Aja Kong, AJW, October 6
#19
Takako Inoue
Previous Ranking: 1993 (19th)
Honourable Mentions: 1994, 1995, & 2004
Years Unranked: 1997, 2001, 2010, 2015, & 2019
Matches: 249
Places Worked: AJW & JWP
Titles Won: WWWA Tag Team Championship w/ Kyoko Inoue & AJW All-Pacific Championship
Tournaments: AJW JAL Scramble Cup Okinawa Tag Tournament w/ Mima Shimoda, AJW 2nd Grand North Six Woman Tag League w/ Yumi Fukawa and Yumiko Hotta, AJW Japan Grand Prix, & AJW Tag League The Best w/ Yumi Fukawa
Inoue is one of my favourite wrestlers, and in 1996, she got to shine, not only with Double Inoue, but also with one of the most hidden gem matches ever with her and Mariko Yoshida. I love her just choke slamming people and other cool offense like the flying knee to the back of the head.
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Kyoko Inoue vs Akira Hokuto & Mima Shimoda, AJW, January 22
- vs Hiromi Yagi, JWP, July 7
- vs Mariko Yoshida, AJW, October 6
#18
Kenta Kobashi
Previous Ranking: 1993 (11th), 1994 (19th), 1995 (6th), 1997 (15th), & 2004 (8th)
Years Unranked: 1989, 1990, & 2001
Matches: 131
Places Worked: AJPW
Titles Won: Triple Crown Championship
Tournaments: AJPW Championship Carnival & AJPW Real World Tag League w/ The Patriot
When you think about 90s wrestling, most people automatically think of the four pillars. Kobashi was the second best pillar of 1996. He suffered from switching from teaming with Misawa to teaming with The Patriot, but he made up for it by winning the Triple Crown for the first time!
Recommended Matches:
- vs Akira Taue, AJPW, July 24
- vs Stan Hansen, AJPW, September 5
- vs Toshiaki Kawada, AJPW, October 18
#17
Dick Togo
(aka SATO)
Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2019, 2021, 2022, & 2023
Matches: 143
Places Worked: Michinoku Pro, ASW, Inoki Festival in Yojogi, NJPW, & WAR
Titles Won: MPW British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship
Tournaments: Michinoku Futaritabi w/ MEN’S Teioh (winner)
Being the heavy in one of the greatest stables ever and having that awesome of a senton bomb will make you automatically ranked high. The Liger match really showed his full potential, which is as high as anyone’s.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Jushin Liger, NJPW, June 17 (#7 MOTY)
- w/ Kaientai Deluxe vs Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Super Delfin, & Tiger Mask IV, M-Pro, October 10 (#6 MOTY)
- w/ Kaientai Deluxe vs Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, The Great Sasuke, Masato Yakushiji, & Super Delfin, M-Pro, December 16
#16
Chigusa Nagayo
(aka Zero)
Previous Ranking: 1983 (16th), 1985 (1st), 1989 (15th), 1994 (22nd), 1995 (10th), & 2001 (15th)
Years Unranked: 1997, 2004, & 2019
Matches: 32
Places Worked: GAEA, FMW, LLPW, JWP, WCW, AJW, & Rikidozan Memorial
Titles Won: AAAW Heavyweight Championship
Tournaments: GAEA Tag Team Tournament w/ Makie Numao, & WCW World Women’s Title Tournament
The legendary Nagayo continues to pull out amazing years after her comeback. Whether she was in the ring with a bunch of rookies or facing off against other legends, Nagayo was impressive. Plus she did a fun WCW gimmick!
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Bomber Hikari & Sonoko Kato vs Eagle Sawai, Jenn Yukari, & Michiko Nagashima, GAEA, February 16
- w/ Bomber Hikari & Sonoko Kato vs Eagle Sawai, Jenn Yukari, & Michiko Nagashima, LLPW, March 12
- vs Sonoko Kato, GAEA, November 16
#15
Mankind
(aka Cactus Jack)
Previous Ranking: 1995 (22nd)
Honourable Mentions: 1994
Years Unranked: 1989, 1990, 1993, & 1997
Matches: 163
Places Worked: WWF, IWA Japan, ECW, USWA, & FMW
Tournaments: WWF Middle East Cup
Turning The Undertaker from one of the most boring wrestlers ever into having awesome matches all year is a feat that gets Foley into the top 15.
Recommended Matches:
- vs W*ING Kanemura, FMW, May 5
- vs Shawn Michaels, WWF, September 22
- vs The Undertaker, WWF, October 20
#14
El Dandy
Previous Ranking: 1990 (2nd)
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, & 2004
Matches: 48
Places Worked: CMLL & TPW
Tournaments: CMLL Grand Prix & CMLL Torneo de Parejas w/ Olimpico
El Dandy is as talented as any wrestler in history. His ability to brawl and work technical wrestling at such alltime great levels is ridiculous. Dandy will make the list any year if he has enough opportunities and there is enough footage!
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Atlantis, Lizmark, & El Hijo del Santo vs Blue Panther, El Felino, Dr. Wagner Jr., & Negro Casas, CMLL, March 22
- vs Black Warrior, CMLL, October 15
- vs El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas, CMLL, December 6 (#4 MOTY)
#13
Megumi Kudo
Previous Ranking: 1993 (18th) & 1997 (10th)
Years Unranked: 1990, 1994, & 1995
Matches: 114
Places Worked: FMW, AJW, Jd’, & GAEA
Titles Won: FMW Independent Women’s & WWA Women’s Championship
The only thing keeping Kudo from being higher is the fact she mostly worked in FMW, which had limited opponents. She put up about as good a year as she could under those circumstances.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Chigusa Nagayo, FMW, January 10
- vs Combat Toyoda, FMW, May 5 (#3 MOTY)
- vs Shinobu Kandori, FMW, December 11
#12
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
(aka The Ringmaster)
Previous Ranking: 1993 (23rd), 1997 (11th), & 2001 (1st)
Honourable Mentions: 1994
Years Unranked: 1990 & 1995
Matches: 178
Places Worked: WWF & USWA
Tournaments: WWF Royal Rumble, WWF Kuwait Cup, WWF King of the Ring (winner), WWF Intercontinental Title Tournament, & WWF Middle East Cup
What a difference a year makes. Austin started 1996 as The Ringmaster, a mute cyborg wrestling machine character brought in by Ted DiBiase. However, DiBiase left, and Austin won the King of the Ring and got mic time, and ended the year as one of the hottest stars in wrestling! The Bret feud took him to another level.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Savio Vega, WWF, May 28
- vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley, WWF, October 20
- vs Bret Hart, WWF, November 17 (#1 MOTY)
#11
Negro Casas
Previous Ranking: 1990 (23rd), 1994 (21st), 1997 (18th), & 2001 (14th)
Honourable Mentions: 1993 & 1995
Years Unranked: 1983, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, & 2023
Matches: 53
Places Worked: CMLL, WAR, NJPW, & World Wrestling Peace Festival
Tournaments: CMLL Gran Prix & NJPW J-Crown Tournament
I never thought of Casas as a tecnico. He is so clearly a rudo in my mind. However, in 1996, I was proved wrong as he was so great in that role. He was a Tito Santana type. I hate the heel and will fight tooth and nail to take him out. It ruled.
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Blue Panther, El Felino, Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Atlantis, El Dandy, Lizmark, & El Hijo del Santo, CMLL, March 22
- vs Bestia Salvaje, CMLL, October 18
- vs El Hijo del Santo vs El Dandy, CMLL, December 6 (#4 MOTY)
#10
“The Total Package” Lex Luger
Previous Ranking: 1989 (2nd) & 1990 (13th)
Years Unranked: 1985, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, & 2001
Matches: 141
Places Worked: WCW, NJPW, & World Wrestling Peace Festival
Titles Won: WCW World Tag Team Championship w/ Sting & WCW World Television Championship (twice)
Tournaments: WCW Lord of the Ring, NJPW Japan/US All-Star Tournament, WCW World War 3, & WCW United States Heavyweight Title Tournament
Luger started the year in the super fun angle with Sting, pretending to be a heel behind his back but a good guy in front of him! He had some fun stuff until the nWo arrived. That is when Luger was back into prime form. Babyface Luger, against unbelievable odds, is Luger at his best!
Recommended Matches:
- vs Steven Regal, WCW, August 20
- w/ Randy Savage & Sting vs nWo, WCW, July 7
- vs Scott Norton, WCW, November 11
- vs The Giant, WCW, December 29
#9
Aja Kong
Previous Ranking: 1990 (6th), 1993 (8th), 1994 (3rd), 1995 (7th), 1997 (5th), & 2001 (10th)
Honourable Mentions: 2004
Years Unranked: 2010, 2015, 2019, & 2023
Matches: 248
Places Worked: AJW, JWP, Michinoku Pro, & FMW
Tournaments: AJW JAL Scramble Cup Okinawa Tag Tournament w/ Kaoru Ito, AJW 2nd Grand North Six Woman Tag League w/ Misae Genki and Yoshiko Tamura, AJW Japan Grand Prix (winner), & AJW Tag League The Best w/ Yoshiko Tamura
Kong was pushed down the card in 1996 behind Toyota and Inoue, but she was still Kong and still great.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Combat Toyoda, FMW, January 10
- vs Yumiko Hotta, AJW, July 14
- vs Kyoko Inoue, AJW, August 30 (#9 MOTY)
- w/ Dynamite Kansai vs Devil Masami & Kyoko Inoue, JWP, October 13
#8
Jushin Thunder Liger
Previous Ranking: 1989 (12th), 1990 (12th), 1993 (32nd), 1994 (16th), 1995 (19th), 1997 (19th), & 2004 (14th)
Honourable Mentions: 2010
Years Unranked: 1985, 2001, 2015, & 2019
Matches: 134
Places Worked: NJPW, WCW, CMLL, WAR, Michionku Pro, & World Wrestling Peace Festival
Titles Won: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, MPW British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship, & WAR International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship w/ El Samurai
Tournaments: NJPW Best of the Super Junior III, NJPW J-Crown Tournament, & NJPW One Night Tag Team Tournament w/ Keiji Muto
Even though Liger had brain cancer in 1996, it still ended up as perhaps his greatest year ever. Whether he changed his style up out of choice or necessity, it really worked for him. He was a beast!
Recommended Matches:
- vs Shinjiro Otani, NJPW, March 17
- vs Dick Togo, NJPW, June 17 (#7 MOTY)
- vs The Great Muta, NJPW, October 20
- vs Rey Misterio Jr., WCW, December 29
#7
Kyoko Inoue
Previous Ranking: 1993 (3rd), 1994 (15th), 1995 (5th), 1997 (7th), 2001 (24th), & 2004 (20th)
Years Unranked: 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, & 2023
Matches: 237
Places Worked: AJW & JWP
Titles Won: WWWA Tag Team Championship w/ Takako Inoue & WWWA World Championship
Tournaments: AJW JAL Scramble Cup Okinawa Tag Tournament w/ Toshiyo Yamada, AJW 2nd Grand North Six Woman Tag League w/Reggie Bennett and Tomoko Watanabe (winner), AJW Japan Grand Prix, & AJW Tag League The Best w/ Chaparita Asari
1996 was the year Inoue finally won the WWWA World Championship. Such a great moment after seeing her behind the other AJW greats for years!
Recommended Matches:
- w/ Takako Inoue vs Akira Hokuto & Mima Shimoda, AJW, January 22
- vs Manami Toyota, AJW, March 31
- vs Aja Kong, AJW, August 30 (#9 MOTY)
- w/ Devil Masami vs Aja Kong & Dynamite Kansai, JWP, October 13
#6
TAKA Michinoku
Previous Ranking: 1997 (17th)
Years Unranked: 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, & 2023
Matches: 179
Places Worked: Michinoku Pro, FMW, BattlArts, NJPW, W*ING, Inoki Festival in Yoyogi, & Alpha Japan Promotion
Titles Won: Independent World Junior Heavyweight Championship
Tournaments: Michinoku Futaritabi w/ Shoichi Funaki
The young punk of Michinoku Pro had his most elite year in 1996. His balance and flying may be unmatched by anyone at this time.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Super Delfin, NJPW, June 17
- w/ Kaientai Deluxe vs Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Super Delfin, & Tiger Mask IV, M-Pro, October 10 (#6 MOTY)
- vs Minoru Tanaka, BattlArts, October 30
- w/ Kaientai Deluxe vs Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, The Great Sasuke, Masato Yakushiji, & Super Delfin, M-Pro, December 16
#5
Too Cold Scorpio
(aka Flash Funk & Black Wozuma)
Previous Ranking: 1993 (29th)
Years Unranked: 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2015, 2021, & 2022
Matches: 100
Places Worked: ECW, TPW, & WWF
Titles Won: ECW World Television Championship
Scorpio’s first half of the year put him in the front runner for #1. The matches he pulled out of Sabu and Shane Douglas were all-timer level. However, he spent the last half of the year teaming with The Sandman and then going to the WWF to be Flash Funk, so he dropped off a bit.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Sabu, ECW, February 17
- vs Shane Douglas, ECW, May 11
- vs Chris Jericho vs Pitbull II vs Shane Douglas, ECW, July 13
- vs Chris Jericho, ECW, August 3
#4
Genichiro Tenryu
Previous Ranking: 1989 (1st), 1993 (10th), 1994 (4th), 2001 (12th), & 2004 (3rd)
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1995, 1997, 2010, & 2015
Matches: 47
Places Worked: WAR, UWF-I, NJPW, Kitao Dojo, WYF, & Rikidozan Memorial
Titles Won: WAR World Six Man Tag Team Championship w/ Nobutaka Araya and Ultimo Dragon
Tournaments: NJPW One Night Tag Team Tournament w/ Nobutaka Araya & WAR Six Man Tag Team Title Tournament w/ Tatsumi Fujinami and Nobutaka Araya
Tenryu had a fun 1996, being the veteran going to war with shoot-style guys. Seriously, if you can get me to enjoy a match against shoot guys, then you are very special.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Tatsumi Fujinami, NJPW, April 29
- vs Yoji Anjo, WAR, July 21
- vs Nobuhiko Takada, UWF-I, September 11
- vs The Great Muta, WAR, October 11 (#2 MOTY)
#3
Akira Taue
Previous Ranking: 1990 (15th), 1993 (24th), & 1995 (1st)
Honourable Mentions: 1994, 2001, & 2004
Years Unranked: 1989, 1997, & 2010
Matches: 128
Places Worked: AJPW
Titles Won: AJPW World Tag Team Championship w/ Toshiaki Kawada & Triple Crown Championship
Tournaments: AJPW Championship Carnival (winner) & AJPW Real World Tag League w/ Toshiaki Kawada (winner)
Akira Taue finally did it in 1996. He destroyed Misawa and took the Triple Crown. Sadly, the reign didn’t last too long. He continued his path of destruction from the year prior, and there are few as good as Taue when he is choke slaming fools left and right!
Recommended Matches:
- vs Mitsuharu Misawa, AJPW, May 24
- vs Kenta Kobashi, AJPW, July 24
- w/ Toshiaki Kawada vs Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa, AJPW, November 29
- w/ Toshiaki Kawada vs Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa, AJPW, December 6 (#10 MOTY)
#2
Rey Misterio Jr.
Previous Ranking: 1995 (17th), 1997 (6th), 2001 (23rd), 2004 (21st), & 2010 (15th)
Years Unranked: 1993, 1994, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, & 2023
Matches: 104
Places Worked: WCW, AAA, WAR, ECW, Promo Azteca, Tijuana, Mexicali, & World Wrestling Peace Festival
Titles Won: WCW World Cruiserweight Championship & WWA World Welterweight Championship
Tournaments: AAA Torneo de Parejas w/ Venum & WCW World War 3
Misterio continued to go on the road in 1996 and made it onto WCW, where he became a phenomenon. He was truly ahead of his time with his flying, but he was more than that. He was so sympathetic in his selling and had such a variety of opponents and great matches.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Juventud Guerrera, Tijuana, March 16
- vs Pyschosis, WCW, July 7 (#5 MOTY)
- vs Super Calo, WCW, September 15
- vs Dean Malenko, WCW, October 27
- vs Ultimo Dragon, WCW, November 24
#1
Shinjiro Otani
Previous Ranking: 1997 (16th)
Honourable Mentions: 1994
Years Unranked: 1993, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, & 2021
Matches: 124
Places Worked: NJPW, WCW, WAR, & UWF-I
Titles Won: WCW World Cruiserweight Championship, UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship, & NWA World Welterweight Championship
Tournaments: NJPW Young Lion Cup, NJPW Best of The Super Junior III, NJPW J-Crown Tournament, & NJPW One Night Tag Team Tournament w/ Kensuke Sasaki
1996 turned out to be the year of the Junior Heavyweights, and nobody was as good as Otani. His over the top selling kept every match he was in interesting. When he took a match into the finishing sequence, there was nobody like him, and the crowd was so into it. He just felt special day in and day out in 1996.
Recommended Matches:
- vs El Samurai, NJPW, January 21 (#8 MOTY)
- vs Jushin Liger, NJPW, March 17
- vs Black Tiger, NJPW, June 5
- vs Kazushi Sakuraba, NJPW, June 17
- vs Ultimo Dragon, NJPW, August 4
Coming Soon
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2020 Joshi Yearbook, Volume 3
My friend has made this amazing 11-volume set covering the 2020 Joshi scene. I will cover this set one volume at a time here.
The forward from the set explains the project well:
“The intention of this Yearbook is to curate a selection of matches (and some extra material) that watching in order would recreate the experience of being a hardcore Joshi Puro fan in 2020. The matches were chosen either because of their high quality, significance, or just matches that people felt were personally important to them for any other reason.”
This will not be a full review, but more of my thoughts and reasons why you should watch it!
All photos are courtesy of the Yearbook itself.
1. Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu vs DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto (Sendai Girls Tag Titles, Sendai Girls, 2022-02-19)
Give me all of Yuu vs Matsumoto! These two against each other is so fucking great. Outside of that, it is a fun, solid tag match. (7/10)
2. Sareee vs Yoshiko (Diana, 2020-02-22)
I think people would really love this one. These two get into a stiff, striking contest that builds like a great Finlay-Regal match. You want to see this. (7.5/10)
3. Hibiki vs Nagisa Nozaki (Regina di WAVE Title, WAVE, 2020-02-23)
This started off kind of slow but really kicked it up to another gear as it went along. A really solid match. (6.75/10)
4. AZM vs Kaho Kobayashi vs Mei Suruga (Kagetsu Retirement Show, 2020-02-24)
This match is kind of NUTS! It may be the quickest, most intricate three-way match I have ever seen, but not in a negative choreographed dance way. (8/10)
5. Kagetsu vs Meiko Satomura (Kagetsu Retirement Show, 2020-02-24)
The hype video covering Kagetsu’s full career and how it interlaced with Satomura’s is really awesome. So glad it was subtitled.
This ruled so hard, and it was everything you would want for someone retiring. A classic match, which only was hurt by one kick out too many for me. (8.75/10)
A nice retirement ceremony at the end. Loved all of this.
6. Chihiro Hashimoto vs Syrui (Sendai Girls World Championship, Sendai Girls, 2020-03-08)
These two are always awesome against each other: the kickboxer vs the wrestler. They didn’t hit the high levels they had in other matches, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good match. (7.25/10)
7. Tsukasa Fujimoto vs Suzu Suzuki (Ice Ribbon, 2020-03-14)
First, the pre match promo video is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Suzu loses, so she runs away to live in the woods to transform. Tsukasa searched and searched for her until she found her, and she ran away. Finally she catches her and calms her down by roleplaying a press conference. This line had me in stitches, “she got exhausted and thought Suzu was a duck.”
Onto the match, and the transformation is red hair and a cool new look! This turned into a delight. Fujimoto is a complete boss here leading this match into a beautiful big match up while making Suzuki a star. (7.5/10)
8. Miyuki Takase vs Nagisa Nozaki (AWG Championship, Actwres girl’Z, 2020-03-15)
I loved the early brawling in this. After the brawling segment, it became a fun go for the win type title match that was very enjoyable and high energy! (7/10)
In Conclusion
Another enjoyable volume of the Yearbook, although doom is looming as the pandemic is about to set in. I’m really curious how this will work out!
Upcoming
Volume 4!
You can discuss this on Twitter!
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1996 Match of the Year List
In terms of match of the year lists containing matches that will go on my 100 greatest matches ever list, I think 1996 may be the best. Really, all ten could and probably will make it. What a freaking great year of high-end matches!
Honourable Mentions
- Antonio Inoki vs Big Van Vader, NJPW, January 4
- Shinjiro Ohtani vs Ultimo Dragon, NJPW, August 4
- Mariko Yoshida vs Takako Inoue, AJW, August 30
- The Great Muta vs Jushin Liger, NJPW, October 20
- Dick Togo, MEN’S Teioh, Shiryu, Shoichi Funaki, & TAKA Michinoku vs. Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Super Delfin, & The Great Sasuke, Michinoku Pro, December 16
Now, onto the list!
#10
Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa
“Real World Tag League Final”
AJPW Real World Tag League
December 6
Nippon Budokan
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
I have been down on prime AJPW for a few years now, so I was curious to rewatch this match since I rated it so highly the first time I saw it. Watching it, I think my AJPW issue is that the style that is so popular today that I don’t like is a continuation of this wrestling. That said, the last ten minutes were unreal, and there is nothing in wrestling like Taue unleashed, dropping people with choke slams everywhere! Akiyama did good in the Kobashi role of trying to save Misawa’s ass too. A great match, but still, it felt like a lot of too much for me.
#9
Aja Kong vs Kyoko Inoue
“Japan Grand Prix Final”
AJW Japan Grand Prix
August 30
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
Kong is out for death in this match, and Inoue is a perfect underdog with tremendous selling throughout. It’s intense from the start to the tremendous run of nearfalls down the stretch. Every lariat and every throw and hit just look like they hurt; it’s on another level. A great match that seems to be forgotten if you listen to Cagematch.
#8
El Samurai (c) vs Shinjiro Ohtani
“UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship”
NJPW New Year Special
January 21
Korakuen Hall
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
The majority of this match is matwork and limp attacks, which normally would be a match that would kind of bore me, but this match blew me away. Ohtani’s attack on Samurai’s leg was amazing, including the vicious springboard dropkick into it. Near the end, when they hit their bigger moves, the near falls were tremendous, and the armwork by Samurai to get to the finish was perhaps the best moment of the match. A real classic.
#7
Dick Togo (c) vs Jushin Liger
“MPW British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship”
NJPW Skydiving J
June 17
Nippon Budokan
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
This was a match I hadn’t seen in well over a decade, and boy, did it live up to my memories. Togo came in as a total asshole trying to destroy Liger. However, Liger wasn’t up for that shit and was a giant asshole back. It’s vicious, and everything hits so violently. You have the famous catching Togo off a dive and power bombing on the floor spot which was followed by another power bomb! Immediately, Liger enters the ring to strut! More great violent action continues on until we get some great stuff down the finishing stretch, including a flying dropkick into the arm, which Togo was using to pull himself up, and a top rope brainbuster. Great match!
#6
Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Super Delfin, & Tiger Mask vs Dick Togo, MEN’s Teioh, Shiryu, Shoichi Funaki, & TAKA Michinoku
Michinoku Pro Takewaki: These Days
October 10
Ryogoku Kokugikan
The greatest collection of high spots in a match ever, but that only scraps the surface of this classic. Kaientai DX are the biggest jerks ever, teaming up to take advantage and posing on top of fallen people. It’s great. The spots are insane, too, and so quick. Using the lucha tags makes every nearfall exciting. This match has to be seen to be believed, and it still holds up today!
#5
Psychosis vs Rey Misterio Jr.
WCW Bash at the Beach
July 7
Ocean Center
The best touring match ever comes to WCW PPV and steals the show. They took everything they learned from working everywhere and put it all together into one match that tops all their others. Outside of the insane flying by both, the build and story of the match is amazing as well. What a great way to let Americans know what lucha libre is.
#4
El Dandy vs Negro Casas vs El Hijo del Santo
“Triangle Cabellera contra Mascara”
CMLL Super Viernes
December 6
Arena Mexico
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
I had no recollection of this match, but it’s listed as a classic and, for some reason, an 8/10 on my spreadsheet. I am glad to admit I was really wrong, as this is the classic people say it is.
The first segment, where Casas and Dandy team up to pin Santo, so he has to put up his mask, was really great storytelling. Casas and Dandy then had a mighty fun singles match, leading to Casas winning and taunting everyone. That brings us to the bulk of the match, the Santo vs Dandy match, with everything on the line. It becomes a bloody, violent death match with great dives and huge drama from there, and it becomes the perfect hair vs mask match. The last few moments are as good as wrestling gets. Even if you don’t like the lucha style, this is one you will certainly love
#3
Combat Toyoda (c) vs Megumi Kudo
“FMW Independent Women’s & WWA Women’s Championship No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Blast Death Match”
FMW Fighting Creationg: 7th Anniversary Show
May 5
Kawasaki Stadium
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
Not much to say. It’s the best deathmatch and the best FMW match in history. It’s dramatic, it’s emotional, and it’s great.
#2
Genichiro Tenryu vs The Great Muta
WAR Osaka Crush Night!
October 11
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
From the Best Matches I Watched This Month blog post:
I had never seen this before, and I feel really stupid because this match is unbelievable. From the beginning, Muta shoots two different mist colours! He gains his advantage by breaking a glass bottle and digging that into Tenryu’s head for a while! Outside the ring, he piledrivers him on a table and then hits him with some kind of tripod or something. That wasn’t even enough, inside the ring he pulls out something and digs that more into the cut! Tenryu’s hope spots after that were great, and the cut-offs by Muta were on that level, too. Also, I’m not much of a chop person, but they looked great here, probably due to the other violence making it fit in. To get back to the outside, Tenryu switches to straight punches that look sick as fuck! Tenryu throws some chairs and a table into the ring to up the madness! However, more mist from Muta stops the attack before Tenryu can get too far ahead and uses chairs and the table to continue the assault, including moonsaulting Tenryu through it! Instead of going for the win, Muta attacks Tenryu’s second to steal his white shirt to use Tenryu’s blood to write on it and then choke him out. Muta thinks he’s all that, so he goes for the moonsault, which Tenryu counters with a massive top rope powerbomb and an enzuigiri, and one more powerbomb, which is countered with Muta misting him! Muta weirdly goes under the ring and emerges to use the mist again, but Tenryu covers his mouth with an unreal counter! That leads to the ultimate finish, and this is up there with Dr. Wagner Jr vs LA Par-K as one of the most amazing, crazy brawls ever! I am blown away!
#1 “Match of the Year”
Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
WWF Survivor Series
November 17
Madison Square Garden
From my Top 100 Bret Hart matches post:
I have talked a lot about this match in the past, and it’s my favourite match of all time. What I love about this is that it feels like a love letter to old school wrestling and the end of an era. Jim Ross tells the story perfectly, Austin knows Bret and uses his moves through out the match. One of my all-time favourite wrestling moments is Bret Hart’s comeback in this match, where he wins a first fight after losing one earlier. The emotion here is priceless.
Coming Soon
The top 25 wrestlers of 1996 list should be ready shortly, plus at the end of every month, I’ll write up the top 25 matches I watched during it.
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