Tag Archives: Andre the Giant

The Best Matches I’ve Watched This Month (October 2023)

By Grimmas on October 31, 2023 | 2 Comments

I was really all over the place in October, but one thing kept me excited, and that was going through WCW’s 1996. We are in 1996 for our Joshi weekly watches, and I thought I’d get a head start on the rest of the world. Other GWE years I want to tackle are just not clicking with me right now.

Also, 2023 is turning out to be pretty damn cool, eh?

#25
John Morrison (c) vs CM Punk
“ECW Heavyweight Championship”
ECW on SciFi
September 1, 2007, aired September 4, 2007

These two had a long series, so they knew each other well and did a lot of counters. The crowd is really hot, and it’s a very exciting match with a great finishing stretch.

Rating: 7.25/10

#24
La Catalina vs Stephanie Vaquer
“CMLL World Women’s Championship”
CMLL Noche de Campeones
September 29, 2023

Vaquer’s offense outside the ring was so vicious. They both worked stiff and had a very intense match that was a great counterpoint to a lot of the more high-flying of the rest of the card.

Rating: 7.25/10

#23
Bruno Sammartino (c) vs Stan Hansen
“WWWF Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match”
WWWF on August 7, 1976

A famous match with Bruno getting revenge after Hasnen broke his neck. The crowd is so into Bruno’s revenge, and he gets it here with lots of blood and violence.

Rating: 7.25/10

#22
Becky Lynch (c) vs Lyra Valkyria
“NXT Women’s Championship”
NXT Halloween Havoc
October 24, 2023

A tremendous main event, with Valkyria playing the big underdog against the legendary Lynch. It was filled with hope spots and nearfalls for Valyria, and Lynch did a great job of controlling the action and trying to find ways to put away the underdog. Some of my favourite types of wrestling matches, and this was a good version of that.

Rating: 7.75/10

#21
Mistico (c) vs Virus
“World Historic Middleweight Championship”
CMLL Noche de Campeones
September 29, 2023

Mistico is so spectacular, and Virus is so well grounded they make a perfect counterpoint for each other and a beautiful match to watch.

Rating: 7.75/10

#20
Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs Super Calo
WCW Fall Brawl: War Games
September 15, 1996

Calo works over Rey’s arm so well and also hits some great dives and throws for the first large portion of this match. Rey sells his arm all the way through his comeback. A great stretch of nerfalls and Rey hits a double springboard hurrcanrana for the win utilizing the double ring. It was one of the better Cruiserweight matches in WCW history.

Rating: 7.75/10

#19
Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum (c) vs The High Flyers
“AWA World Tag Team Championships”
AWA on July 7, 1977

It’s a really hot crowd in a very classic tag team format match. Lazna and Duncum bumped huge when The High Flyers were on offense, and The Flyers sold great on defense. It got more exciting as it went along to a great finish.

Rating: 7.75/10

#18
Dean Malenko (c) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship”
WCW The Great American Bash
June 16, 1996

I’ve felt this match was odd because it’s Rey’s WCW debut, and Malenko grounds him for 3/4 of it by working his arm. The comeback is tremendous, though, and the arm work is really good. Truly the start of the new WCW cruiserweight era.

Rating: 7.75/10

#17
Natsupoi vs Tam Nakano
“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 30, 2023

Former enemies and current teammates can be really cool in a match against each other, and this one was that. It started with the know each other so well spots, but then they started to dig back into their former hatred. There were great nearfalls before a finish that was a little bit of a surprise, with Natsupoi pinning the Champion.

Rating: 8/10

#16
Suzu Suzuki vs Tam Nakano
“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 9, 2023

It was an excellent GP match, with Suzuki going for death and Nakano’s amazing selling leading the way. The last third was a tremendous run to the finish.

Rating: 8/10

#15
Umaga (c) vs Jeff Hardy
“WWE Intercontinental Championship”
WWE The Great American Bash
July 22, 2007

It was an amazing David vs Goliath match, with Hardy having awesome hope spots while Umaga killed him throughout. When it got to Jeff’s comeback, it was electric, and when Umaga did the run for the finish, it was death. Perfect wrestling.

Rating: 8/10

#14
Hazuki vs Suzu Suzuki
“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 23, 2023

It’s all killer, no filler heated GP match.

Rating: 8/10

#13
Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs Dean Malenko
“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship”
WCW Halloween Havoc
October 27, 1996

After an amazing shine segment by Rey where he got his stolen mask back, Dean grounds him. The leg attacks are great, as well as Rey’s selling. In 1996, few had better comebacks than Rey. The finishing stretch is so great, ending with a vicious super bomb by Dean!

Rating: 8/10

#12
Mei Seira vs Nanae Takahashi
“Passion Injection”
Stardom New Blood 11
September 29, 2023

One of the highlights of 2023 is Nanae vs younger wrestlers, injecting them with passion. Mei was amazing, fighting to take it to Nanae and pushing her to the limits. Nanae was also great pushing back against it.

Rating: 8/10

#11
Maika vs MIRAI
“5STAR Grand Prix: Blue Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 30, 2023

The winner wins the Blue Stars block, so there is extra drama here in this awesome hoss battle.

Rating: 8/10

#10
Aja Kong vs Yumiko Hotta
“Japan Grand Prix”
AJW Japan Grand Prix
July 14, 1996

Kong completely brutalizes Hotta’s leg in the most violent way possible, and Hotta sells it so well. Hotta worked from underneath and had some good hope spots. For some reason, Hotta always really steps up against Kong!

Rating: 8.5/10

#9
Mistico vs Templario
“Best 2/3 Falls”
CMLL Super Viernes
October 13, 2023

Mistico might be the best babyface in the world right now. Being so over really helps, but the great selling and hope spots, added with the spectacular moves, make him so loveable. I love that Mistico dominated for a large early portion of this match until Templario got a lucky comeback in the second fall, leading to him destroying Mistsco. The finishing sequence and the comeback by Mistico ruled! I don’t want to discount Templario here; he’s a great rudo, too.

Rating: 8.5/10

#8
Antonio Inoki (c) vs Andre the Giant
“Real World Martial Arts Championship”
NJPW Toukon Series
October 7, 1976

It was a tremendous David vs Goliath contest that was really focused on the strategy of both. Inoki was amazing at finding his spots where Andre would leave an opening.

Rating: 8.5/10

#7
Maika vs Suzu Suzuki
“5STAR Grand Prix: Final”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 30, 2023

A surprising final, which had to be changed due to the injuries. However, it added an extra level of excitement because the winner could have been anyone. It was an intense, stiff, and exciting match, with both stepping up their game to win the 5STAR! It was really a perfect tournament final match, as either could have won throughout, and they played it as two equally matched competitors.

I’m very excited to see how far Suzuki can go at such a young age!

Rating: 8.5/10

#6
Ultimate Dragon (c) vs Rey Misterio Jr.
“J-Crown Championship”
WCW World War 3
November 24, 1996

Most of the match is a squash, with Dragon unleashing amazing offense, including one of the best and most brutal running power bombs ever. Rey is amazing at selling, and when he gets a comeback near the end, it’s electric with spectacular moves. The finish is otherworldly, with Rey attempting to complete the comeback with a springboard rana, only for Dragon to catch him and slingshot Rey off the top rope into a vicious sit-down power bomb for the win. It is a classic and very cool, for it does not follow the usual formula.

Rating: 8.75/10

#5
Becky Lynch (c) vs Tiffany Stratton
“NXT Women’s Championship Extreme Rules Match”
NXT No Mercy
September 30, 2023

Stratton is very impressive, with amazing physical skills and tremendous presence. She wasn’t just carried along by Lynch but added a lot. This was one of the better all-over-the-arena weapons matches I can recall from the WWE in a long time. The spots were violent and vicious, and the nearfalls were unbelievable. Great finish, too.

Rating: 8.75/10

#4
Manami Toyota vs Meiko Satomura
“Battlefield WAR Tournament Second Round”
Sendai Girls Live Vol. 8
May 6, 2007

It was really cool to see generational legends go at it, and they delivered. The early portions of Toyota using her veteran status to keep control of Meiko was really great. As they build up to the match, they had a great bomb-throwing segment and finishing rush.

Rating: 8.75/10

#3
Antonio Inoki vs Big Van Vader
NJPW Wrestling World In Tokyo Dome
January 4, 1996

Two legendary though guys stand up and fight each other on the biggest stage with a red-hot crowd. This is amazing. Both really go for the kill throughout, and the Vader German Suplex spot is incredibly memorable.

Rating: 9/10

#2
Titan (c) vs Mascara Dorada
“CMLL World Middleweight Championship”
CMLL Noche de Campeones
September 29, 2023

I haven’t seen too much of the new Mascara Dorada, but for a wrestler who debuted in 2021, he is insanely good. He reminds me of Rey Mysterio Jr., who came around and blew everyone away with his flying, but it never looked like he was showing off, but always competing in a match. Dorada is the same way.

Titan is no slouch, as he’s been great for a long time. With all the great flying, the spot that really hit me was Titan doing a double stomp from the top rope to Dorada on the apron. As it built towards the finish, all the submission nearfalls were amazing. It was a great match and probably in my top ten matches of the year.

Rating: 9/10

#1
Combat Toyoda (c) vs Megumi Kudo
“FMW Independent Women’s & WWA Women’s Title No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Blast Death Match”
FMW Fighting Creation: 7th Anniversary Show
May 5, 1996

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.

Rating: 9.66/10

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Posted in: Best Matches I've Watched This Month, Lists | Tagged: Aja Kong, AJW, Andre the Giant, antonio inoki, AWA, Becky Lynch, blackjack lanza, bobby duncum, Bruno Sammartino, CM Punk, CMLL, combat toyoda, dean malenko, deathmatch, FMW, greg gagne, Hazuki, jeff hardy, jim brunzell, john morrison, joshi, la catalina, lucha libra, Lyra Valkyria, Maika, Manami Toyota, mascara dorada, Megumi Kudo, Mei Hoshizuki, Mei Seira, Meiko Satomura, MIRAI, Mistico, Nanae Takahashi, natsupoi, NJPW, NXT, puroresu, rey mysterio jr, Sendai Girls, Stan Hansen, STARDOM, Stephanie Vaquer, super calo, suzu suzuki, tam nakano, templario, Tiffany Stratton, titan, ultimo dragon, Umaga, Vader, Virus, WCW, wrestling, WWE, wwwf, yumiko hotta

The Best Matches I’ve Watched This Month (July 2023)

By Grimmas on August 1, 2023 | 2 Comments

July has been a great month of watching. I finished my 1989 watching, and I had so many more matches than 25 I had to cut a couple dozen matches.

#25
Natsupoi vs. Saori Anou
“Indian Strap Match”
Stardom MidSummer Champions
July 2, 2023

I love the creativity here, but the stips hurt this from hitting real highs. The first part was worked around the strap, but they used it very violently later. The stip of getting a pin and then having to touch each corner is something that will hurt every match, though.

Rating: 7.75/10

#24
Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas (c) vs Joe Malenko & Kenta Kobashi
“All Asia Tag Team Championships”
AJPW October Giant Series
October 11, 1989

I love the double teamwork of Kroffat & Furnas. It’s really on an all-time great level. Joe and Kenta were pretty damn good in their babyface roles here, getting in great hope spots and fire. Awesome tag work.

Rating: 7.75/10

#23
The Brain Busters vs The Rockers
WWF
January 23, 1989

It’s a really good Southern tag match where the face-in-peril, hot tag, and finish were all really good. I didn’t like the opening third of The Rockers embarrassing The Brain Busters for so long. The shine went on sooo long. After that, though, it was all excellent.

Rating: 7.75/10

#22
Dynamite Kansai (c) vs Takako Inoue
“WWWA World Championship”
JWP
October 31, 1995

Inoue tried her hardest to bring the AJW Title back home, but she couldn’t put Kansai down no matter how much she threw at Kansai or how close the nearfalls were. Lovely wrestling.

Rating: 7.75/10

#21
Giulia, Mayu Iwatani, Syuri, & Tam Nakano vs Maika, MIRAI, Saya Kamitani, & Suzu Suzuki
“Generational Struggle Elimination Match”
Stardom
July 9, 2023

This was a lot of fun with a hot crowd. Pitting the current top talent vs the future top talent is a great concept that allows delivers. It took its time before eliminations, and all the eliminations were creative. A lot of fun moments with different talents interacting that may not always face each other too. A really good tag match!

Rating: 7.75/10

#20
Andre the Giant & Haku (c) vs Demoltiion
“WWF World Tag Team Championship”
WWF
December 28, 1989

I love how Andre and Haku work because it’s unlike any other tag team. Haku is a badass and does most of the work, and Andre is tagged in when it’s time to drop the big bomb to end things. This match has a great deviation from that formula, as Andre’s first bomb misses causing him to be attacked for a while. The match builds from there with awesome heat and a cool finish of Andre just destroying Smash for the win.

Rating: 7.75/10

#19
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada
“AJPW World Tag Team Championships”
AJPW Excite Series
February 23, 1989

Another great match in the Tsuruta-Tenryu series. Yatsu needs a lot of credit in this series as well, as he more than holds his own on his quest to kill Tenryu. Kawada is the plucky underdog brought around in this match and does a good job after Tenryu keeps him calm. A very exciting tag match that is a real harbinger of things to come for AJPW.

Rating: 8/10

#18
Demolition (c) vs The Brain Busters
“WWF World Tag Team Championship Best 2/3 Falls”
WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event
July 18, 1989, aired July 29, 1989

I have a lot of nostalgia for this match, as it’s one of the very first Saturday Night’s Main Event I remember my dad taping for me, and I couldn’t wait to watch it on Sunday morning.

Outside of that, it’s a tremendous match with great structure. Demolition is clearly the more dominant team, but The Busters are sneaky and frustrating. Demolition dominates to start until some double teaming gets a Smash face-in-peril, but Ax breaks everything up and gets an easy first-fall win. In the second fall, Demolition is dominant again, but now The Busters cheat like crazy until a super hot tag to Ax, and it looks like an easy match, but they double team too much and are disqualified and frustrated. The final fall is more Demolition dominance, but Andre slips a chair to Tully, who kills them, and they steal the titles. Perfect wrestling!!

Rating: 8/10

#17
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship”
AJPW Championship Carnival
April 4, 1989

Tenryu is so over, and this really helped this match, but what put it over the top was how locked in everyone was to destroying each other. Lariats were killing fools left and right, and they were devastating. The finish, although a countdown, was great as Jumbo saw his partner was in trouble, so he suplexed Tenryu through a table to get the count-out win!

Rating: 8/10

#16
Willow Nightingale (c) vs Giulia
“NJPW Strong Women’s Championship”
NJPW STRONG Independence Day
July 5, 2023

This was an awesome match focused on big power vs underdog fire, and I loved it. They worked to all the big moves well, and both played their rules tremendously well. The finishing sequence was amazing, and it finished the story perfectly!

Rating: 8.25/10

#15
Jushin Liger (c) vs Black Tiger
“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship European Rounds”
NJPW Summer Fight Series
July 12, 1989

The European Rounds rules break the Junior Heavyweight style and make this feel more unique. Add in Mark Rocco playing a legit heel, and it just feels great watching it. It’s intense and dirty and has some outstanding spots. A real delight.

Rating: 8.25/10

#14
Chigusa Nagayo vs Shark Tsuchiya
GAEA Never Ending Bump
November 3, 1995

The feud between Chigusa and FMW wages on, as Shark kills her from the very start. Puts her through a table and brawls throughout the crowd. She uses every weapon she can, but every time Chigusa comes back. However, every Chigusa comeback has a Shark underling run-in and cut it off. Barbed wire, sticks, boards, etc… This was a great brawl that kept this feud going and made it even better.

Rating: 8.25/10

#13
Nanae Takahashi vs Starlight Kid
Stardom MidSummer Champions
July 2, 2023

Takahashi injects some passion into Starlight Kid, who stepped up and fought a Takashiashi match that was full of vicious strikes and, well, passion. I loved Kid having Momoe Nakanishi in her corner too.

Rating: 8.5/10

#12
Bob Backlund & Owen Hart vs Bret Hart & The British Bulldog
WWF Action Zone
January 25, 1995, aired February 26, 1995

A great traditional tag team matches with Bret playing the perfect face in peril, Owen and Backlund being an amazing asshole tag team, and Bulldog having a great hot tag. Bret keeping the Sharpshooter on the floor while Budllog won in the ring was a tremendous and memorable finish.

Rating: 8.75/10

#11
Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs Yoshiaki Yatsu
“AJPW Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Summer Action Series
July 18, 1989

I’m not sure why these two are so competitive against each other, but their chemistry is unreal. I saw so many cool bulldogs in this match, which was a highlight. Yatsu fought tooth and nail to overcome Tenryu, but it wasn’t enough. A great story and a great match.

Rating: 8.75/10

#10
Ricky Steamboat vs Terry Funk
NWA Clash of The Champions VII “Guts And Glory”
June 14, 1989

This is great fun. It was a short, heated main event where they worked stiffly and held nothing back. Heck, Funk even did a running piledriver on the floor! Scoff at the finish if you want, but it works well with Funk’s character and his frustration for being unable to put down The Dragon.

Rating: 8.75/10

#9
Atsushi Onita (c) vs Hayabusa
“FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Mine Explosion Time Bomb Death Match”
FMW Atsushi Onita Memorial Retirement Tour Last Fight ~Final Chapter~ April Series – Tag 20: 6th Anniversary Show
May 5, 1995

From the opening entrances, I was all in on this match. The stipulation makes the work all so meaningly, and all of the explosion spots were great. The countdown to the ring blowing up worked so well, and the match was on pace to be an easy Greatest Match Ever lock until the conclusion. Onita was retiring, and Hayabusa was going to be the new ace and the whole match was built around the dethroning, but instead, it ended with an Onita win. Wrestling polictics suck.

Rating: 8.75/10

#8
Akira Hokuto vs Manami Toyota
AJW Destiny
September 2, 1995

This match felt dangerous, and the table spots were brutal, but it didn’t hit the high levels I’d expect from a big Hokuto match. The finish was weird, with Toyota just hitting Hokuto’s finisher out of nowhere for the win.

Rating: 9/10

#7
Bull Nakano vs Kyoko Inoue
AJW Destiny
September 2, 1995

This match was built around a huge struggle between the two. Every Inoue power bomb took so much effort. Every attempt by Inoue to win was a huge challenge. When Bull did a series of leg drops from the apron to the floor, wrestling may have peaked. Inoue finally getting her win on her fourth try was a great conclusion.

Rating: 9/10

#6
Lioness Asuka (c) vs Bull Nakano
“WWWA World Championship”
AJW
May 14, 1989

This was chaotic madness, and I loved it. After Lioness got off a really fast giant swing, the match broke into a Chigusa-Dump match, with Bull using every weapon she could find to pick her apart, including breaking the ring to use it as a weapon with the ring post hook and digging into her bloody forehead. Sadly, the referee threw it out after Bull chucked a heavy briefcase at his head because of a finish here, and it could have been an all-time classic.

Rating: 9/10

#5
Psicosis (c) vs Rey Misterio Jr.
“WWA World Welterweight Championship 2/3 Falls”
AAA
September 22, 1995

After two great falls built around trying to one-up each other with matwork, submissions, and rolls, we get to one of the most insane third falls ever. Unreal dives left and right by both and huge moves everywhere, all set up in a logical fashion. This is the best lucha and felt really ahead of its time. No wonder this match was exported all over the world.

Rating: 9.25/10

#4
Jushin Liger (c) vs Naoki Sano
“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship”
NJPW Fighting Satellite 1989 Japan vs USA vs Soviet Union Battle Series Part II
August 10, 1989

I thought I watched the right Sano-Liger match a month ago, but I was wrong because this ruled. Sano destroys the arm, and Liger sells it so well for the rest of the match. After that destruction, Liger is able to counter a move into a superplex onto the apron and then the floor, which makes the rest of the match pure desperation by both. They do their best to put the other away, but both are severely hurt, and the drama is amazing. A beautiful, gritty fight that could make my top 100 matches ever!

Rating: 9.25/10

#3
Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa vs The Usos
“Bloodline Civil War”
WWE Money in the Bank
July 1, 2023

One of the best tag team matches in WWE history and great WWE wrestling. It worked so well playing off storylines and building drama setting up the finish of what the fans wanted, which sets up a huge match down the line.

It started pretty traditionally with a great shine by The Usos, followed by a face in peril by Jey, including an amazing hot tag tease where Jimmy was pulled off the apron by Solo at the last second. After a fun hot tag, the match started building towards the finish with no silly kick-outs, as partner’s made the saves. There was a great near fall where Roman stacked both The Usos, only for them to kick out. I loved Roman not sure what to do, and in shock, Solo just starts kicking ass and is like Roman, what the fuck? After some more great action, we got the big shocking finish. Awesome.

Rating: 9.25/10

#2
Manami Toyota vs Yumiko Hotta
“Japan Grand Prix Final Match”
AJW Japan Grand Prix
September 3, 1995

Hotta was really feeling it tonight and was just plain mean! Early she stopped Toyota every time she got momentum with brutal kicks. When Toyota finally makes a comeback, she is brutal as well. The rest of the match was just insane, with some of the most killer suplexes of all time. Straight Jacket German Suplex from the top rope? Another unbelievable spot was Toyota diving off the top to try to put Hotta through a table, but Hotta got her feet up into her face. There was a Ganso Bomb as well. It all ends with a Super Ocean Cyclone Suplex Bomb with the largest bridge ever. What a brutal classic!

Rating: 9.5/10

#1 “My Match of the Month”
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship Real World Tag League Finale”
AJPW Real World Tag League
December 6, 1989

This is one of the biggest tag war matches I have ever seen in a non-gimmick match. It was violent and bloody and so dramatic. Although the story would seem, on the surface, to be focused on Tenryu vs Tsuruta, it turns out the real main character was Yoshiaki Yatsu! The dude comes in with padded headgear, which gets ripped off, and later replaced with wraps. He was hurt and was out to prove himself against the other aces. There were so many great neat touches, great nearfalls, and drama. I loved this; it is my favourite Real World Tag League final ever!

Rating: 9.75/10

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Posted in: Best Matches I've Watched This Month, Lists | Tagged: AAA, AJPW, AJW, Akira Hokuto, Andre the Giant, Arn Anderson, Atsushi Onita, black tiger, bob backlund, Bret Hart, bull nakanoo, Chigusa Nagayo, davey boy smith, deathmatch, Demolition, doug furnas, Dynamite Kansai, FMW, GAEA, Genichiro Tenryu, giulia, Haku, hayabusa, joshi, Jumbo Tsuruta, Jushin Liger, JWP, Kenta Kobashi, Kyoko Inoue, Lioness Asuka, lucha libre, Maika, Manami Toyota, Mayu Iwatani, MIRAI, Nanae Takahashi, Naoki Sano, natsupoi, NJPW, NWA, owen hart, psicosis, puroresu, rey mysterio jr, Ricky Steamboat, rockers, Roman Reigns, Saori Anou, Saya Kamitani, Shark Tsuchiya, solo sikoa, Stan Hansen, STARDOM, starlight kid, suzu suzuki, Syuri, Takako Inoue, tam nakano, Terry Funk, Toshiaki Kawada, Tully Blanchard, usos, willow nighingale, wrestling, WWE, WWF, Yoshiaki Yatsu, yumiko hotta

The Greatest Wrestlers of 1989

By Grimmas on July 29, 2023 | 4 Comments

In route to putting 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 put together a list for 1985, 1990, 1997, & 2021. You can listen to those here. 1983, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, & 2022 are on the blog.

1989

One of the all-time great years in wrestling history!

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.

As an added bonus, I used AI to create poems about each wrestler, and they are as bad as you may expect!

Honourable Mentions

Dan Kroffat
Greg Valentine
Lioness Asuka
El Satanico
Tito Santana

#25
Bad News Brown

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, & 1997
Matches: 130
Place Worked: WWF
Tournaments: WWF Royal Rumble & WWF King of the Ring

n ’89, Bad News ruled the scene,
Cool and badass, wrestling’s dream.
With aura intact in the cartoon world,
A force to reckon, flag unfurled.

Their presence fierce, no foe defied,
In every battle, they’d abide.
A legend’s spirit, bold and true,
Bad News Allen, a mighty brew.

Recommended Matches:

vs Randy Savage, WWF, January 16
vs Brutus Beefcake, WWF, April 22

#24
Sting

Previous Ranking: 1993 (34th)
Years Unranked: 1990, 1994, & 2010
Matches: 172
Places Worked: NWA & AJPW
Title Won: NWA World Television Championship
Tournament: NWA Iron Man Tournament (winner)

In ’89, Sting rose with might,
Evolved into a good hand’s light.
Exciting, like a bolt of thunder,
In the ring, a spellbinding wonder.

A wrestler, fierce, and full of zest,
A force that put fans to the test.
With every move, hearts would soar,
Sting’s presence, wrestling’s uproar.

Recommended Matches:

vs The Great Muta, NWA, July 23
vs Lex Luger, NWA, December 23

#23
Tully Blanchard

Previous Ranking: 1985 (11th)
Years Unranked: 1983 & 1994
Matches: 121
Place Worked: WWF
Title Won: WWF World Tag Team Championship w/ Arn Anderson
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, Blanchard’s cunning mind,
The Brain Busters, a tag team bind.
Ruling the scene, with skill untold,
WWF’s gold, their hands would hold.

A perfect counter, cocky and sly,
Cheating smart, the crowd’s “Oh my!”
In the ring, a villainous flair,
Tully Blanchard, a presence rare.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Arn Anderson vs The Rockers, WWF, January 23
w/ Arn Anderson vs Demolition, WWF, July 18
w/ Arn Anderson vs The Hart Foundation, WWF, August 28

#22
The Great Muta
aka The Super Black Ninja

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021, & 2022
Matches: 158
Places Worked: NWA & WCCW
Title Won: NWA World Television Championship
Tournament: NWA Iron Man Tournament

In ’89, The Great Muta came,
A mysterious presence, fame aflame.
Unique, they graced the NWA’s stage,
Unseen moves, a mystic’s sage.

With misty shroud and skillful grace,
In the ring, they’d leave a trace.
A wrestling enigma, a sight to behold,
The Great Muta’s tale, forever told.

Recommended Matches:

vs Sting, NWA, July 23
vs Lex Luger, NWA, December 13

#21
Jacques Rougeau

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1993, 1994, & 1997
Matches: 114
Place Worked: WWF

In ’89, Jacques Rougeau took the floor,
Unreal heat, fans’ hatred poured.
Pretending to be American, the act so sly,
Boos and jeers, they’d amplify.

The Fabulous Rougeaus, a tag team grace,
In the ring, they’d leave a trace.
Perfectly paired, their chemistry shone,
A wrestling legacy, forever known.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Raymond Rougeau vs The Hart Foundation, WWF, February 3
w/ Raymond Rougeau & Rick Martel vs Tito Santana & The Rockers, WWF, August 28
w/ Raymond Rougeau vs The Rockers, WWF, October 13

#20
Shawn Michaels

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2004, & 2010
Matches: 151
Place Worked: WWF
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, Shawn Michaels’ star did gleam,
A wrestling heart with a dream.
With charisma and moves so fine,
He graced the ring like a divine.

From Rockers’ days to solo flight,
A superstar rising, shining bright.
In ’89, his journey began,
A legend’s path, a wrestling fan.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Marty Jannetty vs The Brain Busters, WWF, January 23
w/ Marty Jannetty vs The Fabulous Rougeaus, WWF, October 13
w/ The Ultimate Warriors vs The Heenan Family, WWF, Survivor Series, November 23 (#4 MOTY)

#19
Big Van Vader
aka Bull Power

Previous Ranking: 1993 (4th) & 1994 (17th)
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, 1997, & 2001
Matches: 95
Places Worked: NJPW, UWA, EMLL, & CWA
Titles Won: IWGP Heavyweight Championship (twice), CWA World Heavyweight Championship, & UWA World Heavyweight Championship
Tournament: IWGP Heavyweight Title Tournament (winner)

In ’89, Big Van Vader stood tall,
A wrestling monster, mighty and all.
With power and force, he’d dominate,
In the ring, none could emulate.

The IWGP Heavyweight Title, his claim,
A gaijin legend, forging his name.
In NJPW, he’d leave his mark,
Big Van Vader, fierce and dark.

Recommended Matches:

vs Tatsumi Fujinami, NJPW, February 9
w/ Bam Bam Bigelow vs Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami, NJPW, May 24
vs Salman Hashimikov, NJPW, July 13

#18
Big Boss Man

Previous Ranking: 1990 (24th) & 1993 (30th)
Years Unranked: 1994, 1997, & 2001
Matches: 148
Place Worked: WWF
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, Big Boss Man held his reign,
A part of Twin Towers, wrestling’s domain.
With Akeem, they struck a fearsome pose,
A tag team power that surely rose.

Feuding with Mania, an epic clash,
A story told with a thunderous crash.
As a big man who bumped, he’d amaze,
In the ring, he set hearts ablaze.

Boss Man’s prowess, an awe to see,
In ’89, a wrestling legacy.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Akeem vs Demolition, WWF, July 10
w/ Akeem & Andre the Giant vs Jim Duggan & Demolition, WWF, August 28

#17
Andre the Giant

Previous Ranking: 1983 (15th)
Years Unranked: 1985 & 1990
Matches: 122
Place Worked: WWF
Title Won: WWF World Tag Team Championship w/ Haku
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, though broken, Andre stood tall,
A wrestling mind, wise like a thrall.
Picking his shots with measured grace,
Each move he made left a lasting trace.

With The Colossal Connection, gold they’d claim,
WWF Tag Team Titles, etching their name.
A giant’s heart, a legend’s might,
In ’89, Andre’s wrestling light.

Recommended Matches:

vs Bret Hart, WWF, April 10
w/ Heenan Family vs The Ultimate Warriors, WWF, Survivor Series, November 23 (#4 MOTY)
w/ Haku vs Demolition, WWF, December 28

#16
Bull Nakano

Previous Ranking: 1985 (14th), 1990 (1st), 1993 (7th), & 1994 (8th)
Years Unranked: none
Place Worked: AJW
Title Won: AJW All Pacific Championship
Tournaments: AJW Tag League The Best w/ Beastie & AJW Japan Grand Prix

In ’89, Bull Nakano’s star did rise,
A wrestling force, a fierce surprise.
From the shadows, they found their look,
A transformation, a bold rebuke.

With strength and style, they’d take the stage,
A rising star, a wrestling sage.
In ’89, their journey did unfold,
Bull Nakano, a story to be told.

Recommended Matches:

vs Akira Hokuto, AJW, April 23
vs Lioness Asuka, AJW, May 14 (#6 MOTY)
w/ Aja Kong vs Akira Hokuto & Suzuka Minami, AJW, October

#15
Chigusa Nagayo

Previous Ranking: 1983 (16th), 1985 (1st), 1994 (22nd), & 2001 (15th)
Years Unranked: 1997, 2004, & 2019
Place Worked: AJW
Titles Won: IWA World Championship & WWWA Tag Team Championship w/ Lioness Asuka

In ’89, Chigusa reached her peak,
A wrestling legend, bold and unique.
In the ring, she’d shine so bright,
A force to reckon, pure delight.

“The Day the Music Died,” she bid adieu,
A farewell that touched hearts anew.
Until then, at the top she’d reside,
A legend retiring with unmatched pride.

Recommended Matches:

vs Lioness Asuka, AJW, January 29
vs Akira Hokuto, AJW, March 19 (#7 MOTY)
w/ Lioness Asuka vs Akira Hokuto & Suzuka Minami, AJW, April 2

#14
Akira Hokuto

Previous Ranking: 1990 (4th), 1993 (1st), 1994 (9th), 1997 (24th), & 2001 (9th)
Years Unranked: none
Places Worked:
Title Won: WWWA Tag Team Championshi w/ Suzuka Minami
Tournaments: AJW Tag League The Best w/ Etsuko Mita & AJW Japan Grand Prix

In ’89, Akira’s stardom soared,
A wrestling queen, her reign assured.
A rising star, a force untamed,
In the ring, her fire inflamed.

The Dangerous Queen, she would become,
A persona fierce, a wrestling drum.
In ’89, her legend grew,
Akira Hokuto, a sight to view.

Recommended Matches:

vs Chigusa Nagayo, AJW, March 19 (#7 MOTY)
vs Bull Nakano, AJW, April 23
w/ Suzuka Minami vs Aja Kong & Bull Nakano, AJW, October

#13
“Ravishing” Rick Rude

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, & 1994
Matches: 132
Place Worked: WWF
Title Won: WWF Intercontinental Championship

In ’89, Ravishing Rick Rude stood tall,
A wrestling heart that enthralled.
With charm and muscles, he’d impress,
A ravishing persona, none could suppress.

In the ring, a masterful display,
Each move, a captivating ballet.
A true heel, he played the part,
Ravishing Rick Rude, a work of art.

Recommended Matches:

vs Tito Santana, WWF, February 11
vs Ultimate Warrior, WWF, August 28
vs Roddy Piper, WWF, December 28

#12
Jushin “Thunder” Liger

Previous Ranking: 1990 (12th), 1993 (32nd), 1994 (16th), 1997 (19th), & 2004 (14th)
Years Unranked: 1985, 2001, 2010, 2015, & 2019
Matches: 87
Places Worked: NJPW & UWA
Title Won: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

In ’89, Jushin Liger’s thunder roared,
IWGP Junior Heavyweight title he scored.
A legend born with a striking sight,
Cool they looked, a dazzling light.

Feuding with Sano, a clash for the age,
In the ring, they’d fiercely engage.
A masked marvel with moves that inspire,
Jushin Liger, a wrestling fire.

Recommended Matches:

vs Black Tiger, NJPW, July 12
vs Naki Sano, NJPW, July 13
vs Naoki Sano, NJPW, August 10 (#5 MOTY)

#11
Bret “Hitman” Hart

Previous Ranking: 1985 (23rd), 1990 (18h), 1993 (9th), 1994 (1st), & 1997 (1st)
Years Unranked: 1983 & 2010
Matches: 152
Place Worked: WWF

In ’89, Bret “Hitman” Hart took flight,
A singles push, a wrestling delight.
Excellence of execution, they’d acclaim,
In the ring, he played a masterful game.

The Hart Foundation, strong as steel,
In tag team glory, hearts they’d steal.
A wrestler with grace, skill, and heart,
Bret Hart’s legend, forever a part.

Recommended Matches:

vs Ted DiBiase, WWF, March 8
vs Andre the Giant, WWF, April 10
w/ Jim Neidhart vs The Brain Busters, WWF, August 28

#10
Demolition Ax

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, & 2010
Matches: 144
Place Worked: WWF
Title Won: WWF World Tag Team Championship w/ Smash
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, Ax of Demolition’s might,
A tag team force that shone so bright.
Despite his partner’s lackluster sway,
Demolition ruled, come what may.

In tag team wrestling, he’d excel,
Psychology unmatched, they’d quell.
Their title run, a glorious stride,
Ax’s prowess, wrestling’s pride.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Smash vs The Brain Busters, WWF, April 25
w/ Smash vs The Twin Towers, WWF, July 10
w/ Smash vs The Brain Busters, WWF, July 18
w/ Smash vs The Colossal Connection, WWF, December 28

#9
Yoshiaki Yatsu

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, & 1997
Matches: 145
Places Worked: AJPW & WWA
Title Won: AJPW Wolrd Tag Team Championship w/ Jumbo Tsuruta (twice)
Tournament: AJPW Real World Tag League w/ Jumbo Tsuruta

In ’89, Yoshiaki Yatsu took flight,
An amazing feud, a wrestling light.
With Tenryu, battles fierce and grand,
Bringing out the best, hand in hand.

Alongside Jumbo, as a tag team pair,
In the ring, a force beyond compare.
Yatsu’s prowess, a sight to see,
In ’89, a wrestling legacy.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Jumbo Tsuruta vs Genichiro Tenryu & Tohsiaki Kwada, AJPW, February 23
vs Genichiro Tenryu, AJPW, July 18 (#10 MOTY)
w/ Jumbo Tsuruta vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen, AJPW, July 31
w/ Jumbo Tsuruta vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen, AJPW, December 6 (#1 MOTY)

#8
Arn Anderson

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, & 1994
Matches: 145
Places Worked: WWF & NWA
Title Won: WWF World Tag Team Championship w/ Tully Blanchard
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, Arn Anderson’s star did gleam,
WWF Tag Team Titles, his dream.
With Tully, The Brain Busters’ reign,
A duo feared, a wrestling chain.

In every bout, he’d steal the show,
A masterclass, he’d make them glow.
With skill and wit, he’d take control,
Arn Anderson, wrestling’s soul.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Tully Blanchard vs The Rockers, WWF, January 23
w/ Tully Blanchard vs Demolition, WWF, July 18
w/ Tully Blanchard vs The Hart Foundation, WWF, August 28
w/ Heenan Family vs The Ultimate Warriors, WWF, Survivor Series, November 23 (#4 MOTY)

#7
Stan Hansen

Previous Ranking: 1983 (3rd), 1985 (9th), 1990 (22nd), 1993 (2nd), & 1994 (20th)
Years Unranked: 1997
Matches: 87
Places Worked: AJPW & WWA
Title Won: AJPW World Tag Team Championship w/ Genichiro Tenryu (thrice)
Tournament: AJPW Real World Tag League w/ Genichro Tenryu (winner)

In ’89, Stan Hansen’s might would rise,
Tag team glory, a fierce surprise.
With Tenryu, a force untamed,
A partnership that fiercely flamed.

In AJPW, his menace spread,
A bad ass presence, none would tread.
A wrestling beast, a force to fear,
In ’89, Hansen’s legend clear.

Recommended Matches:

vs Genichiro Tenryu, AJPW, March 29
w/ Genichiro Tenryu vs Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu, AJPW, July 31
w/ Genichiro Tenryu vs Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura, AJPW, November 29 (#2 MOTY)
w/ Genichiro Tenryu vs Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu, AJPW, December 6 (#1 MOTY)

#6
Jumbo Tsuruta

Previous Ranking: 1990 (3rd)
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, & 1994
Matches: 148
Places Worked: AJPW & WWA
Titles Won: PWF Heavyweight Championship, NWA United National Championship, AJPW Triple Crown Championship (twice), AJPW World Tag Team Championship w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu (twice)
Tournament: AJPW Real World Tag League w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu

In ’89, Jumbo stood the test,
AJPW’s ace, a legend blessed.
With Tenryu, a feud for the age,
Classic battles, wrestling’s stage.

The Triple Crown, he’d claim with might,
Twice a champion, his wrestling height.
A legend’s legacy, forever known,
In ’89, Jumbo’s greatness shown.

Recommended Matches:

w/ Yohsiaki Yatsu vs Genichiro Tenryu & Tohsiaki Kwada, AJPW, February 23
w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen, AJPW, July 31
vs Genichiro Tenryu, AJPW, June 5 (#3 MOTY)
w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen, AJPW, December 6 (#1 MOTY)

#5
“Macho Man” Randy Savage
aka The Macho King

Previous Ranking: 1985 (18th) & 1990 (10th)
Years Unranked: 1983, 1993, 1994, & 1997
Matches: 150
Place Worked: WWF
Title Won: WWF King of the Ring
Tournament: WWF Royal Rumble

In ’89, Savage stood tall,
Carrying workers, one and all,
From the depths, he pulled out grace,
Elevating each wrestling space.

WrestleMania’s main event, a sight,
A match that soared to highest height,
Amidst the crap, he found his way,
A top 5 worker, none could sway.

Recommended Matches:

vs Bad News Brown, WWF, January 16
vs Ultimate Warrior, WWF, February 11
vs Brutus Beefcake, WWF, July 18
vs Jim Duggan, WWF, November 25

#4
Terry Funk

Previous Ranking: 1983 (1st), 1985 (12th), 1993 (17th), 1994 (5th), & 1997 (22nd)
Years Unranked: 1990
Matches: 79
Places Worked: NWA, PWF, WWA, & AWA

In ’89, Terry Funk, wild and bold,
Middle-aged and crazy, stories untold.
A classic feud, the NWA Title at stake,
Unpredictable, yet brilliance they’d make.

In the ring, a masterful spree,
Always great, setting spirits free.
A legend’s year, forever revered,
Terry Funk, a wrestling pioneer.

Recommended Matches:

vs Eddie Guerrero, NWA, May 9
vs Ricky Steamboat, NWA, June 14 (#8 MOTY)

#3
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

Previous Ranking: 1985 (17th)
Years Unranked: 1983, 1990, 1993, & 1994
Matches: 71
Places Worked: NWA & AJPW
Title Won: NWA World Championship

In ’89, “The Dragon” soared,
NWA’s Champion, spirits roared.
Feuding for the title, a legend’s bout,
Classic after classic, without a doubt.

The perfect babyface, hearts would sway,
In the ring, they’d steal the day.
With honor, skill, and fire within,
Ricky Steamboat, a wrestling kin.

Recommended Matches:

vs Terry Funk, NWA, June 14 (#8 MOTY)
vs Lex Luger, NWA, July 23

#2
“The Total Package” Lex Luger

Previous Ranking: 1990 (13th)
Years Unranked: 1985, 1993, 1994, 1997, & 2001
Matches: 170
Place Worked: NWA
Title Won: NWA United States Championship (twice)
Tournament: NWA Iron Man Tournament

In ’89, “The Total Package” arose,
NWA’s US Champion, he chose.
As face or heel, he’d leave a mark,
Great matches, shining like a spark.

In every situation, he’d deliver,
A wrestling force, a relentless river.
A year of triumph, fame, and pride,
Lex Luger’s legacy, forever tied.

Recommended Matches:

vs Barry Windham, NWA, February 20
vs Ricky Steamboat, NWA, July 23
vs Tommy Rich, NWA, September 12
vs Steve Williams, NWA, October 8
vs Brian Pillman, NWA, November 15

#1
“1989 Wrestler of the Year”
Genichiro Tenryu

Previous Ranking: 1993 (10th), 1994 (4th), 2001 (12th), & 2004 (3rd)
Years Unranked: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1997, 2010, & 2015
Matches: 142
Places Worked: AJPW, NWA, & WWA
Titles Won: AJPW World Tag Team Championships w/ Stan Hansen (twice) & AJPW Triple Crown
Tournament: AJPW Real World Tag League w/ Stan Hansen (winner)

In ’89, Tenryu’s might,
AJPW’s star shining bright,
Triple Crown and Tag Team’s claim,
In dominance, they etched their name.

Three matches, best of the year,
In the ring, no peer to fear,
With Jumbo and Yoshiaki’s might,
Legendary feuds took flight.

Consistently, he’d ignite,
1989, his wrestling height.

Recommended Matches:

vs Stan Hansen, AJPW, March 29
vs Jumbo Tsuruta, AJPW, June 5 (#3 MOTY)
vs Yoshiaki Yatsu, AJPW, July 18 (#10 MOTY)
w/ Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura, AJPW, November 29 (#2 MOTY)
w/ Stan Hansen vs Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu, AJPW, December 6 (#1 MOTY)

Upcoming!

Since the joshi watches of 1995 is ending, that will be the next list. A fascinating year as the Monday Night Wars started, AJPW was at it’s height, AAA was unreal, death matches were signing in Japan, and ECW was on the rise. Really looking forward to it.

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Posted in: The Greatest Wrestlers of the Year List | Tagged: Akira Hokuto, Andre the Giant, Arn Anderson, Bad News Allen, big boss man, Bret Hart, Bull Nakano, Chigusa Nagayo, Demolition, Genichiro Tenryu, Great Muta, jacques rougeau, joshi, Jumbo Tsuruta, Jushin Liger, Lex Luger, puroresu, Randy Savage, Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat, shawn michaels, Stan Hansen, Sting, Terry Funk, Tully Blanchard, Vader, wrestling, WWE, Yoshiaki Yatsu

1989 Match of the Year List

By Grimmas on July 25, 2023 | Leave a comment

Let’s cut right to the chase. There were many sexist, sexual abusers, racists, and bigots of many varieties in 1989, and I don’t want to promote or watch them. If you are going to say my list sucks because it doesn’t have the typical 1989 matches in it, ask why I would hype up a match that includes such an abuser?

Honourable Mentions

The Brain Busters vs The Hart Foundation, WWF, August 28
Lex Luger vs Tommy Rich, NWA, September 12

The List

The 1989 year was loaded with so much top-end wrestling that this is a very deep top 10!

#10
Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs Yoshiaki Yatsu
“AJPW Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Summer Action Series
July 18
Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium

#9
Greg Valentine vs Ron Garvin
WWF
September 30
Madison Square Garden

A beautiful slugfest between two of the hardest hitters in wrestling history.

#8
Ricky Steamboat vs Terry Funk
NWA Clash of The Champions VII “Guts And Glory”
June 14
Fort Bragg Gym

#7
Akira Hokuto vs Chigusa Nagayo
AJW
March 19

The young Hokuto tries to take out the legend Nagayo and takes it to her with urgency. The selling is tremendous in this, and Hokuto looks like the future star she is, but of course, Nagayoholds everything together as the goat she is.

#6
Lioness Asuka (c) vs Bull Nakano
“WWWA World Championship”
AJW
May 14

#5
Jushin Liger (c) vs Naoki Sano
“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship”
NJPW Fighting Satellite 1989 Japan vs USA vs Soviet Union Battle Series Part II
August 10
Ryogoku Kokugikan

Sano destroys the arm, and Liger sells it so well for the rest of the match. After that destruction, Liger is able to counter a move into a superplex onto the apron and then the floor, which makes the rest of the match pure desperation by both. They do their best to put the other away, but both are severely hurt, and the drama is amazing. A beautiful, gritty fight that could make my top 100 matches ever!

#4
The Ultimate Warriors vs The Heenan Family
“Elimination Match”
WWF Survivor Series
November 23
Rosemont Horizon

This is one of my favourite matches in wrestling history and one of the best stories the WWF ever did in the ring. Heenan is forced to dawn the tights as Tully is gone and steals the show. Hiding, taunting, and even getting a pin when Arn and Haku had the advantage. Arn and Haku look like the all-time lost great tag team in this. Of course, it leads to a perfect end of Warrior getting revenge. Perfect pro-wrestling.

#3
Jumbo Tsuruta (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu
“Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Super Power Series
June 5
Nippon Budokan

From “The Best Matches I’ve Watched in June 2023” post:
“I hadn’t watched this match in many years, and with the focus on 1989 and the Greatest Match Ever, I figured I needed to. The nearfalls steal the show in this one, but consistent intensity and excitement make this a classic. Some really cool spots on the outside, too, that I loved.”

#2
Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura
“AJPW Real World Tag League”
AJPW Real World Tag League
November 29
Nakajima Sports Center

This is all about the story! Tenryu wipes out Baba in the first moments, leading to Kimura having to try to fend off both Tenryu and Hansen on his own until Baba can make a comeback. This match is pure joy!

#1 “Match of the Year”
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship Real World Tag League Finale”
AJPW Real World Tag League
December 6
Nippon Budokan

Upcoming!

The top 25 wrestlers of 1989 will be coming soon!

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Posted in: Match of the Year List, Reviews | Tagged: AJPW, AJW, Akira Hokuto, Andre the Giant, Bobby Heenan, Bull Nakano, Chigusa Nagayo, Genichiro Tenryu, Giant Baba, Greg Valentine, Haku, Jim Neidhart, joshi, Jumbo Tsuruta, Jushin Liger, Lioness Asuka, Naoki Sano, NJPW, NWA, Ricky Steamboat, rockers, Ron Garvin, Rusher Kimura, shawn michaels, Stan Hansen, Terry Funk, Ultimate Warrior, WCW, wrestling, WWE, WWF, Yoshiaki Yatsu

The Best Matches I’ve Watched This Month: Live @ AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door (June 2023)

By Grimmas on June 30, 2023 | 2 Comments

Doing this weekly was a little much, so we’ve moved it to a monthly affair. I will also cap the matches reviewed here to 25.

This post will include some of the awesome weekend I had going to Forbidden Door and some local shows! Plus, the Stardom pay-per-view, along with a few GME watches, Joshi Nights, and a 1989 focus!

#25
Bad News Brown vs Brutus Beefcake
WWF
April 22, 1989

I can’t believe I rated this match because, on paper, it’s kind of trash. In reality, it’s awesome. Bad News kicks ass; Beefcake gets in some nice hope spots and really has the crowd on his side before being cut down again. As Bad News is kicking ass, he grabs the mic, cuts a promo, then grabs scissors, and tries to cut Beefcake’s hair, only to be rolled up. Just awesome stuff.

Rating: 7/10

#24
Andre the Giant, Akeem, & The Big Boss Man vs King Duggan & Demolition
WWF SummerSlam
August 28, 1989

It’s so much fun and doesn’t go long enough to outstay its welcome. Ax body slams Akeem, and everyone gets a nice moment before a happy ending.

Rating: 7/10

#23
El Faraon vs El Satanico
“Best 2/3 Falls”
EMLL Super Viernes
June 30, 1989

A gritty lucha brawl, with Satanico standing out as an all-timer. The structure was pretty normal, but they did well with it. The only real drawback was how much the referee got involved. I loved the DQ finish.

Rating: 7/10

#22
CM Punk, FTR, & Ricky Starks vs. Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns
AEW Collision
June 24, 2023

A fun eight-man tag is a good way to main event a TV show. Punk was a tremendous heel, and I had forgotten how much I like Juice Robinson. They did a good job of giving everyone a moment to shine too.

Rating: 7/10

#21
Athena vs Billie Starkz
“Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quater Final”
AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door: Zero Hour
June 25, 2023

Starkz makes such a great babyface, and Athena really pounded her down. The bump to the outside was ridiculous. It was the best match on the pre-show.

Rating: 7/10

#20
Trish Adora vs Vanessa Kraven
Smash X Femmes Fatales Girls Next Door
June 25, 2023

The strikes in this were vicious! What I enjoyed about this was the two power wrestlers going at each other, but they were different power wrestlers. Kraven is a monster, while Adora is just a powerful woman. It was a great contrast.

#19
Tatsumi Fujinami vs Big Van Vader
NJPW New Year Golden Series
February 9, 1989

Vader looked pretty good as a damn monster, and Fujinami’s hope spots were really good. Vader even sold very well to make Fujinami look good before destroying him.

Rating: 7/10

#18
Spike Trivet (c) vs Artemis Spencer
“DEFY Men’s Championship”
DEFY X PROGRESS
June 25, 2023

I had never seen either before, but Spike did a great job working over the hand all match and playing a great heel. Spencer did have some really fun high spots to give up hope before giving up.

Rating: 7/10

#17
Sting (c) vs The Great Muta
“NWA World Television Championship”
NWA The Great American Bash
July 23, 1989

A high-octane sprint that got the crowd wild. Although the finish was shit, the crowd was hot, and they hit a lot of great high spots.

Rating: 7/10

#16
Rick Martel & The Fabulous Rougeaus vs Tito Santana & The Rockers
WWF SummerSlam
August 28, 1989

This is well laid out, with Tito wanting revenge on Martel for turning on him, but Martel only got in there when his team had the advantage. In between that, The Rougeaus are the masters of heat, and all three of the French Canadians put so much heat onto Tito playing face in peril that the crowd can barely contain themselves when the hot tag is finally made. The ROckers have a great run of offence before everything breaks down, and it ends with some amazing heel shenanigans.

Rating: 7/10

#15
Akira Hokuto vs Mima Shimoda
AJW WWWA Champions Night Osaka Queen’s Holy Night
August 30, 1995

A fun battle with Hokuto shows Shimoda she’s still The Dangerous Queen. It included two vicious table spots and some fun time brawling.

Rating: 7/10

#14
Demolition (c) vs Akeem & The Big Boss Man
“WWF World Tag Team Championship”
WWF
July 10, 1989

The feud between these two teams was a lot of fun, just two powerhouse units going at it. It started off hot before a decent heat segment on Smash. The Twin Towers destroying someone is always fun. The hot tag to Ax was great, including Ax body-slamming Akeem! The knife stick comes into play to end this intense tag battle.

Rating: 7/10

#13
Bryan Danielson vs Kazuchika Okada
AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door
June 25, 2023

Yes, Bryan broke his arm in this, but it’s still a tremendous match. Some of the audibles after the arm break really helped, especially with a tired crowd five hours into a show with it past midnight. Bryan coming out to The Final Countdown was a nice touch.

Rating: 7.25/10

#12
Eddy Guerrero vs Terry Funk
NWA World Championship Wrestling
May 9, 1989, aired May 20, 1989

One of those matches I had heard about forever but never saw. Funk does a giant swing and the most bizarre baseball slide ever, so that puts this into a positive right there! Funk was doing everything to let Eddy look good, but Eddy pumping like a freak for Funk was also great. Funk looked like a killer, and Eddy looked like he had a bright future, which is everything you could want from a match like this.

Rating: 7.25/10

#11
Athena (c) vs Kiera Hogan
“ROH Women’s World Championship Chicago Street Fight”
ROH on HonorClub
June 17, 2023, aired June 22, 2023

This was a brutal street fight with thumbtacks and a bunch of other weapons. The real stand-out was just some brutal spots like a Super Bomb through a table and a superplex through about two billion chairs. Blood and violence and a good one.

Rating: 7.5/10

#10
Giulia, Mai Sakurai, & Thekla (c) vs Hazuki, Koguma, & Mayu Iwatani
“Artist of Stardom Steel Cage Match”
Stardom Sunshine
June 25, 2023

This was kind of an odd one, as it had escape rules. This meant if you left, your team had the advantage of being closer to winning, but also one less person in the ring. That said, there were a lot of tremendous spots, with things like Hazuki hitting a senton from the top of the cage onto Giulia. The finishing segment of Giuliua vs Iwatani was their usual tremendous bout.

Rating: 7.5/10

#9
Vert Vixen (c) vs Mercedes Martinez
“DEFY Women’s Championship”
Smash X Femmes Fatales Girls Next Door
June 25, 2023

Sadly, Masha Slamovich’s flight was cancelled, but thankfully Vixen is an okay substitute. They did an angle where Martinez got a title shot by destroying a young protege of Vixen’s earlier in the night. Vert sneak attacked on the stage for a great visual start. Martinez is such a smart worker and it’s the little things that make things so great. After a great worked contest, they did a good finish playing off the angle earlier, with the protege attacking Mercedes with a chair to cause her to win via DQ.

Rating: 7.75/10

#8
Lex Luger (c) vs Ricky Steamboat
“NWA United States Championship”
NWA The Great American Bash
July 23, 1989

This match is a joy to watch Lex Luger completely manipulate Steamboat to retain his title. First, he got the rules changed, so it was no longer “No DQ.” Then he egged Steamboat on all match to eventually get him to use the chair and cost him the match. Luger was a great dick the whole time, while Steamboat was a perfect fiery babyface.

Rating: 7.75/10

#7
MJF (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
“AEW World Championship”
AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door
June 25, 2023

I don’t think either of these two are very good, but hot damn, this match was good. Tanahashi not being able to move really limited them from doing all the stuff they would do, which annoys me. MJF went fully Larry, and Tanahashi is a charismatic babyface with great fire. Weirdly great old-school wrestling. Seeing Tanahashi and MJF on my spreadsheet is so weird, but there you go!

Rating: 7.75/10

#6
Stan Hansen (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu
“PWF Heavyweight & NWA United National Championship”
AJPW Championship Carnival
March 29, 1989

I loved the beginning portion of this match, with big offence from Hansen and Tenryu battling back. It remained good throughout but wasn’t at the level of the start. The finish was very lacklustre, but with that being said, it was still a damn good bout.

Rating: 8/10

#5
CM Punk vs Satoshi Kojima
“Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quater Final”
AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door
June 25, 2023

CM Punk revelled in being the ultra heel and did such a great job of using every trick to up the ante. Aping a lot of Tenzan spots to get heat in 2023 is unique, but it really worked. Kojima being treated better in Canada, where he spent time as a rookie, than in Japan kind of warms your heart.

Rating: 8/10

#4
Aja Kong (c) vs Dynamite Kansai
“WWWA World Championship”
AJW WWWA Champions Night Osaka Queen’s Holy Night
August 30, 1995

Not much in wrestling is better than a fired-up Dynamite Kansai, and Aja Kong is also great in that role, so this was an awesome match. They brought the intensity from the get-go and went out to destroy each other, building towards a great Niagra Driver off the top for the finish! These two have had a great series of matches.

Rating: 9/10

#3
Jim Duggan vs Ted DiBiase
“Loser Leaves Town Coal Miner’s Glove On A Pole Steel Cage Tuxedo Street Fight”
Houston Wrestling
March 22, 1985

A tremendous brawl that uses its gimmicks extremely well to pay off a long storyline. It’s a famous match and sounds ridiculous on paper, but it works.

Rating: 9.25/10

#2
Queen’s Quest (AZM, Hina, Lady C, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs Oedo Tai (Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora, Rina, Ruaka, Saki Kashima & Starlight Kid)
“Loser Must Leave Unit Steel Cage 12 Man Tag Team Match”
Stardom Sunshine
June 25, 2023

I may have a new match of the year after this. The same rules as the other cage match, but the last person in the ring has to leave their unit this time. This works so much better because escaping saves your ass, even if it puts your team behind. Also, each escape felt like a huge accomplishment as they were all battles. After people escaped, they still battled the other unit on the floor!

It was tremendous storytelling with great hatred and drama between the teams. Utami establishing herself as Queen’s Quest’s ass was the stand-out story as she helps Kamitani escape putting herself alone two on-one. That led to a great finishing sequence with Utami bleeding, the teasing of a split between Utami and Kamitani, and Tora destroying Utami to leave, only to have Kashima be the final loser.

How could you not be happy with the love fest between Queen’s Quest to end the show? This was pro wrestling!

Rating: 9.25/10

#1 “Match of the Month”
Jumbo Tsuruta (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu
“Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Super Power Series
June 5, 1989

I hadn’t watched this match in many years, and with the focus on 1989 and the Greatest Match Ever, I figured I needed to. The nearfalls steal the show in this one, but consistent intensity and excitement make this a classic. Some really cool spots on the outside, too, that I loved.

Rating: 9.75/10

Note

You may notice the Omega-Ospreay match is not on this list. It wasn’t for me. I don’t want to be negative, so we’ll leave it at that.

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Posted in: Best Matches I've Watched This Month, Lists, Reviews | Tagged: aew, Aja Kong, AJPW, AJW, Akira Hokuto, Andre the Giant, artemis spencer, Athena, austin gunn, azm, bad news brown, billie starkz, Brutus Beefcake, Bryan Danielson, cash wheeler, CM Punk, colten gunn, dax haroow, Demolition, Dynamite Kansai, Eddie Guerrero, el faraon, El Satanico, emll, Genichiro Tenryu, giulia, Great Muta, Hazuki, hina, hiroshi tanahashi, jay white, jim duggan, joshi, juice robinson, Jumbo Tsuruta, kazuchika okada, kiera hogan, koguma, lady c, Lex Luger, lucha libre, Mayu Iwatani, Mercedes Martinez, Mima Shimoda, Miyu Amasaki, mjf, momo watanabe, natsuko tora, NJPW, NWA, One Man Gang, puroresu, ricky starks, Ricky Steamboat, rina, rockers, rougeau brothers, Ruaka, Saki Kashima, satoshi kojima, Saya Kamitani, shawn michaels, spike trivet, Stan Hansen, STARDOM, starlight kid, Sting, Tatsumi Fujinami, ted dibiase, Terry Funk, Thekla, TIto Santana, trish adora, utami hayashishita, Vader, vanessa kraven, vert vixen, wrestling, WWE, WWF

The 100 Greatest Matches Ever

By Grimmas on June 22, 2023 | Leave a comment

This is my entry for the Greatest Matches Ever project. A bi-annual vote for the greatest matches ever, plus they do fun other votes in the off years. The ballot is due 2023-06-30. Check them out at GME Board.

What makes a great match?

One of the biggest traits I look for is memorable. Yes, I rate things as I watch them, but what makes something great is looking back at it later and still remembering spots, moments, or even the whole story. My memory is shit, so actually cementing itself in there is a great accomplishment.

Let’s see how I feel in June 2023.

I previously voted in 2021, so I will also note how I voted then for contrast.

Honourable Mentions (all rated 9.25/10)

Jim Duggan vs Ted DiBiase – “Loser Leaves Town Coal Miner’s Glove On A Pole Steel Cage Tuxedo Street Fight” – Houston – March 22, 1985
Angel Azteca vs El Dandy – EMLL – June 1, 1990
Damiancito el Guerrero vs Cicloncito Ramirez – “2/3 Falls” – CMLL – January 7, 1997
Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair – “Last Woman Standing” – WWE – October 28, 2018
Giulia vs Tam Nakano – Stardom – April 23, 2023

9.25/10 Rated Matches

#100
The Great Muta vs Scott Norton
“G1 Climax”
NJPW G1 Climax 1997
August 2, 1997
Ryogoku Kokugikan

2021: 100th

#99
The Ultimate Warriors (Ultimate Warrior, Jim Neidhart, & The Rockers) vs The Heenan Family (Andre the Giant, Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, & Haku)
“Survivor Series Match”
WWF Survivor Series
November 23, 1989
Rosemont Horizon

2021: 99th

#98
Kana vs Meiko Satomura
Kana Pro Mania
February 25, 2014
Korakuen Hall

#97
Akira Hokuto vs Bull Nakano
“Steel Cage Match”
AJW on July 30, 1992
Prefectural Gymnasium

2021: 81st

#96
Andrade Almas (c) vs Johnny Gargano
“NXT Championship”
NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia
Wells Fargo Center

#95
Io Shirai (c) vs Mayu Iwatani
“World of Stardom Championship”
Stardom Galaxy Stars
June 21, 2017
Korakuen Hall

2021: 80th

From my 2017 MOTY post:
“I began watching STARDOM this year, and Mayu Iwatani quickly became my favourite. A unique and very loveable babyface, perhaps the best in the business. This match ended years of her chasing Io Shirai and finally toppling her to become the ace. An emotional contest that I cared more about than any other match this year.”

#94
Dynamite Kansai vs Mayumi Ozaki
“Street Fight”
JWP Jazz and Soul
March 17, 1995
Hakata Starlanes

From a Best Matches I’ve Watched This Week post:
“This match was a wild street fight that was bloody, violent, and out of control. The ring was destroyed, and they used a chain like it was a dog collar match just because they wanted to kill each other, not because of the stipulations. This escalated so well and never lit up. The finish was kind of a surprise, but I kind of dug it. An excellent match!”

#93
El Felino vs El Hijo del Snato
“Best 2/3 Falls”
October 18, 1998
Arena Coliseo Monterrey

2021: 49th

#92
Aja Kong & Kyoko Inoue vs Eagle Sawai & Leo Kitamura
LLPW on June 15, 1993
Ota Ward Gymnasium

From my 1993 MOTY post:
“Leo Kitamura is a wrestler I have never even heard of until I started watching all of Joshi, and here she is in the top 10 matches of the year. That’s how great the Aja Kong and partner vs Eagle Sawai and partner feud was in 1993. This is a match of contrasts as the brutes of Kong and Eagle try to destroy each other while the face-painted Kyoko Inoue and Kitamura do weird shit around them. An unbelievable and surprising match you must watch.”

#91
Stan Hansen vs Toshiaki Kawada
AJPW Excite Series
February 28, 1993
Nippon Budokan

2021: 74th

#90
Bull Nakano (c) vs Yumiko Hotta
“WWWA World Championship Steel Cage Match”
AJW on January 23, 1991

2021: 61st

#89
Sasha Banks (c) vs Charlotte Flair
“WWE Raw Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell”
WWE Hell in a Cell
October 30, 2016
TD Garden

2021: 52nd

From my 2016 MOTY post:
“The chemistry between Charlotte and Sasha is at an all-time level, and this feud has produced as many great matches as any feud in WWE history. If you want to hear more about this match, listen to this amazing episode of “Stacey & Elliot’s Bogus Journey,” where they talk about this match for 90 minutes.”

#88
Kyoko Inoue (c) vs Akira Hokuto
“All Pacific Championship”
AJW Dream Rush in Kawasaki
November 26, 1992
Kawasaki City Gymnasium

2021: 48th

#87
Kaori Yoneyama (c) vs Emi Sakura
“JWP Openweight Championship Hair vs Hair Match”
JWP Revolution
September 19, 2010
Shinjuku FACE

From my Joshi Match Recommendations post:
“Oh boy, let’s get right into it! Tag partners turned into enemies fighting for a title and to keep their hair. The intensity is off the page. It gets into counter-intensive and bomb fest but is done really well. It’s from the “dead” era of Joshi, so it’s not well known. That should be changed. Yes, Kaori Yoneyama is currently Fukigen Death in Stardom. The post-match hair cutting is an emotional airfare that Joshi catches really well.”

#86
Lacey vs Sara Del Rey
“SHIMMER Championship Tournament Finals”
SHIMMER Volume 12
June 2, 2007
Berwyn Eagles Club

2021: 86th

#85
Bayley (c) vs Sasha Banks
“NXT Women’s Championship Iron Man”
NXT TakeOver: Respect
October 7, 2015
Full Sail University

2021: 79th

From my 2015 MOTY post:
“This match has aged really well and is one of the best Iron Man matches ever, maybe the best.”

#84
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs John “Bradshaw” Layfield
“WWE Championship”
WWE Judgement Day
May 16, 2004
Staples Center

2021: 58th

From my 2004 MOTY post:
“It’s the bloodbath match for Eddie. JBL had just turned, and Eddie did this amazing job of cementing JBL as a threat through bleeding buckets. A great underdog bloody performance by Eddie.”

#83
Emi Sakura & Kaori Yoneyama vs Arisa Nakajima & Command Bolshoi
“JWP Tag Team & Daily Sports Tag Team Championship”
JWP Pure Slam
August 19, 2012
Korakuen Hall

#82
Becky Lynch (c) vs Bianca Belair
“WWE Raw Women’s Championship”
WWE WrestleMania 38: Saturday
April 2, 2022
AT&T Stadium

From my 2022 MOTY post:
“The main event of WrestleMania delivered big (Becks?) time! They called back to their SummerSlam match early and then continued with a brilliant heel performance by Lynch. The psychology was great, and this was an instant classic.”

#81
Devil Masami (c) vs Chigusa Nagayo
“All Pacific Championship”
AJW Summer Night Festival In Budokan
August 22, 1985
Nippon Budokan

2021: 78th

#80
Carlos Colon vs Stan Hansen
“Bullrope Match”
WWC on January 6, 1987

2021: 87th

#79
Rick Martel vs Terry Funk
“WWC Universal Championship Tournament Semi-Final”
WWC 13th Aniversario
September 20, 1986
Palacio de Recreación y Deportes

2021: 91st

#78
Larry Zbyszko vs Nick Bockwinkel
AWA on July 11, 1987
Las Vegas, NV

#77
Kaientai DX (Dick Togo, MEN’s Teioh, Shiryu, Shoichi Funaki, & TAKA Michinoku) vs Gran Hamada, Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji, Super Delfin, & Tiger Mask
Michinoku Pro These Days
October 10, 1996
Ryogoku Kokugikan

2021: 73rd

#76
El Dandy vs El Satanico
“Hair vs Hair Best 2/3 Falls”
EMLL Juicio Final
December 14, 1990
Arena Mexico

2021: 76th

#75
Steve Austin (c) vs Dude Love
“WWF World Championship No DQ Falls Count Anywhere Match”
In Your House: Over The Edge
May 31, 1998
Wisconsin Center Arena

2021: 69th

#74
The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart, Brian Pillman, Davey Boy Smith, Jim Neidhart, & Owen Hart) vs Goldust, Ken Shamrock, Steve Austin, & The Legion of Doom
WWF In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede
July 6, 1997
Saddledome

2021: 72nd

#73
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship vs Mask Match”
WCW Halloween Havoc
October 26, 1997
MGM Grand Arena

2021: 64th

#72
Bull Nakano (c) vs Aja Kong
“WWWA Championship”
AJW Wrestlemarinepiad
April 25, 1992
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium

2021: 54th

#71
Akira Taue vs Mitsuharu Misawa
“Championship Carnival Final”
AJPW Champion Carnival
April 15, 1995
Nippon Budokan

2021: 67th

#70
Greg Valentine vs Roddy Piper
“Dog Collar”
NWA Starrcade
November 24, 1983
Greensboro Coliseum

2021: 53rd

From my 1983 MOTY post:
“The greatest dog collar match of all time. The Hammer focuses his offence on Piper’s ear, taking out his equilibrium making for a fun dynamic. Bloody and violent with a super hot crowd on the very first Starrcade.”

#69
Psychosis vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
WCW Bash At The Beach
July 7, 1996
Ocean Center

2021: 66th

#68
Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect
“King of the Ring Semi-Final Match”
WWF King of the Ring
June 13, 1993
Nutter Center

2021: 77th

#67
Atlantis Sr., Brazo de Oro, El Dandy, La Fiera, Mascara Magica, Negro Casas, Shocker, & Ultimo Dragon vs Black Warrior, Dr. Wagner Jr., El Hijo del Santo, Felino, Kevin Quinn, Satanico, Scorpio Jr., Silver King
“Torneo Cibernetico”
CMLL Super Viernes – 41. Aniversario de Arena Mexico
April 18, 1997
Arena Mexico

2021: 65th

#66
Dustin & Dusty Rhodes & The Nasty Boys vs Arn Anderson, Bunkhouse Buck, Terry Funk, & Col. Robert Parker
“War Games”
WCW Fall Brawl
September 18, 1994
Roanoke Civic Center

2021: 60th

From my 1994 MOTY post:
“I know there is no blood, but this is one of the most wild and unpredictable War Games ever. Dustin is a perfect babyface for the Studd Stable to go after, and the dynamic of the loose cannons of The Nasty Boys and Terry Funk mixed in make this one of the greatest War Games ever.”

#65
Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs Tam Nakano
“Wonder of Stardom Championship”
Stardom Shining Destiny 2019
June 16, 2019
Korakuen Hall

From my 2019 MOTY post:
“I am a sucker for great stories in wrestling, and the best story in wrestling in 2019 was Tam Nakano and Arisa Hoshiki. The storytelling in this match then lived up to the overall story, with each having great strategies and it all leading up to a brilliant conclusion. Everything was stiff and crisp and super emotional. A match of the year in most years, but this is a 2019 list…”

9.5/10 Rated Matches

#64
Cutie Suzuki & Mayumi Ozaki vs Kyoko Innoue & Takako Inoue
AJW All-Star Dream Slam
April 2, 1993
Yokohama Arena

2021: 55th

From my 1993 MOTY post:
“The two Dream Slam shows are just filled with classic matches, and this one may have the most exciting nearfalls and finishing sequence of them all. The heel Ozaki adds the dynamic, and I can’t not mention the amazing giant swing Kyoko does here!”

#63
Genichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada vs Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship & Real World Tag League Final”
AJPW Real World Tag League
December 16, 1988
Nippon Budokan

#62
Sasha Banks (c) vs Becky Lynch
“NXT Women’s Championship”
NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable
May 20, 2015
Full Sail University

2021: 46th

From my 2015 MOTY post:
“The match that took women’s wrestling in NXT from a really solid and good part of the undercard to the real highlight of the company for me. The two former partners pulled out a classic with some amazing storytelling. Sasha Banks went right for Becky’s arm and destroyed it (which is what Becky usually does). Becky was a great babyface trying to fight through, but The Boss was too much and retained the title here.“

#61
Jumbo Tsuruta vs Mitsuharu Miswa
“Triple Crown #1 Contendership”
AJPW Summer Action Series II
September 1, 1990
Nippon Budokan

2021: 51st

#60
Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada vs Jun Akiyama & Mitsuharu Misawa
“Real World Tag League Final”
AJPW Real World Tag League
December 6, 1996
Nippon Budokan

#59
The Revival (c) vs #DIY
“NXT Tag Team Championship Best 2/3 Falls”
NXT TakeOver: Toronto
November 19, 2016
Air Canada Centre

2021: 47th

From my 2016 MOTY post:
“This match has the advantage of me being there live, but this match has enough praise from others for me to feel confident going the full five stars on it. This is the best tag match in WWE history and perhaps in North American history. It played off their previous matches, it built suspense, had high-end moves, and insane crowd heat. I loved this match, and it was incredibly special. It was so special that my friends I was with rushed to the merchandise stand to purchase a #DIY shirt immediately following it.”

#58
Utami Hayashishita (c) vs Syuri
“World of Stardom Championship”
Stardom Tokyo Dream Cinderella Special Edition
June 12, 2021
Ota City General Gymnasium

2021: 31st

#57
The Bloody & Fang Suzuki (c) vs Sumie Sakai & Hiroyo Muto
“LSD 2001 Match: No Rules Falls Count Anywhere Weapons Death Match for the TWF World Women’s Tag Team Championship”
“Jd’ … and Justice for All!”
July 22, 2001
Korakeun Hall

From my 2001 MOTY post:
“This is one of the most insane matches I have ever seen. They used every weapon imaginable and every part of the arena imaginable to try to kill each other. Heck, they even hung someone. This match has to be seen to be believed, and it will be making my top 100 matches of all-time list the next time I make one.”

#56
Brock Lesnar vs John Cena
“Extreme Rules Match”
WWE Extreme Rules
April 29, 2012
Allstate Arena

2021: 45th

#55
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs Kylie Rae
“Phoenix of RISE Championship No Ropes Submission Match”
RISE 13: Legendary
March 29, 2019
Berwyn Eagles Club

2021: 40th

From my 2019 MOTY post:
“Watching this live, I thought it was great, and it has only improved with time. Kylie is the perfect underdog likable babyface, and there is nobody better in the veteran dominant role than Martinez. The ropes being removed added a level of danger to that match that I really loved. It starts off really great, with Mercedes attacking Kylie while she’s covered in ribbons and only gets better from there. The legwork by Martinez was tremendous, and Kylie sold it so well. The finishing run was so exciting! I must mention that Allysin Kay and Veda Scott were also tremendous on commentary. A real classic that doesn’t get enough love.”

#54
Kenta Kobashi vs Stan Hansen
AJPW Summer Action Series
July 29, 1993
Nippon Budokan

2021: 56th

From my 1993 MOTY post:
“Kenta Kobashi’s selling is a perfect contrast to the bruising Stan Hansen. This match has been talked about to death and has maybe the greatest finish in wrestling history.”

#53
Pat Patterson vs Sgt. Slaughter
“Alley Street Fight”
WWF on May 4, 1981
Madison Square Garden

2021: 43rd

#52
Chigusa Nagayo & Dynamite Kansai vs Devil Masami & Mayumi Ozaki
GAEA Memorial First Gong In Korakuen
April 15, 1995
Korakuen Hall

#51
Cheerleader Melissa vs MsChif
“Falls Count Anywhere”
SHIMMER Volume 4
February 12, 2006
Berwyn Eagles Club

2021: 50th

#50
Bull Nakano & Condor Saito vs Chigusa Nagayo & Lioness Asuka
“Tag League The Best Final”
AJW on October 11, 1987

2021: 37th

#49
Bret Hart (c) vs 1-2-3 Kid
“WWF World Heavyweight Championship”
WWF Monday Night Raw
taped July 1, 1994, aired July 11
Fernwood Resort & Country Club

2021: 36th

From my 1994 MOTY post:
“The most old-school travelling World Champion against local babyface the WWF has ever done. Bret took the underdog 1-2-3 Kid and made him feel like he’d win the World Championship on a random Monday Night Raw.”

#48
El Hijo del Santo vs LA Park-K
“Best 2/3 Falls”
Monterrey on December 23, 2001

From a Best Matches I’ve Watched This Week post:
“This match was the absolute perfect hate-filled, violent, gritty bloody brawls. You know it’s going to be something special when both wrestlers’ costumes are white. By the end, both were wearing pink.

I loved how this naturally felt like a fight. They threw each other into chairs, stomped really hard, punched, etc… This wasn’t about hitting spectacular moves; it was about trying to hurt the other while you are pissed off. That being said, there were plenty of dramatic nearfalls and a few spectacular big spots. Even the rudo and técnico disagreeing referees were done well here, especially in how that came to the finish. A true must-watch classic if you like blood and brawls.”

#47
Aja Kong & Akira Hokuto vs Eagle Sawai & Shinobu Kandori
AJW All-Star Dream Slam 2
April 11
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

2021: 22nd

From my 1993 MOTY blog:
“This was the most shocking discovery of the Joshi chronological watch we are doing on the discord. This match is NEVER talked about, it has no rating from Dave Meltzer, and the usual sights don’t have threads for it. That is bizarre because this rules so hard.

We have the continuation of the Hokuto and Kandori feud, but adding the beginning of the Eagle Sawai and Aja Kong feud, which is also awesome. Kong is at her best in huge tag matches, and this may be the best performance of her career up until this point. The other takeaway is that Eagle Sawai is a great wrestler, and this was a huge wake-up party for me. Hate, drama, and excitement. Watch this!”

#46
Diesel (c) vs Bret Hart
“WWF World Championship No Holds Barred Match”
WWF Survivor Series
November 19, 1995
USAir Arena

2021: 57th

#45
Combat Toyoda (c) vs Megumi Kudo
“FMW Independent Women’s & WWA Women’s Championship No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Blast Death Match”
FMW Fighting Creation: 7th Anniversary Show
May 5, 1996
Kawasaki Stadium

2021: 41st

9.75/10 Rated Matches

#44
Io Shirai (c) vs Mayu Iwatani
“World of Stardom Championship”
Stardom Year-End Climax
December 22, 2016
Korakuen Hall

2021: 29th

#43
Bull Nakano (c) vs Akira Hokuto
“WWWA World Champiosnhip”
AJW on January 4, 1991
Korakuen Hall

2021: 30th

#42
Jumbo Tsuruta (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu
“Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Super Power Series
June 5, 1989
Nippon Budokan

#41
Sting’s Squadron (Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Ricky Steamboat, & Sting) vs The Dangerous Alliance (Arn Anderson, Beautiful Bobby, Larry Zbyszko, Rick Rude, & Steve Austin)
“War Games”
WCW WrestleWar
May 17, 1992
Jacksonville Coliseum

2021: 21st

#40
John Cena (c) vs CM Punk
“WWE Championship”
WWE Money In The Bank
July 17, 2011
Allstate Arena

2021: 28th

#39
Bull Nakano vs Shinobu Kandori
“Chain Match”
LLPW/FMW/AJW on July 14, 1994
Tokyo Coliseum

From my 1994 MOTY post:
“A brutal encounter between two badasses hitting each other with chains. One of the best uses of a gimmick being used in a gimmick match ever.”

#38
Syuri (c) vs Giulia
“World of Stardom Championship”
December 29, 2022
Ryōgoku Kokugikan

From my 2022 MOTY post:
“I waited on putting out this list until this match had ended, and that was a wise decision as it is my match of the year. This is pro-wrestling, a very long-term storyline that paid off in a highly emotional moment on a grand stage!

I loved that this was a different kind of epic. At no point did they try to pad the time with pointless limp work that went nowhere. Nope, these two went to war from the opening bell to the end. So many huge moments and spots, including an Exploder suplex from the ramp to the audience!

They had a finishing sequence that was perfect. They were struggling for everything. One could say it had “botches” or was “sloppy”, but it felt like they were destroyed. Great match, on the same level as the Dream Queendom match between Utami and Syuri last December.”

#37
Bull Nakano (c) vs Aja Kong
“WWWA World Championship”
AJW Dream Rush In Kawasaki
November 26, 1992
Kawasaki City Gymnasium

2021: 26th

#36
The Can-Am Express (c) vs Kenta Kobashi & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
“All Asia Tag Team Championship”
AJPW Super Power Series
May 25, 1992
Prefectural Sports Center

2021: 38th

#35
John Cena (c) vs Umaga
“WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match”
WWE Royal Rumble
January 28, 2007
AT&T Center

2021: 18th

#34
Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada (c) vs Dynamite Kansai & Mayumi Ozaki
“WWWA Tag Team Championship Best 2/3 Falls”
AJW All-Star Dream Slam 2
April 11, 1993
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

2021: 24th

From my 1993 MOTY post:
“This is the most exciting high-action spot-oriented match in wrestling history. Add to that the badass Kansai and the utter heelness of Ozaki, and you are in for a giant treat. This match set up future generations of wrestling like the Omegas and the Okadas.”

#33
The Shield vs The Wyatt Family
WWE Elimination Chamber
February 23, 2014
Target Center

2021: 24th

From my 2014 MOTY post:

“The first trios match in WWE history that I feel made it to five stars. Some of the greatest booking the WWE has ever produced, having two dominant teams teasing but never touching until the match. The crowd was insane, and the Wyatts doing to The Shield what they have done to everybody else was a beautiful finish.”

#32
Bull Nakano vs Devil Masami
JWP on April 18, 1993
Korakuen Hall

2021: 23rd

From my Joshi Match Recommendations post:
“People often talk about 6-4-94 as the classic among classics, but here we have a match that cut from the same ilk that you could argue is even better. This match really stands out in 1990s Joshi, as it has a real build to escalation like the before mentioned 6-4-94 match, without the relentless pace of Joshi. These two legends add so many small great little touches that help make this match get better and better after multiple viewings.”

#31
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Eddie Guerrero
“WWE Championship”
WWE No Way Out
February 15, 2004
Cow Palace

2021: 39th

From my 2004 MOTY post:
“This match is one of the most classic underdog babyface performances of all time. This was Brock, at his best, a dynamic offensive cocky force. Eddie is in his “home” town, and the crowd is wildly supporting him, unlike almost any other match in wrestling history. A true all-time classic.”

#30
Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Paul Ellering, & The Road Warriors vs The Four Horsemen
“War Games”
NWA The Great American Bash Tour
July 4, 1987
Omni Coliseum

#29
Utami Hayashishita (c) vs Syuri (c)
“World of Stardom & SWA Undisputed World Women’s Championship No Time Limit Match”
Stardom Dream Queendom
December 29, 2021
Ryogoku Kokugikan

#28
Chigusa Nagayo vs Dump Matsumoto
“Hair vs Hair”
AJW on August 28, 1985

2021: 42nd

#27
Dr. Wagner Jr. vs L.A. Par-K
TXT
May 11, 2013
El Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera

2021: 33rd

From my 2013 MOTY post:
“On the original list, I made in 2013, this match was #2, but my love for it has grown over time. This match starts with LA Park lighting a Wagner shirt on fire draped over a chair, and while Wagner makes his entrance, Park is flipping him off. It gets better from there. Blood, chairs, beer bottles, this is everything a brawl could possibly be!”

#26
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bianca Belair
“WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship”
WWE WrestleMania 37
April 10, 2021
Raymond James Stadium

2021: 25th

#25
Atsushi Onita vs Terry Funk
“No Rope Barbed Wire Current Blast Super Large Time Bomb Death Match”
FMW Genten: 4th Anniversary Show
May 5, 1993
Kawasaki Stadium

2021: 34th

From my 1993 MOTY post:
“One of the most dramatic matches and one of, if not the best, deathmatch of all time. Even if you don’t like deathmatches, like myself, this match transcends that.”

#24
Akira Hokuto vs Shinobu Kandori
AJW St. Battle Final
December 6, 1993
Ryogoku Kokugikan

#23
Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen vs Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura
“Real World Tag League Match”
AJPW Real World Tag League
November 29, 1989
Nakajima Sports Center

2021: 27th

#22
Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero
“Mask vs Mask Best 2/3 Falls”
CMLL 81. Aniversario
September 19, 2014
Arena Mexico

2021: 17th

From my 2014 MOTY post:
“There is little wrestling I love more than big emotional mask matches, and this one is a great version of that. A long-time-running feud that had audiences crying afterwards. There are few matches that have more drama for nearfalls than this.”

#21
Bull Nakano (c) vs Aja Kong
“WWWA World Championship Steel Cage Match”
AJW Wrestlemarinepiad
November 14, 1990
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium

2021: 20th

#20
Dump Matsumoto vs Yukari Ohmori
AJW on March 20, 1986

2021: 35th

From my Joshi Match Recommendations post:
“This is the most visceral match in wrestling history. A truly unstoppable mythical monster versus a never gives up fighter. It’s violent. It’s scary. At one point, Dump slams a pair of scissors into Omori’s arm and just walks away. Don’t watch this late at night, but watch it and show everyone you know! Then watch it again.”

#19
Jaguar Yokota (c) vs La Galáctica
“UWA World Women’s Championship”
AJW on February 27, 1985

2021: 19th

9.99/10 Rated Matches

#18
Kenta Kobashi & Mitsuharu Misawa (c) vs Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship”
AJPW Super Power Series
June 9, 1995
Nippon Budokan

2021: 16th

#17
Aja Kong, Kyoko Inoue, Sakie Hasegawa, & Takako Inoue vs Cuty Suzuki, Dynamite Kansai, Hikari Fukuoka, & Mayumi Ozaki
“60 Minute Iron Woman First Attack”
JWP Thunder Queen Battle In Yokohama
July 31, 1993
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium

From my 1993 MOTY blog:
“The Joshi inter-promotional wars of the 1990s are the greatest thing in wrestling history, and this is one of the highlights. A 60-minute Iron Woman match with Team AJW vs Team JWP. There are a lot of great stories and highlights in these 60 minutes. I normally would never recommend a match this long, but with the rules as they are and the team aspect, it never drags. An all-time classic.”

10/10 Rated Matches

#16
Tully Blanchard (c) vs Magnum TA
NWA United States Championship I Quit Steel Cage Match”
NWA Starrcade
November 28, 1985
Greensboro Coliseum

2021: 7th

#15
Randy Savage vs Ultimate Warrior
“Career Ending Match”
WWF WrestleMania VII
March 24, 1991
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

2021: 15th

#14
Bret Hart vs Owen Hart
WWF WrestleMania X
March 20, 1994
Madison Square Garden

2021: 10th

From my 1994 MOTY post:
“Every time I go to rewatch this match, I expect to lower it from the high place I have it in my head, then I finish it, and it remains. The story of the young brother trying to update the older brother on his best night always gets me. The care they took in this match to get Owen over as a heel and over from a nothing undercard worker to a main eventer is one of the best performances in history. Greatest opener ever too!”

#13
MS-1 vs Sangre Chicana
“Cabellera vs Cabellera 2/3 Falls”
EMLL 50. Aniversario – C
September 23, 1983
Arena Mexico

2021: 9th

From my 1983 MOTY post:
“The greatest lucha bloody brawl in history at one of the biggest shows in lucha libre history. These two fought for their life in this all-time classic and a must-see 10/10 classic.”

#12
Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada (c) vs Dynamite Kansai & Mayumi Ozaki
“WWWA Tag Team Championship Best 2/3 Falls”
AJW Dream Rush in Kawasaki
November 26, 1992
Kawasaki City Gymnasium

2021: 14th

#11
Iron Sheik vs Sgt. Slaughter
“Boot Camp Match”
WWF on June 16, 1984
Madison Square Garden

2021: 13th

#10
Aja Kong vs Manami Toyota
“VTOP Woman Tournament First Round Match”
AJW Doumu Super Woman Great War ~ Big Egg Wrestling Universe
November 20
Tokyo Dome

From my 1994 MOTY post:
“The pace that these two put up on such a big stage is unbelievable. An unreal match you need to see to believe! What I love about this is, outside of the big moves and the pace, everything makes sense, and nothing feels out of place.”

#9
Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
“Submission Match”
WWF WrestleMania 13
March 23, 1997
Rosemont Horizon

2021: 12th

#8
Kairi Hojo (c) vs Meiko Satomura
“World of Stardom Championship”
Stardom Galaxy Stars
June 14, 2015
Korakuen Hall

2021: 11th

From my 2015 MOTY post:
“The first of two 10/10 matches on the list, Hojo vs Meiko, is one of my favourite feuds of all time. This is the middle match of the trilogy, with the undeserving Hojo defending the Stardom Title against the superior invading Satomura.

Hojo has one of the greatest babyface sell jobs in wrestling history in this match, as she clings on desperately, trying to survive the legendary Satomura. Meiko is confident, knowing Hojo is beneath her, but gets more and more vicious and frustrated as the match continues. The selling and hope spots by Hojo are unreal.”

#7
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bayley
“NXT Women’s Championship”
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn
August 22, 2015
Barclays Center

2021: 4th

From my 2015 MOTY post:
“This match is just special, and very few matches have that feel to it. The crowd was amazing from the entrances to the finish. The story they tell is perfect. I loved all the hand work by Sasha and Bayley’s selling of it. They way that comes back towards the end was tremendous as well. This also had some insane moves as well, including the Super Reverse Hurrancanara.“

#6
Andre the Giant vs Stan Hansen
NJPW Bloody Fight Series
September 23, 1981
Denen Coliseum

2021: 5th

#5
Aja Kong & Bull Nakano vs Akira Hokuto & Shinobu Kandori
AJW Wrestling Queendom
March 27, 1994
Yokohama Arena

From my 1994 MOTY post:
“A few years back, we started watching Joshi every Sunday, and I feel one of the goals was to get to this match in context. It was sitting on YouTube as a recommended match for years that kept tempting me, but I held off until I got there in order. It was worth the wait. The two rivals slowly begrudgingly gained respect over the course of the match against two all-time legends in a violent, unrelenting tag war that would be the number one match in almost any other year.”

#4
Atlantis vs Villano III
“Mask vs Mask”
CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2000 – Juicio Final
March 17, 2000
Arena Mexico

2021: 2nd

#3
Akira Hokuto vs Meiko Satomura
GAEA Limit Break
April 29, 2001
City Gymnasium

2021: 8th

From my 2001 MOTY post:
“This is a top ten all-time match for me and one I keep watching over and over again since I was introduced to it a few years back.

The legendary badass Dangerous Queen tries to put down the new badass Satomura, and it feels like a Rocky film right up to the Rocky II finish. The crowd is amazing. The strikes are beyound vicious, and the drama is HIGH! Seeing Hokuto’s second jump into the ring because they felt Hokuto was going to submit is a scene etched into my wrestling mind.

A must-watch all-time classic, watch the link above!”

#2
Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
WWF Survivor Series
November 17, 1996
Madison Square Garden

2021: 3rd

The last hurrah for the wrestling Bret Hart grew up loving and performing at MSG. The legend returns to take on the new young badass, and both come out of it looking even better than going into it. It really feels like a throwback match and something you will never see again on this stage

#1
Akira Hokuto vs Shinbou Kandori
AJW All-Star Dream Slam
April 2, 1993
Yokohama Arena

2021: 1st

The greatest match ever.

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Posted in: Lists | Tagged: Aja Kong, AJW, akira hoktuo, Andre the Giant, Atlantis, Bayley, Bret Hart, Bull Nakano, CMLL, joshi, Kairi Hojo, lucha libre, Manami Toyota, Meiko Satomura, NJPW, puroresu, Sasha Banks, Shinobu Kandori, Stan Hansen, STARDOM, Steve Austin, villano iii, wrestling, WWE, WWF

Best Matches I’ve Watched This Week (2023-03-17)

By Grimmas on March 17, 2023 | Leave a comment

#9
El Satanico vs Ultimo Guerrero
“2/3 Falls”
CMLL Super Viernes
May 11, 2001

I like the story of the evil teacher trying to be surpassed by the evil protege and this was a fun match. It was intense with lots of hate. The finish was a schmooze, but it’s definitely a great feud that needs more diving into.

Rating: 7/10

#8
The Rock vs Rob Van Dam
“WCW World Heavyweight Championship”
WWF Raw
October 15, 2001

These two have some oddly good chemistry, which makes sense since they both move oddly. I don’t think anyone sold Rock in such a devastating-looking manner. The crowd was really hot and it’s too bad the finish sucked with schmooze setting up the Jericho-Rock feud.

Rating: 7/10

#7
Aoi & Unagi Sayaka vs Itsuki Aoki & Mio Momono
Marvelous
March 10, 2023

Aoi & Sayaka are quickly becoming my favourite tag team. They have the best energy together and have started to develop some good team moves! This time they are taking on Mio Momono, who I missed dearly, & Itsuki Aoki, who I don’t know but who had some Unagi character parts.

Unagi and Momono had pretty good chemistry for the match, and I want to see more. The match was exciting, and everyone did some good stuff in here. My Marvelous subscription is really paying off.

Rating: 7/10

#6
Blue Panther vs El Felino
“Copa Ovaciones Final Match”
IWRG
February 15, 2001

These two veterans battled hard to win this tournament and it resulted in a tightly contested struggle. They did some gritty work holds segments and tried to tear each other’s masks off. This was intense.

Rating: 7.25/10

#5
American Dragon vs Low-Ki
“Special Referee: Ricky Steamboat”
ECWA
July 21, 2001

I completely see why people were excited by this feud in 2001 and why it ushered in the new era of Indies. These two put on a high-end match at such a young age. They were crisp on the mat, the strikes hit hard, and the high spots were tremendous. I can appreciate all that without these two not being my thing and them not working in a style I enjoy.

Rating: 7.5/10

#4
Jerry Lynn vs Rob Van Dam
ECW Guilty as Charged
January 7, 2001

Rob Van Dam returns to ECW and faces his long-time rival, Jerry Lynn. This was a nice version of their feud, as it wasn’t as long as some of the others. RVD matches in ECW are a fun showcase, as they aren’t always what you expect from a match they are a different thing. The spots were awesome, and the crowd was HYPED. Lynn working more heel also made it have a different feel. A really nice way for the last real ECW match.

Rating: 7.5/10

#3
Orange Cassidy vs Jeff Jarrett
“AEW International Championship”
AEW Dynamite
March 15, 2023

I’ve always enjoyed Cassidy and Jarrett is the perfect person to have this kind of shenanigans match. He goes full old-school cheating Memphis style and it’s perfect. Cassidy is such a perfect underdog. The Sharpshooter spot, because lol we are in Canada, was kind of lame, but that’s a minor distraction point.

Rating: 7.5/10

#2
El Hijo del Santo vs Negro Casas
“2/3 Falls”
Tijuana
June 9, 2001

Another awesome brawl in their long history. They brawl from the start and Santo hits a tope dive while wearing his cape! Such a great visual. It was intense with a great crowd and some awesome rudo work by Casass. He won the second fall by punching the referee “by accident” and then hitting a low blow! He looked to have won the third fall with a low blow too, but the second referee saw it and reversed the call.

Add this match to their classic series and well worth the 15 minutes.

Rating: 7.75/10

Fan Favourite!
Andre the Giant vs Osamu Kido & Haruka Eigen
“Handicap Match”
NJPW 2nd Madison Square Garden Series
May 25, 1979

Thanks to Elliott from the Disord for this suggestion. I love Andre and it’s been a really long time since I watched a handicap match, so this should be interesting.

From the get-go, they try to double-team Andre, but at every pass, he is too big and strong and counters everything. They keep trying until they start running scared and try to surround him with a new approach. This turns out to be futile too, leading to Andre putting on double submissions on them!

They get in a few spots and even try to dogpile a pin attempt, but really they are like flies to Andre. The finishing sequence rules as it looks like Andre separates them and can kill one to get the pin, but then he goes to the outside to bring the other one in so he can beat them both at once.

Rating: A fucking blast!

Match of the Week!
Juventud Guerrera vs Rey Misterio Jr.
Tijuana
April 6, 2001

These two flashback to 1996 and their world tour stopping in the ECW Arena and it’s really at that level. They only get ten minutes, but they make the most of it with an awesome cruiserweight match with some wild offence from Juvi, including an Ocean Cyclone Suplex and a vicious Michonoku Driver. The crowd is wild and really adds to this!

Rating: 7.75/10

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Posted in: Best Matches I've Watched This Week, Lists | Tagged: aew, Andre the Giant, Aoi, Blue Panther, Bryan Danielson, CMLL, ECW, El Felino, El Satanico, Haruka Eigen, Itsuki Aoki, IWRG, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lynn, joshi, Juventud Guerrera, Low-Ki, lucha libre, Marvelous, Mio Momono, Negro Casas, NJPW, Orange Cassidy, Osamu Kido, Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam, The Rock, Ultimo Guerrero, Unagi Sayaka, wrestling, WWE, WWF

The Greatest Wrestlers of 1983

By Grimmas on December 21, 2022 | 9 Comments

1983

Going back to the 1980s was something I needed to do to balance out my overall list. 1983 was before I was watching, I was two years old. but it’s the year supercards really took off in the USA. Sadly, I was a bit disappointed in this year. I knew the finishes would be bad, but that was still difficult to deal with. What really bugged me was the amount of time killing I felt was happening in matches. I doubt that was the purpose of it, but a lot of matches felt like they had a cool start, rested a bunch, then had a great ending. Luckily enough workers and matches overcame that and I have put together a list of 25 great wrestlers!

Process

I have a master list of everyone I have considered for each of these top 25 lists and how many matches they worked on each year. I see who worked in 1983 and start watching the footage. I take suggestions and look at other lists to see who needs to be explored.

After watching a ton of footage I start to make a list and cut anyone who either I can’t find 3 matches of their worth recommending or I don’t care to find that many. From there it’s a matter of finding an order that I feel comfortable with based on the quality of output, versatility, and whatever qualities make a great wrestler.

The List

All of the below stats are from cagematch. Yes, they are not perfect. I have excluded AJW’s number of matches, because cagematch has next to nothing on them.

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. Starting with this list I will not go beyound 5 matches.

The matches listed are all 7/10 or higher; if they are bolded, they are 8/10 or higher.

Honourable Mentions

Bad News Allen
Big John Studd
Junkyard Dog
MS-1
Pedro Morales
Rick Martel

#25
Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2004, & 2015
Matches: 204
Places Worked: Mid-Atlantic, GCW, Florida, Maple Leaf, WCCW, & Mid-South
Title Held: NWA World Television Championship
Tournament: NWA World Tag Team Title #1 Contendership Tournament with Dory Funk, Jr. (final)

Previously I never considered Roberts as a real candidate, but I stumbled across a performance of his that blew me away. The more I dug into his 1983, the more impressed I was. When Jake is an evil wrestler tearing people apart with great psychology, he is fantastic and makes it onto this list.

Recommended Matches:

vs Brett Sawyer, GCW The Last Battle of Atlanta, October 23
vs Jim Duggan, Mid-South, December 16
vs Ron Garvin, GCW, December 17

#24
Itsuki Yamazaki

Previous Ranking: 1985 (#13)
Years Unranked: none
Places Worked: AJW
Tournament: Fuji Television League Cup with Devil Masami

The future Jumping Bomb Angel was already an exciting wrestler in 1983. She was essentially a cruiserweight worker in AJW and gave a different element to her matches.

Recommended Matches:

vs Noriyo Tateno, AJW, July 9
vs Mimi Harigawa, AJW, November
with Jumbo Hori vs Devil Masami & Itsuki Yamazaki, “2/3 Falls”, AJW, November 29 (#5 MOTY)

#23
Mad Dog Vachon

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985
Matches: 97
Places Worked: AWA & International Wrestling

Vachon was in his mid-50s in 1983, but when you are that great of a wrestler it doesn’t stop you from being awesome. He brought a great chaotic brawling energy to all of his matches. The old veteran badass legend as a babyface really fits in great with AWA.

Recommended Matches:

with Baron Von Raschke vs Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan Kaissey, “Taped Fist”, AWA, March 13
vs Jerry Blackwell, “Algerian Death Match”, AWA, May 22 (#10 MOTY)
vs Nick Bockwinkel, AWA, December 25

#22
Dynamite Kid

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985 & 1990
Matches: 178
Places Worked: Pacific Northwest, Stampede, & NJPW
Titles Held: Stampede World Mid-Heavyweight Championship, NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship, & NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship with The Assassin

Dynamite Kid is a precursor of a wrestling style I rather dislike and I’m not so keen on it in 1983, however, he was having great matches in three different countries and that’s hard to deny.

Recommended Matches:

vs Kuniaki Kobayashi, NJPW, April 3
vs Tiger Mask, NJPW, April 21
vs Buddy Rose, Portland, September 17

#21
Jumbo Hori

Previous Ranking: 1985 (#25)
Years Unranked: none
Place Worked: AJW
Title Held: WWWA Tag Team Championship with Yukari Omori
Tournament: Fuji Television League Cup with Yukari Omori

As you can tell from the name Jumbo Hori is a big kind of power wrestler in joshi. Watching her power bomb the roster always gets a pop out of me. What really got her onto the list was her team with Yukari Omori, The Dynamite Girls were a perfect foil for the roster and a great tag team.

Recommended Matches:

vs Devil Masami, AJW, May
with Yukari Omori vs Devil Masami & Taranutla, AJW, June 14
with Yukari Omori vs Devil Masami & Itsuki Yamazaki, “2/3 Falls”, AJW, November 29 (#5 MOTY)

#20
Killer Khan

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985
Matches: 175
Place Worked: NJPW
Tournament: IWGP League

The wild “Mongolian” Killer Khan is a joy to watch. He’s so expressive it makes every match just fun! Of course, he’s a violent brawler which helps too. A perfect foil

Recommended Matches:

vs Seiji Sakaguchi, NJPW, January 14
vs Andre the Giant, NJPW, June 1
vs Bad News Allen, NJPW, September 22

#19
Jerry Blackwell

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985
Matches: 159
Places Worked: AWA, St. Louis, Central States, & Memphis
Titles Held: NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship & AWA World Tag Team Championship with Ken Patera
Tournament: NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title Tournament

There isn’t a lot of footage of Blackwell in 1983, but what we do have is awesome. He’s full-on heel-wrecking ball mode this year, spending most of his time as a Sheik meaning with Adnan Kaissey and Ken Patera. The team is a tremendous heel unit that can show dominance, but also bump to really put the faces over.

Recommended Matches:

with Sheik Adnan Kaissey vs Baron Von Raschke & Mad Dog Vachon, “Taped Fist”, AWA, March 13
vs Mad Dog Vachon, “Algerian Death Match”, AWA, May 22 (#10 MOTY)
with Ken Patera vs Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell, AWA, November 24

#18
“Wildfire” Tommy Rich

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, 1993, & 1997
Matches: 170
Places Worked: GCW, Mid-Altlantic, AJPW, Mid-South, SWCW, St. Louis, & Central States
Title Held: NWA National Heavyweight Championship
Tournament: NWA National Heavyweight Title Tournament

The babyface component of the Buzz Sawyer feud, Rich was a great-selling babyface. He fought with great fire and could mix it up with a bloody brawl as well as anyone.

Recommended Matches:

vs Buzz Sawyer, “No DQ”, SWCW, July 4
vs Kamala, Mid-South, July 29
vs Buzz Sawyer, “Cage”, GCW The Last Battle of Atlanta, October 23 (#7 MOTY)

#17
Tiger Mask

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1997, & 2010
Matches: 102
Places Worked: NJPW & UWA
Title Held: WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion (twice)

I can see why people were so enamoured by Tiger Mask in 1983. The mask and colours made him stand out. The quickness of the kicks and flying was breathtaking. Not to mention some of the moves you never saw in Japan were all of a sudden front and centre in NJPW.

Recommended Matches:

vs Gran Hamada, NJPW, February 3
vs Black Tiger, NJPW, February 7
vs Dynamite Kid, NJPW, April 21

#16
Chigusa Nagayo

Previous Ranking: 1985 (#1)
Years Unranked: 1997 & 2004
Place Worked: AJW

The Crush Gals didn’t fully take off yet in 1983, but you got glimpses of the greatness of Chigusa already.

Recommended Matches:

vs Lioness Asuka, AJW, January 4
with Lioness Asuka vs Jaguar Yokota & Noriyo Tateno, AJW, August 21
with Lioness Asuka vs Jaguar Yokota & Kanako Nagatomo, AJW, November
vs Jaguar Yokota, AJW, December

#15
Andre the Giant

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985 & 1990
Matches: 223
Places Worked: WWF, NJPW, Mid-South, AWA, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, International Wrestling, WCCW, Pacific Northwest, UWA, St. Louis, Central States, Maple Leaf, EMLL, WWC, Stampede, & Memphis
Tournament: IWGP League (semi-final)

Andre the Giant is one of the most rewarding wrestlers to work with in the early 1980s. In NJPW he’s a monster force of nature and in America, he is going from territory to territory doing all sorts of fun matchups, of course, centred in the WWF. He’s such a smart worker and gives the fans exactly what they want!

Recommended Matches:

vs Akia Maeda, NJPW, May 13
vs Killer Khan, NJPW, June 1
vs Abdullah the Butcher, WWC Aniversario 10, September 17

#14
Butch Reed

Previous Rankings: 1985 (#15) & 1990 (#20)
Years Unranked: none
Matches: 158
Places Worked: Mid-South, GCW, St. Louis, & Central States
Title Held: Mid-South North American Championship (twice) & Mid-South Tag Team Championship with Jim Neidhart
Tournaments: Mid-South North American Title Tournament (semi-final), NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title Tournament (semi-final), & GCW Thanksgiving Day Tag Team Tournament with Pez Whatley (winner)

Butch Reed is one of those wrestlers that just clicks with him. His charisma is great, he works great as an underdog babyface or a beast rough heel, and he looks great. All of that was on display in 1983.

Recommended Matches:

vs Iron Sheik, Mid-South, April 8
vs Junkyard Dog, Mid-South, July 29
vs Junkyard Dog, “Dog-Collar”, Mid-South, November 3

#13
“Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985 & 1990
Matches: 173
Places Worked: GCW, Mid-South, SWCW, & Florida
Title Held: NWA National Tag Team Championship with Brett Sawyer
Tournament: NWA National Heavyweight Title Tournament

Buzz Sawyer was the catalyst for one of the most famous feuds of 1983, the Tommy Rich feud. He was the perfect violent enemy to torment Rich. What’s impressive about his 1983, was his ability to work babyface as well later in the year. If you are looking for a good brawl, you don’t have to look further than Sawyer in 1983.

Recommended Matches:

vs Tommy Rich, “No DQ”, SWCW, July 4
vs Tommy Rich, “Cage”, GCW The Last Battle of Atlanta, October 23 (#7 MOTY)
vs Abdullah the Butcher, GCW, November 6
vs Ted DiBiase, GCW, November 4

#12
“The Magnificent One” Don Muraco

Previous Ranking: 1985 (#24)
Years Unranked: 1993
Matches: 218
Places Worked: WWF & Maple Leaf
Title Held: WWF Intercontinental Championship

Don Muraco was at his height as an arrogant heel in 1983. He won the belt in January in a great brawl with Pedro Morales and spent the rest of the year defending the belt and getting massive heat. He had an all-time classic feud to end the year out that had very special moments. The real negative was his feud with Backlund over the World Title. In 1983 those two decided to spend most of the matches in headlocks instead of having a good match.

Recommended Matches:

vs Pedro Morales, WWF, January 22
vs Rocky Johnson, WWF, May 23
plus more

#11
Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, & 1993
Matches: 131
Places Worked: WCCW, Mid-South, AJPW, & SWCW
Titles Held: NWA American Heavyweight Championship, NWA American Tag Team Championship with Michael Hayes, WCCW World Six Man Tag Team Championship with Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes (twice), & NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship

I have never thought too much about Terry Gordy in the past, but this year was a real eye-opener for me. He’s a whirlwind of destructive beefy energy. He really excels in tags as a complement to others either teaming with Hansen or The Fabulous Freebirds.

Recommended Matches:

vs Kerry Von Erich, WCCW, June 10
with Buddy Roberts & Michael Hayes vs David Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, & Kevin Von Erich, “2/3 Falls”, WCCW, July 4 (#8 MOTY)
with Stan Hansen vs Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta, AJPW, August 26 (#6 MOTY)
with Stan Hansen vs Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk, AJPW, August 31

#10
Sgt. Slaughter

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985 & 1990
Matches: 219
Places Worked: WWF, Mid-Atlantic, Maple Leaf, & CWA
Titles Held: NWA World Tag Team Championship with Don Kernodle & NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship

Sgt. Slaughter was a tremendous heel in 1983. He took a nothing guy in Don Kernodle and they headlined the first huge supercard in America because the program with Youngblood and Steamboat was so hot. He then moved on to the WWF and again was a tremendous heel, albeit with fewer opportunites to have stellar matches.

Recommended Matches:

with Don Kerndodle vs Jay Youngblood & Ricky Steamboat, Mid-Atlantic, January 30
with Don Kernodle vs Jay Youngblood & Ricky Steamboat, “Cage”, NWA Starrcade, March 12 (#4 MOTY)
vs Bob Backlund, WWF, May 23

#9
Devil Masami

Previous Rankings: 1985 (#6) & 1993 (#20)
Years Unranked: 1997 & 2004
Place Worked: AJW
Title Held: WWWA Tag Team Championship with Tarantula
Tournament: Fuji Television League Cup with Itsuki Yamazaki

Devil Masami was a stand-out in AJW with her huge presence. She had a great run in multiple tag teams, making both feels like natural teams. Her facial expressions were elite, of course, as well as her dominant heel abilities.

Recommended Matches:

with Tarantula vs Jaguar Yokota & Mimi Hagiwara, AJW, January 4
vs Jumbo Hori, AJW, May
with Tarantula vs Jumbo Hori & Yukari Omori, AJW, June 14
vs Monster Ripper, “Chain”, AJW, November
with Itsuki Yamazaki vs Jumbo Hori & Yukari Omori, “2/3 Falls”, AJW, November 29 (#5 MOTY)

#8
Kerry Von Erich

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985 & 1990
Matches: 150
Places Worked: WCCW, Mid-South, AJPW, St. Louis, & Central States
Titles Held: NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship, WCCW World Six Man Tag Team Championship with David Von Erich and Kevin Von Erich (twice), & NWA American Tag Team Championship with Bruiser Brody

Kerry Von Erich is a unique watch. He looks extremely athletic with a great body but seems kind of uncoordinated. He often looks like he is legit fighting for his life and is not in a worked match. He is charismatic though and can build a lot of sympathy and his wild punch comebacks are fun to watch.

Recommended Matches:

vs Greg Valentine, St. Louis, February 11
vs Genichiro Tenryu, AJPW, April 7
vs Terry Gordy, WCCW, June 10
with David Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich vs Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes, & Terry Gordy, “2/3 Falls”, WCCW, July 4 (#8 MOTY)

#7
Sangre Chicana

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1985, 1990, 1993, 1997, & 2004
Places Worked: EMLL & UWA
Titles Held: UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship (twice)

Sangre Chicana in 1983 was one of the great lucha-brawling tecnicos in wrestling history, which was highlighted by the MS-1 main event match at the 50th Anivesario. He was a special underdog who never backed down and luckily one of the few luchadores with enough footage remaining.

Recommended Matches:

vs MS-1, “Cabellera vs Cabellera”, EMLL 50. Aniversario – C, September 23 (#1 MOTY)
vs El Satanico, EMLL, September 24
with La Fiera & Mocho Cota vs Espectro, Jr., MS1, & El Satanico, EMLL, September 30
vs Ringo Mendoza, EMLL, October 28
vs Villano III, EMLL, November 18

#6
“Playboy” Buddy Rose

Previous Ranking: none
Years Unranked: 1990
Matches: 188
Places Worked: Pacific Northwest, WWF, NJPW, & Maple Leaf
Title Held: NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship with Brian Adidas & NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship with Curt Hennig

Buddy Rose has always been an amazing ace heel in Portland and in 1983 he showed even more with a great babyface run. The real joy of Buddy is watching him a week to week in the same venue and not having it get old.

Recommended Matches:

vs Pedro Morales, WWF, February 18
vs Chris Adams, Portland, February 28
vs Curt Hennig, Portland, March 26
vs Dynamite Kid, Portland, September 17

#5
Jaguar Yokota

Previous Ranking: 1985 (#2)
Years Unranked: 1997, 2004, 2010, 2015, & 2021
Place Worked: AJW
Title Held: WWWA World Championship

Jaguar Yokota feels like a wrestler working at another level in 1983. The speed, the innovative moves that men won’t be doing for decades, the intensity, and power. Watching Jaguar in 1983 feels like you are watching Rey Mysterio in 1995, it is special and the future.

Recommended Matches:

with Mimi Hagiwara vs Devil Masami & Tarantula, AJW, January 4
vs La Galactica, “Hair vs Mask”, AJW, May 7
with Noriyo Tateno vs Chigusa Nagayo & Lioness Asuka, August 21
with Kanako Nagatomo vs Chigusa Nagayo & Lioness Asuka, AJW, November
vs Chigusa Nagayo, AJW, December

#4
Nick Bockwinkel

PreviousRanking: 1985 (#19)
Years Unranked: none
Matches: 107
Places Worked: AWA, Memphis, Mid-South, AJPW, International Wrestling, & Stampede
Title Held: AWA World Heavyweight

Bockwinkel is one of the smartest wrestlers of all-time and spending the year as the AWA World Champion really allowed him to show that off against a variety of opponents in a variety of different promotions.

Recommended Matches:

vs Rick Martel, AWA, March 13
vs Jumbo Tsuruta, AJPW, July 13
vs Wahoo McDaniel, AWA, August 28
vs Junkyard Dog, Mid-South, September 23
vs Mad Dog Vachon, AWA, December 25
plus more

#3
Stan Hansen

Previous Rankings: 1985 (#9), 1990 (#22), & 1993 (#2)
Years Unranked: 1997
Matches: 124
Places Worked: AJPW, GCW, Memphis, SWCW, & Florida
Titles Held: NWA International Tag Team Championship with Ron Bass, CWA Television Championship, AWA International Heavyweight Championship, & PWF Heavyweight Championship
Tournaments: AJPW World Tag Team League with Bruiser Brody (winner), NWA National Heavyweight Title Tournament (semi-final), & AJPW Real World Tag League with Bruiser Brody (winner)

Hansen is as rough and badass in 1983 as I’ve seen him in any other year. Every Hansen match is chaotic and wild, no matter what promotion he’s working in. Starting an instant classic team with Terry Gordy really helps his case as well. Heck, he even made a team with Bruiser Brody enjoyable.

Recommended Matches:

vs Giant Baba, AJPW, April 11
vs Terry Funk, AJPW, April 14 (#2 MOTY)
with Terry Gordy vs Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta, AJPW, August 26 (#6 MOTY)
with Terry Gordy vs Dory Funk Jr. & Terry Funk, AJPW, August 31
vs Giant Baba, AJPW, September 8

#2
Greg “The Hammer” Valentine

Previous Ranking: 1985 (#5)
Years Unranked: 1990, 1993, & 1997
Matches: 255
Places Worked: Mid-Atlantic, St. Louis, Central States, Maple Leaf, GCW, & Florida
Title Held: NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (twice)
Tournaments: NWA World Tag Team Title #1 Contendership Tournament with Gene Anderson & NWA Florida Heavyweight Title Tournament

There is something about Greg Valentine’s style that really hits home for me. He picks apart his opponent in a brutal but well-planned-out style. The Piper feud is an all-time classic feud that is a must-watch, but I would say you get something out of every one of his matches, even the television squashes.

Recommended Matches:

vs Kerry Von Erich, St. Louis, February 11
vs Roddy Piper, Mid-Atlantic, July 9
vs Roddy Piper, “Dog Collar”, NWA Starrcade, November 24 (#3 MOTY)
plus more

#1
Terry Funk

Previous Rankings: 1985 (#12), 1993 (#17), & 1997 (#22)
Years Unranked: 1990
Matches: 76
Places Worked: AJPW, Mid-Atlantic, SWCW, Maple Leaf, WCCW, & Memphis
Tournaments: AJPW World Tag Team League with Dory Funk Jr. & SWCW World Heavyweight Title Tournament

What a versatile year by Funk. Not only was he an elite heel working almost everywhere, but he also proved he was an all-time great babyface while working in AJPW. This is very evident in the Hansen feud and leading up to his “retirement” at the end of August. To add to the versatility, he had amazing brawls like the Singh match and amazing technical displays like the Orton match. There was a little bit of everything by Funk in 1983 that puts him #1.

Recommended Matches:

vs Stan Hansen, AJPW, April 14 (#2 MOTY)
vs Bob Orton, Jr., SWCW, May 21
vs Tiger Jeet Singh, AJPW, July 19 (#9 MOTY)
with Dory Funk, Jr. vs Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy, AJPW, August 31

If you want to discuss this you can do it on Twitter:

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Posted in: Lists, The Greatest Wrestlers of the Year List | Tagged: AJPW, AJW, Andre the Giant, AWA, buddy rose, butch reed, Buzz Sawyer, Chigusa Nagayo, CMLL, Devil Masami, don muraco, dynamite kid, Greg Valentine, Itsuki Yamazaki, jaguar yokota, jake roberts, Jerry Blackwell, joshi, Jumbo Hori, Kerry Von Erich, killer khan, lucha libre, Mad Dog Vachon, NJPW, NWA, Sangre Chicana, Sgt. Slaughter, Stan Hansen, Terry Funk, Terry Gordy, tiger mask, Tommy Rich, wrestling, WWE, WWF

The Best of The WWF Volume 1

By Grimmas on February 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

best of the wwf 1

We are finally ready for the third and final of the first day release Coliseum Home Video tapes. Vince is the host again and he informs us that this tape chronicles the history of the WWF.

Hulk Hogan & Andre the Giant
vs
Big John Studd, Adrian Adonis, & Dick Murdoch
(7/15/1984, Meadowlands)

Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon & Red Bastien

This is a pretty standard southern tag match, but with double the face in peril segments. Yes, Andre plays face in peril here for a bit.

The highlight was Andre putting all three guys in the corner and then squashing them with the help of Hogan. For some reason Andre ran Studd off later in the match, making it two on two. A fun big butt splash by Andre for the win.

Overall a pretty standard tag match here, but with lots of heat and charisma. Seeing Murdoch and Adonis bump for Hogan and Andre was fun enough.

Rating: **

Fabulous Moolah w/ Lou Albano vs Wendi Richter w/ Cyndi Lauper
(7/23/1984, Madison Square Gardens)

Pre-match has Okerlund interview Captain Lou Albano and Moolah. Moolah is pretty low key and Albano does not think she can be beaten. She has been champion for 27 years!

Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon & Gene Okerlund

I won’t be able to rate this one, as there are a lot of video cuts. Cyndi Lauper is by far the highlight of this whole thing. She’s so great cheering on Richter and getting in Moolah and Albano’s faces.

The finish has Moolah go for the back suplex, but Richter gets her shoulder up at two to get the win and the title.

Post match Moolah nails the referee with a really stiff dropkick.

Gorilla Monsoon vs Baron Mikel Sculina

Announcer: Vince McMahon

Muhammad Ali is in the front row. After all the hype on Titans of Wrestling, I am very excited to see Sculina.

The match is nothing and this is all about the angle. Although Baron has a nice flurry to start, before Gorilla took him apart with chops.

The poor Baron just walks away as Ali takes off his jacket, shirt, and shoes to go after Gorilla.

The two circle, before Gorilla grabs him in an airplane spin and gets him all dizzy. Ali’s seconds lead him away. Such a weird angle. I guess this helps establish that Antonio Inoki can defeat Ali in a fight, but Ali looked like such a punk.

After the match Gorilla gives a great interview, using his classic “this guy doesn’t know a wrist lock from a wrist watch” commentary line. Gorilla finishes with “Great boxer, terrible wrestler.”

Jimmy Snuka vs Bobby Bass
(10/29/1984, Hamilton, Ontario)

“No Class” Bobby Bass sneak attacks, but gets quickly squashed by Snuka and the Super Fly Splash.

Piper’s Pit with Jimmy Snuka

This is the classic segment where Piper hits Snuka with coconuts and runs away before Snuka can kill him. If you haven’t seen this angle, watch it now.

Jimmy Snuka vs Roddy Piper
(8/25/1984, Madison Square Gardens)

Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon & Lord Alfred Hayes

This was a super heated revenge match for Snuka. Piper got almost nothing in, as Snuka beat the crap out of him. Snuka even took Piper to the floor, ran him into the post and a chair to bust him open. The reaction from the crowd of Snuka realizing Piper was bleeding was amazing.

The finish saw Snuka go for the splash, but Piper gets up. As Snuka flies, Piper knocks him over the top for a count out win. This perfectly sets up rematches.

rating: *** 1/4

Cobra vs Black Tiger
(12/28/1984, Madison Square Gardens)

Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon & Gene Okerlund

The winner here will get the vacant WWF World Junior Heavyweight Title. From what we saw this looked like a well built NJPW style juniors match. There was a lot of nice matwork which built to some hot stuff, especially for the WWF in 1984. There was even a tope. Compare this match to the early Starrcade junior matches with the likes of Denny Brown and it’s staggering.

The finish was super hot with a Tombstone by Tiger for a nearfall. The second attempt was countered into a Tombstone and followed by a flying senton for the win. It’s really a shame that the WWF didn’t continue with Cobra and try to build a division around these guys.

We now get the build to Gene Okerlund wrestling.

Day 1

It’s 5:00 AM and Okerlund is smoking a cigar. That’s really hilarious. Hogan shows up and is pissed, tells him to throw away the bacon and eggs and gives him a real breakfast. Raw eggs. Hello salmonella!

They go for a run and Okerlund stops to grab a beer and a brat. Hogan is mad again.

Day 2

Weight training at the gym montage set to the Coliseum Home Video music.

55i7ue

Day 3

This time Hogan comes in at 6:00 AM. No cigar, so there is progress (although he might had finished it in the last hour). They go and run stadium steps. Gene trying to go up steps with Hogan on his back is pretty funny stuff.

Day 4

We get more illusions to Rocky as they run up steps in Minneapolis. They both think they got it, so look out Mr. Fuji and George Steele. 4 days does not seem like enough training for Okerlund.

Hulk Hogan & Gene Okerlund vs George Steele & Mr. Fuji
(8/26/1984, Met Center)

Announcer: Vince McMahon

To start, Hogan rips off Gene’s shirt to leave him in just trunks and boots. Vince yells “Oh my what acion!”.

I love that the match starts with Fuji and Hogan. What a mismatch. This match is pretty edited as well. We do get one of the most annoying Hogan spots, as he high fives Okerlund and the referee counts it as a tag. Luckily Okerlund runs between Steele’s legs to make a tag. Hogan does almost all the work, but Okerlund blind tags in at the end. Hogan slams him onto of Fuji for the win.

Afterwards we get a double pose session with Okerlund and Hogan.

Bruno Sammartino vs Larry Zbyzsko
(1/22/1980, Allentown, PA)

Announcer: Vince McMahon

This is a pretty famous television match. The two are still friends and are student and teacher at this point.

The story of the match is that Larry is trying to win, but Bruno lets up every time he has the advantage. It’s really a great story and seeing Larry getting more and more angry every time is awesome.

Eventually Larry gets tossed and comes back in super pissed. He gets real aggressive and stomps the shit out of Bruno. He grabs a chair and nails him a few times leaving him bloody.

This is perfect slow build story telling.

Rating: *** 1/2

Bruno gives a promo after being weighted in before the cage match. Bruno is confident.

Bruno Sammrtino vs Larry Zbyszko
(“Cage Match” 8/9/1980, Showdown at Shea)

Announcer: Vince McMahon

This was very similar to the Snuka-Piper match as it was all revenge and very little offense for the heel. Except here Bruno beats up Larry and then walks out. Nothing much to say about this one, except it’s just a good pay off to a long feud.

Rating: ***

In Conclusion:

Really a good mix of things from the current product and the past. Nothing you have to go out of your way to see (except maybe Snuka on Piper’s Pit), but a good way to spend 90 minutes.

Next Tuesday, I will be back with a review of the “Most Unusual Matches” tape. Remember to send in your requests for the “Fan Favourites” match that I will review on Thursday.

Posted in: Coliseum Home Video Reviews | Tagged: Adrian Adonis, Andre the Giant, Big John Studd, Bruno Sammartino, Cyndi Lauper, Dick Murdoch, Fabulous Moolah, Gene Okerlund, George Steele, Gorilla Monsoon, Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, Larry Zbyszko, Lou Albano, Mr. Fuji, Muhammad Ali, Roddy Piper, Vince McMahon, Wendi Richter, wrestling, WWF

Wrestling’s Bloopers, Bleeps & Bodyslams (WF001)

By Grimmas on January 19, 2016 | Leave a comment

WF001 - Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps & Bodyslams

The WWF was hot in 1985! They had been on MTV and NBC. WrestleMania and Mr. T were a thing! Which means it was time for the WWF to invade the home video market. With this being the WWF and Vince McMahon there is only one way to start and that is with a bloopers tape?

Gorilla Monsoon is the host in the WWF home video control center and he assures us that we have some hilarious surprises ahead of us. To prove that, they insert Gorilla screwing up filming the opening into this without any warning.

The first clip we get is of a ten-man tag match from the Philadelphia Spectrum. I would give you a date and all, but it’s so quick we don’t even get to see all the competitors. What we get is “The Magnificent One” Don Muraco running into Andre the Giant’s ass and then it’s replayed.

Freddie Blassie is now on Tuesday Night Titans giving love advice. We are on a corny site and Vince McMahon is reading letters from TNT fans. First question comes from a wife who’s husband ignores her after watching TNT. Blassie’s advice? She should take a bath. Next we have a wife show says her husband practices moves on her after watching the WWF, including the Super Fly splash. It hurts her and she wants it to stop. Blassie says a man should beat his wife, like he did to his rotten second wife. Finally a sixty year old women wants to date a wrestler. Blassie suggests Sgt. Slaughter, Tito Santana, Hulk Hogan and the Tonga Kid. Vince is not impressed.

Gorilla says we are about to learn a lesson about vanity.

“Iron” Mike Sharpe vs Steve Grey

Joined in progress and Grey’s toupee falls off.

Tiger Chung Lee tries to break bricks. Gorilla claims he was in charge of buying the bricks on this night and bought ones with steel running through the middle. Tiger can’t break them, but keeps trying. Vince is laughing his ass off.

Captain Lou Albano is on TNT. He rambles and doesn’t make sense.

We are back on TNT and Vince McMahon brings out Tony Atlas for a pose down. We hear the Coliseum Home Video music as Atlas poses in speedoes with the camera man zooming in a lot. “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff is here as competition. Same music, same zooming in, but smaller speedoes. The five people in the audience decide Tony Atlas is the winner. Orndorff is not happy and jumps Atlas. A man in jeans, jacket and a mask breaks it up. What was the blooper, bleep or bodyslam in that segment?

Gorilla is back in studio to tell us the life of a wrestler is lonely. He informs us that dog’s make great friends. However Iron Sheik’s friend is a camel. Which sends us to Vince with the Iron Sheik and a camel. Vince needs an expert here, so he brings out Lord Alfred Hayes. Sheik makes fun of Sgt. Slaughter and says the camel is his own training partner. Alfred makes stinky faces and we find out the name of the camel is super long in Arabic and is Claud in English.

It’s time for Kamala and the performing chicken on TNT. Friday and Blassie bring out the “Famous Performing Chicken”, which is just a chicken in a giant cage. They bring out Kamala who stalks the chicken and Blassie jokes about it being dinner time. We cut to Kamala eating chicken with feathers around him.

Gorilla says we are about to see one of the funniest midget matches of all-time.

Danny Carpenter vs The Haiti Kid

Joined in progress and Haiti bites the ass of Carpenter to get out of a hold. We get some silly referee midget spots.

Back on TNT Ivan Putski is teaching people the polka. Well that is what Gorilla said, but all we get is a bunch of dancing. Vince is more into this dance then he was into Shawn Michaels. This might had been the highlight of Vince’s life.

Hulk Hogan making protein shakes on TNT.

Hulk Hogan is on TNT and we are joined in progress as he is pulling out the python pack (a custom 12 pack of vitamins) and gets Vince to drink the protein shake he made to swallow the vitamins. He likes it and they coax Awful Alfred to drink it. He throws up.

It’s now Captain Lou’s turn to give love advice. First up a wife says her husband refuses to use modern hygiene techniques like deodorant. He stinks. What can she do? Lou’s advice is to put some olive oil, witch hazel, sweetening lotion and rubbing alcohol and rub it on him. Second up, a women asks about her obese husband and if the “Fat Person Guide to Ectasy” is a good source. Lou hates fat people. Vince doesn’t understand and asks him how he sees himself. Lou is all muscle and that “Fat Person Guide to Ectasy” is about a low carb diet. Lou says the husband should look in the mirror and tell himself he is great. Finally a wife asks what to do about her husband who never takes off his boots. Lou says she needs to get him some deodorant, because that would start to smell Then completely rambles until the segment ends.

Julia Child move over, the Wild Samoans are here to cook. We are joined by Lord Alfred holding his nose, he thinks it’s the plague. It’s actually fish stew! Obviously they do some raw fish stuff and an actual fish stew. Alfred gets the head and gross bits and refuses to eat it and says he would rather get cat rabies.

Gorilla says we are now ready for the greatest blooper of all-time.

The Wild Samoans vs Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson

Joined in progress as Atlas comes in on the hot tag. Referee bump and Albano grabs a chair. Atlas ducks as a Samoan gets nailed and pinned losing the Tag Team Titles.

Albano is now shown on TNT trying to explain the greatest blooper ever. He denies responsibility, since they were three-time champs they should had survived that technical mistake. Called the Samoans crybabies.

Gorilla back in studio raving about the wrestling credentials of Salvatore Bellomo. Bellomo is a credit to wrestling. Bellomo is on TNT making pizza. A real pizza man does not use a rolling pin. Alfred has some flour on his nose, which Vince points out that it’s not the first time he’s seen powder on Alfred’s nose. It lasts a minute before we get Italians in traditional Italian garb playing Italian music. Wow.

A quick clip of Dick Murdoch teaching Adrian Adonis how to get on a horse (which he sucks at) is followed by Adonis & Murdoch along with Mean Gene Okerlund on the mean streets of New York City. Adonis and Okerlund talk to some bums. Adonis claims a fire hydrant is a shower. A cute dog appears and Adonis pets it. Watching this I wasn’t sure what the point of this was, but my guess is that it is to show that Adonis is a fake New Yorker (since nobody knows him) and that New York is an awful place. A weird choice for a company based in New York. The whole thing ends with them getting some disgusting street hot dogs and Okerlund refusing to pay. Gorilla says that is why he’s called Mean Gene.

We get a bunch of short clips of slams and splashes, since Gorilla feels we haven’t had enough of them.

“Lucious” Johnny Valiant now gets a turn giving love advice. We finally get a male question where a husband claims he puts a mask on his wife to improve her looks. All of these questions are so awful and really portray some horrible marriages. We get a question from an unmarried women, who is hot, but likes ugly men. Who can she date? Valiant raves and raves about Brutus Beefcake being so hot. He’s a 15 to 20 to 25 out of 10. He lists Tito Santana, Junkyard Dog, Sgt. Slaughter as stone ugly. Last question is a women who wants to be in a battle royal. Vince thinks this is some weird fantasy orgy question, while Valiant doesn’t understand the question at all and talks about how battle royals are difficult to win.

We are told Andre the Giant sings the fish song, something advertised on the VHS box. Before that Andre compares Big John Studd to Sky Low Low. He shows off the size of his hand over Alfred’s face and we cut to Andre with the band. Sadly no singing, he just makes the fish face. This is pretty funny though.

Roddy-Piper-Lou-Albano-and-Cyndi-Lauper-left-with-

Cyndi Lauper on Piper’s Pit!

Moving on to Piper’s Pit where Cyndi Lauper is the guest. Lou Albano appears and cuts a great promo. He wants Cyndi to tell everybody that women belong in the kitchen and that he wrote all her songs, etc.. Lauper gets annoyed and beats up Albano and Piper, before she is pulled away.

Some more clips of slams.

We are now ready for the main event of the tape, it is Butcher Vachon’s wedding on TNT. First we start with the gifts. Albano gives them a lifetime supply of rubber bands. Blassie gives them some reading glasses, so that he could see how ugly the wedding ring is and how ugly the bride is.

We move onto the toasts and first up is George “The Animal” Steele who eats a champagne glass and makes some odd sound before he mutters out a short congrats. Albano toasts “Open your teeth, open your gums, watch out stomach here it comes!” Jesse Ventura says “the scum always rises to the top of the water”. Sky Low Low is not ready and then says “what the hell do you want a toaster?”. “Dr. D” David Shultz doesn’t want to toast nobody, so he toasts himself only. Albano is wasted and burps into the mic many times. He is now singing and starts stripping. The bride is dancing with Sky Low Low and Albano is dancing with a female little person which Blassie finds hilarious. Moving on and Albano and the Samoans are joined by Sky Low Low to sing.

Time for cake. The bride doesn’t like cake, so Dr. D throws it in her face and the Butcher does as well to his own bride. Somehow Albano finds a whipped pie and throws it at Sky Low Low. Now everybody has whipped pies and it’s a giant pie fight. Alfred even gets pie on his head. So does Vince. I don’t know why whipped pies are at a wedding, but there you go. We get champagne spraying and even more pies. Butcher breaks a beer bottle on the floor and starts throwing chairs and knocking over tables. It’s a giant food fight. Sika seems to enjoy this more than anyone. During this entire chaotic scene the band keeps playing. In a good attention to detail Dr. D is spraying Pepsi instead of champagne.

We get a a short highlight reel of segments that didn’t make the show and then some more slams to end this tape.

In Conclusion

What a strange tape to put out as the first WWF home video. On one hand there was some classic TNT moments and on the other there is nothing on here you would want to have in your permanent home library or re-watch more than once.

I was really looking forward to this project of watching the Coliseum Home Videos, but this tape was not a great start. However, I’m really looking forward to “Hulkamania” to go up next week!

Posted in: Coliseum Home Video Reviews | Tagged: Andre the Giant, CHV, Gorilla Monsoon, Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon, wrestling, WWE, WWF

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Tag Archives: Andre the Giant

The Best Matches I’ve Watched This Month (October 2023)

#25John Morrison (c) vs CM Punk“ECW Heavyweight Championship”ECW on SciFiSeptember 1, 2007, aired September 4, 2007

#24La Catalina vs Stephanie Vaquer“CMLL World Women’s Championship”CMLL Noche de CampeonesSeptember 29, 2023

#23Bruno Sammartino (c) vs Stan Hansen“WWWF Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match”WWWF on August 7, 1976

#22Becky Lynch (c) vs Lyra Valkyria“NXT Women’s Championship”NXT Halloween HavocOctober 24, 2023

#21Mistico (c) vs Virus“World Historic Middleweight Championship”CMLL Noche de CampeonesSeptember 29, 2023

#20Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs Super CaloWCW Fall Brawl: War GamesSeptember 15, 1996

#19Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum (c) vs The High Flyers“AWA World Tag Team Championships”AWA on July 7, 1977

#18Dean Malenko (c) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship”WCW The Great American BashJune 16, 1996

#17Natsupoi vs Tam Nakano“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”Stardom 5STAR Grand PrixSeptember 30, 2023

#16Suzu Suzuki vs Tam Nakano“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”Stardom 5STAR Grand PrixSeptember 9, 2023

#15Umaga (c) vs Jeff Hardy“WWE Intercontinental Championship”WWE The Great American BashJuly 22, 2007

#14Hazuki vs Suzu Suzuki“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”Stardom 5STAR Grand PrixSeptember 23, 2023

#13Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs Dean Malenko“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship”WCW Halloween HavocOctober 27, 1996

#12Mei Seira vs Nanae Takahashi“Passion Injection”Stardom New Blood 11September 29, 2023

#11Maika vs MIRAI“5STAR Grand Prix: Blue Stars”Stardom 5STAR Grand PrixSeptember 30, 2023

#10Aja Kong vs Yumiko Hotta“Japan Grand Prix”AJW Japan Grand PrixJuly 14, 1996

#9Mistico vs Templario“Best 2/3 Falls”CMLL Super ViernesOctober 13, 2023

#8Antonio Inoki (c) vs Andre the Giant“Real World Martial Arts Championship”NJPW Toukon SeriesOctober 7, 1976

#7Maika vs Suzu Suzuki“5STAR Grand Prix: Final”Stardom 5STAR Grand PrixSeptember 30, 2023

#6Ultimate Dragon (c) vs Rey Misterio Jr.“J-Crown Championship”WCW World War 3November 24, 1996

#5Becky Lynch (c) vs Tiffany Stratton“NXT Women’s Championship Extreme Rules Match”NXT No MercySeptember 30, 2023

#4Manami Toyota vs Meiko Satomura“Battlefield WAR Tournament Second Round”Sendai Girls Live Vol. 8May 6, 2007

#3Antonio Inoki vs Big Van VaderNJPW Wrestling World In Tokyo DomeJanuary 4, 1996

#2Titan (c) vs Mascara Dorada“CMLL World Middleweight Championship”CMLL Noche de CampeonesSeptember 29, 2023

#1Combat Toyoda (c) vs Megumi Kudo“FMW Independent Women’s & WWA Women’s Title No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Blast Death Match”FMW Fighting Creation: 7th Anniversary ShowMay 5, 1996

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The Best Matches I’ve Watched This Month (July 2023)

#25Natsupoi vs. Saori Anou“Indian Strap Match”Stardom MidSummer ChampionsJuly 2, 2023

#24Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas (c) vs Joe Malenko & Kenta Kobashi“All Asia Tag Team Championships”AJPW October Giant SeriesOctober 11, 1989

#23The Brain Busters vs The RockersWWFJanuary 23, 1989

#22Dynamite Kansai (c) vs Takako Inoue“WWWA World Championship”JWPOctober 31, 1995

#21Giulia, Mayu Iwatani, Syuri, & Tam Nakano vs Maika, MIRAI, Saya Kamitani, & Suzu Suzuki“Generational Struggle Elimination Match”StardomJuly 9, 2023

#20Andre the Giant & Haku (c) vs Demoltiion“WWF World Tag Team Championship”WWFDecember 28, 1989

#19Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada“AJPW World Tag Team Championships”AJPW Excite SeriesFebruary 23, 1989

#18Demolition (c) vs The Brain Busters“WWF World Tag Team Championship Best 2/3 Falls”WWF Saturday Night’s Main EventJuly 18, 1989, aired July 29, 1989

#17Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen“AJPW World Tag Team Championship”AJPW Championship CarnivalApril 4, 1989

#16Willow Nightingale (c) vs Giulia“NJPW Strong Women’s Championship”NJPW STRONG Independence DayJuly 5, 2023

#15Jushin Liger (c) vs Black Tiger“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship European Rounds”NJPW Summer Fight SeriesJuly 12, 1989

#14Chigusa Nagayo vs Shark TsuchiyaGAEA Never Ending BumpNovember 3, 1995

#13Nanae Takahashi vs Starlight KidStardom MidSummer ChampionsJuly 2, 2023

#12Bob Backlund & Owen Hart vs Bret Hart & The British BulldogWWF Action ZoneJanuary 25, 1995, aired February 26, 1995

#11Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs Yoshiaki Yatsu“AJPW Triple Crown Championship”AJPW Summer Action SeriesJuly 18, 1989

#10Ricky Steamboat vs Terry FunkNWA Clash of The Champions VII “Guts And Glory”June 14, 1989

#9Atsushi Onita (c) vs Hayabusa“FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Mine Explosion Time Bomb Death Match”FMW Atsushi Onita Memorial Retirement Tour Last Fight ~Final Chapter~ April Series – Tag 20: 6th Anniversary ShowMay 5, 1995

#8Akira Hokuto vs Manami ToyotaAJW DestinySeptember 2, 1995

#7Bull Nakano vs Kyoko InoueAJW DestinySeptember 2, 1995

#6Lioness Asuka (c) vs Bull Nakano“WWWA World Championship”AJWMay 14, 1989

#5Psicosis (c) vs Rey Misterio Jr.“WWA World Welterweight Championship 2/3 Falls”AAASeptember 22, 1995

#4Jushin Liger (c) vs Naoki Sano“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship”NJPW Fighting Satellite 1989 Japan vs USA vs Soviet Union Battle Series Part IIAugust 10, 1989

#3Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa vs The Usos“Bloodline Civil War”WWE Money in the BankJuly 1, 2023

#2Manami Toyota vs Yumiko Hotta“Japan Grand Prix Final Match”AJW Japan Grand PrixSeptember 3, 1995

#1 “My Match of the Month”Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen“AJPW World Tag Team Championship Real World Tag League Finale”AJPW Real World Tag LeagueDecember 6, 1989

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The Greatest Wrestlers of 1989

1989

The List

Honourable Mentions

#25Bad News Brown

#24Sting

#23Tully Blanchard

#22The Great Mutaaka The Super Black Ninja

#21Jacques Rougeau

#20Shawn Michaels

#19Big Van Vaderaka Bull Power

#18Big Boss Man

#17Andre the Giant

#16Bull Nakano

#15Chigusa Nagayo

#14Akira Hokuto

#13“Ravishing” Rick Rude

#12Jushin “Thunder” Liger

#11Bret “Hitman” Hart

#10Demolition Ax

#25
John Morrison (c) vs CM Punk
“ECW Heavyweight Championship”
ECW on SciFi
September 1, 2007, aired September 4, 2007

#24
La Catalina vs Stephanie Vaquer
“CMLL World Women’s Championship”
CMLL Noche de Campeones
September 29, 2023

#23
Bruno Sammartino (c) vs Stan Hansen
“WWWF Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match”
WWWF on August 7, 1976

#22
Becky Lynch (c) vs Lyra Valkyria
“NXT Women’s Championship”
NXT Halloween Havoc
October 24, 2023

#21
Mistico (c) vs Virus
“World Historic Middleweight Championship”
CMLL Noche de Campeones
September 29, 2023

#20
Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs Super Calo
WCW Fall Brawl: War Games
September 15, 1996

#19
Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Duncum (c) vs The High Flyers
“AWA World Tag Team Championships”
AWA on July 7, 1977

#18
Dean Malenko (c) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship”
WCW The Great American Bash
June 16, 1996

#17
Natsupoi vs Tam Nakano
“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 30, 2023

#16
Suzu Suzuki vs Tam Nakano
“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 9, 2023

#15
Umaga (c) vs Jeff Hardy
“WWE Intercontinental Championship”
WWE The Great American Bash
July 22, 2007

#14
Hazuki vs Suzu Suzuki
“5STAR Grand Prix: Red Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 23, 2023

#13
Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) vs Dean Malenko
“WCW World Cruiserweight Championship”
WCW Halloween Havoc
October 27, 1996

#12
Mei Seira vs Nanae Takahashi
“Passion Injection”
Stardom New Blood 11
September 29, 2023

#11
Maika vs MIRAI
“5STAR Grand Prix: Blue Stars”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 30, 2023

#10
Aja Kong vs Yumiko Hotta
“Japan Grand Prix”
AJW Japan Grand Prix
July 14, 1996

#9
Mistico vs Templario
“Best 2/3 Falls”
CMLL Super Viernes
October 13, 2023

#8
Antonio Inoki (c) vs Andre the Giant
“Real World Martial Arts Championship”
NJPW Toukon Series
October 7, 1976

#7
Maika vs Suzu Suzuki
“5STAR Grand Prix: Final”
Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix
September 30, 2023

#6
Ultimate Dragon (c) vs Rey Misterio Jr.
“J-Crown Championship”
WCW World War 3
November 24, 1996

#5
Becky Lynch (c) vs Tiffany Stratton
“NXT Women’s Championship Extreme Rules Match”
NXT No Mercy
September 30, 2023

#4
Manami Toyota vs Meiko Satomura
“Battlefield WAR Tournament Second Round”
Sendai Girls Live Vol. 8
May 6, 2007

#3
Antonio Inoki vs Big Van Vader
NJPW Wrestling World In Tokyo Dome
January 4, 1996

#2
Titan (c) vs Mascara Dorada
“CMLL World Middleweight Championship”
CMLL Noche de Campeones
September 29, 2023

#1
Combat Toyoda (c) vs Megumi Kudo
“FMW Independent Women’s & WWA Women’s Title No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Blast Death Match”
FMW Fighting Creation: 7th Anniversary Show
May 5, 1996

#25
Natsupoi vs. Saori Anou
“Indian Strap Match”
Stardom MidSummer Champions
July 2, 2023

#24
Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas (c) vs Joe Malenko & Kenta Kobashi
“All Asia Tag Team Championships”
AJPW October Giant Series
October 11, 1989

#23
The Brain Busters vs The Rockers
WWF
January 23, 1989

#22
Dynamite Kansai (c) vs Takako Inoue
“WWWA World Championship”
JWP
October 31, 1995

#21
Giulia, Mayu Iwatani, Syuri, & Tam Nakano vs Maika, MIRAI, Saya Kamitani, & Suzu Suzuki
“Generational Struggle Elimination Match”
Stardom
July 9, 2023

#20
Andre the Giant & Haku (c) vs Demoltiion
“WWF World Tag Team Championship”
WWF
December 28, 1989

#19
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada
“AJPW World Tag Team Championships”
AJPW Excite Series
February 23, 1989

#18
Demolition (c) vs The Brain Busters
“WWF World Tag Team Championship Best 2/3 Falls”
WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event
July 18, 1989, aired July 29, 1989

#17
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship”
AJPW Championship Carnival
April 4, 1989

#16
Willow Nightingale (c) vs Giulia
“NJPW Strong Women’s Championship”
NJPW STRONG Independence Day
July 5, 2023

#15
Jushin Liger (c) vs Black Tiger
“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship European Rounds”
NJPW Summer Fight Series
July 12, 1989

#14
Chigusa Nagayo vs Shark Tsuchiya
GAEA Never Ending Bump
November 3, 1995

#13
Nanae Takahashi vs Starlight Kid
Stardom MidSummer Champions
July 2, 2023

#12
Bob Backlund & Owen Hart vs Bret Hart & The British Bulldog
WWF Action Zone
January 25, 1995, aired February 26, 1995

#11
Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs Yoshiaki Yatsu
“AJPW Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Summer Action Series
July 18, 1989

#10
Ricky Steamboat vs Terry Funk
NWA Clash of The Champions VII “Guts And Glory”
June 14, 1989

#9
Atsushi Onita (c) vs Hayabusa
“FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship No Ropes Barbed Wire Current Mine Explosion Time Bomb Death Match”
FMW Atsushi Onita Memorial Retirement Tour Last Fight ~Final Chapter~ April Series – Tag 20: 6th Anniversary Show
May 5, 1995

#8
Akira Hokuto vs Manami Toyota
AJW Destiny
September 2, 1995

#7
Bull Nakano vs Kyoko Inoue
AJW Destiny
September 2, 1995

#6
Lioness Asuka (c) vs Bull Nakano
“WWWA World Championship”
AJW
May 14, 1989

#5
Psicosis (c) vs Rey Misterio Jr.
“WWA World Welterweight Championship 2/3 Falls”
AAA
September 22, 1995

#4
Jushin Liger (c) vs Naoki Sano
“IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship”
NJPW Fighting Satellite 1989 Japan vs USA vs Soviet Union Battle Series Part II
August 10, 1989

#3
Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa vs The Usos
“Bloodline Civil War”
WWE Money in the Bank
July 1, 2023

#2
Manami Toyota vs Yumiko Hotta
“Japan Grand Prix Final Match”
AJW Japan Grand Prix
September 3, 1995

#1 “My Match of the Month”
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (c) vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen
“AJPW World Tag Team Championship Real World Tag League Finale”
AJPW Real World Tag League
December 6, 1989

#25
Bad News Brown

#24
Sting

#23
Tully Blanchard

#22
The Great Muta
aka The Super Black Ninja

#21
Jacques Rougeau

#20
Shawn Michaels

#19
Big Van Vader
aka Bull Power

#18
Big Boss Man

#17
Andre the Giant

#16
Bull Nakano

#15
Chigusa Nagayo

#14
Akira Hokuto

#13
“Ravishing” Rick Rude

#12
Jushin “Thunder” Liger

#11
Bret “Hitman” Hart

#10
Demolition Ax

#9
Yoshiaki Yatsu

#8
Arn Anderson

#7
Stan Hansen

#6
Jumbo Tsuruta

#5
“Macho Man” Randy Savage
aka The Macho King

#4
Terry Funk

#3
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

#2
“The Total Package” Lex Luger

#1
“1989 Wrestler of the Year”
Genichiro Tenryu

#10
Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs Yoshiaki Yatsu
“AJPW Triple Crown Championship”
AJPW Summer Action Series
July 18
Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium

#9
Greg Valentine vs Ron Garvin
WWF
September 30
Madison Square Garden

#8
Ricky Steamboat vs Terry Funk
NWA Clash of The Champions VII “Guts And Glory”
June 14
Fort Bragg Gym

#7
Akira Hokuto vs Chigusa Nagayo
AJW
March 19

#6
Lioness Asuka (c) vs Bull Nakano
“WWWA World Championship”
AJW
May 14