The Greatest Wrestlers of 2015
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, and 1997. You can listen to those here. 1993, 2004, & 2010 are on the blog.
2015
Personally, an important year for my fandom, as it was the year I embraced women’s wrestling. This year started me down a path to where I am now in what I get out of wrestling. Watching the footage now, it is a great year too. NXT gave WWE a new edge and the Indies were running high. Lucha Libre was at a great level too. Joshi was starting to come out of death but was filled with great workers. 2015 turned out to be a great year.
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 2015 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.
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.
The matches listed are all 7/10 or higher; if they are bolded, they are 8/10 or higher.
Honourable Mentions
- Amazing Kong
- Jimmy Rave
- Kamaitachi
- Kaori Yoneyama
- Kofi Kingston
- Nikki Bella
#25
Mia Yim
aka Jade
Matches: 50
Places Worked: SHIMMER, TNA, SHINE, AIW, WWN, WSU, Stardom, CZW, HOH, SWE, AAW, EWO, & FIP
Title Held: SHINE Championship
Tournaments: SHIMMER ChickFight Tournament (semi-finals) & SHINE Tag Team Title Tournament with Leva Bates (finals)
Although Mia Yim was great in the Indies and particularly in SHIMMER, it was her TNA work that got her onto the list. The Doll House was not given opportunities to have great matches, but Yim was amazing in the chances she got.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Athena, SHIMMER Volume 71, March 28
- vs Athena, SHIMMER Volume 72, April 11
- vs Eddie Kingston, AIW Battle of the Sexes 2, August 14
#24
Kagetsu
Matches: 81
Places Worked: Oz Academy, FMW, BJW, JWP, WAVE, Osaka Joshi-Pro, REINA, Stardom, KAGEKI, FREEDOMS, Gatoh Move, Diana, Sportiva, & Kirakira Taiyo Project
Titles Held: Oz Academy Tag Team Championship with Kaho Kobayashi (twice)
Kagetsu brought another element to the matches he was involved in. It’s like the intensity was automatically upped the moment he entered the ring.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Tsubasa Kuragaki, Oz Academy The Wizard of Oz, January 11
- with Kaho Kobayashi vs Kana & Konami, Oz Academy/WAVE ZABUN Joint Event, May 10
- with Leon vs Command Bolshoi & Sawako Shinomo, JWP, October 20
#23
Athena
aka Adrienne Reese
Matches: 52
Places Worked: WWE, AIW, MPX, IPW, WSU, ACW, SHIMMER, SHINE, WWN, ROW, AAW, IHWE, Remix Pro, & VIP
Titles Held: AIW Women’s Championship (twice) & ACW American Joshi Championship
Tournaments: SHIMMER ChickFight Tournament, WSU Spirit Title Tournament (semi-finals), & AIW JT Lightning Invitational Tournament
Athena worked so well in 2015, she got herself a WWE contract by the end of it. She had a subtle heel situation going on in SHIMMER which really played to her advantage.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Mia Yim, SHIMMER Volume 71, March 28
- vs Mia Him, SHIMMER Volume 72, April 11
- vs Hania the Howling Huntress, Uncensored, WSU Excellence, September 12
#22
Dragon Lee
Matches: 114
Places Worked: CMLL, LLE, Promociones Tragedias, Lucha Memes, Chilanga Mask, Promociones El Cholo de Tijuana, & Cara Lucha
Title Held: CMLL World Lightweight Championship
Tournaments: CMLL Torneo De Parejas Increibles with Kamaitachi, CMLL Reyes del Aire, CMLL Leyenda de Plata (finals), & Campeon Universal Del CMLL 2015 Tournament
The Kamaitachi feud was a come-out party for Dragon Lee, but there is more to his great year than that. A tremendous flyer and técnico!
Recommended Matches:
- vs Kamaitachi, CMLL Super Viernes, January 9
- vs Virus, CMLL Titanes del Ring, April 5
- vs Kamaitachi, CMLL Lunes Arena Puebla, July 13
- vs Kamaitachi, CMLL Domingos Arena Mexico, August 30 (#9 MOTY)
- vs Kamaitachi, CMLL Super Viernes, December 4
#21
John Cena
Previous Ranking: 2010 (#11)
Matches: 136
Places Worked: WWE
Titles Held: WWE United States Championship (twice)
After a pretty good feud with Rusev and winning the WWE US Title, John Cena reinvented himself into PWG Cena by doing open challenges for the United States Championship. Week in and week out Cena was trying to put on good matches no matter the opponent. Not the best year of Cena’s career, especially if you aren’t fond of his PWG offence, but he still upped his game when he needed to.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Brock Lesnar vs Seth Rollins, WWE Royal Rumble, January 25
- vs Rusev, WWE WrestleManix XXXI, March 29
- vs Sami Zayn, WWE Raw, May 4
- vs Kevin Owens, WWE Elimination Chamber, May 31
#20
Penatgon, Jr.
Matches: 76
Places Worked: AAA, Lucha Underground, The Crash, Producciones Sanchez, GoMask!, Invasion RCH, AAW, 3 Bat Productions, UWE, MaxProad, Producciones AGZA, Lucha Future, Promociones Kdna, Promociones Juniors, Fusion Ichiban, & Cara Lucha
Titles Held: The Crash Cruiserweight Championship, AAA World Tag Team Championship with Joe Lider, & AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship with Sexy Star
Tournaments: Lucha Underground Trios Title Tournament with Sexy Star & Super Fly & PWG The Battle of Los Angeles
Pentagon, Jr. was a revelation in Lucha Underground with his presence and intense style. The miracle match he pulled out of Vampiro is enough to get anyone onto a list like this.
Recommended Matches:
- with Perro Aguayo, Jr. vs Myzteziz & Rey Mysterio, Jr., AAA Rey de Reyes, March 18
- vs Vampiro, “Cero Miedo”, Lucha Underground Ultimo Lucha, taped April 19 and aired August 5
- vs Chris Hero, AAW Windy City Classic XI, November 28
#19
Arisa Nakajima
Matches: 97
Places Worked: JWP, Ice Ribbon, Oz Academy, REINA, BJW, SEAdLINNNING, Dotonbori Pro, Diana, Sendai Girls, FREEDOMS, Osaka Joshi-Pro, Marvelous, & Kirakira Taiyo Project
Titles Held: REINA World Tag Team Championship with Kana, JWP Openweight Championship, JWP Daily Sports Tag Team Championship with Tsukasa Fujimoto, JWP Tag Team Championship with Tsukasa Fujimoto, & International Ribbon Tag Team Championship with Tsukasa Fujitomo
Arisa Nakajima is a force in the ring with an extra level of viciousness. The Best Friends with Tsukasa Fujimoto is an all-time great time.
Recommended Matches:
- with Kana vs Hikaru Shida & Syuri, KanaPro Promania, February 25
- vs Risa Sera, Ice Ribbon New Ice Ribbon #675 ~ Ice In Wonderland, August 30
- with Tsukasa Fujitomo vs Kayoko Haruyama & Tsubasa Kuragaki, JWP Recapture in Shinjuku, October 25
#18
LA Park
Previous Rankings: 2004 (#9) & 2010 (#5)
Matches: 57
Places Worked: FULL, Lucha Libre Boom, UWE, MDA, Promociones Kdna, Producciones Sanchez, AULL, IWRG, CMLL, FMLL, Promociones Contreras, LLE, LEGEND, MaxProad, Lucha Libre Profesional NET, El Club Producciones, Todo X El Todo, Cara Lucha, Evolucion, XWW, FSW, & Vamper Revolution
Title Held: XWW Universal Championship
The evil dancing skeleton had another tremendous year, although it was lacking in some great showcase matches. He worked a lot of places in 2015, bringing his chaotic madness with him wherever he went.
Recommended Matches:
- with Volador, Jr. vs Dr. Wagner, Jr. & La Sombra, LLE All Elite Liga Elite, February 8
- with El Hiijo de LA Park vs Mr. Niebla & Rush, Lucha Libre Boom, June 27
- with Atlantis & Volador Jr. vs Dr. Wagner, Jr., Rush, & La Sombra, CMLL Super Viernes, August 28
#17
El Mesias
aka
Mil Muertes & Ricky Banderas
Matches: 43
Places Worked: AAA, Lucha Underground, WWL, The Crash, Promociones Kdna, Promociones Juniors, & Producciones Sanchez
Title Held: Lucha Underground Championship
Tournaments: AAA Rey de Reyes (finals) & AAA Victoria Lucha Libre World Cup with Angelico & Drew Galloway
El Mesias was always a cool badass monster brawler, but his stock rose to another level under the Mil Muertes gimmick in Lucha Underground. His aura was something else and his performances were perfect in that role.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Fenix, “Grave Consequences”, Lucha Underground, taped January 25 and aired March 18 (#5 MOTY)
- Aero Star vs Psycho Clown vs El Texano, Jr., AAA Rey de Reyes, March 18
- vs Drago, Lucha Underground, taped March 22 aired June 24
#16
Becky Lynch
Matches: 131
Places Worked: WWE
The first of the Horsewomen to appear on the list, Becky Lynch was limited by having few opportunities, but did deliver when given the chance.
Recommended Matches:
- Bayley vs Charlotte vs Sasha Banks, NXT TakeOver: Rival, February 11
- vs Sasha Banks, NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, May 20 (#3 MOTY)
- vs Sasha Banks, WWE TLC, December 13
#15
Big E
Matches: 183
Place Worked: WWE
Titles Held: WWE Tag Team Championship with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods & WWE Raw Tag Team Championship with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Tournament: WWE Royal Rumble
The New Day was fantastic throughout the year and Big E was a huge part of that. He had an amazing knack for knowing when to interject a huge spot and that helped make all of the tag matches memorable.
Recommended Matches:
- with Kofi Kingston vs Cesaro & Tyson Kidd, WWE Extreme Rules, April 26
- with Kofi Kingston vs Cesaro & Tyson Kidd, “2/3 Falls”, WWE Payback, May 17 (#6 MOTY)
- with Kofi Kingston vs Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs Kalisto & Sin Cara, “Ladder”, WWE TLC, December 13
#14
Atlantis
Matches: 173
Places Worked: CMLL, NJPW, LLE, FULL, MDA, Toryumon Mexico, Lucha Memes,
Promociones Kdna, LyC, ERLL, PWR, LLA, Producciones Sanchez, MaxProad, Cara Lucha, Lucha Libre Boom, Promociones HUMO, & FMLL
Titles Held: Mexican National Trios Championship with Delta & Guerrero Maya Jr., Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship, Azteca Championship, & WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship
Tournaments: NJPW Fantastica Mania Tag Tournament with Mascara Dorada (winner), CMLL Torneo De Parejas Increibles with Ultimo Guerrero (semi-finals), NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Title Tournament (semi-finals), & Campeon Universal Del CMLL Tournament (winner)
The legendary Atlantis finally makes a list, because ultimately there was the right amount of showcase matches and footage. Any year he has a big Anniversario Mask match he’s had a good year.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Ultimo Guerrero, NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania, January 18
- with LA Park, & Volador, Jr. vs Dr. Wagner Jr., Rush, & La Sombra, CMLL Super Viernes, August 28
- vs La Sombra, “Mascara vs Mascara”, CMLL Anniversario, September 18 (#8 MOTY)
#13
Cesaro
Previous Ranking: 2010 (#16)
Matches: 187
Places Worked: WWE
Title Held: WWE Tag Team Championship with Tyson Kidd
Tournaments: WWE Royal Rumble & WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament
Cesaro spent the majority of hte year teaming with Tyson Kidd and they were a tremendous team. After Kidd’s retirement, Cesaro continued being his awesome self.
Recommended Matches:
- with Tyson Kidd vs Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso, WWE Fast Lane, February 22
- with Tyson Kidd vs Big E & Kofi Kingston, WWE Extreme Rules, April 26
- with Tyson Kidd vs Big E & Kofi Kingston, “2/3 Falls”, WWE Payback, May 17 (#6 MOTY)
- vs Kevin Owens, WWE SummerSlam, August 23
#12
Mayu Iwatani
Previous Rankings: 2021 (#10)
Matches: 68
Places Worked: Stardom, Sendai Girls, & Toryumon Mexico
Titles Held: Artist of Stardom with Io Shirai & Takuma Iroha & Goddesses of Stardom with Io Shirai
Tournaments: Stardom Cinderella Champions Fiesta (winner), Stardom 5Star Grand Prix (semi-finals), & Goddesses of Stardom Tag League with Io Shirai (winner)
The first of the Stardom workers to make the list. By 2015, Mayu is already the loveable wrestler we all know.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Kairi Hojo, Stardom Gold May, May 14
- vs Io Shirai, Stardom 5Star Grand Prix, August 23
- with Hiromi Mimura, Io Shirai, Kairi Hojo, Kris Wolf, & Momo Watanabe vs Cassandra Miyagi, Chihiro Hashimoto, DASH Chisako, Meiko Satomura, Mika Iwata, & Sendai Sachiko, “Gauntlet”, Sendai Girls vs Stardom, November 12
#11
Chris Hero
Previous Rankings: 2004 (#17) & 2010 (#1)
Matches: 119
Places Worked: NOAH, SMASH, PWG, WWN, Beyond, IWA Mid-South, AAW, HOH, ESW, SWE, 2CW, IWF, AIW, WrestleJam, QPW, APW, Freelance, PWL, PWP, PWC, Discovery, JCW, FIP, ICW, RPW, JAPW, Vintage, FWE, SSW, & RPW
Tournaments: IWF World Title Tournament (finals), NOAH Global Tag League with Colt Cabana (semi-finals), PWG The Battle of Los Angeles (finals), NOAH Global League, & IWA Mid-South Ted Petty Invitational (finals)
The king of the indies, Hero had another great year working all over the world.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Chris Hero, EVOLVE 40, March 27
- vs Samoa Joe, SMASH Kicks ALS, June 6
- vs Pentagon, Jr., AAW Windy City Classic XI, November 28
- vs Donovan Dijack, Beyond Tournament for Tomorrow, November 29
#10
Kana
aka
Asuka
Previous Ranking: 20210 (#3)
Matches: 96
Places Worked: WAVE, WWE, REINA, JWP, Osaka Joshi-Pro, Oz Academy, Ice Ribbon, NOAH, & DDT
Titles Held: REINA World Tag Team Championship with Arisa Nakajima & REINA World Women’s Championship
Tournament: Catch the WAVE (semi-finals)
The last year of Kana on the joshi scene and she made the most of it working all over the place facing everyone. She followed that up by going to NXT and instantly feeling like the most special wrestler there.
Recommended Matches:
- with Arisa Nakajima vs Hikaru Shida & Syuri, Kana Pro Promania, February 25
- with Konami vs Command Bolshoi & Meiko Satomura, JWP MANIA-X, April 5
- vs Hikaru Shida, Oz Academy/WAVE ZABUN Joint Event, May 10
- with Konami vs Kagestu & Kaho Kobayashi, Oz Academy/WAVE ZABUN Joint Event, May 10
- vs Emma, NXT TakeOver: London, December 16
#9
Command Bolshoi
Previous Rankings: 2004 (#19) & 2010 (#14)
Matches: 81
Places Worked: JWP, Oz Academy, Diana, REINA, Marvelous, Dotonbori Pro, Sendai Girls, Gatoh Move, FMW, & BJW
Title Held: JWP Openweight Championship
Tournaments: JWP Tag Leauge The Best with Kyoko Kimura
I’ve written much about Bolshoi over the last year, even here on this blog. She was her regular great technician, great comedian, and great flyer self in 2015.
Recommended Matches:
- with Meiko Satomura vs Kana & Konami, JWP MANIA-X, April 5
- with Sawako Shimono vs Kagetsu & Leon, JWP, October 20
- vs Leon, JWP, October 25
#8
Rush
Matches: 103
Places Worked: CMLL, LLE, Cara Lucha, Producciones Sanchez, Lucha Libre Boom, FULL, MDA, PROLLM, LLA, Promociones Tragedias, Evoucion, Lucha Libre VIP, & Promociones Kdna
Tournaments: CMLL Torneo De Parejas Increibles with Shocker
A rudo Rush is always a site to see. No matter the opponent he brought a brawling style to CMLL that they vastly need sometimes.
Recommended Matches:
- with Mr. Niebla vs El Hiijo de LA Park & LA Park, Lucha Libre Boom, June 27
- with Dr. Wagner, Jr. & La Sombra vs Atlantis, LA Park, & Volador, Jr., CMLL Super Viernes, August 28
- vs La Sombra, CMLL Super Viernes, November 13
#7
Io Shirai
Matches: 72
Places Worked: Stardom, Sendai Girls, DDT, Toryumon Mexico, & Ice Ribbon
Titles Held: Stardom High Speed Championship, Artist of Stardom with Mayu Iwatani & Takuma Iroha, Wonder of Stardom, & Goddesses of Stardom with Mayu Iwatani
Tournaments: World of Stardom Title Tournament (finals), Stardom Cinderella Champions Fiesta (semi-finals), Stardom 5Star Grand Prix (semi-finals), & Goddesses of Stardom Tag League with Mayu Iwatani (winner)
The ace of Stardom, Io Shirai delivered in that role. Although her moves are quite modern, the way she works as a babyface or subtle heel depending on the opponents feels very old school.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Kairi Hojo, Stardom The Highest, March 29
- vs Mayu Iwatani, Stardom 5Star Grand Prix, August 23
- vs Kaori Yoneyama, Stardom 5Star Grand Prix, September 4
- with Hiromi Mimura, Kairi Hojo, Kris Wolf, Mayu Iwatani, & Momo Watanabe vs Cassandra Miyagi, Chihiro Hashimoto, DASH Chisako, Meiko Satomura, Mika Iwata, & Sendai Sachiko, “Gauntlet”, Sendai Girls vs Stardom, November 12
- vs Meiko Satomura, Stardom Year-End Climax, December 23
#6
Bayley
Matches: 119
Places Worked: WWE
Title Held: NXT Women’s Championship
The feud with Sasha Banks is an all-time elite feud where Bayley showed she was an amazing babyface. In 2015 WWE it is hard to be a great babyface, but Bayley delivered.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte vs Sasha Banks, NXT TakeOver: Rival, February 11
- vs Charlotte, NXT TV, taped July 16 aired August 5
- vs Sasha Banks, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22 (#1 MOTY)
- vs Sasha Banks, Iron Man, NXT TakeOver: Respect, October 7 (#4 MOTY)
#5
La Sombra
Matches: 119
Places Worked: CMLL, NJPW, LLE, Cara Lucha, AULL, Lucha Libre Boom, FULL, MDA, LLA, Promociones Tragedias, Evolucion, & Producciones Sanchez
Title Held: NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship
Tournaments: NJPW Fantastica Mania Tag Tournament with Tetsuya Naito, CMLL Torneo de Parejas Increibles with Negro Casas, NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Title Tournament (finals), CMLL Reyes del Aire (winner)
The top luchador of 2015, La Sombra (the future Andrade) was pushed into a top role with CMLL and delivered. Him losing his mask to Atlantis at the Anniversario was a huge moment. He also had great highlights in Japan. His charisma is unreal, his ability to be a jerk is amazing, and he just knows exactly what to do in a lucha match.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Mascara Dorada, NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania, January 19
- with Dr. Wagner, Jr. vs LA Park & Volador Jr., LLE All Elite Liga Elite, February 8
- with Dr. Wagner, Jr. & Rush vs Atlantis, LA Park, & Volador, Jr., CMLL Super Viernes, August 28
- vs Atlantis, Mascara vs Mascara, CMLL Anniversario, September 18 (#8 MOTY)
- vs Rush, CMLL Super Viernes, November 13
#4
Roman Reigns
Previous Ranking: 2021 (#7)
Matches: 213
Place Worked: WWE
Title Held: WWE World Heavyweight Championship (twice)
Tournaments: WWE Royal Rumble (winner) & WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament (winner)
The breakout year for Roman Reigns, but a fascinating one. It felt like they wanted to make Reigns the ace of the company, but kept fucking it up all year. He really proved he could hang with anyone, but he had not found his true role quite yet.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Bryan Danielson, WWE Fast Lane, February 11
- vs Brock Lesnar, WWE WrestleMania XXXI, March 29 (#10 MOTY)
- vs Dean Ambrose, WWE Survivor Series, November 22
- vs Sheamus, “TLC”, WWE TLC, December 13
#3
Meiko Satomura
Previous Rankings: 2004 (#10) & 2010 (#6)
Matches: 46
Places Worked: Sendai Girls, Stardom, Marvelous, WAVE, Oz Academy, Tenryu Project, SEAdLINNNG, DDT, Diana, & JWP
Titles Held: World of Stardom & Sendai Girls World Championship
Meiko Satomura working with Stardom gave her a whole new crew to have amazing matches with. Picking up the role of the legend invading gave her year a lot of depth! As always she is a beast in the ring who feels like an unstoppable force.
Recommended Matches:
- with Takako Inoue vs KAORU & Kyoko Kimura, Marvelous, February 8
- with Command Bolshoi vs Kana & Konami, JWP MANIA-X, April 5
- vs Kairi Hojo, Stardom Galaxy Stars, June 14 (#2 MOTY)
- vs Kairi Hojo, Stardom X Stardom, July 26
- with Cassandra Miyagi, Chihiro Hashimoto, DASH Chisako, Mika Iwata, & Sendai Sachiko vs Hiromi Mimura, Io Shirai, Kairi Hojo, Kris Wolf, Mayu Iwatani, & Momo Watanabe, “Gauntlet”, Sendai Girls vs Stardom, November 12
- vs Io Shirai, Stardom Year-End Climax, December 23
#2
Kairi Hojo
Matches: 60
Places Worked: Stardom, Sendai Girls, & ZERO1
Titles Held: Goddesses of Stardom with Nane Takahashi, World of Stardom, & Artist of Stardom with Chelsea & Koguma
Tournaments: World of Stardom Title Tournament (winner), Stardom Cinderella Champions Fiesta (semi-finals), Stardom 5Star Grand Prix (winner), & Goddesses of Stardom Tag Leauge Haruka Kato (semi-finals)
Kairi Hojo is an incredible babyface she was unreal in that role in 2015. The undeserving champion who lost the belt to an outsider is a great story to ride out for the year. Her selling, her vicious strikes, her hope spots, and her charisma set her above almost every single wrestler in 2015.
Recommended Matches:
- with Nanae Takahashi vs Hudson Envy & Kyoko Kimura, Stardom Queen’s Shout, February 22
- vs Io Shirai, Stardom The Highest, March 29
- vs Mayu Iwatani, Stardom Gold May, May 14
- vs Meiko Satomura, Stardom Galaxy Stars, June 14 (#2 MOTY)
- vs Takuma Iroha, Stardom Galaxy Stars, July 4
- vs Meiko Satomura, Stardom X Stardom, July 26
- with Hiromi Mimura, Io Shirai, Kris Wolf, Mayu Iwatani, & Momo Watanabe vs Cassandra Miyagi, Chihiro Hashimoto, DASH Chisako, Meiko Satomura, Mika Iwata, & Sendai Sachiko, “Gauntlet”, Sendai Girls vs Stardom, November 12
#1
Sasha Banks
Previous Ranking: 2021 (#12)
Matches: 151
Places Worked: WWE
Title Held: NXT Women’s Championship
2015 was the year of the women’s wrestling revolution and Sasha Banks was its catalyst. Personally, she changed the way I view pro wrestling. The delivery and big stage presence she had in big matches in 2015 are unmatched in WWE history. She was a star putting on all-time great matches at every opportunity. An all-time great year up there with some of the greatest in history.
Recommended Matches:
- vs Bayley vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte, NXT TakeOver: Rival, February 11
- vs Charlotte, NXT, March 28
- vs Becky Lynch, NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, May 20 (#3 MOTY)
- vs Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22 (#1 MOTY)
- vs Bayley, Iron Man, NXT TakeOver: Respect, October 7 (#4 MOTY)
- vs Becky Lynch, WWE TLC, December 13
If you want to discuss this you can do it on Twitter:
We also have a lovely discord community to discuss the greatest wrestler ever project. Also every Thursday/Sunday we do watch parties. Join:
Trans Rights!
It’s a horrible time to be trans right now, so please donate to the lovely folks here, who save lives:
Before I go, let’s look at my running top 10 for Greatest Wrestler Ever. This is based on my formula, which includes a weighted average for each of the years I ranked, among other things. Obviously, it favours those who were great in the particular years I ranked and after every list it changes massively.
- Akira Hokuto, 166.44 pts
- Bret Hart, 162.51 pts
- Bull Nakano, 152.30 pts
- El Hijo del Santo, 146.80 pts
- Aja Kong, 132.82 pts
- Meiko Satomura, 130.13 pts
- Manami Toyota, 129.22 pts
- Chris Hero, 126.95 pts
- Kyoko Inoue, 119.97 pts
- Sasha Banks, 116.67 pts
2015 Match of the Year (Updated)
Back at the end of 2015, I put together this list. As part of my Greatest Wrestler Ever project I am putting together new match of the year lists, let’s see how much has changed seven years later.
Matches that dropped off the list:
- AJ Styles vs Jimmy Rave, PSW, May 8 (Prev. #7)
- Bullet Club vs ROH All-Stars, ROH Global Wars, May 15 (Prev. an Honourable Mention)
- Anthony Henry vs Jimmy Rave Scenic City Invitational, August 7 (Prev. #10)
- Timothy Thatcher vs Zack Sabre Jr., EVOLVE 47, August 15 (Prev. an Honourable Mention)
- Low Ki vs Rey Mysterio Jr., JAPW 19th Anniversary Show, November 14 (Prev. an Honourable Mention)
Honourable Mentions:
- Kairi Hojo vs Meiko Satomura, Stardom X Stardom, July 26 (Prev. unmentioned)
- Pentagon Jr. vs Vampiro, “Cero Miedo”, Lucha Underground Ultimo Lucha, taped April 19 and aired August 5 (Prev. #8)
- Io Shirai vs Mayu Iwatani, Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix, August 23 (Prev. unmentioned)
#10
Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns
“WWE World Heavyweight Championship”
WWE WrestleMania XXXI
March 29
Levi’s Stadium
(Previously #4)
One of the greatest main events in WrestleMania history. This was a brutal slug fest that was stiff as fuck. Brock took Roman and beat him senseless to such a degree that it got the crowd onto Roman’s side. The comeback was tremendous and Brock blades. If they had a real finish and not a Seth Rollins run in, this might had been the match of the year.
Update: The Rollins run in sours this match for me more and more over time. Add the numerous Brock-Roman rematches to compete with this and it drops down to #10.
#9
Dragon Lee vs Kamaitachi
“CMLL World Lightweight Championship
CMLL Domingos Arena Mexico
August 30
Arena Mexico
(Previously #9)
2015 was filled with a lot of great high speed high spot matches and this was the best of the bunch for me. Kamaitachi brought this huge array of vicious dropkicks, including one where he ran the entire ramp to gain speed. There was some great pay off spots from earlier in the contest as well as great drama. However, what really made this stand out was the hate between the two. They had other great matches as well, but this one stood out to me.
Update: An unbelievable feud that was real eye-opening at the time and holds up.
#8
Atlantis vs La Sombra
“Mascara vs Mascara”
CMLL 82 Aniversario
September 18
Arena Mexico
(Previously #6)
The Atlantis mask match at the CMLL Anniversary Show has become the match I most anticipate each year. Although this is not on the level of the Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero match from the year before, it’s still filled with great drama. Atlantis’ mask has become the new Undertaker’s streak in wrestling.
Update: I will always be a sucker for big mask matches and this one holds up really well.
#7
Kota Ibushi vs Shinsuke Nakamura
“IWGP Intercontinental Championship”
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9
January 4
Tokyo Dome
(Previously #2)
Nakamura and Ibushi went to war in this match with stomps, elbows, knees. A lot of these viciously to the back of the head. After this war we are treated to an amazing finishing stretch with Ibushi throwing out every trick he had to put down Nakamura, but you can’t put down Nakamura! A match so good it made my top 100 matches list.
Update: In the last half decade I have really fallen off in my enjoyment of this era of NJPW’s style, but with that said this match is still amazing.
#6
Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs The New Day
“WWE Tag Team Championship 2/3 Falls”
WWE Payback
May 17
Royal Farms Arena
(Previously Unrated)
I have no idea how I missed this match back in 2015, but this is one of the best WWE tag team matches since the 1980s. Big E and Cesaro may had been born to face off against each other, as their chemistry is amazing. Outside these two great power wrestlers doing amazing spots, you have Kofi and Tyson adding the high spots. My jaw dropped many times in this one!
#5
Fenix vs Mil Muertes
“Grave Consequences”
Lucha Underground
taped January 25 and aired March 18
Lucha Underground Arena
(Previously Unrated)
This match is insane and easily the greatest “Casket Match” of all-time. Fenix is doing all the nutty moves and Muertes is the perfect base. Something about Mesias in the Muertes gimmick that just takes him to another level. It’s really an unbelievable match that really lives up to it’s name.
#4
Bayley vs Sasha Banks
“NXT Women’s Chamionship Iron Man”
NXT TakeOver: Respect
October 7
Full Sail University
(Previously #5)
Finally after being the highlight of each NXT special, Sasha Banks got to main event and boy did she deliver. Amazing heel work by her with great story telling using the “Iron Man” rules to her advantage. The heel work on Bayley’s super fan was one of the top moments of the year.
Update: This match has aged really well and is one of the best Iron Man matches ever, maybe the best.
#3
Becky Lynch vs Sasha Banks
“NXT Women’s Championship”
NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable
May 20
Full Sail University
(Previsouly #3)
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 story telling. 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.
Update: I will always feel nostalgia about this match as it was the catalyst to my shift in what I enjoy and what I watch in pro-wrestling.
#2
Kairi Hojo vs Meiko Satomura
“World of Stardom Championship”
Stardom Galaxy Stars
June 14
Korakuen Hall
(Previously Unrated)
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 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.
I only have 17 matches rated 10/10 all-time and this is one of them, but still not good enough to be #1.
#1
Bayley vs Sasha Banks
“NXT Women’s Championship”
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn
August 22
Barclays Center
(Previously #1)
If you listened to the Pro-Wrestling Super Show’s Top 100 Matches podcast you would know I had this match in the upper half of my list, so there is no surprise it is the top match of the year for me for 2015.
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. This match was really an instant classic and clearly the best match of 2015.
Update: As time moves I love this match more and more. It went from the upper half of my greatest match ever list to #4.
If you want to discuss this you can do it on Twitter:
We also have a lovely discord community to discuss the greatest wrestler ever project. Also every Thursday/Sunday we do watch parties. Join:
Help!
Donate to the lovely folks here, who save lives:
Coming soon my top 25 wrestlers of 2015.
Top Ten 2016 Matches of the Year
It’s that time of the year where we talk about the matches of the year! 2016 was a great year with streaming services emerging, amazing tag wrestling, women’s cage matches, and great mask lucha matches!
Honourable Mentions:
Chris Hero & Tommy End vs Sami Callihan & Zack Sabre Jr. (EVOLVE 53, 1/22)
Zack Sabre Jr. vs Chris Hero (WWN, 4/2)
Rey Hechicero vs Negro Casas (Monterrey, 4/24)
Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles (“Extreme Rules”, WWE Extreme Rules, 5/22)
LA Park vs Rush (Liga Elite, 7/14)
Now onto the list:
10) Allie vs Rosemary
(“Cage”, SMASH Canusa Classic, 10/22)
*available on Smash on Demand
The blow off of an 18 month feud and the conclusion of a one night USA vs Canada series. This is everything you want in a feud ending match, as these two beat the crap out of each other. It’s a match that pays off it’s history with a lot of call backs and nuances that can only exist at the end of an epic feud.
9) Sasha Banks vs Charlotte vs Becky Lynch
(WWE WrestleMania XXXII, 4/3)
*available on the WWE Network
After a year of horrible booking in the women’s revolution, the three top women in the WWE stepped onto the big stage at WrestleMania and stole the show. It needs to be seen again, as it was hurt the night of after such a long weekend and show.
8) Chris Hero vs Gunner Miller vs Jimmy Rave vs Anthony Henry
(Scenic City Invitational, 8/6)
*available here
The finals from an amazing tournament saw some of the best psychology in a single match this year. All four men shined and it even played off the finals from the previous year’s touranament. The whole tournament might be the best show’s of the year and are available for a cheap price.
7) Black Terry vs Wotan
(Chilanga Mask, 8/21)
This is a throwback to the Steven Regal vs Fit Finlay feud in the mid 90’s in WCW. These two beat the crap out each other in a realistic and violent fashion. The full match is available by contacting Black Terry Jr.
6) #DIY vs The Revival
(NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, 8/20)
*available on the WWE Network
These two produced the best tag team feud in WWE history. Is there anything in wrestling better than a proper heel and babyface southern tag match? This is about the best version of that style that you can have.
5) Delta vs Galactar
(“Mask vs Mask”, MDA, 11/26)
What more can you ask from in a mask vs mask match, then insane drama, broom attacks, blood, and it ending with a wedding proposal?
4) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn
(NXT TakeOver: Dallas, 4/1)
*available on the WWE Network
WrestleMania weekend was magically with WWN Live putting out great show after great show, however this NXT show was the highlight of the weekend for me. Nakamura’s debut in the WWE was a special moment and this match has a special aura about it.
3) Sasha Banks vs Charlotte
(“Hell in a Cell”, WWE Hell in a Cell, 10/30)
*available on the WWE Network
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 this match for 90 minutes.
2) #DIY vs The Revival
(“2/3 Falls”, NXT TakeOver: Toronto, 11/19)
*available on the WWE Network
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 love 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.
1) Trauma I vs Canis Lupus
(“Mask vs Mask”, IWRG, 9/4)
This is on par with the Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero match from a few year’s ago, but it’s different. While they both had the drama, this one brought the blood and hatred. A real throwback to the classic mask matches of the 80s and 90s. A five star classic that will stand the test of time.
There you have it, my top matches of 2016. Was there any matches I missed or you hated the placement of? I will take those comments and any others on my twitter.
2015 Matches of the Year
For the second year in a row Voices of Wrestling has asked me to contribute to their annual Match of the Year article. Picking ten matches is very difficult, so here are a few that just missed the cut.
Honourable Mentions:
Bullet Club vs ROH All-Stars (ROH Global Wars, 5/15)
Timothy Thatcher vs Zack Sabre Jr. (EVOLVE 47, 8/15)
Low Ki vs Rey Mysterio Jr. (JAPW 19th Anniversary Show, 11/14)
Now onto the list, as submitted to Voices of Wrestling.
10) Jimmy Rave vs Anthony Henry
(Scenic City Invitational, 8/7)
The Scenic City Invitational was a real eye opener on southern indie wrestling for myself. Two amazing nights of a tournament filled with great matches and booking. Add amazing commentary and it being available on Vimeo for a very affordable price, I recommend everybody picks it up.
The highlight of the tournament was the main event of night one. You have the veteran of Jimmy Rave versus the youngster in Anthony Henry which is a favourite troupe of mine. These two delivered big time, even if Jimmy Rave was legit knocked out in the match. This was my first time seeing Henry and he impressed with this 1990’s Sean Waltman vibe. He really is a wrestler to watch going forward.
9) Dragon Lee vs Kamaitachi
(CMLL, 8/30)
2015 was filled with a lot of great high speed high spot matches and this was the best of the bunch for me. Kamaitachi brought this huge array of vicious dropkicks, including one where he ran the entire ramp to gain speed. There was some great pay off spots from earlier in the contest as well as great drama. However, what really made this stand out was the hate between the two. They had other great matches as well, but this one stood out to me.
8) Pentagon Jr. vs Vampiro
(“Zero Fear”, Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha, 4/20)
Vampiro has never been very good and the thought of him stepping into a ring after years of retirement scared me. However what we got was the most insane and vicious match of the year. Pentagon Jr. was on a mission in this one to prove to his master that he was evil enough and to accomplish that he used light tubes, thumb tacks, tables and fire. I know this match was cut in half to air on television, but what we got was some of the most griping wrestling of the year. The post match angle doesn’t even bother me.
7) AJ Styles vs Jimmy Rave
(PSW, 5/8)
Two legends in the Southern indie area colliding for the first time in years. This was just a great mix of traditional wrestling with new school flare. About thirty minutes of two of the best wrestlers in 2015 putting on a clinic. Check it out on vimeo.
6) Atlantis vs Sombra
(“Mask vs Mask”, CMLL, 9/18)
The Atlantis mask match at the CMLL Anniversary Show has become the match I most anticipate each year. Although this is not on the level of the Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero match from the year before, it’s still filled with great drama. Atlantis’ mask has become the new Undertaker’s streak in wrestling.
5) Sasha Banks vs Bayley
(“Iron Man”, NXT Take Over: Respect, 10/7)
Finally after being the highlight of each NXT special, Sasha Banks got to main event and boy did she deliver. Amazing heel work by her with great story telling using the “Iron Man” rules to her advantage. The heel work on Bayley’s super fan was one of the top moments of the year.
4) Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns
(WWE WrestleMania XXXI, 3/29)
One of the greatest main events in WrestleMania history. This was a brutal slug fest that was stiff as fuck. Brock took Roman and beat him senseless to such a degree that it got the crowd onto Roman’s side. The comeback was tremendous and Brock blades. If they had a real finish and not a Seth Rollins run in, this might had been the match of the year.
3) Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch
(NXT Take Over: Unstoppable, 5/20)
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 story telling. 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.
2) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi
(NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9, 1/4)
Nakamura and Ibushi went to war in this match with stomps, elbows, knees. A lot of these viciously to the back of the head. After this war we are treated to an amazing finishing stretch with Ibushi throwing out every trick he had to put down Nakamura, but you can’t put down Nakamura! A match so good it made my top 100 matches list.
1) Sasha Banks vs Bayley
(NXT Take Over: Brooklyn, 8/22)
If you listened to the Pro-Wrestling Super Show’s Top 100 Matches podcast you would know I had this match in the upper half of my list, so there is no surprise it is the top match of the year for me for 2015.
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. This match was really an instant classic and clearly the best match of 2015.
Pro-Wrestling Super Blog 
Recent Comments