The Best Matches I’ve Watched This Month (October 2023)
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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The Best of The WWF Volume 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.
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.
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