Terry Funk vs. Barry Windham (09/19/1986, WWC): There's much to enjoy here - the atmosphere is terrific with the Puerto Rican crowd very much into the brawling style, Terry Funk's selling and wildman antics are brilliant from beginning to end, and while the story they tell is very straight-forward, there are memorable moments scattered throughout (Windham's piledrivers on the floor, Terry Funk flinging a chair into the ring and Barry catching it one-handed, a well-executed false finish leading to a cheap victory, and, of course, Funk's post-match promo). This isn't "must see" and probably wouldn't rank in either guy's Top 50 matches, but it's an entertaining 15 minutes of action (if you can stomach the over-the-top commentary team, which includes one guy who can't stop screaming "Woah!" every 10 seconds). (3/5)
Toshiaki Kawada vs. Gary Albright (10/25/1995, AJPW): A super physical heavyweight battle with Toshiaki Kawada putting on the type of raw, emotional performance that transcends the language barrier. Kawada is not small by any means, but this is a "man vs. monster" match because Albright is that much bigger and stronger. On Cagematch someone called this the best match of Albright's career and while I haven't seen enough from him to make that call, I don't doubt the suggestion. Kawada is has had more epic battles, but this might be an "Exhibit A"-type match for why I personally find him to be the most consistently watchable and enjoyable of the "Four Pillars" (based on my admittedly small amount of AJPW viewing). There's good psychology on display too as both men target the others' arm but also connect with suplexes, slams, and, in Kawada's case, signature kicks. (4/5)
Roddy Piper vs. Barry Horowitz (10/01/1989, WWE): This is barely a match and more of a "segment" to build up the Roddy Piper/Rick Rude match. Piper squashes Horowitz in under 2 minutes and basically beats him only using punches. Pretty lame considering Horowitz could actually bump and sell and Piper shows no creativity at all (though, to be fair, Vince might have told him to win with the simplest offense possible). After the match, Piper makes out with the woman who Rude had kissed earlier (and who had recoiled afterwards due to Rude's "bad breath"). This is more of a segment than a match so I'll give it some points for Roddy's charisma, but the "action" was very poor. (1.5/5)
Aja Kong and Bull Nakano vs. Eagle Sawai and Harley Saito (04/02/1993, AJW): I was surprised that this match - from Dreamslam I - did not have a thread on ProWrestlingOnly dedicated to it, but, then again, this did feel like something of a "slight" match on a card that looks pretty loaded. There were good moments in this match - Saito braining Nakano with a stiff kick to the head, Aja Kong no-selling a Sawaii slam and retalliating with a suplex of her own early, the double Uranakes towards the end, Bull Nakano hitting a ridiculous top rope senton/somersault double leg drop thingy - but also elements that I was less of a fan of, including the blatant use of weapons by Nakano and Kong (something that I understand is part of the genre, but I'm still not a fan of) and a sequence between Saito and Kong built around kicks to the head that felt a little "old hat" (and ended with Kong taking a back bump despite the force of the blow going to the back of her head, which, to me, means she should fall forward). The match didn't overstay its welcome, but it didn't hold my attention beginning-to-end and felt a little flat at times. (2.5/5)
Manami Toyota vs. Kyoko Inoue (04/25/1992): The chemistry between Inoue, who comes into this match as the IWA World Champion (a title I'm not at all familiar with), and Manami Toyota is always fun to see, but what I enjoyed about this match more than their August bout was the much faster-paced opening minutes and the comparatively lesser focus on ground-based submission wrestling as compared to high-flying and suplexes. I'm a fan of Inoue's incredible arsenal of submissions, but I won't lie and say it doesn't sometimes get to be a bit much. Toyota is spectacular in this and I loved a particular sequence in which she came off the top rope to the floor with three different types of splashes. With both Toyota and Inoue, not everything is executed 100% clean, but I like the realism that imperfections can bring to a match, especially one as heated as this. (4/5)
Eric Embry vs. Tully Blanchard (01/31/1983, SCW): The story coming into this match is that Tully Blanchard was the Southwest Heavyweight Champion, having won the title in January, but had yet to defend the title and, according to the rulebook, this meant he needed to vacate the title (much to the delight of his rival Bob Sweetan). In a segment soon after, Blanchard reveals that he has spoken to Lou Thesz and that, as long as he defends the title that evening, he is still the champion - so he interrupts a scheduled Embry/Grappler match and then proceeds to bloody the hell out of Embry in route to retaining the championship. The match is more known for the "color" that Embry gets than it is for anything especially great in terms of back-and-forth action, but Blanchard's selling and character work is also on-point even before we get to the brutality. (3/5)
John "Nord the Barbarian" Nord vs. Nick Bockwinkel (08/30/1986, AWA): I wanted to enjoy this match more than I did because John Nord could be incredibly entertaining based on what I've seen of him in the WWE in the early 90s. Bockwinkel is almost always terrific and will give you at least one or two really clever moments, but this was mostly bland and has a finish that makes it all feel inconsequential. (1.5/5)
Devil Masami vs. Bull Nakano (04/08/1993, JWP): This has the powerbombs and the bridging suplexes and the flying legdrops and even Nakano getting sent into the guardrail with so much force that I was suprised she could even walk afterwards, but all of these highlights are spread across a lengthy 30+ minutes and the pacing does not make this as thrilling and exciting as it may have been had it been a touch shorter and streamlined. I'm also not a fan of the nunchuk use (and Masami goading Nakano into using them to prove her toughness). I was really surprised to see this have such a high score on Cagematch. (3/5)
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Orange Cassidy (12/20/2025, AEW): Lots to enjoy here as Takeshita and Cassidy put on a strong 17-minute match that featured everything one would expect out of these - complex sequences with lots of counters, stiff strikes out of Takeshita, Cassidy's usual hands-in-pockets shtick, and at least one or two nasty slams that look like they could've, would've, and should've crippled Cassidy. Like Darby Allin, Cassidy's willingness to throw himself into every spot is incredible but does not seem sustainable. If you're not a fan of Cassidy's gimmick or are especially critical of the fact that, after what seemed to be some character growth earlier in 2024 during his feud with Jon Moxley, he has seemingly landed right back to doing what he was doing before that stretch, this match will give you reason to be upset, but ignoring the context and just focusing on the 17 minutes of action we get (in front of a raucous crowd at the Hammerstein Ballroom), it's hard not to enjoy this. (3/5)
Stan Hansen and Gary Albright vs. Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa (11/29/1995, AJPW): This is noticeably "clipped" in the beginning as, when we join the match, Kobashi looks like he's already been beat to hell. Albright and Hansen continue to work on him with various submissions and stretches, building to a Misawa hot tag that blows the roof off the place. I really liked the realism of the finishing sequence with Misawa using all his strength and grit to restrain Hansen on the floor so that Kobashi could force a submission out of Albright. Inessential viewing and even kinda dull at times. Not my thing. (2/5)
Akira Hokuto vs. Manami Toyota (08/21/1993, AJW): This match kicks ass. If you're looking for extended selling after the initial damage that both women take to their legs, you're looking in the wrong place but I would suggest that the selling we do get in this match is more than you might typically see in a Hokuto or Toyota match and, in that regard, it stands out even more as a reason why this match is so excellent. Great powerbombs, great high-flying, real sense of struggle and urgency and, at under 18 minutes, it is perfectly digestible and enjoyable from the first second till the very end. I really can't believe Hokuto managed to wrestle another match later on this same night because it did not seem like her or Toyota had left anything in the tank. (4/5)
La Parka/Psicosis/Satanico vs. Konnan/Hijo Del Santo/Angel Azteca (02/11/1994, AAA): Pretty forgettable, but not necessarily because it's bad or the crowd is indifferent. In fact, Konnan was mega over and La Parka is always entertaining, but I was hoping for more dives and a faster pace. I liked the heels arguing with each other in Three Stooges fashion at one point. Konnan's arsenal of submissions was cool to see considering I don't recall him being nearly as watchable in WCW. Not bad, but not special either. (2.5/5)
Will Ospreay vs. WALTER (GUNTHER) (10/13/2018, OTT): The pre-match video package helped explain the importance of the match and how it got made, but anyone familiar with modern pro-wrestling won't need to see it to understand that these two guys were, at the end of the 2010s, arguably among the biggest names in international independent wrestling and that this was something of a "dream match" (though they had fought once before just a few months earlier). As expected, Ospreay has to use his high-flying, agility, and ability to take a tremendous of punishment to try to withstand GUNTHER's size and strength. They go to war for well over 20 minutes and there are some incredible spots in this, but I can see the argument that the overbooked false finish sequence and the maximalism of the entire match - with Ospreay busting every big move in his arsenal only for WALTER to cut him off at every turn - pushed things into "self-conscious epic" territory and away from the more organic type of classic match I enjoy more. A very good match, but maybe even a bit underwhelming in the sense that this was the exact match you'd expect - with all the bells and whistles and positives that one would hope for - but didn't transcend the admittedly high expectations. (3.5/5)
Devil Masami vs. Mayumi Ozaki (12/12/1993, JWP): This is good, though maybe a touch long. Devil Masami is way less animated in this match than in the other matches I've seen of hers from before she became something akin to joshi's version of The Undertaker. That being said, even if she has become a more stoic character and has adopted a more gothic look, its still Devil Masami we're talking about so you still get some absolutely sick powerbombs (there's a spot towards the end where she powerbombs Ozaki twice and then reverse-powerbombs her and it is unreal) and lots of impassioned shouting. I thought this was good but I can see why it didn't pop up on Cagematch or ProWrestlingOnly because it doesn't seem to have much significance and isn't the most impressive outing I've seen from either performer. There's enough good crowd-brawling and physicality from Ozaki and Masami to make this better-than-average, but this match probably would've been better had it been tightened up. (3/5)
Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Gedo (12/13/1994, WAR): This match starts off so cool with Liger absolutely punishing Gedo's arm with submissions and stomps. The way Liger works on Gedo's arm feels like something Bryan Danielson studied because it is so clinical and believable. Gedo is finally able to get some offense in after a low blow, which effectively made me stop feeling bad for him becaue Liger's dominance almost came across as heelish after awhile. Gedo hits a nice moonsault to the floor at one point but can't sustain his offense the way Liger did earlier in the match. Some good back-and-forth to build to the finish, but I did find the second half of the match to not be as interesting as the first half. (3/5)
Konnan/Octagon/Perro Agueyo vs. Psicosis/Pierroth/Cibernetico (03/18/1996, AAA): Another unremarkable trios match with the high points being whenever Psicosis and Perro Agueyo went at it. There was commentary for this match and commercial breaks, but either it is mis-dated on YouTube or Cagematch because the dates don't match. I'm going with the Cagematch date. Psicosis would get signed by WCW within a few months of this (he may have already been signed) and would become a regular there starting in October. Like the last trios match I reviewed, the action here wasn't super exciting and, as per the style, some of the clotheslines and strikes and even Psicosis' splash off the top look either light or sloppy. Sometimes lucha can be so spirited and energetic and fun that I think its great and sometimes I'm bored by it and feel like I'm missing what makes it great. This is an example of the latter. (1.5/5)
Barry Windham and Lex Luger vs. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (04/23/1988, NWA): Luger and Windham came into this match as the NWA World Tag Team Champions having defeated Anderson and Blanchard for the belts sometime earlier (I think?). Luger and Windham had a long history with the Horsemen with Luger, at one point, being a Horseman despite Windham advising him against it upon his debut. Then, in the months building up to this, Flair and JJ Dillon had made overtures towards Windham, attempting to woo him into joining the Horseman. But, it is not until the final moments of this classic "southern style" tag match - with Windham handling the bulk of the in-ring work for a lengthy face-in-peril stretch after the initial babyface "shine" - that Windham, frustrated that Luger has been taken out on the floor and "lacerated" (I love JR's use of the word), turns on his partner and walks out of the arena with JJ Dillon. It doesn't make great sense to me that Windham, having wrestled a very, very heated battle against Anderson and Blanchard that involved low blows and cheap shots and big right hands, would immediately flash the Four Hoursemen sign as he left, but I'm guessing they wanted to tie things up quickly as opposed to stretching out the "Is He a Horseman or Not?" story (as we see with the post-match angle involving Dusty Rhodes, who was under the hood as the Midnight Rider at this point). As a match this is very good, but not necessarily great, but the post-match and the story it tells makes it a memorable title change. (3.5/5)
Eddie Kingston vs. Chris Hero (09/29/2007, IWA-Mid South): This was a "Last Man Standing" match between these rivals, getting started before either guy could even make it to the ring. The first big spot comers early with Kingston suplexing Hero onto a table that doesn't really break, making it even nastier. Kingston then sends Hero into a bunch of empty chairs and the gymnasium wall before throwing a chair into his face and trying to strangle him to death. They make their way towards the ring and trade strikes with Kingston going after Hero's eyes. Hero comes back with a running big boot but Kingston won't stay down for the 10 count. In the ring, Hero hits another big boot in the corner but gets thrown off by Kingston - so he hits him with another (cool spot). Hero stomps on Kingston's face and then delivers a senton before going out into the crowd and throwing a chair from the crowd into the ring at Eddie. He throws a few more and uses them, stomping one into Eddie's face and then using another to perfrom a front-flip splash onto Eddie. Hero applies a Boston Crab and uses the chair for extra damage, sitting back on it into the back of Kingston's neck! Holy shit. That was nasty. Kingston's nose is completely busted up, but he won't stay down for 10. Kingston comes back with a double-leg takedown and applies a guillotine choke but Hero fights out. Hero nails a ridiculous back suplex that puts Kingston down on his neck. The camera captures his face and it is a bloody mess. Powerbomb by Hero! Kingston's selling is brilliant and I'm not sure it's not 100% real. Hero stomps on Kingston's hand, trying to limit Eddie's striking ability. Hero continues to control the match for the next few minutes but Kingston fires back with some chops and an overhead release suplex. A strike exchange follows with both guys trading stiff slaps and chops and headbutts (the latter being particularly hard to watch as they went on). Kingston managed to land a German Suplex but Hero bounced right back and hit a suplex of his own (with Kingston landing on his feet this time). Dragon suplex by Kingston and then a ridiculous lariat! Hero barely manages to break the count, getting to his feet at 9. Kingston looks to end it with another Saito Suplex but Hero counters it and throws some chairs at Kingston's head before performing a "Cravate-O-Clasm" off the top rope with a chair wrapped around Kingston's neck. It doesn't look particularly great - the kind of move that was maybe too dangerous to even perform and, because it had to be done safely, didn't look as good as something simpler might've. Kingston manages to get to his feet, pulling himself up using the ropes. Hero, meanwhile, went back out into the crowd and grabbed a piece of the guardrail to bring into the ring. He drives it into Kingston's stomach and pins him into the corner. Kingston musters the strength to push back into Hero, driving him into the corner. Hero comes back with a big boot, though, stomping the rail into Eddie's face. Hero with a double stomp on the guardrail while it is laid on top of Kingston! Hero sets up the guardrial on the ropes and goes after Eddie, who comes back with some strikes. Hero goes for a powerbomb on the rail but Kingston manages to resist and hits him with a huge back hand. Kingston with a series of big back drops that put Hero on his neck! Kingston with a back drop driver into the guardrail! A "Holy Shit" chant starts up and it is well-deserved because that was nasty and an excellent finish to the match. Great performances from both men, some truly incredible hardcore spots, surprisingly good camera work for an indie match - this was excellent and deserving of its praise. (4.5/5)
Rock n' Roll Express vs. Randy Savage and Lanny Poffo (06/25/1984, CWA) - Not a lot of "meat" in the early going with Savage and Poffo regrouping on the outside after an initial flurry from the babyfaces. The Rock n' Rollers keep it basic but do hit some of their signature double teams on Lanny, cutting the ring in half and working on his legs. There's considerable "down time" in this match between bursts of action, but it doesn't dampen the spirit of the crowd. The Poffos take over when Robert Gibson misses a splash in the corner but then its right to a hot tag to Morton. All hell breaks loose soon after, with Angelo Poffo interfering on behalf of his sons on the outside. Morton takes some punishment and does his face-in-peril bit but rolls out of the way when Savage goes for an elbow from the second rope. In comes Lanny to cut off Morton's hope spots. Savage comes in and sends Morton back to the floor. Savage brings him back in the ring and prevents him from making the tag. Lanny comes in for a bodyslam and attempts a front flip senton - pretty ahead of its time for 1984 - but Morton rolls out of the way and makes the hot tag. Savage and Poffo get disqualified, though, when Angelo pulls the rope down and Gibson goes flying over the top rope. More brawling ensues with Savage piledriving Morton through the announcer's table! This started out unremarkable but ended up being quite entertaining. (3/5)
Devil Masami and Candy Okutsu vs. Mayumi Ozaki and Dynamite Kansai (02/11/1994, JWP): What a great match this is. Epic without feeling self-conscious. Fast-paced without feeling like nobody is selling anything. Cool, impactful spots but also nifty submissions and escalation of violence. I've read some things about JWP and how it differed from AJW with an in-ring style that was a little bit more "old school" and noticeably slower and while that is evident in this match, it doesn't mean it doesn't hold up to what the AJW roster was doing. There are good moments throughout the match but Devil Masami might be the MVP. Her press slam early on is awesome, the surfboard submission she applies to Ozaki is incredible (and I love Okutsu getting in some cheap shots while Masami has her suspended in the air), and, towards the end, she delivers a reverse powerbomb that looks devastating and leads perfectly to one of the better executed tag finishes I've seen recently. This was a terrific watch. (4/5)
Ted DiBiase vs. Dick Murdoch (12/31/1985, Mid-South Wrestling): A bloody and violent brawl that goes for 10 minutes and showcases how much fire Dibiase could show as a babyface. Not much technical wrestling on display, as Bill Watts repeatedly emphasizes on commentary, but that was to be expected. Speaking of Watts, his commentary lacks much enthusiasm or surprise or awe and it really hurt the match for me as it was hard to get excited with such a dry soundtrack. On ProWrestlingOnly, the lone review of this match describes it as a "classic" but I don't see it. Spirited brawl, crowd-pleasing finish with DiBiase using a loaded glove, effective straight-forward story - it's good, not great. (2.5/5)
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