Random Matches

Terry Funk vs. Dustin Rhodes (03/11/1989, PWF): I found this one on YouTube and had to look it up on Cagematch to discover what "PWF" was - a short-lived Tampa "territory" owned by Dusty Rhodes, Steve Keirn, and Mike Graham (essentially the successor promotion to Florida Championship Wrestling). Anyway, Terry Funk in 1989 was awesome. He is accompanied to the ring by Oliver Humperdink. Before the match begins, Funk goes into the audience and argues with a fan and then breaks up a pro-Dusty Rhodes sign (and stomps on the guy who was carrying it!). Awesome. Dustin dropkicks Humperdink as soon as he gets in the ring, sending him to the floor in a crowd-pleasing move! In comes Funk, looking mean as hell, and the two men lock up. Funk throws some chops and sends Dustin into the ropes and then out of the ring. Funk brings him back into the ring with a suplex and then gives him a basic piledriver for 2. Dustin kicks out with such force that Funk goes flying out of the ring. Funk comes in and maintains control with a headbutt and then some rights and lefts. Rhodes counters by whipping him into the corner and Funk bumps over the top rope and onto the floor! Wow. I think there's an awkward cut but, regardless, when we return to the action, Funk is back in control. Rhodes tries an inside cradle but Funk kicks out and hits him with a sharp elbow before sending him back to the floor. Funk sends him face-first into the table and Dustin takes it beautifully, doing a blade job on the floor to sell it. Funk breaks the count and then comes back out but Dustin is heated now and sends Funk into the table and then dishes out some more punishment in the ring. Dustin's back elbow off the ropes isn't pretty and only gets him a 2 count. Scoop slam by Dustin and then another and then a snap suplex and a fist drop. Dustin hits him with a series of right hands and Funk goes flopping to the outside through the middle rope. Funk climbs to the apron and Dustin hits him with another series of fists and elbows before running him face-first into the post. Brilliant selling by Funk as he stumbles to the floor. Funk comes back with some strikes of his own and then makes his way into the ring. He unwraps the tape around his fist and uses it to try to choke Dustin out, bringing him all the way to the mat. Humperdink gets on the apron to allow Funk to do even more choking as the ref tries to get him to get back down. Funk delivers another headbutt and then another before tossing Rhodes back to the outside. Funk inexplicably tries to climb out of the ring over the top rope, leaving himself vulnerable to be shaken up-and-down on the top rope for a bit of a comedy spot. Dustin comes in and hits a back body drop but only gets a 1 count. Elbow off the ropes by Dustin and then an elbow drop, but Humperdink stops the count! Rhodes wails on him before he can escape but Funk then wraps a chain around Dustin's ankle and pulls him over to the ropes. The referee calls for a DQ but Rhodes is stuck, the chain around his ankle being held by Humperdink. Funk batters his knee with some seriously wicked chair shots! So cool. Some babyfaces - is that the Nasty Boys? - run out to prevent Funk from doing any more damage. That was really good stuff. Terrific performances by Funk and a very young Dustin Rhodes, hot crowd, this was a hoot. (3.5/5)

El Hijo Del Santo vs. Psicosis (02/16/1994, AAA): This was for Santo's WWA World Welterweight Championship, a title I don't know much of anything about, and was a 2-out-of-3 falls match. I'm a bigger Psicosis fan at this point than I am a Santo fan, which is a statement that I'll knowingly admit exposes my lack of appreciation and understanding of lucha libre as Santo is considered a legend in the genre (while Psicosis is more well-known in the US due to his run in WCW). The first fall happens pretty quick with Santo hitting an electric chair from the corner. Psicosis gets the second fall (I don't remember quite how) to tie things up before the third - and easily the best - fall of the match. At this point, the match feels much more heated and both guys start busting out more "high stakes" offense and working a faster pace. The finish is a bit messy and cheap, though, as Santo tumbles into the referee (Tirantes, who I've learned was often used as the "heel ref") and, despite covering Psicosis for the visual pin, gets disqualified. As titles can change hands by DQ in AAA (I think?), Psicosis wins the title too. Over on ProWrestlingOnly, I was a little surprised to read quite a few match reviews as this didn't strike me as a remarkable match worthy of much discussion. That seems to be the general consensus over there too as most reviewers felt like it didn't really "click" and Santo and Psicosis didn't have the kind of chemistry one would've hoped for with Santo being a more scientific worker and Psicosis shining in shorter, more spot-heavy contests. (2.5/5)

Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Shinigami (07/16/1997, WDF): I'd seen very little Fujiwara and no Shinigami before this match. Shinigami is described as a "Japanese Fake Undertaker" in the lone review of this match on ProWrestlingOnly. Over at Cagematch, there's also only a single review of this match and it basically just gives credit to Shinigami for even attempting to keep up with Fujiwara, a legendary, straight-forward grappler who seems to be treating this match like a "rib" to some degree, going through the motions to make Shinigami look strong at times, but also very clearly unfazed by his opponent's far-from-realistic offense and presentation (Shinigami's work revolves around a dreaded "claw" submission). Not bad, but not good. I'm glad I watched this to learn about yet another small Japanese promotion I'd never heard of before - Wrestle Yume Factory, which translates into Wrestle Dream Factory. (2/5)

Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito (04/06/2019, NJPW): A "Holy Shit" chant breaks out before Naito and Ibushi even lock up, which shows how amped the Madison Square Garden crowd was for this. They start things with a fun, super fluid sequence before Ibushi gets some sustained offense in and Naito has to regroup outside. Naito hits a dropkick that puts Ibushi on the floor and then sends him into the barricade (and a stagehand). Naito does it again and then puts him into the front row. Naito gets into the ring, but Ibushi breaks the count. Naito hits a stiff back below and then a beautiful combination of trips and kicks in the corner. A neckbreaker gets him 2 and Naito keeps the pressure on but eventually gets halted by an Ibushi dropkick. Some dueling chants follow. Ibushi hits a flurry of strikes and kicks and then a standing moonsault for 2. He goes for a German Suplex but can't get it. Naito pops him up and over into the turnbuckle and then a running flying boot for 2. Ibushi's selling could be considered overdramatic if Naito's offense didn't look so terrific. Naito hits a devastating pair of reverse DDTs into his knee, a move I've never seen before and is totally sick. They go up top and Naito goes for a headscissors but Ibushi slips through and delivers a Pele Kick that puts Naito onto the apron. Ibushi hoists him up in a waist lock, lifts him off his feet, but then gets pulled onto the apron himself. Hurricanrana off the apron to the floor by Ibushi! Wow. He follows it up with a double stomp for 2 back in the ring, but Naito comes out with an excellent tornado DDT a minute later to even things up. Naito gets him up to the top rope for a hurricanrana and then hits a move known as Gloria, which is a ridiculous hammerlock into a side slam. He only gets 2 for it, though, and misses a forearm off the ropes soon after, allowing Ibushi to hit a huge clothesline. Ibushi delivers some stiff kicks to the back that send him back onto the apron. Ibushi brings him back into the ring with a crazy deadlift German suplex! Holy cow. That looked like it could've paralyzed Naito. Somehow it only gets 2. Ibushi hits a straightjacket German suplex for another 2 count and goes for his finisher but Naito counters. They each go for ridiculously risky piledrivers and sort of "stumble" into one in which Ibushi lands incredibly awkwardly on his neck. Its hard to watch, especially knowing Ibushi's injuries today. Somehow Ibushi kicks out, though, and both men struggle to get to their feet. On their knees, Ibushi and Naito trade forearms, working their way back to their feet. Naito spits in Ibushi's face, kicks him in the midsection, than delivers a nasty kick to the face! Damn. Ibushi comes back with a huge palm strike! Reverse-rana by Naito and then the Destino! 1...2...Ibushi kicks out! He goes for another one but Ibushi counters it and then clocks him with a kick to the head. Ibushi hits two running knees (after a little bit of a Nakamura impression)! He attempts a Last Ride but Naito hits him with some punches and Ibushi has to settle for a sit-out powerbomb! Kamigoye by Ibushi! New IWGP Intercontinental Champion! This was very, very good, though parts of it were hard to watch because of how risky and dangerous some of the spots were. Then again, it was undeniably entertaining and one has to respect how far they were willing to go to deliver an unforgettable match. (4/5)

Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis (06/03/2026, AEW): This was part of the 2026 Owen Hart Tournament and was the main event of a Dynamite episode. Ospreay started out strong with a head scissors and some punches in the corner. Davis cut him off with a body slam but ate an enzigiuri. Davis came back with a back body drop and a senton. He applied an abdominal stretch as the crowd rallied behind Ospreay, who broke out with some punches and then hit the handstand flip kick. Ospreay's forearm from the top got 2. Ospreay delivered an armbreaker and then a dropkick off the ropes that sent Davis to the floor. Ospreay went for a pescado but Davis moved so he dropped to the floor. Davis whipped him into the barricade and then attempted a powerbomb but Ospreay climbed to the top, seemingly wanting a moonsault. Again Davis walked away but Ospreay chased him down and hit a hurricanrana on the floor. Ospreay rammed Davis' head into the desk and called for a Tornado DDT but got turned inside out with a release suplex onto the top of the table. Cool. Davis followed it up with some forearms on the floor and then an awesome hip attack in the corner against the barricade! That looked brutal. Davis rolled Ospreay into the ring and hoisted him up to the top rope for a super stiff superplex. Davis played to the crowd instead of putting on a legit cover and then applied a simple headlock. Ospreay got to his feet and fought out but got cut-off with another back elbow and a body slam. He went for a senton but Ospreay saw it coming and got his knees up, only for Davis to slug him with a big right hand to the chin. Ospreay tried some chops and then some right hands but again got cut off by a simple knee to the gut and then a beautiful running fist in the corner straight to Ospreay's chin. Davis hit another forearm to the chin but Ospreay used the ropes to climb to his feet in the corner. Davis beat him down once more and then guerilla press slammed him halfway across the rings off the top rope! That was cool. Davis got another near falls soon after and then delivered some brilliant chops that knocked Ospreay to the mat. Ospreay fired up, though, taking some heavy, heavy blows but staying on his feet and responding with forearms of his own and then a kip-up and another enzigiuri! Kawada Kicks by Ospreay! Superkick to the face! Pele Kick! Both men were out but Ospreay got to his feet first and called for the Hidden Blade. Davis met him with a clothesline but Ospreay caught him with a series of kicks and then the flying spinning guillotine kick for 2! Ospreay hit a German suplex for another nearfall as the crowd broke into a "This Is Awesome" chant. Davis stumbled around and grabbed the top rope, which Ospreay caught with a stomp. Ospreay applied the juji-gatame (armbar) but Davis powered out of it and turned it into a powerbomb! He then lifted Ospreay up by his legs and dropped him with a piledriver! Holy cow. That was nasty. 1...2...kick out by Ospreay! Ospreay rolls under the bottom rope and goes to the apron, blocks a piledriver, goes for one of his own, can't get it and hits some Kawada Kicks before getting clotheslined back into the ring. Davis went for a piledriver once more but Ospreay countered it into a hurricanrana off the apron and onto the floor. Ospreay got back into the ring first and hit Davis with an out-of-nowhere dropkick as he was getting back in the ring! Styles Clash! 1...2...kick out by Davis! Ospreay went for the Cutter but Davis blocked it. Davis accidentally hits the ref with an enzigiuri! Ospreay hits the Hidden Blade but there's no ref to make the count...1....2....3.....4...in comes Baretta and El Clon of the Don Callis Family! Garcia and Yuta make the save! Lance Archer runs out and takes them out with a crossbody, but here comes Castignoli! Brian Cage is in the ring and hits the F-5 but PAC comes in to take him out. Davis flips PAC out of the ring but Ospreay hits the Oscutter! 1...2...but Jake Doyle pulls the ref out of the ring! Doyle takes Ospreay out...but then Marina Shafir jumps on his back! Doyle slams her down but Moxley shows up and takes him out with a Paradigm Shift and then a double clothesline with Shafir. PAC comes flying off the top to the floor, taking everyone out! Ospreay applies a double underhook onto Davis but Fletcher shows up and delivers a nasty half-and-half dragon suplex! Fletcher pulls out the screwdriver....but Takeshita pulls him out of the ring! Takeshita and Fletcher duke it out on the floor! Davis has the screwdriver but Ospreay knocks it out of his hand with a Hidden Blade and then hits one dead-on to the face! 1....2.....3.....4...still no ref! Remsburg shows up to make hthe count be he's too late! Ospreay tries for another Hidden Blade but Davis counters it into a jumping piledriver! 1...2...Ospreay kicks out! Davis comes off the ropes but Ospreay does some flying and manages to catch him in the juji-gatame! Davis taps! Wow. The last few minutes of this match were ridiculous and (arguably) overbooked, but this almost had Attitude Era vibes to it with the feel-good ending after countless run-ins and appearances that make me fairly excited for what I assume will be the inevitable Don Callis Family/Death Riders Blood and Guts match this summer. (3.5/5)

Devil Masami vs. Itsuki Yamazaki (05/16/1985, AJW): After a quick handshake, Yamazaki hits a crossbody and then a sloppy springboard splash to the outside, taking the fight right to Masami. She sends her into the table and comes back into the ring, still fired up. Masami can't even get in the ring before Yamazaki is stomping on her, forcing Masami to pull her back to the floor and send her into the table. Bodyslam on the table by Masami and then a choke! Masami pulls her backonto the apron and suplexes her into the ring for a 1 count as Yamazaki bridges out. Perfect back suplex by Masami and then an eye take across the top rope. Masami claws at her eyes on the mat in full control. Masami shows off her strength with an impressive guerilla press slam and then a powerbomb that looks like it could've paralyzed Yamazaki. It only gets 2, though, and Yamazaki gets in a hope spot out of the corner with a sunset flip for a nearfall of her own. Masami tries for a powerbomb but Yamazaki rolls her up again for another 2. Masami hits a backbreaker, still full of confidence, but Yamazaki rolls onto her stomach to prevent a pin attempt. Masami pulls on her hair and then applies a surfboard (loved the struggle there as Yamazaki's second [I'm guessing Noriyo Tateno, the other half of the Jumbing Bomb Angels] tried to pull her to the ropes). Yamazaki rolls to the floor, selling the damage, and then eats an electric chair when she gets back in the ring. Yamazaki gets a second wind, though, and hits a dropkick and then a crossbody off the top for 2! Sunset flip off the top...1....2...kickout! A sit-out powerbomb by Masami cuts off her flurry of offense and Masami follows it up with a double underhook backbreaker. Damn! Masami sends her to the ropes and is met by a crossbody. Yamazaki delivers a piledriver, but Masami gets her foot on the rope! Yamazaki misses on a senton from the top and Masami hits an impressive high-bridge German suplex to finish her off. That was really good, though Yamazaki was a bit sloppy at times. Masami was excellent, though. Maybe not "must see" - and the post-match hug/celebration is a bit weird considering how vicious the battle was and how much pleasure it seems Masami took in hurting her opponent - but firmly above-average and recommended viewing for those wondering why 80s/90s joshi has a reputation for being ahead of its time. (3.5/5)

Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita (07/11/2025, ROH): This match was for Bandido's ROH World Championship and comes from the year's Supercard of Honor PPV. Some slow trading of holds to start built around a Takeshita wristlock with some flashy counters and escapes by Bandido. A headscissors followed-up by a dropkick gave Bandido his first bit of real offense. Takeshita came back with a forearm before they locked up in a test-of-strength. Bandido applied a nifty headscissors, bringing Takeshita to the mat and eventually hitting him with a double stomp. Bandido went for a spear in the corner but ate the post and Takeshita followed it up by tossing him into again (causing the champ to stumble to the floor). Takeshita sends him elbow first into the post, but it only gets 2. Takeshita maintains the pressure with an armbar but Bandido reaches the ropes with his feet to break it up. Takeshita reapplied the armbar moments later and then tried for some joint manipulation. Despite Bandido reaching the ropes again, Takeshita kept hold of his arm and brought him to his feet. Bandido hit a big boot and then a spinning splash from the top and a dragonscrew, shifting the momentum a bit. Bandido hit a Code Red but only got 2. He hit a big boot in the corner but Takeshita hit one of his own and then hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for another near fall. Takeshita went for the running knee but Bandido side-stepped and caught him with a bicycle kick off the ropes. Bandido went for his finish but Takeshita kept hold of the ropes. Onto the apron Bandido went, but he got nailed by a forearm that brought him down. Takeshita went to rip off the mask but couldn't tear it off Bandido's face as Don Callis made his way down to ringside. Takeshita grabbed a chair but didn't connect on his chairshot. Bandido went for a dive to the floor but ran into the chair (a spot that didn't look as great/vicious as it could've/should've). Callis got a boot in behind the ref's back as the ref checked on Bandido's cut forehead. Takeshita brought him up the ramp for some fists and then a brainbuster. As Takeshita would not win the title on a count-out, I'm not sure I understood the psychology there. (even the commentators noted the lack of forethought). Bandido made his way back to the ring only to be met by more right hands from Takeshita and even some biting in the corner. Takeshita applied a headlock but Bandido fought out of it. Both men attempted suplexes but couldn't pull them off. Takeshita went back to working on the arm but Bandido slapped the heck out of him and powered him up for a big not-so-snappy snap suplex. Big boot in the corner by Bandido! Poisonrana after a failed big boot by Takeshita! Bandido with a huge somersault senton to the floor! Up to the top he went for a frog splash, but it only got him 2. Front leg sweep into the buckle by Bandido, but Takeshita caught him and prevented him from capitalizing. Things seemed to get a bit sloppy when Bandido attempted something off the floor, but he eventually landed an Angel's Wings for another nearfall. Bandido held onto the underhook and applied a Cattle Mutilation but Takeshita rolled over. Bandido turned it into a cradle for 2. Callis drew heat on the floor as Takeshita and Bandido traded blows in the ring leading to a double-down after both men connected with flying clotheslines. They traded strikes with most of Bandido's getting no-sold, but Bandido eventually caught him with a huge spinning backhand and both men fell to their knees on the mat out of exhaustion. Bandido went for his finish but Takeshita flipped out of it! Takeshita tried one of his own but the same thing happened! Bandido with a reverse GTS! He hit his finish...1....2...kickout at 2.5! Clothesline in the corner by Bandido! They go up to the top rope and Bandido muscles him over with a huge fallaway slam off the top for another nearfall. Bandido went up top again and went for a 7 Year Itch but Takeshita got his knees up. Takeshita almost won on a counter to a hurricanrana but then ate an enzigiuri right after. Bandido exposed his knee and went for another reverse GTS, catching Takeshita in the midsection. Bandido was too exhausted to capitalize, though, allowing Takeshita to counter his finisher attempt into his signature tombostone-into-a-wheelbarrow slam. Takeshita hit the V-Trigger but didn't quite get all of it and Bandido kicked out at 1! He hit a big forearm and went for a spinning brainbuster but Bandido countered it into a roll-up for the sneaky win! This match has a massive 9.43 rating on Cagematch, but I was considerably less into it. There were some outright sloppy moments and the finishing stretch - heavy on false finishes and kickouts - betrayed the hard work they did selling their exhaustion and the cumulative damage of the match itself. Good, but not nearly as great as the votes on Cagematch will have you believe. (3/5)

Richard Slinger and Johnny Ace vs. Toshiaki Kawada and Yoshinari Ogawa (08/26/1995, AJPW): We pick up the match in media res (is that the phrase) with Ogawa in the ring with (I believe) Richard Slinger. He makes the tag to Kawada, who gets in some kicks that lead to a tag in to Johnny Ace. Ace takes control and hits a big clothesline off the top rope at one point. Big boot by Ace to Ogawa! Powerbomb by Kawada! Kawada slows things down a bit with a submission before tagging in Ogawa, who hits a double stomp from the top. Ace runs into a boot in the corner, Ogawa goes for a splash but gets caught, he turns it into a cradle but then gets clotheslined after the kickout. In comes Slinger, but he eats a swinging neckbreaker and an awesome side suplex. Ogawa tags in Kawada - running boot but Slinger hits a pair of his own! Enziguiri by Kawada! Nasty lariat by Kawada but it only gets 2. Kawada applies the Stretch Plum as Ace and Ogawa duke it out on the outside.  Ace breaks up the submission with a boot to Kawada and then a striaght-up Stunner. Both men make the tag and Ogawa gets in some offense, including a fisherman suplex for 2. He goes for another back suplex but eats a big stunner from Ace. In comes Kawada, who hammers him with elbows. DDT by Ace to cut him off. On the apron they go and Ace hits a Stunner off the apron on Kawada! Powerbombs on the floor by Ace. He barely gets him up and almost drops him on his head, which probably would've cropped him. Ace comes back in and elbow drops Ogawa for 2. Ace hits a very awkward-looking Pedigree on Ogawa to end the match. Kawada and Ogawa were great in this - as usual - while Johnny Ace, despite delivering some moves that would soon become among the most well-known finishers in US wrestling history, looked almost unsafe at times with his sloppy execution. Of course, in AJPW, that was almost seen as a good thing. A fun watch, though there were some cringey moments. (3/5)

Stan Hansen vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (08/30/1992, AJPW): Coming into this match, Stan Hansen had quite an assortment of gold - the Triple Crown, in fact. Once they clear the streamers, Hansen and Misawa start things up with a lock-up and then some immediate strikes leading to a Hansen wristlock and then a hammerlock. Hansen targets Misawa's left arm with some stomps and then reapplies the wristlock. Misawa breaks free by blasting him with a forearm to the side of the head that sends him to the outside to regroup. Misawa applies a headlock and brings Hansen to the mat, wrenching it and then dropping back down onto the mat. Cool. Hansen breaks free and briefly retakes control before Misawa brings him back down with a headlock. Misawa adds a body scissors, trying to put Hansen to sleep but Hansen gets his feet through the ropes and almost all the way to the floor - only for Misawa to roll and pull him back into the center of the ring. I'm not sure of the legality of that, but whatever. He keeps the headlock on as they go to their feet with Hansen trying to back suplex his way out but Misawa continuing to wrench on the side of his head. Hansen grabs a handful of hair and sends Misawa into the post, momentarily breaking the hold - but Misawa locks it in again! Hansen backs him into the corner and delivers some headbutts and then some stuff kicks to the left shoulder/arm. Hansen applies a wristlock but the ref breaks it up because Misawa's in the corner. Hansen applies an armbar and brings Misawa to the mat, still targeting the left arm/shoulder with his attack. Hansen drops his knee into Misawa's arm repeatedly, but Misawa manages to get to the ropes to break the hold. Misawa rallies with a wristlock of his own, bringing Hansen to the mat. He applies an armbar but Hansen rolls to his side, weakening the grip for a bit. Hansen eventually drops an elbow on Misawa's face to break it up and then brings him towards the apron. He tries an axe kick but doesn't quite get it. Misawa rolls to the inside and Hansen puts the boots to him, even stepping on his head a few times before dropping an elbow to his back. Hansen kicks him in the back repeatedly while he's on the ropes and then tries to pull him to the floor. When Misawa hooks his arm around the bottom rope, Hansen drops an elbow to his arm. He then hoists him up and drops him shoulder-first on the guardrail! Gotta love the focused work here from Stan The Lariat. Hansen breaks the count and puts all his weight on Misawa's neck with his knee before rolling back into the ring. Misawa sells the shoulder injury but is back on his feet, pacing outside. A shoulder block when he's on the apron puts him back on the floor and Hansen drops another series of elbows into Misawa's shoulder. Damn. Sometimes the simple stuff just looks the best. Misawa tries again to get back into the ring but is again tackled on the apron. He hits Hansen with some knees, takes a boot to the shoulder, but still comes over the top with an elbow drop of his own! Misawa is up to his feet first - repeated arm breakers! A Hansen scoop slam and some elbow drops cut him off and get a nearfall. Hansen kicks him hard in the arm a few times and then tries a suplex but Misawa comes back with some kicks of his own and then applies another wristlock and drops an elbow into Hansen's shoulder. Hansen breaks free, delivers a headbutt, and tosses Misawa to the mat. Dropkick by Hansen and it was a doozy! Big football-style shoulder tackle by Hansen! DDT by Hansen! 1...2...kickout by Misawa. Misawa hits a forearm and a spin kick but can't capitalize. He goes for a German Suplex but settles for a forearm into the back of the head and gets a 2 count of his own. Misawa hits a suplex and goes to the top for a flying forearm for another 2 count. Misawa tries a headlock but Hansen snap mares him off. Misawa goes for another, but Hansen fights his way to the bottom rope before he gets choked out. Misawa delivers a snap mare and applies the Stretch Plum. He thinks he has Hansen out so he goes for a cover and gets 2. Senton by Misawa! He goes for the frog splash and misses, though, leading to another Hansen nearfall. They trade strikes, but Hansen wins the exchange with a clubbing blow to the back. Hansen gets 2 and then tries for a piledriver but Misawa breaks free. Hansen hits a powerbomb but doesn't go for the cover, opting instead to grab Misawa by the hair and bring him back up. Bodyslam by Hansen. Hansen takes off the knee pad and drives the knee into Misawa's head! Damn. 1...2...kickout by Misawa! Hansen misses the Lariat as Misawa catches him and tries for a crucifix pin. Lariat drops back and Misawa's shoulder is crushed! Hansen stomps hard on the shoulder and then brings him up for an old school shoulderbreaker. Killer. Armbar by Hansen but Misawa gets his foot on the rope! Hansen holds on for the full 5 before releasing and then grabs Misawa by the wrist once more. He wrenches it but Misawa clocks him with a forearm! Misawa runs into his boot but Misawa hits him with another huge forearm! He can't make the cover...struggling to crawl over to Hansen...he rolls him over...1....2....3! He got him! Hansen almost no sells it, though, getting up on his feet before Misawa. He was "knocked out" by the forearm for the exact 10 seconds it took but then got right to his feet? If you're going to do that, you should kick out at 3.1. This just looked like Hansen "going into business for himself" and undersold the moment entirely after what was a really, really good, intense match that told a simple, straight-forward story exceptionally well. Misawa winning the Triple Crown is obviously a huge moment and gets a massive reaction, but Hansen's shitty decision/behavior immediately after the pin prevents this from being the all-timer that it could've been for me. Maybe Hansen was upset about Misawa "milking" the pin instead of making the cover right away? (3.5/5)

Rick Rude vs. The Missing Link (02/12/1986, WCCW): This might be the first Missing Link I've ever seen and maybe the first Rude match I've watched from WCCW. He was the World Heavyweight Champion at the time and was managed by Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer with bleached blonde hair), while the Missing Link had Sunshine in his corner. The Link is very odd, bouncing around the ring. His offense is less than rudimentary. Rude is terrific in terms of facial expressions, but his offense isn't much better - punches, elbows to the back, a headlock, and a front-leg sweep (which doesn't look too great). Interference from Pringle eventually leads to Sunshine getting involved and Pringle getting his comeuppance, but Rude escapes to the outside and the match ends in essentially a non-finish. Standard filler match with Rude wrestling against someone who was "all look." Hmm...I wonder if that skill would come in handy when he went to the WWE? (2/5)

Chigusa Nagayo vs. Shark Tsuchiya (11/03/1995, GAEA): Tschuiya delivers a powerbomb through a table to start the match and thensteps away to allow her cronies to nail Nagayo with repeated whacks from a large barbwire-wrapped kendo stick. The footage is a bit grainy, but it looks like one of the other heels might be Mayumi Ozaki? Nagayo takes more shots from the kendo stick before getting sent to the outside and struck again. Up the stands they go, where Tsuchiya continues her attack and we see that Nagayo has been opened up on her forehead. Tsuchiya heads back towards the ring with her gang in tow, one of whom is pulling Nagayo behind her by her hair. Once she's back in the ring, she gets whipped into Another kendo stick shot to the gut before Tsuchiya applies a rear choke. Nagayo gets in a hope spot with a heel kick off the ropes and then delivers another right on the money! One of Shark's seconds breaks off her momentum but then inadvertently strikes her with the kendo stick! Release Razor's Edge Bomb by Nagayo! Nagayo chokes out one of Tsuchiya's allies and then hits her with the kendo stick to the head! They go out into the stands and she drops a table on her! She grabs a chair and hits her in the back. Back in the ring, she applies a headlock. Tsuchiya manages to get to her feet and tries to back up into the corner but Nagayo prevents it. One of her henchmen dropkicks Tsuchiya though, sending Nagayo back-first right into the post - which I now see is also wrapped in barbwire. Tsuchiya charges her into it once more but Nagayo comes back with a series of stiff kicks. She goes for the cover but barely gets 1. Nagayo goes After the henchmen but leaves herself vulnerable to an attack from Tsuchiya. Up to the top they go - superplex by Nagayo and another nearfall gets broken up by a kendo stick strike. The henchwomen wraps something around Nagayo's stomach and Tsuchiya nails her with a huge clothesline. Spinning heel kick off the ropes by Nagayo! Big clotheslines from Nagayo to the heel's assistants! The numbers game is too much, though, and Tsuchiya lands a big back suplex for 2. Tsuchiya whips her with the large, metal "rope" that she had had wrapped around her. The heels bring in even more barbwire and Tsuchiya delivers a not-so-great reverse powerbomb into it. Nagayo has barbwire stuck in her gear but pulls it off. Powerbomb by Tsuchiya into the metal/barbwire "rope"! Damn. Nagayo looks completely done and Tsuchiya basically just watches her writhe in pain as she undoes her boots. Either the ref or Nagayo's second ends the match at this point, Tsuchiya winning by ref stoppage. Plenty violent. I dug this. (3.5/5)

AJ Styles vs. Minoru Suzuki (08/01/2014, NJPW): I went into this match "cold," not knowing that it won the Observer's Match of the Year Award for 2014. I'd have to check my own database to see if there's anything else that year that I thought was truly excellent because this match absolutely ruled and might even stand as one of the best Styles' matches I've ever seen - and I'm a fairly big fan of the guy. This is probably my favorite Suzuki match, though I've seen comparatively much less of his work. The "Murder Grandpa" has been a treat to watch in AEW but he, like AJ, was even better back then (and this is still a few years beyond his agreed-upon peak). The strikes were hard-hitting and brutal. I loved all the various counters and cut-offs. The run-ins involving the Bullet Club and Suzuki-Gun (I spotted Lance Archer and I think Taka Michinoku, but I'm not positive and not very knowledgeable about any of this) didn't distract too much, but, along with a few moments when it felt like AJ was "giving away" his arm or leg to Suzuki, kept this from being an absolutely perfect masterpiece. Unfortunately, the version of this match I watched had the final minute or so trimmed off, but you can find the finish fairly easily online. Terrific, terrific match. (4.5/5)

Random Matches

Sangre Chicana vs. MS-1 (09/23/1983, EMLL/CMLL): The author of Way of the Blade (Phil Schneider) considers this to be the greatest match of all time and, after viewing it myself, I can see the argument - even if this wouldn't rank in my Top 10 or even my Top 20. I like my wrestling to feature a bit more actual wrestling, though this is still an easy-to-love classic even if you - like me - have no idea who these wrestlers are or what the backstory was going into the match. This is why Way of the Blade is such a helpful resource as it contextualizes these matches for US-centric fans like myself. Even without that context, you can tell from the very first second of the match that MS-1 is a brutal, mean-spirited heel as he attacks Chicana before he can even get into the ring, opening him up on the arena floor. And, as the name of this book indicates, this isn't just a trickle of the red stuff from a papercut, this is dark red horror-film level bleeding. MS-1 absolutely dominates the first fall with Chicana not getting any offense in until the second round when he hits a series of outstanding haymakers. Seriously, these might be some of the best punches I've ever seen in a wrestling match. As almost always happens in a 2/3 falls match, the babyface ties things up and the third fall is more back and forth, with both guys sporting crimson masks by the end and the wrestling mat itself looking like the floor of the slaughterhouse. (4.5/5)

Yoshiaki Fujiwara vs. Nobuhiko Takada (10/25/1990, UWF): Fujiwara and Takada take little time getting to the mat and trying to twist eachother's limbs out of place. Takada is younger and stronger but Fujiwara is a master fighter and tough as nails. Takada works on the ankle to start but Fujiwara is able to get to his feet and break the hold with headbutts to the skull. Takada reapplies the ankle lock but Takada counters it into a keylock. Takada goes for an arm bar, exposing his own leg, which allows Fujiwara to grapevine him. Takada escapes to the ropes and they go back to their feet. Takada tries for some kicks but Fujiwara evades them. Takada takes hold of Fujiwara's leg again and brings him to the mat. Fujiwara counters into a leglock of his own, gripping the hell out of his opponent's ankle. He gets to his feet and slaps Fujiwara hard in the face to escape. They locked up once more and Fujiwara connects with some nasty palm strikes that send Takada down into the corner to regroup. Fujiwara gains control on the mat and hits some more nasty headbutts as Takada is barely able to beat the 10-count. Takada changes game plans a bit as he kicks at Fujiwara's legs and hits a big palm strike in the corner. They lock back up and Kawada hits a series of big kicks and knees to the abdomen. Takada grabs hold of Fujiwara's arm and is able to bring him to the mat and take hold of his ankle once more. Fujiwara counters it into a nasty key lock but Takada gets to the ropes for the 2nd time. Takada connects with a kick, but Fujiwara hits one of his own to a big reaction from the crowd. Takada hits another series of kicks and Fujiwara crumbles to the mat. He gets back up, though, and the match resumes with Takada going for another big front kick but getting his foot caught and Fujiwara applying a leglock on the mat. Takada grabs the bottom rope to break the hold and both men get back to their feet. A lock-up leads to a German Suplex from Takada and then an attempt at an arm bar on the mat, but Fujiwara won't let him extend his arm and counters it with a leglock. Takada gives him a nasty boot to the face to try to break it, but Fujiwara keeps it locked in, only to have to eat another that keeps him on the mat for an 8 count. Fujiwara gets to his feet and gets Takada in the corner, catching him with a big headbutt. Once again, Takada stands up at 8 and nearly gets counted out. Takada hits a few sharp kicks to the back of the thigh and Fujiwara barely makes it to his feet at 9. He grabs hold of Takada's wrist and tries to hit him with body shots in the corner but Takada nails him with a big knee to the head for the TKO. I'm trying my best to give shoot-style pro-wrestling a real chance, but this stuff does not do it for me. The aim here is to present pro-wrestling in a realistic fashion, but that realism comes at a cost because you don't get much variety in the action or anything in the way of character work, heeling/stooging, etc. I really dug Fujiwara's facial expressions as he seemed to be relishing in the physicality and combat, but that was about all I really enjoyed. If this match is considered to be a classic, I don't know if I'll ever truly "get" this style of pro-wrestling. (2/5)

Bobby Eaton vs. Sting (11/10/1990, WCW): Nothing super special here aside from the ending, which involves Ole Anderson's Black Scorpion voice-over (I couldn't even make out what he was saying because of the video/audio quality) and too randos coming in to attack Sting. When the match is just Eaton and Sting, it's decent action but seems inconsequential and designed simply to get Sting into the ring to build-up the Black Scorpion storyline rather than an actual big match opportunity for Eaton. (2/5)

Sting vs. Buddy Landell (11/17/1990, WCW): A week after the last match I reviewed, Sting took on Buddy Landell, one of my personal favorite midcard guys just because I loved his character work and natural "flair" for over-dramatic, over-the-top heel performances. This isn't great, but its a step-up from the Eaton match. This match is equally focused, at least on commentary, with hyping up the Black Scorpion storyline, but the difference is that Landell works very hard to push his own character into getting some of the spotlight and attention, doing some of Ric Flair's signature stuff to tick off JR on commentary and get even more heat from the crowd. After getting the W, Sting gets attacked by more of The Black Scorpion's henchmen *including* the referee! I like that twist but it probably wouldn't work today because fans are so hip to who the referees are. (2.5/5)

Terry Funk and "The Gladiator" Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka and Hayabuse (09/24/1996, FMW): This is the "hardcore" version of Terry Funk, who isn't my favorite version of Terry Funk but can still be quite entertaining. Awesome is here to take a brunt of the big splashes and offense from the "FMW Originals," which goes to show that even in the most unsafe of matches - this is a wild brawl featuring Awesome's powerbombs and Hayabusa's high-flying - the wrestlers at least considered some ways to minimize the damage and for Funk to be preserved. This isn't a match that will be everyone's cup of tea and it doesn't quite reach the levels of insanity of some of the Joshi brawls that I've seen over the past couple years, but this is still good fun for what it is. (3/5)

Tarzan Goto/El Hijo Del Santo/Atsushi Onita vs. Horace Boulder/Negro Casas/ Mark Star (05/16/1992, FMW): A real international affair here and the crowd is super hyped for it. On YouTube, this match is listed as being an FMW bout, but the commentary is in Spanish and seems to be from a WWO show, though I can't find much online about it. Right from the start, Onita brings the fight into the crowd, going after Boulder, tossing him through the gym doors and then bashing him with a chair. In the ring, Santo and Casas go at it as Onita delivers a piledriver onto Boulder and then bashes him with a chair again. Onita goes back towards the ring and hits Star with a chair before setting him up for a Goto clothesline. In the ring, Casas and Santo are having something resembling a wrestling match while Onita and Boulder make their way up the bleachers. Boulder gets hung over the barrier and punched down, but its not much of a drop. Still cool. They trade blows in the bleachers while the remaining participants buy some time in the ring, sorta just standing around. Santo and Casas go into an awesome sequence and Santo hits a huge dive to the floor! Goto and Boulder take over in the ring and keep the action going. In comes Onita - DDT on Boulder for 1.5. Onita tags in El Hijo and he delivers a dropkick and then punches Boulder out of the ring. Casas comes back in and charges at Santo. They do some rope-running and show off their speed and chemistry, working at 1000 miles per hour. Santo with a crazy splash to the floor from the top rope! Star and Goto come in and trade slaps as Boulder rakes Onita's eyes on the floor. Goto gets the first pin with a piledriver-into-a-front-slam thing. Wow. That was an intense first fall. After a commercial break, the second fall starts with Onita going after Boulder in the ring and tossing him out to the floor. Boulder thinks about using a chair but drops it before getting in the ring and going after Onita. Boulder takes control and they end up slamming chairs on the outside and then brawling into the crowd. In the ring, Casas and Santo carry on in the ring, but audience attention is clearly on Onita and the hijinks happening in the crowd. Santo applies a surfboard but releases as Onita and Boulder continue to brawl at ringside. Boulder gets onto the apron to choke out El Hijo Del Santo over the top rope. Casas holds him up for a dropkick from Star but Santo dodges it and hits a tope from the top and then a dive to the floor in rapid succession! Casas hits a tilt-a-whirl slam and then ties him up with a magistral to win the second fall. The third fall opens with Onita demanding that Casas get in the ring to face him. Goto is back in the ring too after disappearing during the second fall. Boulder and Onita duke it out in the ring with Boulder hitting a spinning neck breaker for two. Onita comes back with a DDT and then tags in Goto, who nails him with a stiff clothesline and some stomps. Goto, who is bleeding pretty heavily, hits a headbutt and then tags in Santo. Santo goes for a slam but can't get him up and settles for a cradle for 2. In comes Casas, but he gets his neck locked up in a head scissors. Casas and Santo do some more nifty counters and reversals and Casas rolls to the outside to regroup. In comes Boulder to eat a double-clothesline and then a double DDT from Goto and Onita. Dropkick by Santo! Underhook slam by Boulder and that is it.  The opening fall of this match was absolutely terrific, the second fall was not quite as good, and the third fall felt a bit "tacked on" and comparatively less exciting/creative/interesting. That being said, Onita, Casas, and El Hijo del Santo are all great in this and Horace Boulder is surprisingly good too. I wish this match had kept its momentum as it went on. (3.5/5)

MJF vs. RUSH (06/03/2026, AEW): This match - which was fought under a No Countout stipulation for reasons that only make sense because of of a piledriver spot they'd do towards the end of the match - kicked off the June 3rd edition of Dynamite. RUSH got some "color" when MJF sent him into an exposed turnbuckle, which added some intensity to a match where the winner/loser was a foregone conclusion. I also really liked a spot they did in the outside where RUSH went for his trademark running missile dropkick but MJF got out of the way and RUSH went through the barricade. RUSH didn't tap but did "pass out" to a crossface, which isn't a finish I'm a big fan of; it is has been done to death over the years. This was a "PPV worthy" match on an episode of TV, but unlike on PPV, where TK has wisely made some booking decisions over the years that leave you wondering which way a match might go, the predictability of the ending made it a bit of a "good match for good match's sake" endeavor. (3/5)

Bret Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart vs. Akeem and The Big Bossman (05/17/1989, WWE): Tony Schiavone and Lord Alfred Hayes are on commentary for this one. The crowd pops big for everything the faces do, even when it's not so kosher (such as Jim Neidhart tripping up Akeem). There's a great spot when Hart attempts a sunset flip on the African Dream but ends up squashed dead center in the ring, the crowd gasping in horror. Bossman comes in soon after and hits him with a not-quite-as-devastating legdrop on the ropes, which I believe was his finisher at one time (?). Akeem's dancing is ridiculous, but you never question the seriousness of the match, partially due to Bret's selling and partially due to the tone of Hayes' commentary, the Englishman treating the match as a serious fight, not an opportunity for unfunny one-liners the way Jerry Lawler might these days. Bret rallies a bit, but ends up back on the mat after running into a stiff Bossman shoulder. The simple story of Bret being unable to make the hot tag is repeated a few more times, the crowd growing more and more excited at each opportunity until, finally, The Anvil comes in to square off against the monster heels. Bret launches himself back into the ring, but only gets a two count. This leads to the action spilling out of the ring and the match ending in a rather unsatisfying way. The post-match helps things a bit, but it's odd that Hart would choose this match for his DVD when it really does end with a bit more of a whimper than a bang compared to some of the Foundation's more well-known matches. Better than average, but not so much so that it'd be worth tracking down. (3/5)

Keiji Mutoh vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (04/07/2008, AJPW): I haven't seen much of Tanahashi's work (NJPW as a whole, but certainly in the 2000s on, is a glaring blind spot for me considering how heralded he is) and that's something I'd like to fix over the next few years. This match took place in AJPW, though, which confused me because I thought both Mutoh and Tanahashi were largely "NJPW guys." (Doing a bit of research, I learned that Mutoh actually became the President of AJPW when he defected from NJPW to the company in 2002 and became a full-timer there.) Anyway, I liked both guys targeting eachother's legs with dragon screws and figure fours and whatnot - sound psychology considering Mutoh's finisher was the Shining Wizard and Tanahashi's arsenal consisted of a mix of ground attacks and a bit of high-flying (his front-flip senton is beautiful). Tanahashi does a lot of posing to get heat, but at least portions of the crowd seem to be behind him, chanting his name (unless I misheard what they were chanting). I disliked the time limit non-finish, though, as I'm not even sure this match went the full 30 minutes (by my count the match ended closer to the 28-minute mark). (3/5)

Manami Toyota vs. Kaoru Ito (09/17/2000, AJW): Toyota came into this match as the WWWA Champion. The ring fills up with streamers after the introductions, so filled that it takes a couple minutes to clear them out. These two had quite a history by this point based on what I read on Cagematch, but this is the first match of their rivalry that I've seen. There were early parts of this match I really, really liked - Kauro's fireman's carry off the middle rope to start the match, Toyota's never-ending rolling pin (that Ito threw herself into), the intensity of the submissions, Ito's powerbombs, Toyota's missile dropkick to the floor and snappy moonsault...all great. Things slow down a little when they start applying leglocks, but the struggle is there. Manami's constant shouting is a bit distracting, but that's nothing new. The second half of this match is incredible. At one point, Toyota climbs some scaffolding to perform a crossbody dive in a great moment that I haven't seen a ton in my AJW viewing. Back in the ring, Toyota hits her finish but only gets 2 so she tries it again and Ito counters it into a submission that the ref breaks up when Toyota gets her foot on the rope. Toyota no-sells a proto-buckle bomb but Ito gets her feet up when she tries for a splash. Ito hits an awesome suicide dive to the floor and then a sit-out powerbomb on the thin blue mats outside the ring. She goes to the top - double stomp off the top rope to the floor! Holy cow. Double stomp back in the ring! Somehow Toyota bridges out of the pin! Another double stomp from the top rope! Jesus. And another (though this one doesn't connect the same as the previous ones)! Toyota again bridges out of the pin! Ito hoists Toyota up to the top rope and brings her down with a nasty superplex...1....2...kick out at 2.8! Another double stomp from the top! Toyota meets her at the top rope but ends up in a choke and falls back to the mat. Another double stomp! Damn. Toyota barely gets her shoulder up but it was also a bit of a lazy pin. Ito goes back to the top rope but misses the stomp this time. Toyota climbs up, Ito meets her, Toyota tries for a sunset flip powerbomb but can't get it so she turns it into one of her Japanese Ocean Bombs! Ito kicks out and manages to apply a rear naked choke! Toyota is in all sorts of trouble and seems to have been choked out so Ito goes to the top. Toyota wakes up and meets her there...but Ito hoists her up and almost powerbombs her from the top rope (instead Toyota's leg catches the top rope and she bounces onto the mat in a heap). Another double stomp from Ito! That one is enough to finish Toyota off! An imperfect match, but a very, very good one. I didn't love some of Toyota's inconsistent selling in the final minutes, but the amount of punishment she took was unbelievable. Ito's performance throughout was incredible and her victory was well-earned. (4/5)

Terry Funk and Stan Hansen vs. Abdullah the Butcher and Kevin Sullivan (09/18/1993, ECW): This match is from Eastern Championship Wrestling, the precursor to the ECW we all know and love. With better production value - like more than one camera angle - this might've been more enjoyable. Its a wild brawl, sure, but its hard to get immersed in it when you can't really follow the action or see the anguish up close. The match only goes about 10 minutes before Eddie Gilbert runs in and it gets thrown out. In future ECW matches, that wouldn't be a DQ. (2/5)

Hiroshi Tanahashi/Frankie Kazarian/Christopher Daniels vs. Kenny Omega/The Young Bucks (05/07/2017, ROH/NJPW): This match was part of a joint Ring of Honor/New Japan War of the Worlds supershow in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, hometown of Kenny Omega. Christopher Daniels was actually the Ring of Honor World Champion at the time and the Bucks were the ROH Tag Team Champions. Matt Jackson and Daniels start things off with some fun eye poke spots that get a great response. Kazarian and Nick come in and we get a little more comedy in the form of crotch chops from Nick before they get down to business. The crowd wants Tanahashi, who gets the tag, and he points to who he wants - Omega. When Tanahashi goes to lock-up, the Bucks attack from behind. Tanahashi holds them off for a little but the Bucks end up hitting some of their signature offense to their opponents on the floor. A fun "missed senton" sequence. Really, the word "fun" can be used to describe so much of the opening stretch as they constantly tease one spot and then deliver another. They also break things up just enough not to overwhelm the audience, though there are spots that are arguably "too cute" (an elongated boots in the corner spot, Kazarian's trust falls into the arms of Matt and Kenny after repeated superkicks on the apron by Nick) and betray the basic conceit of pro-wrestling being a competitive, realistic struggle. The babyfaces take control with Tanahashi applying an abdominal stretch and "playing" Matt Jackson like a guitar before scratching the heck out of the Elite's backs. Tanahashi hits his somersault senton for 2 (which elicits a "2 Sweet" chant from the crowd). The babyfaces take turns delivering boots in the corner with Kaz and Daniels hitting some nice combo moves. Nick gets the hot tag and cleans house, taking out all three of his opponents and hitting a beautiful double-stomp onto Daniels into a backstabber on Kaz in the corner. Facebuster into a moonsault off the apron! Splash/standing moonsault combo by the Bucks back in the ring! Beautiful stuff. They try to start a superkick party but Daniels counters it and tags in Tanahashi. A double dragon screw by Tanahashi, Omega comes in and hits a dropkick from the top and then a beautiful suplex-into-a-neckbreaker-onto-the-knee-type-thing that AJ Styles sometimes does. Omega shows off his strength with a nasty gut wrench-into-a-straight-up-powerbomb. We get another rapid-fire sequence of superkicks and counters and running knees and Angel Wings and the referee losing all control of the proceedings. Again, if you're a fan of rules in wrestling being treated with respect, this would not be for you, but damn is it fun. Daniels and Omega trade blows before Omega delivers a trio of snap dragon suplexes to all three of the opposing side. Triple Superkick onto Daniels, but the count gets broken up! Omega calls for a V-Trigger but Tanahashi breaks it up with a sling blade. Frog Splash by Tanahashi followed up by a BME, but the Bucks pull the ref out at 2. Sabu-style Arabian moonsault to the floor by Daniels! The ref gets taken out too, though! Nick Jackson joins the party with a high-flying move of his own and then Tanahashi nails a huge crossbody off the top to the floor onto the Bucks and Daniels! An "ROH" chant breaks out in full appreciation of the match and morphs into "T2" claps. The Bucks hit a two-man Spike Piledriver (the "Indietaker") on Tanahashi on the floor that gets a "Holy Shit" chant. Kaz gets taken out with a springboard DDT on the apron (which was a bit telegraphed but still cool). Omega sets Daniels up for a springboard 450 Splash from Nick but it only gets 2 from the new referee. Omega asks for the World Championship belt and look sto take Daniels out with it but ends up hitting Matt. Nick goes for a superkick but Daniels dodges it and it takes out the ref! Daniels takes out the Elite and then grabs the belt. He looks to use it but Cody Rhodes runs out and takes it from him. V-Trigger by Omega! Another Indietaker by the Bucks! One-Winged Angel by Omega on Daniels! That ends it. That was a ton of fun and a great showcase for why Omega and the Bucks were so popular in the mid-to-late 2010s (popular enough to spearhead the formation of an entire promotion). (4/5)

NOTE - The next few matches come from a Coliseum Video release called "German Fan Favorites" that I started to review many years ago but never published...

Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart (12/01/1993, WWE): Michaels goes right after the Hitman, striking him with rights and lefts as soon as he gets into the cage. Michaels nearly escapes early, but Hart keeps him in the ring. The Hitman catapults Shawn into the cage wall for a big pop. Bret follows it up with his patented backbreaker and then goes to climb the cage. Michaels stops him and then shoves Hart's head right into the cage. They have a quick exchange in the center of the ring and Bret ends up taking another messy bump into the cage. Shawn goes to crawl out, but Bret won't let him. Good sequence with Bret and Shawn diving over each other to get through the door. Shawn climbs the cage and is practically out, but Bret pulls him back over the cage by his hair. They struggle on the cage for awhile until Shawn pulls Bret's leg and causes him to fall crotch-first on the top rope. Shawn works his way to the door and ends up getting crotched on the second rope. Shawn hits a superkick - but it wasn't his finisher yet so it doesn't get much of a reaction nor is it even executed all that well. Back to the top of the cage they go, Shawn eventually taking a huge fall belly-first into the ring. Bret is nearly all the way over until Shawn miraculously springs up and leaps to the top rope, pulling Bret back in by the hair. Shawn locks in a sleeper, not a move you always see in a cage match, but it ends up biting him as Bret runs him into the cage. They end up climbing the cage at the same time, even getting as far as halfway down the thing until Shawn's foot gets caught and Bret is able to drop to the floor. Overall, a good match though not as essential as their more famous matches. (3/5)

Scott Hall vs. Kevin Nash (04/13/1994, WWE): Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are on commentary for this match for Hall's Intercontinental Championship. It starts as one of the better Kevin Nash matches I've seen as Big Daddy Cool has a ton of energy and delivers some impressive power offense early on. After an awkward cut (probably for a commercial), Deisel puts on a chinlock and the match slows down considerably. There's a long, belabored nearfall sequence but after that, things get considerably better as they run through the match's final two minutes. Ramon hits a bulldog but can't put Deisel away and Shawn Michaels gets involved. Strong finish that I did not see coming (and it doesn't seem like the fans did either). (2/5)

Lex Luger vs. Jeff Jarrett (04/12/1994, WWE): Gorilla Monsoon and a commentator I couldn't quite place (Rob Bartlett?) are at work for this match. Jarrett had debuted in the WWE in late 1993 so this match must've occurred sometime in 94', which means Luger was quickly approaching the end of his failed WWE run. Its not necessarily hard to see why Luger wasn't given "the rocket" because he just isn't very over with this crowd. Decent action for the first 4-5 minutes with Jarrett mostly in control. Double J applies a headlock and down to the mat they go, but Luger stays alive. Jarrett attempts a vertical suplex but Luger reverses it. Modern viewers will wonder why both guys are spending so much time on the mat, but I'm a fan of the deliberate pacing and "less is more" approach. Luger fires up and Jarrett wants a timeout. Luger's comeback would be more impressive if he had more an arsenal, but that's just not the case. Luger puts Jarrett in the rack and this one is over. Not a great match, but not the worst thing ever. (2/5)

The Junkyard Dog vs. Terry Funk (10/12/1985, WWE): Nothing great, but JYD was never really known for his in-ring skills. At one point, even Gorilla Monsoon notes that the match has "quieted down" on commentary, which was bound to happen as the match's runtime went into double-digits. Funk is decent here - he's always so good at the little things like his bumping and selling - and the crowd is very much behind the Dog, but crowd enthusiasm and shtick can only carry a match so far when the "meat" isn't too impressive, original, or energetic. Not worth seeing, even if you're a big fan of either guy. (2/5)

Gran Hamada/El Hijo Del Santo/Solar vs. Dr. Wagner Jr./Negro Casas/Babe Face (05/08/1992, UWA): I'm guessing this match was taped on the 8th but didn't air till the 30th, which is why it is listed as happening on the 30th on the YouTube clip. I added this match to my never-ending Greatest Wrestler Ever playlist because I've been trying to expand my lucha knowledge (and also because Hamada has a tremendous reputation in his own right). I didn't get into this one very much, though there were elements and moments I liked. Negro Casas can always be counted on to be a dastardly prick. El Hijo Del Santo has great offense. Solar didn't "wow" me, but I'd be curious to see more of his matches knowing now that he was a submission specialist. Unremarkable and even boring at times, though I'm admittedly still lukewarm on lucha libre in general. (2/5)

Crush vs. Tatanka (05/23/1994, WWE): How did this match end up on a compilation of German Fan Favorites? This is a Lumberjack Match/King of the Ring Qualifier and has Randy Savage on commentary. As soon as the match begins, the lumberjacks come inside and square off. The ref sends everyone out and the match begins for real. The best and maybe only good part of this match is seeing some of the characters hanging around outside the ring - Doink, The Smoking Gunns, Bob Holly in his Sparky Plugg days, and even Kwang The Ninja. The Bushwackers were still around too. As one would expect with these two, the action isn't too great. I thought by watching a "Best Of" collection from 1994 I'd escape Brian Adams, but sadly that was not the case. Around minute 4-5 (or what feels like 8-9), Crush applies some sort of resthold in the center of the ring and it feels like he's draining the life out of me rather than his opponent. Tatanka rallies, but ends up put back on the mat with a sloppy atomic drop. Crush re-applies an awful-looking body scissor/arm-lock combo while McMahon references the Pacers/Knicks Playoff Series (answering the question "Can this match feel any more dated?" with an enthusiastic "Yes!"). Tatanka gets distracted by the heels on the outside and then Crush connects with a "superkick" that doesn't even get past Tatanka's muscle gut. He then puts on the bodyscissors for a third time. This is anti-psychology. Why is he trying to wear down Tatanka in the middle of the ring when he, as the heel, should be actively trying to toss him to the outside to get beaten up by his comrades? Tatanka gets some offense in, though, and Crush momentarily ends up tied up in the ropes. He breaks free and is back in control soon enough. Crush hits a weak elbow from the second rope and then its back to the mat for a front headlock. Eventually Tatanka is sent outside and the lumberjacks start pushing and shoving...Bam Bam Bigelow and Razor Ramon's jawing is more entertaining than anything that Crush or Tatanka had done in the previous10 minutes. No wonder WCW saw an opportunity to overtake the WWE as this match feels endless. Tatanka sends Crush to the outside, but instead of the babyfaces being able to work together to beat him down, Crush actually gets all sort of offense in before Lex Luger shows up and knocks him out with his steel-plated elbow. Crush is rolled back in the ring and Tatanka, who had fell to the mat out of exhaustion, crawls over to pin him. This was terrible. (0/5)

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. The Undertaker (05/04/1993, WWE): We've got Jim Ross on commentary for this one with Gorilla Monsoon adding color. Bigelow tries to bring the fight to the Deadman, but Taker is unfazed. Undertaker hits the Old School (years before it was called that) but misses a flying clothesline, giving Bigelow the opportunity he needs to start wearing him down. To the outside they go and Bigelow sends Undertaker into the barricade and then into the steps. Undertaker's bumping throughout this match is fairly impressive, moreso than he's often given credit for at this time in his career. Bigelow tries to keep him down with a bevy of headbutts, but when he goes to the top for one, the Undertaker sits up and Bigelow goes to the mat face-first. Bam Bam goes walking towards the locker room, but Tatanka prevents him from escaping. I'm not exactly sure why Tatanka's attack isn't an automatic DQ (Jim Ross notes this on commentary as well), but it doesn't really matter much anyway as Taker gets the pinfall win following a chokeslam (or something like it) seconds later. Not great. (1.5/5)

Jacques Rougeau and Pierre LaFitte vs. The Headshrinkers (Rikishi Fatu and Samu) (04/26/1994, WWE): The WWF Tag Team Championships are on the line in this match from an episode of Monday Night RAW. Fun start and, while I'm not sure if the audio is sweetened or not, the crowd seems pretty into this. When the going gets tough, the Quebecers try to escape by simply taking the countout loss (which would allow them to hold onto the titles), but Earl Hebner makes a huge judgment call - declaring that if the Quebecers do not re-enter the ring, they will be stripped of the titles! When we return to action from a break, Samu is beating down Ouelette, who was 26 but looked 36. The crowd chants "USA!" and Savage, on commentary, makes sure to note that this is for support of American Samoa. Some of the double-team maneuvers the Quebecers bust out are impressive, including a cool combo where Jacque back-body dropped Pierre right onto Fatu. Samu gets the hot tag, though, and its headbuttin' time! Very cool spot where Samu goes for a crossbody but ends up caught up in the ropes by his neck! Fatu breaks him free rather quickly, possibly because even Vince knew this kind of spot was a little too extreme for the WWE in 94'. Jacques Rougeau follows it up with a piledriver, which, in hindsight, is an even crazier spot. The Quebecers then attempt their finish, which saw Jacques assist Pierre for a somersault splash off the top. All sorts of shenanigans distract the ref and the Quebecers look to have a big shot at securing the victory, but Jacques inadvertently hits his partner and Pierre strikes him back! The Headshrinkers hit their double front-leg sweep and now its time for a big Fatu splash! We've got new champions! I wasn't expecting much out of this match, but it was full of energetic sequences and, for four guys all pushing well above 250, a good amount of high-flying. (3/5)

NOTE - The next bunch of reviews were written several years ago as part of an incomplete review of AWA WrestleRock 86'...

Brad Rheingens vs. Boris Zukhov (04/20/1986, AWA): The crowd - which is nowhere near capacity and is mostly dead silent - does come alive a bit when the babyface makes his comeback, but this is a very by-the-numbers 8-minutes that reminded me, a bit too much, of some of the filler that the NWA put on their early Starrcade shows. Unremarkable. (1/5)

Lord Little Brook and Little Tokyo vs. Little Mr. T and Cowboy Lang (04/20/1986, AWA): TV's Gary Humpkin (who I had to research to find out was the host of a local TV show in Minneapolis called Good Company) was the special guest referee for this match. Also, Little Mr. T really did look like Mr. T. Tokyo and Littlebrook dominate early, hitting the Cowboy with strikes and keeping him grounded with headlocks. When Lil' T comes in, the babyfaces finally get some good offense in, but it's not long before the heels have control again. Some comedy spots get thrown in around the 5-minute mark, but, for the most part, this is a straight-up, basic tag team match with the added element of the heels not getting along with each other that just happens to be wrestled by performers of below average height. At 10 minutes, this one goes a bit longer than it probably should've, but I'd rather watch this than the Rheingens/Zukhov match as there were at least a handful of fun moments. (1.5/5)

Colonel DeBeers vs. Wahoo McDaniel (04/20/1986, AWA): Gary Michael Cappetta introduces Chuck Lilligrin (sp?), an expert horse breeder, to serve as the guest ring announcer. Wahoo McDaniel gets the loudest pop of the night so far. DeBeers is disparaged blatantly as an apartheid-supporting racist on commentary, a gimmick that definitely wouldn't fly in today's climate. McDaniel and DeBeers trade wristlocks and takedowns to kick things off, McDaniel showing some surprising quickness for a man his size. DeBeers gets the upperhand and tosses McDaniel out of the ring in vicious fashion, but Wahoo won't stay down, popping the crowd with his mighty chops. Unfortunately, a cheap finish keeps this one from ending definitively, but the post-match brawl lessens the blow of this one coming across as mere filler. (2/5)

Buck Zumhofe vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (Tiger Mask) (04/20/1986, AWA): I watched this match before knowing that Buck Zumhofe was a pedophile and rapist, which probably would've made me enjoy it much, much less. My original review was somewhat positive as I praised the goofiness of the mostly indecipherable introduction for Tiger Mask and even Zumhofe's energy as he tried to pull the crowd into the match with big movements, dancing, and hand-clapping. Misawa dazzled with his impressive agility but the crowd was less excited for this despite the fast-paced offense, swift reversals, and what, in 1986, counted as "high spots," such as a huge crossbody over the top rope and somersault splash from Misawa. Of course, YMMV based on the fact that Zumhofe was/is a disgusting pedophile rapist. (2/5)

Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham vs. Steve Keirn and Stan Lane (04/20/1986, AWA): Rotunda and Windham were known as the US Express in the WWE while Keirn and Lane were The Fabulous Ones. It's interesting to hear Windham and Rotundo being promoted as the former WWF World Tag Team Champions, something Vince McMahon would almost never do when he brought in talent from other organizations. A good-not-great tag team match ensues, Windham and the Fabulous Ones being head-and-shoulders above everyone else on the card so far with their ability to engage the audience, space out their match with ebbs-and-flows, and build drama for an extended match-up. (2.5/5)

Bob Brown vs. Giant Baba (04/20/1986, AWA): At 5'11, Brown is severely undersized compared to Baba, even if I'm not convinced Baba actually stands at 7'4''. The match they have is pretty horrendous and shockingly even. I'll admit to not being too familiar with Baba's work, but considering his size, his moveset is really no different than any other generic 80s worker. Brown doesn't do a thing to play up their size difference either. The lone positive is that the match doesn't go too long. (0.5/5)

Harley Race vs. Rick Martel (04/20/1986, AWA): This match was advertised as one of the show's "dream matches." The wrestling is very good throughout and Martel and Race try their best to deliver an epic by hitting each other with just about everything they have - piledrivers, headbutts, back suplexes, big roundhouse rights and lefts. The match goes 10 minutes, but feels like at least 50% longer because of all they do. For as good a seller as Martel is and as natural a heel that Race is, the match might deliver too much back-and-forth and too little psychology or suspense. A reviewer at ProWrestlingOnly.com called this the 80s version of a John Cena/Kevin Owens match and the comparison is apt. For all the great moments, the match itself doesn't really leave impression beyond how many moves and transitions they threw in. The fact that the finish is an indecisive one hurts things as well. (3/5)