Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada vs. Etsuko Mita and Mima Shimoda (06/17/1996, AJW): Reading up the LCO, I found it interesting (though not that odd in Japanese wrestling) to learn that, at one point, Yamada and Mita held the AJW Tag Team Championships and that Toyota and Shimoda were a team as well. Anyway...the LCO come out of the gate with offense as Mita goes after Toyota, hitting her with a quick piledriver and trying to choke her out. In comes Shimoda, who uses the ropes to choke Toyota before applying a snug Tongan Death Grip on the mat and then another piledriver. Toyota won't go down easy, though, and a slapfight ensues. Shimoda works on Toyota's hand for a bit before tagging in Mita. Toyota lands a springboard crossbody and then tags out to Yamada. Yamada has a hell of a kick, really punishing Mita's back. The LCO regain control and Shimoda comes back in to apply a camel clutch and then a body scissors to Yamada. Toyota breaks it up with a dropkick and then comes into the match for a 2-on-1 slam. Toyota goes to the top rope but gets suplexed down by Shimoda for 2. Mita has a chair and, damn, they absolutely crack Toyota in the head with it! Damn. Shimoda then grabs a pair of scissors and drives them into Toyota's head! Chair shot to Yamada! Wow, that escalated quickly. Toyota is cut on her forehead and, like the true experts they are, Mita and Shimoda essentially parade her around all four sides of the ring so the audience can see it. The babyfaces get whipped into the guardrails on the outside and Toyota is now an absolute bloody mess. Toyota fights back there, pulling Shimoda by the hair and tossing her into the rail and the crowd. Shimoda and Mita utilize more chairs, though, and then Shimoda puts a table into the ring. On the outside, Yamada sends Mita into the crowd and hits her with a chair but Mita throws it back into her face. In the ring, the LCO powerbomb Toyota on the flattened table! Damn. They mock the crowd's chanting of "Toyota" and then Shimoda hits her with a suplex for 2. In comes Mita, who attempts a powerbomb but almost gets pinned. Toyota manages to hit a German suplex of her own and then a moonsault but her pin attempt is broken up by another chair attack from Shimoda. Shimoda accidentally clocks her own partner, though, and the babyfaces take control! Double back suplex off the top rope by Toyota and Yamada onto Mita! Brutal head drop there! It only gets 2 so Toyota hits her with the Electric Chair for 2. The LCO regains control and we get another close fall after a Death Valley Driver by Mita onto Yamada. Missile dropkick off the top by Toyota but Shimoda clobbers her with a chair. Yamada tries a crossbody off the top but Mita catches her with a chair. Yamada manages to get another near fall and hits an absolutely awesome spinning front kick off the ropes. Another DVD by Shimoda, though, and this one is over! Wow. This started out okay, then became absolutely wild, and then ended with a really impressive finishing stretch. (3.5/5)
"Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (01/26/2018, Defiant Wrestling): This match was for Sabre Jr.'s Defiant Wrestling Internet Championship. The story coming in was that Bailey had a weakened knee, making him especially vulnerable to ZSJ's vaunted repertoire of submissions. A good match and a good juxtaposition of styles with Bailey's offense being based on kicks and speed and high-flying and Zack Sabre Jr. being a submission specialist. I would've liked more long-term selling by Bailey, but him "ignoring" the leg damage wasn't so egregious that it ruined the match or anything. Good match. (3/5)
Davey Boy Smith vs. Kenta Kobashi (01/26/1990, AJPW): Nothing special here, though there is some fun seeing these two guys in 1990 when, 4-5 years later, they'd both be much bigger stars. Smith is clearly "on the gas" at this point, looking massive. According to Cagematch, a week earlier, Bulldog had teamed with Dynamite to take on Kobashi and Tiger Mask (Misawa, I'm guessing?). Not much to say about this match aside from it being captured on "fan cam" and that it only goes about 10 minutes with very few highlights. Smith shows off his power in a few spots, but this a mostly technical affair that is kept in the ring and fought fairly. Compared to the heavyweight matches going on in the WWE or WCW, this was probably a step-up for the time but compared to both men's better output, it doesn't rank highly. (2.5/5)
Manami Toyota vs. Kaoru Ito (08/09/1997, AJW): Another really strong Manami Toyota. She is fantastic in this; all of her offense is incredibly well-executed (including multiple springboards that had me wondering if she doesn't have the best "springboard" of any wrestler in history) and her suplexes look nasty. I was less familiar with Kaoru Ito, but her use of double stomps is vicious. Loved the nearly-endless rolling pin from Toyota early. One review on PWO notes that this has a "B match" feel in that it isn't as epic as Toyota's more famous matches, but I don't think that's a criticism as much as proof of her greatness because, for most anybody else, this would probably a Top 10 match. (3.5/5)
Shinya Hashimoto vs. Genichiro Tenryu (06/08/1999, NJPW): Right from the start this is a battle of two big, strong men who know each other well, with even their lock-ups early on being intense before they start trading overhand strikes and chops. Early highlights include Tenryu landing a powerbomb early before getting dropkicked on the apron, a bunch of trademark kicks from Hash, and Tenryu leveling Hashimot with his sharp jabs after cutting him off with a well-placed knee to the groin. Hashimoto's selling is excellent and keeps the somewhat repetitive offense from ever feeling dull. Hashimoto ends up on the top rope and nails Tenryu with an awesome kick to gain control but his enziguiri doesn't quite connect. Tenryu's stubborn defiance leads to a strike exchange that ends with a Hashimoto DDT for 2. He tries for a suplex but Tenryu counters it into a DDT of his own that leaves both men on the mat. Hash hits a running enzigiuri but Tenryu shrugs it off and we get another series of big chops, both men taking incredible punishment. It takes three big clotheslines to bring Hashimoto to the mat for another near fall but Hashimoto gets up quicker and hits some more big kicks that leave Tenryu dazed and hanging on the ropes. A spinning back hand from Hashimoto sends Tenryu to the corner and Hash, after some serious struggle, lands an absolutely nasty brain buster. I'm not sure if he was going for a vertical suplex but he barely gets him up for it and Tenryu ends up landing on his hand. Hashimoto gets merciless from there but Tenryu finds an opening for another jab, forcing Hashimoto to unload his own stiff punches (as opposed to his usual overhand chops). We get another strike exchange but this time its Tenryu who finishes it with a rolling heel kick and then another big chop off the ropes to end it. The finish felt a little bit out of nowhere to me as Tenryu's big chop didn't seem like a "match ender" after seeing them hit each other with dozens of them over the course of the match. A better, more definitive finish would've bumped this up for me but this was still pretty awesome. (3.5/5)
Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada (06/12/1998, AJPW): Watching AJPW out of sequence and with no understanding of context can actually help your enjoyment of a match sometimes - or at least it might have here. Reading up on this a bit, Kobashi and Kawada had had some epic battles in the past, including a 60-minute draw, and a bunch of acclaimed matches earlier in the 90s. Kawada was coming off a huge victory over Misawa, a win that he had been chasing for years, and this was his first defense of the Triple Crown Championship. Kobashi and Kawada beat the living hell out of each other in this match, just absolutely laying into each other with strikes and chops and head-drop suplexes. At various times, both men look like they are wrestling through concussions and I'm not sure they weren't. So much struggle, so many nasty Kobashi lariats, so much emotion, so many brilliant cut-offs and even some very good use of submissions by Kawada - this match has it all and it is all done well. This match doesn't have the same reputation for being a "Greatest Match Ever" candidate the way some of Misawa, Kawada, and Kobashi's other matches do, but I'm not even sure why. This is an absolutely awesome match that delivers on every level. (5/5)
Kota Ibushi vs. Jushin Thunder Liger (06/13/2009, NJPW): A disappointing match in that it felt like two different matches jammed together. The first 10 minutes see Liger dominate on the mat with submissions targeting Ibushi's leg and, for that first 10-12 minutes, Ibushi does an excellent job of selling it. It's not the most riveting set-up but it sets the table for what I presumed to be a big Ibushi-on-one-leg comeback. Instead, Ibushi ends up shrugging off the selling almost entirely and going into "fireworks" mode with his offense, flipping all over the place. Ibushi's offense is so impressive that its hard to complain too much, but as an overall story, I found it to be a bit lazy. (2.5/5)
Kazuchika Okada and Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Kenta Kobashi and Akihiko Ito (05/06/2009, NOAH): I wasn't expecting much of out of this match - it made my "Watchlist" mostly based on my desire to see more Okada and Kobashi as I prepare to make my Greatest Wrestler Ever list - but this was a ton of a fan and I loved Kobashi's attitude from the beginning, basically begging his opponents to bring their A-game and bullying his own partner, Ito, into matching his level of intensity. The way Okada bumps for Kobashi's lariats (while Kobashi practically no-sells an Okada dropkick) make for some great moments. I'm unfamiliar with Hiroyoshi Tenzan but he had a ton of attitude and energy. Not a classic or anything, but Kobashi's performance nudges it above average. (3/5)
Kyoko Inoue vs. Yumiko Hotta (08/20/1997, AJW): I was surprised to see this match getting fairly low ratings over on Cagematch, well below the 4.5 stars that Meltzer gave it in the Observer. It's not an all-time classic (which a match rated 4.5 stars in 1997 should be as this was well before Meltzer "blew up" his own rating system), but its one of the better Hotta matches I've seen and Kyoko Inoue is very good here too. Some really nifty powerbombs and Hotta's armbar looks terrific. The match doesn't overstay its welcome but all feels very "complete" and like its been a fight from beginning to end. The crowd is into it. Maybe not "must see," but well above average. (3.5/5)
Timothy Thatcher vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (04/13/2025, DEFY): A bit of a weird watch in 2025. In terms of the action, it is highly technical and mat-based and there's lots of joint manipulation and submission work, which is exactly one might suspect. In a sense, they are giving you what their reputations advertise they will give you...but the match never exceeds or subverts those expectations, which feels maybe a bit underwhelming in 2025, especially from Sabre Jr., who has added so much more to his arsenal than just his mat work and that was kinda missing here. That's not to say that this isn't a superb exhibition of grit and technique - the intensity and animosity on display is undoubtedly terrific - but that it just didn't pull me in emotionally at all. (3/5)
Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita (04/16/2025, AEW): These two had a match I really liked at Revolution 2024. This one started off a bit tepid but picks up after the commercial break and the last few minutes are absolutely insane with finisher steals, 2.9999 kickouts, and crazy counters. The live crowd eats it all up, but aside from being impressed with the execution of their respective offense, this match didn't hook me in any emotionally meaningful way. So many Oscutters, so many Hidden Blades...and none of it "weighed" anything by the end. This match has an insane rating on Cagematch that it doesn't deserve, but there are also plenty of commenters who found this to be overloaded with high spots and false finishes. (2.5/5)
Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castignoli (12/11/2024, AEW): Good start to this match with Castignoli showing off his agility a bit before using power to take control of the match. Cesaro swings Fletcher into the steps before using them to torture Ospreay's arm. Claudio applies a Sharpshooter but then goes seamlessly into a crossface and then, with a bit more struggle, back into a Sharpshooter during the picture-in-picture segment. The crowd gets restless as Ospreay manages to untangle himself and get some offense in, including a big boot in the corner and then a vertical suplex. Ospreay calls for the Hidden Blade but Claudio gets his boot up. Ospreay applies an Octopus Hold but Claudio gets to the ropes. Claudio hits a double stomp to Ospreay's back and then dead lifts Ospreay up for a slam. They go to the top rope and Claudio gets headbutted to the mat, allowing Ospreay to attempt a sidetwister - but Claudio evades it and hits him with a running uppercut instead. After a brief strike exchange, Ospreay lands the Oscutter, but Claudio rolls to the outside to avoid getting pinned. Ospreay goes for another Hidden Blade but Claudio catches him with a pop-up uppercut and then hits a lariats for a near fall. Claudio looks to hit his finish, but Ospreay jackknife pins him out of nowhere! Very unexpected finish. After the match, Claudio got a little bit of his heat back by attacking Ospreay. When Castignoli went to grab a chair, though, Darby Allin ran out for the save. Even though they did way less "stuff," I liked the story of this match better than the Takeshita one. (3/5)
Aja Kong vs. Manami Toyota (10/6/1996, AJW): Manami tries her best to get some offense in out of the gate with springboards and sprints around the ring, but Kong grounds her with ease and applies a body scissors. Kong gets to her feet and starts to hit her with stiff kicks. This might be one of the loudest matches i've ever seen with lots of screaming out of Toyota. Kong stomps on her, snap mares her, and then applies a headlock. Toyota pulls on Kong's ear to break the hold. She does some headbutts, but Kong headbutts back and Toyota ends up on the mat. Kong applies a camel clutch and its a punishing-looking one, but Toyota uses all of her energy to spring back. Kong turns it into a modified surfboard and then unloads more stiff kicks. Toyota manages to get a nearfall on a sunset flip and then counters another Kong submission into a choke of her own. Kong escapes and lifts Toyota up in a choke before dropping her. Toyota bridges out of a pin attempt, but Kong just squashes her! Kong hits the catapult-backbreaker, one of my favorite combos, and then catapults her neck-first into the bottom rope. To the outside they go, with Kong tossing her into some chairs (and fans). Both women ram their heads into the post to prove their toughness/psych themselves up. Kong hits devastating pile-driver on the floor. Toyota manages to get into the ring and Kong calls for a test of strength, but Manami mocks her a little bit by reaching her hand up higher, showing off her height advantage. They trade blows and Kong knocks her to the ground, but when she goes for a pop-up something, Toyota starts to unload her dropkicks, the last one connecting to the back of Kong's head and sounding like a gunshot. Damn. Toyota applies an Octopus Hold but Kong is able to step across the ring with her on her back and reach the ropes. Toyota goes back up to top and tries a crossbody but Kong catches her and drops her to the mat. Stalling jumping piledriver! Goddamn. Moments later, Kong rolls to the outside from a dropkicks and Toyota attempts her springboard splash to the outside but gets met with a kick to the ribs. Kong sends her into the guardrail and then back into the ring. Kong goes to the top rope but Manami meets her there and dropkicks her off and to the floor! Toyota brings a table over the rail and puts Kong on it. Springboard somersault legdrop but the table doesn't break and Toyota ends up bumping to the floor on the back of her head! Holy cow. Toyota rolls her back into the ring and goes for a German suplex but Kong blocks it. Kong with an unbelievable sit out powerbomb! Wow. Kong goes for a back suplex but Toyota escapes and hits the German for 2! She tries a moonsault but Kong gets her feet up! Back suplex right onto Toyota's neck by Kong! A body slam leads to a nasty splash from the top rope but Toyota bridges out! Kong goes back up top but Toyota follows her up! Sunset flip powerbomb, but again Toyota takes the worst of it as Kong lands on her lap more than the ring. Ugly stuff, but I kinda like that in my pro-wrestling. Toyota tries for the straightjacket suplex but eats a brainbuster instead. Kong hoists her up to the top rope and Toyota tries for another powerbomb but ends up with Kong landing on top of her. Toyota bridges out of another pin attempt. Toyota escapes Kong's first attempt at a suplex but gets hit by one anyway. Kong goes to the top, which allows Toyota to set her up for the Electric Chair suplex for 2! Great nearfall. Both women are staggering....Uranake! But Kong can't capitalize, unable to make the cover as Toyota rolls to the bottom rope. She gets a pin, but Toyota bridges out once more! Toyota springs to life and hits a beautiful German Suplex but can't hold onto the pin. Kong gets to her feet and goes for another Uranake but Toyota blocks it and hits a German Suplex! She gets the pin, though Kong's foot clearly hits the bottom rope. Fun match with some glaring non-selling out of Toyota that I didn't love, but lots of little moments and counters that I did, including some outright comedic elements that I was not at all expecting. (3.5/5)
Kenny Omega/Chris Jericho/Kota Ibushi/Paul Wight vs. Konosuke Takeshita/Brian Cage/Kyle Fletcher/Powerhouse Hobbs (11/15/2023, AEW): This match, hyped as a "Like A Dragon Streetfight" (based on a video game I'd never heard of) starts off "wonky" and basically stumbles its way into watchability. Omega and Ibushi force a Golden Lovers spot that exposes Ibushi (and Brian Cage) a good bit due to poor execution. They had to book around Paul Wight's obvious mobility issues by having him get taken out in the back from a Powerhouse Hobbs slam that looked legitimately painful, but also would make one wonder why he was even booked in the match in the first place. Kyle Fletcher was not yet a show-stealer and is lost in this match. The use of bicycles as weapons was different. I liked some of the work towards the end with Omega and Jericho teaming up to take out Hobbs (and also the wicked bump Omega took into a plastic pallet earlier in the match), but this was not a great match and certainly not a 4+ star match like Meltzer rated it at the time. This was like a C-level "Stadium Stampede" match. (2.5/5)
Aja Kong vs. Megumi Kudo (12/06/1993, AJW): Cool match showcasing Megumi Kudo's toughness and submission skills as she challenges Kong for the 3WA Championship. Kong is equally great in this, dishing out serious punishment in the forms of kicks and suplexes. There were far fewer high spots in this than the last Kong match I watched (see above), but I dug the realism and strategy here just as much - or maybe even more? - than the higher workrate (but less selling) in that match. The match goes over 20 minutes and never feels dull or like they are repeating themselves. I was really surprised that we got a ref bump in this match that led to a visual pin as, based on my somewhat limited viewing (but still quite a bit at this pint), I don't think I've ever seen that before in a joshi match. Very good match, maybe just a hair short of "great." (3.5/5)
Keith Lee vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (11/06/2016, Beyond Wrestling): Beyond Wrestling is a promotion based out of Worcester, Massachusetts. This was a fun match with Lee and Sabre both trash-talking each other and the crowd, letting their clashes in style and presentation and personality do much of the heavy lifting. Sabre tries to wear Lee down with his grappling, but Lee is just too big and strong, especially in the early going. Over time, Sabre's striking and work on Lee's legs allows him to gain the upperhand for a few stretches, but Lee continuously cuts him off to maintain control. There were some good spots towards the end - the release guerilla press slam, Lee hitting an impressive crossbody, a kickout from Lee that sends Sabre halfway across the ring - and I liked the shocking finish, which featured one of Sabre's trademark nifty pins. Good stuff. (3/5)
Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill (04/19/2026, WWE): I didn't watch all of WrestleMania this year for the first time in well over a decade (and even the rare WrestleManias I missed watching live or within a few days over the past 35 years, I have since gone back and watched in their entirety). There are multiple reasons for that, but I won't get into them here. Anyway...this was one of the very few matches I was intrigued by because, going into it, I assumed it would either be a very good match or a trainwreck (not dissimilar to Stratton/Charlotte, which ended up being a mix of both but was far more entertaining than this). Aside from the entrances, there was nothing special about this. With most WrestleMania matches, you can assume that the participants have likely gone over and, in many cases, rehearsed certain sequences so this is not an indictment of any particular worker, but this was a match where the "seams" showed and nothing felt organic or spontaneous. They only got 10 minutes so there wasn't much of a story or building up of drama before Cargill's entourage - Michin and B-Fab - showed up to try to help her steal the win. IYO SKY came out to make the save which led to the finishing sequence. Ripley reversing Cargill's finisher into a Ripcord was a solid ending of an unremarkable match, which probably makes it - for better or worse - one of the better matches of Cargill's short career but not really a feather in Ripley's cap. (2.5/5)
CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns (04/19/2026, WWE): I went into this match not sure what to expect, though I worried it might be filled with needless dialogue and potentially even outside interference in an effort to launch some sort of major storyline (and protect either man in a loss). Fortunately, Reigns and Punk delivered one of the better straight-up WrestleMania main events in quite some time, a match that built up slow and told a familiar story of CM Punk, the grizzled veteran, showing incredible determination and toughness in the face of an elite challenger with tremendous power and poise. With a runtime of over 30 minutes without a single minute of it seeming boring or like they were intentionally keeping their foot off the gas, this match showcased both men's strengths as in-ring performers - Punk's dynamic offense and believable selling, Roman's ability to convincingly be dominant or vulnerable as the situation requires and strong sense of timing and pacing his undeniably limited bag of signature moves. The second half of the match picked up considerably once Punk was denied an elbow drop through the table and ended up hanging from the top rope, exposing himself to a Superman punch that led to some "color" on his forehead. Reigns powerbombed him through the table minutes later but Punk fought back valiantly, kicking out of a huge Spear. A frustrated Reigns opted to slam Punk's head in the mat repeatedly and then signaled for GTS but Punk blocked it, hit him with a kick for 2, and then delivered a solid-enough Superman Punch for another nearfall. Punk went into the crowd and grabbed an ula fala, mocking the challenger in a heelish move, but ended up getting caught a guillotine when he tried for a spear. Punk managed to escape it to apply the Anaconda Vice but Reigns punched his way out and re-applied the guillotine. Punk escaped by kneeing Reigns in the groin and attempted a Sharpshooter but got locked in the guillotine again! Punk tried to turn it into a pin but only got 2 and we got the classic double clothesline "double down," a staple of "big match" layouts but also a spot with a ton of WrestleMania significance. From there, Punk hit a low blow to show how far he was willing to go to defeat Reigns and managed to hit his flying elbow through the table after all. Back in the ring, he hit Reigns with a GTS and Reigns bounced into the ropes before falling back onto Punk's shoulders for another GTS. This time Punk collapsed and Reigns hit him with a series of spears to secure a 100% clean victory. Tremendous match. (4/5)
Aja Kong vs. Dynamite Kansai (08/30/1995, AJW): This is another Aja Kong 3WA Championship defense. Kong comes in looking to put a hurting on Kansai, but Kansai stares her down, completely unafraid. Kong lifts her up and puts her in the corner and Kansai attempts a sunset flip powerbomb but gets squashed instead on a back body drop. Kong starts dishing out kicks but Kansai brings her down with a headlock. Kong dishes out some headlocks and chest chops but Kansai rallies with strikes of her own...that Kong no-sells. A strike exchange ends with both women dishing out headbutts and Kansai working Kong over with kicks before applying a Sharpshooter. Kansai turns it into an STF but can't get it fully locked in and Kong reaches the ropes. Kansai tries a camel clutch but Kong gets her arm free and reaches the rope. Kansai continues her attack and Kong is completely dazed and overwhelmed as Kansai applies a rear-naked choke. Back on her feet, Kong takes some more kicks but then rallies with some of her own, clocking Kansai in the head and putting her on defense. The final kick nails her in the face but Kansai gets back to her feet. Kong delivers a vertical suplex for 2 and then a stalling piledriver for another nearfall. Kansai tries for a roundhouse in the corner but gets caught on the top rope instead and Kong kicks her in the back of the thigh. Kong misses a splash, giving Kansai a chance but she takes another back body drop for 2. Kong lands the splash this time but Kansai kicks out again. Kansai counters a suplex but ends up dropped back on the mat again, unable to hit any sort of sustained offense. Kansai is stumbling around so Kong catches her and hits her with a high angle slam and then a fall away elbow for another pair of near falls. Kong calls for the Uranake but Kansai ducks it, sweeps her legs, and then nails her with a direct kick to the head to give herself a moment to breathe. Kansai comes running out of the corner but steps right into an Uranake! Kong's forehead is busted open but she maintains control, hoisting Kansai to the top rope. Kansai gets down and hits her with another kick to the head and tries for a powerbomb or pile-driver but can't get it, eating a strike to the head instead. Kong goes up to the top rope but Kansai gets beneath her and hits a sit-out Razor's Edge powerbomb! Wow! Kong kicks out at 2! Kansai lifts her back onto the top rope but Kong elbows her in the face and gets down. She tries for another Uranake but Kansai repeatedly kicks her in the hand and arm and Kong goes to the outside. She gets her arm sprayed with some sort of medicine and then even has her arm pulled back into place and bandaged before she goes back into the ring. Kansai meets her with more stiff kicks targeting her arm and Kong goes down! Kong escapes a piledriver attempt and tries for more Uranakes but Kansai keeps cutting her off with kicks! Kansai finally lands a powerbomb and then hoists Kong up onto the top rope for another Razor's Edge and that does it! I didn't particularly love the finish - which felt, very strangely, a touch too "cooperative" - and parts of this got a bit repetitive, but the realism was breathtaking and the psychology was terrific with Kansai focusing on stopping Kong's Uranake. More evidence of Aja's general awesomeness. (3/5)
Rey Fenix vs. Will Ospreay (09/02/2016, PWG): Hearing Excalibur on commentary for this gives it a proto-AEW feel, as does the red-hot crowd. As one might expect, this is a feast of high-flying from the jump with dropkicks and handsprings and springboards galore. Highlights included an insane springboard twisting splash by Fenix to the floor, an expertly-executed anti-aerial dropkick from Ospreay, and Fenix hitting a leaping superkick and following it up with a crazy Frankensteiner off the top rope. Ospreay slows things down with a headlock at one point, but it feels a little forced, like the two were checking it off a list of match components rather than it being a strategic move. This was part of a tournament so it makes sense that they would leave some of their signature stuff on the table - the match goes a little over 10 minutes - but it still feels like a complete match. Ospreay hits a series of lightning-fast offense to get a near fall and continues to control the tempo until Fenix cuts him off with a springboard Superman Punch from the middle rope. This leads to an overtly-cooperative Spanish Fly spot in which both men land on their feet, which causes the crowd to lose their collective mind. Not my thing due to the clear choreography, but I could see why this would get a massive pop from the PWG faithful. Ospreay ends up hitting the Standing Spanish Fly instead but misses his twisting, spinning kick and eats an Oscutter. Fenix applies the Dragon Sleeper but Ospreay gets to his feet. Fenix flips him into his shoulder and drops him with an over-the-shoulder pile-driver! 1..2..kickouts at 2.8. The commentator notes that that was Rikishi's finishing move, which explains why it looked familiary. Fenix goes for a double-spring 450 but Ospreay gets his knees up. He tries for a cover but only gets 2. Twisting, spinning kick and now Ospreay hits the Oscutter and gets the 3. I don't think this deserved the 4.5 stars Meltzer gave it or even the 8.5 rating on Cagematch as, despite the incredible offense on display, there's not any real emotional weight. I'm also not a fan of clear partnership and choreography and the Spanish Fly spot was especially blatant. Above average, for sure, but not must-see. (3/5)
Mayumi Ozaki vs. Megumi Kudo (04/18/1997, FMW): This was a No Ropes Barbed Wire Double Hell Death Match, which I was not actually aware of when I put this on my Greatest Wrestler Ever Watchlist. I usually really love Ozaki's death matches, but this was good-not-great in terms of match structure and drama. Instead of building up to the big spots or some sort of crescendo of violence, this match moves along at a fairly even pace with lots of small moments of craziness spread throughout. To me, matches like this need to feature iconic moments or stunning visuals and this fell a little short of offering more than one or two. I'll also readily admit that, like the reviewers on Cagematch, the version of this match I saw was trimmed down by a good 4-5 minutes so maybe that's why it feels a little bit "off" as a viewing experience. (2.5/5)
Roderick Strong vs. Will Ospreay (07/18/2015, SWE): As someone who was really introduced to Will Ospreay through AEW, I never understood how he could be seen as such a divisive - and outright hated - wrestler among fans. A match like this does a good job of illustrating why as, despite featuring some very good individual spots and execution of impressive high-flying maneuvers by Ospreay, its not all that good. Strong tries his best to build a story and play to the crowd, who are admittedly rabidly pro-Ospreay and eager to root on their hometown hero, but this feels like, the longer it goes, the less interesting or intense it becomes. They start things off relatively slow, which builds some tension, but as they start dishing out signature moves and counters and all the tricks they know, it becomes too choreographed and exhibition-y for me. Both guys would go on to have much better matches against other opponents when they focused more on the emotional story of a match and how to make shifts in momentum come off as organic rather than just showcasing their respective agility and technique. A fireworks show that was somehow dull. (2/5)
Mima Shimoda and Etsuko Mita vs. Kyoko Inoue and Aja Kong (08/09/1997, AJW): Shimoda and Mita were collectively known as the LCO and had a reputation for weapon usage and it does not take long before we see that on full display, though its Kong and Inoue who strike first, instigating a wild brawl on the outside before the bell can even be rung. Its bonkers and awesome. Seeing Awesome Kong getting brained by a chair is a slight to behold and it happens in the first 3 minutes. The match starts in earnest with Inoue and Mita going at it while Kong makes her way back to the ring looking absolutely pissed. Hair toss by Shimoda that actually looks incredibly vicious! Holy cow! Piledriver by Shimoda as Kong watches on with disdain (and blood trickling down her forehead). 5 minutes in and this is incredible. Kong comes in and dishes out headbutts, but because of the earlier chair shot, it actually hurts her as well (good psychology there). A fan or a second gets on the apron and Inoue just wails on them! Mita bites on Inoue's arm but gets hit with a beautiful DDT and then in comes Kong to hit a series of brutal kicks to the back. After a brief exchange of punches, Kong hits a clothesline in the corner. Mita rakes at her eyes and Shimoda tries to choke her out with a towel. Love the heel work there. In comes Shimoda, who bites Kong's forehead but gets cut-off with a body block off the ropes. I'm not sure what the story is between these two teams but this is seriously intense. Kong with a series of snap mares in which she pulls Shimoda by her long hair! Brutal! In comes Kyoko with a chair and she cracks Shimoda in the head with it. Shimoda had her hands up, but it was still nasty. The heels retake control after a run-in but when Shimoda attempts a move, Kyoko catches her with a DDT. Kyoko and Kong do their classic comedy leglock spot! Great stuff. They release their respective holds and Inoue ends up getting stun-gunned on the top rope from a fireman's carry position. Slingblade by Mita and then another! Mita heads to the top rope but Kyoko meets her up there and tosses her off with a release belly-to-belly! Inoue and Kong go to the floor only to be met by a springboard somersault seated senton by Mita! I love that they were held in place by LCO's henchman too. Shimoda's suicide dive isn't as pretty, but that's maybe my first criticism of this match. One of the commentators gets knocked from his seat because this match is so out of control. Kong grabs a beer can and smashes it on Shimoda's head. Meanwhile, Inoue takes out Mita elsewhere in the arena. Up on one of the balconies, Kong tries to shove Shimoda off as the crowd goes wild! Shimoda tries to choke her out with a rope and send her over instead! This shit is nuts. Mita and Shimoda take out Inoue in the ring, but Kong comes back with a fire extinguisher. Kong fills the arena with fire extinguisher chemical as the combatants continue to lay into each other with chair shots. LCO are in control, working on Kyoko, but she rallies with a double clothesline and her and Kong hit a double press slam on Shimoda and then another on Mita onto a bed of chairs in the middle of the ring! Wow. Brutal chair shot by Kong to Mita! Even more brutal one to Shimoda! Holy shit. Kong and Inoue set up a table and Kong piledrives Mita through it! Somehow there's a kickout, though, if the match ended there, it'd probably still be one of the best matches I've ever seen. Powerbomb/piledrives combo by Kong but Shimoda breaks the count! The LCO head out of the ring for a breather and we get another bit of brawling. Back in the ring, Kyoko and Kong hit a flying double clothesline on Mita and then Kyoko lays into her with even more clotheslines as she hangs on the ropes. Kyoko tries a German suplex but Mita counters it into a brief ankle lock and then tags out. I'm not sure if that was a botch or not or if Mita simply couldn't execute what they were supposed to do because she was concussed or whatever. Shimoda comes in and hits Kyoko with some two-hand strikes before tagging Mita back in. They send Kyoko into the ropes but she springboards off the middle with double back elbows. Kong hoists Mita up on her shoulders and Kyoko hits a back elbow off the top, a very nifty variation of the Doomsday Device that some tag team should totally steal. It only gets a 2.5, though, so Kyoko tries a powerbomb only to get mist sprayed in her face! Shimoda drops her with another two-hand strike but Kyoko comes off the ropes with a clothesline soon after. Kyoko tries the back elbow off the top but gets caught in a devastating Electric Chair by Shimoda! Damn, that had to hurt. Shimoda tries a fireman's but gets clocked with a clothesline and in comes Kong. Chairshot by Mita to Kong's back! Kong misses a crossbody! Shimoda hoists her up and drops her with an Electric Chair and then Mita comes off the top with a splash for another 2.9. Shimoda goes to the top, Kong meets her up, but Mita pulls her down. Shimoda throws a chair at Kong's skull from the top rope! 1....2...kickout. Damn. Another chairshot by Shimoda soon after but, on the third one, Kong dodges it and Mita gets hit instead! Splash by Kong...but it only gets 2.9! Kong goes back to the top but one of LCO's goons starts attacking her. This allows Mita to try for a German, but Kyoko pulls her down with one of her own and Kong lands a huge back elbow from the top. Brutal. It only gets 2 so Kong tries for a back suplex but Mita counters it with a bridging back suplex of her own for 2. Kyoko nails Mita with a trash can and Kong dumps her on the back of her head with a suplex...but again it only gets 2.9! Someone slides in a chair and Kong asks for another as Kyoko's hand gets taped to the ropes! There's now a bed of chairs and Kong drops Mita into them with a brainbuster! 1...2...Shimoda breaks the count. Shimoda throws a chair at Kong's head and then another! Shimoda tries a fireman's carry but can't keep Kong up! On the third attempt, she hits the Death Valley Driver onto the bed of chairs! She places Mita on top of Kong...but Kyoko breaks the count! Crazy false finish there. Kyoko with a powerbomb to Shimoda! She grabs Mita by the hair and tries to wake up Kong. Kyoko has Mita in place for an Uranake but Kong is stumbling....she hits the Uranake! And that is it. Wow. I wouldn't call the match perfect because there was a very slight lull at one point and I could see the argument that there were almost too many false finishes, but this was about as violent and awesome as a pro-wrestling match can get and easily one of the best matches I've ever seen. (5/5)
Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis vs. Robbie X, Callum Newman, and Lee Hunter (11/07/2021, Revolution Pro Wrestling): Fast-paced, but not super "spotty," I was surprised how much Fletcher faded into the background a bit compared to Davis. Then again, Davis being the most physically imposing out of all six men certainly helped him standout as the rest of the participants all have fairly similar styles. Ospreay was clearly the star of the bunch and his offense got the loudest reactions, but Robbie X was very good as well. This was fine for what it was and, while it probably would've felt long on TV, its important to remember the context of an indie show is that the matches are primarily done for the fans in attendance and that an 10-minute six-man tag featuring Ospreay is simply not going to cut it when the crowd, or at least a large portion of it, was clearly there to see him perform. (3/5)
Shinobu Kandori vs. Manami Toyota (08/23/1998, AJW): This was a very different sort of match from Toyota as she was borderline heelish from the jump, locking Kandori in a sleeper when she goes in for a handshake at the bell. Toyota is clearly driven to win the 3WA Championship, throwing everything she can at Kandori, who is much more of an MMA-inspired worker with her devastating strikes and submission game. This felt like a real war and a real main event championship match, but they may have overdone it a bit with the false finishes at the end. Still, a very good, hard-hitting match worth checking out if you're into either competitor. (3.5/5)
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Pete Dunne (08/06/2016, OTT): Over The Top Wrestling is an independent company based in Dublin, Ireland. Pete Dunne was very over with this crowd; not in the sense that they loved him, but that they clearly were loving to hate him, the entire audience flipping him the bird during his entrance. There were moments in this that grabbed my attention - the joint manipulation, Sabre Jr. dodging a strike and Dunne striking the post instead - but it didn't hold onto my attention from beginning to end the way a truly great match does. As one would expect, there is a ton of grappling in this and I daresay that Dunne, with his natural charisma, almost upstages Sabre Jr. even in that department. A good match, but not a great one. (3/5)
Yumiko Hotta vs. Shinobu Kandori (03/21/1998, LLPW): I was a little surprised to see this match had a near-10 score on Cagematch as, while it was definitely very intense, very physical, and really surprising in its brevity, it didn't strike me as a "must see" match. Then again, I went into this match cold in regards to the context or history between the competitors and just kinda watched it at face value: Kandori is an MMA-inspired badass, Hotta is an MMA-inspired badass, let's see who wins. Hotta gets some serious "color" but I didn't find it grotesque. (3/5)
Yoshinari Ogawa and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Roderick Strong and Slex (07/20/2013, NOAH): Context would've probably helped me understand this match much better as Ogawa was a bastard to Sabre Jr. in this match. I'd never heard of Slex before and can't say I was too impressed. Him and Strong make for a good team as far as execution and offense, but they're not a particularly exciting or interesting one. I usually really enjoy Ogawa and Sabre Jr. but this match did very little for me and it felt needlessly long. (2/5)
Chigusa Nagayo vs. Manami Toyota (11/29/1998, AJW): Considering Nagayo was one of the biggest and best stars of the 1980s and Toyota was a huge star in the 90s, this felt like something of a "dream match" but never really clicked. It's pretty incredible to think that Nagayo was still wrestling (though, with increasing rarity) through the 2010s, but this match doesn't make me necessarily eager to see much of her recent work. There seems to be something of a styles clash going on and a lack of a cohesive, engaging, and purposeful layout hurts this too. Toyota gets a bunch of her signature spots in, but it feels a bit paint-by-numbers compared to her better matches. (2/5)
Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jun Akiyama (02/27/2000, AJPW): Really enjoyed the third of this with Misawa and Akiyama both dishing out some big moves and Misawa pulling off an awesome shoulder tackle off the apron and then taking a wicked bump into the guardrail. They slow things down a bit in the middle portion but Misawa brings so much emotion to his submissions/headlocks that it never gets too dull. Around the 15-20 minutes mark, Akiyama hits a dropkicks on Misawa as he's perched on the top rope and Misawa takes another nasty fall to the outside and then eats a running knee off the apron. He follows it up by putting his knee on the back of Misawa's head and "riding him" into the guardrail, but a cameraman prevents us from seeing the actual impact. Akiyama hits a Gotch-style piledrives that looks like it could've paralyzed Misawa and then a T-Bone Suplex/Exploder for another near fall. He tries for a submission but Misawa gets to the ropes. Misawa cuts off Akiyama's momentum with a heel kick and then goes to the top for a beautiful frog splash. He tries for a Tiger Driver but has to settle for a German suplex. Akiyama gets to his feet and has a busted nose to Misawa elbows him in the face in the corner and then hits him with a ton of forearms. Misawa hits the Tiger Driver...but only gets 2! Release German Suplex by Misawa! Akiyama looks practically dead at this point and Misawa hits a second Tiger Driver...but again, Akiyama gets his shoulder up! Misawa goes for the Burning Hammer but Akiyama counters it into an Exploder! Then another! He can't make the cover, though, as he's too exhausted and Misawa ends up in the corner. Akiyama gets to his feet and hits a running knee and then another Exploder! 1...2...kickout by Misawa this time! Akiyama hits a brainbuster but only gets 2! The crowd is going absolutely bonkers at this point as Akiyama delivers some sort of fisherman/wrist-clutch suplex driver thing to get the W. Aside from a slight dip when the match kinda lost me, this was very, very good and featured a tremendous third act. Very much worth checking out. (4/5)
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