Makai Club #1

I’m not too big on Shinzaki, but I thought he was great in this match. Gannosuke killed the match with his dire heat section and he got the crowd back up to a fever pitch. The match was fun though. Shinzaki attacked Gannosuke while he was coming out of his dressing room and got the advantage early before going through the table. The closing stretch was good with some interesting moes and quality sequences to close out the match, giving Shinzaki the win. Such a great way to build Gannosuke up for his Brass Knuckles title match in 9 days. ***1/2

This is Hiroshi Hase’s 1st IWGP Heavyweight title challenge (and presumably his last) and it’s an absolute blast. The crowd was buzzing when Hase came out. Hase is really under-pushed compared to his opponents when he was maybe the best wrestler in New Japan until he left the company, so him getting a huge spot like this does seem like a big deal. Hase is now sporting a new haircut or the occasion as well, adding the spectacle. The match is definitely Hase’s game, too. The match is mostly grappling that goes back and forth between the two wrestlers, with neither willing to give up so easily, creating this never ending struggle for most of it. It wasn’t particularly complicated; it was more the struggle and each of them presented it that made the mat-work so interesting. To me, it seemed like Hase really wanted to smother Hashimoto and make him tap out Hashimoto, being stubborn, and decided to face Hase head on ia the work on the ribs (the double foot stomp needs a mention because OUCH!). This led to the explosie closing stretch. This is where Hase always shines as well. Hase slaps Hashimoto, making Hashimoto ire ack and then the match turns into a nail biting test of who's going to all irst. Hase does get a little overzealous when he pops up after two DDTs but it's an incredible “Holy Shit” moment and Hashimoto reacts really well to carry on his momentum towards his eventual win. Hase’s chops were lethal and he was ready for Hashimoto's barrage but Hashimoto continued on and scored the win with a ile spinning wheel kick and a leg hooked brainbuster. What a classic bout. ****3/4

This was gross at times. Pogo at one point was carving into Onita at the stomach using a scythe. The explosion looks great, but it's all just for flash rather than drama. This was a fun spectacle with a good Onita performance and a magnificent Gannosuke spot where he dives onto Pogo, eliminating (and blowing up) him and Pogo. That's pretty much it. ***

This was super cool. Malenko had some sick dropkicks to the thighs and generally matched up with the PWFG crew well, Sho Funaki in particular. Even the future Kendo Kashin looked awesome. Ishikawa looked great. He had some wicked stomps. What a talent he was before he put on a mask. ***

I need to see more of her if there is more available but that Dump match is absolutely tremendous. The whole package with the entrances, mid match breakdowns and brawling blew me away. If there is any match of hers to watch, it's that one (date is 20/02/1986)

The big plus about Kento is how much bigger he feels when compared to literally everyone else in All Japan. But past that, you do have a repetitive act who gets by by having a lots of charisma and personality. His peaks are quite up there with quality matches against Naomichi Marufuji, Zeus, Suwama and Akiyama.

Tremendous bout. Bockwinkel delivered a masterclass of selling of his knee while offering some great work on the midsection, primarily the hip of Martel. The match starts with Bockwinkel gaining the quick advantage via a few knees to the stomach but soon gets over hyped and wacks his knee on the turnbuckle after attempting a high knee and gives an opening to Martel. Martel, of course, goes right for it with relentless holds - that Billy Robinson explains perfectly while on commentary. Bockwinkel nibbled at Martel’s ribs and hips, finding a reprieve that backs Martel off for a short while before he uses his bad knee on the move and quickly loses the advantage. And the match follows that formula throughout the match, turning into a dueling limb match. The drama is at a high Martel posting Bockwinkel’s leg, drawing Bockwinkel’s desperate tactics to come out (scratching Martel’s eyes and rabbit punching the hips). Martel wasn't having any of it though and kicked Bockwinkel’s leg out from under him, in an awesome spot. The finish is a bit of a let down but it's a AWA staple. Masa Saito comes in and throws salt in Martel’s eyes while Martel has a Boston Crab locked in, which allows Bockwinkel to score the win and win the title! But wait, the ref reverses his decision after deliberation. Martel retains. Yay. ****3/4

A young Eaton! He’s as super good as well. All of his offence looks good as well. Before the match, he and Jimmy Hart are upset by the appearance of Dutch Mantel so they spend the segment complaining before Dundee shuts them up and starts the match. The match is fast paced and filled with simple wrestling. Loads of punches and strikes. The ring even starts to fall apart towards the end due to the velocity of their bumping. Dundee scores the win, popping the studio audience which sparks a melee. Cool match. ***

One of the most famous matches and angles in Memphis history. If anyone is remotely interested in classic Pro Wrestling, they have watched this exchange between Ric Flair, the NWA Heavyweight Champion and Jerry Lawler, the hometown champion. Jerry Lawler cuts a wonderful promo on Jimmy Hart helping him regain the Southern Heavyweight Title against Kimala before he transitions into coaxing Ric Flair into the title match right there on television. Ric Flair is so cool and calm in this segment. Kevin Nash was likely taking notes somewhere. He initially tries to big league Jerry Lawler by asking who he is, which Lawler handles perfectly and then he goes on about how he is above anyone in Memphis that he may as well face Jerry Lawler rather than his scheduled opponent. The match was a fun studio match that condenses the usual big NWA Champion v Hometown Hero match. Flair starts out cocky before Lawler gets the advantage and proves himself a worthy challenger. Flair does stay on top, using his usual tricks and even almost beats Lawler with the Figure Four before the time limit expires. Flair is so mad that he couldn't get a decisive win so he asks (and gets) five minutes. This unhinged Flair who goes wild but it turns into his undoing as Lawler takes advantage quickly and this causes Flair to flat out run away. Lawler brings up a great point saying that he should be champion as Flair ran away, essentially forfeiting the title. Being unable to get back in the ring is one thing but running away is something else entirely. Flair comes back out later claiming that it wasn't a title match as there was no contract signed. Fair points already. And it was a good way to close out such a classic segment. ***

Fujinami has a couple of gems against Koshinaka (6/2/94), Chono (31/05/91) and Ishikawa (04/01/93).

UWF was originally supposed to be a throwback to 70s New Japan before Sayama was brought on board, Shimma got ousted and then the style naturally turned into what it because I believe. Inoki is a favourite of mine. Despite all of his faults, his clunkers and misteps, he has something that makes me invested instantly. The Masa Saito no ropes match is an absolute classic. Great pre no ropes, incredible post no ropes. Plus Choshu goes apeshit. The match against Fujinami in 88 is my all time favourite New Japan match, doing virtually the impossible by successfully passing the torch through not losing. It takes a genius to do that.

I've been watching some of the weekly WCW 1993 shows and Windham is constantly delivering on those shows. I have no doubt that he was an excellent wrestler and was for way longer than people realise but I probably need to rewatch a lot of his career to put him into perspective because I'm going to rank him but I have no clue where. Not even a ball park.

If I had a criticism against Kawada, it would be how his selling became more of a self conscious thing that'd he put into a match just to have it. It was basically one of his signature spots. If you're going to a show to see Kawada, that's one of the things you're paying for essentially. Perhaps that's a little smarky for the 90s All Japan audience (maybe not). It's the equivalent of getting your shit in. Other than that, I love almost everything about him and his matches. Similar to how I think about Hansen, Kawada is someone who, not matter the match quality, is someone always value for time. I can watch one of his famous Misawa matches or a random match against Tamon Honda and get so much enjoy out of watching Kawada doing his thing. And of course, he has the incredible match resume on top of being a must see wrestler. Excellent in tags, excellent in singles matches, had a very good post peak career, having quality matches against Sasaki, Kojima, Hashimoto, the tags with Fuchi, and there are some gems of his before he became the wrestler we know Kawada to be. I don't think anyone will displace him from my #1 spot. It'll depend on how I see Okada in a few years time.

I wouldn't mind checking out some Trish matches. I didn't really like her growing up, but with a fresh set of eyes and a different outlook on what wrestling is could change that. It didn't work with Lita but Trish isn't Lita.

Nomura need to leave Big Japan to have any chance. I don't even see him getting pushed, let alone facing people who can elevate him as a wrestler. There is only so much you can learn facing Strong BJ trainees. Nomura has gotten the best out of Daichi Hashimoto though. So that's something he can hang his head on.

Fun wrestler. Maybe a bit too low-key to make a top 100. Consistenly enjoyable and capable of having a great match. Abe doesn't ever level up to that higher level though. Even compared to Nomura who is less consistent, depending on Big Japan's booking which is atrocious, but has way more prolific high quality matches and performances.

I'm a Go Shiozaki guy too. Maybe he was too much of a Kenta Kobashi or Kensuke Sasaki try hard but if you ignore those two being clear influences, you have a heck of a fun wrestler in a what was a dry, lifeless promotion for a lot of his main event run.

I'm just being pedantic when it comes to determining the greatest matches ever. Hansen doesn't have a lot of matches I'd put in a lot that elite, elite tier. But he's got a bunch of matches just below that. Also I'm slowly making my way through the Carlos Colon feud right now (slowly, but surely) so this statement could easily be outdated once I'm done.

Stan Hansen is my working #2 despite this very thing. Compared to someone like Kobashi or Okada, who has a long list of 5 star matches for me, Hansen's individual case is how he approaches wrestling. It doesn't always lead to the greatest matches of all time but his performances are so stand out that they don't need to be. When I made my first draft of the top 100, it did happen to turn out that mostly all of my top ranking guys were main eventers. Regal still gets his due respect as do many non main eventers though. I guess it just depends on the person and how they approach it. Rank names as you see fit, and amend due to your gut reaction or rank using a formula.

This case will really rely on how much people like to watch Dragon Gate. While he is much different from a Masato Yoshino or a Ryo Saito, Shingo still embodies a lot of what DG is about through his in-ring work.

No. I have no clue what people were watching. To me, it was an okay match at best.

Sekimoto had a terrible year in 2020. I can't think of one good match that he had. It was consistently underwhelming, regardless of opponent, partner or promotion. Sekimoto had a good run from 2015 to 2019 as a good wrestler who consistently good matches in a promotion that has non deathmatch wrestling as a secondary division. But I'm not so big on him before this. It'll be hard to include him.

Yeah. This wasn't a great triple threat match like WM 30 had but it was good nonetheless. They certainly made me think that both Edge and Daniel Bryan had the match won at certain points in the match before that momentum was snuffed out. The conchairto spot were wicked and Bryan's selling of his was excellent. Someone I was speaking to genuinely thought he was having a seizure. I think Roman pinning both was a great character moment. I think Roman's new gimmick can either be way too melodramatic with the in-match soliloquies or he can just be plain boring, but having the gall to stack Edge and Bryan on top of each other like King King Bundy winning a handicap squash in the build to WM 2 is an excellent character choice. ***1/2

This was a really good main event. I still think that this should've been swapped with the opening bout because that felt hot and this didn't. Nevertheless, this was a solid match with some rather unique work using the hair. Sasha Banks used it for more leverage on her submissions, she used it as a defensive tactic and Bianca Belair used it to whip Sasha which was pretty insane. Bianca Belair was way over the top emotionally. This is a big moment for her and she didn't hide it one bit. Some toning down when it came to her reactions, especially when it came to the nearfall, was desperately needed. ***

I first watched Timothy Thatcher right after his EVOLVE title reign ended and all the EVOLVE fans hated him and thought he was very boring and basic as a wrestler, and as soon as I watched him, I knew that wasn't the case and he's gone on to prove that since, getting those fans back on his side with his work in wXw, Progress, OTT, etc. In WCW, Dean Malenko's Iceman gimmick made Malenko's no personality gimmick into a gimmick in of itself. Thatcher is similar. On the surface, he's a no-nonsense wrestler with a plain look, but there is something very unique in the way he wrestlers and acts. It's hard to describe. It's just something that should be watched and then you'd get what I'm talking about.