Makai Club #1

The Philly crowd love heckling the heels. They chant Gomer Pyle at Slaughter, reling him up before the bell. Slaughter attempted to cheap shot Backlund but it came around on him as he ran into a turnbuckle and hurt the arm. Naturally Backlund attacked the arm but unlike the October ‘80 match, Slaughter quickly escaped via headbutts and went to work on Backlund’s back. Backlund constantly moving, constantly threatening a comeback caused Slaughter to cheat his way back in control with shots to the throat and closed fists. The match did a good job in getting the Cobra Clutch and Slaughter over as a dangerous threat no matter Backlund’s dominance. Backlund can have things in hand but Slaughter is a dangerous man and could get the win very easily. The final third of the match was particularly good. Slaughter had some amazing punches and Backlund sold them wonderfully. He wouldn’t bump for one, or even two of them but he would stagge and then struggle to stand once he was dropped. The final stretch of the match was sublime. My favourite moment of the match was Slaughter jumping in glee once Backlund started to bleed on the outside. Slaughter bit Backlund’s wounds and Backlund clearly wouldn’t have that. Backlund hit a headbutt to the sternum and threw Slaughter over the corner posts. Backlund goes to get him but gets counted out in the cheap WWF fashion. Backlund attacks after the bell but Slaughter gets the final say, attacking Backlund with the title. Great match. ****

Hangman Page did pretty much the exact same, only in the Ring Of Honor midcard against much lesser wrestlers. Even in the G1 run, he didn't really stand out among the pile, having a few decent matches here and there. I don't think his AEW run has been all that special either, honestly. Page had a solid tag run with Omega, a couple of good matches against Danielson. Nothing that'll be on my top Danielson matches, but good ones that are worth mentioning. And that's really it. I thought the actual title win against Omega was lacklustre outside of the actual victory.

Unfortunately Adam Cole existed before Shawn Michaels. And while he certainly had a hand in one of my least favourite runs of any promotion (or sub promotion), it probably won't affect him in my rankings. But obviously that differs from person to person.

I began watching the top three matches of this show in April 2021 and 11 months later, I finally finished it. I always forget how cool Jaguar Yokota is. But when she makes her way to the ring, I find myself remembering. She was one hell of a wrestler as well, driving this match to a great standard with both quality submission wrestling and innovative high spots. I thoroughly recommend Catch Wrestling U’s thread on this as it highlights the knowledge and skill displayed. Yokota and Asuka were able to transition from a knuckle lock into a straightjacket suplex masterfully and get a big nearfall out of it, and there were many other good examples of flowing spots put together to create a nearfall. Great main event that could get outshadowed by the semi main event if watched together, so I’m glad it took me nearly a year to actually watch it. ****1/4

As good as Kobashi, Kawada, etc were, I think Tenryu was the best wrestler of the year. Working both WAR and NJPW, had great singles matches against Riki Choshu, Shinya Hashimoto and Hiroshi Hase. The WAR v NJPW matches are all wonderful interpromotional matches (the 16/2 two out of three falls match, the tag with Ishikawa against Hashimoto and Choshu on the 2/4 and more). The match where he teams with Choshu against Inoki and Fujinami is a real gem as well.

Upto this match, Kobashi and Misawa's rivalry was so far behind Kawada and Misawa's and even Kobashi and Kawada's. But this is a truly great equaliser. It's a classic match. Unbelievable in its pacing, offence, selling and its storytelling. The match picks up when Kobashi establishes himself over Misawa by attacking the neck initially before targeting Misawa's elbow. Although the crowd doesn't really buy into the work, it nevertheless is excellent submission work. It firmly puts Kobashi in control and gives Misawa trouble with his vast array of moves, such as the rare Orange Crush. Misawa's elbow is limited but Misawa continues to persist with it as per usual. My favourite moment of the match has to be Kobashi slamming Misawa's arm into his own shoulder at the corner post. His facial expressions and crowd working was masterful in making something that he did the whole match into one of the most significant and meaningful moments. One of the biggest spots of the match was Misawa no selling a Kobashi german only to be taken over by a drop seoi-nage into a cross arm breaker. That, for me, should've been the finish if Kobashi was the destined winner. Misawa's first comebacks were a little underwhelming but Kobashi quickly regained control which led to a much greater comeback later once Misawa hurt Kobashi's arm. Misawa selling the arm is one of the most praised things in the match but Kobashi selling the arm was some of the most compelling work of the decade. The closing stretch was magnificent. It was such a joy ride that the very important executives in suits in the front row were going just as crazy as the hardcore fans. It's one of those matches that does need to be seen by anyone. ****3/4

The last time I drew up a draft, I put Fujinami above Bret. Bret just missed my top 10 but he could sneak in on the different day. Fujinami, for me, has depth, longevity and a great (yes, great) post peak run. Fujinami transitioned from role to role seemlessly, as illustrated above. And, not to take anything away from Bret's classic with Austin at WM 13 (and the others he has), Fujinami has better best match between the two. Fujinami v Inoki is, at worst, my top 5 favourite match. If I was to criticise Bret for anything, it'd be for the Hart Foundation run which was a bit underwhelming, although it has its bright moments.

This was mostly all Ricky Steamboat so it was mostly great. Honky is willing to bump, beg and dive to safety which makes it satisfying when Steamboat chops and punches him. Honky tries to cheat plenty of times but Steamboat never has any of it, always bouncing back to kick his ass. Honky’s only hope was to get counted out - which came when he desperately clung onto the ring apron to prevent Steamboat bringing him in the ring. What a coward. ***1/2

Great 20 minute bout. Martel starts the match like a house on fire, hip tossing Tama around with ease, hitting dropkicks and thwarting an attempted two on one attack by the Islanders. Martel then spent a good while attacking Tama’s leg, who had no answer for Martel’s persistence until he was able to throw Martel to the outside. Tama’s selling was really good for the remainder of the match, slowly whining off the effect of Martel’s heel hold. Tama uses a nerve hold which is unfortunate but they tease a few hope spots to make things interesting. The crowd is totally behind Martel, who feeds off it, making a comeback after several tries. Martel rams Tama’s head into the turnbuckles in a great revenge spot and throws Tama into Haku for an incredible false finish. The finish almost loses its way after the bell keeps getting rung prematurely but Hayes covers saying that Martel, who is on the defensive at this point, has lost his concentration only for Martel to reverse a crossbody into a cradle for the win. Great finish. ****

Nick Bockwinkel commentating his old rival's (Martel) match would've been cool if they acknowledged their history. But forget that, imagine if Bockwinkel and Bret Hart fought? That would've been magnificent. This was a really good tag team match in the tried and true formula. Except maybe the Strike force comeback was too short. The opening exchange was excellent. Martel outshines Bret technically which bruises Bret's ego which made him irrational and that made things worse. Then he calmly tags out. The whole idea of that was highly fascinating to me. Martel still continued to shine in the early parts, as did Tito when he tagged in, but a critical mistake sent Martel to the floor which the Hart Foundation capitalised on. Neidhart attacks Martel's ribs via the bear hug and a couple of back breakers. Martel fights two on one well enough but is always just off from getting the tag. Martel doesn't always connect with me as a fiery face but he truly did here. There was a great spot where he absolutely blasts Bret with a punch that Bret no-sells it immediately. Fuck sake Bret. Tito's hot tag is pretty fun but then the DQ finish comes quickly via the megaphone. The Hart Foundation thought they won the titles for a short bit but then the decision was announced much to their frustration. ****

One of the more prolific MSG matches. Lord Alfred Hayes absolutely puts the JBA over as being a great tag team unit, surprisingly. He calls them extraordinary, just showing that Vince was clearly in on the women's division at the time and wanted to make it work. And within seconds into the match, the crowd goes from silence to going crazy at the initial shine spot by Tateno against Lelanai Kai. Judy Martin is able to slow things down a bit when she initially comes in but also gets overwhelmed by Yamazaki's speed. The Glamour Girls are able to gain the advantage and work over the Angels while the New York work rallies behind the challengers. The Glamour Girls absolutely do pull their weight in these matches with both great heel work and wrestling skills. They are able to grind down whichever one of the JBA are in the ring with stomps and other basic offence while being able to bump around just enough to accommodate the Jumping Bomb Angels. In this match, Yamazaki is the one who is being cut off, who does a great job at selling and being sympathetic. The crowd loved her traditional Joshi bridge out of a pinning position and every sunset flip made for an effective nearfall. Tateno's work on the apron is so good and adds a lot to the face work. Her reaction to the false tag was awesome and she was so desperate to get the tag, that she was practically falling over the ropes which the crowd bites on. The melee at the end with both times in the ring had the place rocking. Tremendous, smooth double team work leading to the Glamour Girls just getting the win after a powerbomb. Excellent tag team match. The first tag of the night and will undoubtedly be the best. ****1/4

I think WWE fans were ready to hate on Brock vs Cain Velasquez regardless because they see Velasquez as an MMA Guy and "that doesn't belong in wrestling". It had an interesting idea but it was just far too short.

Chono was simply there to lose otherwise I don't see the match taking place. Which is a shame because Fujita really peaked in 2005 with his focus mostly being wrestling opposed to mma. A motivated Brock Lesnar vs Kazuyuki Fujita would've been magnificant.

It was a fairly big match in the United States against one of the bigger stars on the indie scene. I can see why he tried to go all out to impress people. I doubt that Okada was going to go on auto-pilot like he's wrestling Yujiro Takahashi.

That was the gimmick. I'm not sure when it started but he keeps it up all the way until the end of the feud. Check out the Cage match on Saturday Night's Main Event and you'll see it again.

Which makes it all the more amusing that the obvious next for Mutoh is to get a New Japan run. Mutoh vs Okada seems like the likely step in the near future.

I didn't see Test v Brock as any great hods clash either. That was the desired goal but it didn't really connect well to me. Test isn't as good as you'd ideally want him to be in order for it to work and Brock is still inexperienced by this point. Side point: King Of the Ring 2002 was a horrible ppv. Awful from Jericho v RVD onwards.

It's quite comfortably Cena for me. A tremendous one-two series with Umaga at New Years Revolution and the Royal Rumble. A great match with HBK on Raw (most people consider the WM main to be a good but I find it to be his only black mark in that title reign), a great set of title matches against nearly everyone on the roster, most of whom weren't workhorses, such as Khali and Lashley. He had arguably the best match with Orton at Summerslam and had a solid rematch at Unforgiven. It's unfortunate that he got injured before they could compete the trilogy because I think that would've only bolstered his case. Cena truly became the best wrestler in 2007. Other candidates will probably be Umaga, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata, etc.

I think Austin is undeniable this year. If his heel turn wasn't considered a bust and the Invasion wasn't squandered, this would be considered one of those signature years, like how 1989 is synonymous with Flair.

I'd actually go with Akira Taue, as an odd answer. I'm actually surprised that Akiyama is touted as a popular answer, actually. I just finished combing through about as much 1996 All Japan as possible, and while he has a lot of great matches, I feel like he never stood out as the best worker in that company. In fact, he wasn't even my #2 option (Kobashi). Akiyama had a great feud with Kawada but all the magical moments, for me, belonged to Taue and Kobashi. The Champion Carnival Final was amazing. The Kobashi match is a Budokan Hall classic. And of course, the Tag League finals. That's Taue’s match, for me. Outstanding work in a work rate and character sense. And if I'm out to lunch on that, Kobashi is right there also making a great argument.

Cole has charisma and is over everywhere he goes but he might be one of the dullest, least interesting wrestlers that I've seen. The Gargano series was dreadful and a perfect example of a big match style gone wrong but it wasn't the norm for me as far as Cole is concerned. What is the norm was matches against Kyle O'Reilly that had all the action in the world but failed to materialise in anything interesting or visceral. Cole can try taking as many high bumps as he can but there is no drama or sense of danger there, making the spots moot. Cole is an absolute no for me.

Omega had an underwelming title reign with the Okada & Jay White's feud overshadowing it in the fall. So Okada? Katsuhiko Nakajima has an incredible year after a crowd killing title ace run in 2017. I forget who I went with in the WON awards. Gut says that Okada edges it.

Okada had a dodgy Post-Wrestle Kingdom period with the Goto "under the waterfall" feud falling flat on its face and then getting overshadowed by Naito until the Summer but Okada had an excellent ride after that. The Marufuji matches are sublime, the Ishii match is one of the more acclaimed matches of the period, the 30 draw with Tanahashi. Gosh. Okada had a great run in 2016, and it got shot out of the water by his 2017.

AJ was in one of the only pairings with Okada that I actively hate. He had his successes, like the Suzuki match in the G1 - which is genuinely great - but my main takeaway was that dud of a feud. I'd have to say HARASHIMA. Simply due to the fact that he has an outstanding KO-D Title reign(s) where almost every match is worth seeking out. He traded the title with KUDO early in the year in two very solid matches. HARASHIMA had a great series with Kenny Omega, that involved a 3-Way against Isami Kodaka that main evented Ryogoku, he was able elevated midcard challengers such as Keisuke Ishii and Soma Takao in a way that made them credible contenders, had two great match with the Irie to start and end the year. Tomohiro Ishii had a great 2014 as well.

I always forget just how much I adore Mochizuki in the ring.I love him regardless of time period - when he was a karateka turned wrestler, when he was the bully douchebag that rode a scooter in Toryumon Japan, when he was an aging veteran. Everything. And I genuinely think that he got better with age and experience. He had arguably his best ever run in his 40s and looks great even now despite being cycled down the card. When I first got into Dragon Gate, I saw this old man in good shape as champion and I was skeptical, at first but Mochizuki totally blew me away when he had my 2018 MOTY against Kzy (Watch this!). Rewatching his old work always brings great results whether it's in tags or singles matches too. It’s not even a collection of great matches either. There are genuine MOTYCs against the likes of Shingo Takagi, YAMATO, CIMA. I find that he is terrific in the muti-man spectaculars that Dragon Gate always does, like the Cage matches, or the 4 Way Tags between Units. It’s rare that I leave a Mochizuki match with a bad taste in my mouth. Even when against young rookies, Mochizuki always delivers to what is expected. The biggest factor against him is the DG Style which affects everyone if you’re not into it and that’s somewhat disappointing because I genuinely think that he is/was a sensational wrestler. I tend to struggle to place more modern wrestlers in lists like these but Mochizuki will undoubtedly top that set of wrestlers.