The earliest great match

[NintendoLogic]

I'm curious as to everyone's pick as to the earliest all-time great match that transcends eras. Speaking personally, the earliest match I'd unequivocally go to bat for is Giant Baba vs. Billy Robinson on 7/24/76. There are a few 60s and 70s matches I'd like to re-explore, though.

[SmartMark15]

I believe my earliest truly great match would be the 2/3 falls Funks-Butcher/Abby matches. Wasn't a fan of the Baba-Robinson classics on first viewing so that needs some revisiting for me.

[TeeVenegas]

From what I've seen, it has to be those French matches from the 60s that trickled their way onto the net a few years back. One of the singles matches from 62(?) in particular was blowaway great.

[Ricky Jackson]

Thesz vs Gagne from 1952 is awesome

 

[Microstatistics]

Jim Londos vs. Bronco Nagurski (Philadelphia, 11/18/1938)

[Ricky Jackson]

Throw up some links fellas

[Richeyedwards]

I adore Baba Vs destroyer 2/3 falls from may 1969 just 55 mins of purely brilliant matwork.

 

I cannot remember anything before it that I have loved as much but then again I have not seen a huge amount of 50s and 60s footage. But I know there is surprisingly a large amount out there with plenty of jwa footage in particular.

 

 

https://youtu.be/nAoTEK7wNts

[El-P]

I adore Baba Vs destroyer 2/3 falls from may 1969 just 55 mins of purely brilliant matwork.

 

I think that would be the one for me too. I remember watching for the first GWE poll, when the Destroyer craze was still going strong.

[ohtani's jacket]

Jim Londos vs. Bronco Nagurski (Philadelphia, 11/18/1938)

 

Cosign.

[JerryvonKramer]

Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk Jr. from 1972:

 

 

Jack Brisco vs. Giant Baba from 1974:

 

 

Both those matches are full of bombs and high spots. Stuff from 60s and before is too mat-based for me.

[Childs]

Thesz-Gagne was going to be my answer,

[peachchaos]

 

Jim Londos vs. Bronco Nagurski (Philadelphia, 11/18/1938)

 

Cosign.

 

 

[superkix]

Awesome matwork.

 

 

 

[Cap]

HBK vs Hart Iron man....

 

 

Kidding kidding kidding.

 

I was going to say the Gilbert Cesca vs Billy Catanzarro French Catch match, but I will have to check out some of these others people are posting.

 

As far as ones I am certain of the date. There is Jumbo/Funk match a month before Baba/Robinson that I consider elite, so those two '76 matches are noteworthy for me.

[Rah]

If it's limited to all-time great matches then it's probably Funk/Jumbo in 1976. If it's more broad, then definitely O'Conner/Rogers from Comiskey Park in 1961 - it's a legitimate great match and historic moment.

[TeeVenegas]

70s All Japan is a goldmine for great matches. Call me crazy but I'd say that era was as good as 90s All Japan.