2020's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Sports Argument Stadium > The Hammer House: Stinger Splash Zone > 2020's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

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TriffTshngo: Mar 28, 2010; Don't get it twisted who your enemies are.

G1 Climax Night 12 [10/8]
MOTYC
Zack Sabre Jr. vs Toru Yano - Excellent use of both guys. Tantrum-throwing hothead Zack is a perfect foil for Yano.
Juice Robinson vs Tetsuya Naito - Starmaking performance from Juice. I get the impression he's in line for a decent push in the near future. Also, I don't know that I agree with peoples' assessment on this being the "best work Naito's ever done" (that'd be his G1 27 run for me) but he's certainly impressed this G1 for a guy who's clearly had some wear and tear issues over the last year or two.

HM
Hirooki Goto vs Yoshi-Hashi - Y-H loving going for it this year man. Putting on performances everybody knows he's capable of but rarely ever gets the chance or the motivation to do so. Fast paced and really intense. Plus I think this is the only chance we get to watch tag partners against each other, too, since Dangerous Tekkers and Golden☆Aces got separated by the blocks.
SANADA vs KENTA - Solid match from the caps lock boys. Not much else to add.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs EVIL - They were having a good match until the finish, which drags it from a MOTYC to an HM for me. I'm pretty forgiving of Bullet Club interference and shenanigans compared to most of you guys but even I got pretty deflated at the end.

One of the weaker nights on paper but ended up being pretty drat good. I'll admit I was really distracted for a lot of the show but I went back and re-watched Goto/Y-H and Juice/Naito to actually pay attention to them so I could rate them fairly. Just a shame the main event ended on a bit of a low note.

# ? Oct 8, 2020 13:12

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# ? May 16, 2024 07:05

Akileese: Feb 6, 2005

TriffTshngo posted:

G1 Climax Night 12 [10/8]
MOTYC
Zack Sabre Jr. vs Toru Yano - Excellent use of both guys. Tantrum-throwing hothead Zack is a perfect foil for Yano.
Juice Robinson vs Tetsuya Naito - Starmaking performance from Juice. I get the impression he's in line for a decent push in the near future. Also, I don't know that I agree with peoples' assessment on this being the "best work Naito's ever done" (that'd be his G1 27 run for me) but he's certainly impressed this G1 for a guy who's clearly had some wear and tear issues over the last year or two.

HM
Hirooki Goto vs Yoshi-Hashi - Y-H loving going for it this year man. Putting on performances everybody knows he's capable of but rarely ever gets the chance or the motivation to do so. Fast paced and really intense. Plus I think this is the only chance we get to watch tag partners against each other, too, since Dangerous Tekkers and Golden☆Aces got separated by the blocks.
SANADA vs KENTA - Solid match from the caps lock boys. Not much else to add.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs EVIL - They were having a good match until the finish, which drags it from a MOTYC to an HM for me. I'm pretty forgiving of Bullet Club interference and shenanigans compared to most of you guys but even I got pretty deflated at the end.

One of the weaker nights on paper but ended up being pretty drat good. I'll admit I was really distracted for a lot of the show but I went back and re-watched Goto/Y-H and Juice/Naito to actually pay attention to them so I could rate them fairly. Just a shame the main event ended on a bit of a low note.

NTH

# ? Oct 8, 2020 17:21

SG Bamboo: Aug 21, 2013; Smile. Win. Yay!

NJPW G1 Climax October 8th
HM
Hirooki Goto vs Yoshi-Hashi
Yano Toru vs Zack Sabre Jr
Juice Robinson vs Tetsuya Naito

Tonights show didn't really grab me as much as others have

# ? Oct 8, 2020 17:32

The Berzerker: Feb 24, 2006; treat me like a dog

MOTYC Votes:
10/05 | Switchblade Jay White vs. Jeff Cobb - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 9
10/05 | Tomohiro Ishii vs. TAICHI - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 9
10/05 | Will Ospreay vs. Kota Ibushi - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 9
10/06 | Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 10
10/07 | Minoru Suzuki vs. Will Ospreay - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 11
10/07 | Taichi vs. Switchblade Jay White - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 11
10/07 | Kota Ibushi vs. Shingo Takagi - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 11
10/07 | Brodie Lee (C) vs. Cody in a Dog Collar match for the TNT Championship - AEW Dynamite
10/08 | Toru Yano vs. Zack Sabre Jr. - NJPW G1 Climax Night 12
10/08 | Juice Robinson vs. Tetsuya Naito - NJPW G1 Climax Night 12

HM votes:
10/01 | Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd - NJPW G1 Climax Night 8
10/01 | SANADA vs. Tetsuya Naito - NJPW G1 Climax Night 8
10/05 | Minoru Suzuki vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 9
10/06 | SANADA vs. Zack Sabre Jr. - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 10
10/07 | Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 11
10/07 | Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 11
10/08 | YOSHI-HASHI vs. Hirooki Goto - NJPW G1 Climax Night 12
10/08 | Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL - NJPW G1 Climax Night 12

# ? Oct 8, 2020 19:48

Punch McLightning: Sep 19, 2005; you know what that means; Grimey Drawer

HM: Cody vs. Brodie Lee (c), TNT Champion, dog collar match, 10/7 Dynamite

# ? Oct 9, 2020 01:59

Do not even ask: Apr 8, 2008

HM: Kazuchika Okada vs Taichi - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 7 9/30
HM: Tomohiro Ishii vs Shingo Takagi - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 7 9/30
HM: Yota Tsuji vs Gabriel Kidd - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 8 10/1
HM: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs YOSHI-HASHI - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 8 10/1

HM: Cody vs Brodie - AEW Dynamite 10/7

# ? Oct 9, 2020 04:36

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Would you be my new best friends?

WMOTYC: The Fiend Bray Wyatt vs. Kevin Owens - Smackdown 10/9

Kevin Owens tried his best but this sucked and the ending was awful and the entire storyline is garbage and a complete waste of Owens' talent.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 03:06

Pylons: Mar 16, 2009

Jerusalem posted:

WMOTYC: The Fiend Bray Wyatt vs. Kevin Owens - Smackdown 10/9

Kevin Owens tried his best but this sucked and the ending was awful and the entire storyline is garbage and a complete waste of Owens' talent.

Am I allowed to nth something that I didn't watch because I know The Fiend really loving sucks?

# ? Oct 10, 2020 03:11

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Would you be my new best friends?

Pylons posted:

Am I allowed to nth something that I didn't watch because I know The Fiend really loving sucks?

No, but I also advise you NOT to watch it, I'd rather save you from that than get another vote for it :smith:

# ? Oct 10, 2020 03:17

Deathlove: Feb 20, 2003; Pillbug

HM: Matthew Justice (C) v Josh Bishop, No-Rope Barbed Wire match for the AIW Absolute and Intense Championships, 10/9/2020, AIW Thunder In Indianapolis

Definitely not something you want to watch if you don't like unprotected chairshots, but the first truly "you gotta see this" match of the Collective, right down to using My Way for the hype video.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 03:50

Akileese: Feb 6, 2005

Deathlove posted:

HM: Matthew Justice (C) v Josh Bishop, No-Rope Barbed Wire match for the AIW Absolute and Intense Championships, 10/9/2020, AIW Thunder In Indianapolis

Definitely not something you want to watch if you don't like unprotected chairshots, but the first truly "you gotta see this" match of the Collective, right down to using My Way for the hype video.

2nd

HM: Starboy Charlie vs Blake Christian, GCW Degeneration-F, 10/9/2020
HM: Lee Moriarty vs Daniel Makabe, Southern Underground Pro Swing of the Axe, 10/9/2020

I think both these are must see and worth watching for different reasons.

Akileese fucked around with this message at 04:05 on Oct 10, 2020

# ? Oct 10, 2020 03:56

Low Desert Punk: Jul 4, 2012; i have absolutely no fucking money

HM: Trish Adora (C) vs Suge D for the Pan-African World Diaspora Wrestling Championship - GCW For The Culture 10/10/20

usually not a fan of intergender matches but this was very very good. Adora is a great babyface and they beat the poo poo out of each other. Really smart match that told a good story

# ? Oct 10, 2020 06:09

Deathlove: Feb 20, 2003; Pillbug

Low Desert Punk posted:

HM: Trish Adora (C) vs Suge D for the Pan-African World Diaspora Wrestling Championship - GCW For The Culture 10/10/20

usually not a fan of intergender matches but this was very very good. Adora is a great babyface and they beat the poo poo out of each other. Really smart match that told a good story

2nd, hell yeah

# ? Oct 10, 2020 06:17

NienNunb: Feb 15, 2012

Pylons posted:

Am I allowed to nth something that I didn't watch because I know The Fiend really loving sucks?

Just do it anyway next time and don't tell anyone :kheldragar:

# ? Oct 10, 2020 06:18

Macksy: Oct 20, 2008

Pylons posted:

Am I allowed to nth something that I didn't watch because I know The Fiend really loving sucks?

I watched it and looked at the time and saw it was 9:58 and said "they're ending with this?" so I'll nth this.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 06:38

Boco_T: Mar 12, 2003; la calaca tilica y flaca

HM: 2 Cold Scorpio vs. AR Fox - GCW For the Culture 10/10/20

Scorpio can still loving go and he's about to turn 55 years old

# ? Oct 10, 2020 07:32

KungFu Grip: Jun 18, 2008

I want to nominate the whole For the Culture show

# ? Oct 10, 2020 07:37

KungFu Grip: Jun 18, 2008

HM :JTG vsTrey Miguel GCW For the Culture 10-09
HM: Culture SZN (Christian Casanova and Tasha Steelz) vs. 40 Acres (PB Smooth and Tre LaMar) vs. Top Flight (Air Wolf and Angel Dorado)
HM: Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Championship Match: Trish Adora (c) vs. Suge D
HM: Calvin Tankman vs. O�Shay Edwards
HM: AJ Gray vs. Dezmond Xavier
MOTYC: ACH vs. Lee Moriarty
HM: 2 Cold Scorpio vs.AR Fox

# ? Oct 10, 2020 07:46

Cerebral Bore: Apr 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

MOTYC: ZSJ vs KENTA G1 Climax 29.09
HM: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Juice Robinson G1 Climax 29.09
HM: EVIL vs Tory Yano G1 Climax 29.09
HM: Hirooki Goto vs Tetsuya Naito G1 Climax 29.09

Last of the backlog stuff finally done.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 08:14

Cerebral Bore: Apr 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

HM: Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura G1 Climax 10.10

C-Block always delivers.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:17

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Would you be my new best friends?

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD :stonk:

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:35

Cerebral Bore: Apr 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs Tomohiro Ishii G1 Climax 10.10

Just what the gently caress can you even say to this?

Cerebral Bore fucked around with this message at 09:38 on Oct 10, 2020

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:35

Aesculus: Mar 22, 2013

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD

oh my loving god gently caress yes holy poo poo

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:35

Rarity: Oct 21, 2010; ~*4 LIFE*~

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

Unreal

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:36

Low Desert Punk: Jul 4, 2012; i have absolutely no fucking money

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD

nth. Ishii is the best worker in the world and the gap between him and the competition is widening

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:36

GEORGE W BUSHI: Jul 1, 2012

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD

nth. Jeff Cobb has proven his doubters (including me) wrong. One of the best this tournament.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:36

forkboy84: Jun 13, 2012; Corgis love bread. And Puro

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD

nth

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:36

Ziggy Tzardust: Apr 7, 2006

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD

Nth. Can't believe what I just watched

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:36

Rarity: Oct 21, 2010; ~*4 LIFE*~

MOTYC: Jay White vs. Yujiro Takahashi, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

Yujiro had a MOTYC and I don't know how to deal with that

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:47

Cerebral Bore: Apr 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Jay White vs. Yujiro Takahashi, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

Yujiro had a MOTYC and I don't know how to deal with that

Yeah, the suspense was unreal.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:48

Aesculus: Mar 22, 2013

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Jay White vs. Yujiro Takahashi, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

Yujiro had a MOTYC and I don't know how to deal with that

You know what?

Sure.

Yeah.

That match was something, alright. Nthed.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:48

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Would you be my new best friends?

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Jay White vs. Yujiro Takahashi, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

Yujiro had a MOTYC and I don't know how to deal with that

I'll say HM. Extremely entertaining though!

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:48

Low Desert Punk: Jul 4, 2012; i have absolutely no fucking money

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Jay White vs. Yujiro Takahashi, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

Yujiro had a MOTYC and I don't know how to deal with that

I'll nth this because I don't think you could tell the story they wanted to tell any better than they did. It was perfect. Jay is fantastic

# ? Oct 10, 2020 09:57

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii - NJPW G1 Climax 30 Night 13 - 10/10

COBB STRONK ISHII STRONK MATCH GOOD

Big Nth. Strong bois done good.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:01

Cerebral Bore: Apr 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

HM: Will Ospreay va Taichi G1 Climax 10.10

Classic fiery babyface vs dickhead heel stuff only brought down a notch because Ospreay isn't very good at being a heel.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:20

Rarity: Oct 21, 2010; ~*4 LIFE*~

MOTYC: Taichi vs. Will Ospreay, NJPW G1 Climax Night 13, 10/10

In the last 3 years Taichi has gone from being a sleeper talent to one of New Japan's most consistently best workers

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:20

forkboy84: Jun 13, 2012; Corgis love bread. And Puro

Cerebral Bore posted:

HM: Will Ospreay va Taichi G1 Climax 10.10

Classic fiery babyface vs dickhead heel stuff only brought down a notch because Ospreay isn't very good at being a heel.

2nd

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:21

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Would you be my new best friends?

Cerebral Bore posted:

HM: Will Ospreay va Taichi G1 Climax 10.10

Classic fiery babyface vs dickhead heel stuff only brought down a notch because Ospreay isn't very good at being a heel.

2nd. Taichi coming out of this G1 a beloved babyface is such a wonderful surprise.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:22

Cerebral Bore: Apr 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

MOTYC: Kota Ibushi vs Minoru Suzuki G1 Climax 10.10

They say that wrestling is a work, but at times like these I find myself doubtful.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:43

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# ? May 16, 2024 07:05

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Would you be my new best friends?

Cerebral Bore posted:

MOTYC: Kota Ibushi vs Minoru Suzuki G1 Climax 10.10

They say that wrestling is a work, but at times like these I find myself doubtful.

Holy gently caress 2nded, what a loving match.

# ? Oct 10, 2020 10:43

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Sports Argument Stadium > The Hammer House: Stinger Splash Zone > 2020's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

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