2024's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

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Pylons: Mar 16, 2009

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

HM: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

Yeah, this is about where I land. Nth.

# ? Jan 4, 2024 12:49

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# ? Apr 28, 2024 14:13

SatoshiMiwa: May 6, 2007

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

HM: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

Yes agreed. Amazing show to watch live

# ? Jan 4, 2024 12:55

Venomous: Nov 7, 2011

missed the first two matches, but:

hm Despy/Hiromu
hm Finlay/Mox/Ospreay
motyc Okada/Danielson
didn't like the main enough to even give it an hm tbh

# ? Jan 4, 2024 13:06

Taffy Torpedo: Feb 2, 2008; ...Can we have the radio?

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

MOTYC: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

Nthing these but changed the main to MOTYC cause idk I'm just a SANADA fan. Also the crowd was fucken great.

# ? Jan 4, 2024 13:08

fez_machine: Nov 27, 2004

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

HM: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

Nth

# ? Jan 4, 2024 13:16

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

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 January 4th
MOTYC
Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs El Desperado - IWGP Jr Title
Will Ospreay vs Jon Moxley vs David Finlay - Vacant IWGP Global Title
Kazuchika Okada vs Bryan Danielson
Sanada (c) vs Tetsuya Naito - IWGP World Title

HM
Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi - NJPW World TV Title
Shingo Takagi (c) vs Tama Tonga - NEVER Openweight Title

Between this and TJPW today has been a very good day for wrestling

SG Bamboo fucked around with this message at 13:48 on Jan 4, 2024

# ? Jan 4, 2024 13:38

SatoshiMiwa: May 6, 2007

This was probably the most fun full day of wrestling I ever had between those shows. So tired but the good tired

# ? Jan 4, 2024 13:46

Captain Foo: May 11, 2004; we vibin'
we slidin'
we breathin'
we dyin'

Aew dynamite 1/3:

HM takeshita vs darby allin
HM danny garcia vs swerve

# ? Jan 4, 2024 14:23

super macho dude: Aug 9, 2014

AEW Dynamite 1/3

MOTYC: Darby Allin vs. Konosuke Takeshita
HM: Daniel Garcia vs. Swerve Strickland

# ? Jan 4, 2024 14:24

Chinston Wurchill: Jun 27, 2010; It's not that kind of test.

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

HM: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

Nth.

# ? Jan 4, 2024 21:13

Burn Down Canberra: Oct 27, 2005; GAME PLANS? We don't need no stinking game plans.

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

motyc: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

I'll also add

Hm: yuya uemura v yota tsuji from the same show. Also upgrading mainevent to motyc

# ? Jan 4, 2024 23:20

Pylons: Mar 16, 2009

ROH Honor Club 1/4

HM: Willie Mack vs. Kyle Fletcher
HM: El Hijo del Vikingo, Komander, & Lee Johnson vs. The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) & Gringo Loco

# ? Jan 5, 2024 02:34

Dango Bango: Jul 26, 2007

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

Nth. Absolutely incredible match. I can't believe how tense I was during the Forbidden Door submission

e:
Holy poo poo I have to Nth

Jerusalem posted:

HM: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

as well. I really don't like either of these guys but they still got me with that match. Great final 5-10 minutes.

Dango Bango fucked around with this message at 03:07 on Jan 5, 2024

# ? Jan 5, 2024 02:58

abraham linksys: Sep 6, 2010

HM: Hyper Misao vs Shoko Nakajima, TJPW Ittenyon '24 1/4
HM: Maki Itoh vs Rina Yamashita, TJPW Ittenyon '24 1/4
HM: Daydream (Rika Tatsumi and Miu Watanabe) vs Daisy Monkey (Arisu Endo and Suzume) vs Ryo Mizunami and Yuki Aino, TJPW Ittenyon '24 1/4
HM: Miyu Yamashita vs Masha Slamovich, TJPW Ittenyon '24 1/4

fun as gently caress show, been tuned out of TJPW since the summer but gonna try to watch more over the next few months leading up to the sumo hall show

# ? Jan 5, 2024 03:54

AlmightyPants: Mar 14, 2001; King of Scheduling; Pillbug

Aesculus posted:

MOTYC Bryan Danielson VS Kazuchika Okada, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1.4

Nthing.

I know what Bryan Danielson's favorite Okada match is, it's from February 2017 against Suzuki. I remember him raving about how much he loved it. He decided to do his version of that match. That match, back in 2017, got 4.75 stars from Meltzer, it was exceptionally good. This match blew that one out of the water. Unreal.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 05:11

apophenium: Apr 14, 2009

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 - 1/4

HM:
Yuya Uemura v. Yota Tsuji
- Just barely an HM, largely because I really like these dudes and hope they have plenty of fun matches against each other

Shingo Takagi (c) v. Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight Title
Hiromu Takahashi (c) v. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
SANADA (c) v. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title
- A solid main event. Naito's never been my favorite, and SANADA's reign has been kind of lackluster, but they ended up telling a nice little story in front of a very loud Tokyo Dome crowd.

MOTYC:
Will Osprey (c) v. David Finlay v. Jon Moxley for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title
- I get Finlay's detractors but I kinda like him and I think he did enough to establish himself as New Japan's top foreign heel. So I felt that he added more to the match despite initially wishing he'd gently caress off and let Moxley and Ospreay fight. But of course Ospreay and Moxley were the real stars. I loved when they dusted off their hands after nuking Finlay and hopped into the ring to face off. I hope to see them face off many more times in AEW.

Kazuchika Okada v. Bryan Danielson
- As much as I love Kento Miyahara, Okada is still my favorite main event wrestler. Even though this wasn't the main event, Okada has so much ring presence that it really felt like a main event, with weight behind every strike, every submission hold, and every nearfall.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 05:40

MassRafTer: May 26, 2001; BAEST MODE!!!

NJPW WrestleKingdom 18 1/4

HM: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Zack Sabre Jr
HM: Hiromu Takahashi vs El Desperado
MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs Kazuchika Okada
HM: Tetsuya Naito vs Sanada

ROH on Honorclub 1/4
HM: Willie Mack vs Kyle Fletcher

# ? Jan 5, 2024 05:57

Sooper Gila: Apr 23, 2014; Love
Peace
and Harmony

SG Bamboo posted:

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 January 4th
MOTYC
Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs El Desperado - IWGP Jr Title
Will Ospreay vs Jon Moxley vs David Finlay - Vacant IWGP Global Title
Kazuchika Okada vs Bryan Danielson
Sanada (c) vs Tetsuya Naito - IWGP World Title

HM
Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi - NJPW World TV Title
Shingo Takagi (c) vs Tama Tonga - NEVER Openweight Title

Nth to these

# ? Jan 5, 2024 07:25

Pillowpants: Aug 5, 2006

A Fancy Hat posted:

Nthing Pylons but adding OC vs Dante as well

Nthing ths

# ? Jan 5, 2024 08:57

Artelier: Jan 23, 2015

Haven't been able to watch wrestling consistently in a while but I had to see two of my favourite guys go at it.

Aesculus posted:

MOTYC Bryan Danielson VS Kazuchika Okada, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1.4

Nth. Incredible match, I loved it, but also, it's somehow disappointing to me? Like of the few matches I've seen this year it's the best for sure, I greatly enjoyed it, I would recommend it to everyone, it had a real big match feel, I would rate it five stars, and also, somehow, I kind of expected it to be better.

The nth still stands though! Just that I hold these two in such high regard that merely "best match of the year so far" feels like they're not doing as good as I feel like they should.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 09:26

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

Pillowpants posted:

Nthing ths

If you're quoting somebody else's quote of a bunch of matches you also want to nominate, please copy and paste what those matches are. Thanks.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 11:56

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

NJPW New Year's Dash January 5th
HM
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) vs Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
- Got to love a mystery card

Also the UE vs War Dogs match was loving wild, check that one out

# ? Jan 5, 2024 12:57

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

HM: TMDK (ZSJ, Fujita, Haste & Nicholls) vs. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson - NJPW New Year Dash 1/5

What a delightful and pleasant surprise this match was.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 12:58

Pylons: Mar 16, 2009

SG Bamboo posted:

NJPW New Year's Dash January 5th
HM
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) vs Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
- Got to love a mystery card

Also the UE vs War Dogs match was loving wild, check that one out

Nth. Fun show, but this was absolutely the standout.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 13:01

Dango Bango: Jul 26, 2007

SG Bamboo posted:

NJPW New Year's Dash January 5th
HM
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) vs Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
- Got to love a mystery card

Also the UE vs War Dogs match was loving wild, check that one out

Nth-ing this almost-party match. What a fun showcase.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 13:04

Taffy Torpedo: Feb 2, 2008; ...Can we have the radio?

SG Bamboo posted:

NJPW New Year's Dash January 5th
HM
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) vs Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
- Got to love a mystery card

# ? Jan 5, 2024 13:09

Chinston Wurchill: Jun 27, 2010; It's not that kind of test.

SG Bamboo posted:

NJPW New Year's Dash January 5th
HM
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) vs Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
- Got to love a mystery card

Also the UE vs War Dogs match was loving wild, check that one out

Nth, and HM to the UE vs. War Dogs 10-man as well. The bell-to-bell wouldn't make the cut but the post-match absolutely put it at that level for me.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 15:52

Kaveman: Jul 25, 2009; NEVER!!!

MOTYC: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I love ZSJ so much he's always a MOTYC for me especially at the dome and this didn't disappoint.

MOTYC: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4 really great entrances from everyone. Right level of outside fuckery for a gaijin match at the dome. This really brought me round on Finlay. We even got a glimpse of a MOX v Ospreay singles match, something I'm sure we'll get in AEW.

HM: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Really really loved this but felt cut short to me. This is just my expectations but I was wanting a 40 min-hour Tokyo dome clinic but this brought it down imo as I was just getting really into it and then it was over. I preferred the AEW match. Hopefully they run it again at ALL IN.

MOTYC: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two guys I've always just /liked/ but tonight they really clicked for me. Great chemistry, good story and I got my 40 min+ epic with finisher spamming at the end. I love it. Excited for the future hopefully EVIL is not involved.
Edit: this was not over 40 mins. Hmm. This was a fast paced WK!!

Kaveman fucked around with this message at 16:49 on Jan 5, 2024

# ? Jan 5, 2024 16:44

Barry Bluejeans: Feb 2, 2017; ATTENTHUN THITIZENTH

Artelier posted:

Haven't been able to watch wrestling consistently in a while but I had to see two of my favourite guys go at it.

Nth. Incredible match, I loved it, but also, it's somehow disappointing to me? Like of the few matches I've seen this year it's the best for sure, I greatly enjoyed it, I would recommend it to everyone, it had a real big match feel, I would rate it five stars, and also, somehow, I kind of expected it to be better.

The nth still stands though! Just that I hold these two in such high regard that merely "best match of the year so far" feels like they're not doing as good as I feel like they should.

Kaveman posted:

HM: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Really really loved this but felt cut short to me. This is just my expectations but I was wanting a 40 min-hour Tokyo dome clinic but this brought it down imo as I was just getting really into it and then it was over. I preferred the AEW match. Hopefully they run it again at ALL IN.

I kinda feel the same way about the match (official nom for HM, BTW) - it was great, yes, and I even liked it a little more than the FD contest. But I was really surprised by the finish, it felt like they could've gone another ten minutes no problem. Maybe they're saving something for a rubber match, I dunno.

# ? Jan 5, 2024 19:02

fez_machine: Nov 27, 2004

Barry Bluejeans posted:

But I was really surprised by the finish, it felt like they could've gone another ten minutes no problem. Maybe they're saving something for a rubber match, I dunno.

Hopefully the rubber match is a 60 minute draw

# ? Jan 5, 2024 21:12

rare Magic card l00k: Jan 3, 2011

Worst Match of the Year: Kota Ibushi vs. Naomichi Marufuji, NOAH: The New Year 2024, 01/02

With the condition Ibushi is in, this match even happening is an early frontrunner for Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic.

# ? Jan 6, 2024 00:41

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

TJPW Inspiration January 6th
MOTYC
Mizuki vs Rika Tatsumi vs Kamiyu vs Miu Watanabe vs Shoko Nakajima - #1 Contender Battle Royal
- Nobody does battle royals like TJPW does them. This was absolutely fantastic work by everyone involved, especially considering Maki Itoh got pulled on short notice and any plans involving her had to change right quick

HM
Pom Harajuku vs Kuishinbo Kamen
- The fuckin bits on display here :laffo:

Masha Slamovich vs Max the Impalers
- A true monster battle made all the more intense by Namba's increasingly frantic shouting for fans to get out of the way

What a fun little show, the Shinjuku FACE crowd were loving every minute of it

SG Bamboo fucked around with this message at 04:42 on Jan 6, 2024

# ? Jan 6, 2024 04:38

Majinfoose: Jul 26, 2007; HOLY SHIT
This vegan brisket is bussin

Aesculus posted:

MOTYC Bryan Danielson VS Kazuchika Okada, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1.4

Watched it yesterday and rewatched it today bc i was tired yesterday and yeah, I'm saying this as well.

# ? Jan 6, 2024 04:43

karmicknight: Aug 21, 2011

SG Bamboo posted:

TJPW Inspiration January 6th
MOTYC
Mizuki vs Rika Tatsumi vs Kamiyu vs Miu Watanabe vs Shoko Nakajima - #1 Contender Battle Royal
- Nobody does battle royals like TJPW does them. This was absolutely fantastic work by everyone involved, especially considering Maki Itoh got pulled on short notice and any plans involving her had to change right quick

HM
Pom Harajuku vs Kuishinbo Kamen
- The fuckin bits on display here

Masha Slamovich vs Max the Impalers
- A true monster battle made all the more intense by Namba's increasingly frantic shouting for fans to get out of the way

What a fun little show, the Shinjuku FACE crowd were loving every minute of it

nth.

# ? Jan 6, 2024 04:47

super macho dude: Aug 9, 2014

SG Bamboo posted:

NJPW New Year's Dash January 5th
HM
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) vs Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii
- Got to love a mystery card

Also the UE vs War Dogs match was loving wild, check that one out

Nth, it was a fun match setting stuff up for the future. And holy hell that UE/War Dogs was a crazy mess, I loved it.

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Zack Sabre Jr.(c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the New Japan Television Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Best match that Tanahashi has had in ages, and not just because human socialist octopus Zack Sabre Jr. is incredible (which he is) - the 15 minute time limit really works to both their advantage in terms of pacing.

HM: Shingo Takagi (C) vs. Tama Tonga for the Never Openweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
I knew the match would be good but also felt like I'd already seen all they had to offer in a match against each other. But the setting made all the difference, crowd was hot and both guys were giving it their all. Right on the edge of MOTYC for me.

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It's two of the best Junior Heavyweight wrestlers in the world fighting for the title at Wrestle Kingdom, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

HM: Will Ospreay (C) vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
This was kind of incredible in the sense that they did absolutely everything they could to ruin this match on multiple occasions and somehow it kept being fantastic regardless until the end result was the least interesting person in the match and in his own faction winning the title.

MOTYC: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
Two of the best to ever do it, doing it at the highest level. An absolutely incredible experience.

HM: SANADA (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 1/4
It suffered from having to follow Danielson/Okada, and I know that some people were feeling less than enthusiastic about this as a main event, but I dig both guys and I like the storyline of former stablemates who had a mostly amicable parting but now are competing for the top spot in the company. Match built really well and had a fantastic finish, helped by a very, very, very hot crowd.

Nth to all these. Just finished watching it and maybe I'm coming off the high of watching a Wrestle Kingdom, but this year was great even if it did feel smaller than previous years.

# ? Jan 6, 2024 05:46

Pillowpants: Aug 5, 2006

HM:I can't believe I am doing this but Randy Orton vs LA Knight vs AJ Styles, Smackdown 1/5
MOTYC:IYO SKY vs. Michin Smackdown 1/5

# ? Jan 6, 2024 06:43

apophenium: Apr 14, 2009

NOAH The New Year - 1/2

HM
Tomohiro Ishii v. Masa Kitamiya

Stardom Ittenyon Stardom Gate - 1/4

HM
Mayu Iwatani (c) v. Syuri for the IWGP Women's Title

NJPW New Year Dash!! - 1/5

HM
Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Francesco Akira, TJP, & HENARE v. David Finlay, Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, & Gabe Kidd

# ? Jan 6, 2024 06:45

Oil!: Nov 5, 2008; Der's e'rl in dem der hills!; Ham Wrangler

Hoodslam I Still Know What You Did Last Hoodslam - 1/5/2024

HM
Dark Sheik vs Mansoor

# ? Jan 6, 2024 08:27

Crapple!: Nov 1, 2019

the 3 MOTYC off the top of my head from 4/1/2024

Stardom: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs Syuri for the IWGP women's title. Maybe match of the day. Brutal as gently caress, built to an insane crescendo

Stardom: Suzu Suzuki and Giulia vs Maika and Megan Bayne. Insanely great tag. Megan Bayne is getting so much out of her time in Stardom.

NJPW: Danielson vs Okada. Actually had me believing Danielson might win this. Somewhat abrupt ending but fantastic action all the way through.

Have to give a few matches a rewatch.

# ? Jan 6, 2024 08:42

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Apr 28, 2024 14:13

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

Already managed to start falling behind on my recs

HM
3rd January
All Japan New Year Giant Series Night 2
Hokuto Omori & Minoru Suzuki vs Kuroshio TOKYO Japan & Seigo Tachibana
Watch this here

Minoru Suzuki playing the grumpy straight man to goofy nonsense always hits with me, & for some reason Ikemen's shtick really makes me smile, even if he didn't make a small child cry this time.

HM
3rd January
All Japan New Year Giant Series Night 2
Triple Crown
Katsuhiko Nakajima(c) vs Charlie Dempsey
Watch this here

Best match of the double shot for AJPW I think, I quite enjoyed Dempsey. He's obviously green as grass but he's got a good look, & meanwhile Nakajima just kicked the poo poo out of him & hell yeah.

HM
3rd January
Stardom New Year Stars 2024 Happy New Year Stardom
Artist of Stardom Titles & Triangle Derby Final
Donna Del Mondo (Giulia, Mai Sakurai & Thekla)(c) vs God's Eye (Ami Sourei, MIRAI & Syuri)
Watch this here

Didn't think so much of the D-Oh Final. Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins was almost but not quite HM level. I really have to watch Wrestle Kingdom today.

# ? Jan 6, 2024 14:13

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Sports Argument Stadium > The Hammer House: Stinger Splash Zone > 2024's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

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