As is the annual tradition, I'm compiling a top 10 of the best matches reviewed on the blog last year. 2017 saw me hit a record number of posts (a nice, round 100) so it's taken a bit longer to work out the top 10 (wading through Tommy Cairo matches on ECW, countless Kwang squashes that I love, plus loads of stuff I've loved and hated this year), and here is what I think are the best 10 matches I've written about this year.
10. Low Ki vs Ruckus vs Joey Matthews (3PW United We Stand, Divided We Brawl)
Hey, 3PW making the top 10 list, that's not something that happens too often. Worked basically like a Low-Ki gauntlet, as it's elimination rules and Matthews waits outside until Ruckus is pinned. Matthews and Low-Ki have a really nice little bout, with Matthews working the shoulder and the two blending together nicely
9. Bryan Danielson vs KENTA (RoH Invades Japan Vol 1)
Great Danielson performance, comes across as an absolute boss in this one. Not that KENTA was a passenger here, but you really end up getting this feel for Danielson as an offensive juggernaut. Includes maybe the best top rope back suplex ever.
8. Io Shirai vs Shayna Baszler (Stardom - Stardom of Champions 23/02/2017)
Some people watched the Mae Young Classic and thought Shayna Baszler was overpushed, one of the weaker performers in the tournament. Those people were very wrong. Not only did she put in some great performances in the MYC, but her indy work was well worth checking out too. This was insanely fun, two women not afraid to throw it down or take insane bumps. This was legit.
7. Pete Dunne vs Johnny Kidd (Pro Wrestling Chaos - Everyone Must Stand Alone)
2017 was the year of the Bruiserweight in many ways, and it was great to watch something like this where Pete showed he can work the mat just as comfortably as he can hit hard. Just beautiful chain wrestling and counters, absolutely loved watching this.
6. #CCK (Mondai Lykos & Chris Brookes) & Shay Purser vs FSU (Eddie Dennis & Mark Andrews) & Pete Dunne (Attack! Pro Wrestling - Teenagers With Attitude)
Just an absolute blast from start to finish. Maybe not technically the best match I've seen, but this was just incredible fun all the way through. Loved seeing Pete Dunne working as face, doing all his usual heel schtick only to heels rather than faces. Grinned all the way through this.
5. Alberto Del Rio vs Dolph Ziggler (WWE Payback 2013)
The best match of Ziggler's career by far. The only match where he sells effectively, the only match where his sloppy offence actually fits the story of the bout. Del Rio puts in one of his better performances too, just vicious in control and giving Ziggler just the right number of comebacks. Plus a match that features Ziggler getting kicked in the head lots will always score favourably with me.
4. Bret Hart vs 1-2-3 Kid (WWF Raw 11/07/1994)
The best match I've seen so far in my 94 Raw revisit. Bret puts in a real champions performance, making the underdog Kid look like a legit competitor. Really hard to work this as face vs face, keeping the champion strong without overpowering the challenger. They balance this perfectly, just a great match from both guys.
3. Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan (WWE Roman Reigns - Iconic Matches)
Two men who worked so well together, arguably the last great match of Daniel Bryan's career. Reigns felt like a guy trying to justify his main event push and he's really great here. Loved the bodywork from Bryan, felt like a man trying to kick Reign's ribs into dust. This is the start of Roman's run as one of the elite wrestlers on the planet.
2. Rick Rude vs Ricky Steamboat (WCW Beach Blast 1992)
Arguably the best Iron Man match. So logically worked, love the story-telling here, Rude working the rules to his advantage, Steamboat looking great in firing back and a really exciting final run that is still edge-of-seat stuff 25 years later.
1. Kairi Hojo vs Jungle Kyona (Stardom - Stardom of Champions 23/02/2017)
My favourite match of 2017, one of my favourite things in wrestling is the breakthrough match, where a main eventer takes on a talented midcarder and they end up putting on a beast of a match. Kyona really proved herself to be a main event level talent with this match, looking powerful on offence and selling convincingly and effectively when Kairi took control. Hojo didn't hold back either, really a match that delivered by the bucketful.
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