What's happening folks?! It's been a while since this has been updated, but it doesn't mean the heart wasn't in the place to write. Trust me folks, I GOT THE TIME TODAY! This has been every bit as acclaimed of a year in wrestling as the historic year we saw last year, maybe even more so. As usual, New Japan has been on absolute fire, while NXT and others such as PWG and Progress have been right up there almost with them overall. However, let's not completely sleep on what WWE has done so far this year (when I say WWE, I mean the main roster of Raw, SD, and 205). There have been a few matches that have raised eyebrows, especially 205, as we've seen a flourish of excellent matches for the past several months since Paul "Triple H" Levesque was officially put in charge. The year is only just over halfway done, but rust me when I tell you, this list was HARD to make except the number one entry. This year has been THAT good so far. With all that being said, let's get started.
20. Seth Rollins vs. Miz/WWE inter-Continental Title
WWE Backlash '18
One wouldn't categorically put a bunch of Miz matches in top year-end lists, but nobody can deny that his range has really gotten better and he has been half responsible for some pretty damn good matches over the past couple of years. He had an Inter-Continental Title match with the super red hot Seth Rollins at Backlash earlier this year. While the rest of the event was among the worst of the year, this match was the absolute standout and showed that, as hot as Rollins was going into this match, Miz was able to hang with him, and the result was one of Miz' better matches to date.
19. KUSHIDA vs. Will Ospreay/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18
One of the more celebrated rivalries in the game involves multi-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, KUSHIDA, and one of the absolute best on the planet, Will Ospreay. Ospreay has already had a searing year, with unbelievable matches with the likes of Okada, Marty Scurll, and Hiromu Takahashi. These two once again put on a great display of how they compliment each other each time they compete. Any time they get together, we're all the more better for it. On night two of NJPW's Wrestling Dontaku, this was a standout match, only lessened by the SUPERB main event. Ospreay and KUSHIDA are two of the best and we never get tired of seeing them.
18. Will Ospreay vs. Marty Scurll vs. KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
At New Japan's signature event, Wrestle Kingdom, one of the matches everyone was enamored over was the Fatal Four Way match between Will Ospreay, KUSHIDA, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bullet Club member Marty Scurll. Although the company isn't very much known for multi-man singles matches for championships, this was off the page, with four of the world's best going above and beyond the call of duty for the Junior Heavyweight Championship. There were spots that you sincerely were concerned for the well being of each man, but after the smoke cleared, we were all treated to one HELL of a fatal Four Way match, and quite likely the best Fatal Four Way match i n the game so far. This match was hard to follow.
17. Asuka vs. Sasha Banks
Raw 1/29/18
The women have been doing their thing this year and really working their asses off. From the Women's Royal Rumble Match to the Women's Elimination Chamber to the Women's MITB match, the ladies have had so much to prove and their efforts have been overall great. In the beginning of the year, previously undefeated Japanese phenom Asuka faced "The Bo$$' Sasha Banks in one of the best women's matches seen in quite a while on Raw. You had two ladies that were among the best workers backstage and this was as competitive as it got. Though Asuka got the win, Sasha showed once again why she may arguably be the best in-ring worker on the main roster in the women's division and just as good as most of the guys as well.
16.Johnny Gorgano vs. Tomosso Ciampa/Chicago Street Fight
NXT Takeover: Chicago
Has there been anyone hotter in NXT than Johnny Wrestling? Seen as the Daniel Bryan of NXT, Gorgano has been on fire as of late, delivering some of the best matches of his career. He's been involved in one of the heated rivalries in years in NXT against former friend and partner, Tomosso Ciampa. They had one of the greatest NXT matches of all-time at NXT Takeover: New Orleans (see later) so how does one follow up that magic? Have a Street Fight, and folks, these two delivered once again. The story told in the match was undoubtedly awesome, and this was at times not the easiest to watch as it got very brutal. These two put on a grade A performance and two things have come out of this feud: Johnny is the most over babyface in NXT and Ciampa may be the biggest heel in wrestling right now.
15. Tetsuya Naito vs. Zach Sabre Jr.
NJPW New Japan Cup '18
It's very possible Zach Sabre Jr is the best technical wrestler in the world. His modern old school style using influences such as Billy Robinson and Johnny Saint, mixed with some William Regal and some Dean Malenko is so crisp and sweet, it's impossible to turn your eyes away from how good he is on the mat. Sabre was marvelous in the New japan Cup tournament, and started with the one and only Tatsuya Naito. naito has had an interesting year. The G1 Climax 26 winner had a GREAT match against Okada at Wrestle Kingdom and got involved in a rather bloody feud with Chris Jericho. These two world class caliber competitors wrestled in a damn good match that showed they had a lot of chemistry with each other. Although this isn't the first time, they've fought, this is among the best.
14. Oney Lorkin & Danny Burch vs. Kyle O' Reilly & Roderick Strong/NXT Tag Team Titles
NXT Takeover: Chicago
The crew of Kyle O' Reilly, Roderick Strong, reigning North American Champion Adam Cole (bay-bay!) and a currently injured Bobby Fish, collectively known as The Undisputed Era, have been on a complete roll since they arrived. Once Strong became a part of the stable, they got even better. At NXT Takeover: Chicago, O' Reilly and Strong defended the NXT Tag Team belts against two super tough guys in Oney Lorkin and UK representative Danny Burch. Lorkin and Burch are two veterans that have faced them all and can kick ass all day. They had been struggling to get fully over with the NXT crowd, but this match officially put them on the people's radar. Folks, this was as back and forth as it could get, as we say career defining performances from Lorkin and Burch. Although Undisputed came away with the 'W', Burch and Lorkin came away with something more valuable, the respect of the NXT Universe, as they were met with a lengthy standing ovation. Mark my words, those two are future champions.
13. The Young Bucks vs. EVIL & Sanada/IWGP Heavyweight Tag team Titles
NJPW Dominion '18
Mark and Nick Jackson have been called the greatest team of of this generation. There's a lot of truth in that. They're damn sure the most accomplished. The appeal of The Bucks is at rock star levels, and they've single handedly change the way not only tag team wrestling is looked at, but that you can be a millionaire being in the indies as well. At Dominion, they were aiming to win yet another Tag Team Championship be facing two members of Los Ingornablas de Japon, Sanada and EVIL. The Bucks can bring the best out of any team and this stands as the best match we've seen from this combo of EVIL & Sanada. Once again, The Bucks showed tag team perfection on a physical and psychological level as they won back the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
12. Kazuchika Okada vs. Zach Sabre Jr./IWGP Heavyweight Title
NJPW Sakuru Genesis '18
The historic "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada. A modern day legend at the age of thirty. THIRTY! He has wrestled every kind of wrestler there is to fight. With Sabre Jr, it was a reminder of when he fought the head of Suzuki Gun, Minoru Suzuki, in two dramatic yet highly engrossing matches. The in-ring mat style of Sabre was a parallel to the finesse way of Okada, but it made for a match that made Sakura Genesis such an overall good event, as these two truly tore it up in the main event. Will Sabre Jr. be IWGP Champion one day? With performances like what he gave here, it's not far off from his future.
11. Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay/IWGP Heavyweight Title
NJPW 46th Anniversary Show
In case you hadn't noticed, Mr. Ospreay has had a hellacious year of critically acclaimed matches, as has the "Rainmaker" himself. It was only right for these two extraordinary athletes to eventually get it on, and boy did they. Seen as a virtual dream match, Ospreay showed Okada that he was capable of not only hanging with the champion, but could beat him, and there SO many occasions where Ospreay almost became the man. Okada was his usual knock-it-out-the-park self, countering a lot of Ospreay's offense, but Willie boy did the same to him. This was a fantastic back and forth match that showed two of the best on the planet in their glory. We need more matches from these two.
10. Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
In an apocalyptic move, the legendary Y2J, Chris Jericho, showed up at New Japan and issued a challenge to who many consider the best in the world today, Kenny omega. Both guys are from Winnipeg, Manatoba, Canada, and both men close with Impact EVP and NJPW English broadcaster Don Callis, but this was anything but a fun rivalry. Jericho struck first, busting Omega open at the end of 2017 and setting the stage for a war, and it was just that. Jericho, at forty-seven, had perhaps the match of his career in the Tokyo Dome against a younger and blistering hot Omega, and Jericho showed at his maniacal best, he's still among the best ever. This bloody match ended with omega winning, but an entire new respect was met from both men, and Jericho's claims of being the "GOAT" may be more true than we realize.
9. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Will Ospreay/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
NJPW Dominion '18
Hiromu Takahashi has catapulted into becoming one of the most watched wrestlers in the world. The LIJ member had a memorable match against Ishiimori to win the Best Of Super Juniors tournament and thus earning the right to face Ospreay for the Junior Title. These two are no strangers to each other at all, but this match was perhaps their best outing, which is saying something. Both guys had so much to prove to the other and, although Ospreay was in control the majority of the match, Takahashi showed why he's gaining more and more of a fan base. Takahashi became the two-time champion, but not without having an incredible match showing he belongs in the upper echelon of wrestlers, with or without Daryll.
8. Velveteen Dream vs. EC3 vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Ricochet vs. Lars Sullivan/Ladder Match
NXT Takeover: New Orleans
Truth be told, multi-man/women matches can be very hit or miss. Lately, WWE has gotten it together with some fairly good ones, but this one to crown the first ever NXT North American Champion was simply out of this world. This marked the first match of Ricochet in NXT, and of course he dazzled as always. The story here was the absolute brutality in this match. This Ladder Match was one of the most physically intense matches we've seen within NXT. Every man in the match did outstanding jobs and it was non-stop action. How nobody was more hurt? I have no viable reasoning or any idea, but even though Cole came away with the title, the respect level for each of those guys was on a whole nother level by the end of the match.
7. Golden Lovers vs. Young Bucks
NJPW Strong Style Evolved '18
When Omega and Kota Ibushi reunited as The Golden Lovers, the wrestling world went nuts, as they were seen as the best team there was from Japan. Former Ko-D (DDT) Tag Team Champions and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, they were just awesome together. With Omega seemingly on the outs of the Bullet Club, he and best friend Ibushi collided with former friends The Young Bucks at Strong Style Evolved '18. The two best in the world colliding for the first time ever, and I have no problem telling you this was one of the greatest tag team matches ever seen. These two teams exhibited a chemistry possibly unmatched amongst tag teams in the business right now, and this was storytelling 101. While everyone demonstrated magic in this match, Matt Jackson was the MVP, as his selling and his ability to make you feel for him in this match was incredible. This tag match was a classic and will likely hold the distinction of tag match of the year, if not the decade.
6. Will Ospreay vs. Marty Scurll/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
NJPW Sakaru Genesis '18
Another major rivalry that is among the most heralded in the sport is Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll. If you have seen their prior matches, especially their absolute classic from RevPro High Stakes in 2016, you know they're capable of producing. At Sakaru Genesis, this was their first time competing in New Japan in a one on one match, and of course, they didn't at all disappoint. There are certain rivalries that are just made for each other. Steamboat/Flair, Cena/Edge, Okada/Omega are a few examples. Add this to the list. Definitely Scurll's best match this year thus far, this was a barnburner and one that both men should be proud of for years to come.
5. Johnny Gorgano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas/NXT Championship
NXT Takeover: Philadelphia
Andrade "Cien" Almas is one of the finest wrestlers in the world. The former leader of the original Los Ingorbnablas and third generation luchador has been tearing up the game since he got up with Zelina Vega in 2017. He and Johnny Gorgano had a match for the NXT Championship at NXT Takeover; Philly and it was as high drama as high drama could get. Gorgano is a MASTER storyteller, and along with the fantastic athleticism of Almas, this match was beyond awesome, and could shoot for greatest NXT Championship match to ever be seen. Although Johnny would come up short here, our hearts were in our throat for the last quarter of the match as we fully felt Johnny Wrestling would achieve the ultimate dream. What he did walk away with was the distinction of being, besides AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan, the best wrestler in all of WWE. Almas, likewise, increased his clout as well, as he proved he could shine in the main event as NXT Champion. This was storytelling at its finest.
4. Himoru Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori
NJPW Best Of the Super Juniors Finals
There's no denying Japanese wrestling produces some of the best junior heavyweights in the world. They have delivered stars in the form of KUSHIDA, Kota Ibushi, and of course the greatest junior heavyweight of all-time Jushin "Thundr" Liger. The Best Of Super Juniors tournament is an annual showcase that highlights junior heavyweights and how they can completely steal the show. This year's was very good, as they all mostly are. There were plenty of standout matches. However, it was the finals between Hiromu Takahashi and Taiji Ishimori that blew everything out the water, and then some. New Japan is the home of exceptional psychology and taking people on a ride. They got it all with this match. This may very likely be the best match in either one's careers, as these two delivered the essence of what the not the BOSJ tournament, but what the junior division as a whole represents to the sport. Takahashi defeated Ishimori, thus going to Dominion to challenge for the Junior Title, but not before producing a match for the ages.
3. Johnny Gorgano vs. Tomosso Ciampa
NXT Takeover: New Orleans
Oh Johnny boy! Johnny Wrestling has produced the three best matches in all of WWE this year, and two of them involved his former friend and partner Tomosso Ciampa. With Gorgano's NXT career on the line, the level of intensity these two delivered was off the charts here. These two told a simply masterful story that showed an unbridled hatred between two guys that were closer than brothers. It was from this match that we clearly saw how hated Ciampa was and how the no music approach with theme music got him some of the loudest boos for a heel we've heard in quite some time. Ciampa proved his worth as a despicable, selfish sociopath, while Gorgano showed all the elements made to be a classic babyface and delivered a dynamite performance. To cap off what was probably the best bell to bell NXT event in years, Ciampa and Gorgano put on match we may never forget.
2. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada/IWGP Heavyweight Title
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18
We mention how legendary the Okada/Omega rivalry and the matches that have redefined the business. However, if there was a rivalry that would be in high comparison to that rivalry, it would be the career defining rivalry between Okada and the "Ace" of New Japan, the incomparable Hiroshi Tanahashi. Every time these two get together, you can expect a wrestling clinic. An exhibition of two of the very best in the world and in the history of NJPW. Their match as Dontaku was absolutely no different, if not their best one yet. The forty-year-old Tanahashi has been dealing with injuries since last year, but the stubborn toughness of the legend refused to let him slow down. Okada, of course, was on a historic run, on his way to becoming the longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time. So much to prove from both men, and we were treated to a brilliant display of never say die from the challenger, but the cunning nature and just overall transcendent talent of Okada was a tad too much for Tanahashi. If there was one rivalry that continuously showed the world what NJPW had to offer over the years, it was this one, and they never, ever disappoint.
1. Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada/2 Out of 3 Falls/No Time Limit/IWGP Heavyweight Title
NJPW Dominion' 18
There are those matches where you remember where you were when you were watching something immensely special. Taker and Shawn from Wrestlemania 25 and Wrestlemania 26, Steamboat and Flair from WrestleWar '89, and Punk and Cena from Money In The Bank '11 are a few that come to mind. These are matches that are so very special, they leave an indelible imprint within you like a tattoo. When it comes to Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada, this has been a rivalry unlike any other perhaps in wrestling history. In only four matches, these two have set an impossible bar to reach or outdo. Just when you thought you had seen the greatest match ever, they out do that match with another. At Dominion, the two best in the world fought in not just the greatest two out of three falls match ever, but arguably the greatest professional wrestling match of all-time. This match was the epitome of heart, spirit, determination, and endurance. The work shown by these men, physically and psychologically, was the most awe-inspiring experience ever seen in a ring. Going into the match, Okada defeated Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in a forty-seven minute legit classic. The rematch occurred at Dominion '17 and these two fought to a previously never before seen sixty minute time limit draw. They fought again on the final night of the B block in the G1 Climax 26 tournament, and Omega defeated him. This was seen as the rubber match and for seventy-four minutes, these two made you see and feel an experience we have never felt in years, if ever. We could go on and on about how god-like this match was, but folks, not only will this match likely never be outdone, the new standard has been set, and the bar may never be touched.
Honorable Mentions
Naito vs. Jericho (NJPW Dominion '18)
Goto vs. Suzuki (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Okada vs. Naito (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Omega vs. Page (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18)
Black vs. Almas (NXT Takeover: New Orleans)
Riddle vs. Sabre Jr. (PWG Time Is A Flat Circle)
Sky, Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gordon & The Bucks (ROH Supercard Of Honor XII)
Lee vs. Takahashi (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Asuka vs. Charlotte (WWE Wrestlemania 35)
Ibushi vs. Hashi (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Hashi vs. Sanada (NJPW 46th Anniversary Show)
Balor vs. Rollins (WWE Raw 4/30/18)
Alexander vs. Ali (WWE Wrestlemania 35)
Tanahashi vs. Suzuki (NJPW New Beginnings '18)
Ricochet vs. Dream (NXT Takeover: Chicago)
Ishii vs. Elgin (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Ibushi vs. Sabre Jr. (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Ospreay vs. Ishimori (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Ospreay vs. Brooks (PWG Time Is A Flat Circle)
Okada vs. SANADA (NJPW New Beginning in Osaka)
Ospreay vs. Takahashi (NJPW New Beginning in Osaka)
Ospreay vs. Gordon (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Honorable Mentions
Naito vs. Jericho (NJPW Dominion '18)
Goto vs. Suzuki (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Okada vs. Naito (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Omega vs. Page (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18)
Black vs. Almas (NXT Takeover: New Orleans)
Riddle vs. Sabre Jr. (PWG Time Is A Flat Circle)
Sky, Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gordon & The Bucks (ROH Supercard Of Honor XII)
Lee vs. Takahashi (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Asuka vs. Charlotte (WWE Wrestlemania 35)
Ibushi vs. Hashi (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Hashi vs. Sanada (NJPW 46th Anniversary Show)
Balor vs. Rollins (WWE Raw 4/30/18)
Alexander vs. Ali (WWE Wrestlemania 35)
Tanahashi vs. Suzuki (NJPW New Beginnings '18)
Ricochet vs. Dream (NXT Takeover: Chicago)
Ishii vs. Elgin (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Ibushi vs. Sabre Jr. (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Ospreay vs. Ishimori (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Ospreay vs. Brooks (PWG Time Is A Flat Circle)
Okada vs. SANADA (NJPW New Beginning in Osaka)
Ospreay vs. Takahashi (NJPW New Beginning in Osaka)
Ospreay vs. Gordon (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Greatest Royal Rumble (WWE GRR)
Alexander vs. Murphy (205 Live)
Ali vs. Murphy (205 Live)
Magabe vs. Suzuki (NJPW 46th Anniversary Show)
RPG Vice 2.0 vs. Bucks (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Reigns vs. Strowman vs. Cena vs. Miz vs. Elias vs. Balor (Raw 2/19/18)
Banks vs. Natalya vs. Charlotte vs. Ember vs. Naomi vs. Bliss vs. Lynch (WWE MITB '18)
Miz vs. Strowman vs. Joe vs. Owens vs Kingston vs. Balor (WWE MITB '18)
Rollins vs. Elias (WWE MITB '18)
Dunne vs. O' Reilly (WWE NXT 6/28/18)
Dragunov vs. Klinger vs. WALTER (wXw 16 Karat Gold- Night 2)
Thatcher vs. WALTER (Progress Ch. 61)
Shirai vs. Satomura (Sendai Girls 4/19/18)
Ospreay vs. Riddle (WWN Live Supershow: Mercury Rising)
Bucks vs. Briscoes (ROH Best In The World '18)
Lee vs. Ishii (RevPro Epic Encounter '18)
Sabre Jr. vs. WALTER (Evolve 99)
Mayahara vs. Marifuji (AJPW Power Series)
Dragunov vs. Klinger vs. WALTER (wXw 16 Karat Gold- Night 2)
Thatcher vs. WALTER (Progress Ch. 61)
Shirai vs. Satomura (Sendai Girls 4/19/18)
Ospreay vs. Riddle (WWN Live Supershow: Mercury Rising)
Bucks vs. Briscoes (ROH Best In The World '18)
Lee vs. Ishii (RevPro Epic Encounter '18)
Sabre Jr. vs. WALTER (Evolve 99)
Mayahara vs. Marifuji (AJPW Power Series)
As you can see, there have been plenty of great matches, and there are still several that should be on the list. This year isn't close to being over, which means more excellence is to come. Thus warrants an incredulous amount of anticipation. 2018 is already another historic year for the sport. Until next time!
