The year is 2018. Wrestling hasn't been this hot in almost decades. From WWE to New Japan, ROH, and others, this has been a highly charged and scintillating year for incredible and classic matches on equally incredible events. Every promotion had at least one critically acclaimed event that helped wrestling in general raise the game has been a year to remember. These are some of the best and most cohesive events of the year. Let's begin!
15. NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling
Tokyo, Japan
10/8/2018
The first big event after the G1 Climax is King Of Pro Wrestling. It usually helps sets the tone going into Wrestle Kingdom right before Power Struggle at year's end. This year's edition had very good matches in the form of KUSHIDA against Marty Scurll and Tanahashi defending his G1 briefcase against Jay White, but it was without question the main event of Kenny Omega defending the IWGP Heavyweight Title against IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Cody and Omega's best friend and on-again, off-again tag partner Kota Ibushi, in what was a thrilling match. KOPW was a good event that set the pace for the fourth quarter of NJPW.
14. WWE Evolution
Long Island, NY
10/28/18
With the exception of Daniel Bryan's return, there was no bigger story in WWE than the bold statement of the women of WWE finally getting way long overdue props. This was a year that saw Ronda Rousey debut with the company, another fantastic year of the Mae Young Classic, and more women main eventing, it was only right for the women to have their own PPV. In this case, it was in the form of Evolution. The underdogs became the headline, as it was time for the entire women's locker room to shine, and they did just that. The night was very consistent with good, fluid matches throughout the night including the excellent MYC finals between Toni Storm and Io Shirai. However it was Charlotte against Becky Lynch in the Last Woman Standing match that was not only the match of the night, but one of the greatest women's matches of all-time. The ladies arrived, and they more than deserved it.
13. WWE Wrestlemania 34
New Orleans, LA
4/8/18
The biggest show in the game is always Wrestlemania, at least from a commercial standpoint. The past few Wrestlemanias since 30 haven't been too bad, and this was no different. This marked the incredible in-ring debut of MMA legend Ronda Rousey, Braun Strowman winning his first tag team championship with a ten year old, Nakamura's heel turn, a great triple threat match to open the show, Daniel Bryan's first WM back since returning a few weeks earlier, and Roman capturing his fifth World Title over Mr. Lesnar. This was great package of emotional investing and smart booking in the signature show of the sport. Although the last time they were in New Orleans with WM was more epic and historic, this one here wasn't shabby, and it was more entertaining than not.
12. Impact Slammiversary XVI
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
7/22/18
If there was a comeback story to be applauded, it was Impact Wrestling. After being on the brink of bankruptcy and having to close its doors to having multiple television deal switchups, Impact finally knocked one out the park with Slammiversary XVI. This was bell to bell their best effort in years, and showed the company had what it took to be that alternative to WWE with fantastic matches like the Fatal Four Way match to the violent bloodletting of Pentagon and Callahan. This was an impressive outing from the new Impact. Here's to an even better 2019 for them.
11. WWE Survivor Series '18
Los Angeles, CA
11/18/18
This year's Survivor Series was a good affair for a few reasons. This was a consistent event, with every match effectively flowing into the next. Although moments like Drake Maverick pissing his pants were unnecessary, other moments like Lesnar against a new heel Daniel Bryan days after Bryan won the WWE Title and Charlotte against Ronda Rousey more than made up for it. This had more good/decent moments than not good moments, thus making it a overall enjoyable Survivor Series once again.
10. NJPW G1 Special In San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
7/7/18
New Japan once again invaded the States with G1 Special in San Francisco. Actually this was their second go round as they had a killer show in Long Beach earlier in the year. This G1 event in San Francisco was every bit as excellent as the earlier show. Unfortunately, Takahashi broke his neck in a match against Dragon Lee that was otherwise very damn good. Juice Robinson and Jay White had a smoking match for the U.S. Title and Omega and Cody had a highly spirited affair as well. This was another heavily enjoyable show from New Japan (we'll ignore that brief shoot segment between Jay White and commentator/coach/wrestler Josh Barnette) and sent the fans home live and watching at home very happy.
9. NXT Takeover: Brooklyn IV
Brooklyn, NY
8/18/18
For the fourth year in a row, NXT "tookover" Brooklyn during Summerslam weekend. While Summerslam was a pretty good event, clearly Brooklyn IV was the best part of the weekend. This was fantastic from bell to bell. From Moutasche Mountain and their match challenging Undisputed Era for the tag belts to the highly physical and dramatic Last Man Standing match between Gargano and Ciampa, this event showed why for the past four years, the Brooklyn Takeovers were seen as their biggest event. Let's not forget Kairi Sane won her first NXT Women's Title in a damn great match against Shayna Baszler. This was yet another awesome Takeover. Brooklyn was definitely in the house.
8. NXT Takeover: Chicago II
Chicago, IL
6/16/18
NXT went back to Chicago for their Takeover of Money In The Bank weekend. While 2017's was power packed, this was even better. The event started with one of the best tag team title matches all year in Burch & Lorcan facing Undisputed Era, with matches like Ricochet versus Velveteen Dream and Lars Sullivan versus NXT Champion Aleister Black were clearly sizzling favorites to follow up. However, it was the near forty minute Street Fight between Gargano and Ciampa that was the story. This was simply awesome and was the perfect main event for a scintillating Takeover. At this point, is there such a thing as a weak Takeover?
7. ROH Final Battle '18
Manhattan, NY
12/14/18
Ring Of Honor presented their biggest event of the year with Final Battle, which is the equivalent to their Wrestlemania, Wrestle Kingdom or Bound For Glory. Coming from the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, the fans were smoking hot for the event and they had a right to be. Matches like Hangman Page versus Jeff Cobb were killer and Jonathon Gresham versus Zach Sabre Jr was a sincere wrestling clinic. However, it was the bloody Ladder Match between SoCal Uncensored, The Briscoes, and the modern legends themselves The Young Bucks that was the story. Injuries, blood, weapins, and straight out violence ruled this match. Of course, the vicious I Quit Match between Flip Gordon and Bully Ray was a greatly told story that a classic underdog versus bully (pun intended) match. Overall, this was an incredibly good show that reinforced ROH's legendary status within wrestling as a whole.
6. NJPW Strong Style Evolved '18
Long Beach, CA
3/25/18
The first NJPW United States show was Strong Style Evolved, and what a hell of a night of action it was. While all the tag matches were non-stop action, once it got to the fantastic Ospreay versus the legendary Jusin "Thunder" Liger, it was a more captivating viewing and concentrated on the story element. While the following matches of Page versus White and Suzuki-Gun versus Chaos were completely filled with very good action, it paled in comparison to the unforgettable main event of The Young Bucks versus the reunited Golden Lovers in what has to be considered tag match of the decade. This event had the crowd hot most of the night and the aura of the event was incredible. This was another victory for New Japan in the States.
5. All In
Chicago, IL
9/1/18
The indie scene has been flourishing like we haven't seen in years. With WWE wanting to takeover (no pun intended) everything, it would appear the wrestling scene is being monopolized. Cody and The Bucks have been plotting to change that. Thanks to the success of Bullet Club, more eyes were on more promotions such as ROH, PWG, and of course New Japan. Cody and The Bucks put together a show called All In, which was based off a notion that indie wrestling couldn't sell out a ten thousand seated arena. Not only did All In do that, it also emerged as arguably the most fun and energetic event of the year. There was not one filler match here. None. Even the Over Budget Battle Royal was the most awesome battle royal in years. Between Cody winning the NWA Title in an emotional moment to the incredible match between Omega and Pentagon Jr and the highly thrilling six man main event, this was nearly flawless. This event showed that not only was indie wrestling alive and well, but it's never been a better time to be a wrestling fan.
4. NXT Takeover: Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
1/27/18
The first Takeover of the year was simply outstanding. This was Royal Rumble weekend, and this event clearly showed that the main roster had a lot to follow. Everyone brought their A-game here and every match was presented effectively and adequately. The ferocity of Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler was palpable through the screen. One can only know how much it was felt throughout the arena. Other matches like the tag team title match and the Kassius Ohno/Velveteen Dream match were great and felt in place. However, it was the NXT Championship match between Gargano and then champion Andrade Cien Almas that put this event into an entire other level. Billed as the greatest NXT Championship match ever and the first five star match in years under the WWE banner, what those two did was extraordinary and officially put both men, especially Gargano, into our consciousness as main event players. The bar was definitely set for the year with WWE based on this event.
3. NXT Takeover: New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
4/7/18
We had previously stated that the bar was set with NXT Takeover: Philadelphia for 2018. The challenge was met with NXT Takeover: New Orleans, and folks, the bar ended up getting set even higher. This event was breathtaking and flawless. Never before had there been any NXT event that had not one but TWO certified five star matches in one event. This was the most excellently put together card NXT has put together in years, if not ever. Every match was special. Every match worked. Every match had the people in the collective palm of their hands. None, however, was more brilliantly laid out and massively compelling as Gargano and Ciampa in an "unsanctioned" match. Gargano was already involved in a benchmark match against Almas in Philly, but he set a whole new bar for himself with this one, as did Ciampa. With all being said, this may likely be the greatest NXT event of all time.
2. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
Tokyo, Japan
1/4/18
The biggest event in New Japan all year is at the start of the year, which is Wrestle Kingdom. With a production value that almost rivals Wrestlemania and a card that typically puts the event among the top three events of the year every year. Wrestle Kingdom 12 was no different. The crowd at the Tokyo Dome was completely engaged and ready for every match that was presented to them. While people were highly awaiting matches like the Fatal Four Way Junor Heavyweight Title match to Goto/Suzuki Tanahashi/White, and even the main event of Okada/Naito, as all heavily delivered, it was one of the most anticipated matches in recent New Japan history in Omega/Jericho, which was billed "Alpha vs. Omega". Over the past six years especially, Wrestle Kingdom has been the staple of big matches and set the tone for the rest of the year. This was absolutely no different, as this was the most streamed event in NJPW history.
1. NJPW Dominion '18
Osaka, Japan
6/9/18
New Japan has been known as the global standard for action packed wrestling and captivating moments critically. Wrestle Kingdom typically is the bar set for the year. However for the past two years, Dominion has met the bar fully. Last year, the event, as great as it was, was completely overridden by the sixty minute classic from Okada and Omega. This year, it was more of the same. While matches like The Bucks/Sanada & EVIL and Tanahashi/White were fantastic matches that were great in any normal setting, the night belonged to Okada and Omega in an unprecedented two out of three falls/no time limit match for the heavyweight title. Ladies and gentlemen, this was the match to set all future generations by, as this seventy-four minute match has been given the label, "greatest match of all time". This moniker alone makes this event not just the event of the year, but one of the greatest total events in modern wrestling history.
Honorable Mentions
Progress Super Strong Style 16 '18
PWG Time Is A Flat Circle
PWG BOLA '18
NJPW G1 Climax 28
PWG All-Star Weekend
WWE TLC '18
WWE Summerslam '18
WWE Royal Rumble
NJPW Power Struggle '18
PWG Bask In His Glory
ROH Supercard Of Honor VIII
ROH Best In The World '18
NJPW Strong Style Evolved UK
NXT Takeover: War Games II
Stardom Goddesses Of Destiny
wXw 16 Karat Gold
Progress: Hello Wembley
RevPro High Stakes '18
EVE: Wrestle Queendom
Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Cuatro
NJPW 45th Anniversary Show
Pro Wrestling NOAH Marofuji Anniversary Show
NEW Redemption
As I stated in my best matches article/list, which you can find here, this may have been the best year in this current era of wrestling. Will this incredible momentum continue? Time will tell, but I wouldn't bet against it. Until next time folks!
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