What's happening folks! To say this has been arguably the greatest year in terms of quality wrestling this decade may be putting it mildly. Everywhere you turned, there was another AWESOME encounter that fans and critics alike were raving about. We saw the introduction formally of All Elite Wrestling, and they presented some unbelievable matches this year, while your suspects of NXT, NJPW, and PWG came through with matches we will be talking about for decades to come. Did WWE's main roster? Well...not nearly as much as others, but a few here and there did very well, especially matches concerning AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston. There was no official Meltzer 6-star match this year, however, depending upon your perspective and your taste, there were several. Also, NXT's UK division showed up to play, and they came through with some fantastic matches here. This was truly a critically historic year. This was an incredulously hard list to make. So much so that usually we give a top 25 or 30. This year, we're going to give you a top 50! That's right...50! This year was THAT good. Without keeping you in any more suspense, let's get into it.
50. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
Hell In A Cell Match/WWE Raw Women's Title
WWE Hell In A Cell '19
What happens when any combination of the WWE's 4 Horsewomen get into a match, it's almost certain to be a knockout of a match. In the case of "The Boss" Sasha Banks and "The Man" Becky Lynch, this made for an excellent brawl inside the confines of the intimidating Hell In A Cell structure. While this is definitely not the first time this two have fought, this stands among their best matches to date. Nobody denies either woman's tenacity and grit, and this was evidenced in this big time fight. While Lynch remained champion, it wasn't without a bunch of pain and bruising, as she survived this brutal encounter.
49. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA
NJPW New Japan Cup '19
New Japan has been just as hot as ever in 2019. While many were worried about the fire they had with The Elite leaving to form AEW, they shrugged off any doubts and instead elevated more stars to main event status. One of those being LIJ's SANADA. What a year he's had. One match that demonstrated how much he deserved to be in that spot was his match in the New Japan Cup against the legendary "Ace" of New Japan, the former eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Not strangers to each other, these two showed why they're among the top in their positions. Tanahashi is among the greatest of all-time in Japan, but with this match, especially the win, SANADA showed that one day, hopefully he'll be mentioned among the true greats as well.
48. WALTER vs. PAC
OTT Homecoming II
The unstoppable WALTER has had another dominant year. After signing with WWE under their NXT UK brand, WALTER has been more of a monster than any other time. Besides being WWE united Kingdom Champion, he was also OTT Champion as well. One of his truly tough opponents was former Dragon Gate open The Freedom Gate Champion, PAC. PAC, who knows a thing or two himself about WWE, brought the fire to the 6'6", near three hundred pounder from Germany. WALTER, in all his brutality, showed he can hang with such an athletic phenom as PAC, and although PAC came out short with this match (thanks to interference from Jordan Devlin), he took WALTER to the distance. WALTER survived that night...barely.
47. Dragon Lee vs. Shingo Takagi
NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 29 Day Nine
Two men that have had a damn good 2019 are Dragon Lee and Shingo Takagi. Lee has been the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion this year and has had fantastic matches this year with the likes of Will Ospreay and Bandido. Another match that has to be in that same group of sensational matches is his encounter against LIJ's Shingo Takagi. This was a great back and forth match that showed Takagi's ability to withstand aerial onslaught and tremendous high spots from someone the likes of Dragon lee, but this also further showed how Lee can withstand such brutal mat punishment from Takagi. This could be a rather intriguing rivalry.
46. Lucha Bros. vs. LAX
Impact World Tag Team Titles
Impact Homecoming
Two of the best teams in recent memory in impact are The Lucha Brothers and (the new) LAX. A strong argument could be made that Pentagon and Fenix were the best team this year overall in the business and one wouldn't be wrong at all. However, Santana and Ortiz weren't slouches either. in fact, they were damn good themselves. This rivalry was an excellent one and any match they had against each other deserved much attention, especially their encounter at
Rebellion. At
Homecoming, these two fought in a hellacious battle that arguably stole the entire show. One has to wonder now that both teams are now in AEW if their paths will eventually cross? Bank on it.
45. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day One
What can you say about one of the greatest rivalries in modern wrestling history with Okada and Tanahashi? The five time IWGP heavyweight Champion Okada and the former eight time champion Tanahashi always deliver some of our greatest in-ring moments anytime they square off. Very much comparable to Steamboat/Flair, the magic here is nothing short of perfection. On the opening night of this year's AMAZING G1 Climax tournament, these two main evented and it was anotheer human chess game between two legit masters of the ring. Although Okada came away with the win, as long as Tanahashi is able to lace his boots up, we'll continue to see more legendary encounters between them. The folks in Dallas gave them an eight minute standing ovation when the bell rang for the match to start. This shows the amount of respect this rivalry has around the world.
44. Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong
NXT Takeover XXV
One of the most underrated matches of the year came in the form of "The original Bro" Matt Riddle and Undisputed Era's "Master Of The Backbreaker" Roderick Strong. Going into the match, Riddle had a story with Adam Cole and Strong inserted himself into it. What came at Takeover XXV was a helluva match that was highly talked about and came just short of match of the night that ended up being taken by Gargano and the aforementioned Cole. The two former Evolve stars had a furious contest that saw backbreakers, vicious strikes and counters. A very good match that deserves way more talk than it got.
43. Will Ospreay vs. SANADA
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Three
Will Ospreay and SANADA were two huge names this year in New Japan. Ospreay had exciting match after exciting match after exciting match (you see how many times he's on this list) and SANADA could easily be considered the guy that more eyes got opened up to this year. At one time he was among the most underrated, but this year he became a main eventer. On day three of the G1 Tournament, this was easily the match of the night and overall of the single best matches in the tournament. Ospreay and SANADA started off explosively and it just got better from there. This was truly a fantastic matchup. Ospreay got the win, but this is most certainly a match the world would want to see again. Often at that.
42. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Three
One of the biggest stories of the year was KENTA's arrival in New Japan after leaving his mediocre and frustrating run in WWE as Hideo Itami. When he arrived, the world was talking about how one of the most awesome wrestlers to ever come from Japan in his generation was in NJPW, and he was engaged in a highly anticipated match against "The Ace of the Universe" Hiroshi Tanahashi. This match lived up to damn near every expectation possible. Two legendary wrestlers engaged in a spirited contest and we were all the way in for it. After nearly twenty minutes of tremendous action, KENTA got the big win, but this match was a notable one within the tournament as Tanahashi suffered back to back losses from Okada and now KENTA. This match also showed that this was how KENTA should've been displayed in WWE. Their loss became New Japan's high gain.
41. Keith Lee vs. Dominic Dijakovic
NXT TV 8/28/19
In 2017, Keith Lee and Dominic Dijak (at that time) were involved in one of the most incredible matches in recent PWG history. The athleticism showed by both big men was damn near astonishing and if you were able to see it when it happened, you never stopped talking about it. Ironically, both men made their way to NXT and it was only right that their paths crossed. What resulted was one of the best series of matches in NXT history. Not a single match was wasted and every time they collided was an OMG moment. Perhaps the best example of this was their first encounter on NXT TV. Folks, this practically picked up where their epic PWG encounter left off. The NXT crowd gave this match about as much heat as their previous PWG encounter thus almost giving it the same type of feel. Keith Lee prevailed in a HELLUVA match that will be remembered by NXT fans for years to come.
40. Lucha Bros. vs. MexaBlood
PWG Best Of Los Angeles '19
The best American tournament every year is the BOLA tournament of PWG. This tournament/event is considered among the best times of the year every year. One match that shined in the event itself was the tag team encounter between the Lucha Bros and the team of Bandido and Flamita, MexaBlood. Four of the finest Luchadores on the planet in one match spells of a dazzling affair, and that it really was. This was high spots fest as one would expect. While Fenix shows himself again to be quite possibly the most breathtaking high flyer in the business and his brother one of the most charismatic wrestlers around, their opponents were no slouches whatsoever. Bandido is a former BOLA tournament finalist and Flamita is very highly skilled and do anything. This match was kickass and deserves to get seen whenever you get the chance to, or can find it.
39. Kazauchika Okada vs. Jay White
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
It was unfamiliar for many to see Okada not main event Wrestle Kingdom, much less not be IWGP Heavyweight Champion at this time. This was due to Kenny Omega defeating him in what's been called the greatest wrestling match of the past several generations at Dominion '18. At WK 13, he faced a very hated rival in the leader of the new Bullet Club, "The Switchblade" Jay White. White had established himself as quite the arrogant, yet very talented, asshole and even managed to turn Okada's longtime mentor and associate, Gedo, against him. This was personal, and this was definitely a battle worthy of WK 13. White scored the major upset over the unbelievable Okada in a hotly contested match, which would set the stage for White to earn his first and only (so far) IWGP World Heavyweight title. Okada would eventually regain the title from White at the G1 Supershow in a match every bit as hotly contested.
38. Saree vs. Meiko Satomura
SENDAI Girls
We often overlook the incredible nature of Japanese women's wrestling. When you look back over the Joshi culture (Japanese women's wrestling), names like Io Shirai, Kairi Sane, Minami Toyota, Aja kong, Asuka, and current AEW Women's Champion Rheo colme to mind almost immediately. One name that tends to be forgotten about is Meiko Satomura. Considered a legend in Joshi wrestling, she's among the toughest wrestlers alive. She gained a lot of notoriety in his very brief stint in WCW and her time in the Mae Young Classic, especially against eventual winner Toni Storm. At the SENDAI Girls event in April, Satomura faced off against another damn good wrestler in Saree. While Sareee looked like a great fighting underdog in this match, Satomura did not come to play any games with her. Stiff as hell, this was among the toughest matches you'll see all year. Sareee has a great future in this game, but Satomura is still here, which means wrestling lessons will still get administered.
37. Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley
Lights Out Match
AEW Full Gear
A monster story that happened this year was the subsequent "death" of WWE's Dean Ambrose and the "return" of hardcore/deathmatch battler, Jon Moxley. Moxley left WWE very publicly and resurfaced a few weeks later at the end of the main event of AEW Double Or Nothing between Kenny omega and Chris Jericho, attacking Jericho, Omega, and a referee. Months later, Omega and Moxley would finally get their chance to collide after a potentially life threatening injury derailed plans for their match to be originally set for AEW All Out. They got it on at AEW Full Gear in a "Lights Out" match, which is basically a Street Fight match. Folks, this was violence. Violence in which people predicted, but nobody expected. We saw barbed wire, broken glass, chairs, chains, and even mouse trap boards here. Very unsettling at times, these two worldwide stars displayed extreme toughness and made the world talk about them. If you can somehow manage to look past the barbarism that took place, this was also an excellently told story of pure hatred and how expectations were fulfilled and then a lot more.
36. The Revival vs. Kyle O' Reilly & Bobby Fish
NXT TV 11/20/19
We often mention Young Bucks and the Lucha Bros when it comes to best teams of 2019, but it shouldn't end with them. Two other very viable names are The Revival and the former reDRagon, Kyle O' Reilly and Bobby Fish of The Undisputed Era. Fish & O' Reilly have been among the best teams this decade and to put them against a team considered to be a throwback to famous teams like Anderson & Blanchard and the Midnight Express is a dream match on paper. What resulted during the NXT go-home show for the Survivor Series was a FANTASTIC tag team match that met every expectation. One could say Dawson and Wilder have been underutilized since joining the main roster despite winning Raw and Smackdown Tag Team Titles. However, the former two time NXT Tag Team Champions showed why they belonged in the upper echelon of teams in the business with their showdown against O' Reilly & Fish. One has to wonder how unreal this match would've been in, say, New Japan or so.
35. Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA
NJPW G1 Climax Day Seven
One particularly anticipated match within this year's G1 was Kota Ibushi and SANADA. Ibushi had been having an overall pretty good year in spite of his Wrestle Kingdom loss to Will Ospreay and SANADA was silently bubbling with having a career-best year. These two had a dynamite match, as these two very evenly matched athletes put on a highly entertaining back and forth contest. SANADA is such a breakout star and he showed it with matches like this, however Ibushi likewise showed that he has been in the same light as SANADA and look where he is now. This was tremendous.
34. Will Ospreay vs. YOH
NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 26 Day 6
This year's BOSJ tournament was simply awesome. No two ways about it. Practically every match in the tourney was excellent. Truthfully, any match Ospreay was in was THAT match of each evening. He had a particularly exciting match against YOH of Roppangi 2K. YOH was nobody to sleep on whatsoever as he hung with the super red hot Ospreay the entire way. These two athletes put on an exhilarating showcase and athleticism and showed that YOH can go with anyone in the division, but Ospreay is...well...Ospreay.
33. Dragon Lee vs. Taiji Ishimori
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '19
Dragon Lee has been hot (no pun intended) in 2019. The former AAA Cruiserweight Champion has been in a number of sensational encounters this year, most notably with Ospreay (see later), but he would have quite the exciting match against former IWGP Junior Heavyweight chsmpion, Taiji Ishimori. The Bullet Club's "Bone Soldier" was trying to capture another championship after losing it to Lee without being pinned at ROH/NJPW G1 Supershow not long before. Ishimori brought it in every way to Lee, and Ishimori's stiff spots were a-plenty, but Dragon Lee remains one of the truly best flyers and overall workers in the business today and this was yet another example of how incredible he is to watch.
32. Young Bucks vs. Lucha Bros.
AAA Tag Team Titles
AEW Double Or Nothing
Arguably the two best teams in the world today are The Young Bucks and The Lucha Bros. Frankly folks, Mark and Nick Jackson are the best team this generation has had to offer, bar none. However, Pentagon jr and his UNBELIEVABLE brother Rey Fenix has lit the entire tag team scene up over the past one to two years. This was a dream match waiting to happen and it did not disappoint whatsoever. The Bucks had recently won the AAA Tag Team Championships from the Lucha Bros during an event in Mexico City, so this was legitimately their only title match at AEW's inaugural PPV, Double Or Nothing, and it was one of the single best matches of the night and definitely the year. These two matched each other in every capacity and showed how much of daredevils Fenix and Nick jackson are. Bucks came away with the win, but this would not be the last time these pairs of brothers would collide.
31. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Seventeen
A very highly anticipated match at this year's historic G1 was the "Universal Ace" Hiroshi Tanahashi and "The Aeriel Assassin" Will Ospreay. Nobody can deny how much of a career year Ospreay had coming into this encounter as it was, but facing a legend like Tanahashi was definitely next level. Tanahashi had won his eighth IWGP heavyweight Title from Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 13, but not long after lost it to Jay White so Hiroshi was about getting his ball rolling again. Ospreay was exceptional here. Clearly the hunger of wanting to win the G1 was all over him in this match, but the pride of Tanahashi was felt through the screen. Much like a younger Okada, Ospreay looked like a natural opponent of Tanahashi with their chemistry, and it was enough for Ospreay to come away with one of the biggest victories of his career in this incredible match.
30. Tetsuya Naito vs. Shingo Takagi
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Fourteen
While the G1 overall was the best event as a whole this year (and among the best this decade), there were certain matches that transcended the G1. Matches that regardless of what event they were to be held in, they would be instant classics. The match between Tetsuya Naito and Shingo Tekagi was one of them. These two LIJ members competed in an unforgettable match that continued a monster year for Takagi on a critical level. His first G1 was quite a stellar one and facing former two time G1 winner Naito was a big task, but their chemistry is one that is almost reminiscent of the old Guerrero/Benoit classics from the late nineties. Naito came away with the W, but we can watch these two compete as often as they'd like to.
29. Black Taurus, Laredo Kid, & Puma King vs. Rey Horus, Bandido, & Flamita
PWG Sixteen
Folks, this was Lucha wrestling AT ITS FINEST. This had crazy high spots and uncanny athleticism, but truly captured the essence of Lucha in this unreal six man tag from PWG 16. What was already a pretty good evening went head and shoulders above everything with this WILD six man affair between Black Taurus, Laredo Kid, and Puma King against Rey Horus and the MexaBlood. All six of these men are already high level stars south of the border, but also around the world, most of these name are greatly known. This was an exhilarating showcase of modern Lucha wrestling that the U.S. is blessed to observe. Regardless of winners, all the fans won that night watching one of the single best PWG matches all year long.
28. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Seventeen
In what could be a preview of what's to come at Wrestle Kingdom 14 Night One, the last night before the G1 Finals had quite the anticipated match between Kota Ibushi and IWGP heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. Okada had been damn near on fire the entire tournament, and Ibushi had been looking good himself. However, in order for Ibushi to go to the Finals, points-wise, he had to beat Okada. The pressure was on for Ibuishi, and with someone like Okada, he had better be as on point as any other big moment in his career. The nearly thirty minute affair was such a fantastic encounter and deserved the top spot of the last G1 night before the Finals. Ibushi looked excellent here and Okada was a technically precisioned as ever. However, the relentless hunger of Ibushi never let up and scored his biggest win since defeating his hero Tanahashi earlier in the tournament. How many people can say they beat Okada AND Tanahashi in one summer? Ibuishi can, and it quite the superb match to do so. If we see any of this at WK14, we may already have a MOTY candidate for 2020.
27. Dragon Lee vs. Jake Atlas
PWG Best Of Los Angeles '19
At this year's BOLA tournament, a damn good match involved Dragon Lee and relative newcomer Jake Atlas. Atlas was seen as a hot new prospect from the SoCal area and had a world of promise with him. This match with Dragon Lee showed that, although he showed he still had some in-ring growing to do, he had IT. This was a match filled with high spot after high spot, but Atlas showed everyone that night that he was for real and we would see him become a star. Lee was as great as ever in this match and really did well to help get Atlas over with the often times harsh PWG crowd and it worked. Atlas was recently signed to NXT so as good as he already is, he may be on his way to become even better under the guidance of Trips.
26. Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles vs. Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo
NJPW Destruction In Kagoshima
After quite the excellent match in Australia at NJPW Southern Showdown between Ospreay and previous Bullet Club member Robbie Eagles, these two men came together, became the Birds Of Prey, and faced off against BC members Ishimori and El Phantasmo. This was just a fun affair. Anytime these four men get together (they competed against each other at NJPW Royal Quest and this match was a lot better), it's worth watching. this match especially was great. Ishimori stepped up as he had been seen as "just there" for their previous match, but here he showed up, and showed out. However, The Birds are a stellar team that deserves to go after tag team gold together.
25. Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Fifteen
Anytime Okada and EVIL get together, it's a punishing affair. The LIJ's "King Of Darkness" is a brawler and rough-houser. Not one thing is pretty about his style. perfect compliment to the technical perfection of Okada. On day fifteen of G1, these two showed their tremendous chemistry once again, with EVIL delivering never ending punishment to the IWGP champion. However, Okada, as he tends to do, comes from beneath to overcome the physicality of EVIL in what has to be considered one of their better matches.
24. Dragon Lee vs. Bandido
PWG Best Of Los Angeles '19
When it comes to real life brothers Dragon Lee and Bandido, it's not impossible to see quite the matchup between them. However, at this year's BOLA tournament, these two turned it up to levels we weren't expecting, and that's a great thing. Basically in short, my God! These two displayed athleticism and stellar back and forth sequences that will parallel anything you've seen in years. Considered to be a PWG classic regardless of event, Lee and Bandido had a super red hot crowd behind both men with practically every move they were doing, and didn't care who won. Although Bandido got the victory over his brother, everyone won with this highly memorable match that the people there live and those were able to see BOLA on DVD. One has to wonder what their other brother (now former ROH World Champion) RUSH was thinking watching his two siblings display such an unforgettable display of wrestling mastery.
23. Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay
IWGP NEVER Openweight Title
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
This past Wrestle Kingdom 13 started off with a bang with the IWGP NEVER Openweight Title match between then champion Kota Ibushi and challenger, Will Ospreay. Such an anticipated matchup between of the most celebrated and decorated junior heavyweights in the world would set the tone for what would be an awesome evening of action. A slightly more ruthless Ospreay was in effect here, but not any less incredibly athletic, while as Kota was laser focused and equally as athletic. these two delivered a great high spot stiff fest with Ospreay defeating him with a stiff as hell forearm shot to the back of the head and resulting in Ibushi being carted away. This was stiff, physical, aerial, and exhilarating in one match. Worthy of being a Wrestle Kingdom opener.
22. Young Bucks vs. Lucha Bros.
Ladder Match/AAA Tag Team Titles
AEW All Out
It's hard to duplicate the intensity and incredible athleticism of what The Bucks and the Lucha Bros showed during their first encounter at AEW Double Or Nothing, they raised it (literally) to another level with their Ladder Match at AEW All Out. When you hear 'ladders' with these two teams, you kind of get the feeling it will be nothing less than a highlight reel match. That it was ladies and gentlemen. That it was. There were spots done in this match we may have never seen before using ladders. There were quite a number of them to name. You'd just have to see them occur. The Luchas were successful this time around, but not before leaving fans there and watching on BR/L in awe over the lengths they would go through to entertain and more importantly...to win.
21. Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Thirteen
These two silently have been building an intriguing rivalry for a couple of years now and this year, it really showed why Okada and SANADA have such good chemistry with each other. The most athletic member of LIJ competed against the champion multiple times this year. One particularly fantastic match between them happened on day thirteen of the G1 Tournament. This match started like most of their matches tend to start: a slow build with counter for counter match sets. The final ten minutes of this encounter were highly exciting and are easily up there with some of the best minutes this entire year of any match in New Japan. Okada and SANADA delivered us one of the single best matches of the tournament and showed why we truthfully can't get enough of them together.
20. Will Ospreay vs. Robbie Eagles
NJPW Southern Showdown
You'll start to notice Mr. Ospreay will exceedingly dominate this list of best matches of 2019. He literally became the guy that "can have a match a broom and get the broom over". Then again, there are many others that not only hung with him but their careers and in-ring reputations got more affirmed this year. One such example was former Bullet Club member, Robbie Eagles. Robbie turned against the BC and instead put his sights on "The Aeriel Assassin" when New Japan had a show in Australia, which so happens to be the home of Eagles. Ospreay was the natural heel in this match but regardless of this fact, these two put on a wonderful showcase of extraordinary flying abilities and excellent overall athletic showmanship. Eagles got the much foreseen win, but from this came the birth of the Birds Of Prey. Truthfully, whether they're against each other or on the same team, Eagles and Ospreay are money.
19. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jon Moxley
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Six
If there was a more punishing matchup within the G1 this year than Tomohiro Ishii and Jon Moxley, bring forth your argument. Ishii has been proven to be one of those guys that can literally have a stellar match with anyone even with his strong style-meets-old school ruggedness persona. Typically the toughest bastard of the G1, he met his legit match in the unhinged Jon Moxley. Moxley's first G1 was quite the impressive one, but this particular match was nothing short of awesome. The stiffness and brutality these two provided left you on the edge of your seat with every blow. This was not pretty, nor was it meant to be. It started out in the crowd very quickly, then involved tables and chairs. A virtual street fight between two intense athletes. Moxley got the win, but he earned every single bit of it. His best match post-WWE, Moxley showed his horizons after Vince were super bright, and this match exemplified it.
18. Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Five
Earlier, we put Ibushi and Ospreay's match from Wrestle Kingdom 13 on this list and showed how incredible their chemistry was. They continued it in the G1. With obviously no titles on the line, this was just about the progression within the tournament. However, Ibushi owed Ospreay a receipt from getting stretchered out at WK from Ospreay's move The Hidden Blade. This match was every bit as intense as their prior encounter if not even more. Going into the match, Ospreay was banged up with neck and shoulder issues. This was pretty much all Ibushi needed, as his concentration was a little more deliberate than before. After another unbelievable last few minutes between them, Ibushi avenged his WK loss and picked up his first win in the tournament at this time. This was a banner year for both men and this match against each other once again showed why.
17. David Starr vs. Jordan Devlin
OTT World Heavyweight Title
OTT 5th Anniversary Show
The rivalry between indie darling David Starr and NXT UK talent Jordan Devlin goes back top them being former best friends and partners. The actuality is that both men were obsessed with beating current WWE UK Champion (and at that time OTT Champion) WALTER. Starr was jealous because Devlin was close to doing so and Starr had to watch it happen. From there was a highly intense, deeply personal feud that is among the revered this year. Their match at OTT Homecoming was thrilling. An intense affair that saw Devlin get the win. The rivalry only got more personal and more inviting. It all came to a head at the OTT 5th Anniversary Show where Devlin walked in as champion. This match turned into a double turn, as Starr going in did an amazing promo about Devlin represented the corporate bigwigs that wanted to take down indie wrestling. The people that were once cheering for Devlin had turned on him and vice versa. This match was simply phenomenal. The back and forth action between the two and the psychology involved was top notched and could easily be mentioned as a career high in either man's careers. Devlin is arguably one of the most under-utilized talents in the NXT UK brand, but his talent is truly out there. Meanwhile Starr is truly one of the best in-ring performers and thinkers on the planet.
16. Dragon Lee vs. Will Ospreay
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
NJPW Dominion '19
Talk about a match of equals. the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion at that time, Dragon Lee, was hitting on all cylinders. he won the title at the G1 Supershow event in Madison Square Garden, but his opponent was on a complete roll as well. Mr. Ospreay had just won the Best Of Super Juniors tournament in one of the greatest matches this decade (see later), although he lost some momentum when he lost the IWGP NEVER Openweight Title to Jeff Cobb at the aforementioned G1 Supershow. This was an important match, especially for Ospreay, and these two killed it at Dominion, delivering the match of the night. These two threw every high flying spot at each other they could think of, plus they countered every single thing they could throw at the other. This was an exemplary match of mirror images of each other. Ospreay came out the new champion, but the respect between these two, as if it already wasn't high enough going into it, elevated even more so. More of this between these two please.
15. Pete Dunne vs. WALTER
WWE United Kingdom Title
NXT Takeover: New York
When WALTER showed up at the end of the Pete Dunne/Joe Coffey match at NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool (which was QUITE the competitive match in itself), the roof came off. It was clear the huge Austrian had his eyes set on the big prize. The tension was set in place and it took place at NXT Takeover: New York. This was a PUNISHING affair. Dunne is as vicious as he is technically very gifted. WALTER is just as vicious, brutal ruffian who's stiff blows and chops will end a person's life if done enough times. This one had the record-setting champion going in as the underdog, but he one hundred percent hung with "The Ring General" and these two put on one hell of a match. Although Dunne was able to pick up the big man for his Bitter End finisher, it still wasn't enough, as WALTER dove off the top rope for a splash and did the unthinkable: he defeated Dunne and ended the two year reign of "The Bruiserweight". This was an incredible encounter, but Dunne has yet to be the same from this loss. meanwhile WALTER has been on a tear with his group, Imperium, and making everyone knows that "The Ring General" is running things.
14. Bandido vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 26 Day Eight
These two phenomenal high flyers had quite the excellent encounter at WrestleCon earlier in the year, but Ospreay and Bandido took things to another level in this particfular BOSJ standout. Bandido, who is ironically the brother of another Ospreay rival this year, Dragon Lee. Bandido and Ospreay had exactly the type of spotfest the likes of Jim Cornette would cringe to and would say every negative in the world to possibly say about it. Much like the Ricochet/Ospreay classic from the BOSJ of 2017, this was legitimately hard to pick a winner. Both men were exceptional in their need to dazzle and keep the fans either standing or on their seat's edge, but also showed how much guts both men had and how much they were willing to dig deep down to advance in the tournament. This was non-stop excitement and a thrill to watch.
13. A-Kid vs. Will Ospreay
WWW Total Rumble 9
One of the best promotions to emerge from Europe in the past few years has been White Wolf Wrestling out of Spain. This particular promotion has been hot with worldwide known talent. Last year, one such match that put the world on to them a little more was between A-Kid and the world renowned Zach Sabre Jr in a stellar match that showed that A-Kid could go toe to toe with the mat wizardry of sabre. This year, it was between A-Kid and Will Ospreay (are any of you guys and gals tired of hearing and seeing his name so far?) in an unbelievable encounter that would rival any MOTY candidate period. Ospreay came off as an arrogant, self assured heel here, but by the end of this beyond stunning affair, both men were shaking hands out of complete respect. A-Kid has since been signed to NXT's UK division, and Ospreay has been...well...red hot Ospreay, but this match was not only another example of this has been the best year in Ospreay's career, but A-Kid knew what it took to be A-man! You will NOT go wrong going out of your way to watch this one. Guaranteed.
12. Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole
Three Stages Of Hell/NXT Title
NXT Takeover: Toronto II
Two of the most talked about men in the sport, and unquestionably two of the best in the world, are NXT's Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole (BAY BAY). This was the third and final match in the unforgettable series of matches between these two superb competitors. While many would argue this match didn't meet the exceedingly high expectations of their prior two classics, this one was no slouch whatsoever. In fact, truth be told, the only reason this match would get any slack is because of those two prior matches because on its own, this was competitive and very hotly contested. We've seen several Three Stages Of Hell matches in the past. Austin vs. HHH from No Way Out 2001 is the first one to come to mind, as was the incredibly violent encounter between Killshot and Dante Fox from season three of Lucha Underground, but this one was impressive also. Cole came out victorious in this STRUGGLE of a match, but one thing's for sure. This rivalry will go down as one of the most acclaimed and talked about rivalries, not just in NXT history, but WWE history as a whole. That folks, is undisputed.
11. Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
NJPW New Japan Cup '19
Another Okada/SANADA matchup here on the list. I'm telling you, these guys are about as made for each other Okada/Omega or Okada/Tanahashi. SANADA could easily be up there with any of these historic rivals of "The Rainmaker". The chemistry between these two is impeccable and in this particular match, Okada had a ton to prove. The winner of this match would win the New Japan Cup and would go on to the G1 Supershow and challenge Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. For SANADA, this was his way of finally defeating the great Okada. For Okada, it was to avenge defeat and embarrassment over the string of nearly a full year. This match was damn close, and there were more times than not SANADA nearly pulled a huge upset over Okada, however Okada would not be denied this night. This was a fantastic contest, and one that should be remembered for Okada's laser focused ascent back to gain his IWGP Title and how close SANADA came to ruining it all for him.
10. Will Ospreay vs. Jay White
NJPW 47th Anniversary Show
By now, you're seeing a pattern of how awesome Ospreay has been this year. How damn near every match he's had has been spectacular. Ospreay is just that great. He had another top notched match this year, and this one was against the leader of Bullet Club, "Switchblade" jay White. White is among the most hated wrestlers in all of New Japan, and rightfully so. The audacity of this man to make Okada's longtime associate Gedo turn on him. Anyways, White is still a damn great talent who continues to improve every time we see him in the ring. White was the consummate heel here. Low blows, behind-the-ref's-back tactics, the whole nine yards. However, don't let this take away from how fantastic this match was between these two young stars. While we often mention how great of a year Ospreay has had, White became the IWGP Heavyweight Champion this year. Enough said.
9. Dustin Rhodes vs. Cody
AEW Double Or Nothing
Not a single match this year captured the emotion and the heart of wrestling fans around the world then the matchup between the Runnels/Rhodes brothers Cody and Dustin. The build for their match for AEW's inaugural PPV Double Or Nothing was captivating enough, with Cody wanting to "kill the attitude era", but the actual match was so filled with emotion, an unforgettable story, and definitely tons of blood. With Dustin being over fifty years of age, one wouldn't expect this type of down home fight from him, but the man formerly known as Goldust brought the fight like we haven't seen in many years from him here. All while covered in a disturbing amount of blood (think Undertaker in his HIAC match against Lesnar nearly fifteen years ago), Dustin showed he still had it. However, the younger brother was that damn good too, and at the end Cody emerged victorious in this highly emotional battle. What capped off this amazing match was the bloody embrace between older brother and younger brother and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. This was arguably the perfect wrestling match in every aspect and there aren't too many that could pull it off quite like two sons of the late, great Dream.
8. Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Seven
Folks, the A-block of the G! was LOADED with matches nobody could wait to see. One of the top two most anticipated matchups involved Okada and Ospreay. Ospreay, as has been previously pointed out, had a smoking year regardless of win or loss leading up to this match. What kind of statement would it be if Ospreay could defeat the legendary Okada? We would find out, as these two true wrestling greats put on a gem of a wrestling match. Seen as one of the greatest G1 matches of all-time, Okada and Ospreay continued to elevate themselves to in-ring excellence that won't soon be forgotten. This was the best story in perhaps the entire G1 tournament that wasn't the Finals. Although Ospreay wasn't able to pull it out at the end, he showed without question, with performances like this against the champion, the goal of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion isn't too far from his sights. Meanwhile, Okada is quite possibly wrestling perfection.
7. Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole
NXT Title
NXT Takeover XXV
The rematch to what has billed as WWE's greatest match ever (see later) was to take shape at NXT Takeover XXV. The first match saw Johnny win the title, but this one was Adam Cole's redemption and to attempt to win the title from "Johnny Wrestling", "Johnny Takeover"...you get the picture. This was almost as incredible as their massively awesome first encounter, and that is meant to sound as sincere as possible. The bar was set at incredulously high levels from their New York encounter, but trust and believe, this came as close as you can get. This was superb. Their chemistry is off the charts and almost rivals the Gargano/Ciampa rivalry to a 'T'. After several heart-stopping moments of near falls and momentum shifts, not tom mention Gargano trying to play possum and pull a Bret Hart-esque psyche out to put Cole in a false sense of security, Cole was able to cleanly defeat Gargano in a rematch highly suitable to match up with their beyond epic first encounter. This time, Cole ascended to the top heights of NXT and became the new NXT Champion...BAY BAY!
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega
IWGP Heavyweight Title
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
Two of the biggest names in all of New Japan at the time were the "Ace" Hiroshi Tanahashi and the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega. Tanahashi was fresh off a triumphant second half of 2018 and was the G1 Climax winner. Omega had finally won the title in what's been revered as the greatest wrestling match possibly in modern history against Okada at Dominion '18. The stage was set for these two massively talented stars to collide, and my God what a match this was. One would think that once you're over the age of forty, you start to slow down. In the case of Tanahashi, he continues to put forth some of the best performances imaginable, and this was no exception, if not a whole other level. Omega, himself, was his usual outstanding self, although he played a heelish role here. Regardless, the magic we witnessed here is something beyond special in today's landscape and this match was among not only the most athletically fantastic matches ever, but among the smartest from a psychology perspective. A main event worthy of the caliber of Wrestle Kingdom, these two DELIVERED and then some.
5. Tyler Bate vs. WALTER
WWE United Kingdom Title
NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff
When WALTER burst onto the NXT UK scene and formed Imperium with Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel, and former SANITY member Alexander Wolfe, they locked their eyes on the "godfathers" of NXT UK, British Strong Style, the group consisting of Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, and Trent Seven. They brutally attacked Bate, then WALTER obliterated Seven in a match. Dunne hadn't been seen since his rematch loss to WALTER weeks earlier. it only took a couple of weeks before the youngest of the group, Bate, let it be known this was not going to go unanswered. What resulted was perhaps the greatest NXT UK match in the short history of the brand. This match was unreal. The storytelling aspect here had the under six foot tall gutsy, determined, incredible Bate in a classic David vs. Goliath match with the 6'6", near three hundred pound DOMINATING champion. WALTER just could not put this kid away. In spite of the ungodly assault from "The Ring General", Bate was just not going to stay down. Even with odds against him even more with the appearance of the rest of Imperium, Bate's determination was off the charts. Ultimately, he succumbed to WALTER, but not before putting up one of the gutsiest performances we've seen in a long time from anyone in WWE.
4. Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Finals
After perhaps the most phenomenal G1 Climax tournament this decade, it all came down to the Finals. What was especially impressive about this travel to get here is that jay White was at the brink of elimination and came back to go to the Finals. Ibushi, meanwhile, had to defeat the IWGP champion in order to get here. The night before, White and Gedo attacked the ankle of Ibushi, thus putting the odds quickly in the favor of White. However, the match itself was as excellently told and displayed as any G1 Finals match in history. After around forty minutes, and more shenanigans from Gedo and heel tactics from White, Ibushi came away with the heroic and heart-fueled win. This match in itself was an unforgettable match and a worthy MOTY candidate, but it was the storytelling, much like the aforementioned Bate/WALTER match that was the sell here. Ibushi went through hell, but got the biggest win of his career and if we see any of this level of performance at WK14, we may have a new IWGP Champion.
3. Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole
Two Out Of Three Falls/NXT Title
NXT Takeover: New York
To hear when someone refers to a match as "the greatest WWE match of all-time", that encompasses over fifty years of excellence from the house the McMahons built. In our modern history, matches like Steamboat vs. Savage at WM3, Taker vs. HBK at WM25, and Austin vs. Hart at WM12 come to mind immediately. However those matches are too few and far between. On the NXT side of things, memorable matches come along very often. However, timeless classics are not. Mark this as one of them. there wasn't one single match in all of WWE that touched this AMAZING encounter between residential big match guy Johnny Gargano and another big match guy Adam Cole collided in a match we will never soon forget. originally slated to be Gargano vs. Tomosso Ciampa for the NXT Title, however due to an unfortunate neck surgery, plans changed. As a result, this happened. A major loss became a major gain in terms of this all-time monster. While the first two falls were very good, it was the EPIC third fall that reminded us of other priceless three fall matches like Okada/Omega and Steamboat/Flair. This third fall was out of control. The heart Gargano displayed here ranks among the grittiest we have ever seen. Taking not one thing away from the desire of Cole, Gargano's never ending will to win made you not turn a second away from your screen. even with the interference of The undisputed era, that didn't stop "Johnny Takeover". Gargano eventually won the big one. In front of his family and wife Candice Lerae, Gargano became "Johnny Champion", and this became one of the single most feel good moments in recent memory in NXT. If that wasn't enough, a neckbrace wearing Ciampa came out in a genuine shoot moment to embrace his on again, off again partner and friend. Tell me one moment in WWE that could match this. Just. ONE.
2. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi
NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Sixteen
Good grief! While this list has clearly been dominated by Will Ospreay in terms of match quality and a career year, we simply can not overlook or not mention LIJ member Shingo Takagi. He has emerged as the new go-to guy for superb in-ring matches that you wouldn't think would get over but in fact do. After a phenomenal showing in the BOSJ tournament, he set his sights on G1, and did almost as great. The match that showed everyone how much star appeal he has to be that five star guy (if the next match didn't convince you) was his next level performance against another guy that can perform at the exact same level as him day in and day out, "The Stone Pitbull" Tomohiro ishii. The big match is certainly nothing new to the former multi-time IWGP NEVER openweight Champion, as is evidenced in past matches against the likes of Ketsuyori Shibata, Zach Sabre Jr, Hiroki Goto, Minoro Suzuki, Okada, and certainly Kenny Omega. Add Takagi to the list. his match was EVERYTHING. I do mean EVERYTHING. his was non-stop intensity and we were simply enthralled by it. The toughness of both these men is out of this world. Takagi wanted to show that he could hang with the heavyweights. His prior match with Naito was evidenced that he could. However, this put the stamp on the letter as to his ability to crossover into the heavyweight division, and gave the tough as NAILS Ishii the business in this enormous thriller. This must be watched over and over, as you legitimately didn't want this marathon to end. When it was over, and Takagi won, you needed either a drink or a cigarette to come down off the intensity you just witnessed.
1. Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 26 Finals
Before Takagi had this aforementioned MAGICAL encounter with Ishii, he had a masterpiece with none other than the golden child of New Japan of 2019, Will Ospreay. Ospreay looked incredible throughout the whole BOSJ tournament, but Takagi was the sleeper hit in the tourney. While we knew he would do very well, many didn't see him in the Finals. My GOD were we wrong. This match could be seen as the greatest BOSJ Finals in tournament history, and that covers twenty six years, including last year's unforgettable Takahashi/Ishimori classic. Takagi going in was undefeated. He hadn't been beaten since his NJPW arrival, and we could see why. These guys chemistry was very impressive for their first ever encounter and showed early that we were in for quite the matchup. Thirty-plus minutes later, we were left breathless by the caliber of match we had witnessed. Takagi is beyond awesome. His Benoit-esque style and his fantastic conditioning is something to marvel over, but Ospreay is an athletic wonder as well. This match was the perfect MOTY candidate just based upon the extreme desire to win and leave your entire soul in the ring for it. Ospreay emerged as the 2019 BOSJ winner, but what he and Takagi left us was a match that should, and likely will, be mentioned among the greatest wrestling matches in New Japan history. Not to mention the last ten minutes of this match, along with the atmosphere in Sumo hall, stands among the most breathtaking minutes you'll see at any time. This match was truly a match for the wrestling ages.
Honorable Mentions
Pete Dunne vs. Joe Coffey (NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool)
Women's Royal Rumble Match (WWE Royal Rumble '19)
Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE Wrestlemania 36)
Ricochet vs. Johnny Gargano (NXT Takeover: Phoenix)
War Raiders vs. Kyle O' Reilly & Bobby Fish (NXT Takeover: Phoenix)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zach Sabre Jr (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13)
Will Ospreay vs. PAC (RevPro High Stakes '19)
Shirai vs. Baszler vs. Sane vs. Belair (NXT Takeover: New York)
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jay White (NJPW New Beginnings In Osaka)
David Starr vs. WALTER (wXw 16 Carat Gold '19)
Ilja Dragonav vs. Cara Noir (Progress: Chapter 96)
Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA (NJPW KOPW '19)
Jeff Cobb vs. Shane Taylor (ROH 17th Anniversary)
MAO vs. Shingo Takagi (DDT Coming To America)
Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus (AJPW Summer Action Series '19)
Jordan Devlin vs. David Starr (OTT Homecoming '19)
Jay Lethal vs. Matt Taven (ROH 17th Anniversary)
Team Ripley vs. Team Baszler (NXT Takeover: War Games III)
Team Ciampa vs. The Undisputed Era (NXT Takeover: War Games III)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yugi Nagata (NJPW New Japan Cup '19)
Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW New Japan Cup '19)
SANADA vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW New Japan Cup '19)
Kota Ibushi vs. Zach Sabre Jr (NJPW Sengoku Lord In Negoya)
Will Ospreay vs. El Phantasmo (NJPW BOSJ 26)
Marty Scurll vs. SHO (NJPW BOSJ 26)
Will Ospreay vs. Taguchi (NJPW BOSJ 26)
Jordan Devlin vs. Kyle Fletcher (Progress Super Strong Style Night Two)
Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho (AEW Double Or Nothing)
Rocky Romero vs. El Phantasmo (NJPW BOSJ 26)
Street Profits vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Kyle O' Reilly & Bobby Fish vs. Forgotten Sons (NXT Takeover XXV)
Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW Dominion '19)
Young Bucks & Kenny Omega vs. Lucha Bros & Laredo Kid (AEW Fyter Fest)
PAC vs. Pentagon Jr (TNT Super Extreme)
Harashima vs. Konosuke Takeshita (DDT Ultimate Party '19)
Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day One)
Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day One)
Juice Robinson vs. Shingo Takagi (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Two)
Jake Lee & Naoya Nomura vs. Kento Miyahara & Aoyagi (AJPW Real World Tag League '19)
Kenny Omega vs. CIMA (AEW Fight For The Fallen)
SCU vs. Lucha Bros (AEW Fight For The Fallen)
Mercedes Martinez vs.David Starr (Beyond Wrestling Uncharted Territory)
Matt Riddle vs. Drew Gulak (Evolve 10th Anniversary Show)
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zach Sabre Jr (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Five)
Shingo Takagi vs. TAICHI (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Six)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Eight)
Juice Robinson vs. Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Ten)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hiroki Goto (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Twelve)
Will Ospreay vs. KENTA (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Fifteen)
Velveteen Dream vs. Pete Dunne vs. Roderick Strong (NXT Takeover: Toronto II)
Candace Lerae vs. Io Shirai (NXT Takeover: Toronto II)
David Starr vs. WALTER (OTT WrestleRama 3)
Shingo Takagi vs. Hiroki Goto (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Eighteen)
LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu (MLW Superfight)
Arisa Hoshiki vs. Jungle Kyona (Stardom X Stardom)
Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, & Yoshi Hashi vs. Minoru Suzuki, Zach Sabre Jr, Lance Archer, & Kanemaru (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Day Eighteen)
Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Zach Sabre Jr (NJPW G1 Climax 28 Finals)
Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW Royal Quest)
Cody vs. Chris Jericho (AEW Full Gear)
Aramis vs. Rey Fenix (PWG BOLA '19)
Matt Riddle vs. Adam Cole (NXT TV 10/2/19)
Riho vs. Nyla Rose (AEW Dynamite 10/9/19)
Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA (NJPW Destruction In Kagoshima)
Will Ospreay vs. El Phantasmo (NJPW KOPW '19)
Kenny omega vs. Joey Janela (AEW Dark 10/13/19)
Nick Jackson vs. Rey Fenix (AEW Dynamite 11/20/19)
Team Ripley vs. Team Baszler (NXT Takeover: War Games III)
Akira Tozawa vs. Leo Rush (NXT TV 11/27/19)
Private Party vs. Lucha Bros (AEW Dynamite 10/23/19)
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tetsuya Endo (DDT Wrestle Peter Pan '19)
Jake Lee vs. Kento Miyahara (AJPW Champion Carnival)
Kento Miyahara vs. Yuji Okabayashi (AJPW Champion Carnival)
Mercedes Martines vs. David Starr (Beyond Wrestling Uncharted Territory)
Kaito Keyomaya vs. Kenoh (NOAH The Best)
Mustache Mountain vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool)
Women's Elimination Chamber (WWE Elimination Chamber '19)
Men's Elimination Chamber Match (WWE Elimination Chamber '19)
Aleister Black, Ricochet & Velveteen Dream vs. DIY & Adam Cole (NXT Halftime Heat)
Ricochet & aleister Black vs. War Raiders (NXT Takeover: New York)
Marty Scurll vs. Nick Aldis (NWA Crockett Cup '19)
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White (ROH/NJPW G1 Supershow)
Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito (ROH/NJPW G1 Supershow)
Jay Lethal vs. Marty Scurll vs. Matt Taven (ROH/NJPW G1 Supershow)
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii vs. EVIL & SANADA (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '19)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. EVIL (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '19)
Briscoes vs. G.O.D. (ROH Mayhattan Mayhem)
Juice Robinson vs. Jon Moxley (NJPW BOSJ 26)
Tessa Blanchard vs. Sami Callahan (Impact Slammiversary)
New Day vs. Revival (WWE TLC '19)
Nick Aldis vs. James Storm (NWA Into The Fire)
Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy (WWE TLC '19)
This can not be emphasized enough. This was one of the hardest lists to make for any year up to this point. Trust and believe this was NOT an easy list and truth be told, there were even MORE matches that belonged even in the Honorable Mentions list. For this being the end of the decade, this ended in a HELL of a major way. Soon to come will be the Best Matches Of The Decade list (SPOILER: a lot of matches here will be involved on the list). If you haven't seen any of these matches of haven't heard of these matches, if they're available online or on a streaming service, please go out of your way to watch them, as you'll be completely enjoyed with each and every one of these matches.
