What's going on people?! Throughout the past two years, COVID, like every other part of our society, has rocked professional wrestling. Indie companies shut down, while bigger ones such as WWE, AEW, and NJPW had to painfully adjust to changes that nobody was extremely comfortable with, but in order to survive and make any profit, they had to do what needed to be done to prosper and to their credit, along with the likes of Impact, they did just that. In 2021, the pandemic, while still among us, was calmed enough (or modified enough if you will) to where in-person attendance returned and it was all for the better. Big events such as Wrestlemania, All Out, and Wrestling Dontaku all benefited greatly from the return of fans, and with it came one of the most epic and fantastic years in recent history in terms of in-ring wrestling. This year couldn't be shortened into twenty matches, nor thirty. We went fifty matches deep ladies and gents, and even then, that may not be enough. However, if you're ready, we're ready, so let's go!
50. CM Punk vs. Darby Allen
AEW All Out '21
After a seven long year absence, the one and only CM punk made a dramatic and very highly anticipated return to wrestling at AEW Rampage: The First Dance in his hometown of Chicago in one of the most memorable moments in modern wrestling history. On that night, he challenged residential suicide grappler, Darby Allen, to a match at All Out in Chicago. Their match was great and showed not only that Darby is a one of a kind talent in this business, but that Punk, although still at the time needed to tighten some screw here and there, showed why he's among the most celebrated in-ring competitors ever.
49. Jurassic Express vs. Young Bucks
AEW World Tag Team Championships
AEW Dynamite 8/20/21
While it's no secret Matt and Nick Jackson are among the greatest teams of all-time (sorry Cornette), they're only as great as the opponents they face, and one of their best challengers this year has been the team of Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus, collectively (along with Marko Stunt) Jurassic Express. The Jackson brothers were their usual over the top heelish selves, but they got taken to the absolute limit with JE, who displayed their heart and determination to get the best of the brothers Jackson. Although it was not to be this night, one day, I'd suspect JE will eventually become champions.
48. Tetsuya Naito/SANADA vs. Dangerous Tekkers
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team CHampionships
NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam- Tokyo Dome
In another episode of Los Ingornables de Japon against Suzuki-Gun, SANADA and multi-time former World Champion, Tetsuya Naito squared off against Zach Sabre Jr and TAICHI, collectively known as Dangerous Tekkers. In what was already a competitive event with Wrestle Grand Slam at the world famous Tokyo Dome, these two teams delivered a compelling match and one that showed how underrated the chemistry was between both teams in this match. Definitely worth watching.
47. Ruby Soho vs. Kris Statlander
AEW Dynamite 12/1/21
One of the several things that made AEW All Out '21 arguably the greatest American wrestling PPV since Wrestlemania XXVII was the appearance of former WWE star and longtime indie favorite, Ruby Soho (formerly Ruby Riott) in the Women's Casino Battle Royal, in which she became eventual winner. Fast forwarding, since the announcement of the TBS Championship, Soho was almost immediately mentioned as the odds on favorite. However, she was faced with a very difficult task in facing the highly impressive Kris Statlander of the Best Friends crew. Statlander's excellent strength and ever improving in-ring abilities were a very tough match for the veteran Soho. In this match, these two popular young ladies demonstrated a great chess game that ended up arguably being the match of the night.
46. MSK vs. Grizzled Young Veterans
NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day
One of the game's most exciting and fun teams are MSK (formerly known as The Rascalz in the indies and Impact). Wes Lee and Nash Carter made a splash onto NXT to immediate reaction. They went to the Finals of the annual Dusty Rhodes Memorial Tag Team Classic tournament and faced another excellent team in NXT UK's Grizzled Young Veterans. GYV consists of James Blake and Zach Gibson, and their chemistry as a team is simply fantastic, both in terms of in-ring work and charisma. Both these teams delivered arguably the best Dusty Classic Finals match to date and showed the immense talent of both teams. Eventually MSK would win gold (see later), but GYV is also a team to never, ever take your eyes off of.
45. Kazuchika Okada vs. Shingo Takagi
NJPW New Japan Cup '21
Nobody by now can dispute that Kazuchika Okada is among the true GOATS of this or any generation. The stuff he's accomplished throughout the span of over a decade puts him in an exclusive, top-tier class. Just his rivalries with Hiroshi Tanahashi and especially Kenny Omega completely rewrote the book of compelling, engaging modern wrestling rivalries. On the opposite end, "The Dragon" Shingo Takagi has been among the most in-demand wrestlers and delivering some classics of his own. His series of matches with Will Ospreay ranks up there with some of wrestling's most acclaimed rivalries over the past two decades. These two ring master chess players delivered a monster in the first round of this year's New Japan Cup. A match that EASILY should've been a Finals match was in the first round and quite honestly, there weren't many matches better than this one in the entire tournament. In spite of Okada coming in to the match with a pretty bad back injury, his performance was on fire here, as was Takagi's. Although Takagi picked up the win, this match easily rivaled their G1 match last year and showed that this may be the next true great rivalry of professional wrestling.
44. MSK vs. Raul Mendosa/Joaquin Wilde vs. Grizzled Young Veterans
NXT Tag Team Championships
NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver Night One
At NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver- Night One, there wasn't a better match the entire night than the Triple Threat Match between Raul Mendosa & Joaquin Wilde, Grizzled Young Veterans, and the aforementioned winners of the Dusty Rhodes Cup, MSK. With immense talent all around here, this match was primed for intense, high octane action and folks, it most definitely was. A for sure spotfest not withstanding, this match was high energy all throughout and in the end, MSK won the vacant NXT Tag Team Championships in a match that left you wanting them to *AHEM* fight forever!
43. Inner Circle vs. The Pinnacle
Blood & Guts Match
AEW Dynamite: Blood & Guts
One of wrestling's most legendary (and notorious) gimmick matches throughout history was War Games. From the first one in '87 involving Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Paul Ellering & The Road Warriors against The Horsemen and JJ Dillon up until NXT's version of War Games, injuries, blood, and viciousness have been staples of this type of match. AEW decided to do their own War Games match, only calling it Blood & Guts due to WWE trademarking 'War Games'. The match involved Chris Jericho and his Inner Circle of Santana, Ortiz, Sammie Guevara, and Jake Hagar squaring off against MJF and his Pinnacle group of FTR, Shawn Spears, and Wardlow. This had the works: chairs, barbed wire, lots of blood, and violence. While it falls short of legit classic War Games matches such as the aforementioned Rhodes/Horseman battle or especially the highly memorable one involving Sting's Squadron against The Dangerous Alliance at Wrestle War '92, this was a fun ride reminiscing about how War Games REALLY is instead of the very watered-down version WWE delivers on their NXT PPVs.
42. Hikaru Shida vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.
AEW Women's Championship
AEW Double Or Nothing '21
The two women that many believe have had the best overall year in AEW have been the former longest reigning AEW Women's Champion to date, Hikaru Shida, and the current champion, Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. (you MUST include the D.M.D. initials, for the record). Baker has had gaining momentum ever since she returned from her severe and lengthy knee injury in 2020 that kept her on the sidelines, and especially after that incredible war with Thunder Rosa (see later) and it culminated with a title match challenging the red-hot Shida. Shida, throughout 2020, had a stellar year. She became the face of the women's division and had challengers from both America and her home land of Japan. This match was very anticipated and it delivered on its anticipation. Both women displayed the need to wanna take the division to the next level with an excellent match. Ultimately, Baker came out the new champion and her reign as of this writing has still been a damn impressive one. Shida continues to show, even after her losing of the title, that her fierce in-ring work is one that could have her in talks of being one of the true best workers around, regardless of gender.
41. Josh Alexander vs. TJP
Impact X-Division Championship
Sixty Minute Ironman Match
Impact Wrestling 6/3/21
Impact Wrestling had a pretty good year themselves. Ever since the resurgence of this once highly acclaimed promotion started to slowly get back its old form, fans are rooting for them to get back to their peak time of '04-'08. Throughout the pandemic, they've been mostly doing programs and PPVs with no audience, much like ROH. That didn't stop them from presenting great matches. One of which being a thrilling 60 Minute Ironman match for the X-Division Championship between then champion Josh Alexander and internationally acclaimed star TJP. This was a deliberate match, careful with pacing and timing. As back and forth as the match was, it was the last 10 minutes of the match that were the most riveting and competitive. Ultimately, Alexander got the win but this match was an absolute tremendous display of fortitude and endurance in a match that especially put Alexander in a whole other discussion of being among the true sport's best. For TJP, it was another day at the office for this phenomenal competitor
40. MSK vs. Tomosso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher
NXT Tag Team Championships
NXT Great American Bash
The team of Timothy Thatcher and Tomasso Ciampa just works. One twenty year veteran that is as physical as ever and another just over a decade long grappler that has an old school dirty ruggedness about him that brings fans of his type of style much satisfaction. From the many times they fought each other came a growing respect, thus the team was born. At NXT Great American Bash special, they challenged the flashy, yet fun to watch, NXT Tag Team Champions, MSK for the gold. This match was definitely a styles clash but the chemistry between them in this match worked in outstanding fashion. The team of Thatcher & Ciampa was no-nonsense, physical and very in-your-face and they took the fight to this young tandem, but MSK in the end barely emerged victorious with a very hard fought and earned win. Best believe, MSK was limping towards the locker room after this one.
39. Christian Cage vs. Kenny Omega
Impact World Championship
AEW Rampage 8/13/21
One of the better feuds that exhibited Tony Khan's "forbidden door" policy across all (well, most...right WWE?) promotions was AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega, and challenger, former multi-time WWE and TNA World Champion, Christian Cage. Omega added to his championships of AEW World and AAA Mega by defeating Rich Swann for the Impact World Championship at their PPV, Rebellion. On the debut episode of AEW Rampage, to set off that episode, Cage faced Omega in a hard-hitting, competitive match that resulted in Cage winning the Impact World Championship in front of a sold out audience and in front of Impact President Scott D'Amor. This made their forthcoming match at AEW All Out '21 that much more anticipated.
38. Bandido vs. Black Taurus
PWG Championship
PWG Mystery Vortex 7
Pro Wrestling Guerilla is arguably the most red hot indie promotion (not named GCW) in the States. Many classic matches have emerged from this Excaliber (among a couple of others)-founded promotion. For the past seven years, they've had an event called Mystery Vortex, which is an event where there's no promoted card list. Literally the fans will know what matches are happening as the participants come out the curtain. The biggest match this year was for the PWG World Heavyweight Championship between champion Bandido and Black Taurus. Both luchadores represent other promotions, as Bandido is a former ROH Champion, while Taurus represents Impact Wrestling and AAA. These two guys simply tore it up at this event. The physical yet very athletic style of the stout and packed Taurus met the highly exciting athleticism and classic lucha style of Bandido and it was a treat to everyone in attendance. Bandido came away with the win but this another massive match for a promotion that has had more than its fair share of memorable matches.
37. Jurassic Express vs. Lucha Brothers
AEW Rampage 8/27/21
Two of AEW's most popular teams squared off in one of Rampage's most thrilling and exciting matches to date. Jurassic Express and The Lucha Brothers were involved in a match that the fans were *AHEM* all in for. Every man in this match is uniquely special and the action was filled with incredible spots and plenty of near falls to keep people on the edge of their seats, both in the arena and at home. Now that Pentagon and Fenix are tag team champions, it's only a matter of time before these teams compete again, only this time for the belts. Sign me up!
36. Edge vs. Seth Rollins
Hell In A Cell Match
WWE Crown Jewel '21
When Edge returned at Royal Rumble of 2020 (literally just before the start of the pandemic), one of many fans' dream opponents for him was Seth Rollins. It took about a year and a half, but the match finally happened at Summerslam '21. The rivalry leading up tot he match was already heated, but going into Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, the rivalry had become personal, and the only way this match could happen was for it to be inside the infamous Hell In A Cell structure. On an event that was surprisingly consistently good for WWE standards, this was the first match, and this was a very hard one to follow. Edge picked up the win in this unbelievable match and he continues to show that he can still hang and bang with younger talent at 47 years young, but that Seth Rollins is a master of his craft, and along with another craftsman, this rivalry was complete magic.
35. Jurassic Express/Christian Cage vs. SUPERCLIQ
Falls Count Anywhere
AEW Full Gear '21
Earlier, we mentioned the excitement concerning the arrival at AEW All Out '21 of Ruby Soho. You can also add the one and only Adam Cole (BAY-BAY!) to that list. Fresh off letting his contract to expire from NXT, he arrived with huge fan fare and critical praise. He reunited with his old Bullet Club brothers The Young Bucks as the SUPERCLIQ. They had been in a rivalry with Jurassic Express and their adopted mentor, Christian Cage. The rivalry culminated in a hell of a Falls Count Anywhere match at AEW Full Gear '21. This had broken tables, blood, dives, and plenty of athletic spots to keep fans of this type of match satisfied. While not exceedingly violent, it was definitely brutal enough for hardcore enthusiasts to give them at least one good thumb up. The Bucks promised to give JE their first Dave Meltzer-5 star match, and they succeeded.
34. Christian Cage/Bryan Danielson/Jurassic Express vs. Kenny Omega/SUPERCLIQ
AEW Dynamite: Anniversary Show
During the AEW Dynamite Anniversary show, the main event was a wild as hell eight man tag match with Christian Cage, Jurassic Express, and the newcomer, the wildly popular "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson facing the SUPERCLIQ and then AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega. This fresh off the heels of the melee after the Cage/Omega match at All Out where we saw the debut appearances of Cole and Danielson. This match was all over the place with intense action but between the great spots, Danielson showing why he may be the legit best in the world, the Bucks being the best team in the game, and Omega being Omega, this match was everything and rightfully deserved to be in the main event and delivering possibly the best 8 man tag match of the year across any promotion.
33. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks
WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
WWE Wrestlemania 37 Night One
One of the most important moments in recent WWE history occurred at Wrestlemania 37, where it marked the first time in WWE history where two Black women main evented Wrestlemania. Sasha Banks defended the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship against 2021 Women's Royal Rumble match winner, Bianca Belair. These two young ladies gave the fans so much of themselves in this historic, emotional match. Even as the match was about to start, emotions were facially evident with both women knowing the history they were partaking in. Match-wise, Banks reminded us why she pound-for-pound among the very top competitors in our business, but it was the young very highly impressive upstart from Tennessee that became the new SD Women's Champion, in a match that broke barriers and shattered glass ceilings for Black women in wrestling, and these two deserved it as much as anyone else would in their positions.
32. PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo
AEW Rampage 10/22/21
This, on paper, sounds like a sure shot main event anywhere in the world, and in fact, it was so on an edition of AEW Rampage. Two of the best world class athletes in the world, PAC and Andrade El Idolo, tore the roof off the arena at Rampage. They met weeks earlier in a match that was great enough as it was, but this rematch was outstanding and is considered one of the single best matches in the short history of Rampage. Plenty of dazzling flying spots mixed with good in-ring mat work made for this match to be an underrated AEW treasure.
31. Darby Allen vs. MJF
AEW Full Gear '21
It's said that the two best positions on a wrestling card are first and last. The last is obviously the main event, but the first match is what brings the fans into the event and what to possibly expect from the rest of the night. Residential heat magnet, MJF, squared off against the highly popular Darby Allen in the opening match of Full Gear '21 and this truthfully was a very hard match to follow. Considering prior matches with the likes of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Chris Jericho, Ethan Page, and Jon Moxley, these two could possibly have among the most respect in-ring careers in AEW. This match, which opened Full Gear, was main event-levels of action and excitement. The chemistry between these two in the ring was excellent and these two had a match that ranked among the single best of the evening.
30. Hiromu Takahashi vs. YOH
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Finals
Two of the finest within the junior heavyweight division in New Japan are YOH and multi-time Junior Heavyweight Champion, LIJ's Hiromu Takahashi. Takahashi is no stranger to the big stage and being in the finals of the BOSJ tournament. For YOH, this is his first time in the finals. The result was a sensational matchup that was worthy of the Finals of such a prestigious tournament in wrestling. This also marked among the longest Finals matches in BOSJ tournament history. Although Takahashi came away with the win, YOH showed that he was a player and that he really can survive and become a star without his former tag team championship partner, SHOH
29. Hangman Page vs. Kenny Omega
AEW World Championship
AEW Full Gear '21
From the beginning of AEW, Hangman Page had said he wanted to be the first World Champion. It didn't happen, as Chris Jericho defeated him at the first All Out to become the champion. Since then, it's been a huge journey for the Virginia-native. Ironically, his first championship came with Kenny Omega, who would also end up becoming eventual AEW World Champion. Going into this match, this was among the most drawn out, carefully plotted storylines in the sport. The journey of Page to become champion. Overcoming confidence issues and betrayal issues, everything culminated in the very highly anticipated matchup and boy was this a doozy of an encounter. Omega had one of the most incredible years in his career in 2021, but this was truly a moment of pride and redemption for Page. These two put on a killer of a match that resulted in Page finally winning the big one and becoming World Champion. Complete shouts to Omega who had been dealing with numerous injuries and vertigo going into the match and still delivered another career performance.
28. Jon Moxley/Eddie Kingston vs. Young Bucks
AEW Double Or Nothing '21
When it comes to the self-professed Violent Gentlemen, Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston, these two are easily among the popular stars within not just AEW but wrestling as a whole. Even though Moxley lost the AEW World Championship at last year's AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming in controversial fashion to Kenny Omega, it didn't slow him down whatsoever. In fact, he and his former rival, Kingston, became a unit and brought the hell, fire and brimstone to the AEW World Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks at Double Or Nothing. This was nearly thirty minute match that was on fire from the jump. Although the Bucks retained the belts, they crawled out champs by the plaque on their teeth and you can best believe they felt that match the next morning.
27. Kento Miyahara vs. Jake Lee
AJPW Champion Carnival '21 Day 10
Two very highly celebrated stars from All Japan Pro are Kento Miyahara and Jake Lee. Both men former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champions and even former six man tag partners. At their annual Champion Carnival tournament, day ten saw these two men scrap it up and arguably the best match of the tournament besides the Finals itself. Both of their styles mesh well with the other and this was a very finely executed affair. Do not whatsoever sleep or overlook the greatness of AJPW. This match is one fantastic example.
26. Momo Watanabe vs. Syuri
STARDOM 5Star Grand Prix '21 Finals
The premiere women's promotion in Japan is STARDOM. Stars such as Io Shirai, kairi Sane, and Asuka have all come from this promotion and displayed their incredible move sets way before WWE got their hands on them. Two more stars that belong in the upper echelon of women wrestlers are Momo Wantabe and Syuri. Syuri already had arguably the greatest women's professional wrestling match ever earlier in the year with Utami Hayashishita (see later) and Watanabe is just simply fun to watch in the ring. These two young ladies tore it completely up in the finals of the 5 Star Grand Prix tournament and displayed all types of athleticism and fire. This could've main evented any other time of the year and likely would've been just as crazy, but it's definitely fitting for such a tournament like the 5 Star Grand Prix for these two to light up the promotion with this awesome match.
25. Bryan Danielson vs. Minoru Suzuki
AEW Rampage 10/15/21
Among the several incredible matches Bryan Danielson has had this year within AEW, one particularly physical one involved him against one of the most ungodly physical human beings walking the earth, the notorious, yet celebrated, Minoru Suzuki. The moment this match was announced, it became the most anticipated match of the week and it ended up becoming one of the most brutal matches all year. Their in-ring styles are somewhat similar in terms of their technical precision, but we saw more physicality from Danielson than most other matches he's had in many years, dating back to his Ring Of Honor days. Danielson survived on this occasion, but you can best believe this war he had with Suzuki is one he will not soon forget.
24. Lucha Brothers vs. El Hijo de Vikingo/Laredo Kid
AAA World Tag Team Championships
AAA Heroes de Immortales
It goes without saying The Lucha Brothers are among the most popular, athletic, and charismatic teams in the business today. The record holding former AAA Tag Team Champions (although they were reigning champions at this time) were in the midst of a two plus year run as champions. However, they ran across a team that was easily as athletic as marvelous of a pairing as them, and it was the team of former AAA Cruiserweight Champion, Laredo Kid, and the fabulous El Hijo de Vikingo. This was a classic lucha libre encounter, filled with dozens of high spots and flash photography moments. Although The Luchas would lose the titles to FTR on AEW Dynamite, on this occasion, Pentagon and Fenix would once again show why they're among the upper echelon of tag teams currently going.
23. Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 10
A rivalry that has been low key over the past few years has been LIJ's SANADA against the legendary Kazuchika Okada. Some has stated that SANADA's best work has come from facing Okada over the years, but also Okada's game would get raised as well. At this year's G1 Climax, these two faced each other and, as usual, it was another barnburner. SANADA took the fight right to Okada, but clearly this G1 was about Okada's ascent to reclaim the IWGP Heavyweight Championship so nothing would deter Okada from winning this match and putting more points on the board. While their unforgettable encounters at Wrestling Dontaku '19 and King Of Pro Wrestling '19 matches were better, this one was also very enjoyable, especially the last five to ten minutes of the match. These two are just very good for each other.
22. Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
NJPW Sakura Genesis '21
Kota Ibushi and Will Ospreay have had a great few matches against each other. Many people remember their excellent match from Wrestle Kingdom 13 and especially their stellar encounter at G1 Climax 29. On this encounter, Ospreay has now become a heel. Not a bad one at that. He formed a stable with girlfriend, Bea Priestly, The Great O-Khan, and Jeff Cobb, and has been on a complete roll that included defeating longtime RevPro rival, and Suzuki-Gun member, Zach Sabre Jr. This match wasn't their usual fast-paced, energy-filled match for the most part, as Ospreay wrestled a more technical, deliberate style while Ibushi was intense and high-flying as usual. Towards the end, the match was as thrilling and as exciting as anything we've ever seen from these two. Ospreay ultimately became the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion but it wasn't without one HELL of an effort.
21. Shingo Takagi vs. Jeff Cobb
IWGP NEVER Openweight Championship
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 2
Physical and hard-hitting. Two very accurate words to describe Shingo Takagi and former Olympian, Jeff Cobb. The match they had on the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 15 was very fitting of the aforementioned terms. The brutal technical abilities of Takagi mixed with the highly athletic and unfair power of Cobb was quite a sight to witness. These two delivered and delivered with force in the opening contest of the event. The brutality of this match was impressive and this was undeniably the best match in the career of "Mr. Athletic". This match also once showed why one of the year's true MVPs, Takagi, is such a complete wrestler, in that he can adapt to any style imaginable. Takagi picked up the win here but this was an affair Takagi is likely still carrying with him.
20. Hangman Page vs. Bryan Danielson
AEW World Championship
AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming
Not sure too many people have had quite the acclaimed 2021 as Bryan Danielson. From the moment he arrived at All Out '21, his impact has been greatly felt. At Full Gear, he defeated the ever imposing former TNT Champion, Miro, to become the new number one contender. On the following Dynamite, as Page was celebrating his new AEW World Championship win, Danielson turned heel and threw down the gauntlet at Page. The highly anticipated match took place at AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming and became the most talked about match not just of the week across the board but among the most talked about matches of the year. For over sixty minutes, these two gladiators went to combat and fought to a draw. A bloodied Page retained the title due to the draw, but the anticipation has grown for the rematch. It's not often we see sixty minute marathons on television, so when it occurs, it's special. Make no mistake about it, this match is among the most special matches in AEW history.
19. Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito
IWGP Heavyweight Championship & IWGP Intercontinental Championship
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 1
The rivalry between Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito has been among the most incredible, yet at times unsettling, rivalries in New Japan. Two guys that are both highly tremendous competitors are also guys that have put their bodies through complete hell against each others over the last couple years. They delivered another chapter at Wrestle Kingdom Night One for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the Intercontinental Championship to unite the championships. These two delivered arguably their best match to date at the show of shows for New Japan. Although much of the same with scary spots and uncomfortable bumps were here, their same brand of storytelling was on point as always and provided very intense and competitive action from two of the best in the sport.
18. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 2
A big rivalry within the junior heavyweight division over the past few years has been between LIJ's Hiromu Takahashi and Bullet Club's "Bone Soldier" Taiji Ishimori. Their clash at the finals of the BOSJ tournament in 2018 was among the top five matches in the sport and arguably the best Finals match in BOSJ tournament history. These two matched rivals went back to the big stage for the Junior Heavyweight championship at Wrestle Kingdom 15 and these two didn't miss a single beat. Hiromu was more aggressive and less flashy then before within his offense, but Ishimori was a impactful and calculated as ever with his sudden and explosive style. Hiromu picked up the win in this incredible contest, but these two once again displayed athleticism and a great story that will result in hopefully more matches between these two outstanding competitors
17. Rey Fenix vs. Kenny Omega
AEW World Championship
AEW Dynamite: New Years Smash
What's not to say about Rey Fenix? He's among the most exciting and breathtaking stars in all the world and elevates lucha libre to the utmost. He and his brother, Pentagon Jr, are the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions and the longest reigning AAA Tag Team Champions of all time. The former AAA Mega Champion collided against then AAA Mega Champion and at that time the reigning AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega, at AEW Dynamite: New Years Smash in an unbelievable match. The match was originally scheduled to take place a week earlier, but was postponed a week due to the very unfortunate passing of Brodie Lee and the show became a celebration of life for the late, great former AEW TNT Champion. However, when the match took place at New Year's Smash, they tore the roof off the place. We already know these are two world class competitors, but Fenix was just eyelashes away from becoming AEW World Champion. While he didn't come away with the championship, this match was exhausting to watch yet very thrilling. Omega and the rest of the world was reminded of the phenomenal nature of Fenix and why he's regarded as one of the sport's most dazzling stars.
16. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shingo Takagi
IWGP NEVER Openweight Championship
NJPW New Beginning In Negoya
We all know how legendary of a career the "Ace Of The Universe" has had throughout his almost unparalleled career. He's that proverbial guy that could "have a match with a broom and get the broom over". One of the most incredible wrestlers to ever step foot in a ring. However, the same could be said about "The Dragon" himself, Shingo Takagi. Going into New Beginning In Negoya, Takagi was the IWGP NEVER Openweight Champion, and the championship was on the line here. Tanahashi and Takagi wrestled a classic chess game of one-upsmanship that was very reminiscent of other stellar classics such as Steamboat/Flair from Wrestle War '89, Taker/HBK from Mania 25, and Bret/Owen from Summerslam '94. Both men matched each other in practically every way and it was a joy to watch. Tanahashi became the new champion, but this was over thirty of the most competitive minutes you'll see all year long between two of the best on the planet.
15. Thunder Rosa vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.
Unsanctioned Match
AEW Dynamite: St. Patrick Day Slam
When we mention women's wrestling, unfortunately it doesn't get held in the same light as the all-boys club of the sport. That's definitely not to say that the ladies can't hold their own in the business, especially over these past fifteen years or so where the women showed they had what it took to hang with the fellas in this game. One such example of how far the women have come in this business was the BRUTAL encounter on AEW Dynamite: St. Patrick Day Slam between then-NWA Women's Champion Thunder Rosa and Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. This was quite the intense rivalry already going in, but none of us had any idea how intense this match would become. This match was vicious and violent, and, especially in the case of Baker, a bloody mess of a match. As Baker became virtually unrecognizable by the end of the match, she showed her complete toughness in the WAR of a match. Rosa, herself, showed that she had tons of grit and determination more than some of her male counterparts. Rosa picked up the win in a match that will be talked about for many years to come and made definite household names more than ever between two of the finest athletes in the game today.
14. Rey Fenix/PAC vs. Young Bucks
AEW World Tag Team Championships
AEW Dynamite 4/15/21
As we know already, The Bucks are arguably the greatest tag team of this past decade and likely the best team in wrestling today. The Bucks are master scientists when it comes to athleticism, psychology, and creating a story in the ring. Anyone they step in the ring with, their opponents are made to look even better than they did going in. With PAC and Fenix, these two men are two-thirds of the Death Triangle (along with Pentagon Jr) and put on a complete clinic against the brothers Jackson on a particularly excellent episode of Dynamite. PAC and Fenix on paper alone is one hell of a team, but when in the ring together against the Bucks, we witnessed one of the best tag team matches one could ask for. After not far from thirty minutes, the Bucks survived and defeated PAC and Rey Fenix, but to say this was one of the best matches the Bucks was involved in within their AEW career would be a complete and gross understatement. Almost didn't get any better of a tag match this year...ALMOST!
13. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shingo Takagi
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam- Tokyo Dome
Earlier, we covered Tanahashi and Takagi's encounter at New Beginning In Nugoya, which by itself was a wrestling clinic. However, that would not be the only time they would collide with each other. They would face each other. At Wrestle Grand Slam: Tokyo Dome, these two would see each other again, only this time for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Tanahashi is a former eight time World Heavyweight Champion and easily considered one of the true greatest champions of all time. Takagi won the championship at Dominion against Okada and went in with all momentum with him. As their prior contest, this was another masterclass in psychology, athleticism, and just all-out wrestling. These two men are among the teachers of how to put it all together in simply fantastic fashion. Unlike the last match, however, Takagi came out the winner and retained the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. This could be a low-key rivalry brewing and when you look at each man's stellar rivalries with the likes of Ospreay, Okada, Naito, and Ibushi, this brewing rivalry could be considered an all-timer as well if they keep this up.
12. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship
NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam- Metlife Dome
Staying with "The Ace", Tanahashi collided against on and off rival, Kota Ibushi for the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title at Wrestle Grand Slam-Metlife Dome in yet another big time, memorable encounter. We all remember their previous encounters, especially their epic G1 Climax Finals match from 2018, and this one wasn't far from that immensely classic encounter. Ibushi had since been NEVER Openweight Champion and then eventually IWGP Heavyweight Champion so to say he had learned a lot from their G1 Finals match is an understatement. He showed his mentor and wrestling role model that he was a fully grown contender and he brought the complete fight to Tanahashi. However, Tanahashi was a great as he always was, and at an age where many wrestlers would start to hang up the boots, he seems to keep appearing and wrestling as if he's still in his twenties, which is a good thing. While maybe just short of the classic they put on the G1 Finals, this is still an excellent showing of two of the absolute best in the world doing what they do best
11. Ilja Dragunov vs. WALTER
NXT United Kingdom Championship
NXT Takeover 36
When it comes to no-nonsense, smash mouth physicality, you'd be hard pressed to find one that could even hold a candle in WWE to what WALTER and Ilja Dragunov displayed at NXT Takeover 36. If you've followed WALTER's career, you know he lives for the stiff, brutal, physical match. Opponents over the years such as Timothy Thatcher, Zach Sabre Jr, Will Ospreay, Keith Lee, and others can attest to the brutality "The Ring General" can produce. This was evident during their first encounter on NXT UK television, when these two beat the absolute hell out of each other in one of the single best matches in the history of NXT UK. This rematch over a year later was every bit as unbelievable as the first encounter and maybe even eclipsed it. After nearly thirty minutes of absolute pounding and suplexing, the tough as hell Russian, Dragunov, finally came away with the win to become the new NXT UK Champion and put the first PPV blemish on the record of WALTER, thus ceasing a record-breaking reign of the championship. This match is easily the greatest WWE match of the year. Very easily.
10. Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 1
Night one of the revered G1 Climax tournament 2021 started in very physical fashion with reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi facing consistent G1 MVP, Tomohiro Ishii. There aren't too many people in New Japan, or anywhere for that matter, as or more physical than these two, and these two did not disappoint whatsoever. From the jump, these two were pounding each other with very stiff shots and they did not let their foot off the gas. This was nonstop punishment from these two, and as we know with Takagi, he can literally adapt to any style he's faced with, including straight up slobberknockers (word to JR!) After nearly thirty incredible minutes, Takagi got the win, but it's quite possible that on the first night of G1, this was the match of the entire tournament
9. Will Ospreay vs. Zach Sabre Jr.
NJPW New Japan Cup '21 Day 8
What an interesting year for Will Ospreay. He finally won the big title that had previously alluded him in his New Japan run, which was the IWGP Heavyweight Championship by defeating Kazuchika Okada at Dominion. Before then, Ospreay was still a babyface that everyone was behind, although you did get somewhat of a sense that a change was coming with him in some sort of fashion. On day eight of the New Japan Cup, he collided against Suzuki-Gun's residential technical masterpiece, Zach Sabre Jr. These two are far from strangers of each other, as these two had a phenomenal match at last year's RevPro High Stakes, with Ospreay capturing the RevPro British Commonwealth Championship. This match was almost reminiscent of it from an athletic standpoint. ZSJ was his usual technical best, countering pretty much everything Will would throw at him, but in the end, Will succeeded in defeating ZSJ and ultimately going to the Finals and becoming champion. This match definitely ranks among the single best matches these two have ever had and among the best New Japan Cup matches one could ever ask for.
8. Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 2
Someone who has had a somewhat quiet year in terms of impact within New Japan this year has been Jay White. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has had quite the great career in NJPW over the past few years, however the Bullet Club leader hasn't had as much golden success in 2021. That is not to say he hasn't had very good performances. Take for example his simply exceptional match against the then-G1 Climax winner, Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 15. At Kingdom 14, White defeated Ibushi with all kinds of underhandedness and White was well on his way to doing it again. The story told in this match was just tremendous and proved that White is as good of a heel as anyone in this business, while Ibushi showed his total toughness once again. Ibushi came away with the championship and this was unquestionably the best match in the times they've faced each other.
7. Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi
NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 9
Another stellar match within this year's G1 once again involved IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi. This time, he collided against former champion, and two time G1 winner, Kota Ibushi. Definitely among the most anticipated matches within the tournament, Ibushi and Takagi held a complete wrestling seminar in that very ring. Takagi may be the most complete and most adaptable wrestler in NJPW, but Ibushi is just unbelievably skilled at his craft and can likewise adapt to basically every type of style. These two had a chemistry the likes of which we typically see from Tanahashi/Okada or Goto/Ishii. This was a fantastic match that could easily be up there with the single best matches within this year's G1. Takagi won over Ibushi, but one can truly believe that Takagi truly earned that win over one of the game's finest in "The Golden Star".
6. Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega
AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam
The jaw-dropping arrival of "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson at AEW All Out '21 is still considered one of the best moments of the year, especially considering that he had main evented Wrestlemania 37 earlier this year against Edge and Roman Reigns. His first major match, really first AEW match period, was against former champion Kenny Omega in one of the most anticipated wrestling matches in years. At AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, in front of twenty thousand fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium, these two men showed the world their finest effort in this match. There's no denying these two make valid arguments to being best wrestler on Earth, and with this match, you see why. Folks, this was, in the words of Larry Zbysko, "a game of human chess", and in this case, two of the best "chess" players around. These two fought to a thirty minute draw and left us with the question, "Who really is better?" One day, we will find out and we will hopefully have a definite winner. Until then, we can look back at this match and see the return of "The Dragon" and see why Omega is among the best performers of our generation.
5. Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
NJPW New Japan Cup '21 Finals
Ospreay and Takagi have developed a rivalry within NJPW the likes of which could be in the legendary columns with Okada/Omega, Okada/Tanahashi, and Ishii/Shibata. Every time they collide, it's damn near an event. What these two delivered at the BOSJ Finals of 2019 was special, and among the greatest wrestling matches any fan of New Japan has ever witnessed. They repeated their magic again during the G1 Climax of 2020 when they produced an almost equally exceptional matchup. This year, another classic from them came during the Finals of the New Japan Cup. For thirty minutes, these two tore into each other and countered each other with everything. This was a little more intense than their priors overall and this was definitely a matchup that Ospreay, once again, won by having to fight with everything in his being in order to just survive. Was this their best matchup, this definitely ranks up there, but stay tuned...
4. Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 1
The battle of the two former CHAOS members resulted in one of the best Wrestle Kingdom matches in years. The legendary Kazuchika Okada collided against Will Ospreay in a match that many have put in their 'MOTY' top spot, and for very good reason. Ospreay, throughout this match, had teased a soon coming heel turn, which did ultimately happen at Dominion, but in this match it was strictly about Ospreay proving he could best his former CHAOS leader. One could put Ospreay among Okada's greatest opponents post-Omega and in this encounter, Ospreay came very close but Okada got the best of him. Months later at Dominion, the tide would turn and newly heel Ospreay would defeat Okada to become the IWGP Heavyweight Champion as was mentioned and reviewed earlier. This match was the better encounter and was perhaps the best match of all of Wrestle Kingdom Night One.
3. Lucha Brothers vs. Young Bucks
AEW World Tag Team Championships
Steel Cage Match
AEW All Out '21
When you mention the best tag teams in the world, the top three that most mention are FTR, Bucks and Lucha Bros. With the Luchas and Bucks, this rivalry has gone back since 2019 when these two teams had two exemplary matches that year. The first at the inaugural AEW PPV, Double Or Nothing and the follow up at the first All Out and that unforgettable Ladder match. This year, they returned to All Out, and they collided for the AEW World Tag Team Titles in the confines of a twenty foot high steel cage. Folks, there's so much to say here but will keep it brief. In short, this may have possibly been the greatest tag team steel cage match of all-time. There are no two ways about it. The perfect blend of psychology, storytelling, athleticism, and just straight brutality at times made for one of the most incredible tag team matches in decades, maybe even the greatest as some have called it. Between blood, tacks, and a lot of high flying, the Luchas were able to defeat the Bucks and become new AEW World Tag Team Champions in twenty of the most exceptional minutes in recent wrestling history.
2. Utami Hayashishita vs. Syuri
STARDOM World Of STARDOM Championship
STARDOM Tokyo Dome Cinderella '21
Let's face it, women's wrestling doesn't get the props it deserves, but that's always been the case. No longer are "Bra & Panties" matches acceptable for today's era of modern women wrestling. Earlier, the very vicious bloodbath between Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa was highlighted and considered among the very best women wrestling matches of the year, and for good reason. However, across the hemisphere, there was a match involving two damn great women's competitors from the STARDOM promotion that almost broke the wrestling Internet. Utami Hayashishita was defending the STARDOM World Of STARDOM Championship against number one contender, Syuri. If there was a match that could be labeled as the greatest women's match of all-time, this could be a very viable candidate for such a distinction. Not since the days of Minami Toyota had we seen a match in Japan so rich with perfect psychology and compelling storytelling (didn't mean for that to rhyme I swear) mixed w3ith excellent athleticism. What put this even more over the top was that the match was a draw initially, but the referee started the match, only for these two young ladies to fight to another draw as they were both counted out. The rematch is happening very soon and one can only hope they can repeat, or even dare I say outdo, the performance they gave in this match that is the new standard bearer for women's professional wrestling. Without question, one of the greatest wrestling matches of our modern era, regardless of genre.
1. Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
IWGP Heavyweight Championship
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Night 2
We mentioned how much Ospreay and Takagi just have...IT. That chemistry that immediately makes people get glued to the television when they hear Ospreay and Takagi are facing each other. With all the matches these two phenomenal wrestlers have had, their match at Wrestling Dontaku Night Two may have outdone them all, which is saying a LOT. As very high rated as their BOSJ Finals match was, which was the previous standard bearer for their rivalry, this match exceeded even that nearly impossible feat. The newly heel-turned Ospreay and his new faction, the United Empire, was at ringside against a beyond driven and focused Takagi. As with Ospreay's new deliberate and methodical style, this was very different from their BOSJ classic, and for that matter, their aforementioned match from the New Japan Cup, as this match took its time telling the story, but once the gears got rolling, this was as perfect of a back and forth encounter as one could paint for these two. This was a forty-plus minute epic and firmly established Ospreay as a formidable IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but it also showed that Shingo Takagi was an undeniable future World Heavyweight Champion. This was a wrestling masterpiece and one of the greatest wrestling matches New Japan has ever had in recent company history. Much like Okada/Omega set the new standard left off by Okada/Tanahashi, it's very possible Ospreay/Takagi is the new bar-raising rivalry for NJPW and perhaps one that could reverberate throughout the rest of the wrestling world.
Honorable Mentions
Jungle Boy vs. Dax Harwood/AEW Dynamite 1-21-21
KUSHIDA vs. Johnny Gargano/NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day
Finn Balor vs. Pete Dunne/NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day
Rich Swann vs. Kenny Omega/Impact Rebellion
Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins/WWE Wrestlemania 37 Night 2
Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzales/NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver Night 1
Kyle O' Reilly vs. Adam Cole/NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver Night Two
Josh Alexander vs. Ace Austin vs. TJP/Impact Rebellion
The Briscoes vs. The OGK/ROH Final Battle '21
Shane Taylor vs. Kenny King/ROH Final Battle '21
SCU vs. Young Bucks/AEW Dynamite 5-12-21
Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman/WWE Backlash '21
Hangman Page vs. Bryan Cage/AEW Double Or Nothing
Sami Callahan vs. Kenny Omega/Impact Slammiversary
Orange Cassidy vs. PAC vs. Kenny Omega/AEW Double Or Nothing
Moose vs. Kenny Omega/Impact Against All Odds
Rahji vs. Chris Bey vs. Trey Miguel vs. Ace Austin vs. Petey Williams/Impact Against All Odds
Karrion Kross vs. Kyle O' Reilly vs. Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Pete Dunne/NXT Takeover: In Your House
Sammy Guevara vs. MJF/AEW Dynamite 6-30
Big E vs. John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kevin Owens vs. Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins vs. Matt Riddle/WWE Money In The Bank '21
Andrade el Idolo vs. Kenny Omega/AAA Triplemania XXIX
Edge vs. Seth Rollins/WWE Summerslam '21
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb/NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam-Metlife Dome
Christian Cage vs. Kenny Omega/AEW All Out '21
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair/WWE Survivor Series '21
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada/NJPW G! Climax 31 Night Two
Shingo Takagi vs. Zach Sabre Jr/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night Two
Shingo Takagi vs. Yugi Negata/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 5
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 8
Jeff Cobb vs. TAICHI/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 10
Jeff Cobb vs. SANADA/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 12
Shingo Takagi vs. Tonga Loa/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 13
Big E vs. Drew McIntyre/WWE Crown Jewel '21
Bryan Danielson vs. Dustin Rhodes/AEW Dynamite 10-23-21
Mickie James vs. Deonna Purazzo/Impact Bound For Glory '21
Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston/AEW Rampage 10-29-21
Lucha Brothers vs. FTR/AEW Full Gear '21
CM Punk vs. Eddie Kingston/AEW Full Gear '21
Kazuchika Okada vs. Buddy Matthews/NJPW Rumble In The Valley
Trey Miguel vs. Laredo Kid vs. Steve Macklin/Impact Turning Point
Malaki Black vs. Buddy Matthews/Wrestlecade Revenge
Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch/WWE Crown Jewel '21
Tomohiro Ishii vs. KENTA/NJPW G1 Climax 31 Night 5
Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb/AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming
Tay Conti vs. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D./AEW Full Gear '21
Tay Conti/Anna Jay vs. The Bunny/Penelope Ford/AEW Rampage 12-31-21
As you can see, it was an incredible wrestling year in 2021, in spite of a historic pandemic that changed the way we operated in our personal and professional lives. The sport of pro wrestling leveled up and provided many, many memorable moments. From all of the classics between Ospreay and Takagi to the emotional, seven year return of CM Punk, wrestling from an athletic and entertainment perspective has been amazing. Seen and regarded as one of the best in-ring wrestling years ever, one can only imagine how 2022 will be. We already have seen unbelievable matches in the first month of the year. The rest of the year could very well match or top 2021, and we're all here for it. Until next time folks!
