We've reached the end of another year and the beginning of another one, as saw 2023 have one of the most outstanding years in many years in all of professional wrestling. By the time you read this, we will be just into 2024, but dear Lord what an exceptional year 2023 was for wrestling. From technical mat monuments like Bryan Danielson vs. Zah Sabre Jr to hardcore death match blueprints like Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland to phenomenal women matches such as Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley, this year absolutely had it all for you. No stone was left unturned this past year. There was legit something for everyone this year more so than possibly any other year in recent years. We saw tag team wrestling main event Wrestlemania for the first time in WWE history, the new standard for Ironman matches, and people such as Will Ospreay, MJF, Bryan Danielson, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Giulia and Ilja Dragunov have career years for their standards of quality matches. Of course, Uncle Dave Meltzer's star rating system went CRAZY this year more than any other year possibly in the history of Wrestling Observer, but in most of these cases, rightfully so. Not only did AEW, New Japan, and WWE deliver in grand fashion, but so did NOAH, All Japan, RevPro, AAA, Impact, and ROH came through as well. Below is a list of forty of the most insane, amazing, and extraordinary matches of the year, and in some cases, ever seen. There are even more Honorable Mentions so if your favorite match(es) isn't on the main list, look in the Honorable Mentions to see if it's on there. Plus feel free to mention a match that wasn't listed that more people should know about and go out of their way to watch if possible. With all that being said, let's get into it.
40. Darby Allen vs. Sammie Guevara vs. "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry vs. MJF
AEW World Championship/Fatal 4 Way "Pillars" Match
AEW Double Or Nothing '23
We start out with a tremendous Fatal Four Way match consisting of who AEW president Tony Khan refers to as, "The Four Pillars Of AEW" (which is a tribute to the "Four Pillars Of Heaven" from early to mid-nineties NOAH). These "pillars" are Sammie Guevara, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry, Darby Allen, and AEW World Champion, MJF. They are among the youngest talents in the locker room and have been the proverbial "day one" guys. At Double Or Nothing, these four guys delivered an excellent match that really demonstrated the in-ring talents of each man, including MJF who over the past couple of years especially has shown how fantastic of an in-ring performer he really is. The action was as hot as you can imagine and, certainly down the stretch, it was close between Darby and Perry especially, only with MJF being the sneak he is to get the win. On what was an overall less than average Double Or Nothing, this was one highlight that stood out.
39. Ilja Dragunov vs. Dijak
Last Man Standing Match
NXT Battleground '23
There's no denying one guy that's made a lot of noise this past year in terms of in-ring delivery, it's been Ilja Dragunov. The native Russian has been just fantastic, but fans have known this since his European indie days, as well as time in NXT UK, which saw him face Gunther (then Walter) in likely the best NXT UK match ever in the short history of that brand. At Battleground, he collided against the 6'7" Dijak, a man who had been quite successful himself in the indies and ROH before a couple of failed gimmicks almost made him a complete afterthought. These two engaged in a Last Man Standing war and was quite possibly the best match of the night, which is impressive considering how excellent the overall match quality was that night. Physicality was the name of the game here and, while Dijak showed how menacing and merciless, he can really be, Dragunov showed once again he may me the toughest bastard in all of NXT and this was another awesome example of this.
38. Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
RevPro 11th Anniversary Show
When you mention all-time greatest rivalries, at least within the modern era of wrestling, you mention the likes of Okada vs. Omega, Tanahashi vs. Okada, Taker vs. HBK, Bucks vs. Lucha Bros, or even New Day vs. Usos. there's no way in the world you can mention all-time great rivalries and not mention Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi. Over the last few years, the series of matches these two guys have had have been damn near extraordinary, with both of their performances being stellar and career rising with each match. There's no such thing as a bad, or even decent, Ospreay/Takagi match. Their matches at G1 Climax 32, BOSJ of 2021, New Japan Cup 2021, and especially their MONUMENTAL encounter at Wrestling Dontaku Night 2 in 2021 all go down as some of the best wrestling you'll ever see in today's wrestling. Add their match at RevPro's 11th Anniversary Show to that list. This was the main event on a card that had the company's British Heavyweight Title on the line folks. Think about that. You knew that fact alone that they would deliver something special, and dear God did they. These two knew each other so very well that they would counter practically everything they would throw at each other. The overall ring perfection of Ospreay mixed with the physically technical style of Takagi always makes for a Bret vs. Shawn type match for today's age. Both men kicking out of each other's biggest moves and both men physically showing massive amounts of frustration defined the final several minutes of this damn awesome match. You almost had to practically unalive one of these guys in order for them to stay down longer than a two count, but ultimately it was "The Ariel Assassin" that pinned "The Dragon" in another unbelievable match. While many have stated this was the "weakest" of their series of matches, this match was still head and shoulders above many people's best matches this year, and still shows their special chemistry very people get to have with each other in the ring. Ospreay and Takagi are ring masters, and every time there's talk of a match between them, you can best believe it'll be special.
37. CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe
AEW "Real" World Championship
AEW All In: London
The rivalry between Samoa Joe and CM Punk goes back to 2007 during their ROH days and has been considered the match that officially put the company on the map, as they engaged in one of the best trilogies not just in ROH history, but in modern wrestling history, especially for that time. Both men emerged as heavy indie stars who would later become legends in the business. There was a cloud of controversy going into this match. Not only because Punk still proclaimed himself as the "real" AEW World Champion (Ric Flair c/o '91-'92 anyone?), but because of what's been referred to as "Brawl In", which consisted of a real life shoot fight between Punk and Jack Perry in the locker room just as both Punk and Joe were making it out to ringside for their match. You couldn't tell, as both men brought the goods from the opening bell. Clearly not in their twenties anymore, both men still showed their unavoidable chemistry as this was arguably the sleeper match of the card, and it just so happened to be the first match. Bloodied and definitely sore, Punk emerged the winner in what was not only a damn fine encounter, but his last in-ring appearance in AEW, as he was subsequently fired for his role in the aforementioned fight with Perry. While not the most ceremonious of ways to depart AEW, he can at least hold his head knowing he had a banger of a match with all-time great rival in "The Samoan Submission Machine".
36. Will Ospreay vs. Eddie Edwards
Impact Turning Point '23
Many have coined "The Aerial Assassin" Will Ospreay as the best wrestler in all of 2023, as his match quality has been the most stellar in his career this past year. As you'll see throughout this list, he's on it quite a number of times and very rightfully so. This was one match that demonstrated this fact. Ospreay had a three-match run with Impact and one of them was against Impact mainstay, Eddie Edwards. The Grand Slam winner of Impact is among the best bell to bell competitors in the game himself, and this was quite an anticipated match, and it delivered. While Ospreay is anything but a saint, he was against an even more ruthless Edwards in this match, but both men presented top notch performances in this massive encounter. Edwards has had some ferocious, memorable battles in his celebrated career, but perhaps this one with the self-professed "Billie GOAT" is at or near the very top. As for Ospreay, as you'll discover throughout this list, this match was one of many unforgettable matches he's had and ranks among the best matches in the history of this PPV.
35. The Usos vs. Roman Reigns & Solo Sakoa
WWE Money In The Bank '23
There has never been a more compelling storyline in the business over the past decade or two more than the story of The Bloodline. Roman Reigns has been the most dominant champion in modern WWE history and his cousins, The Usos, had been breaking records left and right with their title reign. Things started breaking down once Sami Zayn got involved and from there it became a slow yet progressive downhill turn. Sami betrayed Roman, and now Jimmy and Jay turn against Roman as well, with baby brother Solo Sakoa being the only one sticking beside him (of course other than "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman). After Jimmy and Jay officially left The Bloodline, they faced Roman and Solo at Money In The Bank, and this was a drama-filled as any match concerning the Bloodline as you could imagine. Great back and forth action between both teams, but a low-key issue emerged as Solo started to get a twinkle in his eye about what it would be like to be "Tribal Chief" like Roman. In any event, something happened here that hadn't been done in three years: Roman got pinned! The person that pinned him: Jay Uso. The irony of this was palpable, as the whole issue of The Bloodline started with those two. With the London, England crowd went BALLISTIC with what they had witnessed. While the match in itself was definitely a damn good one, it was the aura of the match and the shocking conclusion that made this match one of the year's most incredible moments.
34. Bad Bunny vs. Damien Priest
Street Fight
WWE Backlash '23
For the first time in over two decades, a WWE PLE originated from San Juan, Puerto Rico in the form of Backlash. An already momentous occasion, the crowd was among the most fantastic of any crowd for any event in 2023. As fun as the event was, it was the Street Fight that had the wrestling world talking. Recording star, Bad Bunny, is widely considered as the biggest streaming artist in the world. the multi-time Grammy Award winner is one of entertainment's biggest names, but he's also a big-time wrestling fan. He got involved in the angle with Dominic Mysterio and his iconic father Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 39 and had since had a target on him from former friend and one time tag partner, Judgment Day member, Damian Priest. Bunny impressed many with his performance in his tag match with Priest against The Miz & john Morrison from Mania 37, but it was his match against his former partner and friend that was simply incredible. Aside from having one of the best and loudest entrances in recent memory in WWE, Bunny showed that he was more than an average fan. One could tell how much work he put in training and doing mat work to prepare for this match. During the Busted Open Radio Show with Bully Ray, Dave LaGreca, and Mark Henry, Mark referred to Bunny's performance as "the greatest celebrity in-ring performance he had ever seen". From not just his physicality and athleticism but his selling of moves and effective psychology, Bunny looked like a complete veteran out there against Priest, whose career has spanned almost a decade and a half. While there were a ton of outside interference and certainly a lot of overbooking shenanigans (Carlito's much anticipated return occurred during these shenanigans as well, as well as an appearance from longtime Puerto Rico legend, Savio Vega), Bunny ultimately picked up the shocking win over Priest in truly one of the most entertaining and engaging matches you'll see all year. It's no secret how fellow mega celebrity, Logan Paul, is outstandingly gifted in the ring, Bad Bunny showed the world to not sleep on his dedication and above all else, respect, for the business. In return, the business gave him respect back from this scintillating effort.
33. Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita
AEW All Out '23
Former Dragon Gate star, Konosuke Takeshita, was officially signed to AEW in 2023 after big time performances against the likes of Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and MJF among others. Seen as one of the next big breakout stars of AEW, he turned heel and aligned himself with Don Callis to join The Callis Family. Callis' rivalry with former "son", Kenny Omega became obsessive and Callis ended up referring to Takeshita as "the new god of pro wrestling". At All In: London, Takeshita pinned Omega in the six-man tag that had Jay White, Juice Robinson, & Takeshita vs. Omega, longtime friend and partner Kota Ibushi, and fellow Elite member, "Hangman" Adam Page. The next week at All Out, Omega faced Takeshita one on one in a match that met every expectation we had for this match. Takeshita was as great as we had ever seen him in this match, and Omega was...well...Omega. That says it all. Takeshita was able to score the win in his second win over Omega in less than a week, which has been pointed out as never happening before. Excellent match regardless.
32. Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kento Miyahara
AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Title
AJPW Mania
Katsuhiko Nakajima has had a hell of a year since joining All Japan Pro. Earlier in the year he defected from NOAH after pretty much winning everything there is to win in NOAH and took himself to AJPW, where he defeated Aoyuji for the Triple Crown Title (see later). However, to close the year out on New Year's Eve, he faced one more challenge for the year and good grief what an encounter it was. He faced one of the most decorated and most accomplished stars in AJPW history in "The Best of The Best" Kento Miyahara at AJPW Mania. No strangers to each other, within both AJPW and NOAH, these two delivered to the fans an unforgettable treasure of a match that saw both future Hall of Famers exhibit their styles of hard-hitting, technical, and intense in-ring work. Much like the likes of Okada vs. Tanahashi, Ospreay vs. Takagi, or Kabashi vs. Misawa, these two have a chemistry that is very special within Japanese wrestling that could easily resonate around the world. It can't be over-explained how ungodly those kicks from Nakajima are. While people like Nakamura, Shibata, or Malaki Black are deadly strikers with their feet, Nakajima's kicks are almost similar to the chops of Flair or Gunther. Just off the wall insane. Nakajima retained the title in a last day contender for MOTY and damn sure one of the greatest AJPW Triple Crown Title matches in recent memory.
31. Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov
NXT Championship
NXT Great American Bash '23
What a year for Carmelo Hayes in NXT. The former North American and NXT Champion had a banner year in 2023. However, no opponent took more out of him in 2023 than Ilja Dragunov. Their series of matches were all physically exhausting and were as physical as you could imagine. We've already stated how insane physical the Russian native is, but not enough emphasis had been placed on the toughness of the young Hayes. The Boston native never backed down from the straight-forward, in your face style of Dragunov and took it to him every step of the way. With unsettling bumps and uneasy looking stiff shots, Hayes and Dragunov, Hayes was able to retain in an unforgettable match that may arguably be the best of the trilogy, which is saying a mouthful considering how awesome their Halloween Havoc and No Mercy matches were respectively.
30. FTR & Mark Briscoe vs. Blackpool Combat Club
Jay Briscoe Street Fight
ROH Final Battle '23
Almost a year ago to the day, the wrestling world mourned the loss of one of the toughest and most accomplished in-ring performers ever with the death of Jay Briscoe. the former ROH World Champion, TV Champion, and a record thirteen-time tag team champion with his brother Mark, The Briscoes were regarded as the best tag team to never appear in the WWE. The elder Briscoe died during an unfortunate traffic accident, and it collectively broke the hearts of longtime fans of The Briscoes. Since then, Mark has embarked on a solo journey to honor his brother and has done quite well for himself. As Final Battle 2022 was the last match Jay was involved in, as he and Mark faced FTR in the most legendary Dog Collar match and overall, one of the best tag team fights in modern wrestling history, BCC faced FTR and Mark Briscoe in a match that would've completely made Jay smile. This was a bloody, violent, chaotic match that initially didn't start out this way. It was physical and straight forward, but then emerged into an entire street fight, and was, shall we say, Jay Briscoe worthy. A profusely bleeding Mark appropriately put the Jay Driller on Danielson and pinned him in an emotional showing of the younger brother with all participants doing it for Jay. Without question, he was proud of not just his brother's effort, but everyone involved as well.
29. Master Wato vs. TITAN
NJPW Best of Super Juniors Finals '23
The Junior Heavyweight division of New Japan has always been a fascinating and intriguing division, providing several of the promotions finest matches ever. Over the last few years, new stars within the division have been stepping up to etch their own legacy within the division and New Japan as a whole. Master Wato had really worked hard to get to this spot, and really stepped up within the tournament. As for TITAN, the LIJ member is perhaps the one to truly watch within the future of the group. Wato's technical prowess facing off against TITAN's power, speed, and aerial abilities made for one hell of a Best of Super Junior Final. Not since Taiji Ishimori against Hiromu Takahashi in 2018 has there been a BOSJ Finals this compelling and this outstanding. Wato defeated the ultra-impressive TITAN, but this is undeniably the future of the Junior Heavyweight division, and it looks unbelievable.
28. Kazuchika Okada vs. Zach Sabre Jr.
NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 17
Kazuchika Okada and Zach Sabre Jr's rivalry goes back some years and whenever they face each other, you know it's going to be a treat. From their Sakaru Genesis battle for the IWGP heavyweight title in 2018 to as recent as their excellent match for the IWGP heavyweight title at 2022's Hyper Battle, there's no such thing as a bad Okada/ZSJ match, and this was no different. The NJPW TV Champion was his typical mat wrestling, counter wrestling self, while Okada was as fundamentally sound as he ever was. two of the all-time best in NJPW, these two didn't disappoint whatsoever, but Okada emerged the winner of this excellent contest and arguably the best match of the quarterfinals of the G1 Tournament.
27. Will Ospreay vs. Yota Tsuji
IWGP UK/U.S. Heavyweight Title
NJPW Destruction in Kobe '23
You'll hear Will Ospreay's name mentioned a lot within this list, as he truly was THAT guy this year, but another example of this was his dynamite match against a member of the Reiwa Three Musketeers, Yota Tsuji. If you know the history of New Japan's Three Musketeers, you know names like Shinsuke Nakamura, Kenji Mutoh (The Great Muta), Masahiro Chono, Hashimoto, Tanahashi, and Shibata so to say Tsuji, Ren Narita, and Umino have huge shows to fill is an enormous understatement. This match was damn incredible and from the onset, Tsuji showed he was up to the task of giving Ospreay a match he wouldn't forget, and boy did he ever. This was slightly different, more aggressive and focused Tsuji than we even saw in his breakout match against SANADA earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Ospreay was exceptional as always, and was a huge addition to want he billed the "Summer Of Ospreay", in which he KILLED every single match he was in over the summer. Ospreay retained the title, but was sure to put Tsuji over as one the brightest stars to hold and continue the legacy of New Japan. Based on this match alone, truer words weren't spoken as Tsuji showed the world, this "Musketeer" is one of the ones who will become champion sooner than later
26. Shingo Takagi vs. TAICHI
NJPW KOPW Title/Takagi Triad Style Match
NJPW Satsumi No Kuni
The King Of Pro Wrestling Championship is a unique championship that has quite the different stipulations with every defense. Some like it, others don't, but it keeps you talking regardless. The reigning champion at this time was former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Shingo Takagi. One of the stiffest strikers, yet one of the hardest working wrestlers in the business today, Takagi became a force with his series of CLASSIC matches with Will Ospreay in 2020-2022, especially their Meltzer rated six star match at Dominion '22. TAICHI, on the other hand, is a very underrated talent. Way better than the credit he minimally receives, the now Just Five Guys member can put on a great match whenever he feels like it. At Wrestling Satsumi No Kuni, these two engaged in a unique "Takagi Triad Style" match. Basically, the first man to pick up three different decisions wins, but the ways to win have to be pinfall, submission, knockout/can't continue, a corner person throwing in the towel, and countout. Much like Takagi's match against Henare (see later), this was a long, enduring contest of the will to win and succeed, even if it meant putting your body through the ringer to do so. TAICHI picked up the surprising win over a tough as nails Takagi in a very highly spirited match that showed once again TAICHI isn't the one to underestimate by any means.
25. El Phantasmo vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 14
We are back to the "Billy GOAT", as Will Ospreay continues to show his historic year in another unbeleivable offering, this time against former Bullet Club member, El Phantasmo. The native Canadian is a former three time IWGP junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former fellow BC member, Taiji Ishimori, as well former NJPW Strong Openweight Champion. As egotistical as he is immensely talented, this had the makings of a wonderful match, and that is was. Both guys are highly gifted high flyers, as well as notorious rulebreakers and heels so that made this even more interesting. The action was worth the price of admission, as both men delivered their best in this nearly twenty minute showstopper. With no apparent heat between them stemming from the "Autistic Assassin" comment from ELP a few years ago (which he apologized for after he said it), these two displayed a tremendous amount of athleticism and competitiveness. Ultimately, Ospreay got the win, but ELP looked simply great in this encounter.
24. Kenny Omega vs. MJF
AEW World Championship
AEW Collision 10/28/23
Up until recently, the longest reigning AEW World Champion was Kenny Omega, a reign just under a full year from December 2020-November 2021, when he lost to "Hangman" Adam Page at Full Gear. As MJF became World Champion, he emerged into shockingly a babyface character with an edge. As he was approaching Omega's lengthy reign, it was only right that these two square off against each other. This win would determine either Omega's initial reign still intact in terms of length as well as becoming a two-time champion, or MJF officially breaking the previous record of Omega and becoming the new person with the longest reign. This was a very anticipated match (although not a lot of build due to this match being set up on Dynamite three days earlier). The match was excellent. Omega was as fantastic as any time we would normally see him, and MJF showed once again that he's among the most underrated bell to bell competitors in the sport. MJF came away the victor, therefore was able to break Omega's record and became the longest reigning AEW World Champion. These two are without question two of the most notable stars in the business today and these two put on one of the best matches Collision has ever presented.
23. Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito
NJPW G1 Climax 32 Finals
One of New Japan's most enduring rivalries over the past ten to fifteen years has been Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito. These two have headlined the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom before and every time they face each other, it's never less than great. The leaders of CHAOS and LIJ respectively have long been considered two of the all-time greats in New Japan so when it was stated that these two would face each other in the finals of the G1 Climax of 2023, we knew this would be a beauty, and it was. Keep in mind, Naito had one of the greatest matches of his career the night before against Will Ospreay in a match that has been considered a G1 all-timer so to follow that was a feat, but boy did both men pull it off. Okada and Naito know each other so well that it was just another day at the office for the both of them. Down the last eight-minute stretch, these two really kicked it up notches and it became a wonderful sequence of counters and near falls. Naito picked up the big win and won his 4th G1 Tournament in one of the better G1 Finals we've seen in a few years.
22. Billie Starkz vs. Athena
ROH Women's Championship/Street Fight
ROH Final Battle '23
It can be said Athena has been the most dominant Women's Champion in ROH history, and for sure needs to be mentioned among the best in-ring wrestlers, regardless of gender, in all of 2023. Her year long reign and her constant bullying of her opponents made for intriguing viewing. The biggest story throughout the year within ROH was her alliance with teenage upstart, Bille Starkz. She crowned young Miss Starkz her "minion" and she had to be subject to Athena's humiliation, disrespect, and embarrassment quite frequently (think of the Ted Dibiase/Virgil relationship near its end). Finally, during Starkz' "graduation", she was once again disrespected and decided to turn on Athena, thus setting up a big-time personal rivalry that was fierce and fierce in a hurry. Both young ladies possess enough fire and spunk for this rivalry to be an excellent one, and the match they had was reflective of that. With a (kayfabe) broken nose and face covering in tow, Athena defended the ROH Women's Championship against the rookie Starkz, and this was quite the spirited effort from both young ladies. Starkz, obviously, had the most to prove, and Athena provided her the way to show just how talented she is, and she displayed it very well. The nineteen-year-old showed she could hang with the near fifteen-year veteran and came close to obtaining on of the year's biggest upset wins. Unfortunately for her fans, Athena proved she was just too experienced for the rookie Starkz, and therefore her reign of terror over the Women's division continued, but Starkz delivered practically a star making performance and showed that the future looks very exciting for Billie.
21. Giulia vs. Tam Nakano
World of Stardom Championship
Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom
It's no secret how prized Giulia and Tam Nakano are within Joshi wrestling and especially within Stardom. Both women are former (or current) Stardom World Champions, and both are definitely decorated. They have had numerous battles in the past and all have been knockout encounters, as both are truly among the best women wrestlers alive today. At Stardom's All-Star Grand Queendom, these two faced off against each other again and, much like previous encounters, tore the house down. Nakano is a technical machine in the ring that just can keep going and going, while Giulia combines charisma, finesse, and excellent athleticism so it's a natural mesh of styles between them. No flash, pomp, or circumstance here. Between Giulia putting Nakano through a table to Nakano giving Giulia a brutal running knee on the ramp, this match was non-stop physical. These two gave it all they had in this banger of a match. Nakano had been through a series of hardships going into this encounter, with her group, Cosmic Angels, breaking up and losing the Goddess of Stardom Tag Team titles in December of 2022. Defeating Giulia was a great end to an otherwise troubled period for the sensational star. As for Giulia, something tells me, in 2024, I wouldn't worry too much about her. Not at all.
20. Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
NJPW Royal Quest 3
You won't find too many hard hitters in all of NJPW than Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii. Whenever they hit, they hit HARD, and you feel it for days and weeks after. In terms of match quality, when these two get together, you can almost guarantee a healthy serving of physical intensity between the two, and their one-on-one battle at Royal Quest 3 was no exception. These two would deliver stiff AF shots to each other frequently, to the light of the British crowd and those watching on PPV. Wicked kicks, cringe-worthy head and facial shots, and slams hard enough to wonder if they broke each other's backs at times, this was almost as crazy physical as the classic between Ishii and Katsuyori Shibata at Wrestle Kingdom 10 or even their equally brutal match at G1 Climax 23. Ishii is among the most underappreciated wrestlers on the planet and always delivers performances that impress, in spite of the obvious pain he struggles with quite often in his day-to-day life, so he deserves much earned flowers. As for the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Takagi is one of those stellar guys that can have a match with a broomstick and get the broomstick over, much an AJ Styles, Ospreay, Rollins, or Omega. These two together are a very fitting combo.
19. Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kento Miyahara
NOAH One Night Dream
Pro Wrestling NOAH has been among the top promotions in Japan for over twenty-four years now. Founded by all-time great, the late Mitsuharu Misawa, this promotion has had many globally known talent stop by such as Eddie Edwards, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Nagata, Fujita, Tenryu and Davey Boy Jr amongst many others. Plus, it's been known for producing some of the sports all time exceptional matches. A few that come to mind are Misawa vs. Kobashi in '03, Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama in '04, and Misawa vs. Kawada in '05. One more match you can add to that list is Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kento Miyahara from their One Night Dream event in July. It's no secret, for those that keep up with NOAH, that Nakajima is vicious. His strikes are as deadly as anyone in the sport. His physicality and relentless assaults are chilling at times, plus mixed with his evil, yet very self-assured, demeanor makes him such a hated guy. Miyahara is ultimately the babyface that rivals the likes of Rollins, Tanahashi, Okada, Danielson, and Cody Rhodes. The guy that takes as much as he gives and never gives up. This rivalry goes back a number of years with Nakajima always getting the upper hand. This match ranks among the best matches they've had, if just for the back story and the big fight feel of it alone. The action was as intense and spirited as you could imagine and was a masterclass for every young up-and-comer in the business that wants legitimacy attached to their legacy when it's all said and done. Two masters of their respective crafts in a match that will go down as an all-time great for NOAH and one of the most solid matches to emerge from Japanese wrestling in 2023.
18. El Hijo de Vikingo vs. Kenny Omega
AEW Dynamite 3/22/23
El Hijo de Vikingo has been described as a "real life action figure". He can do things in the ring most men can't do, especially when it comes to his aerial tactics. Ranked number 4 in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in their most recent Top 500 Edition, it's no wonder he's ranked that high. He has produced stellar match after stellar match this year, especially within his AAA promotion. In his AEW debut, he faced Kenny Omega on Dynamite in a match that will be talked about for years to come. Not just because of the daredevil moves of Vikingo, but how Omega was able to hang with him the entire step of the way. The flying was spectacular and the spots from Vikingo needed to be seen to be believed. However, the ever-resilient Omega finished him with the always impactful V-triggers and his legendary One-Winged Angel finisher, and that was it. Omega with the much-earned win over one of the most dazzling luchadors of his current generation. They would have a AAA Mega Championship match at Triplemania later in the year that was also very excellent, but this one edges it out as these two put on one hell of a show stealer and one of the single best Dynamite matches all year.
17. Willow Nightingale vs. Athena
ROH Women's Championship
ROH Death Before Dishonor '23
We put over Athena earlier in her excellent encounter with upstart Billie Starkz at Final Battle. However, we, as a wrestling community as a whole, don't get Willow Nightingale over enough. The cheerful, almost kid-like persona of the New Jersey native has a spirit that infected fans throughout the entire year, and she had a breakout year that highlighted two major events in her career: winning the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament Women's Division, and main eventing ROH's Death Before Dishonor with Athena for the ROH Women's Championship. Still coming off the high of winning the tournament, plus going into the match as NJPW Strong Women's Champion by defeating Mercedes Mone earlier in the year, these two made history by having women main event an ROH PPV for the Women's title. These two had been no strangers to each other, with Athena defeating the delightful, yet super tough, Nightingale. Ironically, Nightingale defeated Athena in the Owen Hart Tournament. However, to say Willow gave the match of her career is putting it mildly. Athena gave her everything but the kitchen sink in this match, and Willow, through heart and determination, continued to kick out and keep fighting. In front of her family in New Jersey, Willow fought valiantly, but ultimately lost to the ultra-impressive Athena. This match took the viewer on a complete ride, much like Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns did at Elimination Chamber in Montreal. The hometown hero that was also the underdog fighting against the odds. This ranks among the best women's matches not just all year, but one of the most compelling in recent memory. Athena is flat out one of the best in the game, period. However, Willow showed in this encounter that behind the beautiful smile and charming attitude lies the heart of a fighter, and hopefully one day again, a champion.
16. Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
IWGP Heavyweight Title
NJPW Sakura Genesis '23
One of NJPW's most underrated talents throughout the years has been LIJ's SANADA. Highly skilled and technically sound, SANADA is one guy you never, ever sleep or underprepare for. the former IWGP NEVER Openweight Champion and Tag Team Champion can go with anyone you put in the ring against him. One of which is the legendary Kazuchika Okada. Something changed, however, with SANADA. He was on a losing streak for a minute. The former LIJ member has having confidence issues with his building losses. He knew he needed a new edge and a new focus. He left his LIJ crew and joined the Just Five Guys camp with Douki, Michinoku, TAICHI, and Kanemaru. Developed that reborn edge and became a contender for Okada's title. These guys are far from strangers, as many remember their incredible G1 match from 2019, and now these guys were facing each other in the main event of Sakaru Genesis. This was a technical and fundamental chess match of two outstanding in-ring performers. SANADA put forth more aggression than we had seen from him in quite some time. With a new look and new attitude, he ultimately, for the first time, defeated Okada to become the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in a fantastic display of not just Okada showing why he's an all-time great, but more so the evolution of SANADA.
15. Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Yuma Aoyagi
AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Title
AJPW Giant Series
When Nakajima left NOAH earlier this year, his intent was clear: win the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. Unquestionably one of the most outstanding talents in all of wrestling, Nakajima is a go-getter. Regardless of if you love him or hate him, he delivers in every single capacity possible. In order for him to get the Triple Crown Title, he had to defeat the red-hot Yuma Aoyagi, and he knew it would be far from an easy task. Aoyagi had defeated several tremendous talents throughout All Japan, but nobody quite like the much-decorated Nakajima. At AJPW Giant Series, the match was a very solid back and forth match that showed and highlighted the highs of what both men possessed. Don't let the fact that Nakajima had a full decade plus worth of experience compared to the young Aoyagi, the champion showed his guts delivering blistering chops, sharp suplexes and stiff kicks that even someone like the stiff kick master himself could respect. However, after a thrilling back and forth sequence towards the end, experience overcame distinction, as Nakajima became the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion over a gamey Aoyagi. Viewed as one of the single greatest AJPW Triple Crown title matches in several years, these two put on a match that those that keep up with AJPW won't soon forget. While still not close to the benchmark Masawa and Kawada did in '94, this match still ranks among the best bell to bell matches in modern AJPW history.
14. Will Ospreay vs. Zach Sabre Jr.
IWGP UK (U.S.) Heavyweight Title
NJPW Royal Quest 3
Mr. Ospreay, as you can tell within this list, was an entire machine in 2023. Very match he had was great at the very least. However, one can't overlook the year ZSJ has had himself. Besides his matches with Okada and his AMAZING encounter with Bryan Danielson (see later), Sabre Jr has been incredible practically on the same page as Ospreay. the reigning NJPW TV Champion has been at his technical mat finest this year. He and Ospreay have a on and off rivalry that never fails to deliver stellar matches. Many still recall their EPIC encounter at RevPro's High Stakes for the British Heavyweight title in 2020, just before the world was put in lockdown due to the Pandemic. Although they've had several other excellent matches since then, nothing has quite lived up to their unbelievable match at High Stakes...until now. At NJPW's Royal Quest 3, Ospreay defended his IWGP U.K. (it's really the U.S. title, but Ospreay renamed it the U.K. Championship for obvious reasons) Heavyweight Title, and this was just, as the legendary hall of Famer Larry Zybsko would say "a game of human chess". This was as back and forth of counters and spots as you could imagine. Easily rivaling ZSJ's match with Danielson at Forbidden Door, Sabre Jr was at his pure mat-based best, as his grappling was sophisticated and methodical as usual, while Ospreay adapted to the style of pacing ZSJ is known for while also being his aerial, finesse self as well. Quite possibly topping their High Stakes encounter, this match was phenomenal and, while Ospreay retained the title, ZSJ delivered a mat performance that was memorable. As Royal Quest 3 was, in itself, an overall fun event, this main event was stunning and continued to emphasize how out of this universe Ospreay has been this year, and why ZSJ may be the best technical wrestler of his generation.
13. FTR vs. Juice Robinson & Jay White
AEW World Tag Team Titles
AEW Collision 7/15/23
While losing the AEW World Tag Team Titles earlier this year, FTR was still arguably the best team FTR had to offer this year. NC's finest team (not named Jeff & Matt Hardy) still delivered some of their best in-ring tag work this year, and arguably their best match was against Bullet Club Gold members, Jay White and Juice Robinson. On AEW Collision a week earlier, White & Robinson scored a big win over Harwood & Wheeler in a very hard-fought matchup, but it was their rematch for the tag team titles that made the headlines. In a two out of three falls match, this match was absolutely spectacular. A nearly sixty-minute classic, both teams showed and displayed a chemistry we never saw coming and glad we were able to experience it as viewers. The first fall was BCG within a few minutes, but then FTR poured on the juice and won the second fall another nearly twenty minutes later. It was the third fall that tag team excellence in all its splendor as both teams demonstrated the urgency to succeed in this match and they delivered possibly the most stellar match in the short history of the show. While FTR came away the victors and retained, Juice & Jay brought the fight to the "Top Guys" that almost resembled prior tough battles against steams such as The Briscoes, Aussie Open, and The Young Bucks. One of the single best tag team matches all year, and definitely the best match in the short history of Collision, these two teams kept us on the edge of our seats for almost one full hour and we couldn't get enough of it.
12. "Hangman" Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland
Texas Death Match
AEW Full Gear '23
What can be said about this match that hasn't already been said? It's been called 'the most extreme, hardcore match on American soil" to "a violent masterpiece". Both would be right. The rivalry between former AEW World Champion, "Hangman" Adam Page and the ever-impressive Swerve Strickland reached entire new heights (or lows depending upon your perspective) to where Page challenged the Washington native to a Texas Death Match (or Last Man Standing match for WWE fans). Their first match at WrestleDream was a very good match that showed that they had great chemistry, with Swerve gaining the win. As things got way more personal with Swerve breaking and entering into Page's house and entering the room of his toddler, the button got pushed. At Full Gear, we witnessed one of the single bloodiest and violent matches ever seen. Swerve was absolutely fauceting blood all throughout the match to where it almost resembled Eddie Guerrero/John Cena from Judgement Day '04 levels and then some. You couldn't recognize his face throughout most of the match. Truly gross and concerning stuff. Page also was lacerated deeply at the top of his head from being piledriven on top of the security rail. This match contained sickening barbed wire spots, chair spots, broken glass spots, and the finish in which a massively bloodied Swerve hanged Page (ironically) with a chain in much the same fashion as Page hanged Jon Moxley to conclude their match at All Out a couple months earlier. This fight was not for the squeamish whatsoever, but this fight did show the sheer toughness and badassery of Swerve that we hadn't seen his days in Lucha Underground, where under a mask as Killshot he faced AR Fox in a Three Stages of Hell match that also ranks among the most violent matches ever shown on broadcast television. This match became a career defining match for "The Mogul" and arguably the biggest win of his decade plus career. Page, himself, showed that he can go to those levels of violence and intensity as good as anyone in the business. The amount of blood Swerve lost and the amount of barbaric violence both men put on made this match both legendary and infamous in the same breath. Two things are for sure: this was the wildest and most extreme Texas Death Match of all-time (and that covers a LOT of ground), and once you watch this legit bloodbath, you'll never forget this match. Ever. Check it out here.
11. Shingo Takagi vs. Aaron Henare
NJPW KOPW Title/Ultimate Triad Match
NJPW Road To Sakura Genesis Night 2
Remember when it was said earlier that Takagi was in the same line of those guys that could have a match with a broomstick and somehow get a great one out of it and get it over? Enter Aaron Henare. Henare has a tremendous amateur wrestling history. winning national championships in his native New Zealand. He became a member of Ospreay's United Empire faction and thus increased his name value, being in a group that also consisted of TJP, Jeff Cobb, and Aussie Open. Henare hasn't had a ton of particularly classic encounters, but that changed when he faced Shingo Takagi for the NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling Title in an Ultimate Triad Match. As was explained earlier with Takagi's match against TAICHI, a man wins when he defeats his opponent in three different ways: pinfall, submission, and knockout (or standing ten count). This was, without question, Henare's best match to date and it was a needed opportunity for him to have that ONE match that showed he was for real in New Japan. This was a mixture of technical, methodical, and intense all throughout the match. After about forty minutes of more-or-less hell, Takagi emerged the winner and still champion, as Henare gave him a fight even, he may not have quite expected, and that's the beauty of it. Henare came away in a losing effort, but the respect he earned in this match against one of the most awesome in the world meant Aaron Henare had officially arrived.
10. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
WWE Smackdown Women's Title
WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night One
Throughout Wrestlemania's now forty-year history, there haven't been too many extremely memorable women's matches from a bell-to-bell perspective. Sure, things have gotten a lot better over the last eight or so years with matches such as Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka or historic matches such as Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey and Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks, and those have all been damn great matches, but what Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley did one the first night of Wrestlemania 39 raised a new bar for women at Mania. Rhea won the women's Royal Rumble match by outlasting thirty other women and lasting a women's Rumble record of over sixty-four minutes in the match, so she was having all the momentum in the world. Not to mention these two faced each other at the crowd-less Mania 36, in which Ripley lost to Charlotte. Needless to say, the twenty-seven-year-old Aussie native has grown tremendously in character and in-ring ability to where she became one of the single hottest acts in all of WWE. She remembered that loss and challenged the already legendary fifteen-time (seventeen if you count the two NXT Women's Championships) champion, Charlotte Flair. What these two ladies put on was a match that both the modern fan and the old school traditional fan would love and appreciate, as they told an incredible athletic story mostly concerning the evolution of Judgment Day's "mami". After nearly twenty minutes of simply wonderful action between the two, Ripley became the new Smackdown Women's Champion, thus putting her in the small, but major, class of Grand Slam Champions. This match, folks, was a classic in every sense of the word. It set a new benchmark for women in WWE and what women in general can be capable of in the business if given the right time and opportunity. Charlotte proved again why she's one of the GOATs in modern women's wrestling, while Rhea was officially made in this match and this match alone made her among the elite of the business. Indeed, "mami" did come out on top!
9. "Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay
Impact Bound for Glory '23
While we've been mentioning names like Ospreay, Danielson, and ZSJ as the year's best in-ring performers. One name that we can't overlook is Canadian native, "Speedball" Mike Bailey. A several year indie favorite, this Impact star has had not a bad year himself having great matches with the likes of Eddie Edwards, Josh Alexander, and others in both Impact and the indies. The match he was most remembered for was his exceptional, career-elevating match against, who else, Will Ospreay. Although Ospreay wasn't in Impact but for a cup of coffee, the brief time he was in Impact was memorable. We already put his match with Eddie Edwards in this list, and his match with former Impact World Champion, Josh Alexander, was a damn great one as well, but this match was simply AWESOME. At Impact's biggest annual event, Bound For Glory, Ospreay faced off against the superb taekwondo expert. This was excitement from the opening bell, and both these young athletes put on a clinic of dazzling offense and fantastic counters. This was a regular day in the office for Ospreay, but Bailey displayed a higher-than-normal intensity and desire to defeat the "Billie GOAT". Although he came up short thanks to a Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker finisher from Ospreay , Bailey showed his heart and determination and put himself among the upper echelon of the game, and especially Impact, in what has to be considered the best match of his career, which is covering a lot of ground. As for Ospreay, well considering how insane the "Summer of Ospreay" was, it looked like he had quite the astounding "Autumn of Ospreay" as well, with a match that has been labeled as the greatest Impact match of all-time. No arguments here.
8. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. The Usos
WWE World Tag Team Titles
WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night One
We touched on the epic story of The Bloodline angle and how history kept being made with everyone involved. From Roman's absolutely historic WWE Universal Title run (which as of time of this release is still going strong) to how the Usos broke New Day's record total reign for the Tag Team Championships, everyone was elevated being simply involved with the story. Perhaps it didn't get more compelling than when Sami Zayn joined The Bloodline. The backstory here is Sami always wanted a "family". He was in a group with Nakamura and Cesaro (now Claudio Castagnoli in AEW/ROH) and both left him. He felt he could mingle his way into The Bloodline as a way for more opportunities and be a part of the biggest group in the company. After a LOT of hazing and ridicule and mistrust, Zayn was "allowed" to join the group, especially during the War Games match at Survivor Series '22 when he low-blowed off and on best friend and former partner, Kevin Owens to give The Bloodline the win. We slowly started seeing dissention within the group, especially when it came to Jey Uso, as everyone else started to warm up to Sami's charm and dedication. With the War Games win, that eased things up a lot. However, we slowly started to see a change of heart from Sami, especially when it came to Kevin. At Royal Rumble 2023, Owens faced Roman for the title in a very physical contest and, of course, Reigns came out the winner. After the match, Owens got brutalized by Usos and Sakoa. After being humiliated and embarrassed by the champion due to Sami's hesitation to nail Owens with a chair, Sami turned on Roman and nailed him instead. The beatdown came as a consequence, but Jey seemingly confused within his emotions. Fast forward, Jey joined Jimmy and the rest of The Bloodline to go after Sami, but now Kevin reunited with Sami and officially challenged The Usos for the belts at Mania 39. This marked the first time in Mania history where a tag match, much less a tag title match, was the main event at Mania. Obviously for those that were/are only WWE fans, these two have won several tag team titles in other promotions, especially in ROH and PWG before both going to WWE. The match was among the most epic storytelling matches in recent WWE history. The action was already very intense and very competitive, as The Usos were under scrutiny from Roman to not just succeed, but to take both Owens and Zayn out. While for Owens and Zayn especially, this was retribution. The story was bigger than the action in-ring and it was absolutely compelling. After almost thirty minutes of phenomenal storytelling, the impossible happened: The Usos lost the belts, and their nearly two-year consecutive reign was over thanks to Owens and Zayn. The image of Zayn giving Jey Uso, the one that he had the most rocky and turbulent relationship with within The Bloodline, three Helluva Kicks in the corner was one of the most appropriate and fitting visuals of the year. With legit tears and emotion all over the faces of both men, the seventy thousand plus in attendance went crazy as they witnessed not just history with the belts changing, but one of the greatest tag team title matches in WWE history. All four men displayed incredible heart and determination to win, but each for different motives. Many have debated as to which was the best match of all of the two-day Wrestlemania event: Charlotte vs. Rhea, the Triple Threat Match (stay tuned), or this match. That's for you to keep debating. One thing is for sure: what The Usos and Owens & Zayn put on and the story told in this match is one that will not soon be forgotten, especially within the history of not just WWE, but in modern tag team wrestling.
7. Drew McIntyre vs. Shaemus vs. Gunther
WWE Intercontinental Title/Triple Threat Match
WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night Two
For over twenty years, many critics and fans alike stated that the Wrestlemania XX main event of Triple H, Chris Benoit, and Shawn Michaels was the greatest triple threat match in WWE history. For many reasons, that could very well be the case. What those three men displayed in that match was legendary. It was a blood soaker, but it was also incredibly passionate as three of the best in the business at the time put more than triple H's World Heavyweight title on the line. It was a masterclass in competitive storytelling. It was the standard...that is until the second day of Wrestlemania 39 happened. Gunther defended his Inter-continental Championship against Drew McIntyre and Shaemus in a Triple Threat Match. Folks, quite honestly, this was astounding. There was no compelling storyline angle, nor was there a super emotional investment like the aforementioned match. This was just three "big beefy men slapping meat" (shouts to Big E and Simon Miller for that phrase). The bottom line of this match was PHYSICALITY. They had this is such full display that there were several moments of standing ovations throughout this match by the fans and the commentary team alike. Not a single man in this match came away without bruising and black & blue marks on their bodies. While Gunther came away still the champion, the brutality of this match was absolutely memorable, especially for WWE standards. Many remember how CRAZY of a physical match Gunther had with Shaemus at Clash At The Castle in Cardiff in 2022. This was the same and more. You'd see a match this vicious in New Japan or AEW before WWE, but this was as awesome of a match as you'll see in today's WWE. If this match didn't set the new bar previously held by Triple H/Benoit/Michaels, it's definitely come the closest we've seen in twenty years. Gunther has since broken a thirty-year record held by Honky Tonk Man as longest reigning I-C Champion of all time, but the respect all three men gained from this match was undeniable. An all-time great.
6. Bryan Danielson vs. MJF
AEW World Championship/60 Minute Ironman Match
AEW Revolution '23
It's no secret that Bryan Danielson is a GOAT in pro wrestling. Very few men in the game can capture emotion while putting on modern day art performances quite like the Aberdeen, Washington native can. Since leaving WWE, he has put on stellar match after stellar match after stellar match almost at will. The question was: could MJF hang with an all-time great like Danielson? The answer was a very profound YES! Many underestimate MJF excellent in-ring abilities due to his highly offensive heel persona and riot-inducing mic work. 2023 was that year MJF had a surprise for any naysayers that thought he was more mouth than in-ring work. This match was a sixty-minute Ironman match for the AEW World Championship at Revolution, an event known for all-time great wrestling matches, and none more so than Kenny Omega & "Hangman" Adam Page vs. Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Titles in '19 that was regarded as "the greatest tag match ever seen on American soil". This match very much rivaled it. As one could expect, the majority of the match was methodical, slow-paced, and carefully timed. Not in a boring way either. You did stay compelled with the pacing of this match due to the wonderful psychology of both men within this match. The intensity did take off once the match hit the twenty-minute mark, and we had one hell of a humdinger of a match. Danielson eventually bled and the match was tied at two decisions/falls each. MJF was eventually brutally busted open and was a complete mask of blood within seconds, but that also tapped the urgency button within the young champion. At the end of the THRILLING sixty minutes, they went into sudden death rules. Basically, the first one to score a decision won. After five minutes of the match restarting, MJF did something we never thought we would never see: make Danielson tap out to a crossface. This epic match wasn't necessarily anything Danielson had to prove per se as we knew he was a certified future HOFer and one of the greatest in-ring wrestlers in modern wrestling history. This was more so about MJF and solidifying his title reign but also to show just how great of an in-ring competitor MJF was, and he showed it better than any other match in his career. When we think about legendary sixty-minute Ironman matches, many think about Danielson's previous monument against Adam Page, Kurt Angle vs. Lesnar, and of course Bret vs. HBK at Mania XI. However, a case can be made that this encounter between Danielson and MJF could very well be the greatest sixty-minute Ironman match of all-time and the more you watch this, the more the case is growing more and more sustainability of this distinction.
5. Shota Umino vs. Will Ospreay
IWGP U.K. (U.S.) Heavyweight Title
NJPW Power Struggle '23
Folks, a disclaimer. Be prepared to get sick of the name Will Ospreay. This was the year of the Billie GOAT. We've mentioned him a number of times already throughout this list, and it gets into deep drive starting now. We start with his mind-blowing match against Japanese representative of the Blackpool Combat Club, Shota (Moxley nicknames him "Shooter") Umino at Power Struggle for the IWGP U.K./U.S. Heavyweight Title. Ospreay, like many, viewed Umino among the future champions of New Japan, as Umino is one third of the aforementioned Three Muskateers. Umino has had big matches prior to this match, and looked great in all of them, however we all knew this would be the biggest challenge of his young career. Umino accepted the challenge of Ospreay and what these two young men delivered at Power Struggle was beyond words. Clearly a member of BCC, Umino imitated a number of mentor Moxley's move sets, especially his "Death Rider/Paradigm Shift" finisher. However, Ospreay was undeterred. He put the youngster through hell in this match with stiff kicks and blows, plus multiple head shots as Umino's father, the referee "Red Shoes" could do nothing but call the match as he saw it objectively. This was not to discount Umino's efforts as this was undeniably the best performance in the career of Umino. After a vicious looking Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker, Ospreay picked up the win in a nearly forty-five-minute classic with "Shooter" Umino. With his mentor, Moxley, looking on, he gave it up for his young protege, and locked eyes on Ospreay, setting up a future match with Ospreay, only for Bullet Club leader, David Finlay, to get him some and went after both men, thus setting up their Triple Threat match for the title at Kingdom 18. However, the match itself between Ospreay and Umino was one of several masterpieces Ospreay delivered in 2023, and stay tuned, you'll see some of the rest of them.
4. Tetsuya Naito vs. Will Ospreay
NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 18
Tetsuya Naito is no stranger to G1 classics. Most put his G1 Finals match against, then-Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega, at the top from 2015. However, due to injuries and other setbacks, Naito has not been in the same exceptional form we had known him to perform with over the past couple years. Not saying Naito became a fall-off or anything close to that nature, but we also know we had seen Naito better than we've seen him lately. In 2023, we started to see a return of Naito in the way we remembered him, a virtual show stealer in his own right. In the second to last night of the G1 Climax tournament, he faced Will Ospreay in a match that could very well be put in all-time classic G1 matches. They previously faced each other almost a year prior at Battle Autumn for the IWGP U.K./U.S. Championship in a damn great match, but this match went three levels higher. This match was to determine who would win the A block of G1 and go to face the winner of the B block of G1 the next night. These guys countered each other and countered each other time after time. Ospreay, at this point, has become a master in-ring technician and has become the world's best bell to bell practically bar none, but Naito showed why he's one of the best to ever come from New Japan himself. As customary with Naito, he took brutal blows, suplexes, and head shots and even with seeming like he's done for, he still manages to come back with a flurry and somehow manages to win, even if barely. Naito survived after both guys were seconds away from having a time limit draw, fighting the entire thirty minutes. Naito was back in the main event at Kingdom once again, this time presumably to face former LIJ member and current champion, SANADA. As for Ospreay, even with this loss, he proved once again, he's perhaps the most magnificent one-on-one athlete in all of wrestling and definitely among the best of his generation.
3. Bryan Danielson vs. Zach Sabre Jr.
AEW WrestleDream
In a match that was supposed to originally happen at the first AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door of '22, Bryan Danielson was to face Zach Sabre Jr, but due to concussion issues, Danielson couldn't compete, and instead ZSJ faced a debuting Claudio Castagnoli. A year later, many still wanted the dream match to occur. When it comes to mat technical wrestling, there may be no two better technically gifted wrestlers in the world, and possibly modern wrestling, then Danielson and ZSJ. With a relatively healthy Danielson (he still was recuperating from a broken forearm he suffered during his match at Forbidden Door '23 against Kazuchika Okada) ready to play ball, he and ZSJ were ready to square off, and from the opening bell, the fans were giving them a standing ovation and chanting "HOLY SHIT" within seconds. This match was a match of holds, counter holds, counter pinfall attempts, and the like. This was not a match for those that prefer their matches with excessive blood loss, steel chairs, barbed wire, and hardcore violence. This was a match we don't really see a lot of in today's wrestling: just that, WRESTLING, and effective wrestling much less. Resembling mat classics such as Benoit vs. Angle and Guerrero vs. Malenko from ECW, and especially the mat wrestling monument that was Billy Robinson vs. Karl Gotch in '71, this match was what a technical masterwork looks like in all its splendor. Stiff at times, yes, however, this match was more about who was the better bell to bell mat technician. Who's the official GOAT between the two of them. ZSJ can twist people into pretzels with relative ease and can counter absolutely every single hold or submission you put on him like a scientific wizard, and Danielson is every bit the scientist ZSJ is, only with more of an all-around skill set. Danielson defeated Sabre Jr with his flying knee, but this match, in a word, was beautiful. This was a human art canvas painted by two of the game's Picassos. Everybody won with this wrestling all-time treasure.
2. Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay
IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title
AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door '23
It's debatable as to which of the two Ospreay vs. Omega matches was better. Whichever you choose was better, it can't be denied that these two matches were two of the best matches, not just of the year, not just in AEW or NJPW, but in ALL of modern wrestling. After their ungodly match at Kingdom 17 (see next), it was only natural for these two to face each other again in a return match. The match, originally thought to occur at All In: London instead took place at AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door, only this time this was in Canada, Omega country. Spoiler alert: omega came into the match as the two-time IWGP U.S. Champion and "The Aerial Assassin" wanted it back. After seemingly aligning himself with Don Callis and The Callis Family (not to mention Ospreay wanted revenge for Omega splitting him open at Kingdom 17), the anticipation was at all-time highs. The fans were damn near rabid, as they knew they were going to see something special here, and boy did they. These two were going at each other and not holding back. This match was more intense just starting off, as this was obviously more personal, especially to Ospreay. Within ten minutes, the match turned to a new level, as Ospreay brutally slammed Omega's face into the announce table numerous times and busted the champion open. Before too very long, Omega did the same to Ospreay by viciously opening up the head of Ospreay, as he became a complete bloody mess, with his blood literally covering both his body and Omega's. That did not stop Ospreay from turning it up a notch himself. Before too long, these two were countering each other every chance they had, and this became just as equal of a masterwork as their previous encounter at Kingdom 17. Both men bloodied, especially Ospreay, put in one thousand percent effort into this match, with two spots especially leaving people breath taken. the first one being Ospreay using Omega's One-Wing Angel finisher on Omega, and Omega kicking out at a strong one count (much to the huge delight of the exploding crowd), and the second being Omega nailing Ospreay with an attempted Tiger Driver that looked like he viciously landed Ospreay on his head and neck (although another camera angle later showed Ospreay landed more on his shoulder than his head and neck but the original shot looked frightening). Callis made his way back to the ringside area after getting kicked out at the beginning of the match, and almost costed Omega the match. After over thirty of the most insane minutes ever seen in modern wrestling, Ospreay became a three-time U.S. Champion in a match that very easily rivaled their prior encounter as one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time, regardless of promotion or even country the match took place in. While this solidified Ospreay as today's world's best, it also showed why Omega is an all-timer himself. One has to imagine a rubber match will happen at some point, maybe at this year's All In: London as Ospreay is now All Elite, but for now, we will stick with these two matches as the sport's new benchmarks for greatness.
1. Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega
IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17
At one time, Kenny Omega was placed among the greatest in-ring performers in NJPW history, especially as a gaijin (or foreign wrestler outside Japan). We all remember his beyond legendary series of matches with Kazuchika Okada from 2018-2019 and how they set the new standard of storytelling within modern pro wrestling around the world. While the Okada rivalry wasn't his only incredible rivalry, as he also has amazing matches with the likes of Tanahashi, Naito, Ishii, and even Chris Jericho during his brief NJPW run, that was the rivalry that put Omega on everyone's radar more than before. Once he left and help start AEW, there was a void of who could be the next Omega. Who would be the next gaijin to take New Japan to even higher heights than Omega did while there? Many eyes were on Will Ospreay. Ospreay was already becoming a big-time fixture within New Japan and his high-flying tactics were revolutionary and awe-inspiring similar to the likes of PAC or current WWE star Ricochet. Once Ospreay turned heel and increased his skill set beyond just beyond an aerial artist, he struck gold. He became one of the single hottest stars in wrestling, not just in New Japan or the United Kingdom. He was picking up where Omega left off in grand fashion, especially with his series of matches against the likes of Shingo Takagi, Zach Sabre Jr and Okada. The time had finally come for Omega to test the young British native and challenge him for the IWGP U.S. Title and "save" NJPW from prima donnas like Ospreay. Ospreay gladly accepted, and the anticipation was, pardon the term, climax. Both men, understandably, felt each other out throughout the early goings of the match and it was very apparent both their styles were very similar, only Ospreay, in many ways, a younger Omega. The intensity was raised, and the levels were increased once Omega dropped Ospreay headfirst onto the exposed turnbuckle, badly lacerating Ospreay in the process. From there, Omega was in full "Cleaner" mode, as he was brutalizing the young phenom from England. To the credit of the young "BRUV", the bloodied Ospreay never folded his tent, and kept bringing the dight to Omega, and the match became one of the most intricate stories you could ask for. The closing ten to fifteen minutes of this match rank among the most incredible and amazing sequence of moves, counters, and near pinfalls you'll ever see in the current climate of wrestling. This was not a flip-floppy, all out aerial match. This was an intriguing and passionate story of seeing if the older star saw enough in the younger star to say, "You're the guy!" A bloodied Ospreay kept the fight going and showed why he's at the top of his class. However, it was Omega in this exchange that got the better of Ospreay and became a two-time IWGP U.S. Champion in a match that, one hundred percent, is for the ages in the annals of modern wrestling. The crowd was super into this match, especially during the aforementioned last ten to fifteen minutes, and the energy of it resembled the Okada/Omega treasures, along with the Ospreay/Takagi treasures. As you just read, Ospreay got his measure of revenge at Forbidden Door, but now the question is, "Who will come out on top in the inevitable third match?" As it looks, while Ospreay absolute4ly picked up where Omega left off in Japan, Omega is still alive, breathing, and delivering some of the sport's most unforgettable matches. What Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay presented this year with their two matches was one key thing this sport tends to overlook or under appreciate: passion. With this match and their rematch, you saw it, and in spades!
Honorable Mentions
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White /NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17
Darby Allen vs. Samoa Joe/AEW Dynamite 1/4/23
Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns/WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night Two
Bishamon vs. Aussie Open/NJPW Sakura Genesis
El Hijo de Vikingo vs. Swerve Strickland vs. Rich Swann vs. Kommander/AAA Triplemania
Saya Kamitani vs. Mina Shirakawa/Stardom All Star Grand Queendom
Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns & Solo Sakoa/WWE Night Of Champions
The Elite vs. Blackpool Combat Club/AEW Double Or Nothing
Lucha Bros. vs. The Kingdom vs. Aussie Open vs. Top Flight vs. Dralistico & RUSH/ROH Supercard Of Honor
Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Blackpool Combat Club/NJPW Dominion '23
SANADA vs. Yota Tsuji/NJPW Dominion '23
Mercedes Mone vs. AZM vs. Hazuki/NJPW Sakura Genesis
The Elite, Eddie Kingston, & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, & Shota Umino/AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door
FTR vs. Juice Robinson & Jay White/AEW Collision 7/8/23
Kazuchika Okada vs. TAICHI/NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 5
Bainca Belair vs. Asuka/WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night Two
Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson vs. Top Flight/AEW Rampage 1/6/23
Death Triangle vs. The Elite/AEW Dynamite 1/11/23
Bryan Danielson vs. Bandido/AEW Dynamite 1/18/23
Bryan Danielson vs. RUSH/AEW Dynamite 2/8/23
Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley/AEW Dynamite 5/10/23
Wes Lee vs. Joe Gacy vs. Tyler Bate/NXT Battleground '23
Will Ospreay vs. TAICHI/NJPW New Beginning In Sapora Night 1
Kazuchika Okada vs. Shingo Takagi/NJPW New Beginning In Osaka
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi/NJPW Battle In The Valley
Mercedes Monae vs. KAIRI/NJPW Battle In The Valley
The Elite vs. House Of Black/AEW Revolution '23
Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley/AEW Revolution '23
Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles/WWE Night Of Champions
El Hijo de Vikingo vs. Kommander/ROH Supercard Of Honor
Edge vs. Finn Balor/WWE Wrestlemania 39 Night Two
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Robbie Eagles/NJPW Sakura Genesis
PCO vs. Steve Maclin/Impact Under Siege
PAC vs. Claudio Castagnoli/ROH Death Before Dishonor
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Master Wato/NJPW Dominion
Best Friends vs. Aussie Open vs. Lucha Bros. vs. The Kingdom/ROH Death Before Dishonor '23
Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay/NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 9
Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii/NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 8
Rey Fenix vs. Nick Jackson/AEW Dynamite 4th Anniversary
Best Friends vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley/AEW Rampage 8/4/23
Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd/NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 13
Will Ospreay vs. David Finaly/NJPW G1 Climax 32 Night 17
El Hijo de Vikingo vs. DAGA vs. Jack Cartwheel vs. "Speedball" Mike Bailey/AAA Triplemania
FTR vs. Young Bucks/AEW All In: London
Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, Best Friends, & Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Santana & Ortiz/AEW All In: London
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus/WWE Payback '23
Andrade El Idolo vs. Buddy Matthews/AEW Collision 6/17/23
Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor & Damien Priest/WWE Payback '23
Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks/AEW All Out '23
Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley/AEW All Out '23
Chad Gable vs. Gunther/WWE Raw 9/5/23
Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Jay Uso, & Seth Rollins vs. Judgement Day & Drew McIntyre/WWE Survivor Series '23
Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Shotzi, & Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane, Bayley, & Io Skyy/WWE Survivor Series '23
Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunav/NXT No Mercy
Mayo Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita/Stardom x Stardom
Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland/AEW WrestleDream
Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Will Ospreay, & Sammie Guevara/AEW WrestleDream
Darby Allen vs. Christian Cage/AEW WrestleDream
Maika vs. Suzu Suzuki/Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix Finals
Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair vs. Asuka/WWE Summerslam
Orange Cassidy vs. Zach Sabre Jr vs. Daniel Garcia vs. Katsuyori Shibata/AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door
Yuma Ayoyagi vs. Kento Myahara/AJPW 10/21/23
Syuri vs. Mayu Iwatani/Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix
Kyle Fletcher vs. Konosuke Takeshita/AEW Collision 10/28/23
Will Ospreay vs. Robbie X/1PW No Turning Back
Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. TMDK/NJPW Power Struggle
FTR vs. House of Black vs. LIF vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill/AEW Full Gear '23
Kommander vs. Kyle Fletcher vs. Bryan Keith vs. Dalton Castle vs. Lee Moriarty vs. Lee Johnson/ROH Final Battle
Adam Copeland vs. Christian Cage/AEW World's End
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor/WWE Money In The Bank '23
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor/WWE Summerslam
Jack Perry vs. Christian Cage/AEW Revolution
MJF vs. Samoa Joe/AEW World's End
Queens Quest vs. Oedo Tai/Stardom The Quest for Queenship
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kenji Mutoh/NOAH The New Year 2023
As amazing as past years have been, especially within the past decade or so, this may possibly be the single best year of bell to bell wrestling in recent times. Every single promotion delivered and then some. Once the pandemic ended, it's like everyone came out of whatever shells they were in and decided to let it all out. Many traditionalists would argue this was one of the worst years ever, and that's okay as well. they have a right to their opinion like we all do. However, even with them, there was something for them as well, especially the Danielson/ZSJ match, Charlotte vs. Rhea, and Zayn/Owens vs. Usos. The year of 2023 was heartbreaking as well with unfortunate and untimely passings of Jay Briscoe and Bray Wyatt especially, but other notables like Terry Funk, Superstar Billy Graham, Iron Shiek, and Droz also hit the wrestling community very hard and with impact. However, we know (or hope) that these and other matches made them smile in Heaven. This year will be very hard to match or beat in wrestling history, but 2024 looks to be for the challenge, with Danielson and Okada putting on an entire clinic at Kingdom 18 so we are definitely off to an exciting start. Here's to the history-making year 2023 was, and the anticipation of the level of amazement 2024 will likely offer!
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