The Top 20 Matches 0f 2018...So Far

What's happening folks?!  It's been a while since this has been updated, but it doesn't mean the heart wasn't in the place to write.  Trust me folks, I GOT THE TIME TODAY!  This has been every bit as acclaimed of a year in wrestling as the historic year we saw last year, maybe even more so.  As usual, New Japan has been on absolute fire, while NXT and others such as PWG and Progress have been right up there almost with them overall.  However, let's not completely sleep on what WWE has done so far this year (when I say WWE, I mean the main roster of Raw, SD, and 205).  There have been a few matches that have raised eyebrows, especially 205, as we've seen a flourish of excellent matches for the past several months since Paul "Triple H" Levesque was officially put in charge.  The year is only just over halfway done, but rust me when I tell you, this list was HARD to make except the number one entry.  This year has been THAT good so far.  With all that being said, let's get started.

20. Seth Rollins vs. Miz/WWE inter-Continental Title

WWE Backlash '18

One wouldn't categorically put a bunch of Miz matches in top year-end lists, but nobody can deny that his range has really gotten better and he has been half responsible for some pretty damn good matches over the past couple of years.  He had an Inter-Continental Title match with the super red hot Seth Rollins at Backlash earlier this year.  While the rest of the event was among the worst of the year, this match was the absolute standout and showed that, as hot as Rollins was going into this match, Miz was able to hang with him, and the result was one of Miz' better matches to date.

19. KUSHIDA vs. Will Ospreay/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18

One of the more celebrated rivalries in the game involves multi-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, KUSHIDA, and one of the absolute best on the planet, Will Ospreay.  Ospreay has already had a searing year, with unbelievable matches with the likes of Okada, Marty Scurll, and Hiromu Takahashi.  These two once again put on a great display of how they compliment each other each time they compete.  Any time they get together, we're all the more better for it.  On night two of NJPW's Wrestling Dontaku, this was a standout match, only lessened by the SUPERB main event.  Ospreay and KUSHIDA are two of the best and we never get tired of seeing them.

18. Will Ospreay vs. Marty Scurll vs. KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

At New Japan's signature event, Wrestle Kingdom, one of the matches everyone was enamored over was the Fatal Four Way match between Will Ospreay, KUSHIDA, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bullet Club member Marty Scurll.  Although the company isn't very much known for multi-man singles matches for championships, this was off the page, with four of the world's best going above and beyond the call of duty for the Junior Heavyweight Championship.  There were spots that you sincerely were concerned for the well being of each man, but after the smoke cleared, we were all treated to one HELL of a fatal Four Way match, and quite likely the best Fatal Four Way match i n the game so far.  This match was hard to follow.

17. Asuka vs. Sasha Banks

Raw 1/29/18

The women have been doing their thing this year and really working their asses off.  From the Women's Royal Rumble Match to the Women's Elimination Chamber to the Women's MITB match, the ladies have had so much to prove and their efforts have been overall great.  In the beginning of the year, previously undefeated Japanese phenom Asuka faced "The Bo$$' Sasha Banks in one of the best women's matches seen in quite a while on Raw.  You had two ladies that were among the best workers backstage and this was as competitive as it got.  Though Asuka got the win, Sasha showed once again why she may arguably be the best in-ring worker on the main roster in the women's division and just as good as most of the guys as well.

16.Johnny Gorgano vs. Tomosso Ciampa/Chicago Street Fight

NXT Takeover: Chicago

Has there been anyone hotter in NXT than Johnny Wrestling?  Seen as the Daniel Bryan of NXT, Gorgano has been on fire as of late, delivering some of the best matches of his career.  He's been involved in one of the heated rivalries in years in NXT against former friend and partner, Tomosso Ciampa.  They had one of the greatest NXT matches of all-time at NXT Takeover: New Orleans (see later) so how does one follow up that magic? Have a Street Fight, and folks, these two delivered once again.  The story told in the match was undoubtedly awesome, and this was at times not the easiest to watch as it got very brutal.  These two put on a grade A performance and two things have come out of this feud: Johnny is the most over babyface in NXT and Ciampa may be the biggest heel in wrestling right now.

15. Tetsuya Naito vs. Zach Sabre Jr.

NJPW New Japan Cup '18

It's very possible Zach Sabre Jr is the best technical wrestler in the world.  His modern old school style using influences such as Billy Robinson and Johnny Saint, mixed with some William Regal and some Dean Malenko is so crisp and sweet, it's impossible to turn your eyes away from how good he is on the mat.  Sabre was marvelous in the New japan Cup tournament, and started with the one and only Tatsuya Naito.  naito has had an interesting year.  The G1 Climax 26 winner had a GREAT match against Okada at Wrestle Kingdom and got involved in a rather bloody feud with Chris Jericho.  These two world class caliber competitors wrestled in a damn good match that showed they had a lot of chemistry with each other.  Although this isn't the first time, they've fought, this is among the best.

14. Oney Lorkin & Danny Burch vs. Kyle O' Reilly & Roderick Strong/NXT Tag Team Titles

NXT Takeover: Chicago

The crew of Kyle O' Reilly, Roderick Strong, reigning North American Champion Adam Cole (bay-bay!) and a currently injured Bobby Fish, collectively known as The Undisputed Era, have been on a complete roll since they arrived.  Once Strong became a part of the stable, they got even better.  At NXT Takeover: Chicago, O' Reilly and Strong defended the NXT Tag Team belts against two super tough guys in Oney Lorkin and UK representative Danny Burch.  Lorkin and Burch are two veterans that have faced them all and can kick ass all day.  They had been struggling to get fully over with the NXT crowd, but this match officially put them on the people's radar.  Folks, this was as back and forth as it could get, as we say career defining performances from Lorkin and Burch.  Although Undisputed came away with the 'W', Burch and Lorkin came away with something more valuable, the respect of the NXT Universe, as they were met with a lengthy standing ovation.  Mark my words, those two are future champions.

13. The Young Bucks vs. EVIL & Sanada/IWGP Heavyweight Tag team Titles

NJPW Dominion '18

Mark and Nick Jackson have been called the greatest team of of this generation.  There's a lot of truth in that.  They're damn sure the most accomplished.  The appeal of The Bucks is at rock star levels, and they've single handedly change the way not only tag team wrestling is looked at, but that you can be a millionaire being in the indies as well.  At Dominion, they were aiming to win yet another Tag Team Championship be facing two members of Los Ingornablas de Japon, Sanada and EVIL.  The Bucks can bring the best out of any team and this stands as the best match we've seen from this combo of EVIL & Sanada.  Once again, The Bucks showed tag team perfection on a physical and psychological level as they won back the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.

12. Kazuchika Okada vs. Zach Sabre Jr./IWGP Heavyweight Title

NJPW Sakuru Genesis '18

The historic "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada.  A modern day legend at the age of thirty.  THIRTY!  He has wrestled every kind of wrestler there is to fight.  With Sabre Jr, it was a reminder of when he fought the head of Suzuki Gun, Minoru Suzuki, in two dramatic yet highly engrossing matches.  The in-ring mat style of Sabre was a parallel to the finesse way of Okada, but it made for a match that made Sakura Genesis such an overall good event, as these two truly tore it up in the main event.  Will Sabre Jr. be IWGP Champion one day? With performances like what he gave here, it's not far off from his future.

11. Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay/IWGP Heavyweight Title

NJPW 46th Anniversary Show

In case you hadn't noticed, Mr. Ospreay has had a hellacious year of critically acclaimed matches, as has the "Rainmaker" himself.  It was only right for these two extraordinary athletes to eventually get it on, and boy did they.  Seen as a virtual dream match, Ospreay showed Okada that he was capable of not only hanging with the champion, but could beat him, and there SO many occasions where Ospreay almost became the man.  Okada was his usual knock-it-out-the-park self, countering a lot of Ospreay's offense, but Willie boy did the same to him.  This was a fantastic back and forth match that showed two of the best on the planet in their glory.  We need more matches from these two.

10. Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

In an apocalyptic move, the legendary Y2J, Chris Jericho, showed up at New Japan and issued a challenge to who many consider the best in the world today, Kenny omega.  Both guys are from Winnipeg, Manatoba, Canada, and both men close with Impact EVP and NJPW English broadcaster Don Callis, but this was anything but a fun rivalry.  Jericho struck first, busting Omega open at the end of 2017 and setting the stage for a war, and it was just that.  Jericho, at forty-seven, had perhaps the match of his career in the Tokyo Dome against a younger and blistering hot Omega, and Jericho showed at his maniacal best, he's still among the best ever.  This bloody match ended with omega winning, but an entire new respect was met from both men, and Jericho's claims of being the "GOAT" may be more true than we realize.

9. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Will Ospreay/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title

NJPW Dominion '18

Hiromu Takahashi has catapulted into becoming one of the most watched wrestlers in the world.  The LIJ member had a memorable match against Ishiimori to win the Best Of Super Juniors tournament and thus earning the right to face Ospreay for the Junior Title.  These two are no strangers to each other at all, but this match was perhaps their best outing, which is saying something.  Both guys had so much to prove to the other and, although Ospreay was in control the majority of the match, Takahashi showed why he's gaining more and more of a fan base.  Takahashi became the two-time champion, but not without having an incredible match showing he belongs in the upper echelon of wrestlers, with or without Daryll.

8. Velveteen Dream vs. EC3 vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Ricochet vs. Lars Sullivan/Ladder Match

NXT Takeover: New Orleans

Truth be told, multi-man/women matches can be very hit or miss.  Lately, WWE has gotten it together with some fairly good ones, but this one to crown the first ever NXT North American Champion was simply out of this world.  This marked the first match of Ricochet in NXT, and of course he dazzled as always.  The story here was the absolute brutality in this match.  This Ladder Match was one of the most physically intense matches we've seen within NXT.  Every man in the match did outstanding jobs and it was non-stop action.  How nobody was more hurt? I have no viable reasoning or any idea, but even though Cole came away with the title, the respect level for each of those guys was on a whole nother level by the end of the match.

7. Golden Lovers vs. Young Bucks

NJPW Strong Style Evolved '18

When Omega and Kota Ibushi reunited as The Golden Lovers, the wrestling world went nuts, as they were seen as the best team there was from Japan.  Former Ko-D (DDT) Tag Team Champions and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, they were just awesome together.  With Omega seemingly on the outs of the Bullet Club, he and best friend Ibushi collided with former friends The Young Bucks at Strong Style Evolved '18.  The two best in the world colliding for the first time ever, and I have no problem telling you this was one of the greatest tag team matches ever seen.  These two teams exhibited a chemistry possibly unmatched amongst tag teams in the business right now, and this was storytelling 101.  While everyone demonstrated magic in this match, Matt Jackson was the MVP, as his selling and his ability to make you feel for him in this match was incredible.  This tag match was a classic and will likely hold the distinction of tag match of the year, if not the decade.

                                                                       

6. Will Ospreay vs. Marty Scurll/IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title

NJPW Sakaru Genesis '18

Another major rivalry that is among the most heralded in the sport is Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll.  If you have seen their prior matches, especially their absolute classic from RevPro High Stakes in 2016, you know they're capable of producing.  At Sakaru Genesis, this was their first time competing in New Japan in a one on one match, and of course, they didn't at all disappoint.  There are certain rivalries that are just made for each other.  Steamboat/Flair, Cena/Edge, Okada/Omega are a few examples.  Add this to the list.  Definitely Scurll's best match this year thus far, this was a barnburner and one that both men should be proud of for years to come.

5. Johnny Gorgano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas/NXT Championship

NXT Takeover: Philadelphia

Andrade "Cien" Almas is one of the finest wrestlers in the world.  The former leader of the original Los Ingorbnablas and third generation luchador has been tearing up the game since he got up with Zelina Vega in 2017.  He and Johnny Gorgano had a match for the NXT Championship at NXT Takeover; Philly and it was as high drama as high drama could get.  Gorgano is a MASTER storyteller, and along with the fantastic athleticism of Almas, this match was beyond awesome, and could shoot for greatest NXT Championship match to ever be seen.  Although Johnny would come up short here, our hearts were in our throat for the last quarter of the match as we fully felt Johnny Wrestling would achieve the ultimate dream.  What he did walk away with was the distinction of being, besides AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan, the best wrestler in all of WWE.  Almas, likewise, increased his clout as well, as he proved he could shine in the main event as NXT Champion.  This was storytelling at its finest.

4. Himoru Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori

NJPW Best Of the Super Juniors Finals

There's no denying Japanese wrestling produces some of the best junior heavyweights in the world.  They have delivered stars in the form of KUSHIDA, Kota Ibushi, and of course the greatest junior heavyweight of all-time Jushin "Thundr" Liger.  The Best Of Super Juniors tournament is an annual showcase that highlights junior heavyweights and how they can completely steal the show.  This year's was very good, as they all mostly are.  There were plenty of standout matches.  However, it was the finals between Hiromu Takahashi and Taiji Ishimori that blew everything out the water, and then some.  New Japan is the home of exceptional psychology and taking people on a ride.  They got it all with this match.  This may very likely be the best match in either one's careers, as these two delivered the essence of what the not the BOSJ tournament, but what the junior division as a whole represents to the sport.  Takahashi defeated Ishimori, thus going to Dominion to challenge for the Junior Title, but not before producing a match for the ages.

3. Johnny Gorgano vs. Tomosso Ciampa

NXT Takeover: New Orleans

Oh Johnny boy!  Johnny Wrestling has produced the three best matches in all of WWE this year, and two of them involved his former friend and partner Tomosso Ciampa.  With Gorgano's NXT career on the line, the level of intensity these two delivered was off the charts here.  These two told a simply masterful story that showed an unbridled hatred between two guys that were closer than brothers. It was from this match that we clearly saw how hated Ciampa was and how the no music approach with theme music got him some of the loudest boos for a heel we've heard in quite some time.  Ciampa proved his worth as a despicable, selfish sociopath, while Gorgano showed all the elements made to be a classic babyface and delivered a dynamite performance.  To cap off what was probably the best bell to bell NXT event in years, Ciampa and Gorgano put on match we may never forget.

2. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada/IWGP Heavyweight Title

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18

We mention how legendary the Okada/Omega rivalry and the matches that have redefined the business.  However, if there was a rivalry that would be in high comparison to that rivalry, it would be the career defining rivalry between Okada and the "Ace" of New Japan, the incomparable Hiroshi Tanahashi.  Every time these two get together, you can expect a wrestling clinic.  An exhibition of two of the very best in the world and in the history of NJPW.  Their match as Dontaku was absolutely no different, if not their best one yet.  The forty-year-old Tanahashi has been dealing with injuries since last year, but the stubborn toughness of the legend refused to let him slow down.  Okada, of course, was on a historic run, on his way to becoming the longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time.  So much to prove from both men, and we were treated to a brilliant display of never say die from the challenger, but the cunning nature and just overall transcendent talent of Okada was a tad too much for Tanahashi.  If there was one rivalry that continuously showed the world what NJPW had to offer over the years, it was this one, and they never, ever disappoint.

1. Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada/2 Out of 3 Falls/No Time Limit/IWGP Heavyweight Title

NJPW Dominion' 18

There are those matches where you remember where you were when you were watching something immensely special. Taker and Shawn from Wrestlemania 25 and Wrestlemania 26, Steamboat and Flair from WrestleWar '89, and Punk and Cena from Money In The Bank '11 are a few that come to mind. These are matches that are so very special, they leave an indelible imprint within you like a tattoo.  When it comes to Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada, this has been a rivalry unlike any other perhaps in wrestling history.  In only four matches, these two have set an impossible bar to reach or outdo.  Just when you thought you had seen the greatest match ever, they out do that match with another.  At Dominion, the two best in the world fought in not just the greatest two out of three falls match ever, but arguably the greatest professional wrestling match of all-time. This match was the epitome of heart, spirit, determination, and endurance.  The work shown by these men, physically and psychologically, was the most awe-inspiring experience ever seen in a ring.  Going into the match, Okada defeated Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in a forty-seven minute legit classic.  The rematch occurred at Dominion '17 and these two fought to a previously never before seen sixty minute time limit draw. They fought again on the final night of the B block in the G1 Climax 26 tournament, and Omega defeated him.  This was seen as the rubber match and for seventy-four minutes, these two made you see and feel an experience we have never felt in years, if ever.  We could go on and on about how god-like this match was, but folks, not only will this match likely never be outdone, the new standard has been set, and the bar may never be touched.




Honorable Mentions

Naito vs. Jericho (NJPW Dominion '18)
Goto vs. Suzuki (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Okada vs. Naito (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)
Omega vs. Page (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '18)
Black vs. Almas (NXT Takeover: New Orleans)
Riddle vs. Sabre Jr. (PWG Time Is A Flat Circle)
Sky, Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gordon & The Bucks (ROH Supercard Of Honor XII)
Lee vs. Takahashi (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Asuka vs. Charlotte (WWE Wrestlemania 35)
Ibushi vs. Hashi (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Hashi vs. Sanada (NJPW 46th Anniversary Show)
Balor vs. Rollins (WWE Raw 4/30/18)
Alexander vs. Ali (WWE Wrestlemania 35)
Tanahashi vs. Suzuki (NJPW New Beginnings '18)
Ricochet vs. Dream (NXT Takeover: Chicago)
Ishii vs. Elgin (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Ibushi vs. Sabre Jr. (NJPW New Japan Cup '18)
Ospreay vs. Ishimori (NJPW BOSJ '18)
Ospreay vs. Brooks (PWG Time Is A Flat Circle)
Okada vs. SANADA (NJPW New Beginning in Osaka)
Ospreay vs. Takahashi (NJPW New Beginning in Osaka)
Ospreay vs. Gordon (NJPW BOSJ '18)

Greatest Royal Rumble (WWE GRR)

Alexander vs. Murphy (205 Live)

Ali vs. Murphy (205 Live)

Magabe vs. Suzuki (NJPW 46th Anniversary Show)

RPG Vice 2.0 vs. Bucks (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)

Reigns vs. Strowman vs. Cena vs. Miz vs. Elias vs. Balor (Raw 2/19/18)

Banks vs. Natalya vs. Charlotte vs. Ember vs. Naomi vs. Bliss vs. Lynch (WWE MITB '18)

Miz vs. Strowman vs. Joe vs. Owens vs Kingston vs. Balor (WWE MITB '18)

Rollins vs. Elias (WWE MITB '18)

Dunne vs. O' Reilly (WWE NXT 6/28/18)
Dragunov vs. Klinger vs. WALTER (wXw 16 Karat Gold- Night 2)
Thatcher vs. WALTER (Progress Ch. 61)
Shirai vs. Satomura (Sendai Girls 4/19/18)
Ospreay vs. Riddle (WWN Live Supershow: Mercury Rising)
Bucks vs. Briscoes (ROH Best In The World '18)
Lee vs. Ishii (RevPro Epic Encounter '18)
Sabre Jr. vs. WALTER (Evolve 99)
Mayahara vs. Marifuji (AJPW Power Series)

As you can see, there have been plenty of great matches, and there are still several that should be on the list.  This year isn't close to being over, which means more excellence is to come.  Thus warrants an incredulous amount of anticipation.  2018 is already another historic year for the sport.  Until next time!

Best Events of 2017

What a year for wrestling. Arguably, the most competitive year of wrestling in modern history.  There were SO many amazing matches, it became hard to keep count.  As far as major events and PPVs, this was an overall incredible year as well, as NJPW, NXT, and PWG among others presented classic PPVs and set new standards for the sport in 2017. With that being said, let's go with the top fifteen events of the year.

15. NXT Takeover: San Antonio

1/28/2017

San Antonio, TX

After NJPW floored the competition with WrestleKingdom 11 at the beginning of the year, it was time for WWE to see if they could start their own momentum.  It was Royal Rumble weekend, but the acclaim went to NXT Takeover: San Antonio.  As usual, NXT presented a more athletically compelling show than the main roster. The show was highlighted by Roderick Strong against Andrade "Cien" Almas, as well as Authors Of Pain defeating DIY to become Tag Team Champions, but the main event was Shinsuke Nakamura defending his NXT Title against Bobby Roode. Great way to start off a fantastic year for the NXT brand.

14. NJPW Wrestling Dontaku '17

5/3/2017

Fukuoka, Japan

Was there a hotter promotion in the world than New Japan Pro? NOPE. NJPW completely obliterated the game this year more than any other year in its history. One of the better events they had was Wrestling Dontaku, where the main event was the incomparable Kazuchika Okada was defending the IWGP World Title against "the underboss" of the Bullet Club, Bad Luck Fale.  The majority of the event revolved around tag team matches, but the standout match was the AWESOME encounter between Tomohiro Ishii and perhaps the best wrestler in the world today, Kenny Omega.  If all the tag matches didn't eventually wear you out, this was overall a great event.

13. ROH Final Battle '17

12/15/2017

New York City, New York

Ring Of Honor presented their biggest PPV of the year with Final Battle '17. The company has had a banner year, especially with the record-breaking Global Wars tour.  It was time to put a stamp on this year with Final Battle, and what a night of action it was.  The flamboyant Dalton Castle challenged Cody (Rhodes) for the ROH World Title, but Will Ospreay and Matt Taven stole the show, and the street fight between The Briscoes and Bully Ray & Tommy Dreamer was quite physical.  This was even better than 2016's, and was definitely the best ROH event all year.

12. WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament

1/14/2017-1/15/2017

Blackpool, England

With WWE expanding its horizons with the Cruiserweight division, the announcement was made that there would be a UK division with a champion to be crowned in a tournament.  The two day tournament was overall an exciting one, with the finals of Tyler Bate against Pete Dunne being the best match of the tournament.  The real stars were the fans, as they chanted everything under the sun and presented an atmosphere that was electric through the screen.  If you were there, chances are that statement didn't do it any justice.

11. NXT Takeover: War Games

10/16/2017

Houston, TX

When the announcement was made that NXT was bringing back War Games at its next Takeover event, it was met with both anticipation and pessimism.  The event took place Survivor Series weekend, but clearly was the better event.  While War Games with Authors Of Pain & Roderick Strong, SAniTy, and The Undisputed Era all damn near destroying each other in a surprisingly awesome match, the event also saw Ember Moon win her first NXT Womens Title in a very good Fatal 4 Way Match and Cien Almas win the NXT Title over a game Drew McIntyre.  The event was best known for the super highly competitive match between Aleister Black and Velveteen Dream.

10. PWG All-Star Weekend '17

10/21/2017

Reseda, CA

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is possibly the hottest indie promotion in the U.S. today.  This year was no exception, as they had a DYNAMITE Best Of Los Angeles tournament earlier in the year.  They capitalized off the success of BOLA and presented the All-Star Weekend.  As great as this two-day event was, the best match of the weekend was German brute WALTER against the best technical wrestler of the past decade, Zach Sabre Jr in a HELL of a match.  There was also Ricochet winning the PWG Title from Chuck Taylor in a great match as well.  This was overall another fine example to the passion, entertainment, and excitement PWG presents and this was not a disappointment by any means.

9. Progress Super Strong Style 16

5/272017-5/29/2017

Camden Town, London

One of the UK's most exciting promotions is Progress Wrestling. Specializing in British strong style wrestling, Progress has been known to produce some of the best matches all year. Most of them occurred at their Super Strong Style tournament.  The finals had a heel Tyler Bate facing New Zealand's Travis Banks, but the whole weekend was filled with fantastic wrestling, with occasional over-the-top entertainment. Arguably the best moment was when Trent Seven lost to Matt Riddle in six seconds, and the fans letting him have it with every appearance from that point on.

8. NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling '17

10/9/2017

Tokyo, Japan

One of the final major events of the year for NJPW was King Of Pro Wrestling. After the historic G1 Climax of the summer, NJPW knew it had a challenge to match that kind of acclaim. KOPW came close and really provided a big time event from start to finish.  The tag matches were quite good and the Ospreay/KUSHDA match was off the page. Okada defended the IWGP Heavyweight Title against LIJ member EVIL in a competitive match.  This was a knockout event and presented more of the finest pound for pound action in the business.

7. PWG Best Of Los Angeles Tournament '17

9/1/2017-9/3/2017

Raseda, CA

The most acclaimed tournament in the country is the PWG BOLA tournament. An open invitation for the best indie wrestlers in the world, this is subsequently like their Wrestlemania, only a three day event.  Regarded as the best BOLA tournament in the twelve year history of the tournament, there were constant highlights and show-stealing matches. None more captivating then the EPIC encounter between Donovan Dijak and Keith Lee that has been heralded as one o the greatest PWG matches ever.  This was a no lose event and one that continues to show PWG's cult following and why it continues to expand.

6. NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III

8/19/2017

Brooklyn, NY

For the past three years, NXT's biggest Takeover event has been Takeover: Brooklyn, which coincided with Summerslam weekend. Every time, the event would take some to a lot of the thunder from Summerslam because of how excellent the event would be. This year was as good as the prior two, with every match being special. From tje phenomenal Almas/Gorgano match to one of the single best Women's Title matches all year in Ember Moon against Asuka to the great NXT Title match between McIntyre and Roode, the event was on fire.  Not to mention the debut appearance of The Undisputed Era of Kyle O' Reilly, Bobby Fish, and Adam Cole (BAY BAY!!!)

5. NJPW G1 Climax 27

7/17/2017-8/13/2017

Various cities

The G1 Climax is the highest regarded tournament in the world. Stars have been made and legacies have been solidified at this very event. Stars such as Nakamura, Okada, Tanahashi, Kojima, Goto and Magabe have all won this event with Masa Chono as the one with the most wins. This year's Climax was regarded as the best of all-time on a match per match basis.  Matches such as Ibushi/Naito, Ishii/Tanahashi, Elgin/Omega, and Omega/EVIL were just outstanding, but it reached a WHOLE new level when Okada faced Omega on the last night before the finals in what was arguably the greatest G1 Climax of all-time.  The finals between Omega and Naito was almost every bit as superb. This was the new bar of wrestling for the year and nothing any promotion for the remainder of the year could even come close.

4. Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Tres

9/27/2017-10/18/2017

Boyle Heights, CA

Lucha Underground  is one of television's hottest programs. In spite of only being a kayfabe promotion in lieu with the show, the matches that have been produced this season have been great to unbelievable. As awesome as the first two Ultima Lucha series have been, this one was the most violent and aggressive. Highlighted by the unreal carnage of Killshot and Dante Fox, but also the bloodletting og Ivalese and Katrina, the brutality of Crane/Muertes/Cage, and the graphic nature of Fenix and Moth Martinez, this event had it all. With Pentagon Dark coming away as new champ, this event was among the most vicious ever seen on television.

3. NXT Takeover: Chicago

5/20/2017

Chicago, IL

The most acclaimed of the Takeover events this year belonged to NXT Takeover: Chicago, which was highlighted by the brutal Ladder Match between Authors Of Pain and DIY for the NXT Tag Team Titles. This marked the first time the tag belts were in the main event, but they deserved to be with the action of both teams. Plus the shocking ending of Tomosso Ciampa turning on partner Johnny Gorgano in aggressive fashion. The event also saw arguably the greatest match all year under the WWE banner with Tyler Bate against Pete Dunne for the UK Title.

2. NJPW Dominion '17

6/11/2017

Osaka, Japan

In the eight year history of NJPW Dominion, none were as amazing, from a match to match standpoint, as 2017's version.  While matches like Tanahashi vs. Naito were nearly flawless and KUSHIDA and Takahashi had a hell of a match, it centered around the much anticipated rematch of the decade involving Kenny Omega and Kuzuchika Okada for the IWGP Title. Their first encounter was beyond words, but this rematch was even better. Dominion proved to be one of the best events in recent company not named Wrestle Kingdom.

1. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11

1/4/2017

Tokyo, Japan

Whenever the name Wrestle Kingdom is mentioned, it's regarded as the overall finest night, match per match, in the business. It matches WWE Wrestlemania in terms of pomp and pageantry, plus it's New Japan's most lucrative show. In 2017, this Wrestle Kingdom was home to the greatest match in modern history in Kazychika Okada vs. Kenny Omega. This match set a new standard of wrestling that nobody could outdo except...well...them at Dominion. However, matches like Tanahashi vs. Naito and Goto vs. Shibata were just exceptional. This was far and away the best event of the year, as the past several have been as well.  What Wrestlemania provides in entertainment, Wrestle Kingdom does for wrestling, and this one was absolutely no different.

Honorable Mentions

NJPW G1 Special In USA

ROH War Of The Worlds: UK
ROH Global Wars: Chicago

NJPW Sakura Genesis '17
NJPW Best Of the Super Juniors '17
NJPW World Tag League '17

WWE Wrestlemania 33

WWE Summerslam '17

WWE Survivor Series

WWE TLC '17

ROH Best In The World '17

RevPro High Stakes '17

CMLL 84th Anniversary Show

WCPW World Cup '17

WCPW Refuse To Lose '17

ROH 15th Anniversary Show

WWE Mae Young Classic

What a historic year for the sport. We have never seen such an outstanding year of wrestling, possibly of this era.  These events and more brought back hoe incredibly awesome wrestling can be. It became less about antics and more about good ol' fashioned wrestling. Right now, from an artistic and competitive standpoint, is in its best place in a very long time and here's to hoping 2018 will go even further. Until next time folks.

The 25 Best Matches of 2017

What's good my kind people?! It's that time where we break down the best matches of the year, and trust me when I tell you, this was NOT an easy list, as this has been the single greatest year of athletic showmanship and storytelling we have experienced in many, many years. From every organization possible, there was at least one match this year in each promotion that delivered a five star match or close.  If you were a wrestling fan at all, this year made you remember that wrestling isn't dead, but alive and well.  You'll notice something obvious about this list, and that's that New Japan DOMINATED this year in terms of stellar and memorable matches.  They were undeniably the best promotion this year more than any other year in recent memory.  Organizations such as PWG, WWE, Progress, WCPW (now Defiant Wrestling), and even Lucha Underground (a kayfabe promotion with a killer show) delivered with unbelievable action this year.  It was very strenuous to pick out the top twenty-five matches, but here we go. Enjoy.

25. Asuka vs. Nikki Cross

WWE Women's Title/Last Woman Standing

NXT TV Taping

What a year for the WWE Women's division. Stars such as Charlotte, NXT's Ember Moon, and Sasha Banks put on overall very good performances this year, plus the Mae Young Classic had moments of sheer excellence.  However, it can be argued that there wasn't a better women's match in the entire company this year than the Last Woman Standing match between historic, undefeated champion Asuka and Sanity's Nikki Cross.  We don't often see Last Woman Standing matches, at least not in the mainstream, but this match was an absolute FIGHT. These ladies delivered with intensity a lot of men didn't present this year in this one match.  Ladders, tables, you name it.  It was used at some point in this war.  While Asuka came away the victor, Nikki showed the world her undisputed toughness. Talk about leaving it all out there. HELL of a match.

24. Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega

IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship Finals

G1 Special in USA

Has anyone had a better year than Kenny Omega? Truly. Unless your name is Kazuchika Okada, NOBODY in the world has had a better 2017 than Omega. Just before the summer hit, NJPW had their first U.S. show and it was to crown their first U.S. Champion. The tournament was a damn good one as is, but it was this match and the finals with Ishii that Omega just shined.  The Bullet Club leader proved why he was touted as the best in the world after the amount of punishment he endured and still came back and became the inaugural IWGP U.S. Champion. As for Big Mike, he had incredible matches himself this year and trust me, just like Omega, you'll see him again on this list.

23. DIY vs. Authors Of Pain vs. The Revival

NXT Tag Team Championships/Triple Threat Match

NXT Takeover: Orlando

The three best teams in NXT at the time all competed for th NXT Tag Team Championships on Wrestlemania weekend at NXT Takeover: Orlando. Arguably the match that stole the show was this awesome triple threat match for the belts as tow former championship teams of DIY and The Revival challenged the brutal Authors Of Pain, led by Hall of Famer Paul Ellering.  This was elimination rules, but this match saw the absolute best come from all teams.  The Revival would have their last big match in NXT here, but what a way to go out as this match was one of the major highlights all Wrestlemania weekend.

22. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE Universal Heavyweight Title/Fatal Four Way Match

Summerslam '17

The major heavy hitters on the Raw brand were all highlighted in this enormous Fatal Four Way match at Summerslam.  Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns all challenged Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title.  This had all the dressings of a car crash, and it was just that. Lesnar got stretchered out early but came back and tore asses apart on his way to retaining the title.  Before then, this was an all-out brawl the likes of which was rarely matched all year within WWE.  While Lesnar was the winner and the match further showed how much of a star Strowman is on the verge of being, Reigns and Joe also showed their worth  

21. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi

G1 Climax 2017

This year's G1 Climax tournament was arguably the greatest of all-time, or at least in many years.  Every day was special and provided absolutely overall fantastic matches.  One of the more standout matches was NJPW modern legend, six-time IWGP Champion and current Inter-Continental Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi against multiple time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi. Ibushi has always been considered a main event talent, and this was evidenced in his star making match against Shinsuke Nakamaura at Wrestle Kingdom 9.  This was very easily another match that proved his star power. Anytime you have the opportunity to show off against a Hall of Fame talent like Tanahashi, you better deliver, and that he did in abundance.

20. Zach Sabre Jr. vs. WALTER

PWG All-Star Weekend 2017

There's no denying the in-ring skills of Zach Sabre Jr, as he is likely the best technical wrestler on the planet. ZSJ has had absolutely fucking good matches all year, not to mention his performance in the G1 Climax this year.  However, the former PWG Champion was involved in one of PWG's most talked about matches ever against German brute WALTER. Sabre is a master when it comes to making scientific wrestling look cool, and his skills against the big German were as tested as we had ever seen. WALTER is known primarily as the hardest chopper in the business, and he dealt out some re verse knife edges the likes of which Ric Flair would envy.  This was a phenomenal match based around a different type of storytelling, but this was one of the single best PWG matches all year and one of the best in company history.

19. KUSHIDA vs. Will Ospreay

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2017

Anytime these two marvelous competitors get together, it's special.  Two of the best junior heavyweights in the world, these two are money. They also met in the finals of the WCPW World Cup Finals, but this one was the better of the two. This was such a back-and-forth match, and it deserved all the acclaim it received. Both guys have had an incredible 2007 individually, and with matches like this one, their 2018 looks just as great. These two tore it down in what was a hell of a tournament.

18. Keith Lee vs. Donovan Dijak

PWG Best of Los Angeles 2017

My God! If there's a better match that exhibited uncanny athleticism from guys this big for a whole match, I would like for you to show me. This was remarkable. The 6'7", 270-pound Dijak against the 340-pound Keith Lee was the talk of the whole BOLA tournament. We saw flips, moonsaults, and other things we typically see junior heavyweights or cruiserweights do. It was a marvel to behold and took the entire tournament afterwards with them. Big guys/super heavyweights like Keith Lee continue to redefine the big man in modern day wrestling and with the help of the huge Dijak, this match was amazing.

17. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Will Ospreay

WCPW World Cup '17

There's no denying that Rey Rey is a lucha icon and arguably the greatest luchador to ever dross over into north American wrestling. He influenced a generation of highflyers and is destined to be in many Hall of Fames before it's all said and done. At the WCPW World Cup, he faced another thrilling kid that was influenced by him, Will Ospreay.  These two put on arguably the best match of the tournament and at over forty years of age, Rey showed that even with age and multiple knee surgeries, that he still had it, and had plenty of it.

16. Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito

G1 Climax 27

Earlier I stated how incredibly talented Ibushi was, and that was shown particularly in his match with the unbelievable talents of the Los Ingornablas de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito.  Naito is likewise regarded as one of the true best in the world and had quite the amazing 2017 himself. This was one of the first days of G1 this year and was placed among the highest in terms of acclaim, which considering how good this tournament was is saying something. You may not like Naito's brazen attitude or his rebellious disrespect, but there's no denying that he can hang with the best in the business bar none. Same with Ibushi. This match was fantastic.

15. Killshot vs. Dante Fox

The Hell Of War

Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Tres

Say what you will about the phenomenon that is Lucha Underground. No, it's not a "real" promotion. Yes, it's a soap opera-esque TV show with wrestling as its centerpiece. Yes, traditionalists like Jim Cornette despise this show. Whatever the case, LU has a devout audience and with matches like what Killshot and Dante Fox had, it's not hard to see why. There have been many outstanding matches in the three seasons this show has aired, and many violent ones at that, but none hold a candle to the utter violence and brutality these young men displayed. Subsequently their version of WWE's Three Stages Of Hell match, the stages here were First Blood, Street Fight, and Ambulance Match. This had barbed wire boards, glass panes, chairs, and an ending so crazy it had to get seen to be believed. These two guys put a whole new level to LU and this match elevated both men's careers, even if it did shorten them.

14. Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne

WWE United Kingdom Championship

NXT Takeover: Chicago

These two young men, and I do mean young as the older of the two just turned twenty-four, squared off in the finals of the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament earlier this year. As exciting as that match was, this match was two to three times better. The then nineteen-year-old champion Bate brought all he had and then some in defense of the title, but the ever talented, and devious, Pete Dunne dug down a little deeper and became the champion in a match that is being referred to as the second best WWE match all year (you'll see what the best was later). The future of the UK division is in marvelous hands with these two athletes.

13. Michael Elgin vs. Kazuchika Okada

G1 Climax 27

The incomparable IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada has had a historic year. Aside from being the longest reigning champion in New Japan history and having three straight six-star matches on the Meltzer scale with Omega, he had other outstanding matches that deserve our attention. One of them was a match during the G1 Climax with Michael Elgin.  Elgin had been performing excellently already up to day four of the tournament, but it was this match that many see as another career defining match for him. Standing toe to toe with most likely the best wrestler in the world today is a telling feat. Okada had classics with the likes of Omega, Shibata, Minoru Suzuki, and Cody Rhodes. Elgin gave the champ quite the scare but succumbed to defeat. Regardless, Elgin's career reached yet another height by engaging in this incredible encounter.

12. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kenny Omega

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2017

At Wrestling Dontaku, the "Six Star Cleaner" went to war with one of the single toughest badasses around, Tomohiro Ishii. Ishii has had some simply tremendous matches in 2017 and this one ranks among the top ones.  At times, Omega was being brutalized by the "Stone Pitbull", but other times, Omega showed just how great he really is.  Anytime they get together, it's awesome, and this encounter was no exception.

11. Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2017

In 2016, Ricochet and Ospreay competed in one of the most thrilling matches in the game, despite complaints from some of the same people that hate Lucha Underground.  The complaint was that it was more of an acrobatic spotfest than a story that got told.  This year, they changed that to where it kept the acrobatic spotfests, but told more of an athletic story.  By this aspect alone, this match was even better than their epic matchup in 2016.  This time, Ospreay came away with the W but not before unforgettable performances by both men.  Arguably the highlight of the entire tournament.

10. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
IWGP Inter-Continental Championship

NJPW Dominon 2017

Easily one of the most acclaimed and celebrated rivalries in all of NJPW is Naito and Tanahashi.  In their series of matches this year, this match was more deliberate and methodical.  These two put on better performances at Wrestle Kingdom and at the G1 Climax, but this match was still an incredible match that had Tanahashi win the I-C Championship from Naito in a punishing affair.  There are certain rivalries that get more and more anticipatory with every match build up.  This is one of them.  Two of the best in the world engaged in a spirited battle that showed why Hall of Fames are in the futures of both men.

9. Kazuchika Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata
IWGP Heavyweight Championship

NJPW Sakura Genesis 2017

Talk about a bittersweet match. Okada defended his IWGP Heavyweight Title against one of the toughest human beings alive in "The Wrestler" Katsuyori Shibata.  Shibata gave one of the single best performances of his career against arguably the world's best, but due to a horribly stiff head butt in the match, which resulted in a subdural hematoma, Shibata's career was put to an apparent end.  If this was his last hurrah, he went out with not only one of his career best performances, but one of the best matches of the entire year.

8. John Cena vs. AJ Styles
WWE Championship

WWE Royal Rumble 2017

Oh, Cena haters! His haters will never admit the fact that Cena has produced some damn good matches over the past eight years especially.  He had a five-star match with CM Punk at Money in The Bank 2011, and while U.S. Champion, he had fantastic matches with the likes of Sami Zayn and Dean Ambrose.  In 201, he got involved in a great rivalry with one of the best wrestlers in modern history, AJ Styles.  At the Royal Rumble, these two collided again, only this match way surpassed their Money In The Bank matchup of 2016 and any other match they had last year.  Styles, once again, put on the performance of a career, and Cena showed he's the single most improved wrestler of the past decade in this absolute classic.

7. Michael Elgin vs. Tetsuya Naito
IWGP Inter-Continental Championship

NJPW New Beginnings in Osaka 2017

There are many that say Michael Elgin had his truly breakout year this year, in spite of being a former Inter-Continental Champion in 2016. The big Canadian proved his God-given abilities against the ever-incredible talents, and treachery, of Tetsuya Naito.  The LIJ leader didn't try to match power with the unreal strength of Elgin but he did try and out quicken Elgin and took a lot of physicality from the former ROH World Champion. Ultimately, Naito triumphed in a fantastic encounter and unquestionably the best match of the night.  Besides his G1 Climax final, this was Naito's finest performance this year.

6. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
IWGP Inter-Continental Championship

Wrestle Kingdom 11

The beginning of the memorable year for Tetsuya Naito began at Wrestle Kingdom 11, as he faced Hiroshi Tanahashi for the Inter-Continental Title.  This match was easily the second-best match of the night, as Naito and Tanahashi put on a clinic and this already intriguing rivalry got bigger and definitely better. The "ace" of NJPW was at his Wrestle Kingdom best, as one could compare him to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania but Naito was a step ahead of this legend and came away as I-C Champ. 

5. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito

G1 Climax 27

Of all their sizzling meetings this year, none were as action packed and compelling as Tanahashi and Naito's encounter at G1 Climax 27. This was the last match of the last day of the A block, and this was simply a classic for G1 Climax history.  The proverbial big fight feel was heavy with this match, and they wrestled nearly flawlessly. Naito picked up the win in this match, but this match solidified one of the game's most celebrated rivalries and one we'll always mention as one of the best f this generation.

4. Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega

G1 Climax 27 Finals

After just over two weeks of what many consider one of, if not the greatest G1 Climax tournaments of all-time, it all came down to Kenny Omega and Tetsuya Naito in the finals.  Nobody believed that anything could even remotely come close to the historic trilogy between Omega and Okada. In fact, many feel Naito's performances against Ibushi and Tanahashi were as good as he could be, but how wrong we were with both assumptions.  Simply put, this was considered the greatest G1 Climax final ever. Two men that raised the bar this year in the sport gave us an exhibition of storytelling that was knocking on the door of the greatness we witnessed between Omega and Okada. While this was another day at the office for the Bullet Club leader, Naito gave us the match of his career.

3. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega

IWGP Heavyweight Championship

G1 Climax 27

With people still trying to recover from their prior two monumental, epic matches, it was announced that Okada and Omega were in the same block for the G1 Climax tournament. Everyone knew at some point, they would have to collide, and it happened the last night of the tournament before the finals. Easily the most anticipated match of the summer, these two warriors collided in a fast-paced match that was also their shortest match. This was a thirty minute time limit and they fought for nearly the whole thirty minutes, but at the end of this magnificent affair, Omega was able to conquer his demons and finally defeat Okada to make it to the finals. This was the best thirty minute match of the year and closed out the most historic wrestling trilogy since Steamboat and Flair.

2. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega

IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Wrestle Kingdom 11

This was the match that broke the internet and redefined greatness within professional wrestling. As if these guys weren't superior wrestlers before this encounter, they came out of this match sealing their legacies as two of the all-time greats with this match. Omega was just simply out of the stratosphere with this match and Okada delivered a performance that damned any doubters as to whether or not he was truly worthy of the accolades and the title he acquired.  The heart-stopping near falls alone to you back to any Steamboat/Flair match or even other modern day classics like Taker vs. Shawn or Cena vs. Punk.  This match even broke Dave Meltzer's rating scale, as he gave only the second six star (out of five) match in the nearly forty year history of The Wrestling Observer. This match, at that time, was the longest recorded match in NJPW history, clocking in at about forty-seven minutes. It was a match that nobody will ever forget and will be remembered as a moment in time in the business.

1. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega

IWGP Heavyweight Championship

NJPW Dominion 2017

How do you top arguably the greatest wrestling match of this generation? You make it even better and put it as close to the word 'perfect' as possible. As if the storytelling wasn't impeccable before, these two leaders of this era exhibited athleticism that was just as exquisite as the first match, with a deeper emphasis on the psychology and storytelling.  Okada came away with the hardest fought victory of his career and it fueled "The Cleaner" to avenge that loss.  Omega showed even more heart and guts than he first one and was gonna win this match even if it killed him.  While they performed human chess on each other to the tune of nearly forty-seven minutes in the first one, they fought the entire sixty minutes and while Omega technically didn't win, he also did fight the champion to a draw. We haven't had a sixty minute match this game-changing in a very long time.  Not only did this match set an even higher bar for wrestling, but this match has been labeled as the greatest wrestling match seen to a worldwide audience ever.  These two young men made history and this is the most revered trilogy of all-time, or at least of this generation.

Honorable Mentions

Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega (G1 Climax 27)

Tomoiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito (G1 Climax 27)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi (G1 Climax 27)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 27)

Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL (G1 Climax 27)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki (G1 Climax 27)

Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 27)

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kenny Omega (G1 USA)

AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Money In The Bank 2017)

Samoa Joe vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns (WWE Extreme Rules 2017)

KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi (NJPW Dominion 2017)

Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi (NJPW Best Of the Super Juniors 2017)

The Mack vs. Johnny Mundo (Lucha Underground season 3 TV taping)

Christopher Daniels vs. Cody vs. Jay Lethal (ROH War Of The Worlds 2017)

Jay White vs. Will Ospreay (ROH War Of The Worlds 2017)

The Hardyz vs. Gallows & Anderson vs. Enzo & Cass vs. Cesaro & Shaemus (WWE Wrestlemania 33)

Hiroki Goto vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW Sakura Genesis 2017)

Broken Hardyz vs. RPG Vice vs. Young Bucks (ROH 15th Anniversary)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Tiger Mask W (NJPW 45th Anniversary)

Hiromu Takahashi vs. Dagon Lee (NJPW New Beginnings in Sapporo 2017)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW New Beginnings In Sapporo 2017)

Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Royal Rumble 2017)

Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne (WWE United Kingdom Tournament)

Matt Riddle vs. Katsuyori Shibata (RevPro High Stakes)

Timothy Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak (PWG Lemmy)

Hiroki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11)

KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11)

Johnny Gorgano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas (NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III)

Ember Moon vs. Asuka (NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III)

Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Brian Cage (NOAH Summer Navigation 2017)

Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet (WCPW World Cup 2017)

Will Ospreay vs. Mike Bailey (WCPW World Cup 2017)

Donovan Dijak & Keith Lee vs. Chosen Bros (PWG Best Of Los Angeles 2017)

Sammie Gueverra vs. Joey Janela (PWG Best Of Los Angeles 2017)

Matt Riddle vs. Michael Elgin (PWG Best Of Los Angeles 2017)

Lucha Brothers & Flamita vs. The Elite (PWG Best Of Los Angeles 2017)

Jeff Cobb vs. Keith Lee vs. Ricochet (PWG Best Of Los Angeles 2017)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zach Sabre Jr. (NJPW Destruction In Hiroshima)

Jay Lethal vs. Silas Young (ROH Death Before Dishonor 2017)

Juice Robinson vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW Destruction In Kobe)

John Cena vs. Roman Reigns (WWE No Mercy 2017)

Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro & Shaemus (WWE No mercy 2017)

Matt Riddle vs. Jeff Cobb (Progress Super Strong Style 16)

Travis Banks vs. Tyler Bate (Progress Super Strong Style 16)

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling 2017)

KUSHIDA vs. Will Ospreay (NJPW King Of Pro Wrestling 2017)

Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Hell In A Cell 2017)

The New Day vs. The Usos (WWE Hell In A Cell 2017)

Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas (NXT TV taping)

Sexy Star vs. Taya (Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Tres)

Son Of Havoc vs. Pentagon Jr. (Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Tres)

Jeremiah Crane vs. Cage vs. Mil Muertes (Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Tres)

Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles (WWE TLC 2017)

Ricochet vs. WALTER (PWG All-Star Weekend 2017)

Will Ospreay vs. Flip Gordon (ROH Global Wars-Chicago)

Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Kurt Angle vs. The Miz, Braun Strowman, Kane, Cesaro, and Shaemus (WWE TLC 2017)

David Starr vs. WALTER (WXW Fight Forever 2017)

Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream (NXT Takeover: War Games)

Undisputed Era vs. Sanity vs. Authors Of Pain & Roderick Strong (NXT Takeover: War Games)

Kairi Sane vs. Tessa Blanchard (WWE Mae Young Classic)

Kairi Sane vs. Toni Storm (WWE Mae Young Classic)

Johnny Gorgano vs. Kassius Ohno (NXT TV Taping)

Richochet & Matt Sydal vs. Young Bucks vs. Lucha Brothers (PWG Nice Guys)

Will Ospreay vs. Drew Galloway (WCPW Exit Wounds '17)

Dragon Lee vs. Cavernario (CMLL TV Taping)

Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm (Stardom)

KUSHIDA vs. Taguchi (Best Of the Super Juniors '17)

As you can see, there were a TON of stellar matches this year, and truthfully, there were a lot more.  This really has been a defining year i wrestling in terms of storytelling and breaking new ground, not to mention setting new bars for the game.  This has genuinely been the best year of wrestling I've witnessed in a genuinely long time, if ever.  Here's to hoping 2018 can repeat the history that 2017 has produced.