Your Top Ten Favorite Matches of All Time

[Guest Zarock]

Pretty self explanatory. List your top ten with descriptions and stuff like dates, places, etc.

 

10. Unibouzu vs. Hell Monkey/Unibouzu vs. Dr. Cube (Kaiju Big Battel, Tinsel Town Showdown 8/9/04)

 

For those who don't understand, let's take a look at a young spitfire named Unibouzu (translating to "Sea Urchin" in Japanese) as he challenges Hell Monkey for the Kaiju Championship. After defeating H.M. with a spinning senton from the top of the cage (!!!), Uni gets challenged by the EVIL Dr. Cube, which segues into the main event. The match starts with an INTENSE staredown, then goes into a full-blown KAIJU FIGHTO. Some highlights include Cube donning an umpire's chest protector as he delivers a frog splash from the top cage (to, y'know, protect him from Uni's spikes); A-1 badass Kung-Fu Chicken Noodle running in and cleaning house with about three moves; Dr. Cube summoning two of his minions to help him pull off a double-decker superplex. Also worth watching just for the commentary by Lounden Noxious (A guy who's a million time better then Don West or King) and Dr. Cube (About a bajillion times better then the Coach).

 

9. Lionheart vs. Wild Pegasus (Super J-Cup 1995)

 

This is the semifinals, and afterwards Benoit loses to Gedo in one of the most horrible booking decisions ever. Aside from that, this is possibly the best Jericho/Benoit match ever, and definetly my favorite. Jericho is such a dick during the entire match, such as the "Come on motherfucker!" taunt near the beginning of the match, and Benoit does a bunch of moves that he doesn't do now like the BEST POWERBOMB EVER. A kick ass juniors match, and definetly in Jericho's top ten.

 

8. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (Wrestlemania 10)

 

I consider this to be both Bret's and Owen's best technical match, although the arguement could be made for Bret/Austin overall. The match starts off with Owen celebrating after TIEING UP with Bret, then goes into amateur wrestling mode. The ending is superb, as Owen counters Bret's victory roll and gets one of the biggest upsets in wrestling. This match is bittersweet, as looking at Owen's matches in Japan, it's a wonder as to what he could of accomplished if he were still here (Optimist: Become a better wrestler then Bret, had numerous five-star matches with Eddie Guererro, Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, etc./Pessissmist- Blue Blazer was the biggest push he was ever going to get)

 

7. Ultimo Dragon vs. Shinjiro Ohtani (New Japan 8/4/96)

 

This is the match that sold me on Ohtani, and reaffirmed my markness for Ultimo. On the "Best of Ultimo Dragon" tape I have, the first few matches on it are really neat high-flying matches that are fun, but don't exactly leave a lasting impression. This match, however, manages to showcase both Ohtani's and Ultimo's ability to kick ass from the air, and on the mat. Honestly, there's nothing not to like in this match, as you get Ohtani's priceless expressions, super kewl spots, and impressive mat-wrestling.

 

6. Mankind vs. the Undertaker (King of the Ring 6/28/98)

 

WHOA

 

 

That was me seeing this match on Pay-Per-View at my friend's apartment. This match made me watch wrestling non-stop from 1998 until 2000 when Mick Foley left the WWF. It isn't just the HUGE spot, either, that won me over, but when Foley comes BACK after being carted away to keep on fighting, 'cause he's INSANE. It's the first time that I really enjoyed watching pro wrestling, 'cause here's this guy who after nearly KILLING himself, is actually EAGER to come back. I was kinda bummed that Mankind lost (I was still a mark, mind you), but it didn't matter because Mankind was a BADASS for coming back. My second favorite non-wrestling moment in wrestling, the first is up ahead.

 

5. Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid (Some time in the 80's, Japan)

 

This is the impromtu 2/3 falls match they had, where after beating Tiger by count-out he asks for "ONE MORE, ONE MORE" and gets beat by Tiger by...you guessed it! Count-out! Dynamites asks again for ONE MORE, ONE MORE, and they both get counted out as they do Tombstones on each other, and they collapse near each other. Dynamite is probably my favorite heel worker, as he just manages to be such a ruthless thug, and Tiger Mask is one a true innovater in high-flying. Nearly every juniors match rips off TM vs. DK in some way, even Bret/Owen.

 

4. HHH vs. Shawn Micheals vs. Chris Benoit (Wrestlemania XX)

 

If we're going on sheer in-ring work, then this wouldn't be as high as it, although the match kicks ass would most definetly be in my top twenty. This sure as hell isn't these three's (sic?) best match (That would be HHH/Mick Foley, Shawn Micheals/Razor Ramon, and Chris Benoit has about fifty matches in Japan, IMO), but it's still my number 4 favorite of all time. This has possibly one the greatest moments in wrestling, as WWE Champion Eddie Guererro celebrates with your NEW World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit. Benoit is in tears at the end, holding up the title the same way his hero the Dynamite Kid did, as confetti pours down on him. It's my favorite non-wrestling moment in wrestling, and you need to see this if you haven't already.

 

3. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi (All Japan 10/21/97)

 

(description to come later)

 

2. Akira Maeda vs. Tatsumi Fujinami (New Japan 6/12/86)

 

This WOULD have been my number fav. of all time, until I saw Misawa/Tsuruta on youtube.com a couple of days later. I seriously need to watch more Fujinami, as he takes all the stuff I liked about the Benoit/Regal match and took them to the nth degree. Akira "I'm a hotheaded dick" Maeda stiffs and stretches Fujinami like a beast, and Fujinami can only take it. A beautiful, beautiful match with an ending that's actually pretty cool despite being adlibbed.

 

1. Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (All Japan 6/8/90)

 

(description to come later)

[Just John 0]

10. Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama (Noah 10/7/04):

A very fun, and high impact puro match. I figured I needed to put some puro on here since I've grown to love it recently. Unfortunately, I can only watch puro out of context, and therefore can't get the full story necessary to make any match a high-favorite.

 

9. Chris Benoit vs. Dean Malenko (Hog Wild 96)

A classic technical match between two of my all time favorites. I don't think it gets enough respect because everyone's too busy overreacting to the over-exaggerated crowd reactions. Oh well. I still love it, and I'd say it deserves a spot in my all time favorites.

 

8. Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho vs. HHH and Steve Austin (Raw 5/01)

I love the feel good moments, and this was right up there with the best of them. Watching Benoit and Jericho get the belts was very fun to watch as it unfolded. The quad tear added another interesting and historical element that makes this match one of the more memorable ones for me.

 

7. HHH vs. The Rock (Judgment Day 2000)

The only 1 hr. IM worth a damn in my opinion. A very nice display by HHH at the top of his game, and a surprisingly great all-around performance by The Rock. Lots of good action, creative falls, and few dull moments make this one of the fastest hours in a wrestling match I've ever seen. The ending was a mess, but I did mark for UT's return and the crowd was hot for it.

 

6. Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle (Summer Slam 01)

A very heated, intense fight that I still get into today. The story plays out perfectly, and even the disappointing finish is beautiful in the way it makes you feel really upset that Angle couldn't get the belt.

 

5. HHH vs. Cactus Jack (No Way Out 2000)

Far and away, the best HIAC match in my opinion. They effectively utilized the brutality potential in the cell, and made a nice transition to the outside spotty stuff. Unlike Mankind/UT, the big spot made sense and wasn't rushed. I love this match, and upon review, really like it more than the Rumble match, which I find a bit overrated nowadays. This match still holds up today for me.

 

4. Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi (RoH 05)

This one's fairly recent, but it immediately earned a place in my heart. I love the stiff, hard-hitting, make-every-move-count style matches and this is the best I've seen. It's like the Benoit/Regal Pillman match kicked up a few notches. It also led me to seek out lots more of Kobashi's work, and I have not been disappointed.

 

3. Lex Luger, Sting, and Randy Savage vs. Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and ??? (Bash at the Beach 96)

So, wrestling wise, this match wasn't all that spectacular, but this is just a list of my favorites, so who cares? The ending is all that really matters, as I always get sucked into the heat of the moment, even though I must have watched it like 30 or so times by now. The Hogan turn was brilliant and the heat is intense.

 

2. Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock Lesnar (No Way Out 2004)

This goes down as one of my favs for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Eddie winning the title was without a doubt my #1 feel good moment in wrestling. The storyline was solid, and the story in the ring matched up perfectly. The wrestling was pretty nice as well, which is always a plus.

 

1. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero (Halloween Havoc 97)

My absolute favorite match ever. I just loved everything about it... The story, the spots, the wrestling, the pace, you name it. Both guys played their roles to perfection and the end result was one of the finest matches you'll ever see.

[foleyfanforever88 0]

I've only been watching since around Wrestlemania XV, and i didnt watch any WCW, so...

 

10. Undertaker vs Mankind HIAC

I loved this match obviously because of all the bumps Foley took and it was the start of my love for Foley.

 

9. Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit Royal Rumble 03

Great technicial match. I thought Benoit was gonna win it several times. Nice standing ovation at the end.

 

8. Rock vs Hogan WM X-8

The crowd reactions made this one great.

 

7. Triple H vs HBK vs Benoit WM XX

Between it being a great match, and Benoit finally winning the big one, this match deserves to be on here.

 

6. Edge vs Benoit vs Jericho vs Shelton vs Kane vs Christian MITB WM 21

Several awesome spots (Shelton running up the ladder being my favorite) and Benoit's selling made this match very fun to watch.

 

5. Mankind vs The Rock (Foley wins title)

I loved seeing Foley win the title, and the crowd reaction when Austin returned was amazing.

 

4. HBK vs. Shelton Gold Rush Tournament 05

Great match, awesome finish.

 

3. Hardyz vs Dudleyz vs Edge/Christian TLC WM X-7

At the time, like nothing I had ever seen before. Full of crazy spots.

 

2. Test vs Shane McMahon Love Her or Leave Her Summerslam 99

Looking at the participants, this match shouldn't be on here, but for some reason I loved it. Shane's elbow from the top made the match.

 

1. Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels WM 21

Two of my three favorite wrestlers ever (Foley the third) and two of the best in-ring competitors of all time put on a classic match. Loved the finish as well.