Best Matches of 2014

gnfnrhead

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think CHIKARA should be included in that list. I can't even remember the last really great match they had (and not just due to the shut down). Don't think Extreme Rules has any business there either based on this years card. The NXT shows are always little more than average and over rated beyond belief.

PWG are running Cole vs O'Reilly in a knockout/submission only match. They did something similar in ROH a few years back and it was great. Both guys are ten times better now. Outside of the NJPW stuff, that's the easy highlight of the month for me.

rovert

NJPW Dontaku: Ishii vs. Honma, Okada vs. Styles
WWE Extreme Rules: Shield vs. Evolution ****
Raw: Shield vs. Wyatts
Dragon Gate Dead Or Alive: Flamita vs. Susumu, Ricochet vs. Yamato

Not normally a Dragon Gate fan but Dead or Alive was the best top to bottom PPV/big event this year easily:

The Young Bucks vs Forever Hooligans (Rocky Romero & Alex Koslov) vs Time Splitters (Alex Shelley & KUSHIDA) - ROH Global Wars
Adam Cole vs Kevin Steen came close to a Best Match but only hoover around that level.

robvondoom

I've only watched the first half of the show but the opening three way between Cedric Alexander, Andrew Everett and Trevor Lee from PWG Mystery Vortex 2 was quite excellent. Trevor Lee is definitely one to watch.

robvondoom

Young Bucks Vs Red Dragon from ROH War of the Worlds. Outstanding stuff. Really enjoyed Nakamura/Steen also.

gnfnrhead

robvondoom wrote: »

I've only watched the first half of the show but the opening three way between Cedric Alexander, Andrew Everett and Trevor Lee from PWG Mystery Vortex 2 was quite excellent. Trevor Lee is definitely one to watch.

A hundred times this. It was absolutely incredible and put the likes of Ricochet to shame. That is how you do a spot fest.

robvondoom

gnfnrhead wrote: »

It was absolutely incredible and put the likes of Ricochet to shame

Sweet Jesus, that 3 way tag match from later in the show with him and AR Fox. It actually wasn't too bad, but then it just kept going and going and going. The real highlight was hearing someone in the crowd sarcastically asking Rich Swann "So, all night long eh?".

gnfnrhead

robvondoom wrote: »

Sweet Jesus, that 3 way tag match from later in the show with him and AR Fox. It actually wasn't too bad, but then it just kept going and going and going. The real highlight was hearing someone in the crowd sarcastically asking Rich Swann "So, all night long eh?".

Thought you were exaggerating but you werent. Good God, I thought that match would never end. Feel bad for Elgin being stuck with them.

Hero vs Ciampa was brilliant though. Two great matches but for very different reasons.

robvondoom

Aw, indeed man. I was so burnt out I shut the show off so as not to ruin the main events for myself. Been loving Hero's matches since he returned. He's added so many little things to his repertoire, Regal-isms I guess you could call them. Body shape be damned, the guy is one of the very best at the moment.

rovert

Ambrose vs Sheamus from two weeks ago is gaining a following in smark cycles as the great slept on WWE TV match of 2014:

robvondoom

Very decent match, pretty much ruined by the commentary team's complete inability to convey urgency, excitement or indeed anything of any relevance or benefit to the match itself. Just an apathetic, droning mush of catchphrases, buzz words and clichés along with constant reminders of things that happened recently. I'm at the point where I feel like literally begging WWE to give me a Saxton/Regal play by play/colour combination. Christ, at this stage I'd take an Adamle/Tenay booth over these b@stards any day of the week.

Mr.Saturn

robvondoom wrote: »

Very decent match, pretty much ruined by the commentary team's complete inability to convey urgency, excitement or indeed anything of any relevance or benefit to the match itself. Just an apathetic, droning mush of catchphrases, buzz words and clichés along with constant reminders of things that happened recently. I'm at the point where I feel like literally begging WWE to give me a Saxton/Regal play by play/colour combination. Christ, at this stage I'd take an Adamle/Tenay booth over these b@stards any day of the week.

It'd be the same **** cause they're all going be produced by the same chap. An announcer shuffle would just change the puppets.

BohsJohnny

Ishii vs Ibushi from today New Japan show,Ishii is on some roll this year and imo he's far and away the best in the world so far this year.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1wmaqj_never-openweight-title-match-tomohiro-ishii-c-vs-kota-ibushi-njpw-5-25-14_sport

rovert

The main event on that show of AJ Styles vs Okada main event is certainly worth recommending too.

rovert

From the new Observer Ishii vs Ibushi netted a well deserved ****3/4 and Dave said that Ishii has to be the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year so far.

The #1 contender tag match got ****, and Okada/Styles ****1/2.

rovert

The New Japan Best of Super Juniors 2014 finals:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ywoce_njpw-best-of-super-juniors-2014-finals-ricochet-vs-kushida_sport

rovert

Lads if you haven't seen this watch it before Raw:

rovert

Kota Ibushi vs Ricochet:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zyt9o_kota-ibushi-vs-ricochet-njpw-dominion-6-21-2014_sport#from=embediframe

Hard one to give a pre-ample to. Going in people thought it was the biggest New Japan Super Juniors (Cristerweight/X-Division) title match in ten years with every reason. It was argued it should have headlined the PPV. However it JUST was ****1/4-****1/2. For shame.

Shorter than expected so you would have assume they are building up to a bigger match down the road.

Machismo Fan

I thought it was every bit as good as I was expecting. That Super Frankensteiner spot was bonkers. The opener and the Shibata/Goto tag on that show are great aswell.

rovert

The Young Bucks tag match:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zzaxl_time-splitters-alex-shelley-kushida-vs-the-young-bucks-njpw-dominion-6-21-2014_sport

Wouldn't go as far as Dave did by about a half a star but it is an epic.

gnfnrhead

I hate 1/4 stars. 1/2 is loads, just leave it at that. Otherwise we'll end up with ****7/8 ratings in the future.

rovert

Ok.

gnfnrhead

rovert wrote: »

Ok.

Great contribution.

rovert

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Great contribution.

That's rich.

The thread is about Best Matches. Star ratings are a reference point nothing more.

Feel free to comment on or post matches.

Ape Lincoln

Think quarter and half star ratings are daft myself. The system Meltzer/Cornette popularised is the only one of its kind I've seen th use them in (as opposed to film ratings for eg.) But Rovert's spot on, they are merely a reference point and one I often find helpful.

gnfnrhead

rovert wrote: »

That's rich.

The thread is about Best Matches. Star ratings are a reference point nothing more.

Feel free to comment on or post matches.

I commented about the system used for rating matches. You responded like an ass. If you have nothing to say, dont say anything.

rovert

gnfnrhead wrote: »

I commented about the system used for rating matches. You responded like an ass. If you have nothing to say, dont say anything.

Nah you are just doing your recently acquired non-constructive contrarian schtick.

Like the TNA thread the other night you would be better off explaining yourself in a thoughtful or respectful manner. Not looking for essays either.

gnfnrhead

rovert wrote: »

Nah you are just doing your recently acquired non-constructive contrarian schtick.

Like the TNA thread the other night you would be better off explaining yourself in a thoughtful or respectful manner. Not looking for essays either.

What exactly is their to explain?

I said I hate the 1/4 stars in ratings. They arent needed. I always ignore the quarter star ratings and round off to halves. 10 possible grades (11 if you count 0) so it's a straightforward 1-10 scale. The vast majority of stuff, be it music, movies, whatever, is rated out of ten. Quarter stars are just being incredibly picky.

rovert

The match of moment among hardcore fans.

Would love to make a reaction video of some of you lads watching it though.

Two men in short trunks grappling British style in front of an intimate audience of other men in a small warehouse:

Not something you want other people walking in on.

Seriously if you like Cesaro, William Regal, World of Sport etc you will love this.

BohsJohnny

Just watched it great stuff easily in my top ten matches of the year so far really hard hitting strikes and superb chain wrestling but as Rovert says it's not for everybody.

BohsJohnny

Catching up on some stuff i didn't get around to watching from earlier in year and came across this from DDT in Japan

DDT HARASHIMA (C) vs Masa Takahashi KO-D Openweight Title 2/23/14

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1fshsp_ddt-into-the-fight-2014-23-02-2014-2-2_sport (about 25 minutes in)

I'd seen this touted as a potential motyc in some places but had never really heard of the two guys before,all i can say is imo it's definitely a motyc some really good matwork for the first half of the match leading to some nice elbows and slap exchanges to one of the most brutal finishes i have seen in years really good stuff here.

rovert

Top 10 WWE matches this year according to wwe.com.

10. Ziggler vs Bad News Barrett- Raw June 23

9.Daniel Bryan vs Triple H- WM 30

8. Orton vs Bryan vs Cena vs Cesaro vs Sheamus vs Christian (Elimination Chamber)

7. John Cena vs Cesaro- Raw Feb 17

6. Daniel Bryan vs Bray Wyatt- Royal Rumble

5. The Shield vs Evolution- Payback

4. Sami Zayn vs Cesaro- NXT ArRival

3. Orton vs Batista vs Daniel Bryan- WM 30

2. Natalya vs Charlotte- NXT Takeover

1. The Shield vs The Wyatts- Elimination Chamber

It has been a good half year

gnfnrhead

Cena vs Cesaro should be way higher. I'd probably have it number one or two, but it should definitely be top three.

robvondoom

Cesaro and Orton had a match in February that would be on that list if only it hadn't happened on Smackdown. No Zayn/Breeze is kind of a travesty and all. Still though, the fact there's a bunch of matches that should be on the list is pretty great.

rovert

From this morning's New Japan G-1 Tournament opening day:

Katsuyori Shibata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, G1 Climax Night 1, 7/21/14
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma, G1 Climax Night 1, 7/21/14
AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada, G1 Climax Night 1, 7/21/14

It was better than Battleground!

Furious-Red

I also would have swapped HHH/Bryan with Bryan/Orton/Batista

rovert

On that AJ Styles vs Okada match:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x21ui8q_g1-climax-2014-block-b-match-aj-styles-vs-kazuchika-okada_sport

Meltzer raved about it. Saying it was the best AJ Styles he has ever seen in terms of ring generalship and in athleticism. Fully expect it to be 7 stars in the Observer Newsletter this week. Personally had it at **** - it is VERY good with some cool "Wrestlemania" vibes.

Scavenger XIII

Ambrose vs Rollins at Battleground.

...


Oh wait... :pac:

Machismo Fan

On the Styles/Okada match, it is very good but I thought most of the other top matches on the show were better than it. Certainly wouldn't rave about it or anything.

rovert

Just watch the G1 ok

BohsJohnny

LISTEN TO THE MAN.

rovert

BohsJohnny wrote: »

LISTEN TO THE MAN.

AND THEN I WATCHED AJ Styles vs Minuro Suzuki:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22lrf2_g1-climax-24-block-b-match-aj-styles-vs-minoru-suzuki_sport

The most cerebral and one of bestes match I've seen this year. People are giving this a sincere ****3/4-***** rating.

BohsJohnny

rovert wrote: »

AND THEN I WATCHED AJ Styles vs Minuro Suzuki:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22lrf2_g1-climax-24-block-b-match-aj-styles-vs-minoru-suzuki_sport

The most cerebral and one of bestes match I've seen this year. People are giving this a sincere ****3/4-***** rating.

Gave it ****1/2 myself but wouldn't dismiss anyone who rated it higher then me also gave Nakamura vs Ishii ****3/4.

Really everything from the Tenzan vs Goto match onwards was good to great,i didn't think this year could reach last years levels but i really am enjoying this year more so far.

Machismo Fan

Why has Suzuki been wasting so much of his time with Yano? Bunch of great matches on the latest show again. Loved Nagata/Shibata myself. I'm not usually a fan of the whole "If you don't watch X then you're not really a fan of X" but...if you don't watch the G1 then you clearly don't like loads of really awesome wrestling.

den87

First time posting here in the wrestling forum, watched AJ/Suzuki going by what I read here, what a match. An absolute war.

rovert

den87 wrote: »

First time posting here in the wrestling forum, watched AJ/Suzuki going by what I read here, what a match. An absolute war.

If you liked Suzuki here watch this match with Tanahashi is probably the best match of 2012 Worldwide:

Post match spoiler that reveals the genius of the match

in contrast to most of big match Wrestling of the modern era this match had no endless array of nearfalls as a shortcut

den87

Thanks man. Any other matches from G1 Climax worth checking out?

rovert

den87 wrote: »

Thanks man. Any other matches from G1 Climax worth checking out?

There's like 4-5 must see matches every night and were are up to Night 7 and Night 8 is live tomorrow morning our time.

It is easier for me to tell people to watch the whole yoke.

rovert

Voices of Wrestling: http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/ and Sean Radican's PWTorch reviews: http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/radicanstake/cat_index_35.shtml

Are probably the best sources on filtering out the bad/average matches. The quick and dirty rule is that the best matches tend to be in the second half/post intermission. But even still every competitor has a story in the competition so you have to take notice to everyone to some degree. One Wrestler has one won once after 7 matches and he is among the most over for example.

rovert

Meltzer:

It was the best tournament ever prior to Friday. It's something completely beyond that now.

Some more comments here:
https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/496138087487901697

Also from the Observer's Daily Update:

--The last two nights were not just two of the best shows of the year, but they're probably two of the five best shows I've ever seen. This is the greatest tournament in pro wrestling history and it's not even a close call. Last years' was the best I'd ever seen and this year blows away last year.

I haven't even watched the most recent and what people are saying is the best night Night 8. There's another show this morning own time.

gnfnrhead

Last year someone somewhere kindly put together a torrent of the best matches. I think it was about 30 matches in total. I was waiting for that again but it sounds like this year it would be easier to list the matches to skip and watch everything else.