2020's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Sports Argument Stadium > The Hammer House: Stinger Splash Zone > 2020's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

«‹›3 »

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

HM: Jurassic Express vs. #StrongHearts, AEW Dark, 21/01

Going to second this. Very very good fun.

# ¿ Jan 22, 2020 14:55

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ Apr 26, 2024 12:22

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Moxley, Taguchi and RPG3k vs. Suzuki, Douki, Kanemaru and El Desperado - NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo 2/2

Incredibly fun and full of action with a great pre-match and post-match sequence involving Moxley and Suzuki.

MOTYC: ZSJ (C) vs. Will Ospreay for the RevPro British Undisputed Heavyweight Championship - NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo 2/2

Slow start, really surprising heavy grappling focus to begin from Ospreay and then things really picked up and the transitions and the counters and the incredibly smart and well-timed things both wrestlers did to make BOTH of them look fantastic was just an absolute joy to watch. Incredible match.

Nthing the gently caress out of these

# ¿ Feb 2, 2020 09:47

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

HM: Kenny Omega/Riho vs. Kip Sabien/Penelope Ford, AEW Dark, 04/02

Not only was the wrestling fun but it was really smartly put together. As someone who's not seen much in the way of intergender wrestling it worked as a great blueprint for how to do it without ever feeling uncomfortable.

Nth. They managed to do it without anything feeling "yikes", Riho had some great and convincing spots both of bring in peril from Kip and striking back at him effectively, and the whole thing just felt delightful. The outlaw way it was shot helped too.

# ¿ Feb 5, 2020 10:54

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

blast0rama posted:

MOTYC: The Butcher & The Blade and Lucha Bros (Pentagon & Fenix) vs. Kenny Omega, Hangman Page and the Young Bucks - AEW Dynamite, February 5, 2020.

Nth, this was GREAT.

# ¿ Feb 6, 2020 16:00

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Hiromu Takahashi (C) vs. Ryu Lee for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship - The New Beginning in Osaka - 2/9

This THWAK match THWAK absolutely THWAK ruled THWAK and THWAK these THWAK two THWAK are THWAK just THWAK perfect THWAK against THWAK each THWAK other.

Nth. This match was 7 tittyslaps out of 5

# ¿ Feb 9, 2020 12:19

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Jurassic Express vs. The Dark Order - AEW Dark 2/11

Real fun match, Marko and Jungle Boy work great together and Jungle Boy is gonna be a giant loving star.

Nth

# ¿ Feb 12, 2020 10:40

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Punch McLightning posted:

MOTYC: Page/Omega vs. SCU, Dynamite 2/12

no joke, you could say this was a five star match and i wouldn't argue

Nth

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: Riho (C) vs. Nyla Rose for the AEW Women's Championship - AEW Dynamite 2/12

Absolutely incredible match, even with the stream going down for several minutes in the middle I was still absolutely floored by how good this was.

Nth

Punch McLightning posted:

HM: MJF vs Jungle Boy, Dynamite 2/12

Nth

Hell of a show.

# ¿ Feb 13, 2020 10:55

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

HM: Tag Team Battle Royale, AEW Dynamite, 19/02
HM: Kris Statlander vs. Shanna, AEW Dynamite, 19/02
MOTYC: Lucha Bros vs. Kenny Omega/Hangman Page, AEW Dynamite, 19/02
HM: Cody vs. Wardlow, AEW Dynamite, 19/02

Nthing these. Jeffu versus Jonathan was fun, but not quite HM level for me.

# ¿ Feb 20, 2020 10:57

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Question: does the Kagetsu Gauntlet (Arisa Hoshiki, AZM, Bea Priestley, Death Yama-san, Giulia, Hana Kimura, Hina, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Itsuki Hoshino, Jamie Hayter, Jungle Kyona, Konami, Leo Onozaki, Mayu Iwatani, Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora, Rina, Ruaka, Saki Kashima, Saya Iida, Saya Kamitani, Starlight Kid, Syuri, Tam Nakano & Utami Hayashishita vs. Kagetsu, Stardom New Year Stars 2020 Night 6, February 15) count as one match or 25 matches (it was 25 one minute bouts pitting Kagetsu against the Stardom roster)

Because if one match I'd like to say:

HM: Arisa Hoshiki, AZM, Bea Priestley, Death Yama-san, Giulia, Hana Kimura, Hina, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Itsuki Hoshino, Jamie Hayter, Jungle Kyona, Konami, Leo Onozaki, Mayu Iwatani, Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora, Rina, Ruaka, Saki Kashima, Saya Iida, Saya Kamitani, Starlight Kid, Syuri, Tam Nakano & Utami Hayashishita vs. Kagetsu, Stardom New Year Stars 2020 Night 6, February 15

What an incredibly fun spectacle.

# ¿ Feb 24, 2020 23:06

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Chris James 2 posted:

MOTYC: PAC vs Kenny Omega, half-hour ironman match, AEW Dynamite 2/26

Nth. So incredibly good.

# ¿ Feb 27, 2020 04:02

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Veryslightlymad posted:

Uh, for those of us that work those hours, is there any way to legally watch past AEW matches?

If you're in the US you should be able to use the Watch TNT app

# ¿ Feb 27, 2020 19:18

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Dimebags Brain posted:

HM: Darby/Guevara
HM: Mox/Jericho
MOTYC: PAC/Orange Cassidy
MOTY: Hangman & Omega / Young Bucks

Nth to all of these.

# ¿ Mar 1, 2020 07:10

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Thanlis posted:

HM: Will Ospreay vs. Bea Priestley, WrestleTalk No Fans Monday 3/16

Lack of audience hurts but this was an admirable effort.

Nth, this was very very good.

# ¿ Mar 16, 2020 23:00

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Dango Bango posted:

HM: Kris Statlander vs. Riho vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford - AEW Dynamite 3/18

They busted their asses for this one. Still think it's worth an HM despite the botch.

In any circumstance this would have been a good four-way match. In this circumstance, it was a great one. Nth.

# ¿ Mar 19, 2020 12:04

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

jesus WEP posted:

a warning slap to back down someone trying to intimidate you isn�t bullying in any way wtf

Exactly. Sabian is hostile first, lays hands on Colt first. Colt tries to move him away, gets shoved, and then settles it with a slap. It was actually pretty good character work as everyone acted like you'd expect them to act. Sabian was a yappy snarly dog, Cold was cocky rather than bullying, and now we have a story to follow.

(anyway, this is more a topic for the AEW thread so I'll stop now)

# ¿ Mar 20, 2020 08:45

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Kenny Omega vs. Sammy Guevara, AEW Dynamite, 25/03

Going with MOTYC because in the context of an empty arena show at a time when the world is absolutely hosed they crushed it. Can't wait for when they have a proper series together once we're back to normal.

Nthing the gently caress out of this. Sammy was asked to play a big boy role and he played the hell out of it. Any smart promoter looking at this (and AEW is smart) will look at this as Sammy's calling card for bigger things.

# ¿ Mar 26, 2020 14:01

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Kenny has nine this year so far. Kenny Omega individually has almost twice as many match of the year candidates than WWE.

# ¿ Mar 27, 2020 16:27

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Naito, Okada, and Omega also have the odd distinction of each having got two MOTYCs on different dates at the same arena (Naito and Okada at Tokyo Dome, Omega at Daily's Place. This is relatively uncommon for American promotions who don't have a Korauken Hall.

# ¿ Mar 27, 2020 16:35

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

In fairness I don't think Hangman has even had any singles matches yet this year

He had a couple on the Jericho cruise but they didn't air anywhere.

# ¿ Mar 27, 2020 22:04

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Dango Bango posted:

MOTYC: Lance Archer vs. Marko Stunt, AEW Dynamite 4/1

I'm not kidding with this nomination.

Nth. The platonic ideal of a squash match. Marko was destroyed not because he's bad but because Archer is unstoppable. Only thing it was missing was the rope walk spot, and I think Marko might just be too short for that.

# ¿ Apr 2, 2020 09:02

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

Well I never thought I'd say this, but thanks to Marko Stunt, AEW has now surpassed New Japan as having the most MOTYCs this year.

Congratulations to Lance Archer for joining Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho in the list of people who have had MOTYCs this year for both AEW and NJPW.

# ¿ Apr 2, 2020 12:48

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

karmicknight posted:

Has anyone else had matches in both aside from those three this year?

Only one I can think of is Jeff Cobb.

# ¿ Apr 2, 2020 13:06

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Quantum of Phallus posted:

It was so good hearing Excalibur on commentary again

If they're doing taped matches, I hope they take the opportunity to get Excalibur to call a few. Not sure how practical a two man booth would be over the web, but getting Taz on there too would be good.

# ¿ Apr 7, 2020 10:25

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

HM: Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker, AEW Dynamite, 08/04
HM: Best Friends vs. Kenny Omega/Michael Naka-Naka-NAKAzawa, AEW Dynamite, 08/04

Would love to go MOTYC for Shida/Britt cause the spots were great and it flowed really well but Britt's still a bit too rough around the edges for that. She's on her way though, definitely her best match in AEW to date.

Nth to both of these. In the last three weeks Kenny has given us a Triple A match, a New Japan match, and now a DDT match.

Britt is getting so much better. I REALLY disliked her for the longest time, but they flipped the switch and let her grow in her character. AEW really can get any old weird seed to grow.

# ¿ Apr 9, 2020 14:53

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

oh but seriously I posted:

You've not made it until your TonyTron has a skull on it.

I have good news.

Only registered members can see post attachments!

# ¿ Apr 9, 2020 22:48

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Cerebral Bore posted:

HM: Scorpio Sky vs Brandon Cutler vs Peter Avalon BTE Episode 199

A real solid match with some real solid storytelling.

Nth. Very good comedy match, and Brandon Cutler can move. This is the one good losing streak angle in wrestling.

# ¿ Apr 13, 2020 20:12

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

What's the date? 4/13?

Aired 4/13

Per Cagematch, taped 3/31 https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=261753

# ¿ Apr 14, 2020 15:53

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Cerebral Bore posted:

MOTYC: Matt Jackson vs Nick Jackson BTE episode 200

Nth. For what it was trying to be, this was essentially flawless.

# ¿ Apr 20, 2020 19:24

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Le Sex Gods vs. Kenny Omega/Matt Hardy, AEW Dynamite, 06/05

First half was an HM but once they got out onto the concourse it became amazing

Nthing the gently caress out of this. Every aspect of it was how you do a fun chaotic street fight.

# ¿ May 7, 2020 09:16

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Rarity posted:

MOTYC: Casino Ladder Match, AEW Double or Nothing, 23/05

Jerusalem posted:

HM: Jungle Boy Jack Perry vs. MJF - AEW Double or Nothing 2020 5/23

These two are so young and SO talented it's insane. They exhibit control and poise and timing so far beyond their years, what a match.

Punch McLightning posted:

MOTYC: Shida vs. Rose

jesus WEP posted:

HM: Jon Moxley vs Brodie Lee, AEW DoN 2020

Jerusalem posted:

MOTYC: The Stadium Stampede Match - AEW Double or Nothing 5/23

What a ridiculous, stupid, over-the-top, nonsensical, beautiful, glorious, delightful match. It's almost worth nominating for the Matt Hardy Pool of Reincarnation stuff alone

Nth to all these.

Jesus CHRIST, what a SHOW. The worst matches on the show or preshow were still okay, and the best were absolutely amazing.

# ¿ May 24, 2020 11:05

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Jerusalem posted:

I'm not exactly sure what this match is? Is it Ashino vs. Kodama? Or Ashino & Kodama against somebody else?

Looks like this one:

"Enfants Terribles (Shotaro Ashino & Yusuke Kodama) defeat JIN (Jake Lee & Koji Iwamoto) (10:25)"

From "AJPW All Japan Pro Wrestling Broadcast 2020 #3"

https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=267838

# ¿ Jun 3, 2020 06:26

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Punch McLightning posted:

HM: Colt Cabana vs. Chris Jericho, Dynamite 6/3

Crapple! posted:

HM: Omega and Page vs Havoc and Sabian, Dynamite June 3

HM: Cody vs Jungle Boy, Dynamite June 3

Nth for all of these. Seeing Colt work serious and turn it up against Jericho was great. Seeing Kenny and Hangman elevate their opponents was great. Seeing Jungle Boy become a legit singles contender was great. This show was great.

# ¿ Jun 4, 2020 11:23

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Chris James 2 posted:

https://streamable.com/zm0bxb ......nth

When you see one (1) Riptide match and think "I see how they do this"

# ¿ Jun 8, 2020 13:06

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

sportsgenius86 posted:

Also, HM: Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford & Nyla Rose, AEW Dynamite 6/10

Dango Bango posted:

Also, HM: Sammy Guevara vs. Colt Cabana, AEW Dynamite 6/10

Dango Bango posted:

HM: Marq Quen vs. Cody, AEW Dynamite 6/10

AEW makes another star

Nth to all these. This night was all bangers, no clangers.

# ¿ Jun 11, 2020 07:48

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Punch McLightning posted:

HM: Cowboy Bebop vs. The Old and the Restless, Dynamite tonight

Aye Doc posted:

HM: Best Friends vs. Le Sex Gods, AEW Dynamite 6/17/20

this was a good match that was elevated by the super hot angle after

Nth to both of these. Neither quite hit MOTCY but both were solid and enjoyable.

Also going to add:

HM: Cody Rhodes vs Ricky Starks, AEW Dynamite 6/17/20

This was everything I wanted out of a 20 minute TV title match. Great showing from Starks, who has unlimited upside.

Lamuella fucked around with this message at 11:08 on Jun 18, 2020

# ¿ Jun 18, 2020 11:05

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Benne posted:

MOTYC: Shingo Takagi vs. SHO, New Japan Cup 6/22

Best match of the Cup so far

Late to this because I'm waiting for English commentary (I like Kevin) but a huge Nth for this. Holy crap, this was some amazing lionhearted beef bashing.

# ¿ Jun 23, 2020 22:08

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Benne posted:

HM: Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus, AEW Dynamite 6/24

Exactly the kind of dumb fun and dumber spots you want from a lumberjack match

Dango Bango posted:

HM: FTR vs. SCU, AEW Dynamite 6/24

Four dudes working their asses off.

Nths. Great matches.

# ¿ Jun 25, 2020 07:27

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

Burn Down Canberra posted:

All from the nj cup 24/6

HM : Makabe v Ishii
Hm: Hiromu v Yano
Hm: Okada v Nagata

drat close to going motyc for Okada v Nagata it was a beauty of a HW match. Excellent night of matches

nth, nth, and nth. Makabe vs Ishii was the absolute shitkicking I needed from these monsters.

# ¿ Jun 27, 2020 12:32

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

oh but seriously I posted:

HM Low Rida & Fuego del Sol vs. The Butcher & The Blade, AEW DARK JUN 30 American Time

Gnarly

Nth. This was an incredibly enjoyable mugging

Cerebral Bore posted:

HM: Young Bucks vs Brandon Cutler & Peter Avalon AEW Dark 30.06

Started a bit slow but when it picked up it got good as all hell.

Nth. The Avalon / Cutler story is a delight.

# ¿ Jul 1, 2020 09:01

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ Apr 26, 2024 12:22

Lamuella: Jun 26, 2003; It's like goldy or bronzy, but made of iron.

The Berzerker posted:

HM Jurassic Express vs MJF and Wardlow - Fyter Fest Night 1, July 1 2020

You get an Nth

Dango Bango posted:

MOTYC: Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford: AEW Fyter Fest 7/1

I promise I'm trying not to MOTYC everything

And you get an Nth

SHVPS4DETH posted:

HM: Proud and Powerful vs Private Party: AEW Fyter Fest Night 1, 7/1/2020

And YOU get an Nth

Chris James 2 posted:

MOTYC: Kenny Omega and Hangman Page (c) vs Best Friends for the tag titles, AEW Fyter Fest Night 1 7/1

And you know what this mfer gets? An Nth.

# ¿ Jul 2, 2020 09:08

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Sports Argument Stadium > The Hammer House: Stinger Splash Zone > 2020's Best and Worst Pro-Wrestling Matches of the Year (plus Recommended)

«‹›3 »