Matt's Mat Musings: My 100 Favourite Wrestling Matches, Part 8
While a lot of this list is subjective, I'm confident in saying that every entry on this instalment is a definite Match Of The Year candidate.
30) Royal Rumble Match
WWE Royal Rumble 2020
Every year, the Royal Rumble is one of the most anticipated events on the WWE calender and this is entirely thanks to the match of the same name. For anyone who might not know, the Royal Rumble match is a contest between 30 wrestlers, who enter at timed intervals, with eliminations occuring when a competitor is thrown over the top rope and both feet conect with the floor. In additition, since 1993 it has been tradition that the winner of the match gets a highly sought after championship match at the company's biggest show of the year, WrestleMania. Most of the enjoyment of the show comes from unexpected entries into the match, or confrontations between talent on different shows, to be completely honest the matches themselves are very rarely of a high quality. This is mostly due to the difficulty of weaving a compelling narrative around so many competitors but also the fact that the match has had over 30 installments make creativity even more of a challenge. With all this in mind I can honestly say that I believe the 2020 edition of the show was the best Royal Rumble Match ever. The first act of the match builds magnificently around the dominance of WWE's very own Thanos, Brock Lesnar. Many critics dismiss Lesnar as repetitive or boring, but few wrestlers have as strong a grasp of their in-ring character as Lesnar and the range of emotions he shows in the first 25 minutes as he reacts to each new entrant is impressive. The second act of the plays out with a heightened sense of drama and the feeling that almsot anyone could now come out as victor, climaxing with one of the most emotional surprise entrants in Rumble history. The conclusion of the match is built around 4 of the companies biggest stars of the last 20 years and delivers absolutely in the climax. I've already watched this match several times this year and I'm sure I'll watch it a few more before 2020 is done.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7r4tph
29) Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
WWF In Your House: Revenge Of The Taker 1997
Intellectually I know that the collisions between these two men at Survivor Series 1996 and WrestleMania XIII were "better" matches, but the heart wants what the heart wants and as a result this is my favourite one on one confrontation between these two wrestling legends. Bret Hart had recently embraced the negative crowd reactions he had been getting and in the process had completely reinvigorated his character. The distinctive ring style that had earned him the moniker "excellence of execution" was given an extra edge of viciousness with his change in moral alignment. It also refreshed his matches with Austin, as the previously villainous 'Stone Cold' became more of a true underdog anti-hero, having to face off not just with Hart, but also the extended Hart family (at this stage composed of Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith). This is the match where each man's new roles in the company became crystalised and after 6 months of build has a greater degree of intensity than the average wrestling rivalry. This is the last one on one confrontation between these men on this list. but not the last we'll see of the Austin-Hart war.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vl9xt
28) Randy Orton vs Batista vs Daniel Bryan
WWE WrestleMania XXX 2014
There's a popular quote that states, "it's not the destination, it's the journey", and while that may be true in many cases, with regards to the main event of WrestleMania 30, it was very much the destination that mattered. In November 2013, with an abundance of cash from Student Finance, I decided to buy myself an early Christmas present and attend my first live WrestleMania. At that stage, there were no matches announced but the rumours suggested a confrontation between Randy Orton and Batista was in the plans. Now the prospect of this match did absolutely nothing for me but I was going for the spectacle of the show so I wasn't that bothered. It was with stunned excitement then in early 2014 as I watched the WWE audience hijack the company's plans for the show and basically force them to add sentimental favourite Daniel Bryan to the mix. I'd followed Bryan for around 10 years at that stage, and he was easily my favourite wrestler, but I never dreamed he'd make it to the main event, let alone at a show I was attending. Yet make it to the main event he did, and not only that but he won the whole damn thing. The outpouring of emotion at the final bell was very genuine that night, and while the match itself is nothing that special, the outcome is all I ever remember. Daniel Bryan's journey to WrestleMania was an emotional rollercoaster, but the destination of him being crowned undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion was a moment I will never, ever forget.
Highlights: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x55wjn
27) Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio
WCW Halloween Havoc 1997
In 1997, WCW had supplanted WWF as the biggest wrestling promotion in the world and while a lot of their success could be attributed to their main event players, it was the talent WCW had further down the card that kept fans like me coming back. Much like how the NWO storyline had been "borrowed" by Eric Bischoff from the mid-90's NJPW vs UWFI storyline, WCW filled up it's midcard roster with many of the best young workers from around the world such as; Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and Chris Jericho from ECW, Ultimo Dragon from Japan and Rey Misterio, Psichosis and other cruiserweights from AAA. That pool of talent would put on a seeingly undending series of quality matches, but none would ever better this iconic confrontation between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Misterio for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. Guerrero had by this stage become one of the most hated villains in the company, while Misterio was a natural babyface. Adding further drama to the match was the excellent lucha libre expert Mike Tenay on commentary, and Rey's mask being on the line. These are two of the most talented wrestlers to ever perform and this is not only the best match they would ever have, but one of the best WCW matches of all time.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz7c4q
26) John Cena vs CM Punk
WWE Money In The Bank 2011
In June 2005, it was widely known that ROH stalwart CM Punk had signed with WWE. It was a huge surprise then when on his "last" match in the company, Punk defeated Austin Aries to capture. Of greater surprise after the match was the speech Punk made, promptly turning himself heel and pledging to take the ROH title with him to WWE. The subsequent ROH title defences Punk made through to losing the title in August became known as the "Summer Of Punk" and is widely considered to be one of the best storylines of the year. Six years later, CM Punk would reenact this storyline only this time with the WWE Championship. In 2011, Punk was deeply unhappy with his position in the company, and was planning on letting his contract expire. It was a strange, and brilliant, decision then when WWE management began to spotlight Punk in the last few weeks of his contract, allowing him to show the charisma and personality that made him a star in ROH. This would culminate in Punk challenging John Cena at Money In The Bank. The company would subsequently squander the potential of this storyline, but at the show itself, in front of a Chicago crowd rabidly in support of Punk, all concerned overdelivered and created one of the most dramatic and iconic WWE Championship matches of all time.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkn0g4
25) Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe
TNA Genesis 2006
Kurt Angle has been featured in more 'Dream Matches' then just about anyone else in the modern era of wrestling, but I honestly don't think any were better than this. Kurt Angle left WWE in August 2006 under a cloud of controversy relating to injuries and alleged painkiller addiction. The announcement then a month later of his arrival in TNA was met with mixed feelings. As exciting a prospect as it was for Angle to face the very best TNA had to offer, was he fit enough to perform. In contrast, Samoa Joe had joined the company in 2005 and despite his independent accolades, wasn't presented as a main eventer from the outset. Instead Joe embarked upon an undeafted streak that would last over a year and carry him into this contest with Angle. The first confrontation between the two men on TNA Impact was so heated and effective that it would be repeated in slighty different form in both men's subsequent careers. The match itself more than lives up to the anticipation created in the build up and firmly established both men as the future of TNA, with Angle in particularly being the star of the show for most of the next decade.
The First Confrontation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnpp2VFO-VA
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vrhrz
24) Sami Zayn vs Cesaro (Best 2 Out Of 3 Falls)
NXT TV (August) 2013
For the first year of its existence NXT was very much just an extension of the WWE's previous development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. However, that identity began to change with the signing to the company of Sami Zayn. On the independent scene, Zayn had made a name for himself as the consumate high-flyer 'El Generico', but success in WWE was far from guaranteed. Nobody knows this better than Zayn's opponent in this match, Cesaro, who seemingly possesses every quality the company could ask for but has never been given the opportunities his size and talent would seem to merit. On his debut in NXT, Zayn scored a surprise victory over Cesaro in an impromptu match but the "Swiss Superman" even the scored in a rematch several weeks later. A conclusive match between the two was soon made under NXT's foremost stipulation, the 'Best 2 Out Of 3 Falls' match. Even with high expectations, these two men managed to surpass anything they had done berfore and this match didn't just put Sami Zayn on the map, it established NXT as a brand to watch in its own right. This is possibly the most important match in the history of development of WWE's third brand, and easily one of its best.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13hjyl
23) Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair vs Asuka (TLC Match)
WWE TLC 2018
I've talked a lot about the evolution of Women's wrestling in WWE and this match is an important stop on the way to the first ever WrestleMania main event to feature all female competitors. From 2013 to 2018, Becky Lynch had been the most overlooked of NXT's 'Four Horsewomen' despite having much more experience. Indeed her first run as a pro-wrestler from 2002 to 2006 ended several years before any of the other 3 'Horsewomen' (Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Bayley) even began their training. Her return to wrestling in 2013 saw her relearn her craft alongside a new generation of talent, but she often found her self in an enhancement role. Even her run as the first Smackdown Women's Champion is better remembered for her losing the championship to Alexa Bliss. From 2017 to August 2018, Lynch was used entirely as a supporting player and were it not for the charisma and creativity she displayed on social media during this period, her career might never have recovered. Yet she established such an unwavering connection with the WWE audience that when she brutally attacked her real life best friend Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018 she was met with overwhelming support by the crowd in attendance. Subsequent attempts to make Becky more villainous only added to her popularity and following an unplanned injury in November, she became easily the biggest star in the company. A month later at TLC, Becky put her Smackdown Women's Title on the line against two of the most dominant female competitors, Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a TLC match that would rightfully main event the show. As an added bonus, I've also included the unplanned injury that kept Becky out of her match against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series, but would subsequently help fuel the main event of WrestleMania 35.
Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56i8xCGQ3Tc
Bonus Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UJDVEBAYg
22) Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa (Unsanctioned Match)
NXT Takeover: New Orleans 2018
The rivalry between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa is easily NXT's longest running storyline, and in my opinion, its best. It begins in 2015 when the two men, despite not being signed to WWE contracts, were entered into the inaugural 'Dusty Rhodes Classic Tag Team Tournament'. Though they were unsuccessful in the tournament, they made repeated appearances over the next 8 months, primarily as enhancement talent, before both were entered into the 'Cruiserweight Classic' Tournament. Facing each other in the first round. Gargano and Ciampa delivered one of the most memorable matches of the tournament, and really invested the audience in their tag team. They would then go on to win the NXT Tag Team Titles (I'll discuss this in more detail next time) before ultimately splitting up in May 2017 after Ciampa attacked Gargano following a losing effort to reclaim the belts. An injured sustained by Ciampa in that match would delay the inevitably collision indefinitely, but his return in January followed by further altercations would finally lead to an 'Unsanctioned' match between the two at NXT Takeover: New Orleans. Now this storyline wouldn't have its "final" climax until April 2020 but this first collision between Gargano and Ciampa in 2018 was easily the most heated and earned its place as the main event of that nights show. Excellent storytelling from all involved.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6higbo
21) Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 2017
The first 6 star match. The bout that broke the 'Meltzer Scale'. The greatest match of all time. A lot has been said about this match and, to be honest, I can't honestly say that I agreed with the hype at the time. I've spoken about Kazuchika Okada already on this list, but Kenny Omega deserves plaudits of his own. Prior to joining NJPW in 2014, Omega was a hugely talented athlete mostly known for his comedy focused matches in Japan's DDT promotion. However from 2014 to 2018, Omega built himself a reputation as the "Best Bout Machine", who could have the best match of any show he was on. Yet, when Okada and Omega clashed at Wrestle Kingdom 11, there was still some question as to whether or not Omega could match Okada's level. Now key to the understanding of each man's success is appreciation for storytelling in pro-wrestling. Okada's true gift, is his ability to subtley portray a wide array of emotion throughout a match through his body language and facial expressions. Omega on the otherhand, plays his emotions far broader. When he misjudges it, Omega can seem hammy or camp, but in the right circumstances he can up the drama of a contest exponentially. Put these two men together and they produce something special. This match isn't the best the two would have, but did it elevate pro-wrestling's potential to new heights.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x58fxo5
30) Royal Rumble Match
WWE Royal Rumble 2020
Every year, the Royal Rumble is one of the most anticipated events on the WWE calender and this is entirely thanks to the match of the same name. For anyone who might not know, the Royal Rumble match is a contest between 30 wrestlers, who enter at timed intervals, with eliminations occuring when a competitor is thrown over the top rope and both feet conect with the floor. In additition, since 1993 it has been tradition that the winner of the match gets a highly sought after championship match at the company's biggest show of the year, WrestleMania. Most of the enjoyment of the show comes from unexpected entries into the match, or confrontations between talent on different shows, to be completely honest the matches themselves are very rarely of a high quality. This is mostly due to the difficulty of weaving a compelling narrative around so many competitors but also the fact that the match has had over 30 installments make creativity even more of a challenge. With all this in mind I can honestly say that I believe the 2020 edition of the show was the best Royal Rumble Match ever. The first act of the match builds magnificently around the dominance of WWE's very own Thanos, Brock Lesnar. Many critics dismiss Lesnar as repetitive or boring, but few wrestlers have as strong a grasp of their in-ring character as Lesnar and the range of emotions he shows in the first 25 minutes as he reacts to each new entrant is impressive. The second act of the plays out with a heightened sense of drama and the feeling that almsot anyone could now come out as victor, climaxing with one of the most emotional surprise entrants in Rumble history. The conclusion of the match is built around 4 of the companies biggest stars of the last 20 years and delivers absolutely in the climax. I've already watched this match several times this year and I'm sure I'll watch it a few more before 2020 is done.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7r4tph
29) Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
WWF In Your House: Revenge Of The Taker 1997
Intellectually I know that the collisions between these two men at Survivor Series 1996 and WrestleMania XIII were "better" matches, but the heart wants what the heart wants and as a result this is my favourite one on one confrontation between these two wrestling legends. Bret Hart had recently embraced the negative crowd reactions he had been getting and in the process had completely reinvigorated his character. The distinctive ring style that had earned him the moniker "excellence of execution" was given an extra edge of viciousness with his change in moral alignment. It also refreshed his matches with Austin, as the previously villainous 'Stone Cold' became more of a true underdog anti-hero, having to face off not just with Hart, but also the extended Hart family (at this stage composed of Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith). This is the match where each man's new roles in the company became crystalised and after 6 months of build has a greater degree of intensity than the average wrestling rivalry. This is the last one on one confrontation between these men on this list. but not the last we'll see of the Austin-Hart war.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vl9xt
28) Randy Orton vs Batista vs Daniel Bryan
WWE WrestleMania XXX 2014
There's a popular quote that states, "it's not the destination, it's the journey", and while that may be true in many cases, with regards to the main event of WrestleMania 30, it was very much the destination that mattered. In November 2013, with an abundance of cash from Student Finance, I decided to buy myself an early Christmas present and attend my first live WrestleMania. At that stage, there were no matches announced but the rumours suggested a confrontation between Randy Orton and Batista was in the plans. Now the prospect of this match did absolutely nothing for me but I was going for the spectacle of the show so I wasn't that bothered. It was with stunned excitement then in early 2014 as I watched the WWE audience hijack the company's plans for the show and basically force them to add sentimental favourite Daniel Bryan to the mix. I'd followed Bryan for around 10 years at that stage, and he was easily my favourite wrestler, but I never dreamed he'd make it to the main event, let alone at a show I was attending. Yet make it to the main event he did, and not only that but he won the whole damn thing. The outpouring of emotion at the final bell was very genuine that night, and while the match itself is nothing that special, the outcome is all I ever remember. Daniel Bryan's journey to WrestleMania was an emotional rollercoaster, but the destination of him being crowned undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion was a moment I will never, ever forget.
Highlights: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x55wjn
27) Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio
WCW Halloween Havoc 1997
In 1997, WCW had supplanted WWF as the biggest wrestling promotion in the world and while a lot of their success could be attributed to their main event players, it was the talent WCW had further down the card that kept fans like me coming back. Much like how the NWO storyline had been "borrowed" by Eric Bischoff from the mid-90's NJPW vs UWFI storyline, WCW filled up it's midcard roster with many of the best young workers from around the world such as; Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and Chris Jericho from ECW, Ultimo Dragon from Japan and Rey Misterio, Psichosis and other cruiserweights from AAA. That pool of talent would put on a seeingly undending series of quality matches, but none would ever better this iconic confrontation between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Misterio for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. Guerrero had by this stage become one of the most hated villains in the company, while Misterio was a natural babyface. Adding further drama to the match was the excellent lucha libre expert Mike Tenay on commentary, and Rey's mask being on the line. These are two of the most talented wrestlers to ever perform and this is not only the best match they would ever have, but one of the best WCW matches of all time.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz7c4q
26) John Cena vs CM Punk
WWE Money In The Bank 2011
In June 2005, it was widely known that ROH stalwart CM Punk had signed with WWE. It was a huge surprise then when on his "last" match in the company, Punk defeated Austin Aries to capture. Of greater surprise after the match was the speech Punk made, promptly turning himself heel and pledging to take the ROH title with him to WWE. The subsequent ROH title defences Punk made through to losing the title in August became known as the "Summer Of Punk" and is widely considered to be one of the best storylines of the year. Six years later, CM Punk would reenact this storyline only this time with the WWE Championship. In 2011, Punk was deeply unhappy with his position in the company, and was planning on letting his contract expire. It was a strange, and brilliant, decision then when WWE management began to spotlight Punk in the last few weeks of his contract, allowing him to show the charisma and personality that made him a star in ROH. This would culminate in Punk challenging John Cena at Money In The Bank. The company would subsequently squander the potential of this storyline, but at the show itself, in front of a Chicago crowd rabidly in support of Punk, all concerned overdelivered and created one of the most dramatic and iconic WWE Championship matches of all time.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkn0g4
25) Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe
TNA Genesis 2006
Kurt Angle has been featured in more 'Dream Matches' then just about anyone else in the modern era of wrestling, but I honestly don't think any were better than this. Kurt Angle left WWE in August 2006 under a cloud of controversy relating to injuries and alleged painkiller addiction. The announcement then a month later of his arrival in TNA was met with mixed feelings. As exciting a prospect as it was for Angle to face the very best TNA had to offer, was he fit enough to perform. In contrast, Samoa Joe had joined the company in 2005 and despite his independent accolades, wasn't presented as a main eventer from the outset. Instead Joe embarked upon an undeafted streak that would last over a year and carry him into this contest with Angle. The first confrontation between the two men on TNA Impact was so heated and effective that it would be repeated in slighty different form in both men's subsequent careers. The match itself more than lives up to the anticipation created in the build up and firmly established both men as the future of TNA, with Angle in particularly being the star of the show for most of the next decade.
The First Confrontation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnpp2VFO-VA
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vrhrz
24) Sami Zayn vs Cesaro (Best 2 Out Of 3 Falls)
NXT TV (August) 2013
For the first year of its existence NXT was very much just an extension of the WWE's previous development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. However, that identity began to change with the signing to the company of Sami Zayn. On the independent scene, Zayn had made a name for himself as the consumate high-flyer 'El Generico', but success in WWE was far from guaranteed. Nobody knows this better than Zayn's opponent in this match, Cesaro, who seemingly possesses every quality the company could ask for but has never been given the opportunities his size and talent would seem to merit. On his debut in NXT, Zayn scored a surprise victory over Cesaro in an impromptu match but the "Swiss Superman" even the scored in a rematch several weeks later. A conclusive match between the two was soon made under NXT's foremost stipulation, the 'Best 2 Out Of 3 Falls' match. Even with high expectations, these two men managed to surpass anything they had done berfore and this match didn't just put Sami Zayn on the map, it established NXT as a brand to watch in its own right. This is possibly the most important match in the history of development of WWE's third brand, and easily one of its best.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13hjyl
23) Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair vs Asuka (TLC Match)
WWE TLC 2018
I've talked a lot about the evolution of Women's wrestling in WWE and this match is an important stop on the way to the first ever WrestleMania main event to feature all female competitors. From 2013 to 2018, Becky Lynch had been the most overlooked of NXT's 'Four Horsewomen' despite having much more experience. Indeed her first run as a pro-wrestler from 2002 to 2006 ended several years before any of the other 3 'Horsewomen' (Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Bayley) even began their training. Her return to wrestling in 2013 saw her relearn her craft alongside a new generation of talent, but she often found her self in an enhancement role. Even her run as the first Smackdown Women's Champion is better remembered for her losing the championship to Alexa Bliss. From 2017 to August 2018, Lynch was used entirely as a supporting player and were it not for the charisma and creativity she displayed on social media during this period, her career might never have recovered. Yet she established such an unwavering connection with the WWE audience that when she brutally attacked her real life best friend Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018 she was met with overwhelming support by the crowd in attendance. Subsequent attempts to make Becky more villainous only added to her popularity and following an unplanned injury in November, she became easily the biggest star in the company. A month later at TLC, Becky put her Smackdown Women's Title on the line against two of the most dominant female competitors, Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a TLC match that would rightfully main event the show. As an added bonus, I've also included the unplanned injury that kept Becky out of her match against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series, but would subsequently help fuel the main event of WrestleMania 35.
Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56i8xCGQ3Tc
Bonus Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UJDVEBAYg
22) Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa (Unsanctioned Match)
NXT Takeover: New Orleans 2018
The rivalry between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa is easily NXT's longest running storyline, and in my opinion, its best. It begins in 2015 when the two men, despite not being signed to WWE contracts, were entered into the inaugural 'Dusty Rhodes Classic Tag Team Tournament'. Though they were unsuccessful in the tournament, they made repeated appearances over the next 8 months, primarily as enhancement talent, before both were entered into the 'Cruiserweight Classic' Tournament. Facing each other in the first round. Gargano and Ciampa delivered one of the most memorable matches of the tournament, and really invested the audience in their tag team. They would then go on to win the NXT Tag Team Titles (I'll discuss this in more detail next time) before ultimately splitting up in May 2017 after Ciampa attacked Gargano following a losing effort to reclaim the belts. An injured sustained by Ciampa in that match would delay the inevitably collision indefinitely, but his return in January followed by further altercations would finally lead to an 'Unsanctioned' match between the two at NXT Takeover: New Orleans. Now this storyline wouldn't have its "final" climax until April 2020 but this first collision between Gargano and Ciampa in 2018 was easily the most heated and earned its place as the main event of that nights show. Excellent storytelling from all involved.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6higbo
21) Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 2017
The first 6 star match. The bout that broke the 'Meltzer Scale'. The greatest match of all time. A lot has been said about this match and, to be honest, I can't honestly say that I agreed with the hype at the time. I've spoken about Kazuchika Okada already on this list, but Kenny Omega deserves plaudits of his own. Prior to joining NJPW in 2014, Omega was a hugely talented athlete mostly known for his comedy focused matches in Japan's DDT promotion. However from 2014 to 2018, Omega built himself a reputation as the "Best Bout Machine", who could have the best match of any show he was on. Yet, when Okada and Omega clashed at Wrestle Kingdom 11, there was still some question as to whether or not Omega could match Okada's level. Now key to the understanding of each man's success is appreciation for storytelling in pro-wrestling. Okada's true gift, is his ability to subtley portray a wide array of emotion throughout a match through his body language and facial expressions. Omega on the otherhand, plays his emotions far broader. When he misjudges it, Omega can seem hammy or camp, but in the right circumstances he can up the drama of a contest exponentially. Put these two men together and they produce something special. This match isn't the best the two would have, but did it elevate pro-wrestling's potential to new heights.
Full Match: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x58fxo5
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