2 months into 2025 already? I'm finding that hard to believe but I guess it's hard to deny the slow march of time, eh? February was a slower month for yours truly, but I still managed to watch some really great matches even if I had almost no desire to watch wrestling for a good portion of the month.
Let's go over the matches I like the most!
Masahito Kakihara vs. Kazuo Yamazaki - UWF-I Next Challenger Final - 11/30/1994
Featured in Weekly Watchlist 034
Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Nobuhiko Takada - UWF-I Final Battle At Budokan - 02/14/1993
Featured in Weekly Watchlist 034
Mark Briscoe vs. Kyle Fletcher - AEW Collision - 02/08/2025
A Continental Classic rematch, a lot of the notes and comments from their previous match can be tacked onto this match with much the same results. Briscoe bleeds buckets and gives Fletcher the ass beating he deserves, but Fletcher continues to establish himself firmly at the top of the AEW ladder, giving it back in equal measure and surviving Briscoe's best efforts. This was an exceptional match and I hope these two continue to beat the hell out of each other for years to come.
FTR vs. Aussie Open - Royal Quest II - Night 1 - 10/01/2022
Tag team perfection. FTR was on the run of a lifetime during 2022 and Aussie Open was proving that they could stand toe to toe with the greatest team on Gods green. The first chop of the match opens Dax's chest up and sets the tone for the rest of the war. If you can watch this match and not feel something, check your pulse.
Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks - Strap Match - AEW All Out 2023 - 09/03/2023
Featured in Weekly Watchlist 035
Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher - AEW Grand Slam Australia - 02/15/2025
A fun, exciting opening to a special show in Australia. The crowd was hot for everyone involved and all four men were in top form. Omega and Ospreay were like superheroes in there, hitting the villainous Takeshita and Fletcher with some of the craziest shit possible. Neither of these four missed a step, it was a masterclass from all involved with the Hidden Blade/One Winged Angel finish looking as deadly as it sounds.
Mariah May vs. Toni Storm - AEW Grand Slam Australia - 02/15/2025
With all the drama and intensity you would expect in a match between two rivals who have been going at it for well over a year, Mariah May tried to bury the Hollywood Starlet in the land down under. The fitting main event of this special show was brutal and played to both their strengths, with Toni getting her time in the spotlight as the babyface underdog trying to lift the boot of the malicious Mariah May off her back. In the end, Toni was able to win the AEW Women's Championship for a fourth time, which is an insane figure, but well deserved. The performance of a lifetime.
Jun Akiyama vs. Kenta Kobashi - AJPW Summer Action Series 1998 - Day 15 - 07/24/1998
Featured in Weekly Watchlist 036
Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa - AJPW Champion Carnival 1993 - Day 15 - 04/12/1993
The second singles match between Misawa and Kobashi is as compelling as you'd expect. Misawa is the All Japan ace by this point and Kobashi is starting to show that he's worth of being considered a pillar. The Super Generation Army is in it's infancy and this matchup between two members of the faction establishes Misawa firmly as the number one in the group, even with Kobashi fighting with a heart that never quits.
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Oleg Boltin - NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2025 - 02/11/2025
Boltin was someone I was prepared tow rite off from his entrance alone, his headpiece was almost enough for me to stop watching. But once he got in the ring and started matching Takeshita strength for strength, I was fully on board with this dude. Nearly breaking himself down the middle on a turnbuckle post early on, Boltin fought through pain and smashing offence from Takeshita, who hasn't had a bad match in recent memory. It's a great showcase for Boltin if you haven't seen his work before and another great match for Takeshita, one of the best wrestlers going today.
Yota Tsuji vs. Gabe Kidd - NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2025 - 02/11/2025
Featured in Weekly Watchlist 037
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto - NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2025 - 02/11/2025
I wish I was a long time fan of New Japan so I could really enjoy this match. The incredible story of Goto finally winning the big one after all this time translated exceptionally well in this match even for someone who hasn't been a fan for many years. Zack was at his cocky, technical best here, wearing Goto down and doing everything possible to eliminate his best weapons. Goto was valiant and pushed through the pain with the energy from the rampant New Japan crowd, practically shaking the ring from their excitement. In the end, Goto overcame the odds and came out on top as Champion, a cathartic moment for many and the perfect way to end the show.
LaBron Kozone vs. Adam Priest - DPW Live 6 - 06/16/2024
Priest's style fits perfectly into the "old southern heel" stereotype, with Kozone on the opposite side of the coin as the persevering babyface that will fight through anything. They are two of DPW's very best and were pulling out all the stops in this National Title qualifier match. Both have slick, creative counters and hard hitting offence that forces the other guy to dig a little bit deeper each time to get the advantage.Despite being near the ropes when he applies the STF, Kozone is unable to reach the ropes as Priest rolls him onto his side and pulls the move in deeper, putting Kozone out. Hard hitting, highly competitive, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Jake Something & Mike Bailey vs. Sinner And Saint - DPW Live 6 - 06/16/2024
Speedball x Something is far and away one of my favourite tag teams ever. They may not have tagged in DPW for very long, but every one of their matches are incredible. Sinner and Saint make their DPW debut and prove to be a formidable challenge for the DPW tag champions. Something is at his best when he's able to be an absolute goliath in the ring, tearing people apart while Speedball flies around and kicks people into oblivion. This was a fantastic match for both teams, I can't wait to see more of Sinner and Saint.
Dani Luna vs. Miyuki Takase - DPW Live 6 - 06/16/2024
Featured in Weekly Watchlist 037
There we have it! Another month of wrestling in the books! Let's hope that March is a better month for yours truly.
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