Welcome, one and all, to the Match of the Year tournament! This week, we go over the D Block's pre-quarterfinalists, quarterfinalsits, and the semifinalist! This wraps up the D Block of matches as we move into the cooler, autumn months. Summer is behind us and we are officially in the back half of 2025!
Let's see what this half of the year has to offer, shall we?
The Pre-Quarterfinalists
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| August Pre-Quarterfinalists. |
I'm gonna be honest with ya, August was a pretty light month for noteworthy matches. I've been watching exclusively AEW since April of this year and there weren't a lot of matches that stood out among the pack. Sure, Brodido's run has been exceptional and a highlight of the month, but none of their matches stood out enough for me to put them in contention for a Match of the Year contender. As per usual, it comes down to "what historically great match did I decide to watch this month." But, in saying that, there was one match worth remembering this month;
Dustin Rhodes vs. Kyle Fletcher - Chicago Street Fight - 07/31/2025
If this is what was originally planned when Dustin won the TNT Title at All In, I can't be mad about it. Not one bit. Kyle's youthful arrogance was put to the test against Dustin's cunning veteran instincts, both men taking each other to the limit in a violent and brutal Chicago Street Fight. I will never be able to get the visual of the screwdriver sticking out of the knee of Dustin out of my head. What an incredible way to write someone off for surgery and establish your new title holder as an absolute badass. I told you guys Fletcher was destined for singles gold this year, didn't I?
AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe - 09/11/2005
Historically considered one of the best three way matches in history and, quite possibly, the best natch in TNA's long history, this three way was everything a three way should be and then some. It didn't feel like three singles matches happening in one ring with members trading places as the match goes on, all three men were nose to nose almost the entire time, blending speedy technical offence with hard hitting strikes. They made the most out of the entire ring- and even ringside area, leading to some real nail-biting, edge of your seat moments. To crib a word from the man who would go on to win the X Division title in this match, simply phenomenal.
Kenta Kobashi vs. Vader - 01/15/1995
Answering the age old question of what happens when an unstoppable monster meets the unkillable hero, this match is what happens. It's hammering strikes versus a voracious heartbeat, the truest test of Kobashi's mettle and Vader's ability to squash your superhero's like grapes beneath his feet. As evenly contested as a match these two have ever had, Vader and Kobashi were put in situations that they don't normally find themselves in in this match. An exceptional match that tells a tight little story in the perfect way.
A fantastic bracket of pre-quarterfinalists, but who will advance to the quarterfinals?
The Quarterfinalists
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| D Block Quarterfinalists |
The clash of ages advances! God, I had so much fun with this match. Violent in all the right ways, a real treat of a Collision match. AEW isn't afraid to go all out on free TV sometimes and when they do, by god do they deliver.
But do they deliver enough to advance? Let's see who advances to the D Block semifinals!
The Semifinalist
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| D Block Semifinalist |
You guys seriously thought this match wouldn't advance? Man, this match had me in tears! I was in love with everything about this match! I couldn't begin to tell you what this match made me feel in an even halfways articulate way. Just know this, this is probably the match of the second half of 2025. They're really gonna need to pull out the big guns to beat this one.
There you have it! The D Block is all wrapped up! Next month is the start of the E Block, going over the very best matches from September. As I draft this post in the early days of September, I can already tell you that the back half of 2025 has some heavy, heavy hitters. It's gonna be a tight race.
Until next month, take it easy friends!
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