Cliff Morgan’s Wrestling Vault: Matches of the Month

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Matches of the Month - June 2026

Welcome back to another Matches of the Month!

We've made it to June! Halfway through the year! Wow, crazy to think. Really feels like we were just celebrating the start of the new year the other day. But, such is the passage of time. Let me give the month that was a brief, but necessary, breakdown.

June was a better month for quality matches! Maybe it was just a better month for my mental health, feeling less down-and-out and bogged down and burnt out by the post spring flood of wrestling I exposed myself to. The weather improves, and so does the wrestling! Let's go over the best of the past few weeks.

MJF vs. Rush - No Count Out Match - AEW Dynamite - 06/03/2026

As dangerous an opponent as you'll find anywhere, MJF had his work cut out for him in this no count out match against the mighty bull in Rush. Not one to be considered a slouch or anything less than a fighting champion, MJF put in a valiant effort in his championship defence, getting his ass sufficiently beaten by Rush for a good portion of this match. Rush looks to have gotten legitimately busted open a little bit at one point in the match, but the crimson leak does little to slow him down. MJF is resourceful and resilient in his defence, not just outlasting Rush, but surviving him as well.

Kevin Knight vs. Mike Bailey - AEW Dynamite - 06/03/2026

Former tag team partners collide in this match, with Don Callis' newest family member wanting to prove that he is every bit as good Speedball, or maybe even better. Fast paced with plenty of aerial combat, to the surprise of none, Knight is also quick to ground the match and trade blows with Bailey, even if it is to his own detriment with someone as educated a striker as Speedball. Their time together as a team both benefits the pair and costs them dearly, with Speedball able to catch Knight while he gets on offence, as well as Knight halting Bailey's attempt at a triangle moonsault with a rather basic shove off the top. Able to pick up the win in retention of his TNT title, Knight proves that he is better than the sum of his parts.

Mark Davis vs. Will Ospreay - AEW Dynamite - 06/03/2026

A blisteringly fun main event, Mark Davis looks to either win or severly wound Ospreay on route to the Owen Hart Tournament finals. Brutalizing the resilient Ospreay, Davis' heavy hands crush Ospreay and make him fight for every inch he is able to find in this match. Once brothers in United Empire, both men put in an impressive shift in a match that had me on the edge of my seat for a good portion of the bout. Ospreay's ability to fight back from the brink and land some dangerously precise and vicious strikes on the hard-hitting Davis made this match a whole lot of fun. Been a big fan of Davis this year and this match is yet another reason that he has been one of the most improved of 2026.

Rhio vs. Aliss Ink - EVE 150: History Makers / Rule Breakers - 06/05/2026

The former Pro Wrestling EVE champion, Rhio finds herself putting in a solid effort against the educated striker in Aliss Ink. Despite Rhio's impressive size and strength, she finds herself on the backfoot more often than you may expect, with Ink able to not only survive Rhio's best, but fight back valiantly as well. What really impressed me about this match, was the time limit being a big factor of the match. With only 5 seconds left, Rhio was able to finally put Ink away, more than likely going closer to the buzzer than she anticipated to with someone like Ink.

Kris Statlander vs. Miyu Yamashita - EVE 150: History Makers / Rule Breakers - 06/05/2026

Featured in Weekly Watchlist 104 - The Pink Striker Challenges the Cosmic Killer

Mike Bailey vs. Jake Doyle - AEW Collision - Summer Blockbuster 2026 - 06/13/2026

Featured in Weekly Watchlist 105 - Speedball x Something Implodes

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Death Riders - Cincinnati Street Fight - AEW Collision - Summer Blockbuster 2026 - 06/13/2026

An exciting arena-wide brawl sees the Death Riders given a strong run for their money against Shane Taylor Promotions. A violent, hard hitting affair, everyone brings their A-game to try and best the opposing side. I had a whole lot of fun with this match, with the action rarely letting up for very long. I think Marina Shafir and Trish Adora were the MVP's of this match, being completely unafraid to stand against the men and show that they are just as tough, and arguably tougher, than the rest of their competitors. A fantastic, fun, wild match.