Match of the Year Tournament - D Block - July 2026

Welcome back friends to the beginning of the D Block! We're officially in the second half of 2026, with the board "reset" as we look to determine the next finalist for the 2026 Match of the Year tournament. 

Let's get into this! 

The July Pre-Quarterfinalists

July was a tricky month for yours truly, I found it difficult to get really engaged in wrestling this month. I can't really blame the burnout I was feeling from April anymore as it's been months, so I'll just let depression take the credit for it this month. It really sucks friends, but I'm working through it. But by bit. Now, that's not to say that July was a dry month for quality wrestling, far from it! I always manage to find a few matches that stand head and shoulders above the rest, and these 3 were the clear leaders of the pack.

Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kyle Fletcher - 07/08/2026

Honestly, should it come as a surprise to anyone that these guys had a fantastic match? You could tell that these two were holding back a bit, not wanting to go completely hell for leather on free TV when there was a chance we could get this rematch down the line on a PPV card, but Fletcher and Takeshita can withhold half their arsenal and still put on an exceptional match. Hard hitting and gritty from the word go, Takeshita defended his International Championship with his life, doing everything he could to fend off the vicious Fletcher, wanting to prove that he is the Ace, or the Alpha, if you will, of the Don Callis Family, with Takeshita being recently booted from the group. A beautiful final few moments led to Fletcher winning the title, with Takeshita still looking like a star even after taking the loss in the match.

Chihiro Hashimoto vs. VENY - 07/12/2026

The featured match of "Weekly Watchlist 109 - Can Big Hash Survive the Gypsy Queen?" this match was exceptional in every single way. I've been a big fan of Chihiro Hashimoto's work this year and this match against VENY did not disappoint in any way. In fact, it more than exceeded my expectations, having not much of an opinion on VENY's work as I've only seen a handful of her matches, almost all of them being multi-woman matches. These ladies hit hard and came at each other swinging from the opening bell to the final bell, never letting off the gas for a second. If ever you find someone who tries to tell them that "women can't hold a candle to the men" you show them this match. Hell, you show them just about any Hashimoto match at this point, I'm convinced she's a world-class level wrestler and I've only seen her a few times. Great stuff from both women. 

Kyle Fletcher vs. Bandido - 07/26/2026

The featured match of "Weekly Watchlist 111 - Redemption," this is easily the best match I've seen live in person. I bit for every near fall, I leapt out of my seat for the big moves, and was game for whatever these two decided to do between the ropes, or on the floor to boot. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I think Fletcher is one of the best wrestler's in the world right now, and Bandido can more than hold his own with the best going, so it, again, should come as no surprise that this match was as good as it was. In fact, I think it would have been more surprising if this match stunk to high heaven, it would take some genuine effort for these two to stink it up in the ring, I feel like they could have a match like this in their sleep. Fortunately for those in attendance and watching at home, these boys were more than awake, as they gave us a spectacular performance. Kudos. 

 

Well, it's a stacked lineup for this month! Who made it?

 

The July Quarterfinalist

It was a tough one, given Fletcher/Bandido was the fresher match for me, but I didn't let recency bias cloud my judgment for this one. Big Hash and VENY had one of the best matches I've seen in a while, while Fletcher/'Dido had one of the best I've seen live. There's a big difference there. I can't rank their live match higher than Hash/VENY in good conscience because it just wasn't better, in my honest opinion. These women tore the house down in a match that I loved. Far and away, it was July's Match of the Month and advances to the D Block Quarterfinals. Good luck, August!

 

Until next month, take it easy friends!

 

 

 

cliffmorganwstl@gmail.com