Top 10 Matches of the Week (November 7th - 13th)
Another week of wrestling has just passed which means it’s time for us to count down the most exciting, intriguing, and enjoyable bouts from the previous week.
DISCLAIMER:
In order to maintain a diverse and unique list that appeals to everyone, I’ll be using a system that keeps things relatively fresh.
It goes like this, if I have rated two NJPW matches 4 stars, and I have also given an AEW match 4 stars, chances are I’ll make it my priority to put the AEW match on the list ahead of one of the NJPW bouts. Of course all three could still end up with a spot on the list, but just try to remember this for future reference.
10. The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) (c) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) (WWE Friday Night SmackDown #1212)
Another solid match to add to the catalogue of this rivalry. It started slow but managed to get pretty interesting as it came to a close.
RATING - 3.75
9. AMAKUSA & Takuma Fujiwara vs. Shun Skywalker & Tadasuke (NOAH Global Dream)
This was the match that impressed me most from the NOAH Global Dream event which was a collaboration with Dragon Gate. Fujiwara had some fun moments and AMAKUSA thoroughly impressed me. The ongoing tension between Skywalker and Tadasuke was very entertaining too.
RATING - 3.75
8. Oedo Tai (Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid) vs. AphroditE (Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani) (Stardom Goddesses Of Stardom Tag League - Tag 5)
Honestly wish this went a little longer because I was really getting into this before it reached its climax. Saya and Starlight Kid have wonderful chemistry together and anytime we get to see them in the same ring is a pleasure.
RATING - 3.75
7. Trey Miguel (c) vs. Alex Shelley (REVOLVER Smoke 'Em If Ya Got Them)
Alex Shelley does really great work as a heel. His tactics to win aren't a detriment to the match and are instead methods that make you more invested in what he's doing. I enjoyed a large portion of the match, although some of the falls didn't sit well with me but it didn't hinder my experience too heavily. Trey dropping the title at this point is probably the correct decision and I'm excited to see what madness Shelley brings to his tenure as champion.
RATING - 4.00
6. Swerve Strickland vs. Myron Reed (REVOLVER Smoke 'Em If Ya Got Them)
A common theme with Swerve and his independent matches this year is his ability to make his opponents look like real stars. Nick Wayne at DEFY is a perfect example, and Myron Reed benefited from a similar thing. Admittedly, Reed is already immense so Swerve didn't have to do too much for him to look good but Reed still got some big kickouts that generated some intensity. Myron Reed left a massive impression on me and both men should take credit for that.
RATING - 4.00
5. Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Gisele Shaw (Impact Wrestling #953)
It's good to see Gisele Shaw finally have that breakout match in Impact because she's awesome. This was pretty physical and had some good near-falls. Jordynne Grace has made that title of hers feel like the top belt in the company and it's matches like this that make that happen.
RATING - 4.00
4. Naomi Yoshimura vs. Yuki Ueno (DDT D-Oh Grand Prix in Osaka)
This is currently tied with Hino vs Higuchi as my personal favourite D-Oh match so far. These two are madmen which created some crazy spots, particularly Yoshimura slapping Ueno on the top rope which caused Ueno to fall to the outside. The closing stretch was really fun and their styles made for great viewing in those final moments especially.
RATING - 4.00
3. Bryan Danielson vs. Sammy Guevara (AEW Dynamite #162)
Originally the idea of this rematch didn't inspire me much but they told a convincing story that added to the great in-ring work. Sammy purposefully costing himself the first fall to severely damage Danielson was a smart way to build the match and made this as interesting as it could be. The majority of action after the second fall was intriguing enough to make this a more than noteworthy main event and it's yet another remarkable Bryan Danielson performance.
RATING - 4.00
2. JD McDonagh vs. Axiom (WWE NXT #654)
JD McDonagh has made a habit out of defeating his opponents in sub-ten minute bouts that end in said opponents losing via referee's decision. First it was Dragunov, now it was Axiom and this was executed even better in my opinion. They went at it for nine minutes, sharing some really effective strikes and nice holds. They've obviously faced before in NXT UK where Axiom went under the name 'A-Kid' so they know each others strengths and weaknesses which you could notice here. NXT is struggling to find it's identity currently but this was awesome.
RATING - 4.00
1. Natural Vibes (BIG BOSS Shimizu, Jacky Funky Kamei & Kzy) vs. Z-Brats (BxB Hulk, Diamante & Shun Skywalker) vs. GOLD CLASS (Ben-K, Kota Minoura & Minorita) (DG The Gate Of Evolution - Tag 3)
Dragon Gate does a masterful job at theses big multi-man matches mainly due to the influx of fantastic young athletes mixed with some experienced guys that can dictate the pacing of matches. There were some standouts here, for me Shun Skywalker was the most impressive though as he continues to obtain the most impressive move-set in professional wrestling. Diamante was another that had his moments, a man that tall doing what he does is phenomenal. This was just really fun and was everything you you could expect from this wonderful promotion.
RATING - 4.25