Top 10 Matches of the Week (November 21st - 27th)
Survivor Series, NJPW Tag League, TJPW & more all contained some excellent wrestling; but which bouts stood out from the rest and topped the list this week? Let’s find out.
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. Yuji Nagata & Yuma Anzai vs. Kento Miyahara & Takuya Nomura (AJPW Real World Tag League - Tag 5)
Throughout this Yuma Anzai was presented as the protagonist of the match, he had multiple exchanges with Miyahara and I'd expect them to have a singles bout soon. Furthermore, Nomura impressed once again. This was your typical Puro style two on two tag and it didn't disappoint.
RATING - 3.75
9. Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) (AEW Dynamite #164 - Thanksgiving Eve)
This had an interesting dynamic due to the influence of the Chicago crowd. Humorous antics from Omega and the Young Bucks aside, this did have some good work. Rey Fenix and Matt Jackson both did some cool moves to the outside that popped the crowd, and the storyline regarding the devious hammer continued with the finish.
RATING - 3.75
8. Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi, Tam Nakano & Unagi Sayaka) vs. Prominence (Hiragi Kurumi, Risa Sera & Suzu Suzuki) (Stardom In Showcase Vol. 3)
Stardom in Showcase has become such a wonderful source of entertainment, the concept is still fresh but it's established itself as a staple of Stardom and the wrestlers themselves seem to have a ton of fun. I've never been too keen on Unagi but I liked her work here, and Tam too was just awesome. I'm a sucker for comedic hardcore bouts and the women from Prominence do it better than anyone else.
RATING - 3.75
7. Wes Lee (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes (WWE NXT #656)
Carmelo Hayes is just a level above everyone else in NXT and he's proved that with another fun match here. The two men have similar styles so this flowed pretty well and manged to stay entertaining during the picture in picture section of the match. The return of Dijackovic afterwards sets up an exciting challenge for Wes Lee and it's something I highly anticipate.
RATING - 3.75
6. Seth Rollins (c) vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory (WWE Survivor Series - WarGames)
Surprisingly enough this was my favourite match from Survivor Series: War Games. Seth Rollins has been WWEs MVP in terms of in-ring action and I would've liked a longer reign but considering how intriguing this new attitude Theory has I can understand the decision. This was packed with near falls, such as Lashley spearing Seth whilst Rollins had Theory set up for a move. The ending suggests Theory and Seth aren't done with one another, and this reign could be the most important stage of Theory's career thus far.
RATING - 4.00
5. BULLET CLUB (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Titan) (NJPW World Tag League & Super Junior Tag League - Tag 1)
Ever since the beginning of his allegiance with Jay White and the Bullet Club, fans have longed for a Chris Bey appearance in NJPW and this was certainly worth the wait. Ace Austin and Titan had the most explosive sequences, but this match in general was set at a very fast pace with fantastic maneuvers. Ace and Bey looked like the coolest dudes in the world and this duo has potential to be very special.
RATING - 4.00
4. Kaito Kiyomiya, Masa Kitamiya & Satoshi Kojima vs. Kongo (Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh & Manabu Soya) (NOAH The Best)
The matches leading up to the GHC Heavyweight Title bout between Kaito Kiyomiya and Kenoh have been really great and this was the pick of the bunch thus far. I'll never get tired of seeing Kitamiya and Soya go to blows with one another, both can be considered underutilised but it's a phenomenal viewing experience whenever they're together. Kiyomiya and Kenoh had a fantastic final stretch which ended with Kiyomiya pinning Kenoh, which isn't long after Kenoh pinned the champion at NOAH Global Dream. Those two are going to kick off 2023 with a potential Match of the Year contender and it's going to be beautiful.
RATING - 4.00
3. Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Millie McKenzie (TJPW All Rise)
This was just excellent. Yamashita a certified badass and her moveset dictates that type of vibe. Her kicking attacks are wonderful because not only are they visually great offense, they can also give her opponents some fluid options for counters. My favourite stage of this match was when McKenzie dodged a kick and speared Yamashita, and immediately followed that up with a german suplex. TJPW is doing a great job at putting a spotlight on some of the talented women in the team British independent scene, both Alex Windsor and Millie McKenzie have had arguably the best matches of their careers in the company. It's a win-win, women such as Windsor and McKenzie get the recognition they deserve meanwhile the company itself is treated to magnificent wrestling.
RATING - 4.00
2. Catch 22 (Francesco Akira & TJP) vs. CHAOS (Lio Rush & YOH) (NJPW World Tag League & Super Junior Tag League - Tag 1)
Catch 22 wrestle like a team that have years upon years of experience. They understand each other so well and execute everything to perfection, it's genuinely very impressive and puts them up there with the very best in the world currently. Lio and YOH brought a lot of energy here and considering they're the favourites to win this tournament this was a promising performance. The crowd absolutely loved this too and each person involved seemed to be over by the time the bell rang to close the match. This division is really fun at the moment and it's just awesome to witness.
RATING - 4.25
1. Chris Jericho (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (AEW Dynamite #164 - Thanksgiving Eve)
It says so much about these guys that despite them being as deep into their careers as they are that they can still create unique matches. Jericho getting a bloody chest from the sheer power of the chops from Ishii was a spectacular visual. Jericho just seemed so motivated, this new style he's adapted to has done wonders for both the quality and longevity of his career. Ishii hitting the Code Breaker was also pretty neat. AEW are absolutely blessed to be able to bring the best talent in the world to their roster for matches like this, and I for one hope this isn't the last we see of Ishii in a significant AEW bout.
RATING - 4.50