Top 10 Matches Of 2018
Which bout scored highest in your star-rating system?
Bell to bell, was this the best year of pro wrestling?
Possibly so, judging by star ratings and social media buzz, as well as the thunderous reactions of crowds throughout the United States and around the world. The depth of the talent pool industry-wide is deeper than it’s ever been, leading to excellent matches and tremendous stories in nearly every promotion.
While everyone stepped it up another notch this year, these were the ten greatest matches of 2018.
10. Jay Lethal vs. Jonathan Gresham (Honor Reigns Supreme, February 9)
This was Jonathan Gresham’s coming out party, as many fans who checked out Ring of Honor for the first time as part of this free event on the company’s new streaming service had never seen Jordynne Grace’s husband before. After this performance, though, they’d never forget him. Gresham and Jay Lethal played human chess with each other, targeting different body parts in this technical masterpiece. Gresham was so fluid on the mat, ushering a European style that US fans have only seen recently from Zack Sabre Jr. A respected veteran, Lethal focused on Gresham’s bullseye – his taped up knee, which was perhaps his only mistake. Despite submitting to the figure four, Gresham emerged stronger in defeat, putting his name on the map.
9. Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan (Survivor Series, November 18)
A dream match that lived up to the hype, a David vs. Goliath battle that we thought we’d never see. Fresh off a shocking heel turn, Daniel Bryan ceased the “YES!” chants in favor of taunting Brock Lesnar with his own shuffle. Of course, that only angered The Beast, who demolished Bryan in typical fashion. An F-5 seemed to signal the end, but Lesnar enjoyed the torture too much, lifting Bryan’s shoulder up before the three count. That moment of vanity allowed Bryan to capitalize, kicking Lesnar in the balls (a nod to how Bryan won the WWE Championship from AJ Styles just a few days earlier) and following up with a running knee for the best near-fall of the year. At one point, Bryan even had the crowd believing that BROCK LESNAR would tap out. You already know who won, but Bryan’s ability to make even diehards believe in him sets him apart from everybody else.
8. Austin Aries vs. Matt Riddle (House of Hardcore 37, January 26)
The booking of this match was so brilliant that Austin Aries duplicated it in his match against Pentagon Jr. on Impact later in the year. In the first round of the House of Hardcore Championship Tournament, Aries aimed to add a fifth title to his then-collection. After absorbing all of Aries’ trademark maneuvers, Matt Riddle refused to stay down, hanging in the Last Chancery as the time limit expired. The passionate Philly crowd chanted for five more minutes, and after both competitors agreed to continue, the ref extended the match. Riddle hit a GTS and German suplex combo, but Aries kicked out. Then a nasty fall to the outside gave Aries control, and he hit a neckbreaker in between the ropes for another near fall. Somehow, the King of Bros fought back, trapping Aries in a submission but the time expired yet again. As the crowd chanted for five more minutes, Aries asked Riddle if he was ready. But as the ref rang the bell, Aries kicked Riddle in the groin, and quickly hit a brainbuster for the victory.
7. Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, August 18)
This was the best match in their series this year. Sane proved that she had the killer instinct to battle and ultimately defeat the former UFC competitor. Baszler yanked and twisted and bended Sane’s leg in cringeworthy ways as the crowd gasped in horror. But Sane refused to surrender, digging down deep to fight back with explosive offense and two elbows off the top, with a nod to Piper/Hart at Mania VIII for the finish, shocking the Brooklyn crowd.
6. Tomasso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano (NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, June 16)
In this Chicago Street Fight, Gargano unleashed hell from the get go, charging Ciampa and knocking him out of the ring. They toppled over the announce table, knocking down Nigel McGuinness, and then brawled into the crowd where a fan concealed a stop sign in a Gargano sign. Back in the ring, Ciampa took control, suplexing his former best friend and targeting his previously injured neck. Ciampa shone in his pure villainy, torturing his former best friend. The crowd ate up the drama, chanting “you deserve it” as Gargano recovered and whipped Ciampa with a belt. Although many have griped about the drawn out ending, I enjoyed Ciampa capitalizing on the situation and striking at the perfect moment.
5. Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho (Wrestle Kingdom 12, January 4)
This one made the list just four days into the year. It was so awesome that I knew it was never being bumped off. At 47 years old, Chris Jericho unleashed the performance of a lifetime, unrestrained by WWE’s PG confines and allowed to embrace his deepest, sinister desires. Cussing up a storm, battering Omega with anything he could get his hands on, Jericho invoked an unpredictable madman aura not felt since the days of ECW. The result of this clash was never in question, but he and Kenny Omega sure took us on a helluva journey to get there.
4. Undisputed Era vs. Mustache Mountain (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, August 18)
“Fight forever” chants echoed throughout the Barclays Center as these two teams let it all hang out in their rubber match. Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong cut off the ring a couple times, isolating Trent Seven and Tyler Bate in old-school tag team fashion. Bate showed impressive strength, giving O’Reilly an airplane spin while swinging Strong. So many near falls and innovative double team moves make this one of the best tag bouts in NXT history.
3. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte (Hell in a Cell, September 16)
Forget the malarkey at WWE Evolution, these ex-BFFs don’t need weapons to tear the house down. With all of San Antonio (and possibly the world) cheering supposed villain Becky Lynch, the atmosphere had such a big fight feel. Relentless as ever, Lynch brought the fight to Charlotte, refusing to stay down or even retreat after chops. Their chemistry has always been top notch, but the fervor of the storyline and Lynch’s new attitude added an extra element in this good, ol’ fashioned wrasslin’ match. Lynch reversing the spear into a clean pin was the cherry on top.
2. Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon (WrestleMania 34, April 8)
Witnessing a match in person always adds to the overall enjoyment, which is why these last two matches top my list. From the moment that Ronda Rousey marched out to “Bad Reputation,” everyone in my row (including me) was on their feet, never sitting back down until the match was over. The electricity in the Superdome was palpable; you could feel the adrenaline rushing through your veins every time Rousey tagged in. And despite how foolish it would have been for the UFC Hall of Famer to lose her first match, she was facing Triple H, so any tomfoolery was to be expected. It wasn’t a technical clinic and it featured two past-their-prime part-timers, a woman who wrestles maybe once a year and the definition of a rookie, but my God, it had everything that makes pro wrestling fun. Drama, suspense, twists and turns, plenty of signature moves, and most importantly, a very satisfying conclusion.
1. Moose vs. Eddie Edwards (Impact on POP, November 8)
One of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in person. (The other being Lesnar vs. Goldberg at WrestleMania 33.) They had one of the better stories heading into Bound For Glory after Moose’s shocking heel turn. It’s one of those instances where I didn’t understand it at the time, but after letting it play out, I’m fully on board. And this is coming from a guy who believed Moose should have beaten Austin Aries at Slammiversary to become the face of the company.
Now I see Moose in a whole new light. He’s a fresh, fantastic villain who astutely tiptoes between comedy act and monster. His gaudy outfits, perpetual grin and newfound foul mouth have revitalized his character, while his stellar in-ring work remains intact, if not polished up now that he plays the heel role. Eli Drake often draws comparisons to The Rock, but Moose is beginning to more closely resemble The Great One.
If you were disappointed that they ended up in a tag team match at the PPV, you got what you wished for during this episode of Impact. Moose and Edwards brawled all over the Melrose Ballroom, incorporating the fans in a throwback to the old days. Then they brought the action inside the ring, ripping each other’s flesh with blistering chops fitting of a grudge match. And then the finale, which if you watch the footage you’ll see my jaw drop, as Moose powerbombs Edwards from the ring to the entrance ramp, sending his former friend crashing spine first onto the steel grate.
These days a move like that would be a near-fall. While it wasn’t the finish, it was properly sold as both men soaked in the moment for everything it was worth. Edwards lie flat, gasping for air as his wife Alisha ran out to console him. Moose slowly stalked his way to Alisha, warning her to get out of his face so he can finish the job. Like a hunter, Moose waited as his prey crawled to the ropes before being finished off with a monstrous spear.
About Author
