VOW 2018 Match of the Year: #10-1

It’s finally here. The Top 10 in Voices of Wrestling’s 2018 Match of the Year countdown. The best matches of the year as voted by our esteemed panel.

2018 MATCH OF THE YEAR ARCHIVES

• Introduction & Honorable Mentions: voicesofwrestling.com/2019/01/29/vow-2018-match-of-the-year-introduction-honorable-mentions/
• #150-101: voicesofwrestling.com/2019/01/30/vow-2018-match-of-the-year-150-101/
• #100-76: voicesofwrestling.com/2019/01/30/vow-2018-match-of-the-year-100-76/
• #75-51: voicesofwrestling.com/2019/01/31/vow-2018-match-of-the-year-75-51/
• #50-26: voicesofwrestling.com/2019/01/31/vow-2018-match-of-the-year-50-26/
• #25-11: voicesofwrestling.com/2019/02/01/vow-2018-match-of-the-year-25-11/

VOICES OF WRESTLING MATCH OF THE YEAR ARCHIVES

• 2017: voicesofwrestling.com/category/vow-latest/columns/2017-match-of-the-year/
• 2016: voicesofwrestling.com/category/vow-latest/columns/2016-match-of-the-year/
• 2015: voicesofwrestling.com/category/vow-latest/columns/2015-match-of-the-year/
• 2014: voicesofwrestling.com/category/vow-latest/columns/2014-match-of-the-year/
• 2013: voicesofwrestling.com/category/vow-latest/columns/2013-match-of-the-year/
• 2012: voicesofwrestling.com/2012/12/20/top-10-matches-of-2012/

#10
Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
7/28
NJPW
Total Votes: 29
Overall Points: 177
3 First-Place Votes

“G1 matches seem like very different beasts. By their nature, they are violent sprints. Tired, beaten bodies desperately run for the finish line as they look forward to increasingly violent and more desperate matches as the tournament rolls on. If I was introducing someone to that style, this is the match I would use. They don’t waste time with superfluous dancing and redundant tie ups. They fight. The bell rings and they accelerate into chops, punches and drop kicks. Ibushi brings a reckless danger to every match he’s in, and the electricity emanating from the TV screen as he led Ishii into the crowd ran up and down my body. A series of no-sold suplexes slowly drain the consciousness and sense from both competitors, and they spend the remainder of the match fighting with an intensity that transcends any feeling of script or teamwork. Closed fists and throat chops have me screaming for more like a crazed peasant in a Roman amphitheatre. This match was excitement, danger and violence personified. Some matches simply happen at the G1, and some matches ARE the G1. This was the Grade One Climax and the best match I saw all year.” -Neil David

“It was brutal, it was exciting, it was beautiful, it was strong style out the ying yang and it’s everything you could ever want out of an Ishii/Ibushi match. I love nothing more that watching two guys trying to kick the shit out of each other, and that’s exactly what this was between arguably the two MVP’s of the G1. Truly incredible” -Jonathan Phillips

#9
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori
6/4
NJPW
Total Votes: 26
Overall Points: 207
6 First-Place Votes

“I gave five different matches five stars in 2018, but I never really doubted this was going to be the one I picked as Match of the Year. Hiromu and Taiji simply made magic in Korakuen. It started as a wild brawl into the crowd with a spot that made me legitimately scream the first time I saw it (the hurricarana down the crowd steps) and ended on the type of action-packed, drama-filled stretch run modern New Japan has become synonymous with. But whereas many of those matches manage to overstay their welcome, this one ended exactly where it should have, never going too far into redundant excess. An amazing, incredible display, easily the best of both men’s careers, and hopefully the kind of match Hiromu can bring to the table again when he finally returns to the ring (he can leave the rana-down-the-stairs spot behind, though).” -John Carroll

“Hiromu Takahashi is one of the greatest wrestlers on the planet, case in point: this match. This match took place in front of a fired up Korakuen Hall, firmly behind the Ticking Timebomb. This match was captivating from the moment the bell rang, with big John Woos and tumbles down the steps, you couldn’t take your eyes off of the action. Taiji also played his role perfectly – having just joined the company as the new and improved Bone Soldier. This had none of the filler that people complain about in NJPW matches which is what makes it so damn good. With LIJ’s celebration at the end and Naito breaking Mr.Trophy – it was a feel good ending filled with incredible moments and solidified Hiromu’s status as the true junior ace of the company and one that will be etched in the mind for a very long time.” -Sarah Flannery

“When I think of Hiromu there are two spots that are now burned in my memory, the first sunset flip powerbomb spots against Kushida and him flipping down the steps of Korakuen in this match. Hiromu dominated BOSJ and this match just capped off his amazing run. Ishimori disappointed me a bit in the tournament but this match proved just how great he was. Hiromu picking up the win was one of the happiest moments for me a wrestling fan, second only to Hiromu winning the title at Dominion right after.” -TJ Folk

#8
WALTER vs. Jordan Devlin
8/18
OTT
Total Votes: 29
Overall Points: 208
5 First-Place Votes

“The video package for this match concluded by comparing it to David vs. Goliath. While it might sound melodramatic, to those of us in attendance who had followed the story of these two men; the mythical comparison felt totally justified. It was the all-conquering, relentless world beater versus our guy. Our guy who elevated our expectations of what our scene could be, and beat every international star he came across along the way. And he stood across the ring from someone whose imposing, physical charisma alone was enough to make him a believable threat, but also had credibility from strong booking literally all over the world. It was a story as old as wrestling itself, and the match was reflective of that. Everything mattered, there wasn’t a second of wasted time or an offensive flourish that didn’t feel like it meant something. The closing sequence, with Devlin clenching his first as the referee attempted to drop his hand the third time, and the uproar from the crowd, is one of my all time favourite memories from my lifetime as a wrestling fan.” -Barry Murphy

“Incredible atmosphere, Hometown champion that beat every challenger gets bested by an incoming threat. Proper old school local champion babyface against a touring heel challenger. The noise when Devlin stops his arm from dropping and fights back before getting mercilessly destroyed.” -Brian1zvx (Brian Arthur)

“A modern day Big Van Vader vs. Sting, I have only previously experienced this kind of “local hero” atmosphere at a UFC event. Gripping.” -Brian Elliott

“For years, Devlin had been the face of OTT and the irish wrestling scene. Devlin was a hero and a leader: OTT’s top warrior. But he was about to face the biggest challenge of his career: WALTER. The storytelling was sublime. Jordan was focused and cautious as he avoided WALTER’s chops while also trying to slowly take him down with kicks. David Starr – WALTER’s eternal rival – was at ringside, supporting his best friend: the cameras captured the anguish in Starr’s face as he suffered throughout the match, knowing the impossible task his friend had before him.

This was bone chilling drama: the ace defending his territory with all his technique, talent and heart, while a deafening crowd roared at his every move. But with one chop, WALTER could change the tide of the battle at any moment. Devlin looked like a warrior, fighting until the end, using every resource at his disposal to defend his crown and his company… but the cold ‘Ring General’ ignored the hostile environment, survived the irish battering, silenced the entire arena and killed the Import Killer.

WALTER vs. Devlin is storytelling, drama, action, emotion… it is everything that makes professional wrestling the most beautiful and incomparable art. A crowd fully in support of his ace, a brave champion leaving his heart in the ring and an invincible monster smothering and crushing everyone’s hopes.” -Ricardo Gallegos

#7
Masashi Takeda vs. Isami Kodaka
6/20
BJW
Total Votes: 33
Overall Points: 234
3 First-Place Votes

“The most rewarding, visceral, balls to the wall death match maybe ever. A “spotfest” where the spots are actually cool and the only 5 star match of 2018.” -Andy LaBarre

“I’ve watched this 4 times now and every time it has me on my feet, showed it to a couple of friends and they both loved it too even though none of us are death match fans as a rule.” -Mike Daysley

“Masashi Takeda had a great year, and this match was the best example of that, proving why people call him “King of Deathmatch”. Kodaka shown his best version here, with more intensity and insanity. This match had everything you want to see in a big title bout: drama, action, and lots and lots of crazy spots. Remarkable match, not for everyone’s tastes, but an awesome way to show how great Deathmatch Wrestling can be.” -Gin Malkâvar

“Takeda had an absolutely incredible year, and this was the highlight. From the beginning, both men are out to show that they can survive whatever onslaught the other provides. I love that they use breaking tubes on their own heads to gage how much fight and fire each man has left. It’s an absolutely brutal match that utilizes giant ladders, hundreds of tubes, and even pigeon spikes, but it all makes sense and leads to Takeda finally being the last man standing. Complete, beautiful brutality.” -Kevin Hare

#6
Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
4/7
NXT
Total Votes: 38
Overall Points: 235
1 First-Place Vote

“Ciampa and Gargano are the new Genérico/Steen. These two are magic together and the emotion that both have been able to illicit from the crowd went to a new level here. it is not often that I have literally jumping out of my seat and yelling during a wrestling match but Gargano’s babyface gimmick has me doing just that and hating Ciampa with every fiber of my being. A year later and Gargano’s gut-wrenching story justifies his actions a year later.” -Rich Laconi

“When Campa first betrayed Gargano may of last year I think every fan knew their first match against each other would be fantastic. We then learned Ciampa would be out forever and everyone began to build even more hype for the match to when it was finally about to occur there was a fear it would not live up to the hype. It did. Everything from the Ciampa entrance being met with asshole and fuck you ciampa chants to the match itself building up drama and letting the fans leave happy was fantastic.” -Kentucky210

“I thought this was one of the best matches I’d ever seen and it could easily have been my #1. It really shouldn’t be watched without the pre-match video package as that showed it as one of the greatest programs of all time. The plant of the crutch in the crowd could have been corny but was essential to this classic match. And the use of the knee-brace for the submission is one of my favorite finishes. A sublime babyface vs heel match.” -Dave Musgrave

“We’ve seen so many incredible talents come and go through NXT in the past few years, that it’s getting harder and harder to do things that truly stand out. There have dozens of NXT matches that I would be comfortable calling great, but none like this. For 36 minutes, these two rewrote the NXT playbook in a brutal spectacle that will be the yardstick for every bitter feud from this point forward.” -Cewsh

#5
Golden Lovers vs. The Young Bucks
3/25
NJPW
Total Votes: 38
Overall Points: 252
7 First-Place Votes

“This was a fantastic piece of art put together by four of the best artists in modern professional wrestling. This match had it all. Great storytelling? Check. Great selling? Check. Masterful spots? Check. Upping the ante in violence from both teams? Check.” -Griffin Peltier

“This was one of the most ambitious wrestling matches & a freaking emotional roller-coaster. It had everything that I want in pro wrestling. There was unique storytelling, heated moments, interesting characters, memorable spots, terrific pacing, out of this world athleticism etc. They could of just had a regular old spotfest (which it did have a lot of ‘spots’) & people would be happy, but they really wanted to do something different in this match & they nailed it. I personally think that this contest has some of the best psychology in a wrestling match ever. Kenny Omega showing moments of conflict & mercy to the Young Bucks. Matt Jackson’s selling of the back & showing his disgust of Kenny. Then there is Nick who is trying to be the more level-headed of the Bucks, but even he has his moments when Kenny is forced to work on Matt’s back for the Golden Lovers to win & Nick just loses his cool as a result. This was an instant classic.” -ScorpioCorp

“I LOVE tag team matches and this one has to be up there with the greatest of all time. The emotion that was present in this match was unlike any other I’ve seen in a long time. The amount of years that go into the Golden Lovers and Bullet Club storylines coming to a head in this clash of the best tag teams in the world was as beautiful as pro wrestling storytelling can get.” -Greg Unchained

“This match simply blew me away, but in a different way. The Elite changed the wrestling world in 2018. Back in march, the Civil War looked organic, looked natural and this match took place at its climax. Matt Jackson was on Cody’s team, Nick was leading towards Kenny, Kenny Omega had nothing against the Bucks and Kota Ibushi just wanted to moonsault. I have never seen and such complex story told in the ring in a perfect way. Kenny starts the match full of doubts, Ibushi keeps pushing him to fight. During the match Kenny starts to let loose, specially against Matt. During 40 minutes everyone within the match plays the role to perfection together with an amazing wrestling performance. The managed to tell an episode of BTE within a match, mixing the storytelling with the in ring action to perfection.” -Rodrigo Garcia

“If I only picked one tag team match to be on this list, this was it no question. The storyline going into the match added to what was a lock to be an athletic marvel. This was a tag match that didn’t have a single guy that was a bad tag. It showed the right tag team main event could be a credible headline act, and was the peak of the Bullet Club civil war.” -Rich D Latta

#4
Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
8/4
NJPW
Total Votes: 39
Overall Points: 252
1 First-Place Vote

“While the main storyline for the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13 was the philosophical differences between Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi; no wrestler differs more from Omega when it comes to philosophy than Tomohiro Ishii. While Omega relies on his athleticism, flashy moves and a general sense of unpredictability, Ishii relies on a simple style, really he just punches, chops, headbutts and clotheslines his way through his opponent. During their meeting at the G1, Omega tried in vain to psyche Ishii out, and pulled out every high-risk move he could conceive of, but he still fell victim to the Stone Pitbull, who ended Omega with one of history’s greatest lariats and his brainbuster finish.” -Jesse Collings

“For the second year in a row, I have a matchup between these two in my top ten. Given how much I personally don’t care for Omega, him being in three of my top ten matches should give my votes the credibility of fairness they deserve. And these men deserve the praise for having consistently great matches against each other.” -Michael Levy

“Omega and Ishii have the same level of chemistry that Omega has with Okada and Naito. This was a brutal match and it was dope to see Ishii pull off the upset. He was the MVP of G1 this year.” -Noveliss

“An absolute ball-buster of a match. Somehow, despite the love he gets in certain circles, it still feels like Ishii is underrated. The question becomes, at his age, how long can he keep up this pace?” -Greg Parks

“My favourite thing in modern pro wrestling is Tomohiro Ishii standing stoically, a statue of some forgotten war god, while his enemy rains blows upon him. Just waiting. When his time comes, he destroys them with a single strike. I mentioned in a previous review that I love the rugged tough guy who’s all guts – Ishii is the apotheosis of that concept. No matter how much offence Omega throws at him, no matter how many V-Triggers land, it’s just a matter of time before Ishii gets mad and tries to kill him again.

Speaking of V-Triggers, when Omega starts throwing them, this match kicks into top gear. By the time Omega hits a springboard double stomp to Ishii on the apron, even the Japanese commentary can only react with an English “hooooly shit.” I agree. I don’t even know what to say about the finishing stretch. It was so fucking intsense. By the time the count of three comes, Omega is bleeding profusely from the mouth, and it’s ended up on his forehead – it made Ishii’s brainbuster look like it cracked Omega’s head open.

This was fucking incredible. *****” -Jeff Martin

#3
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
8/12
NJPW
Total Votes: 59
Overall Points: 500
14 First-Place Votes

“This was a brutal, hard hitting masterclass. Ibushi looks at Tanahashi as if he is a God, and acted accordingly in trying to take the God down. Tanahashi proved to many in this year’s G1 that he still has A LOT left in the tank. To me, no moment demonstrated that further than Ibushi throwing some hellacious strikes, and Tanahashi hulking up better than Hulk himself ever did, and WALKING INTO THEM. This match stuck with me more than any this year, and will for a long time after.” -Steven Case

“The culmination of my favourite storyline of 2018, the fall and rise again of Hiroshi Tanahashi. After suffering definitive losses to Zack Sabre Jr., Minoru Suzuki and Kazuchika Okada earlier in the year I thought Tanahashi’s 2018 was set on being in the mid-card and putting younger talent over. Thankfully I was proven wrong as he bounced back in the later stages of the G1 Climax and put on an instant classic with one of the top 3 best workers in the world today. Not only did Tanahashi keep up with Ibushi but there were times he showed why he’s the master and Ibushi is still sitting at his learning tree. Throw in that I was there live and fulfilling a fan dream of mine by watching it in Budokan (I did all 3 nights of the last G1 weekend) and it was the most emotionally satisfying wrestling experience I had all year.” -WH Park

“There isn’t another moment in wrestling in 2018 that emotionally drew me in like Hiroshi Tanahashi powering through Kota Ibushi’s face slaps. This match just felt powerful and epic on a level above everything else in 2018. Tanahashi with rival turned friend in Shibata, Ibushi with his partner Omega in his corner. Two equally sympathetic characters brought into conflict by a shared desire to win the greatest tournament in the world. Goes onto the rare list of matches to actually bring tears to my eyes. The Ace and The Golden Star gave a performance that I truly believe is the height of what professional wrestling can accomplish as an artform.” -Kevin Chiat

“One of the best matches in NJPW history and possibly my favorite G1 Final of all time, the tone was set with Shibata coming out to support his longtime rival and now friend for his biggest match in years. The match itself featured all the amazing action you would expect from the names involved with Ibushi in particular bringing an edge and a feeling he would pull out all the stops to win this match and face Kenny Omega for the world title at the Tokyo Dome. When Tanahashi got the win and Shibata lifted him up on his shoulders we got a double feel good moment of the year in wrestling with both guys getting a level of personal redemption. And not only that, a great shot of a future tease if and when Shibata would return in the future.” -Dylan Fox

“This match did something that no other match this year did for me. It made me believe again. I love Tanahashi anybody that knows me knows this but I was indifferent about either man winning coming into this match. As this went on Tanahashi and Ibushi made you get behind either man at points due to their INCREDIBLE selling. Tanahashi made you believe he’d die before he’d let this new generation undersell and forget all he’s done. Ibushi made you believe he was willing to kill this man. Amazing match and my match of the year in 2018.” -Markeem Graham

“The match that combined emotion, drama, stakes and technical execution better than any other this year. Two masters at work.” -Alan Counihan

“A volatile combination of the Tanahashi big match epic and Ibushi’s reckless, dangerous style. The perfect way to kick off Tanahashi’s resurgence and show the world that he still had enough left in the tank for at least one more shot at the main event on January 4th. A masterpiece.” -Joel Abraham

“On work rate alone this is easily one of the best matches of the year, but what puts it over the top is the emotional investment New Japan was able to draw out of every viewer. Tanahashi came in a broken man, wrestled his heart out, refusing to give in to the clearly stronger and faster Ibushi and walked out a champion-in-waiting. Add the emotional blow of having Katsuyori Shitbata in his corner and the result is a match that will not let you ignore it. Even on a rewatch the drama is just as palatable as the first time.” -Jason Westhaver

“A true classic. In a year full of athletic and technical masterpieces (streaming from all manner of stages around the world) it would be a familiar name, on a familiar stage, crafting our number one classic match. Hiroshi Tanahashi’s and Kota Ibushi’s G1 stories seemed to both emotionally culminate on the final night of their respective blocks. With Tana withstanding rival Okada and Ibushi overcoming his fellow Lover. Thus, we weren’t quite sure what story they had left to tell. Silly us. Tana would use this stage as a microcosm, to tell the story of his 2018. Of a man broken both physically (from Suzuki) and psychology (from Okada at Dontaku) who must find the strength and resolve to continue.

Leading into this match there was a sense that it was Ibushi’s time. That it would be Omega v Ibushi at the Dome. There was an almost tacit underestimation of Tana on our behalf. One that was furthered as he was abused by the vicious strikes of the younger, more athletic, Ibushi. You could see Tana breaking down. But Tana would not stay down. In fighting back, the match was an exhibition in babyface v babyface wrestling. Two men trading blows – fighting to be the best. But, the lingering narrative seemed to be that Ibushi was just that step quicker. That bit stronger. That was until Tana exhibited the single most memorable display of babyface fire we have ever seen. In this moment, as Kota looked back at the oncoming Tana – almost in fear – it all became clear.

This match was a story of belief. Of Tanas belief in his ability, his style, his philosophy, his Iron Will. And testing this against the younger Ibushi – to uncover some truths in each other motivations. This wasn’t just a match that told a story. It shed light on one that had been unfolding for months before our eyes. Of a man fighting for himself by fighting for those people and things he believes in (making Shibata’s presence even more special) vs a man who had yet to fully understand what this means for him.” -Josh, Dave and Redd from We Work Stiff

“I loved the Omega vs Okada classic and how it built off the previous four matches, but I loved this match and its build off the entire G1 Climax just a little more. Tanahashi’s comeback matched his push with performance and that is on display here more than ever. And Ibushi elevated himself to show he is one of the best in the world.” -Dave Musgrave

#2
Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade Almas
1/27
WWE (NXT)
Total Votes: 73
Overall Points: 535
11 First-Place Votes

“Perfectly built and executed, impeccable timing from Zelina, big earned nearfalls, the pinnacle of the NXT style” -Eric Ritz

“I have been a Sombra and Gargano skeptic for quite a while, but there was no denying this match. It maybe the apex of the current juniors inspired 2018 wrestling style, it isn’t a style I loved, and it is a style that has taken over wrestling, but I can’t imagine it will be done better then this. It had big moves, lots of nearfalls, but what really separated this from your random Seth Rollins main events was the excellent individual emotional performances by both guys.

Almas was in classic rudo mode, using every shortcut he could, and constantly being upended. All the Gargano reversals in this match felt less like dance moves and more like a guy finding ways around traps set by movie villain. I loved the Gargano dive to the back, right into the Vega rana into the stairs, just great timing, and a perfect set up to Candace leaping from the crowd which was an awesome bit of babyface wrestling, it felt like a moment you would see in a classic 80s match and it turned a terrible Philly chanting smark crowd into the Greensboro coliseum in 1985. I totally bought into the finally Garagano submission attempt, felt like the moment where the underdog would finally get over the top, and the toe on the rope was a great bit of crowd deflating storytelling. Things don’t always work out, and the good guy doesn’t always win. That double knees into the LED board combined with Gargano’s glassy eyed selling was such a great killshot. I imagine Gargano will get the belt eventually and that will be a huge moment, but I felt let down here, good to see that wrestling can still do that.” -Phil Schneider

“If you ignore booking and hindsight this is almost certainly the best match in WWE history. This is the first match I can remember watching in ages where when it ended I thought “that might be the best match I’ve ever seen.” After the fact it feels less than, but I can’t deny that moment.” -Dylan Hales

“This felt like Almas’s, excuse me, Adrande’s coming out party. Gargano is able to elevate other’s effectively and the interaction between Vega and Lerae only added to this feud. Up until this point Andrade was criminally underused and looking at where he’s come since then, this was an easy indicator of his success in the “E”.” -Rich Laconi

“I was really excited to see my first NXT TakeOver in person. Going into the show, I knew the card was strong, and in particular, I knew this main event had the chance to be great. However, when the dust settled, Almas vs. Gargano exceeded all expectations. This was an outstanding match that featured great back and forth action, along with an incredible atmosphere. The crowd in Philadelphia got more into it with every big move, and with every near fall. We did get involvement from Zelina Vega (and later Candice LeRae), but that played perfectly into this particular match. Being part of that environment was truly a special moment in my wrestling fandom, and right now, I could say with confidence that it was the greatest match I’ve ever seen live. Not only was it amazing to see in person, but it definitely held up when I watched it back some months later. Andrade “Cien” Almas has been used pretty poorly during his WWE tenure, but this was easily the highlight of his run there thus far. As for Johnny Gargano, there’s no denying that people have soured on him over the last year (for a variety of reasons). However, you can’t take away this outstanding performance from him. He played his role as the babyface brilliantly, while Almas did a great job in his own right as the heel. I loved everything about this when I saw it live in the building, and I still love it almost a year after the fact. I knew it was going to be tough for this one to stay at the top of my Top 10 list, but it managed to survive all challengers. In my view, this was the best match of 2018, one of the best matches in the history of NXT, and one of the best matches in the history of WWE in general.” -Sean A Sedor

“Hyperbole for a January match is nothing new. Many a year, a match at the Tokyo Dome will cause fans and critics to claim all future MOTYCs were wasting their time matching what had occurred on that year’s fourth day. This year, the hyperbole waited over three weeks and was reserved for a match that many called the best WWE match of all time. Now, I won’t dignify claims of that sitting here less than a year out, but in that time, in the 11 months that followed, no match met the experience of what was an amazing title match, a significant moment in a great feud and performances of two men who, if justice is had, will be the future of WWE. Everyone involved in the match-Gargano, Almas, Vega, Candace, Ciampa-played their parts to perfection. Was it the greatest WWE match ever? Maybe, maybe not. But, it was WWE style wrestling at its absolute peak and to me, there’s very little better in wrestling.” -Michael Levy

“I was at this match live so I may be biased on what this match means to me being the first five star match rated by Meltzer I’ve seen live but this match was a gem. This match was fantastic from bell to bell. Every move and motion meant something and I felt myself garnering support for Gargano throughout and garnering hate for Almas as well. I was sucked in at every fall and it was as dramatic as anything I’ve seen this year. Bravo to these two for at least getting my vote for number 1 match of the year.” -Danny Kuchler

“A mere 27 days into 2018, the match of the year award was locked up. Andrade Almas and Johnny Gargano put together something truly special. I took extra long writing this piece because it’s honestly hard to put into words what this match means to me. Almas had gone from bust to champion, while Gargano was in the midst of a redemption story following the heartbreaking split of #DIY in 2017. Everything the brand did over the previous few months built to this. Almas threw his entire arsenal at Gargano, wanting to prove that he belonged atop NXT. Johnny survived it all in an effort to prove he was truly past the Tommaso Ciampa situation that helped cost him against Almas the previous August. Zelina Vega was her usual incredible self. Her interference spots were expertly timed, not overdone, and provided perfect emotion. When Candice LeRae hopped the guardrail to finally stop her, you could feel the momentum shift. And yet, Johnny still couldn’t get it done. Almas got more brutal with his manager out of the picture. The running double knees into the ring post was one of the hardest spots of the year. Gargano looked like a battered and beaten man by the end of it all. To punctuate it all, Almas hit a hanging hammerlock DDT and retained in 32:32. Honestly, that’s everything I want in pro wrestling. It was long, yet everything mattered and felt like it belonged in the match. It was emotional, dramatic, fluid, told a story. I could go on and on. I’m not overselling it when I say that this is one of the three greatest matches I have ever seen. [*****]” -Kevin Pantoja

“There were moments when it looked like Almas was about to botch a spot, but they incorporated those moments into the match to move control back to Gargano. Everything played out perfectly here, with Gargano outmatched with the exception of those Almas mistakes, but Celina Vega’s interference giving Almas the advantage again. Candice La Rae’s involvement had me freaking out too. And while the finish was a bummer, it cemented Almas as a killer champion and had made Gargano a permanent crowd favorite. After the match, Tommaso Ciampa attacks Gargano with a crutch. This is still the best match in NXT history.” -Brad Garoon

#1
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega
6/9
NJPW
Total Votes: 77
Overall Points: 799
39 First-Place Votes

“This is my favorite match of all time. No match before this has had me literally shaking and biting at every move. To this day I vividly remember exactly how I felt while watching this match, which is somewhat remarkable considering my below average memory. The ups, the downs, all of it forever etched into my brain. I cried when Kenny Omega won, and I’m not ashamed to admit that. I’m an emotional guy, but match was the first time I’ve ever been moved to tears by a work of professional wrestling. I’ll remember this match for the rest of my life, and I truly can’t put into words how much I love it. It’s been seven months since this match happened, and I’m being emotionally moved just by writing about it. Thank you to both of these men.” -Jack Beckmann

“The culmination of an 18 month story, this match went more than an hour but managed to keep me completely engaged the whole time. While most 2/3 fall matches have throwaway falls that feel rushed, each fall here is its own mini-match, really putting over the idea that the winner has to beat the other two separate times to win. In many ways, this feels like the climax of the current NJPW style, with everything before leading to this and everything after just trying to recapture it.” -Kevin Hare

“One of the best matches I’ve ever seen. A tough set of stipulations with impossible-to-meet expectations, and somehow they blew away even the harshest of critics. Kazuchika Okada is a godsend and Kenny Omega is an artist. This was the match that doubled as both Okada’s prophecy and Omega’s masterpiece.” -Case Lowe

“Arguably the greatest match of all time that saw Kenny Omega finally capture the most prestigious title in the business after a failed, relentless pursuit of said title just a year prior. A fitting end to probably the best in ring rivalry in… well, ever. A match longer than 60 minutes that doesn’t feel long is not common or easy to pull off. And seeing Omega hug his friends before accepting the title was beautiful.” -Noveliss

“I don’t know what to say. The conclusion to what was probably the best told wrestling story in history. I’m just going to leave it at that.” -Doug Fowler (Skeach101) 

“I usually find best 2 out of 3 matches a difficult story to tell. How did Omega and Okada overcome this? The effectively put on 3 consecutive 5 star matches. This was easily the match of the year for me. It was the culmination of a long story that saw two wrestlers at the peak of their powers make the whole world take notice of what NJPW fans have known for a long time.” -Brent Welch

“Un clásico de la lucha libre, dieron un combate que posiblemente superó todos los que han tenido.” -Apolo Valdes

“Let’s not overthink this. This match was magic, from the hype video running through their classic matches, to the post match celebration which brought a tear to my grizzled, cynical eyes. There wasn’t anything else in it’s league in 2018.” -Cewsh

“Professional wrestling, just like television, film and the theater, is just a medium for human emotions to be presented and exposed for our entertainment. Most professional wrestling matches, even very good ones, fail at generating a deeply emotional response from the viewer, that is why wrestling matches don’t tend to resonate with us the same way your favorite movie, or episode of television, does. The very best of professional wrestling, and Omega vs Okada is the very best, does however reach that emotional plateau and draws emotion from even the most cynical fans.

Wrestling matches are not supposed to exceed 60 minutes, but Omega and Okada blasted past that mark and never felt stale because they constantly called-back to their previous, legendary encounters and teased the fans with anticipated moments and finishes. If you had never seen any of there previous matches, the match might not seem like an instant classic, but what made the match special was that it rewarded the viewer who had seen their previous encounters, and like any great movie, it took the viewer on emotional journey of anticipation, disappointment and finally triumph and joy. Omega and Okada was not only the best wrestling match of 2018, it was the best hour of entertainment I watched in 2018. I don’t think wrestling is a particularly enlightened form of art, but Omega vs Okada is a universal masterpiece.” -Jesse Collings

“Sometimes the right choice is the most boring one. If you were to talk to a film buff about the best films ever made, you can’t knock his taste if he mentions ‘The Godfather’ or ‘Citizen Kane’. Same if you were to have the same conversation with a rock enthusiast whose favourite albums are ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ or ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. Omega vs Okada IV might already possess a similar status in the pantheon of wrestling matches. This bout was not only the most entertaining 67 minute match that you can actually see inside a pro wrestling ring, worked at an incredible pace with no obvious shortcuts, it was also the climax that New Japan Pro Wrestling has been building up to for more than two years. It was the culmination of Kenny Omega’s ascension to the top of the company and the world of pro wrestling, as well as the swansong of an historical and bound to be legendary title reign for Kazuchika Okada. An era-defining match if there ever was one.” -Paco Silva

“I really thought this was the best match of their series and capped the feud off nicely (for the time being). Even though I am a big fan of both wrestlers, Omega winning was one of those rare times where a finish happens and you just pump your fist or go “yes!” out loud even though you are by yourself.” -Matt “Swarles” Johnsen

“Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada will forever be linked by this match. I’m not entirely sure it’s possible for anyone to surpass this performance. They took a dated concept, 2/3 falls, and had 3 classics in 64 minutes, showing a level of wrestling moves, psychology, athleticism, call backs, and flat out greatness that two elite athletes at the peak of their powers rarely if ever reach. Often greats miss one another due to time, and age. This was the best champion I’ve ever seen against the most driven to have a great match guy I’ve ever seen. From WK 11 to Dominion 2018 this saga was the zenith of the genre and a perfect way to cap off what could be the end of an era within itself.” -Rich D Latta

“Not just the best match of the year, but perhaps the best match of all time. It had call backs to previous encounters and the 2/3 Falls stipulation added an urgency to every signature move. There really is no debate over this.” -Jamie Apps

“There are not enough adjectives in the world to describe how great this match was. Without a doubt, I can say this is THE best wrestling match I’ve ever watched in my 20 plus years of watching wrestling. This match was a well-paced emotional rollercoaster that had me hooked from the opening bell. Everything you could possibly want in a great match was on display. Hard hitting moves, callbacks to previous matches, creative counters, great commentary, hot crowd. This match had it all! This match won the match of the year in the Keepin’ It Strong Style Year End Awards and think it should win every 2018 Match of the Year award that exists.” -Jeremy Donovan

“Each and every time these two go at it for an hour they make it feel like time flies by.” -Jamie O’Doherty

“This was my favorite match of the year for so many reasons. Naturally, it’s a flippin’ amazing — each fall meant something and was expertly done. The finish was the right one, too, with Kenny Omega winning the IWGP title for the first time. Kazuchika Okada had an amazing run as champion and closed it with an incredible match that is likely one of the better matches of the decade. Wrestling is not just about the moves and story in the ring but the story overall, and this was an expertly told one from start to finish.

And the one thing I will maybe remember most from the match, as the show was winding down, was one last Kazuchika Okada bill stuck to the stage — a bitter reminder that the streak to one of the best championship runs of all time had come to an end.” -Bryan Rose

“I was thinking if there was any match this year that I enjoyed more than this and the one match I was considering was Tanahashi vs. Okada from September, but after listening back to what I said about the match on my Eastern Lariat podcast there’s no doubt in my mind that this was the match of the year. Kenny’s chase was exceptional and the two matches against Okada before had been outstanding so everything was leading to this day in Osaka. In an interview before the match Kenny said the two keys to victory would be not giving Okada the first fall and going so long that Okada would run out of gas because his long title reign was so exhausting. Kenny lost key #1 in the first fall when he couldn’t put Okada away while Okada on the other hand didn’t have to do anything fancy, he just sat down on Kenny after a Rana and pinned him. That frustrated Omega and spread doubt in his mind leading to the challenger having an even bigger hill to climb and coming off as far more sympathetic than he was anyways. In the second fall Omega was finally able to overcome the odds and was able to hit the Katayoku no Tenshi, Okada’s kryptonite, for the equalizer. From there on this match became the ultimate idea of what pro-wrestling as an art form is for those two with amazing call back spots to their matches before. After losing one key in the first fall, Kenny Omega still had the second one as Okada was going for another Rainmaker. He hit Omega, but it didn’t work, the Rainmaker burst on Kenny’s chest because Okada was too exhausted which led to Kenny coming back. This was masterful storytelling and on top of that we got an amazing camera shot for the final V Trigger as it looked like Omega was running straight into the camera for his final shot before putting Okada away. I wasn’t as high as those people who called it the best match of all time because the actual wrestling between the two can get repetitive, but the overarching storytelling was absolutely masterful.” -STRIGGA

“Kenny pointing at a prone Okada with the backdrop of Osaka Jo-Hall. That final V-trigger against the ropes. The closing shot of a lone Okada dollar on the ramp in an emptied arena. This match had some of the best camera work I’ve ever witnessed in pro wrestling and elevated what was already an all time classic.” -Mo Yassin

“What else can be said about this match that has not already been said? Okada and Omega went out there and had the greatest wrestling match of all time. 65 minutes of absolute wrestling perfection to create the fourth chapter in their rivalry which had already set an unprecedented standard leading up to this. Expectations were unrealistically high, and the two men met them in spades.

Just like Flair and Steamboat did; just like Misawa, Kawada, and Kobashi did; Okada and Omega have shown us the mountaintops of wrestling are even higher than we thought possible. And this match is the epitome of that legacy.” -Daniel DeMarco

“2/3 Falls matches tend to fail to impress me, due to their tendency to feel predictable. This match broke that image in my mind. On top of the superb handling of the stipulation it tol a wonderful story contained in the match that served to end a chapter in the story of the IWGP Championship that had been masterfully constructed since 2016 when Kenny Omega won the G1 Climax.” -James “NuclearConvoy” Snelgrove

“This was a culmination of three years with Omega chasing Okada.” -Jahmale Hepburn

“Rarely does a match use it’s stipulation to perfection. This match is a three-act play, with each act having it’s own rises and falls, peaks and valleys. But what makes it special is each act working in the larger framework of the overall match. The two out of three falls stipulation helped curb some of the excesses of their previous matches and provided a structure those matches lacked. Even though is the longest match between the two, it has better drama and better action than any of their others. It tells a better story in one match than any other wrestling match, and most other forms of entertainment.” -August Baker

“For me personally there is no equal to this match this year. Built off a storyline that spanned over a year and a half and featuring one of the greater feuds in modern pro wrestling history. It’s really a neat phenomenon to have matches between two stars where fans can argue simultaneously which one is better than the other and which one is the best match of all time.” -Kentucky210

““HOOK THE LEG, HOOK THE LEG, HOOK THE LEG, OH MY GOD” – Don Callis, in a call that I will remember for the rest of my life

There’s a reason it’s the chalk pick, this match is fucking incredible. 3 falls in 70 minutes, all paced well, and ending the Okada reign in spectacular fashion. From the finish, to the call, to the shot of the lone Okada dollar on the ground at the end of the show, this match will sit with me for a long time.” -Suit Williams

“I mean come on. This was an absolute work of art.” -leon noel

VOW 2018 Match of the Year Countdown