After years of disappointment and heartbreak, Tetsuya Naito finally reaches the top of the NJPW mountain.

2020 MATCH OF THE YEAR ARCHIVES

VOICES OF WRESTLING MATCH OF THE YEAR ARCHIVES

#2
Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada
1/5
NJPW

Overall Points: 936
Total Votes: 106
% of Ballots: 62.7%
34 First-Place Votes

“This is what wrestling is all about. A multiyear story that pays off in an amazing way in an amazing, perfect match. Every Naito fan was on the edge of their seats and will never forget this moment. Non Naito fans would still be amazed at the feat they did here, especially if they followed their previous matches. When it was finished, it was an example of why I love pro wrestling.” -Abraham Delgado

“After a near 7 year odyssey to win a main event in the Tokyo Dome, Tetsuya Naito finally achieves the feat in an all-time classic with one of the best wrestlers ever in Kazuchika Okada. A match that was heavily laced with call backs and storylines, this match lived up to every expectation and finally gave Naito fans the payoff they desperately craved.” -Tyler Forness

“The Naito story is one of missed opportunities. His preternatural gifts for in-ring competition led to monstrous pushes early on in his career, where crowds summarily booed him for being boring and milquetoast. After reinventing himself as El Ingobernable, he was rewarded with his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship victory, only to lose it back to Kazuchika Okada with just one successful defense in between. He won the 2017 G1 Climax in spectacular fashion with unbelievable performances throughout, but stunningly lost to Okada yet again at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in a match where Naito’s victory was thought to be a foregone conclusion. But in early 2019, when he won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, we began to think that perhaps Naito had bigger things in store, discussing the desire to become a double champion. Eventually, the Double Gold Dash came to fruition, and he foiled Jay White on Night 1 of Wrestle Kingdom 14 to win back the Intercontinental Championship. Faced with Okada on Night 2, Naito (and Okada, but this isn’t his story) gave wrestling fans everything they wanted and more. The drama was unbelievable. You’ve never heard a crowd so hot. Naito became the first person to kick out of the spinning Tombstone into the Rainmaker combination. When Okada focused his attack on Naito’s knee at the match’s end, the crowd loudly booed, a reversal of six years prior. The collective gasp when Naito not only attempted his hated Stardust Press, which had whiffed two years prior, but nailed it, is a perfect example of why wrestling’s success is so much of a function of the live crowd. There is no promotion that comes close to NJPW when it comes to long-term storytelling, and when you combine that with the impeccable in-ring work and one-of-a-kind atmosphere, you get the 2020 match of the year.” -Parker Klyn

“Wrestle Kingdom 6 was my first New Japan show. I was in college just looking for something to watch and was peaked with curiosity with guys like MVP, Shelton Benjamin, Masato Tanaka and No Remorse Corps on the show. That show led to New Japan becoming my favorite promotion and the thing I’ve treasured most in this decade. Through the good times and the bad times, it was there. I’ve gotten my brother and my friends into New Japan. I’ve had the pleasure of attending shows in Toronto and California but this was my first time attending them in Japan. For someone following the product since 1.4.2012 this match felt like a complete love letter for the last 8 years of being a fan. This felt like Rock vs. Austin for me. The two biggest stars of the current generation in a monumental moment in front of one of the biggest audiences the promotion has had in decades. From a storytelling standpoint it was the perfect axis point. You had Okada, now regarded as the ace of New Japan with the most successful title reign of all time, against Naito, the man who has gone from being rejected by the crowd to becoming the one of the biggest stars. The journey both men took to get to this point was illustrated throughout the match masterfully in call outs from moments in the last 8 years. Most notibally Naito finally hitting the stardust press. It felt like the perfect third act to their trilogy of dome matches. The match felt cathartic and thrilling and to top it all off, had one of the most incredible pops at the end with the entire dome cheering in ecstasy.. When I first watched New Japan I never could have imagined I would be in the Tokyo Dome. This was more then just a match for me but an all time moment.” -Christopher Duarte

“I would have been happy if Naito’s big moment had finally come in a bad match. Really, I would have. I had been waiting so goddamn long as a Tetsuya Naito fan for him to finally beat Okada in the Tokyo Dome main event and claim the IWGP Heavyweight Title that if the two of them had gone out there and had a disappointing as hell three star affair, I would have still been happy. Instead they went out there and had one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Frankly, in hindsight I should have known that 2020 would be all downhill from there.

This match was everything it should have been and more, as both men basically ascended to their peak forms- Naito, the absolute perfect underdog who sold his leg like few people in wrestling today can still sell a limb, and Okada, the unstoppable champion who doesn’t just believe he’s going to win, he knows it. It’s a story as old as this fake sport itself, and yet it may never have been told in such a perfect way as it was here. Years of build-up and emotion combined with one of the best worked matches I’ve ever seen to create memorable moments that I’ll never forget. Wrestlemania only wishes it could still “make moments” like these, etched into my mind over a year later as if it happened yesterday: Okada slamming Naito’s knee down onto the table as he screams in pain! Naito taking that dropkick and just hopping back up to his feet, screaming and hitting a running Destino! Naito hitting another Destino but selling that leg for just a couple seconds (note to many other wrestlers: you don’t have to act like you’ve been crippled or scream like a banshee to sell a limb effectively), preventing him from making the cover fast enough and letting Okada kick out. Naito pounding his chest and going for that Stardust Press that he missed in 2018, hitting it this time, but then finding out it was never enough to beat the Rainmaker anyway. And finally, Naito putting Okada away and becoming the first man to hold the IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental titles at the same time- an accomplishment his rival can never match.

I’ve watched this match like a dozen times already and it never fails to be anything but incredible. It is, without even the tiniest bit of doubt in my mind, the Match of the Year for 2020.” -John Carroll

“This is not only one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in my life, but also a tremendous conclusion to the years-long storyline of Tetsuya Naito’s Tokyo Dome redemption. I was jumping up and down like a madman watching it thanks to the heart-stopping nearfalls, the Stardust Press callback to the Wrestle Kingdom 12 main event, and the molten hot crowd exploding as Naito pinned Okada to win the double titles. The KENTA attack after the match was brilliant too. When wrestling is this good, nothing on Earth is better.” -Andrew Rich

“The perfect storm of storytelling, booking and wrestling prowess. A masterpiece for the ages.” -Ricardo Gallegos

“There are great matches and then there are matches which make you lose sense of time and space, they take you through a roller coaster of emotions, they make you forget all your problems in life, your short tempered boss who shouted at you that day, the girl who broke up with you last week, the rude man who bumped into you on your way back home from work. Yet for 35 minutes, none of that matters, because you are so deeply invested in the story and the emotion of the match that you live and breathe with every move and every near fall. For 35 minutes, the only thing which matters in your world is if Tetsuya Naito can finally overcome the Rainmaker in the main event of the Tokyo Dome.

When Okada hits the Rainmaker, your heart sinks, you think to yourself – NO! Surely not again, but you jump in joy when Naito kicks out at 2. When Naito goes up to the top rope for the Stardust Press, you(along with Kevin Kelly) watch with your fingers crossed and your heart in your mouth after he missed it last year and in the G1 Final vs. Kenny. But, now he hits it for the first time since becoming Ingobernable. He hits the Destino too but when he picks him up for another Destino, your heart skips a beat as you wonder whether Okada again counters it like he did one year back, but not this time. This is Naito’s night. When Naito wins you are overcome with childlike joy and elation and then when KENTA (in all his magnificent bastard glory) interrupts his post match roll call, kicks him in the head, sits on top of his chest with both titles and denies him his big moment, you again feel anger and want to see him get his.

At its core, pro-wrestling isn’t very complicated. Yet, through years of bastardizing these big moments and major title wins, few wrestling companies can make moments like these still feel special in 2020. This type of stuff is why we watch this shit, why we sit through Night 12 of the G1 in Hamamatsu with Dick Togo doing his 32nd Garrote wire spot of the night. It’s because when modern NJPW lands, there is nothing better.” -PW_IND

“Big advantage being pre-Covid, but also finally felt like the culmination of Naito’s story going back to WK8 and was an incredible match even outside of that” -Ben Fox

“Epic storytelling all around that ended in the best way possible.” -Jason Oun

“An Epic in every sense of the world. Two superstars looking like superstars, with the crowd in the palm of their hands and going crazy. Everything came off, including the fairytale ending as the beaten looking, defiant Naito washes away the failings of two years previously to hit the stardust press and get the big win. Just a shame what was to come in the next 12 months!” -Gareth Hodgson

“If I was to distil what I would want to see in my ideal wrestling match, it would look something like Tetsuya Naito v Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 14. This match has everything I love in wrestling, long term character arcs and stories coming to a head, hard-hitting, explosive, suspenseful action and to top it off an incredible main event presentation in front of a molten hot crowd.

The chemistry for these two wrestlers is so good and while this match was a showcase for Naito and his incredible six-year journey from main event reject to double champion, Okada was the perfect final hurdle for Naito to overcome. Despite this match seemingly being a foregone conclusion, Okada’s supreme confidence and work on Naito’s already injured knee injected enough doubt into the match, that when Naito mounted the turnbuckle for his previously failed Stardust Press, the crowd had its collective heart in its mouth.

Very few wrestling matches get me up out of my seat and cheering at the TV but this one had me fist-pumping the air as Naito was able to finally win on the biggest of stage in New Japan. Pro Wrestling at its absolute finest.” -Sam Brown

“The best wrestling has nothing to do with logic. Like with most matches if you tried you could pick holes in this you could find some cracks. But, when Naito went up to the top rope for the Stardust Press, my heart was in my mouth because I was worried he would throw it all away like he had the previous year. This match knew that you wanted Naito to win more than you wanted your next breath, and paced itself perfectly to plant doubt in your mind over the obvious outcome. This is the true season finale of New Japan.” -Chris O’Brien

“The fitting conclusion to an all time great wrestling story. If you enjoy the modern NJ style I can’t see how this match isn’t your #1” -Lee Malone

“This match was the perfect conclusion to their previous Wrestle Kingdom match. It was a match that someone with no experience of New Japan could watch and love, but it also rewarded the long time viewer with nuance and emotion. The image of Naito, chest heaving after taking multiple Rainmakers, finding the energy to spit in Okada’s face felt like a wonderful act of defiance before he was put in his place again. What followed, however, was one of the greatest wrestling comebacks of all time. The smirk on his face in 2018, as he took the final Rainmaker was a heartbreaking acceptance that reaching the Dome would have to be enough. Two years later, it was replaced by championship gold in a masterful stroke of long-term booking.” -Neil David

“Throughout what many thought was a fairly pedestrian 2018 for Naito, and a convoluted build to the Double Domes at the end of 2019, I was fascinated by the duality of Naito’s character, his relationship to the IC title, and how he would reconcile his relationship to the Stardust Genius character.

Many people point to Naito’s time throwing around the IC title in 2017 as devaluing the belt and making the Double Champion storyline for Wrestle Kingdom 14 worse than it could have been. That was never the case for me, and I believe that is disregarding the developments throughout 2018 and 2019 that took place. During those two years Naito completely revolved around the Intercontinental title, and slowly gained a begrudging respect and maybe even admiration for the belt. He may not have treated it as nicely as Ibushi, but he no longer tried to chip and break it like he once did. And when all hope seemed loss on the way to January 2020, it was the Intercontinental Title, the belt that he once hated, which held the key for Naito to achieve his ultimate glory.

The other thing that Naito had to learn to embrace from his past was the Stardust Genius – his previous character that had failed him at Wrestle Kingdom 8 and that the fans turned against. While Naito changed many things in his change to LIJ Naito, he kept one important aspect from his previous character – his entrance music, titled “Stardust.” That remnant of the Stardust Genius remained, and continues to be a huge part of Naito’s connection with the crowd as they clap and chant along with the music.

Of course the most notable call back to the Genius was the use of the Stardust Press – his old finishing move. He had tried to use it before and failed. In my mind Naito had a decision to make. He could completely separate himself from the Stardust Genius and the past – ditch the music, ditch the move. But he didn’t. Those were still important parts of himself and in the most dramatic moment of the match he confidently climbed to the top rope and hit the Stardust Press. It wasn’t enough to put away Okada – but it shouldn’t have been. That would have meant that the Stardust Genius was all that he needed to beat The Rainmaker. But that wasn’t the case. He needed both. He needed a Stardust Press and a Destino. He needed the Stardust Genius and El Ingobernable. He needed the past and the present to achieve the future.” -S. Dakota Jones 

“This match was a culmination of exemplary in-ring work, as well as long-form storytelling that was the culmination of a feud that had its root several years prior. History was made as Naito became the first Double Gold Champion. Even moves themselves in this match, like the Stardust Press, had history and meaning when they landed. And whether it’s fair or not, the fact there was a full house of fans to react to every moment makes this match head and shoulders above the rest.” -Reuel Castillo

“How do I even start this review? Naito up to this point had accomplished almost everything. He’s a multiple time G1 Climax winner, New Japan Cup winner, he’s had multiple titles in NJPW including the IWGP Heavyweight Title and he has even main evented the Tokyo Dome. His ultimate goal however, to become the undisputed top star of the promotion, has always slipped his fingers. Some of it has been his fault and some of it was the promotion holding him down. Regardless, he decided to take what he feels is rightfully his by his own means. His journey culminated here: in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom versus Kazuchika Okada for both the IWGP Heavyweight title and the IWGP Intercontinental title. It is here that he finally accomplishes what he set out, learned from his mistakes and accepted what his career was before his big change of outlook.

Naito’s acceptance of the IWGP Intercontinental title represents his acceptance of his past failures. He realizes that, as much as he tried to prove otherwise, the title would always follow him around. He feels held back by the title. He thinks it defines his career. His evolution into the Ingobernable was a statement that he no longer wants to be defined by some outside force. What he failed to realize for the longest time is that that includes the Intercontinental title. By challenging for the heavyweight title as the Intercontinental champion he shows that he is not going to be defined by one belt. The IC title will always follow him around, so why not just go for both? Naito’s story is that he writes his own destiny so he came out with the Naito Two Belts campaign. In the Wrestle Kingdom 12 main event against Okada, he hesitated to use the Stardust Press. This time there was no hesitation. With a chest pound he climbed the ropes and hit it without much thought. This further proves he accepts everything that has happened to him and uses it to accomplish his ultimate goal.

Naito makes his entrance but he does not look like the Naito we see all the time. He’s more serious. It’s the most important match of his career. Okada’s demeanor heavily contrasts Naito’s. He’s not cocky but confident. He lives where Naito wishes to be. He knows what it takes to be there. Naito’s seriousness is reinforced when he drops all of his snide offense. The two wrestlers stare each other down. You can feel the tension through their gazes. They know each other. There’s no need for the feeling out process. They know what they need to do to win.

The entire match is one constant back and forth battle. There are almost no extended control periods in the match. The attention to detail for every little transition is phenomenal. It was a continuous flow of mat wrestling, strike exchanges and big spots. The fact that they were able to keep this going for the entire match is incredible. In most matches there are usually turning points that shift the momentum of the match. But they went with a different approach and executed it flawlessly. The match was almost never slow and the pace of these struggles kept increasing. They targeted body parts that were previously injured. Naito targeted Okada’s neck and Okada Naito’s knee. This demonstrates their familiarity with each other. The drama was off the charts here. The crowd was living and dying with every strike, submission, dropkick, suplex, piledriver, nearfall, ringout count and even Naito’s spit. Everything was over in this match. The closing stretch was one of the greatest closing stretches I’ve ever seen. Both wrestlers performed smooth counters and transitions and despite being half an hour in their stamina and accuracy was on point. The Stardust Press was such an amazing moment. Watching it live it honestly felt as if time slowed as we waited to see if Naito would actually hit the move. And when he did, time slowed again while we waited to see if it was the finish.” -Rene Martinez

“If you share a time zone with me here on the U.S. east coast, then maybe you look back at this match through the same lens of exhausted delirium that I do. Two nights of Wrestle Kingdom add up to a whole lot of sleep and sun deprivation. It didn’t feel all that different from waiting out the main events of major 90’s Pay-Per-Views. And it’s not just because I was watching through bleary eyes in a dark living room after everyone else in the house had gone to bed. It was also because Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito made me feel like a stoked little kid again.

You only get one chance to nail the culmination of years of careful storytelling, and these two couldn’t have done it any better. Sure, it’s littered with callbacks and references for attentive fans, but even in a vacuum it’s a pro wrestling clinic. While Naito and Okada are both still within reasonable distance of their primes, Father Time’s a stiff worker. That didn’t matter in the dome. These two prowled the ring like it was 2012. From the opening bell it felt major, and it never ceased until Okada raised his fist in the aisleway on his way to the locker room – a gesture that read to me like two men certain they just absolutely nailed it. It was all I could do at 5 AM but to raise my coffee mug with them.” -Jonathan Hernandez

“What can I say about this match that hasn’t already been said? Naito’s journey to defeat Okada in the Dome is simply the stuff of legends. It took us years to get here, with twists, turns and an unprecedented defeat at WK12, but the wait paid off in spades as Naito stood tall over Okada. The match with Ibushi might have been better worked bell-to-bell, but nothing can compare to emotion that permeated every second of this bout. From the opening blows, to the Stardust Press, to the final Destino, you’re hooked and on the edge of your seat. Plus, Kenta scored the greatest heel heat ever.” -Mike Gilbert

“A great payoff to one of the best long-term storylines in the history of Pro Wrestling. We all thought Naito’s time was finally coming at Wrestle Kingdom 12.  But, no, he lost.  Then after that it looked like he was cursed to be perpetually stuck in the Intercontinental title scene.  But it turns out he needed the belt he hated to get the one he had been chasing after.  Finally, Wrestle Kingdom 14, the first ever Double Gold Dash was his time.  The crowd was explosive, the match was awesome.  The call back spots; Naito hitting the Stardust Press after an attempt at it cost him the match at Wrestle Kingdom 12.  The story telling, the work in the ring, the commentary, the crowd; everything was on point.  Not to mention the salute from Okada on his way out.  Definitely my match of the year.” -Noveliss

“1/5/20 is the best match I’ve ever seen. A tremendous conclusion of a 7-year story with some of the best storytelling you’ll ever find.” -Brady Childs

“The climatic act of Wrestle Kingdom 14’s Double Gold Dash was a hair’s breadth away from reaching my top spot, with the nail-biting story of Naito being on the brink of his “destino” bringing this match to an undeniable fever pitch. As a big Naito fan, I was heavily invested in his redemption arc. So its conclusion had to not only be a top-level match, but also tie a satisfying bow around the entire story – this match did just that. I can’t fail to mention the Stardust Press towards the end of the match, as it was an emotion fueled call back to Naito’s failure against Okada two Wrestle Kingdoms previous. Naito took elements from all over his wrestling past, willing to resort to his “rudo” roots, cunning mind games and his extensive back catalogue in order to finally reach his “destino”.” -Jamie Johnson

“The culmination of the Bushi Road era. Two of the greatest. the winner takes all. Years of lore leading to this.” -Franky DeJesus

“Another match that I don’t think I can do justice with my words – incredible from start to finish, with a level of importance not seen in many matches this year. Seeing Naito finally win the big one at Wrestle Kingdom was an early highlight to the year, even if the eventual title run got hamstringed by the events of the pandemic. Still, an all time great match.” -Slyguy46

“This was the biggest match of the year due to the stage on which it took place, the stature of the two competitors and the long journey that led us to this point. The greatest champion of modern NJPW history against the company’s most popular and charismatic star. Their past matches against each other, Okada’s long list of accomplishments and Naito’s compelling journey to the top were all drawn on here. As a long term Naito fan, this was the match that I was most invested in the outcome of. The climactic finish brought me to my feet a number of times and the nods to previous defeats, as well as Naito’s former Stardust persona, left me hanging on every moment. It felt like it should be his time, but Okada can never be discounted and he played the dominant figure here in a way that was called for, but that we see surprisingly rarely from him. This was a classic main event for the ages with all of the drama, tension, and ultimate reward that you would hope to get from such an occasion. If this is truly the match that marks the end of NJPW’s decade long golden era, it could not have had a more worthy climax to go out on.” -Jack Groom

“Naito finally was able to avenge his Wrestle Kingdom loss against Okada and become double champ in NJPW in this great match. It is expected from these two workers to put on a such great match in a front of pre-COVID crowd.” -Filip Pejic

“The long awaited conclusion of one of New Japan’s most compelling story of the last decade has been worth the wait. When the New Japan main event formula clicks, it REALLY does and this match conveyed everything you could ask from it. The emotion, the big fight feel, and of course the quality offerred by one of New Japan’s best pairings, if not the best.” -Valentin Humez

“Being in attendance for this is easily the loudest wrestling show I have ever experienced. While there were 10,000 less people than night one in the Tokyo Dome, it was easily louder for this match.” -BlastoSTG

“At Wrestle Kingdom 14, New Japan decided to divide up the event into two nights and the double gold dash concept was born as New Japan Pro Wrestling would look to unify both the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and the Heavyweight Championship to crown their first double champion in company history. Tetsuya Naito did not win the G1 Climax in the previous year (that honor went to Kota Ibushi) but once the company got the idea for this concept, it brought both Jay White and Tetsuya Naito back into the mix. Thus Naito and White (Along with Okada and Ibushi) found themselves with a chance to be the first ever double champion in IWGP history. On January 4th Tetsuya Naito would defeat Jay White to become the IWGP Intercontinental Champion and on that same Night Kazuchika Okada defeated Kota Ibushi to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship which set this match up as the main event for night two and it was the match that everyone had been waiting for. This match was absolutely incredible, Okada set the pace early and made Naito work from the bottom but the two would have some absolutely incredible exchanges that resulted in a great match that told a magnificent story. Okada would punish Naito throughout the match working relentlessly on his knee but the efforts from the Ace would prove to not be enough as Naito would work his way back to regain the upper hand and eventually win the match to me this match was perfect both Okada and Naito wrestled a flawless match and they each put forth their best efforts to deliver what was an outstanding match. It all culminated with Tetsuya Naito taking his rightful place as the first ever IWGP Double Champion in company history. It was the perfect way to end Tetsuya Naito’s chase toward once again becoming the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It was the perfect ending to Tetsuya Naito’s journey and it would set the course for what we would see in the beginning of the new year.” -Nathan Neumann

“I’m not the biggest Naito fan but the whole story around him and his lust to headline Wrestle Kingdom and to win the IWGP Heavyweight championship in front of a Tokyo Dome crowd got me. Okada cleary showed no respect at the beginning of the match and reminded the “Ungovernable“ who made him cry two times in the Tokyo Dome. The match had great pace, enough drama to earn a spot on a Mexican telenovela and the story of the cool football quarterback-ish type of guy against the rebellious emo-kid from around the corner. You could feel the big time feeling in every minute of the match. When Naito climbed the turnbuckle to do his Stardust Press, the Destino connected the relief in the Tokyo Dome was definitely noticeable.” -Christian Gascoigne

“I can describe this match in one word; redemption. Naito reached the pinnacle, winning a Tokyo Dome main event. Tears were shed, respect was shown and another all timer Wrestle Kingdom main event was delivered.” -Sarah Flannery

“While it was very good in the ring and the atmosphere of a Tokyo Dome show is hard to beat, I think this match ranks so highly for me purely because of the story. Naito finally vanquishing his greatest foe and holding those two belts was as perfect a wrestling moment as I can remember in 2020.” -Liam Renner

“A slow-building main event with all the grandness and stakes you could ask for. Naito and Okada were both on their respective games as they delivered a buttery smooth and engrossing display of championship wrestling. Champion and challenger were master puppeteers controlling the crowd with deft tugs of their strings. Naito, his leg crumpling under him, barely rolling into the ring to beat the 20-count is wrestling drama at its finest. The match is elevated by Naito finally getting his coronation, the tranquilo warrior reaching the summit that had long eluded him.” -Ryan Dilbert

“It’s Okada and Naito at their best, finally having a match that comes close to living up to the promise of that magical first encounter nearly eight years prior. The match reverses the biggest strength of that initial encounter as a final way to symbolize Tetsuya Naito having to find a way to stop getting in his own way. The final loose end of New Japan’s 2010s peak get tied up, and the peak is over. It ends, finally, with the fulfillment of the promise made in the match that kick started this in the first place.” -Simon F.

“What else needs to be said about this match that hasn’t been said by many others already? This was an awesome contest that continued the legacy of legendary Wrestle Kingdom main events. It was culmination of Tetsuya’s Natio story arc,, as he finally managed to defeat Okada in the Tokyo Dome for the IWGP Heavyweight Title, while also making history by becoming the first person to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Title and the IWGP Intercontinental Title at the same time. Of course, Okada was superb as always (you can always count on him in a big spot), and as a whole, you can’t tell the story of pro-wrestling in 2020 without talking about this match.” -Sean Sedor

“Ibushi vs. Okada was a better main event. But the importance and story in that match made it so special. Naito wrestled with a more serious way. It showed that , it really meant something to him. When it comes to big matches , especially title matches it needs to feel important. In my country, Japanese wrestling shows start in early hours. I woke up at 9 AM to watch that match. It really worth it though. Because what I saw was a masterpiece. When I saw Okada kicking out from Stardust Press , I lose my mind. Okada wrestled with a more calm and relaxed way. He didn’t took Naito seriously and paid for it. The match ended a chapter in New Japan and started a new one.” -Kaan Ünverdi

“For years Keepin’ It Strong Style listeners have been asking “why does Gedo hate Naito?”. LIJ fans were clamoring to see their guy finally win the big one in the main event of the Tokyo Dome. After years of waiting they were finally able to rejoice as Naito defeated Okada to become the first double IWGP Champion. This was a great back and forth contest that was filled with callbacks from their previous matches. The crowd was firmly behind Naito this night. They lived and breathed on every Naito near fall. The crowd was so invested in Naito if he lost there might have been a riot. This was a great piece of storytelling that righted the wrongs of Wrestle Kingdom 12.” -Jeremy Donovan

“I don’t have a lot of specific memories of the match anymore other than just thinking “wow” down the stretch and what a great moment the finish was.” -Mongo Underscore Ebooks

“Match that was almost as great as the previous night’s main event- but not quite. Nonetheless, absolutely captivating throughout its 36 minute duration and great to finally see Naito upend Okada in the Dome.” -Mo Chatra

“I normally am luck warm to Naito but this might have been my favourite match that he was involved in” -Andrew Lacelle

“The WrestleKingdom Night 2 main event feature a rivalry years in the making that climates in a career moment for Naito. This 35-minute match features a back and forth battle in front of a traditional Tokyo Dome crowd that almost seems surreal today.” -J.D. Oliva

“Naito finally gets his crowning moment. Defeating Okada at the Dome. Did it come to late? Should it of happened sooner? I don’t care, it happened and it was awesome. All the struggles, set backs, false starts temporarily forgotten as Naito got to hold and lift the double titles, and he defeated perhaps one of the best, if not the best, wrestlers in NJPW in Okada to do it. Beautiful. If you didn’t enjoy this, I don’t know what more you want out of your wrestling.” -JoJo Remy

“The culmination of Naito’s redemption story. COVID would ruin his big reign, but I don’t think we are quite done with these two in big matches. Okada giving Naito the Ingobernables salute as he’s taken to the back after Naito asks if he’d want to do it again seals this.” -Steven Case

“Naito won the big one over Okada at the Dome! Thousands of screaming fans lived for this moment. On this night, NJPW hit the highest of highs and after two nights at the Dome, Naito won two straight nights and the IWPG and IC title. The years long story and the culmination of an excellent main event match is what NJPW and wrestling is all about.” -Jacob Woolley

“Before this match, Naito was “teetering on irrelevance”, as commentary put it, and seemed to be on the verge of taking a break. Naito was not favored to win, but having won the night before against Jay White, fans were offered a glimpse of hope going into the match; hope that paid off when old school Naito delivered his brand of brutality.” -Kristen Ashly

“After years of struggle, Naito finally got his moment against Okada. Fantastic story build with great pacing. This felt as an epic match, with moments that were awesome like Naito finally landing the Stardust Press against Okada. The perfect ending for a chapter in the history of NJPW.” -Gin Malkavar

“The Stakes Where Higher Than Ever Before As Opportunity Presented Itself To Hold Both Intercontinental And Heavyweight Championships. Both Okada And Naito Walked In Night 2 Of Wrestle Kingdom As Champions , After Both Men went To Absolute War The Previous Night. The History Between The 2 Men Was enough to sell you this match as okada was always the obstacle between naito’s road to the top, As It Was Seen In This Match. Okada Was A Great “Dance Partner” In This Match helping Naito In certain Spots And Telling a Fantastic Story. Seeing The Perseverance And The Support Naito Was Getting, Okada Constantly Went After The Knees Of Naito, Which The Naito Fans Didn’t Appreciate. The Near falls In This Match Brought Everyone On The edge Of There Seats At The Tokyo Dome, And After Softening Up Okada’s Neck, Naito Hit one final Destino, Winning Double Gold As He Now Reached The Pinnacle Of New Japan.” -suprit ramnathkar

“7 years in the making made this a long term narrative paying off. Naito and Okada work seamlessly together and made for a superb big time Tokyo Dome main event.” -Sid Pullar III

“Great payoff to a year’s long story.” -Kevin Chiat

“Two of NJPW’s all time greats telling an amazing story.” -Ed Kody

“What an incredible match to end Naito’s chase of Wrestle Kingdom main event victory. Another perfect and awesome Main Event in the Tokyo Dome.” -Salih Arandi

“This match had years of build up and Naito finally was able to finally defeat Okada and become The first double IWGP champion in NJPW history. This match was so emotional and hard hitting. It rewarded long time fans for paying attention to this amazing feud.” -Juan Carlos Reneo

“This match might have gotten lost in the shuffle, since it took place so long ago and so much has happened this year with both Okada and Naito, that it might not end up as a classic, but it was an incredible match. At the time, this match was seen as a great conclusion to a long-running storyline, where Naito spent years trying to beat Okada in the main event of a Tokyo Dome show, and after a half-decade of waiting, he finally accomplished that in a thrilling main event that credibly closed out a monster two days of wrestling at the Tokyo Dome.” -Jesse Collings

“Two years after he arguably should of just won the title, New Japan finally give Naito his night in the Tokyo Dome, defeating Okada to unify both the IWGP Heavyweight and IC titles. If they wanted this to feel like a bigger deal they should of just had a normal one show WrestleKingdom and have more than a 1 day announcement that this match was going to take place, but hey it still felt big as these two stars stared each other down before locking up. A quintessential New Japan epic, with a stronger theme running through it than normal with the Naito knee injuries following his match with Jay White on Jan 4th to make his efforts chasing down his ‘Destino’ even more sympathetic. Naito should of won with the Stardust Press though, that would of tied things better to the match at Wrestlekingdom 12.” -Ed Mills

“The perfect culmination to a tremendous years long build to Naito finally winning at the Dome.” -James Snelgrove

“An incredible achievement on New Japan’s part, and another feather in Gedo’s cap, to peak the Naito story in such a spectacular fashion. Naito fans finally got to rejoice, even with KENTA getting involved afterwards. Meanwhile, Okada adds another Tokyo Dome epic to his already towering resume.” -Suit Williams

“The feel good moment of the year and I was there live. Even though I’m not a huge Naito or LiJ fan it was amazing seeing so many fans who do love both become so emotional when Naito finally beat Okada, for the Title, in the main of a Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome.” -WH Park

Voices of Wrestling 2020 Match of the Year
(261-11)

PlaceMatchDatePromotionOverall PointsTotal Votes% of ballotsHighest Vote
1Hangman Page & Kenny Omega vs. The Young Bucks2/29AEW106912272.2%1st
2Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada1/5NJPW93610662.7%1st
3Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi1/4NJPW8319958.6%1st
4WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov10/29WWE (NXT UK)5658349.1%1st
5Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi1/4NJPW5087846.2%1st
6Go Shiozaki vs. Takashi Sugiura12/6NOAH4345633.1%1st
7Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado12/11NJPW3405532.5%1st
8Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Go Shiozaki11/22NOAH3074224.9%1st
9RED vs. Toryumon Gen12/20Dragongate2763721.9%1st
10Kenny Omega vs. PAC2/26AEW1713420.1%1st
11Stadium Stampede5/23AEW1662816.6%1st
12Kazuchika Okada vs. Shingo Takagi10/10NJPW1463520.7%2nd
13Villano III Jr. vs. Aéreo3/1AAA1452414.2%1st
14Santana/Ortiz vs. Best Friends9/16AEW1422917.2%1st
15Kota Ibushi vs. Minoru Suzuki10/10NJPW1232213.0%1st
16Jon Moxley vs. Minoru Suzuki2/9NJPW1152816.6%1st
17Mayu Iwatani vs. Takumi Iroha2/8Stardom1142112.4%2nd
18Mizuki vs. Yuka Sakazaki11/7TJPW1111911.2%1st
19FTR vs. The Young Bucks11/7AEW1092514.8%2nd
20Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi9/20NJPW1032213.0%2nd
21Go Shiozaki vs. Kazuyuki Fujita3/29NOAH91137.7%1st
22Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus10/5AJPW811810.7%2nd
23Yuki Ishikawa vs. Daisuke Ikeda3/7wXw80116.5%1st
24Adam Page, Alex Reynolds & John Silver vs. MJF, Ortiz & Santana12/30AEW771810.7%1st
25Mayu Iwatani vs. Takumi Iroha10/18Stardom75116.5%1st
26Sasha Banks vs. Bayley10/25WWE66105.9%1st
27Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Will Ospreay2/14RevPro61158.9%2nd
28Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Go Shiozaki1/4NOAH59116.5%3rd
29Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryu Lee2/9NJPW58116.5%2nd
30Kenny Omega vs. Laredo Kid12/12AAA51105.9%2nd
31Mike Bailey vs. Bandido3/7wXw5074.1%1st
32Brodie Lee vs. Cody10/7AEW49158.9%6th
33Shingo Takagi vs. Will Ospreay9/27NJPW49116.5%5th
34Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak3/8WWE4974.1%1st
35Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly10/4WWE (NXT)47116.5%3rd
36PAC vs. Orange Cassidy2/29AEW4695.3%1st
37Fred Yehi vs. Jeremy Wyatt6/27St. Louis Anarchy44105.9%2nd
38Matt Tremont vs. Rickey Shane Page10/30H204274.1%1st
39Kento Miyahara vs. Suwama3/23AJPW3895.3%1st
40Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii9/27NJPW3884.7%4th
41Kota Ibushi vs. Taichi10/16NJPW3884.7%5th
42Butcher & Blade vs. Natural Nightmares11/11AEW3774.1%1st
43Kaito Ishida vs. Keisuke Okuda11/3Dragongate3763.6%1st
44Eita vs. Naruki Doi8/2Dragongate3674.1%2nd
45Hideki Suzuki vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima2/16NOAH3674.1%4th
46Go Shiozaki vs. Kenoh8/10NOAH3653.0%2nd
47Chessman vs. Pagano12/12AAA3453.0%1st
48Hangman Page & Kenny Omega vs. The Lucha Brothers2/19AEW3195.3%4th
49Kagetsu & Mayu Iwatani vs. Jungle Kyona & Momo Watanabe1/26Stardom3153.0%4th
50Jake Lee vs. Kento Miyahara1/3AJPW2974.1%5th
51Tetsuya Endo vs. Daisuke Sasaki11/3DDT2942.4%1st
52Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White10/16NJPW2784.7%4th
53Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kaito Kiyomiya10/11NOAH2742.4%1st
54Cody vs. Eddie Kingston7/22AEW2742.4%3rd
55Wotan & Mascara Sagrada Jr. vs. El Hijo de Fishman & Mr. Condor2/15Lucha Strong2731.8%1st
56Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Will Ospreay2/2NJPW2674.1%4th
57Will Ospreay vs. Dowie James1/11MCW2642.4%1st
58Kzy vs. Naruki Doi2/7Dragongate2642.4%2nd
59Rickey Shane Page vs. Nick Gage2/15GCW2584.7%3rd
60AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan6/8WWE2574.1%2nd
61Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii9/30NJPW2553.0%1st
62Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Alexander Wolfe, Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel & WALTER1/25WWE (NXT)2542.4%2nd
63Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata6/17NJPW2484.7%4th
64Brodie Lee vs. Cody8/22AEW2374.1%5th
65Arisa Nakajima vs. Yoshiko7/13SEAdLINNNG2263.6%6th
66Yuya Aoki vs. Fumenori Abe2/11BJW2253.0%4th
67Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso9/27WWE2053.0%5th
68Emi Sakura vs. Yuna Mizumori6/30Gatoh Move2021.2%1st
69Tomohiro Ishii vs. Minoru Suzuki9/19NJPW1953.0%4th
70Jun Akiyama vs. Konosuke Takeshita11/3DDT1942.4%3rd
71Hiromu Takahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii7/2NJPW1842.4%4th
72Mayu Iwatani vs. Jungle Kyona7/24Stardom1821.2%1st
72Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak5/11WWE1821.2%1st
74Lee Moriarty vs. Jonathan Gresham10/10GCW1742.4%5th
75Mayumi Ozaki vs. Saori Anou8/28OZ Academy1731.8%3rd
76Jake Lee, Shuji Ishikawa & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Kento Miyahara, Suwama & Zeus4/6AJPW1631.8%1st
77Abdullah Kobayashi vs. Toshiyuki Sakuda vs. Yuki Ishikawa6/21BJW1631.8%3rd
78Marcius Pitt vs. Davis Storm3/7EPW1631.8%3rd
79Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Sakaguchi vs. Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ueno10/25DDT1631.8%5th
80Lee Moriarty vs. ACH10/9GCW1542.4%3rd
81Men's Royal Rumble Match1/26WWE1542.4%4th
82Tyler Bate vs. Jordan Devlin1/12WWE (NXT UK)1442.4%7th
83Utami Hyashishita vs. Momo Watanabe12/20Stardom1431.8%3rd
84Giulia vs. Tam Nakano10/3Stardom1431.8%5th
85Jordynne Grace vs. Deonna Purrazzo7/18Impact Wrestling1421.2%4th
86Shotaro Ashino & Kuma Arashi vs. Shuji Ishikawa & Suwama11/18AJPW1410.6%1st
86Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga vs. Riho & Yuna Mizumori7/5Gatoh Move1410.6%1st
86Mayu Iwatani, Tam Nakano, Starlight Kid & Saya Iida vs. Giulia, Syuri, Maika & Himeka6/21Stardom1410.6%1st
86Daniel Makabe vs. Kevin Ku1/5SUP1410.6%1st
86Jordan Oliver vs. Myron Reed7/25Synergy Pro Wrestling1410.6%1st
86Jack Tucker vs. Thirteen11/13United Pro Wrestling1410.6%1st
92John Cena vs. The Fiend4/5WWE1342.4%3rd
93Titan vs. Soberano Jr.9/25CMLL1331.8%3rd
94Suwama vs. Shotaro Ashino6/30AJPW1321.2%3rd
95Lee Moriarty vs. Daniel Makabe10/9SUP1321.2%4th
96Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page11/7AEW1242.4%6th
97Riho vs. Nyla Rose2/12AEW1231.8%4th
98Shingo Takagi vs. SHO6/22NJPW1231.8%5th
99DIY vs. Moustache Mountain1/25WWE (NXT)1221.2%3rd
100Arisa Nakajima & Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Yoshiko & Sareee11/27SEAdLINNNG1131.8%3rd
101Daisuke Harada vs. Dick Togo1/30NOAH1131.8%5th
102MAO vs. Masato Tanaka2/23DDT1131.8%6th
103Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA10/18NJPW1131.8%6th
104Giulia vs. Syuri12/20Stardom1121.2%2nd
105Rich Swann vs. Eric Young10/24Impact Wrestling1121.2%3rd
106Kagetsu vs. Meiko Satomura2/24Kagetsu Retirement Show1121.2%4th
107Wotan & Super Dragons vs. El Hijo de Fishman & Amatheus12/5LLPM1121.2%5th
108Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii vs. EVIL & Shingo Takagi1/6NJPW1053.0%8th
109Thunder Rosa vs. Priscilla Kelly9/22UWN1042.4%7th
110Wardlow vs. Cody Rhodes2/19AEW1031.8%4th
110Will Ospreay vs. Tomohiro Ishii9/23NJPW1031.8%4th
112Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe1/19Stardom1031.8%7th
113Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura vs. T-Hawk & El Lindaman6/7DDT1021.2%2nd
114MJF vs. Jungle Boy5/23AEW1021.2%6th
114Butcher & The Blade & The Lucha Brothers vs. The Young Bucks & FTR7/8AEW1021.2%6th
116Matt Riddle vs. Timothy Thatcher5/27WWE (NXT)942.4%6th
117Undisputed Era vs. Broserweights2/16WWE (NXT)931.8%4th
118Chris Dickinson vs. Matt Makowski 9/20Beyond Wrestling921.2%4th
118Will Ospreay vs. Bea Priestley3/16WrestleTalk921.2%4th
120Cody vs. Darby Allin11/7AEW921.2%5th
120Mayu Iwatani vs. Syuri10/3Stardom921.2%5th
122Mitch McCarthy vs. Rip Rielly2/29AWL910.6%2nd
122Natsumi Maki vs. Sareee1/4TJPW910.6%2nd
124Yuji Okabayashi vs.  Daisuke Sekimoto11/23BJW831.8%7th
125Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & DOUKI10/23NJPW821.2%5th
126LA Park vs. Eddie Kingston2/14RevPro821.2%6th
127Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi11/7NJPW821.2%7th
128Jon Moxley vs. Brodie Lee5/23AEW810.6%3rd
128Ace Perry vs. Lee Moriarty3/15Bizarro Lucha810.6%3rd
128Tim Hayden vs. LFB8/15IPW Australia810.6%3rd
128Mei Hoshizuki vs. Maria1/19Marvelous810.6%3rd
128Dangerous Tekkers vs. Golden Aces7/12NJPW810.6%3rd
128Giulia vs. Himeka10/29Stardom810.6%3rd
128Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita11/15Stardom810.6%3rd
128Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley4/5WWE810.6%3rd
136Masato Tanaka vs. Tetsuya Endo6/7DDT731.8%7th
136Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi8/29NJPW731.8%7th
138Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii10/10NJPW731.8%7th
139AZM vs. Starlight Kid10/3Stardom721.2%5th
139Men's War Games12/6WWE (NXT)721.2%5th
141Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kenoh9/18NOAH721.2%5th
141Timothy Thatcher vs. Oney Lorcan7/1WWE (NXT)721.2%5th
143Masashi Takeda vs. Toru Sugiura12/25FREEDOMS710.6%4th
143Mei Suruga vs. ASUKA5/23Gatoh Move710.6%4th
143Mei Suruga vs. Ryo Mizunami10/4Gatoh Move710.6%4th
143AZM & Kagetsu vs. Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid1/2Stardom710.6%4th
143Ivan Black vs. Ricky Rembrandt9/26United Pro Wrestling710.6%4th
143AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker4/4WWE710.6%4th
143The New Day vs. The Street Profits11/22WWE710.6%4th
143Mayumi Ozaki & Saori Anou vs. Aja Kong & Hiroyo Matsumoto2/24ZERO1710.6%4th
151Daniel Bryan vs. The Fiend1/26WWE631.8%7th
152Eddie Kingston vs. Jon Moxley -11/7AEW631.8%8th
153Suzu Suzuki vs. Tsukushi9/20Ice Ribbon621.2%7th
154Masaaki Mochizuki  vs. Kaito Kiyomiya  9/18NOAH621.2%8th
154Takumi Iroha, Rin Kadokura & Mei Hoshizuki vs. Momo Watanabe, AZM & Utami Hayashishita9/28Stardom621.2%8th
156CHANGO & Kaji Tomato vs. Kengo Mashimo & Kunio Toshima5/102AW610.6%5th
156Mei Suruga vs. Mitsuru Konno7/9Gatoh Move610.6%5th
156Emi Sakura & Riho vs. Mei Suruga & Yuna Mizumori9/26Gatoh Move610.6%5th
156Mei Suruga vs. Yuna Mizumori5/27Gatoh Move610.6%5th
156Trish Adora vs. Suge D10/9GCW610.6%5th
156Alex Colon vs. AKIRA10/17ICW610.6%5th
156Kota Ibushi vs. Shingo Takagi10/7NJPW610.6%5th
156Kenoh vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima8/4NOAH610.6%5th
156Lana Austin vs. Yuka Sakazaki1/11Pro Wrestling Eve610.6%5th
156Leon vs. Hanako Nakamori7/26PURE-J610.6%5th
156Jules Canan vs. Craven vs. Ritchie Taylor3/15Wide Bay Pro Wrestling610.6%5th
156Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Shotaro Ashino2/12Wrestle-1610.6%5th
156Eddie Kingston vs. Daniel Makabe3/6wXw610.6%5th
169Takuya Nomura & Fuminori Abe vs. Kohei Sato & Daisuke Sekimoto8/10BJW531.8%9th
170Kaito Ishida vs. Keisuke Okuda11/15Dragongate521.2%7th
171Mitsuru Konno vs. Mei Suruga7/19Gatoh Move521.2%8th
172Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. The Young Bucks vs. Best Friends vs. Santana & Ortiz1/15AEW510.6%6th
172Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin8/5AEW510.6%6th
172Lee Moriarty vs. Alex Shelley2/7AIW510.6%6th
172RED vs. Toryumon Generation12/6Dragongate510.6%6th
172AJ Gray vs. ACH10/10Glory Pro510.6%6th
172Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito1/4NJPW510.6%6th
172Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi9/23NJPW510.6%6th
172Shingo Takagi vs. Hirooki Goto2/1NJPW510.6%6th
172Arisa Nakajima vs. Yoshiko1/24SEAdLINNNG510.6%6th
172Arisa Nakajima vs. ASUKA6/13SEAdLINNNG510.6%6th
172Arisa Hoshiki vs. Utami Hayashishita1/19Stardom510.6%6th
172Jake Nova vs. Tim Kade vs. Jackson Cross2/22Venom Pro Wrestling510.6%6th
172Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso10/25WWE510.6%6th
185TJP vs. Hijo del Vikingo2/4Impact Wrestling421.2%8th
185Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii2/20NJPW421.2%8th
187Ayato Yoshida & Tank Nagai vs. Kaji Tomato & CHANGO3/252AW410.6%7th
187Zac Reynolds & Renegade vs. Wacol's Most Wanted5/93 Count Wrestling Academy410.6%7th
187Daniel Makabe vs. Judas Icarus1/103-2-1 BATTLE!410.6%7th
187The Young Bucks vs. The Butcher and The Blade7/22AEW410.6%7th
187Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley12/2AEW410.6%7th
187Tony Deppen vs. John Silver3/1Beyond Wrestling410.6%7th
187Kimber Lee vs. Joey Janela8/23Beyond Wrestling410.6%7th
187KAI vs. BxB Hulk vs. YAMATO vs. Yoshino vs. EITA vs. Big R Shimizu9/21Dragongate410.6%7th
187Hagane Shinnou vs. Keisuke Ishii7/26Ganbare Pro410.6%7th
187Maya Yukihi vs. Suzu Suzuki8/9Ice Ribbon410.6%7th
187Low Ki vs. Masashi Takeda1/4ICW410.6%7th
187The Great Space War12/11Michinoku Pro Wrestling410.6%7th
187KENTA vs. Hirooki Goto1/5NJPW410.6%7th
187El Desperado vs. Taiji Ishimori12/2NJPW410.6%7th
187Edge vs. Randy Orton6/14WWE410.6%7th
187Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Balor2/16WWE (NXT)410.6%7th
187Timothy Thatcher vs. Oney Lorcan7/22WWE (NXT)410.6%7th
187Io Shirai vs. Candice LaRae10/28WWE (NXT)410.6%7th
187Strong BJ vs. Dangan Yankees3/1ZERO1410.6%7th
187Yuji Hino vs. Kohei Sato3/1ZERO1410.6%7th
207Hiromu Takahashi vs. Toru Yano6/24NJPW331.8%10th
207Thunder Rosa vs. Allysin Kay1/24NWA331.8%10th
209Arez vs. Tromba11/6Lucha Madre321.2%9th
210Daichi Hashimoto vs. Yuji Okabayashi1/2BJW310.6%8th
210Yasufumi Nakanoue vs. Yuya Aoki3/21BJW310.6%8th
210Masato Tanaka vs. MAO2/25DDT310.6%8th
210Naruki Doi vs. Susumu Yokosuka3/1Dragongate310.6%8th
210Davis Storm vs. Gavin McGavin12/5EPW310.6%8th
210ASUKA vs. Shota12/26Ganbare Pro310.6%8th
210Grizzly Kal Jak vs. Erik Hammer10/12GCW310.6%8th
210Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Suzu Suzuki3/15Ice Ribbon310.6%8th
210Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL7/12NJPW310.6%8th
210Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.9/24NJPW310.6%8th
210Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii10/13NJPW310.6%8th
210Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi11/7NJPW310.6%8th
210Shane Taylor vs. Jay Briscoe12/18Ring of Honor310.6%8th
210Briscoes vs. Bandido & Flamita2/9Ring of Honor310.6%8th
210Jeremy Wyatt vs. Nick Gage1/10St. Louis Anarchy310.6%8th
210Tam Nakano vs. Giulia7/26Stardom310.6%8th
210Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano9/19Stardom310.6%8th
210Malibu vs. Jack Tucker9/12United Pro Wrestling310.6%8th
210Asuka vs. Sasha Banks8/23WWE310.6%8th
210AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Sami Zayn9/27WWE310.6%8th
230Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki vs. Emi Sakura & Kaori Yoneyama12/5Gatoh Move221.2%10th
230Hiromu Takahashi vs. Robbie Eagles11/29NJPW221.2%10th
230Yuji Hino vs. Yuji Okabayashi1/1ZERO1221.2%10th
233Yuji Okabayashi vs. Tank Nagai5/232AW210.6%9th
233Penta El Zero M vs. Rey Fenix10/21AEW210.6%9th
233Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara2/29AEW210.6%9th
233Chris Jericho vs. Jon Moxley2/29AEW210.6%9th
233Yuki Ishikawa vs. Raito Shimizu2/11BAP210.6%9th
233Daichi Hashimoto vs. Yuji Okabayashi10/21BJW210.6%9th
233Toru Sugiura vs. Yuko Miyamoto2/10FREEDOMS210.6%9th
233Lulu Pencil vs. Kaori Yoneyama6/20Gatoh Move210.6%9th
233Dark Sheik vs. Still Life w/ Apricots & Pears10/10GCW210.6%9th
233Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide10/11GCW210.6%9th
233John Wayne Murdoch vs. Orin Veidt8/30ICW210.6%9th
233Chase Cooper vs. Reaper8/15Impact Pro Wrestling Australia210.6%9th
233Deonna Purrazzo vs. Su Yung11/14Impact Wrestling210.6%9th
233Eric Young vs. Eddie Edwards10/3Impact Wrestling210.6%9th
233Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard1/12Impact Wrestling210.6%9th
233Shingo Takagi vs. SHO7/12NJPW210.6%9th
233Jay White vs. Shingo Takagi9/19NJPW210.6%9th
233Minoru Suzuki vs. Jay White10/13NJPW210.6%9th
233Go Shiozaki, Katsuhiko Nakajima & Shuhei Taniguchi vs. Takashi Sugiura, Kazuyuki Fujita & Hideki Suzuki1/30NOAH210.6%9th
233Kenou vs. Kaito Kiyomia11/22NOAH210.6%9th
233Ricky Starks vs. Nick Aldis1/7NWA210.6%9th
233Jinny vs. Nina Samuels1/11Pro Wrestling Eve210.6%9th
233Masashi Takeda vs. Brandon Kirk1/8SAW210.6%9th
233Yoshiko & Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Arisa Nakajima & Tsukasa Fujimoto8/26SEAdLINNNG210.6%9th
233Maki Itoh vs. Hikari Noa1/4TJPW210.6%9th
233Yuji Okabayashi vs. Kuma Arashi 3/15Wrestle-1210.6%9th
233Keith Lee vs. Roderick Strong1/2WWE (NXT)210.6%9th
233Women's War Games12/6WWE (NXT)210.6%9th
261Hikaru Shida vs. Thunder Rosa9/5AEW110.6%10th
261Chris Jericho & Jake Hager vs. Luther & Serpentico10/7AEW110.6%10th
261Naoya Nomura vs. Ayato Yoshida1/19AJPW110.6%10th
261Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Jake Lee & Koji Iwamoto12/7AJPW110.6%10th
261Fuminori Abe vs. Isami Kodaka7/14BASARA110.6%10th
261Nick Jackson vs. Matt Jackson4/20BTE110.6%10th
261Volador Jr. vs. Templario9/25CMLL110.6%10th
261Shinya Aoki vs. Sanshiro Takagi11/3DDT110.6%10th
261Kaoru Ito & Tomoko Watanabe vs. Miyuke Takase & Haruka Umesaki8/30DIANA110.6%10th
261Miyako Matsumoto vs. Cypress Ueno6/5Gake No Fuchi110.6%10th
261Anthony Greene vs. Ava Everett8/26Limitless Wrestling110.6%10th
261Chigusa Nagayo & Takumi Iroha vs. Mei Hoshizuki & Masha Slamovich3/20Marvelous110.6%10th
261Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd6/15NJPW110.6%10th
261EVIL vs. Zack Sabre Jr.9/20NJPW110.6%10th
261Will Ospreay vs. Minoru Suzuki10/7NJPW110.6%10th
261Kenou vs. Kazushi Sakuraba12/6NOAH110.6%10th
261Thunder Rosa vs. Allysin Kay2/4NWA110.6%10th
261Hoodfoot vs. Erick Stevens10/11Paradigm Pro110.6%10th
261Spike Trivet vs. Jordon Breaks3/14Riptide110.6%10th
261DASH Chisako, Meiko Satomura & Syuri vs. Chihiro Hashimoto, Sakura Hirota & Yuu3/28Sendai Girls110.6%10th
261Giulia, Syuri, Maika & Himeka vs. Momo Watanabe, Utami Hayashishita, AZM & Saya Kamitani7/24Stardom110.6%10th
261Hikari Noa vs. Mirai Maiumi11/7TJPW110.6%10th
261Craven vs. Renegade2/22Venom Pro Wrestling110.6%10th
261Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijacovik2/16WWE (NXT)110.6%10th
261Sasha Banks vs. Io Shirai7/1WWE (NXT)110.6%10th
261Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley11/18WWE (NXT)110.6%10th
261Timothy Thatcher vs. Tommaso Ciampa12/6WWE (NXT)110.6%10th

 

Voices of Wrestling 2020 Match of the Year
(Archives)

Visit voicesofwrestling.com/match-of-the-year to view our Match of the Year archives.