Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year: Introduction & Honorable Mentions

Welcome to the 14th annual Voices of Wrestling Match of the Year Poll! 

Voices of Wrestling’s Match of the Year Countdown Origins & History

The Voices of Wrestling Match of the Year concept was created by Rich Kraetsch, the editor of Voices of Wrestling. It began in 2012 with a small panel of four: Rich, Joe Lanza, then-PWG reviewer “Boxing Robes” Larry, and Billy Carpenter from 4 Corners Radio.

We each selected our ten best matches of the year, wrote short blurbs on why each match was selected, and combined the lists to create a collaborative top ten.

The inaugural Voices of Wrestling Match of the Year list featured a strong selection of matches; however, it was based solely on the opinions of four voters who had similar wrestling preferences.

As a result, there was significant overlap among the top ten matches. While we managed to include matches from five different promotions, a larger number of voters would be necessary to truly capture the year’s diverse range of matches.

In 2013, Joe approached Rich about expanding the original Match of the Year idea by inviting additional wrestling critics and media members to participate.

Media and critic polls rank the year’s top movies in the film world each year, but nothing like those polls existed for wrestling matches until now.

We distributed ballots to numerous journalists, bloggers, radio hosts, podcasters, historians, reporters, and critics who are passionate about wrestling. These individuals have a solid knowledge base, strong opinions, and engaging projects that we aimed to promote to our readers in exchange for their participation.

The results of the 2013 Voices of Wrestling Match of the Year poll were precisely what we wanted: our list now featured the wide variety of matches and wrestling styles we sought. 25 voters cast ballots for over 90 matches from 23 different promotions.

The growth continued in 2014, with 67 voters voting for 156 matches from 35 promotions. The 2015 poll featured 97 voters voting for 199 matches across 42 promotions. In 2016, 117 voters checked in, representing the widest variety yet, with 239 matches stemming from 49 worldwide promotions. The 2017 poll saw the diversity grow again, with 54 different promotions represented. In 2018, 68 different promotions were represented across 282 total matches. Our voter base grew to 122, representing 25 United States and 16 countries. In 2019, 136 voters produced 290 unique matches across a record-tying 68 promotions. In 2020, despite a pandemic and wrestling, looking, feeling, and sounding different than ever, 170 voters representing 29 United States and 18 countries voted for 287 unique matches from 66 different promotions. For 2021, we had 176 voters representing 27 United States and 17 countries vote for 310 matches across 63 promotions worldwide. In 2022, 208 voters representing 23 countries voted on 372 matches across 70 wrestling promotions. Finally, in 2023, the 12th annual MOTY ballot welcomed 221 voters from 24 countries, who cast ballots on 380 matches across 79 promotions worldwide.

Last year (2024), 203 voters across 23 countries voted for 348 matches across 76 promotions.

This brings us to 2025—our 14th annual Match of the Year poll!

This year, 204 voters from 21 countries cast ballots for 366 matches, representing over 76 promotions.

The global reach of Voices of Wrestling’s Match of the Year list is notable, as voters represented the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America.

In the United States specifically, voters hailed from 33 different states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

One of the statistics we are most proud of each year is the number of new voters, and this year saw a near record-breaking 29% of first-time voters in the Match of the Year poll.

Lastly, this year’s average voter age was 36.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the growth and success of the Voices of Wrestling Match of the Year poll over the years.

As highlighted above, this poll continues to increase diversity and is now recognized worldwide by fans, wrestlers, promoters, and wrestling media as the most prestigious countdown for Match of the Year in professional wrestling.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to Jeremy Sexton, who created the Match of the Year voting form and developed many of the tools used to present the countdown. Thank you so much, Jeremy!

We’ll begin today with a look at the Honorable Mentions—all the matches that missed out on our Top 100.

A new batch of matches will be released each day (see schedule below) until we reveal the Top 10, one by one, on Friday, January 30.

Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year Release Schedule

(Schedule Subject to change)

• Introduction & Honorable Mentions (Monday, January 26)
• Matches #100-76 (Tuesday, January 27)
• Matches #75-51 (Tuesday, January 27)
• Matches #50-26 (Wednesday, January 28)
• Matches #25-11
• Match of the Year Statistical Analysis & Top 10 Early Reveal (FlagshipPatreon.com)
• Match #10 (Sareee vs. Syuri – March 10)
• Match #9 (El Desperado vs. Jun Kasai – June 24)
• Match #8 (Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita – July 11)
• Match #7 (Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano – April 27)
• Match #6 (Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – February 11)
• Match #5 (Toni Storm vs. Mariah May – March 9)
• Match #4 (Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley – July 12)
• Match #3 (Adam Page vs. Will Ospreay – May 25)
• Match #2 (Mistico vs. MJF – September 9)
• Match #1 (Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd – January 5)

Voices of Wrestling’s Match of the Year Archives

For a complete archive of our past Match of the Year countdowns, visit voicesofwrestling.com/match-of-the-year.

Voices of Wrestling’s 2025 Match of the Year Voter List

Here is the distinguished panel of wrestling media members who voted in Voices of Wrestling’s 2025 Match of the Year poll.

(Note: some voters chose not to include websites/affiliations and/or Twitter/X/Bluesky handles)

Wrestling Media Representation in Voices of Wrestling’s 2025 Match of the Year

Below are links to the many outlets participating in Voices of Wrestling’s 2025 Match of the Year voting.

Please support them!

How Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year Voting Works

Each MOTY voter was sent a ballot and asked to rank the ten best matches of the year from 1-10.

We use the same weighted balloting system as Major League Baseball for its Most Valuable Player voting, with a first-place vote worth 14 points and a descending scale of 9-8-7-6… and so on. This system heavily emphasizes each voter’s choice for the best overall match of the year.

The points for each match are then totaled, with any ties broken in the following order:

1.) Most total votes

2.) Match which received the highest singular vote on any ballot

For example, if two matches are tied in total points and one match receives more ballots, the second-step tiebreaker will not be required. The match appearing on more ballots would place higher. If two matches are tied in total points and remain tied by appearing on the same number of ballots, the match with the highest singular vote wins the tiebreaker.

Each voter was also encouraged to add short write-ups explaining why they voted for each match. These write-ups give our panel a voice to explain why they voted for each match and, as we move deeper into the results, offer the reader multiple perspectives on why a given match was great.

Our panel could vote for any worked match between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

Early Access to Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year Top 10

Early access to the Top 10 will be available in audio and written form on Flagship Patreon’s $5 tier on Thursday, January 29. Subscribe today at flagshippatreon.com.

Join the Match of the Year Discussion on our Discord! 

Ongoing discussion of the Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year poll will occur on our official Discord at voicesofwrestling.com/discord.

Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year Honorable Mentions

These matches are ranked outside our Top 100 and are included in our Honorable Mentions.

Remember that they still represent some of the year’s best matches, deserving enough to be in someone’s Top 10 matches of the year ballot.

#327
Nigel McGuinness defeats Daniel Garcia and Hechicero and Lee Moriarty
08/16
AEW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

A grappling version of a spotfest that would’ve been cool on ROH or Evolve in prior decades, that was luckily televised nationally. I loved this match, and I wanted it represented here. – Suit Williams (Voices of Wrestling / Williams Watches Wrestling)

#327
Dr. Wagner Jr. defeats Villano V Jr.
07/31
IWRG

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Hagane Shinnou defeats Munetatsu Nakamura
05/10
ChocoPro

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Hagane is an absolutely masterful wrestler, and Munetatsu is really growing into an amazing talent. The technical wrestling on display was great. They didn’t waste a single moment. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#327
Bandido defeats The Beast Mortos
06/11
AEW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

The level of wrestling awesomeness we were given by what was sold to us as a STAND BY MATCH. Was this match high stakes? of course not. Was it a a lore heavy deep feud? No, This match simply F*cked. We at Fake Fights Studios often bandy about the addage that he is not human, he is Bandido, and this match is a fine example. Add to that The Beast Mortos delivering the hardest Spear I have ever seen and what I can only describe as a Pop-up 180 Body Varial Samoan Drop. Lucha Libre Forever. – Ella Tailor (Wednesday Night Fake Fights)

#327
Mascara Dorada defeats Komander
11/23
CMLL

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Leon Slater defeats Cedric Alexander
08/15
TNA

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Zack Sabre Jr.
08/16
NJPW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Jon Moxley defeats Swerve Strickland
04/06
AEW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Mike Bailey defeats Gabe Kidd and Michael Oku
05/10
MLP

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

A classic “super indie” 3 way with oodles of chaotic energy. Speedball and Gabe Kidd have remarkable chemistry between them, and Oku slotted in very well. The match kept building until I wanted to see Kidd win instead of Bailey, which is a tall order. Goddamn that clothesline nearly ENDED Bailey.
– James “NuclearConvoy” Snelgrove (Nuclear Convoy Productions)

#327
Thekla defeats Queen Aminata
09/17
AEW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

A TV match that has stuck with me. Two woman taking some real life spice and taking it to the ring instead of backstage. Unlike the usual AEW woman’s hardcore match–this was not a blood bath, but a battle of bruises and welts. An true indictment of the NXT plunder match, these two used the same basic tools (Chairs, Kendo Sticks, and trash cans) and put on a display of real brutality instead of goof spots. – Syd Moss (Strawberry letter 123!)

#327
Charles Lucero & Erick Ortiz vs. Virus & Xelhua – Double Pin
09/27
Freelance (Mexico)

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Empress Nexus Venus (HANAKO, Rian & Waka Tsukiyama) & Megan Bayne defeat God’s Eye (Ami Sourei & Lady C) & Mi Vida Loca (Akira Kurogane & Bozilla)
11/07
Stardom

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

The Velkej Special. Big women bumping into each other, throwing tiny ones around. Love the pro-wrestling. – Velkej Bracha (ActWres Stage)

#327
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeats Kosei Fujita
12/22
NJPW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

This was an excellent match, Fujita brought his best in his last shot at the legend before retirement. Tanahashi, despite his age, broken body, endured the junior heavyweight’s offense, and beat him clean as a sheet leading into his retirement match the next week. This makes my list because it was great, BUT ALSO it has historic value as Tanahashi’s final match in Korakuen Hall. Not a dry eye in the house for this one. – Erika Warrens (Wednesday Night Fake Fights )

#327
The Crush Boys (Starboy Charlie & Titus Alexander) defeat Cowboy Way (1 Called Manders & Thomas Shire)
11/01
West Coast Pro

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Leon Slater vs. Je’Von Evans – No Contest
10/12
TNA

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Mercedes Mone defeats Persephone
10/17
CMLL

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Persephone has been one to watch for awhile; her work in this match took her status to a new level. And, I mean, Mercedes is #1 on the PWI Women’s 250 for a reason! – Kristen Ashly (Pro Wrestling Illustrated)

#327
Mistico defeats Averno
02/28
NJPW/CMLL

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

just two dudes going at it in front of a super hot crowd earns love from me. Mistico delivers as always but avenro showed something which he almost never does. – Kentucky210 (squaredcircle)

#327
Gunther defeats Akira Tozawa
02/24
WWE

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Jon Moxley defeats Cope
03/19
AEW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Dezmond Cole defeats Channing Thomas
08/09
Limitless

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Boofa wins the big one, and it was everything I could’ve hoped for & more from one of the most underrated high-fliers going today against the crisp & dastardly grappler that is Channing Thomas. With the stakes that Cole would never be allowed to challenge for the title again, the desperation to win was palpable from Cole as Channing threw everything he could to retain. The shining gem in a very crowded sea of hot indie matches this year. – Nick Johnson (Cagematch.net)

#327
IYO SKY defeats Rhea Ripley
03/03
WWE

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

A fine encounter featuring a shocking title change that set Io Sky on the path to having her best year in WWE. It wouldn’t be the last memorable encounter these two had in 2025. – Jeuron Dove (Jeuron’s World of Wrestling )

#327
Jun Kasai & Tomoya Hirata defeat Ken Ohka & Mizuki Watase
10/16
Ganbare Pro Wrestling/FREEDOMS

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Manami Katsu defeats Kirari Wakana
11/24
Ice Ribbon

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

This is a curious one, but when I was thinking about which matches really left a lasting impression on me, this would not leave my mind. It is my personal “Senka vs Aja” match in a way. Just an incredible underdog performance, relentlessly fighting against the much overpowering veteran force, unwilling to give up, but falling in the end. A star making performance, if as many people saw it as did Senka vs Aja. – Tim Hunter (Joshi’ing around)

#327
Roderick Strong defeats Erick Stevens
10/26
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Erick Stevens’ return to wrestling has been a treat for many reasons, but most of all because he got to go to war one more time with Roddy! – Andrew Gelinas (Long Story Sport)

#327
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Oleg Boltin
02/11
NJPW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Oleg Boltin came across as a force of nature in this match despite losing, and that’s the hallmark of a very well-structured match. Takeshita and Boltin have great chemistry and made sure this match delivered as a follow-up to their great G1 match last year. This was a hard-hitting, high-octane match that demonstrated the strengths of both wrestlers. A testament to NJPW’s “NEVER” spirit. * – Eric Thornley (Voices of Wrestling)

#327
KeMonito defeats KeMalito
07/26
CMLL

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
King Of The Metro Rumble Match
06/27
PWA

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

You might call it live bias, but I really enjoyed this match! There were moments of typical silliness, but the throughline of The Tuckman going through the Rumble from beginning to end was exhilarating. He connected with the crowd and leveraged that support, evoking a lot of sympathy and keeping them engaged throughout. When it came down to the final five, the finish was incredible, with several moments where it was hard to predict who would take the victory. – Aussie Greg (Answering the Ten Count podcast)

#327
Kapeeka vs. Sanjuki
01/15
SGW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
D’courage (Dragon Dia, Ryoya Tanaka & Yuki Yoshioka) defeat Bendito, Flamita & Luis Mante and Love And Peace (Ben-K, JACKY KAMEI & Riiita)
08/11
DG

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

If you ever want to just sit back and enjoy a nice fireworks show, this is the match to do so. DRAGONGATE’s specialty is these three-way trios matches and most of the time they hit. This one was a grand slam. You can pick anyone from this match and go on about their performance in this one, Jacky Kamei for example took a beating early but still had enough energy to flash around the ring. Bendito had a rocky run so far having some missteps here and there in his matches but he was on his A-Game here. Get the gif machine ready, you’ll get some sick engagement from this match. – Nathan Heslip (Nate Hates Wrestling)

#327
Connor Mills & Jay Joshua defeat Cowboy Way (1 Called Manders & Thomas Shire)
08/23
RevPro

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

A vanity pick, granted, but the best match I saw live in 2025 and the year’s best tag match worldwide for my money. Manders and Jay Joshua both enjoyed breakthrough years in 2025 and this was the undoubted high point for both men. – Andrew Sinclair (Voices of Wrestling)

#327
Konami defeats Sareee by referee’s decision
07/27
Stardom

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Ahura defeats Psycho Clown
03/08
wXw

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
Suwama defeats Katsuhiko Nakajima
11/03
GLEAT

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

I went back and forth on adding this match to my list, and realistically, it should be much lower, but I felt like it needed to be represented somewhere in this poll.
GLEAT was far from my favourite promotion in 2025, I only parachuted in for key matches throughout the year and was lucky this was one of them. Katsuhiko Nakajima may have been my favourite wrestler in 2023/2024 during his AJPW Triple Crown reign, but again fell off my radar once he left for GLEAT.
This match reminded me exactly why I ranked Nakajima so highly. This match was a struggle in the best of ways, both men throwing bombs at each other, trying to inch closer and closer to a victory. Every strike laid in so tightly that you would have to convince me it wasn’t real.
The whole premise of this match really drove home that they were trying to do as much physical damage to each other in order to win, which should be the point to every single wrestling match, but capturing that feeling seems to be harder than ever.
While slower than I may have liked, this was just two mean, tough assholes hitting each other as hard as they could to win.
How could it not be great.
– Kristian Scheurer (Backbreakr)

#327
1 Called Manders defeats Yuya Aoki
01/25
wXw

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

The good ol’ vanity pick – this match definitely flew under the radar, if only because wXw released it as a standalone video, and also because Aoki’s trip to Germany was relatively short. Either way – if you’re a fan of the big lads walloping each other, this is a match you need to hunt down on YouTube. Ten minutes of constant action that left you wanting so much more. – Ian Hamilton (BackBodyDrop / Auf Die Fresse Podcast)

#327
Matthew Justice defeats AKIRA and Bobby Fish and Paul Walter Hauser
03/08
MLW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
KUSHIDA defeats Neon
03/08
MLW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Total vanity pick. MLW had a pretty strong year. And they are the promotion I have enjoyed the most this year, so I wanted to represent as a proud RENEGADE. – Steve Case (Voices of Wrestling)

#327
Matt Cash defeats Hardcore
11/01
Canadian Deathmatch

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

This weapon-stacked grudge match is the high point of a feud that began back in March when Hardcore defeated Cash’s wife and tag team partner in his Canadian debut. It’s messy, it’s gory, and that doesn’t come at the expense of wrestling. The feud background gives this clash fantastic tension while it gradually escalates into utter mayhem. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#327
Dylan Hales & Tim Bosby defeat BDSM (Big Dave & Negative Lee)
07/27
Freelance (USA)

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#327
The Tuckman defeats Jack J. Bonza
12/05
PWA

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

This match was as good as it was, because the heel face dynamic worked out amazingly due to two wrestlers, who were great at portraying their roled in the ring and in a way to tell a simple, yet well executed match story. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

#327
Yuma Anzai defeats Shotaro Ashino
01/03
AJPW

Overall Points: 1
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#299
Love And Peace (Ben-K, Hyo & Mochizuki Jr.) defeat Akihiro Sahara, Daiki Yanagiuchi & Ryu Fuda
12/28
DG

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

Dragongate’s last match of 2025 was it’s most surprising. The Former Mochizuki Doj 2.0 kids showed up and all had career performances, and not only that, but brought out the best performance of the year out of Mochizuki Jr. & Hyo. This match had no business being this good, but all 6 men were just ready to blow the roof off of Kobe Sambo Hall, and they pulled it off. – TayKZY (Youtube.com/@taykzy)

#299
Eragon defeats Avisman
10/04
Vikmash

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Red Velvet defeats Mercedes Mone
12/05
ROH

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

The beginning of the downward spiral. I don’t generally have time to keep up with ROH as much as I’d like so I was unaware that since the last I had seen her regularly Red Velvet had become a future Hall of Fame contender. My bad, i was truly unfamiliar with your game, girl. What. A. Match. – Ella Tailor (Wednesday Night Fake Fights)

#299
Chihiro Hashimoto defeats Seri Yamaoka
10/26
Marigold

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Kento Miyahara defeats Go Shiozaki
10/22
AJPW

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

When Go Shiozaki started working All Japan again, it was something that excited me, as the company had been having a rough year, and quarter 4 it seemed they began getting their footing. While not amazing, the shows were giving the right direction. Miyahara looked rejuvenated and ready to carry the company again when he won the title from Saito. He then brought out the best match I’ve ever seen Hokuto Omori have. Between those matches, he turned back the clock and faced his former partner in Xceed, Go Shiozaki. As a huge supporter of Shiozaki, I was dying to see if he could still go, especially after the rough start to 2025. Just 12 matches by the end of September, and a exodus of NOAH, he shows up to the city of Saitama, ready to show he can again just a few days earlier before the clash at Korakuen between them. These two had a hell of a hard hitting match. Both were able to deliver something I was so happy to watch. Great false finishes, fantastic transitions, just bombs thrown. Miyahara put Go away in 23 minutes. I hope we get to see a rematch in 2026 with Go working regularly again. – Ryan Cooke (WrestleCast Radio)

#299
Mercedes Mone defeats Nor Phoenix Diana
11/15
HOG

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

Probably not the most technically perfect match of the year, but to me it was important. Nor Diana worked her ass off, under the biggest pressure she has ever faced in the business to date. I think we ALL knew who was walking out with the belt, as the shine had yet to fall from Moné’s belt-collecting run, but what mattered more was putting a promising young talent in such a high-pressure, high-profile spot and seeing her grow and succeed from it. I cannot deny my bias, because developing territories in South East Asia are part of my wrestling special interest, and Nor Diana is someone whom I;ve watched grow and seen fulfill her promise for years. This match elevated her to the next stage of her career, and I was smiling the whole way through.
– James “NuclearConvoy” Snelgrove (Nuclear Convoy Productions)

#299
Mike Santana defeats Trick Williams
10/12
TNA

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Saya Kamitani defeats Suzu Suzuki
02/02
Stardom

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

Great match. Suzu and Saya took the character work to another level. – Doug Fowler (WrestleWatch)

#299
Taichi defeats Yota Tsuji
08/01
NJPW

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy) defeat Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer)
03/11
WWE

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
El Lindaman defeats TJP
12/30
GLEAT

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Yuya Koroku defeats Takeshi Masada
02/23
DDT

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Arisu Endo defeats Miyu Yamashita
08/09
TJPW

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

A star-making performance from Endo, overcoming a vintage hard-hitting Miyu Yamashita. You can hear the normally pretty sedate moder joshi crowd start to rally behind the up-and-comer as she gets closer and closer to doing the impossible. Also, I would have guessed this was way longer than 12 minutes. – Rob Hutton (Eternal Couch Potato)

#299
Dr. Cerebro, Hechicero & Xelhua defeat Blue Panther, El Pantera & Virus
09/11
ACTION/ROH

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

A great follow up from the cibernetico match on ACTION DEAN~!!!2 that involved a lot of the same participants. This was more llave style and technical and to some, that may be a turn off. Which is fine. This match kept me entertained and hooked from the opening bell with the total craftsmanship of all six competitors – Brynn Jade (Brynn’s Blog of Wrestling Randomness)

#299
Donovan Dijak defeats Sammy Diaz
11/03
BST

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

One of the major storylines of the New England scene this year was Sammy Diaz’s run as the Belt Collector, winning titles across the scene in order to cement his place as the region’s ace. However, by the end of the year, it was clear his efforts spread him too thin and a slew of title losses came about. None were more heartbreaking than the 15 minute car crash against the wall that is Dijak, the biggest & angriest wrestler of the scene. Sammy pulled off all the stops that brought him to this moment of his biggest title defense so far against the biggest opponent of his career so far, including the sickening dive into a seated Dijak, but it still wasn’t enough against Dijak’s momentum now that he was back on the indies. Easily the most fun feel bad moment of the year. – Nick Johnson (Cagematch.net)

#299
Danny Demanto defeats Anakin Murphy
05/03
ICW No Holds Barred

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Desalmado Ibarra & Shocker defeat DMT Azul & Joe Lider
03/01
Robles Promotions

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Ren Narita defeats Zack Sabre Jr.
07/19
NJPW

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Minoru Suzuki defeats Yuki Ueno
03/20
DDT

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

Perhaps the last great performance of Minoru Suzuki’s career.

His aura may have diminished but Yuki Ueno’s willingness to take a stiff beating here made this a brilliant visual spectacle. It also proved an excellent piece of storytelling for DDT’s year, an ultimately significant one for Ueno. – Andrew Sinclair (Voices of Wrestling)

#299
Sareee defeats Suzu Suzuki
09/06
Stardom

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

The month is September in 2025, and Sareee, whom I regarded for the past three years, including here as the best in the world, is now the IWGP Women’s champion. In my opinion, Sareee has had one of the greatest runs in modern pro wrestling since her exit from WWE, and she has completely washed away her ill-fated run there as one of the greatest women’s wrestlers in her generation, arguably ever, and simply a tremendous wrestler in general, regardless of gender. She had been going around various promotions to prove herself from Stardom, Marigold, Sendai, and even her own promotion, SareeeISM. Here at To The World, she defends the title against Suzu Suzuki, who split from Neo Genesis and was forming her own faction, Mi Vida Loca. I’ve always liked Suzu from when I skimmed through her Ice Ribbon work, the Prominence run, and here at Stardom, but she had begun to miss that fire in her in-ring work that I became a fan of all those years ago. However, once she had her excellent grudge match with Mei Seira at All-Star Grand Queendom earlier in the year, you can see that motivation return in peak form, and that solidified her in this match with Sareee. I loved how Suzu didn’t allow Sareee’s presence or acclaim stop her from the fact that she was going to beat her to the ground in order to win the IWGP Women’s title, and that she did. You can tell throughout the match how much Sareee respected and loved the fight Suzu brought in this match, and for that reason, it’s my favorite match from these two in 2025. – Hakeem Johnson (Pro Wrestling Spreadsheet)

#299
Fuminori Abe defeats Takuya Nomura
03/08
wXw

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Blake Christian defeats Jay Lethal
07/11
ROH

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Charlie Dempsey defeats Shinya Aoki by TKO
04/17
GCW

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

My favorite shoot style match of the year, and the best Charlie Dempsey match up to this point. I hope to see more Shinya Aoki in Bloodsport in the coming years – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

#299
Macuarro defeats Mr. Condor
07/06
Zona 23

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Nathan Mowery defeats Spectre
08/10
Freelance (USA)

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

The Killbilly has been killing it in 2025, and this main event of his Blood & Honey series shows why. Great wrestling to weapon balance – which says a lot, considering the variety of weapons – great pacing and escalation, and spots that often come across as immersion-breaking are perfectly logical here. Southern Gothic vibes under a Georgia summer night’s sky, paired with standout production, make this match an absolute viewing pleasure. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#299
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeat The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)
07/05
AEW

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

This was old-school tag team wrestling, built around fundamentals that rarely get this much space on television anymore: clean tags, isolation, timing, and an understanding of how to build sympathy without rushing to the payoff. FTR controlled the match like veterans who know exactly when to tighten the screws and when to let hope creep back in.

What made this special, though, was The Outrunners. This was the best performance of their careers — not because they reinvented themselves, but because they fully committed to the structure of the match. Their selling mattered. Their comebacks felt desperate. Every tag carried weight. – Brian Zilem (Pwtorch)

#299
4825 (Jaden Newman & Jamesen Shook) defeat Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II)
10/17
ACTION

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#299
Greedy Souls (Brendan White & Danny Jones) defeat Violence Is Forever (Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku)
09/27
wXw

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Ninth

For me it was the best match of the whole wXw Catch Grand Prix weekend. Such a hard hitting contest of two teams, who are pretty much made for each other given how well their styles match. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

#297
AZM defeats Bozilla
07/24
Stardom

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Tenth

Any future “David vs. Goliath” matches should follow this layout to a T. Struggle and intrigue the entire way, with a really great and creative finish. – Elliot Imes (Super J-Cast)

#297
Kazuki Hirata defeats Yuki Ueno
08/31
DDT

Overall Points: 2
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Tenth

#275
Anoa vs. Sanjuki
01/04
SGW

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Angel de Oro
02/28
CMLL

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Kazusada Higuchi defeats KANON
05/25
DDT

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Kyle Fletcher defeats Mark Briscoe
02/08
AEW

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Astronauts (Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura) defeat The 37KAMIINA (MAO & To-y)
03/20
DDT

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Mike Santana defeats AJ Francis
06/26
TNA

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Hazuki defeats Fuwa-chan
12/29
Stardom

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Minoru Suzuki defeats Yoshihiko
04/18
DDT

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Saya Kamitani defeats Momo Watanabe
11/03
Stardom

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
U-T defeats Homare
05/05
DG

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Jurassic Express (Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) defeat The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)
10/18
AEW

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

I went into this match actively dreading it and left wanting to tweet the Case Lowe article. How was this random match *this* good? What I appreciated the most was the organic way the Bucks got into all their usual spots. – Jeremy Sexton (Voices of Wrestling)

#275
Kendal Grey defeats Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice and Sol Ruca
12/06
WWE

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

The Iron Survivor is one of the few truly exciting gimmick matches in WWE and this one lived up to the hype and then some. It was also the official coming out party for Kendal Grey who proved she deserves to be mentioned among the elite women in all of WWE. – Jeuron Dove (Jeuron’s World of Wrestling )

#275
Dominik Mysterio defeats AJ Styles
08/03
WWE

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
CM Punk defeats Sami Zayn
02/03
WWE

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

I loved the aggressive start. The lock ups, the pace, the chops thrown and, by extension, the arm work by Punk too. I dug the way he simplified it, using the classic techniques of an arm wringer and tying the biceps up in the ropes. Sami Zayn worked rugged himself, quick to try to get back on offence and get some control back. His strengths were his selling and hope spots. Particularly the tornado DDT spot where Sami nailed the move but couldn’t roll Punk over because of the weakened arm. Sami and Punk had great chemistry which was shown not only in the high spots, but just the strong transitional work too. There was a terrific Anaconda Vice sequence where Sami sold his attempts of escaping really well and the fans caught onto it, then responding by willing him on. It was a small, but good example of great pro wrestling. And the closing stretch was brilliantly weaved in by the two – Punk ran to the corner to begin his running knee move, but Sami tracked him and attempted to hit then helluva kick, but Punk was able to get out of the way after a mere second of seeing Sami’s boot coming towards him, and they concluded it strongly with the exploder followed by Punk catching the second Helluva kick attempt and hitting the GTS out of nowhere. A refreshingly simple finishing stretch built around hitting the move once. Great match. And Kevin Owens attacking Sami Zayn was a great angle. Hell yes. Awesome main event segment. **** – MC (Shoot Style and Other Stuff)

#275
Yota Tsuji defeats EVIL
04/05
NJPW

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
AZM defeats Saya Kamitani
08/20
Stardom

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

Saya Kamitani is a propulsive force in this 5STAR showdown. She’s a killer, a strutting peacock, an artisan, a star. In her way stands a bold and defiant athletic wizard. Their collision is moving, entrancing, outdoing even the tournament’s stellar final. – Ryan Dilbert (RESURA)

#275
AMAKUSA & Junta Miyawaki defeat F-SWAG (Gaia Hox & Jun Masaoka)
04/14
NOAH

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Ethan Page defeats Mustafa Ali
10/07
WWE/TNA

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

The best showing by both men this year. – Joey Harris (Joey Harris Substack)

#275
Tank defeats Manders
01/04
ICW No Holds Barred

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

My Favorite Deathmatch of the year, Tank despite his age proving he’s still capable if given the correct opponent & Mander’s starting a insane year with his best match – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

#275
Mad Dog Connelly defeats Thomas Shire by referee’s decision
05/25
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#275
Judge Joe Dred defeats Tarzan Duran
05/24
CZW

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

After Sabu’s passing, many fingers were pointed to sky, many chairs were thrown or used for dropkicks, and many bells rang ten times in his honor. CZW gave the notion a true stage with this tribute no ropes barbed wire match between Dred and Duran. They worked with, not around, Duran’s broken leg which gave the match its own identity and story, while also being a worthy, unmistakable homage to Sabu. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#275
Jaden Newman defeats Gary Jay
07/19
Scenic City

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Eighth

The best match of the 2025 SCI was actually a Non-Tournament Match on Day 2. What a great technical and physical match and given its length and style, it was a perfect opener of the show. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

#272
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Konosuke Takeshita
07/30
NJPW

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Ninth

Of the encounters these two had, this one had a stretch that reminded me of the amazing G1 matches we used to see back in those G1’s 10 years ago. The desperation between the two workers trying to gain not only those two points in the standings, but just the psychological aspect of having the one up on the other was in full effect by the end. In a finish that blew me away, Takeshita is trying everything to get Zack off of him while being choked, to the point he walks up the turnbuckle and leaps off backwards from the top to crush Zack, who still doesn’t release the choke. He then puts his legs over Takeshita’s shoulders, grabs his chin, and like a sick child playing with a action figure, he pushes down the shoulders and up the head to rip it off, as Takeshita quickly taps knowing it’s better to fight another day. Amazing finish! – Ryan Cooke (WrestleCast Radio)

#272
LaBron Kozone defeats Leon Slater
04/23
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Ninth

A super explosive and well executed match that brought some classic WrestleMania week vibes. Short, sweet, and with extremely hot crowd throughout, its one of the matches that keeps popping into my mind when I think of my favourite matches from 2025. – Adam Darwin (Dragonscrew Wrestling)

#272
Equipo Ciudad De Mexico (Alexius, Fury Boy, Pendulo, Poseidon & Troyano) defeat Equipo Guadalajara (Abigor, Obek, Prince Drago, Rav & Shezmu)
02/21
CMLL

Overall Points: 3
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#245
So Daimonji defeats Hiroyuki Suzuki
05/18
NPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

As good a main event as I’ve seen anywhere this year. These guys went to war, and it was such an enjoyable watch. Daimonji is super charismatic and entertaining. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#245
So Daimonji defeats Yuya Aoki
12/06
BJW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Naomi defeats Alexa Bliss and Giulia and Rhea Ripley and Roxanne Perez and Stephanie Vaquer
06/07
WWE

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Judas Icarus defeats Alan Angels
07/13
Prestige

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

The second half of the match got too busy, but the first half was electric. The culmination of surprisingly decent Alan Angels heel title reign in Prestige. Hard hitting and physical. great engaged crowd. Best Indie match I saw this year – Syd Moss (Strawberry letter 123!)

#245
Neo Genesis (AZM, Miyu Amasaki & Starlight Kid) defeat Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Tam Nakano)
02/02
Stardom

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

This showcases everything that Stardom does better than any other promotion on the planet. Complex pinning combinations, high quality showcases, some of the best trios match layouts in the world. – Doug Fowler (WrestleWatch)

#245
Jon Moxley defeats Tomohiro Ishii by referee’s decision
10/07
AEW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

This was just a cool little TV match that I wanted to give some love to. It’s exactly what you’d want from a match between Ishii and Mox. Both guys selling each other’s offense perfectly while at the same time Moxley is in the middle of getting people on his ass because the cult leader fascade he’d build up at the head of the Death Riders. Absolute joy of a TV match that I love. – Erika Warrens (Wednesday Night Fake Fights )

#245
Mustafa Ali defeats Jason Hotch
06/06
TNA

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
OZAWA defeats KENTA
05/03
NOAH

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Astronauts (Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura) defeat Keigo Nakamura & Shinya Aoki
04/06
DDT

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Ilja Dragunov defeats Tommaso Ciampa
12/12
WWE

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Kyoraku Kyomei (Hyper Misao & Shoko Nakajima) defeat Hakuchumu (Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi)
07/21
TJPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

The perfect match to sum up what TJPW was all about, transitioning from outlandish comedy to hard-hitting action between four of the promotion’s best. – Rob Hutton (Eternal Couch Potato)

#245
Blue Panther, Hologram, Neon, Valiente & Virus defeat Averno, Dr. Cerebro, Euforia, Volador Jr. & Xelhua
05/27
ACTION/ROH

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

I was so thrilled that the DEAN~!!! shows made a comeback in 2025 and even more thrilled that AEW/ROH was involved this time. This cibernetico match was a perfect introduction to those who may not have ever seen one or been familiar with them. If you have seen a cibernetico, then this was a fitting tribute to the legendary 1997 match. – Brynn Jade (Brynn’s Blog of Wrestling Randomness)

#245
Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane defeat All Rebellion (Alejandro & Kai Fujimura)
09/23
NOAH

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Cerebro Negro defeats Bombero Infernal
05/18
IWRG

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

While there were a lot of amazing bloody affairs in wrestling in 2025, I don’t think there were any as visceral and violent as this Hair vs. Hair match from a Sunday Night edition of IWRG, which is broadcast FOR FREE every week on YouTube. – Andrew Gelinas (Long Story Sport)

#245
DPW Worlds Title Ultimate Conflict 12 Man Elimination Match (vacant)
04/23
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Yuya Uemura defeats Hiroshi Tanahashi
08/01
NJPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Saito Brothers (Jun Saito & Rei Saito) defeat Daisuke Sekimoto & Hideki Suzuki
01/03
AJPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Bob Bob Momo Banana (Mio Momono & Yurika Oka) defeat Reiwa Ultima Powers (DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto)
01/05
Sendai Girls

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Kanji defeats Charli Evans
04/27
RevPro

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Kyle Fletcher defeats Tomohiro Ishii
08/09
AEW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Koji Iwamoto defeats Keita Yano
10/25
Tenryu Project

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

Fucking awesome Judoka/catch wrestling clash of bodies and wills. Iwamoto has long proven that he deserved more than what he got in AJPW, and Tenryu’s promotion has given him not only a title but stellar competition to boot to showcase that. He’s portrayed as the stronger of the two while Keita as unathetic as he is has to rely on dirty tricks he learned from old 70s WoS tapes and the occasional llave. The result is a match that despite going only 15 feels a lot more involved, following a basic but very well-executed structure featuring some all-time Judo throws by Iwamoto. – Stump Puller (Violent People)

#245
Kyoraku Kyomei (Hyper Misao & Shoko Nakajima) defeat 121000000 (Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita)
03/16
TJPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

About a month before Maki had the worst match of the year she gave her last amazing performance for TJPW before leaving the promotion, everything in this match was just right and it elevated Shoko & Hyper as a team which was desperately needed – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

#245
Hank And Tank (Hank Walker & Tank Ledger) defeat Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer)
04/19
WWE

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Bobby V defeats Satu Jinn
10/26
IWA DS

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

Satu Jinn vs. Bobby V opened the second round one day early, and thereby not only took its rightful spot as the main event of Day 1, but also escaped the biblical downpour that plagued Day 2. The swap led to spectacular visuals – bright explosions against the night sky – that did the quality more justice than a cloudy afternoon ever could. This match felt straight up cinematic – craft and spectacle in perfect balance. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#245
Krule defeats Tim Bosby
07/18
Scenic City

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#245
Mascara Sagrada vs. Hijo del Fishman
02/02
Freelance (Mexico)

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

One of the best Sagrada/Fishman matches of the year. These two bastards hit each other with everything, brawled all over the place, and bled buckets. Everything you want in grimy lucha. – Griffin Peltier (Voices of Wrestling / Hollywd’s Wrestling Rewind)

#245
Kyle Fletcher defeats Mark Briscoe
04/06
AEW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#244
Daga & Daiki Odashima defeat Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane
10/11
NOAH

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Ninth

#239
Mayu Iwatani defeats AZM
01/04
NJPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Eighth

Although they did not receive as much time as the other matches at WM19 did, these two ladies still went out there and turned a nine-minute spot into one of the most enthralling matches on the show. – Ryan Ciocco (411mania)

#239
MAO & Yoshihiko defeat HARASHIMA & Pokotan
03/12
DDT

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#239
Michael Oku defeats Leon Slater
04/20
RevPro

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Eighth

Always nice to see wrestling in the Doncaster Dome. This one was not quite the typical Oku match and Leon Slater looked very very good – Joel Yentis (Strong Style Stories)

#239
Yota Tsuji defeats Hiroshi Tanahashi
11/02
NJPW

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Eighth

Wrestling is all about feeling. And nobody makes me feel like Hiroshi Tanahashi. – Ashutosh (Ash’s prowres ramblings )

#239
Zandokan Jr. defeats Star Jr.
03/21
CMLL

Overall Points: 4
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#217
Masaaki Mochizuki defeats Keisuke Ishii
01/02
Ganbare Pro Wrestling

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

What a match this was. Mochizuki does not move like a 55 year old, he is a great striker and I love how he targeted Ishii’s leg throughout, it was very methodical. Ishii was superb also and has a beautiful spinning heel kick. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#217
Yoshiki Inamura defeats KENTA
11/08
NOAH

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Ryohei Oiwa defeats Taichi
08/03
NJPW

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Taichi was my MVP of G1 Climax 35 and this was my favorite match of his and my favorite finish of the entire year. After 10 minutes of just knocking each other’s heads off with lariats, Taichi goes for a leaping kick and Oiwa, of course, hits his leg with a lariat. Taichi goes for the kick again and hits it, but because of the lariat, he staggers getting up, just for a second, but the second is enough for Oiwa to recover, hit the ropes and hit The Grip to finish him. I don’t know if Taichi gets enough appreciation as one of the great thinkers in wrestling today, as far as match construction goes, but this seems to just always be the level he’s operating on and it makes all of his matches captivating. And Oiwa is already coming along as a great thinker himself, demonstrating a lot of creativity in the ways he gets to The Grip. For my money, Oiwa is already equal to, if not surpassing the Tsujis, Uminos and Uemuras in a lot of areas and I hope to see a lot more of him in big spots in 2026. – Jeff Ahmed (Voices of Wrestling)

#217
Matt Tremont defeats Bear Bronson
08/24
GCW

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Marino Saihara & Yukina Uehara defeat Nagisa Shiotsuki & Natsuki
12/29
AWG

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

A model in her 43rd match of the career main events Korakuen Hall in tag title match. What a year it has been for Yukina Uehara. A woman who was indentified by the promotion as their next star before her debut, who had not great start of the year, but since May has been getting better and better in all of aspect of pro-wrestling. And has become a tag team champion alongside Marino Saihara in a throw together team up. And with news from the show on 25th of January that Natsuki, one of the opponents on the other side is retiring in few months, it could not have been better match. Natsuki and Nagisa were the most established team in the company so defeating them in the promotion’s best match of the year is another scalp for Yukina Uehara, a name people should learn today, cause she will be defining women’s wrestling in Japan in the future. – Velkej Bracha (ActWres Stage)

#217
LaBron Kozone defeats Takuya Nomura
05/11
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Kento Miyahara defeats Ryuki Honda
09/15
AJPW

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Great-O-Khan
08/02
NJPW

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Sakura Mizushima defeats Mari
03/16
AWG

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Love And Peace (Ben-K, Hyo & Mochizuki Jr.) defeat Gajadokuro (Jason Lee, KAI & Kota Minoura) and Natural Vibes (Kzy, Strong Machine J & U-T)
12/27
DG

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
YAMATO defeats Daiki Yanagiuchi by TKO
04/07
DG

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Not the best match but a perfect match – Sbadoosh (Dramatic Dream Dragons)

#217
Jey Uso & Roman Reigns defeat Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
08/02
WWE

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Utami Hayashishita defeats Sareee
01/03
Marigold

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Mei Suruga defeats Chie Koishikawa
04/04
ChocoPro

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane defeat Passionate RATEL’S (HAYATA & Yuto Kikuchi)
05/24
NOAH

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Astronauts (Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura) defeat 1 Called Manders & Thomas Shire
03/10
wXw

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
1 Called Manders defeats Elijah Blum
06/14
wXw

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Part of Elijah Blum’s reinvention this year has been his willingness to bleed – and of course you’re going to get that in a Texas Death Match. One of many chapters of the wider wXw story this year with Blum trying to get to the title only to fall short. – Ian Hamilton (BackBodyDrop / Auf Die Fresse Podcast)

#217
PCO defeats Michael Allen Richard Clark
03/15
MLP

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

I just love PCO man, this was a completely unexpected banger for me, Michael Allen Richard Clark proved he could hang in PCO’s environment and it was awesome – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

#217
WWE Tag Team Title Six Pack Tables, Ladders And Chairs Match
08/03
WWE

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Neil Diamond Cutter defeats JB Anderson
03/08
H2O

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

With this 20 minutes descent into carpet strip mayhem, JB Anderson made a statement – not only as a rising name in the ring, not only as the challenger to reigning and defending champion Neil Diamond Cutter, but also as the architect of this innovative stipulation. The use of carpet strips is creative and excessive, the wrestling to weapon balance holds up, the gradual escalation keeps up the tension, and Cutter’s Danny Havoc Hardcore Championship adds the stakes. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#217
Sam Stackhouse defeats KJ Orso
09/20
GCW

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#217
Mad Dog Connelly defeats Adam Priest by referee’s decision
05/27
ACTION/ROH

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Sixth

ACTION and especially Adam Priest and Mad Dog Connelly proved, how good matches under 10 minutes can be. It was 7 minutes full of nonstop, innovative Dog Collar action and the great finish was the icing on the cake. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

#216
Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki defeat House Of Torture (EVIL & SHO) & Sumie Sakai
01/11
NJPW

Overall Points: 5
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Ninth

The image of Sumie Sakai going down swinging against the House of Torture will stick with me. – Will Young (Voices of Wrestling)

Very fun send off for Sumi Sakai, when the HoT shenanigans work, they work. – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

Coming a week after Wrestle Kingdom 19, it may have somewhat flown under the radar but Sumie Sakai’s retirement match was 20 minutes that represented what people have long been told about Sumie: fun, heart-warming, perhaps a little silly and never without her “kids” by her side.

All of that was on show here, as her hand-picked group of misfit toys possibly had more fun in and around a ring than anyone else alk year. May we all be so lucky to be so loved.

My official match rating: Vibes++, a perfect “vanity pick” for the poll. – Chris Whitehead (Social Suplex Newsletter)

#195
La Secta (Dark Cuervo & Dark Ozz), Cibernetico, Pierroth Jr. & Ryu defeat Negocio Traumado (Demonio Infernal, Fresero Jr., Trauma I & Trauma II) & Rey Espartano
03/15
Freelance (Mexico)

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Erick Stevens defeats Mad Dog Connelly
12/21
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Victoria Yuzuki defeats Mai Sakurai
10/26
Marigold

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

This was an excellent match. Victoria Yuzuki has the most fire in any young joshi I’ve seen in a long time. Her mouth covered in blood as she lifts the title is a really cool visual. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#195
Claudio Castagnoli defeats Orange Cassidy
11/05
AEW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Possibly the greatest Match up in the business. OC and Claudio deliver my TV MOTY and a reminder that this is AEW and that means any given Wednesday you get to see why we love Pro Wrestling. – Ella Tailor (Wednesday Night Fake Fights)

#195
Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero) & Los Infernales (Averno & Euforia) defeat Hechicero & The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Rocky Romero)
06/17
CMLL/AEW/ROH

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Sareee & Takumi Iroha defeat Kaoru Ito & Tomoko Watanabe
10/16
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

A miraculously great match. And I’m not even just talking about it including two wrestlers in their mid-50s who haven’t had a match of this calibre in 20 years, but also Takumi Iroha’s decline these past few years has been disappointing. They all turned back the clocks to have one more classic in the vintage Zenjo style. The way they build to that rhythmic finishing stretch where each big move feels a little bit closer to victory until someone finally flies to close to the Sun is unlike anything else in wrestling today. This may be the last classic match of that style to ever happen, a sad thought. – Kadaveri (Segunda Caida)

#195
The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Myron Reed, Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeat Order 4 (Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Mustafa Ali & Special Agent 0)
12/05
TNA

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Ryoya Tanaka defeats JACKY KAMEI
09/04
DG

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Makoto defeats VENY
06/17
SEAdLINNNG

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Chihiro Hashimoto defeats Yuu
12/28
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

The best retirement of the year, Yuu proved why she had such a fervent fanbase through this emotional moment facing her long time tag partner & friend. Neither one held back against each other with some of the most brutal offense of the year coming from both women trying to bring out the very best in each other in their final encounter. Team 200kg will be sorely missed, but I could not think of a better way for them to go out. – Nick Johnson (Cagematch.net)

#195
Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) – Time Limit Draw
08/20
AEW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

I absolutely loved this. I know people were mixed on it but, to me, it was the match that made Brodido. – Paul Fontaine (F4WOnline)

#195
YO-HEY defeats Eita
05/03
NOAH

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Elijah Blum defeats Ahura
07/19
wXw

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Seth Rollins defeats CM Punk
08/02
WWE

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Shinya Aoki vs. Yuji Nagata – Time Limit Draw
10/14
DDT

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Nagata is truly a wrestling nerd at heart and he really proves it here; going 30 with Shinya Aoki of all people in a very ambitious match. Sometimes there were fumbles and, yes, Nagata is not the man he was even a decade ago, but god damn it the guy still knows how to wrestle. He brings it on the technical side with some really cool amateur-style sprawls and scrappy mat-work and then later shows he can still do the old routine just as well as before. There is a great underpinning of grit to this that makes you feel like you’re right there on the mat with the pair, especially with how legitmately laboured it feels to watch. Despite this this goes along pretty well pace-wise and I really enjoyed what this had to bring to the table. – Stump Puller (Violent People)

#195
Cecil Nyx defeats Michael Von Payton
10/19
Mystery Wrestling

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

“Falls Count Somewhere” was such a funny idea, maybe because I was there in person but this genuinely had me in tears as I was watching. – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

#195
Hirooki Goto defeats Callum Newman
05/04
NJPW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

The crowning achievement of Goto’s all-too-short reign, legitimizing the young Newman with a sterling performance. Newman’s track record is still spotty but he managed a career effort against Goto in a tremendous fight. – Will Young (Voices of Wrestling)

#195
Gabe Kidd vs. Tomohiro Ishii – Time Limit Draw
01/11
NJPW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#195
Neil Diamond Cutter defeats Bobby V
06/12
We Love Wrestling

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

It’s rare to see a match with a light tube-heavy stipulation that doesn’t even come close to being a smashfest. This match offers so much more than a constant rain of shattered glass. A good stretch of the 17 minutes takes place outside the ring, and there are plenty of other, less fragile weapons involved. This match stands out as a shining example of variety, pacing, and gradual escalation. On top of the excellent weapon/wrestling balance and meaningful weapon use, it doesn’t fall short on narrative tension either. V held the WLW Pure Heart Championship for almost a year at this point, Cutter had long announced that 2025 would be his last active year. ‘Franchise player vs. challenger who already had one foot out of the door’ gave the match the right stakes and a strong story. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#195
Gajo defeats Takahiro Tababa
02/22
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Hands down, this was a war. There are deathmatches on this list, yet this bout was almost just as brutal without a single weapon involved. It exploded right away when Tababa tried to catch Gajo off guard, only to be blasted and thrown aside. In just seven minutes, they delivered a complete battle: vicious strikes and kicks, shoot headbutts, blood everywhere, and two men trading absolute nuclear bombs until both were left shattered.

These were two genuine killers, working as if they truly wanted to destroy each other. Tababa’s kicks were vicious, while Gajo’s brutal strikes tore him apart, culminating in a spear that nearly cut Tababa in half for the win. Absolute carnage, this was a war ladies and gentlemen. – Chris Gascoigne (Kenka Puro Blog)

#195
KJ Orso defeats Sam Stackhouse
07/11
GCW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fifth

#194
Sareee defeats Natsupoi
12/29
Stardom

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Eighth

These two had incredible years in the ring in 2025 and they each ended the year with their best work here. – Andrew Gelinas (Long Story Sport)

#192
Hirooki Goto defeats David Finlay
04/05
NJPW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Strangely, this almost had more jeopardy than the title switch to me, as I felt like they could easily put the belt on Finlay here. Some of the near falls really got me, but I love how Goto ultimately put away so many opponents definitively. – Conor McFall (Social Suplex)

Alright, well, it’s been a good ride. Goto got his little title reign, he got his gold watch, it was fun, he even squeezed in a couple defenses, but now it’s time to get back to our regularly scheduled programming, Finaly’s won the New Japan Cup and he’s gonna take this title off of Goto and probably humiliate him in front of his kids again. I was sure this was what was gonna happen, so imagine the shock on my face when Goto hit Finlay with three straight GTRs and just pinned him! That the match was amazing is almost kind of incidental, these two have always had incredible chemistry and David Finlay really came into his own as a top-level worker in 2025. But when I was so expecting Finlay to win the title for the heat that it would represent, it honestly never occurred to me that Goto would just prevail as the heroic babyface and avenge his prior humiliations at THE REBEL’S hands. This one felt really important to cement Goto’s title reign. This wasn’t a gold watch, this wasn’t a feel-good reign, he wasn’t here to defend against his over-the-hill buddies a couple times and then shuffle back down to the mid card. This man is the Champion of the Goddamn World. – Jeff Ahmed (Voices of Wrestling)

#192
Willow Nightingale defeats Mercedes Mone
12/31
AEW

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

This is totally a vanity pick, a thing I say with my chest. In fact I wrote an entire article singing the praises of the vanity pick a few years ago. In addition to being vain, this is also a very personal pick.
Because when I think back to wrestling in 2025 this will probably be the first match I think of. It’s not the “best” match I saw from that year but on a personal level it’s probably the most important. That’s because this was the match that main evented the first wrestling show I ever watched with my son.
Nearly 30 years prior to this in April 1996 I went to my first wrestling show with my dad. It was a RAW taping with Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Mankind, and – most important in my dad’s memory – the Ultimate Warrior.
I was 8 or 9 years old.
Now on the last day of 2025 I was at a wrestling show with my son who is about the same age I was at that 1996 show, and with my dad as well. I will never forget how into the whole show my son was – cheering, yelling, booing. And at the end of this match, see him jump up and down when Willow got the 3, and then joyously clap along with her music as confetti rained down – these are memories that will make me smile forever.
Wrestling is dumb. Wrestling is frustrating. It’s often embarrassing. But most of the time it’s fun as hell. And every so often it can be special. And it’s reallly special when you share that passion with others. Whether it’s by voting in a list like this, writing for a website or blog, or just bullshitting in a discord. And sometimes you are lucky enough to share it with your friends and family. – S. Dakota Jones (Voices of Wrestling / Special Deliveries )

#191
Hayabusa vs. Masato Tanaka – Time Limit Draw
08/03
ZERO1

Overall Points: 6
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Seventh

Hayabusa is back! What initially sounded like a morbid idea became reality in April 2025. The new Hayabusa’s debut against Masato Tanaka was solid, but just three and a half weeks later they met again in a Mask vs. Career match, and this time it was miles better than their first encounter.

Although the match started a bit slow considering the high stakes, it picked up once Tanaka dropped Hayabusa with a stiff elbow strike, only for Hayabusa to pop right back to his feet. A great visual and the spark that lit the fire. From there, the match had everything you would expect from Tanaka vs. Hayabusa: Sliding D’s, top-rope dives, Falcon Arrows, and even a brutal splash through a table.

Sure, this felt a little nostalgic seeing these two square off (again), and maybe that’s exactly why it cracked my top 10 matches of 2025. – Chris Gascoigne (Kenka Puro Blog)

A world-class match that’ll end up as a hidden gem because Zero1 hasn’t got the cut through it should do.

Masato Tanaka looked as good as he has in a long, long time here against the new Hayabusa. The new Hayabusa might not be the complete package but this match is the closest he’s looked to it so far and I imagine this will figure fondly in the memory as his career advances. – Andrew Sinclair (Voices of Wrestling)

#179
Starlight Kid defeats Saori Anou
07/21
Stardom

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

It’s hard enough to have *one* wrestler in a match sell leg work convincingly and consistently, so very rarely will you ever see wrestlers attempt to *both* work on the other one’s leg and sell it throughout. Saori Anou and Starlight Kid didn’t just attempt it, they knocked it out of the goddamn park and all the way to the moon. The way they each sell their injured body part throughout in a realistic (not corny or over-the-top) way, even modifying their normal movesets around it (Saori’s one-legged suplexes being a particular marvel), was simply next level. Starlight Kid had a lot of outstanding matches during her criminally underrated white belt reign, but this was easily the best. – John Carroll (Voices of Wrestling / Wrestling Omakase)

#179
Risa Sera defeats Momoka Hanazono
07/12
Up Town

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

Jun Kasai was so fun as the special guest referee. So many funny moments in this with Risa destroying Kuroshio’s luggage, Risa corpsing while failing to giant swing Kasai holding a bubble gun, Momoka putting a fishing net over a fan. Extremely silly, and extremely fun. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#179
Seiki Yoshioka defeats MUSASHI
05/18
AJPW

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#179
Dominik Mysterio defeats El Hijo del Vikingo
09/12
WWE/AAA

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#179
Oba Femi defeats Moose
03/11
WWE

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#179
Cody Rhodes defeats Kevin Owens
02/01
WWE

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#179
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Shota Umino
01/04
NJPW

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

Little did I know after avoiding spoilers of this match all day and avoiding discourse in general that this went over 40 minutes. And I absolutely loved it. What else I was totally unaware of was just how much everyone else hated it. I thought over than some tepid exchanges early on by Umino, they grew into their stride and overcome the fans booing the match and Umino. The flirt with the heel turn, while not longlasting, was an incredibly experience to watch in “real time” and they managed to come up with some outstsanding stretches of wrestling. I thought this was great, not perfect. And I’m okay being the island on it. ****1/4 – MC (Shoot Style and Other Stuff)

#179
Ovett Jr. defeats ATM and Big Memo and Leon Rojo and Leon Rojo Jr. and Lunatik Xtreme and Perico and Perico Jr. and Super Boy Jr. and Super Porro
09/07
Freelance (Mexico)

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#179
Laurance Roman defeats Axel Tischer
03/08
wXw

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

On a weekend with plenty of imports, two veterans of the mainland European wrestling scene put on one of the better matches of 16 Carat Gold weekend. A low-key cracker of a match that will have flown under the radar for many people. – Ian Hamilton (BackBodyDrop / Auf Die Fresse Podcast)

#179
John Cena defeats CM Punk and Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul and Seth Rollins
03/01
WWE

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#179
Danshoku Dino, Jun Akiyama & Yuki Ueno defeat Antonio Honda, Makoto Oishi & Soma Takao
01/11
DDT

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

This is definitely one that if you don’t like the comedy DDT brings you’d probably hate this one, the joke is that’s it’s really cold and none of the wrestlers wanna wrestle and instead wanna hang out under their Kohatsu’s that was provided by the staff. Probably the most tolerable Danshoku Dino will ever be in his career. – Cody Milkman (Goon Squad / Bodyslamnet)

#179
Tyler Aero defeats Tyler Hill
03/01
Canadian Deathmatch

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Fourth

Canadian Deathmatch debuted with the Crazy Eight Invitational – and apparently the motto ‘go big or go home’. The Tyler vs. Tyler face-off stole the show with a fantastic weapon/wrestling balance, creative use of thumbtacks that produced beautiful visuals, and high tension all through its 17 minutes of pure, unfiltered awesome. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#177
Mistico defeats Bandido
06/27
CMLL

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Seventh

#177
Luke Jacobs defeats Michael Oku
04/17
PROGRESS

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Seventh

The biggest highlight of a stacked WrestleMania weekend, stiff offense and some insane aerial attacks helped to continue to prove why Luke Jacobs & Michael Oku are creating such a buzz as unsigned UK talent. Easily the most tension you could feel over a half crab in modern wrestling history, and just one of the reasons to seek this match out. – Nick Johnson (Cagematch.net)

#176
Grand Prix Internacional 2025 Torneo Cibernetico Match
08/29
CMLL

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

2025 was a year stuffed to overflowing with truly incredible moments, from Tam Nakano’s fade to black through to Kenny Omega’s emotional return at the Tokyo Dome, but there was one event that felt singularly improbable. The sheer earth shattering level of heat and excitement that Arena Mexico generated and sustained for the first 40-minutes of this mind blogginly ellaborate match. It is a sight and a sound that I will never forget.

Make no mistake, they were still going bananas at the very end of this 80-minute opus as Mistico made a one man comeback to claim victory for team Mexico, but the heat they sustained at the opening defied comprehension. This was proof that you can never have too much of a good thing, as twenty of the best wrestlers in the world paired off to deliver dazzling sequences and spectacular dives without the match ever feeling like a spotfest. Instead, it was a about watching wildly divergent talents from all across the globe pair off to combine and contrast styles, creating a plethora of mini-stories and mini-matches as time simply flew by.

The unexcpected star was Speedball Mike Bailey, the normally lovable babyface who discovered that in Mexico stiff kicks to the head draw merciless. Suddenly, his karate kid offence proved the perfect foil to Mistico and Dorada’s classic tecnico flair. He was the loathed super villian who made the final few moments of the match, both so fraught and so satisfying. – David Hayter (Social Suplex)

#175
Takumi Iroha vs. Utami Hayashishita – Double KO
07/16
Marigold

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fifth

A war of attrition, through and through. It’s not a perfect match, but the good work here outweighs the bad by a lot of mileage.

I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not the biggest fan of Marigold. It’s nothing to do with the talent, either. Alongside Utami and Mayu Iwatani, Marigold has a great roster of talented women such as Victoria Yuzuki, Miku Aono, Kouki Amarei, and others. The problem for me is Rossy Ogawa. After doing my own research, I see now why Rossy is one of the few people in the business that Kenny Omega will openly talk shit about.

Whether it’s body shaming Unagi Sayaka or even his own World Champion Utami, or having the gall to say that Saya Kamitani “wasn’t quite there yet,” despite winning Tokyo Sports MVP for 2025, Rossy is a disgusting idiot as far as I’m concerned. And that doesn’t even cover the sexualizing of wrestlers during his time as booker for STARDOM. Either way, I find it hard to fully support Marigold because of him, and it’ll likely be that way until he finally crawls under a rock.

Still, I try to support the wrestlers more than anything else, and Utami is one of my favorites in the world of Joshi. I also believe she’s one of the very best wrestlers in the world right now, and this is one of her best matches of all time. I think this match with Takumi is the black sheep of my 2025 Best of list. All of the other matches I’ll be talking about have been discussed at length, but this one? Not so much.

I think the work here was exceptional for the most part. They took things slow, and worked over each other in a methodical and tactical way. Utami’s strength is a big part of her strategy, so Takumi targeting her back in this match was wise. On the flip side, Takumi is essentially Joshi’s version of Naomichi Marufuji, so Utami targeting her leg was a genius move as well. This definitely felt like a battle of Aces, as neither woman was able to do enough to keep the other down.

They grinded each other down with multiple submissions and stiff strikes, but it was never enough. You could see it on their faces as the match went on. “What in the fuck will it take?” It sells just how well these two are as the top faces of their respective promotions. Both women had good tactics throughout this, including moments when they would roll out of the ring to avoid being pinned. They showcased true grit here, and were true walls for the other to climb over.

It’s not perfect. It is a bit long, and the final seven minutes are a bit weak and repetitive. You can clown Rossy all day for the Double KO finish, because of course he’s going to have a big match go to a draw instead of having a clear winner. This is Rossy Ogawa we’re talking about. He’s the only booker in Japan who gives Gedo a run for his money in terms of being lazy. Some of the selling was spotty at times.

And yet, with all of that, Utami and Takumi busted their ass to tell a great story here. It was a tale of exhaustion, growing frustration, and the simple refusal to lose. Neither woman gave in to defeat, and they made sure that the other felt that. They threw everything at each other, until they simply had nothing left. Neither woman really lost here. They were equals. They dominate their respective promotions, but against each other, it’s a forever stalemate. Give me the rematch ASAP! – Daniel Everhart (DanTheWrestlingFan)

Two wrestlers who were hell-bent on proving they could be iron-women did just that by going back and forth for over 50 minutes. A strategic masterpiece and an especially strong selling job from Utami Hayashishita in particular made this match one of the best all year. – Dylan Murray (Write Dylan Write / Stardom Quest GOLD)

#174
Kazuki Hirata defeats Yoshihiko
09/28
DDT

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Eighth

This is, as the kids say, a bit of a vanity pick for me in tenth place, but when you have a ****1/2 match with a blow-up doll I think you’ve earned a little extra recognition. Kazuki Hirata is my favorite comedy wrestler of all time, and I don’t even think it’s close. His shock cash-in title win over Yuki Ueno the month before was one of my favorite moments ever (yet another of the endless examples of DDT taking something from American wrestling that they were parodying and producing a far better moment than it ever has), and then he delivered this incredible spectacle on top of it. Hirata forever. – John Carroll (Voices of Wrestling / Wrestling Omakase)

#173
Oba Femi defeats Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams
04/19
WWE

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Seventh

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more telling look at what the main event will be in five years time than this match. Oba Femi is an absolute, 100% bonafide superstar and will main event a WrestleMania sooner rather than later. Trick proved he’s ready for the big show, and 2026 will be his year on the main roster. But then there’s Je’Von Evans. I legit don’t think there’s another wrestler who can make me feel utter amazement and their ability in the ring at such a young age as Je’Von. Absolutely must see at all times. – Slyguy46 (/r/SquaredCircle)

#172
Konosuke Takeshita defeats EVIL
08/17
NJPW

Overall Points: 7
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Sixth

I don’t anticipate many voters in this particular poll will have this year’s G1 Climax final on their list, but it genuinely had everything you could want in a pro wrestling match. In this year’s final, we saw a dastardly heel with the deck stacked in his favor defeat a beloved homegrown talent for the most prestigious tournament victory in NJPW 😏. While many expected the roles to be reversed, the heel ultimately won anyway—robbing the match of surprise, but not of its impact on the live crowd and those of us watching at home. – Chris Samsa (Voices of Wrestling / Sport of Pro Wrestling)

#163
Bendito, Flamita & Luis Mante defeat Z-Brats (Homare, ISHIN & Yoshiki Kato) and Love And Peace (JACKY KAMEI, Mochizuki Jr. & Riiita)
07/13
DG

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

This trios match reminded me the most of golden era Dragon Gate. The action moved at a pace that felt like fast forward the entire time. The exchanges were breathtaking, even violent at times. You had a great mix of guys that bring the best out of each other in the 9, and even Bendito’s patented botches in this match I felt added something rather than took away. – TayKZY (Youtube.com/@taykzy)

#163
The Tuckman defeats Robbie Eagles
08/01
PWA

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

Wrestling is political. We all know this. Ruled by the greedy and selfish. It is also often very shortsighted. As fans we demand instant gratification and yearn for the comfort of a known commodity and so making stars takes a combination of assurity and humility that flies counter to the status quo.

In 2024 many lauded as Ospreay set about truly affirming a star in Oku (14th in last years poll). In 2025 Eagles set about doing this for Tuckman.

Eagles, the once beloved home grown superstar, had spent the year as a heel (the consequence of his prior actions to Tuckman) just so he could stand as the antithesis to the pro Aussie battler from Dubbo – Tucky.

This wasn’t just about one match. It was a year of story, of commitment, from all involved, to elevate one man to his earned spot. Every fan knew this. They were not only invested in Tuckmans struggle but the reality of what this moment meant.

Watching a star be born in a wrestling feud/match is perhaps the most precious thing we have left as fans.

This match is the perfect example of how to do it. A masterclass in not only in ring pacing but in telling the big story and small stories at the same times. In layering meaning for those who have been with these characters the entire way and conveying clear beats for fans walking in for their first wrestling show.

This is pro wrestling in its purest form. And deserves the praise many levelled at Oku Ospreay in my opinion.

Australian wrestling had many highlights this year – but this one shined the brightest for me. – Josh from We Work Stiff (We Work Stiff )

#163
Osiris defeats Amnesia and Demus
01/26
Zona 23

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

#163
Dominik Mysterio defeats Bron Breakker and Finn Balor and Penta
04/20
WWE

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

#163
Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) defeat The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)
08/06
AEW

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

I don’t post as much wrestling content on social media as I used to. But after I watched this match, I had to go to X to express my joy at having just witnessed this bout. The question was always how AEW would capitalize on the success King and Bandido had as a tag team in this match, and I’m happy to say they would become tag champions. You can trace all the success that came afterward for the duo back to this match. – Greg Parks (Pro Wrestling Torch)

#163
Ricky Knight Jr. defeats Michael Oku
07/25
RevPro

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

#163
El Desperado defeats Clark Connors
04/04
NJPW

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

#163
Lil Sicko defeats Bryant Woods
10/27
IWA DS

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

The feud between Woods and Sicko reached its boiling point in a bloodbath for the ages, a tested and tried clash of styles – Woods’ absurd strength vs. Sicko’s agility – and in good old IWA-DS tradition, it ended with somebody falling off an U-Haul. In the aftermath, one of the year’s most violent and intense matches also brought forth the year’s most emotional and wholesome deathmatch moment. The torrential rain got serious competition during Woods’ retirement speech and him passing both boots and title to Lil Sicko. Woods got his fairytale ending, Lil Sicko took his rightful place as the true king of carnage, and after many, many years of being forgotten and vacant, the IWA-DS Heavyweight Championship finally has meaning. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#163
Bear Bronson defeats Danny Demanto
07/18
ICW No Holds Barred

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Third

#161
Judge Joe Dred defeats Necro Butcher
10/04
Severe Violent Nature

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#161
Violento Jack defeats Masashi Takeda
12/30
FREEDOMS

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Jack versus Takeda is a historic pairing after all these years. They’ve been enemies, partners, and enemies again, and this time they were out to prove who the better man truly is. At Blood X’Mas, their first singles meeting on FREEDOMS’ most improtant show of the year, history and rivalry collided head-on.

And what can you expect from these two madmen? Exactly violence. Jack and Takeda set out to maim each other, using every weapon imaginable. I absolutely hate the fork boards; those b*astards look horrifying. It was epic and deeply uncomfortable to watch at the same time, and that’s something only FREEDOMS can deliver these days.

Notably, there was a missed spot where it looked like Takeda was legitimately hurt, which added a ton of drama to the match rather than hurting it, something not every match can say. The finishing stretch was awesome and pure FREEDOMS: Jack ended things with a Package Piledriver onto the aforementioned fork board. Ouch. – Chris Gascoigne (Kenka Puro Blog)

#160
BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori) defeat House Of Torture (EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
05/03
NJPW

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fourth

#159
Kevin Owens defeats Sami Zayn
03/01
WWE

Overall Points: 8
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Seventh

WWE in 2025 felt like the master of the three-and-a-half-star match: A lot of good matches, not a lot of great ones. The only WWE match to make my top 10, it should be no surprise that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, collectively, were the ones to rise above that station. Their unsanctioned brawl at Elimination Chamber was befitting of two former friends, now enemies, who will likely be friends again at some point in the future, just going toe-to-toe and playing off all that history. – Greg Parks (Pro Wrestling Torch)

#153
Darby Allin defeats Gabe Kidd
12/27
AEW

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Second

What a chaotic bloody affair, a beautiful execution of the artistry of professional wrestling in the messiest way possible. Kidd is fulfilling the potential I saw in him so many years ago, but I coulda never seen it developing into this psychotic level of violence. He’s such an amazing fit for Darby, and the volume of blood pooling on the ring and mats, just elevated everything to that next level. What other profession lets you bleed for your art quite so literally? Professional wrestling, and this match, is such a deeply human theatre. – James “NuclearConvoy” Snelgrove (Nuclear Convoy Productions)

#153
Leon Slater defeats Moose
07/20
TNA

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Second

#153
Chi Chi defeats Aya Sakura
01/03
Stardom

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Second

#153
Hikaru Sato defeats Ryo Kawamura
11/29
Hard Hit

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Second

#153
Elijah Blum defeats Peter Tihanyi
01/18
wXw

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Second

2025’s been a year of definition for Elijah Blum – and this was the match that started it. Somewhat akin to the ECW Raven character, Blum changed his look and some of his style, using this match to debut a shocking, more bloodthirsty edge. Bringing out a spike in 2025 caught the eye, as did the red stuff being shed… – Ian Hamilton (BackBodyDrop / Auf Die Fresse Podcast)

#153
Lil Sicko defeats Chuck Stein
03/09
We Love Wrestling

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
Highest Vote: Second

This was the breakout performance that introduced Lil Sicko to the wider deathmatch world; the highlight of WLW’s spectacular debut tournament, WLW Death Wish Cup. From bell to bell, this was a visual feast for the eyes – strong weapon to wrestling balance, creativity, showmanship, and storytelling. It looks, feels, and escalates exactly how a good deathmatch should; a perfect snapshot of violence as art. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#150
Adam Page defeats MJF
08/24
AEW/NJPW

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

A really good heel vs babyface. MJF beign a true a hole and trying to win by doing everything he can. It really showcased their characters perfectly. That’s why this match works very well. – Kaan Ünverdi (Tokyo Merkez Podcast)

This seems to have got the ‘love it/hate it’ treatment from the IWC, with some feeling it was overbooked to high hell. Personally, I thought this was one of those occasions where it all comes together and the overbooking simply ‘works’. MJF was trying everything, pulling out every trick in the book to get an unfair advantage and cheat to win. But of course Hangman Adam Page is firmly back in plucky babyface territory at this point of the year, and this was a showcase for him overcoming the odds stacked against him. It had one of the better nearfalls of the entire year, and that was among a ton of terrific false finishes that upped the drama each time. They had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands, biting on each nearfall, which meant the final 1, 2, 3 garnered a huge pop. Mission accomplished. – Theo Sambus (411mania)

#150
Saya Kamitani defeats Saori Anou
12/29
Stardom

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Wrestling is supposed to make you feel things, and given I was sitting front row dead center on the hard cam side (do not even ask me how much this cost), there’s quite literally visual evidence that this match made me feel things. While I was probably even more depressed by the result than I appear when the referee’s hand slaps three, Saori showed exactly why she’s become my favorite wrestler with her incredible performance here (her extremely rare mix of technical precision, low-key emoting that never crosses the dreaded and ever-present-in-2025-wrestling corny line, and wild-eyed brawling was on full display), while Saya-sama showed why anyone who tries to dismiss her as a pretty face who caught on doing Japanese talk show appearances is kidding themselves. I promise you, the slaps to the face in this one were even more brutal from where I was sitting than they looked on TV- and having watched it back already, they looked plenty brutal there too. – John Carroll (Voices of Wrestling / Wrestling Omakase)

#150
Mad Dog Connelly defeats Matt Tremont
06/22
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Sixth

#147
Jun Akiyama & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii – Time Limit Draw
05/07
JTO

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Magical prowrestling match. – Velkej Bracha (ActWres Stage)

#147
Adam Page defeats MJF
03/09
AEW

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fifth

The most underrated match of 2025, in my opinion. I can’t believe people weren’t talking about this more.

This is the launchpad for Hangman’s rise to championship glory once again, taking on a heel who is utterly convinced Page can’t beat him. Instead, MJF’s total confidence flips on its head in the match itself. In real time, he remembers who the main character of AEW is. – Jack G. King (Jack the Jobber)

#147
Jaden Newman defeats Hunter Drake
06/20
TWE

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fifth

In my opinion THE hidden gem of 2025 and one of the best Iron Man Matches I have ever seen. I liked the unconventional kind of bodypart work combined with twists and turns and seperate phases including different styles of Wrestling. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

#146
Nagisa Shiotsuki & Natsuki defeat Marino Saihara & Naru
03/09
AWG

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fourth

Until the last show of the year, this match was the best match of AWG’s year. The year that was full of good to very good matches, but also full of stuff that was not good. Single matches were mired in never ending balast of few midcarders, previously awesome Mari has paired with Act to deliver mediocrity. So it was these four who upheld the promotion’s tradition of an amazing high speed tag match in semi-main event of Osaka show. – Velkej Bracha (ActWres Stage)

#145
Mistico defeats MJF by DQ
06/18
AEW/CMLL

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Eighth

#144
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Nigel McGuinness
08/24
AEW/NJPW

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Seventh

This was a lot of fun to see on such a big stage – Joel Yentis (Strong Style Stories)

If more wrestling were presented this way, pro wrestling would be in a much better place. Two high-level professional wrestlers taking wrestling seriously and trying to win with no remorse or pity for the other man. Excellent work. – Suit Williams (Voices of Wrestling / Williams Watches Wrestling)

#143
Hechicero defeats El Barbaro Cavernario
02/28
NJPW/CMLL

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Seventh

Sometimes, you just want to see dudes dive off of things onto other dudes. This was my favorite spectacular fireworks match of the year. For more, please see my column about this match on this very Web site! https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2025/11/28/trapped-in-the-cagematch-hechicero-vs-el-barbaro-cavernario-february-28-2025/ – Kim Wong (Wrestling With Thoughts)

#142
Mercedes Mone defeats Jamie Hayter
05/25
AEW

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fifth

The hard-hitting Hayter and the big match theatrics of Mone. What more could you ask for? Mone was unstoppable in her belt collecting year. – Corey Michaels (Wrestling Observer Network, Last Word on Pro Wrestling, BodySlam)

This is one of the matches you start salivating over as soon as you realize “oh, these two are in the same company now” and hose me down, did this one deliver and then some. Fast-paced and hard hitting in all the ways you would expect, these two just clobbered each other and it was beautiful. – Jeff Ahmed (Voices of Wrestling)

#141
Mark Briscoe defeats Kyle Fletcher
11/22
AEW

Overall Points: 9
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Eighth

Although 2025 saw the meteoric rise of one Kyle Fletcher, the feel-good story of Mark Briscoe winning a singles title as an ode to his family name and his late brother Jay was too much to ignore. Fletcher may have lost this match, but his day will come when he wins the big one. But at the same time, this day was the hero’s welcome for Briscoe. – Ryan Ciocco (411mania)

Sometimes, wrestling can make you feel things. Sometimes, wrestling can make you FEEL things. Brutal violence and wonderful catharsis galore, this match definitely made me feel things. – Slyguy46 (/r/SquaredCircle)

#140
Rina Yamashita defeats Mei Suruga
09/13
ChocoPro

Overall Points: 10
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Third

This was one of the best matches in recent Choco Pro history. It was dramatic, well structured and felt big with Rina Yamashita winning the Super Asia Championship. I was so into it that it didn’t feel like it was over 20 Minutes long. It never dragged although it went that long. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

This was my most pleasant surprise this year. I had written off Mei Suruga as a talented wrestler trapped in the silliness of ChocoPro and Rina Yamashita as just another deathmatch wrestler. Here, they delivered a great big vs. small match, and Suruga showcased her dynamism and personality. This was a great lesson in never writing wrestlers or a company off entirely. For more, please see my column about this match on this very Web site! https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2025/12/19/trapped-in-the-cagematch-mei-suruga-vs-rina-yamashita-september-5-2025/ – Kim Wong (Wrestling With Thoughts)

#139
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Hechicero
01/11
NJPW

Overall Points: 10
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Second

Not as good as their match in Mexico in 2024, but this was a high-level display of llave and technical wrestling at its best. Hechicero is at the top of his game right now, and almost every match he has is worth watching. He’s a master of his craft, working a forbidden alchemy. ZSJ is, of course, no slouch either, and he seems to have great chemistry with Hechicero. This match had a good dynamic, and both felt like they were struggling to outsmart each other with either a creative submission or a sudden pinfall. There was never a period when I felt like they were just going through the motions. I could watch these two wrestle any day of the week. – Eric Thornley (Voices of Wrestling)

The two best technicians in the world do battle once again. The third encounter in a year is not quite as magical as the match in CMLL but thankfully not as dumbed down as the RevPro version. Smooth technical wrestling and the blending of the two schools of matwork really make this one shine. Not quite a forgotten gem but a match I felt was criminally underrated this year. – Semi Salmikannas (Smarkside & Kuristusjuntta)

#138
Kazuchika Okada defeats Mike Bailey
05/25
AEW

Overall Points: 10
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Bailey’s offense felt purposeful rather than flashy. Every kick and combination was designed to test Okada’s timing and positioning, and for long stretches, it worked. The match lived in that tension — the idea that speed and volume might finally crack inevitability. – Brian Zilem (Pwtorch)

#137
YAMATO defeats Masaaki Mochizuki
06/04
DG

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Look, I wasn’t a long time watcher from the Toryumon days. I started watching Dragongate so that I could cover it for the Social Suplex Newsletter. After already being hooked by the Hyo contra Hyo match on 9th May, YAMATO and Mochi are the two that really sold me on Dragongate and I haven’t looked back since, attending two shows on my recent trip to Japan. This match utterly blew my mind, watching it live. This match has everything to it. First, the generational dynamic, with Mochi destroying YAMATO when he defended the Dream Gate Title as part of his legendary 2011 run. YAMATO in 2025 instead was the ace and attempting to get revenge for the humiliating loss 14 years prior. With that pretext, the match was excellently worked. YAMATO realised he couldn’t stand toe to toe with Mochi in the striking department as Mochi unleashed brutal, deadly kicks, so he methodically attacked Mochi’s leg. Then, the finish was incredible. YAMATO had to break a hold by clawing away at Mochi’s worked leg and then locked in a single leg Boston crab for the win. The call back was when YAMATO destroyed Mochi’s then protege Daiki Yanagiuchi in a Brave Gate match just months earlier with a single leg Boston crab so brutal that Mochi had to throw in the white towel. In reverse, Daiki threw in the white towel here to protect his mentor. Incredible. – Eric (snazzy) (Social Suplex)

Two of the best in the history of Dragongate continue their legacies and put on the best single’s match in the company in 2025. Mochizuki at this rate may be better than 85% of wrestlers at the age of 85; because he sure is now at the age of 55. – TayKZY (Youtube.com/@taykzy)

#135
Darby Allin, Roderick Strong & The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Mark Briscoe & Orange Cassidy) defeat Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Jon Moxley, PAC & Wheeler Yuta)
11/12
AEW

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Third

While I loved both the blood and guts matches AEW put on in 2025, the men’s was just a tiny bit better because it nuilt around the long term arc that Jon Moxley and Kyle O’Reilly have been building. From the last night before he left for surgery where KOR won a battle royal to face Mox and lose to a series of matches that have been worked around Mox being uniquely frustrated and flustered by Kyle. And that ending. Man. We don’t respect Mox’s storytelling enough to build to an ending and a finish for years. – Arturo Galletti (The P[w]rescription)

#135
Hikaru Sato defeats Fuminori Abe by KO
10/28
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Third

Fuminori Abe had never beaten Hikaru Sato before. Now, as a co-promoter of his own show series, Kakuto Tanteidan, Abe was determined to prove a point, that he could finally defeat Hikaru Sato in a true mano-a-mano encounter.

Like I already mentioned, this was Abe’s show, yet Hikaru Sato controlled most of the match. Sato’s holds and attacks were so sharp that Abe spent nearly the entire bout fighting just to escape. Desperate to finally overcome Sato, Abe even went back to his brutal shoot headbutts, but still, it wasn’t enough.

This went nearly thirty minutes, yet it flew by thanks to the quality of their work. Every time Abe fired up, Sato answered with even more intensity. Abe’s legs in particular were shredded by Sato’s devastating low kicks. In the end, a battered and exhausted Abe couldn’t answer the ten count, Sato sealed a brutal and decisive finish. – Chris Gascoigne (Kenka Puro Blog)

This was the best KTDan main event since the first event. Abe and Sato having a near 28 minute ass kicking contest all over Shinjuku Face. The final stretch is the best part of the match. They’re reeling close to the time limit and these two decide that they’re going to kill each other, Abe keeps going for the usual kill moves that Abe has but Sato keeps finding a way to shut down Abe. But Abe keeps pushing and pushing until Sato decides enough is enough and begins to break Abe down with kicks to the leg, chopping down the tree known as Fuminori Abe. But no matter how much Abe tries, the tree always tips over. And everyone in Shinjuku Face was present to hear it fall. It’s not better than the first KTDan main event, but it’s pretty close. – Nathan Heslip (Nate Hates Wrestling)

#133
Shinya Aoki defeats Keigo Nakamura
02/14
DDT

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Second

Nakamura immediately shoots for a single-leg takedown, and Aoki counters it by simply applying a claw to Keigo’s head. It’s a moment that perfectly captures the dynamic between these two. Aoki grinds Nakamura down, constantly working towards his signature Full Nelson. Nothing comes easily for young Nakamura. He has to squirm his way out of holds through sheer determination, and it’s only through an opportune reversal of fortune late in the match that he gets any sustained offense. By the time Nakamura musters a backslide, it feels momentous because every struggle led up to that moment.

Aoki was, of course, as mean-spirited and methodical as ever. They sprinkled in a unique twist on the dueling bridge spot where, instead of countering with his own, Aoki drove his knees into Nakamura’s ribs, forcing him into the ropes. Nakamura has to fight for every inch. When he successfully applies an ankle lock, his hopes fade as Aoki counters with a Stretch Muffler. There’s a point in this match where Nakamura throws a strike that even seems to catch Aoki off-guard. Aoki’s reaction to it is priceless and conveys the feeling that this kid is showing more heart than he anticipated.

Impressive as his resolve may be, it’s game over for Nakamura once Aoki locks in the Full Nelson. Nakamura comes out of this smelling like roses, his status elevated, and Aoki continues to prove he’s one of the best in the world. I can’t recommend this match highly enough. – Corwo (Spinning Wheel Kick)

#133
Averno defeats Mistico
05/27
CMLL

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Second

Mistico and Averno had the crowd in the palm of their hands as they delivered yet another classic in their long, historic feud. A masterclass in crowd control. – Griffin Peltier (Voices of Wrestling / Hollywd’s Wrestling Rewind)

Mistico vs. Averno has been one of the safest bets in wrestling for twenty years. From 2005 to 2025, these two create magic. This one is no exception. – Dalton Henry (Voices of Wrestling)

#132
Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay – Time Limit Draw
06/11
AEW

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Two of the most creative wrestlers alive going all out 30 minutes. Better than their Forbidden Door title match. – Syd Moss (Strawberry letter 123!)

#131
Ilja Dragunov defeats Sami Zayn
10/17
WWE

Overall Points: 11
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Sixth

It’s gotten to the point where I’m sure Ilja prefers pain. And when Sami gets to really go? Watch out. – Kristen Ashly (Pro Wrestling Illustrated)

I wish I loved wrestling as much as Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov clearly love wrestling. – Slyguy46 (/r/SquaredCircle)

#130
Atsuki Aoyagi defeats Rising HAYATO
08/03
AJPW

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Fifth

excellent finale to a solid juniors tournament. A bloody Hayato going full Jeff Hardy with a dive from bleachers. Both guys fighting for every inch–a rare highlight match from a mostly ho-hum AJPW this year. – Syd Moss (Strawberry letter 123!)

#129
Los Lobitos (Lobito I, Lobito II & Lobito III) vs. Los Porros NG (Lunatik Xtreme, Ovett Jr. & Super Boy) – Double Count Out
04/19
Invasion Indy

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Third

#128
Miku Aono defeats Nanae Takahashi
05/24
Marigold

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Sixth

A sendoff for Takahashi. A coronation for Aonu. In this emotional showdown, Miku withstands the ferocity of the veteran, pushing through pain to overcome The Passion Monster. Aonu makes the most of her massive opportunity, showing off her power, her presence, her slugfest savvy. It’s a savage match with a steady upward rhythm, pushing and pushing to a joyful climax. – Ryan Dilbert (RESURA)

PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! PASSION! A perfect retirement match for Nanae Takahashi. – Scott E (Scott E. Wrestling on YouTube)

#127
El Hijo del Vikingo defeats Chad Gable
06/07
WWE/AAA

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Excellent match between two of the best in the world. – Dan Watson (Wrestling with Reviews)

El Hijo del Vikingo came into this match as the AAA Mega Champion and Chad Gable the challenger. This match on paper looks weird but once these two got into the ring they proved that just seeing a match on paper doesn’t tell you anything about how the match will be. I thought this match was absolutely fantastic El Hijo del Vikingo is very good although he can be a bit sloppy this match however is the best match I’ve ever seen him have. Chad Gable is a guy who doesn’t get enough credit for just how good he is, but when he’s put in the right spots he’s fantastic. Vikingo’s offense in this match was fantastic as I’m re watching the match he just hit a move that I thought was going to be an arm drag when I first saw it but it turned into a hurricanranna everything he did was absolutely flawless. Vikingo was on the offense for the first half of the match until Chad Gable took over and hit some incredible moves including a top rope power bomb for a near fall in an impressive spot. Later on Vikingo hit a destroyer on Gable from the top rope to the apron in an incredible spot. Gable hits a moonsault through a table, which was located on the outside of the ring. The match ended when Vikingo hits a 630 top rope senton to pin Gable to score the victory and retain the AAA Mega Championship. This match was fantastic! – Nathan Neumann (WrestleCast Radio)

Chad Gable took every inch he got in 2025 and turned it into a mile. I’m sad that his year was cut short by injury, but he did have this banger of a match with Vikingo that deserves it’s flowers. – Slyguy46 (/r/SquaredCircle)

#126
Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeat Violence Is Forever (Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku)
04/23
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fourth

If my #10 is going to be a “vanity pick,” I’m going to give it to a match that was in my 9–13 range, and those could all flip at any goven point in time. Deadlock is no longer with us. As a Carolinian and a person who loves (or at least loved) independent wrestling, that’s a real gut punch.

This match was everything that made me fall in love with independent wrestling: The energy of mania weekend, a crowd rabid for their heroes and vociferous in their hatred for the heels, wild action, someone gushing blood, and a display of violent tag team wrestling that feels grimy in parts, which only makes it feel more dangerous.

Violence Is Forever have been the best tag team on the indies for a number of years, and while the Grizzled Young Vets have been hit and miss, they played their roles perfectly here. The crowd despised these interlopers and made sure they knew they were unwelcome.

They fought all over the building giving every live fan a chance to see something cool close up, and miss a bunch too. While some of the spots may be considered tropey in today’s wrestling world, it worked so well with GYV being so hated. They came into Vegas and turned Kevin Ku into a candidate for the Nick Gage Invitational. This made the crowd even more desperate to see ViF come out victorious.

It sucks that DPW is gone, along with Prestige. I hope and pray that the remaining high-profile indies (especially this burgeoning partnership amongst many of them) are able to bring forth more of the independent wrestling I fell in love with. – Jamie Sessions (Raised by the Ring)

#125
AZM defeats Mei Suruga
11/08
ChocoPro

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Sixth

You could feel, how this match became more and more serious and found another and another one and another one. Even the including of the referee was well done in this emotional match, which was also really good in terms of the in ring performances from both. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

A wildly fun and spirited fight in honor of tha gawd Emi Sakura. – Will Young (Voices of Wrestling)

We have reached peak Goblin Style. This was everything you would want from a joshi high-speed match with two of the best representatives of the style, playing to the strengths of both AZM and Suruga. In addition to the spectacle you would expect from these two, this featured the ingenuity of using every bit of the ring (and everything around it) with nearly flawless execution and a dazzling closing sequence. – TDE (TDE Wrestling)

#124
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeat Brodido (Bandido & Brody King)
11/22
AEW

Overall Points: 12
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Third

The best tag team match of the year. What a run for both teams in 2025. – Jays Retro (Chilling with JR and Blair (podcast) )

This match showed how a person could get more over even a loss. Bandido looked like an absolute bad ass when FTR gave them all they had before finally getting the victory. Tag team wrestling at its purest. FTR showed why they are the one of the best tag teams in the world. – Floyd Johnson (All Things Elite on Social Suplex)

FTR might genuinely be the greatest tag team of all time, right? The way they structure and execute a match is almost flawless. And when their “dance partners” are two excellent wrestlers like Brody King and Bandido, who, as it turns out, have remarkable chemistry together, you get something special.

This was without a doubt one of the best matches I’ve seen all year. Everything made sense, everything happened at exactly the right moment and the match carried real intensity and momentum, building perfectly toward an apotheotic finish. It’s one of those rare cases where multiple false finishes actually worked. They kept the tension alive until the referee’s final hand hit the canvas and only when the bell rang did it truly feel certain who had won the battle. – Dan Duca (Wrestling, Examiend)

I vote Bandido & Brody King as the greatest tag team of all time of those who were just two random singles guy stuck together for a tournament yet seemed to have elite chemistry immediately. – Kadaveri (Segunda Caida)

#123
Hoodfoot defeats Nathan Mowery
01/04
ICW No Holds Barred

Overall Points: 13
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Second

This was one of the craziest deathmatches of all time – and I am saying this in the best way possible. This match was an adventure and they always found other ways to top each others in the most creative and brutal way. If you watch only one deathmatch from 2025: Please watch this one. – Sebastian Viefers (Straight Wrestling: Voices of the Indies)

#122
Jon Moxley defeats Kazuchika Okada
12/27
AEW

Overall Points: 13
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fifth

Two matches from AEW Worlds End made my top ten, and both involved Jon Moxley, So, I may be repeating some points here that I have already written about for the other match, but I think it’s worth writing about twice.
This match represented the true culmination of the Death Riders and Moxley World Title story. After a two hundred and seventy three day reign that featured more standout matches then you may think, Moxley entered a losing streak before fighting his way through the Continental Classic to reach his final challenge here.
This match is incredible on a number of levels, not only for the outstanding in ring work, including Okada performing at a high level, which seems to happen on a twice-yearly basis in AEW, but also because it perfectly capped off months of IN RING story telling. Through the continental classic, Jon Moxley managed to go from the top heel in the company, and naturally, organically and smoothly transition into one of the company’s top baby faces again. This was all accomplished in ring, along with his backstage, after match promos. This is the essence of pro wrestling and was accomplished to perfection in this match.
After both wrestlers got through their semi final matches earlier in the night, they came into this match with the benefit of the story of their full continental classic campaigns on their backs.
This match was structured and paced slower than the other 2 continental classic matches on this show and I think it benefited from it. Moxley has a different wrestling style now compared to what he had in his 2019 New Japan run, but this new, evolved wrestling of Moxley’s still worked well with Okada’s tried and true style.
By the end of this match, the live crowd was desperate for the now somehow underdog Jon Moxley to pull out a win, and solidify his return to fan favourite and ace of the company.
– Kristian Scheurer (Backbreakr)

I don’t even like Mox… and even I think this was incredible. – Joel Yentis (Strong Style Stories)

People want “New Japan Main Event Okada” until they actually get him. One thing many seem to miss when they want the Rainmaker to turn the clock back and tone down the shtick built for American television is that his more labored early-match exchanges and dramatic closing stretches are a joint package, a balance done to make subsequent escalation feel earned. It’s funny how the pre-match tension, the opening gambit, the clean rope break, and every other hallmark of the canon Okada classic reemerged from their slumber, only for people to glaze over this as they waited for the other shoe to drop. What not only justifies but enhances the early stretches of this match, compared to the typical NJPW main event, is how they reintroduce and reinforce the narrative around Jon Moxley’s weak leg, rounding out the textbook, gracefully executed face-turn story for Mox told throughout the tournament.

The beauty in Okada’s AEW run is that his reliance on juvenile heel gimmicks makes the moments where he chooses to lock in feel far more special, small touches of that latent stoicism and smug undertones of his 2016-18 title reign sprinkled between the usual AEW Okada low-blow shenanigans. Moxley, having endured the storm of head drops from Kyle Fletcher earlier in the night, plays a babyface in peril to the point where it’s jarring when compared to the brutality of his heel run throughout the year, his pathos leading to a comeback that didn’t overstay its welcome. A scream of fear and frustration from Okada followed his one-count kickout after Mox’s Rainmaker counter-to-DDT. Rather than a trite attempt to feign fighting spirit, as most one-count spots are, it felt like a moment of desperation, the setting in of panic as he realized his last grasp at victory was slipping away, segueing perfectly into the match’s finish. It’s one of my favorite wrestling moments of 2025, and it punctuates the most misunderstood and underappreciated match of the year. While I’m happy this got at least some praise for the coronation of Moxley as AEW’s true hero, the payoff of this story goes unacknowledged without this match’s excellence in form and structure.  – soalpost (Horn of Africa Wrestling Blog )

#121
CM Punk defeats Gunther
08/02
WWE

Overall Points: 13
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fifth

First time TV match between both men. This one felt big and both men matched up very well. An excellent match with a shocking ending. – Dan Watson (Wrestling with Reviews)

#120
Darby Allin defeats Claudio Castagnoli
08/27
AEW

Overall Points: 13
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Fourth

I kick myself every time I think of how dumb I was for missing out on this Dynamite. I was able to go to two of the ECW Arena residency shows and if I could, I would’ve gotten a ticket to this rather than ROH. Just the energy surrounding the building while Claudio is KILLING Darby, it’s palpable. Some blood thirsty fans are demanding more violence while some stand in stunned silence. But there’s a buzz in the audience, Darby Allin still has a pulse. It fills you with a rush of adrenaline as Darby’s able to break through and withstand all the punishment from Claudio and eventually beat him. But that’s Darby Allin. He’s relentless. It’s tattooed on him for god’s sake. – Nathan Heslip (Nate Hates Wrestling)

In AEWs first show at the former ECW arena, these two paid homage to its history with a perfect brawl all over the building. Darby climbed and jump off of various structures in the building and Claudio just killed him with the instantly memorable gorilla press from the ring to the announce table.

But let me take a moment to give these two their flowers for other reasons too. I honestly think both of these guys can be in the conversation for greatest television wrestler of all time. For years now (6 for Darby and many many more for Claudio) they have consistently put on excellent matches with the constraints of American TV wrestling. They may only get 12 minutes and have to work with a commercial break in the middle. They may not get the PPV main events to put on 5 star classics that end up in the top 10 of this match of the year poll. But their floor every week on Dynamite and Collision is so high. They are two of the surest bets on television.
And despite Claudio’s age and Darby’s insane bump card – neither show any sign of slowing down – S. Dakota Jones (Voices of Wrestling / Special Deliveries )

#113
Jun Kasai defeats Momoka Hanazono
08/30
Up Town

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

I love when two wrestlers from the absolute opposite ends of the spectrum can come together to create something unique and special. A legendary deathmatch wrestler and a bubble wand wielding kawaii joshi wrestler come together and chaos ensues with plush toys, skewers, balcony dives and more. The most fun match I watched in 2025 by far. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#113
Demonio Infernal vs El Tibúron
02/23
Freelance (Mexico)

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

#113
LaBron Kozone defeats Jake Something
12/21
DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

Don’t cry that it’s over, smile that it happened. Long live the Orange and Black. – Slyguy46 (/r/SquaredCircle)

#113
DASH Chisako, Sayaka Toyota & VENY defeat Chihiro Hashimoto, Miku Kanae & Sareee
03/30
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

#113
Hirooki Goto defeats Shingo Takagi
06/15
NJPW

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

I think this was pro wrestling at its finest. Shingo Takagi had a very clear energy behind him. He was also very motivated and on-point with his wrestling. He forgone his recent method of run the ropes and no-sell. Here, he was poised and very considerate to keep his intensity and keep the intent to win mindset within his performance. Hirooki Goto is the last stand of the past generation of New Japan and with that comes that unmitigated drama. The fluidity in his sequences remains, but the intangibles that made that era so good in the ring was all over this match. And it wasn’t reliant on the near falls. It was a mere factor in the drama. It was the counters, the set-ups, the tug and pulls between Goto and Shingo, the combination of both of them driving their styles and characters into the formation of the match. Either one could’ve won and the crowd would’ve been happy either way. It would’ve been a major disappointment if the heel turn had transpired, but it was wrestled clean and with all the fire and energy that a Japanese Heavyweight title match should have. MOTY ****1/2 – MC (Shoot Style and Other Stuff)

#113
Team 200kg (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) defeat Meiko Satomura & Sareee
04/28
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

IF YOU SHOWED SOMEBODY WHO’S NEVER WATCHED PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING BEFORE THIS MATCH, I AM CONVINCED THAT THEY WOULD BELIEVE IT REAL. THIS IS WHAT EVERY PROFESSIONAL MATCH SHOULD LOOK LIKE: AUTHENTIC, BELIEVABLE, AND HARD-HITTING. – Evandro Furtado (Voices of Wrestling)

#113
Bobby V defeats Lil Sicko
08/20
We Love Wrestling

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 1
Percentage of Ballots: 0.49%
1 First-Place Vote

In this midsummer night’s taxidermy nightmare, Bobby V had to prove that he hadn’t lost his edge along with the WLW Pure Heart Title earlier that month. In Lil Sicko, he found the perfect challenge – poetry in motion with a fantastic wrestling/weapon balance, spectacular visuals, a unique assortment of weapons, strong character work, and the most beautiful finish of 2025. – Count Snarkula (The Deathmatch Fashion Police)

#111
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Taichi
03/15
NJPW

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fourth

This was quite the match. It had a slow pace throughout and they never went much faster, but there was drama to this. It was quite intense at times, and something that actually benefited from not rushing and letting everything settle and flow naturally. Taichi really sold the gravitas of facing his former tag team partner early on with some dramatics, but otherwise this was wrestled with a serious straight forward intent. Taichi brought some strong bombs, while Zack brought the technical skill. They blended the two really well into what turned out to be a pretty outstanding match. **** – MC (Shoot Style and Other Stuff)

I don’t expect this one to be on many lists, but this was a submission wrestling fan’s dream match. The two have so much history together from their days tagging together, and the emotional weight of that history can be felt throughout the match. Truly a love letter to the Dangerous Tekkers. – Ryan Largent (WrestleWatch)

#111
Akira Jo, GENTARO & Taro Yamada defeat Mushuku (CHANGO, Kenichiro Arai & PSYCHO)
02/16
Mutoha

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Fourth

Not a year without a Mutoha match in my Top 10, huh? This time it’s the Unicorn Rules Match featuring Akira Jo, GENTARO and Taro Yamada against the reunited Mushuku trio of Kenichiro Arai, CHANGO and PSYCHO. For those unfamiliar: Unicorn Rules means three falls: first a singles match, then a tag bout and finally a six man tag team match.

This was some of the most intelligent pro-wrestling you’ll see. From crisp technical work and gritty grappling to clever, underhanded tactics, it had everything. CHANGO and PSYCHO stood out early, catching GENTARO with a roll-up and immediately attacking the opposing trio as the second fall began. Don’t underestimate them, though their technical wrestling is excellent.

However, the real stars of the show were Kenichiro Arai and GENTARO. GENTARO in particular is so underrated it almost feels criminal. Their work was incredibly smooth, slick, and a joy to watch. The match was long, but deeply rewarding if you stayed with it until the end. Excellent pro-wrestling with a clear three-layered story, and honestly, maybe even better than my #9. – Chris Gascoigne (Kenka Puro Blog)

Unicorn Rules are a really interesting concept, especially with elite talent like Kenichiro Arai, GENTARO and Akira Jo all involved; this flows exceptionally well for a 30+ minute match with lots of incredible moments where we’d either get Arai being a brilliant scum-indie heel or huge comebacks where the match gets flipped on its head. Absolutely a must-watch for the much-undervalued Mutoha promotion. – Stump Puller (Violent People)

#110
Shun Skywalker defeats YAMATO
07/13
DG

Overall Points: 14
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Third

If the year was only 7 months long, YAMATO would’ve won my wrestler of the year award by a landslide. And as great as his year was, there was someone lurking behind him, and that was Shun Skywalker. This entire dream gate run was built upon the younger generation not doing their job and YAMATO deciding to do their job for them. And along the way he’s proven his statement. Until the beginning of the year where YAMATO slammed into the brick wall that is Shun Skywalker. And even despite the weird build to this where Skywalker declared himself if he lost her leave DRAGONGATE, the match was made for Kobe World after Shun *DESTROYED* YAMATO twice in Korakuen Hall. This match was Skywalker picking YAMATO apart. The new type vs the old type. Skywalker finally gets his closure, he’s able to beat YAMATO at Kobe World for the Dream Gate title. – Nathan Heslip (Nate Hates Wrestling)

YAMATO spent July 2024-July 2025 as Open the Dream Gate Champion and during that time, he was the best champion in wrestling, without question. Shun Skywalker has spent the 2020’s as the best, most engaging wrestler on the planet not named Will Ospreay. While these two had a critically-acclaimed classic at World 2021, the stakes for this match felt so much higher than they did in 2021. This felt like the biggest DG match since Ben-K dethroned PAC in 2019. Skywalker and YAMATO topped what they did in 2021 en route to one of the best matches of 2025 and one of the best main events in Kobe World history. – Case Lowe (Voices of Wrestling / Open the Voice Gate)

#109
Yuya Uemura defeats Yuto-Ice
10/06
NJPW

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Third

uemura and yuto-ice is a matchup we hope to see for a decade to come. this was really the first look we got at yuto-ice and his pseudo-murakami/shibata/rapper style. A gritty, raw performance from both built upon a hatred established when yuto ice was a young lion. – brendan durant (Toukon 24hr of lemans)

A song of Ice and Fire.

Whilst there are more storied match ups. More logical ones based on history.
This will be the rivalry that returns NJPW to its former glory.

Yuto gives Yuya what he needs. Unleashes the fire. The drive. The desire. And the viciousness. If Yuya is going to become the Ace he will do so in the vision that Yuto has for it. This match is the foundation for this movement. My favourite NJPW World match of the year. – Josh from We Work Stiff (We Work Stiff )

#108
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Keita Yano
11/04
Tenryu Project

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Second

This match was fifteen minutes of pure grappling joy, a technical feast for all the freaks who live for holds, counters, and subtle chaos. It started respectfully, with a handshake that Zack Sabre Jr. gladly accepted. What followed was a pleasant surprise: the usually smug Brit put aside his cocky attitude and focused entirely on precision, control and technical mastery. Yano, on the other hand brought his own flavor of mischief and shithousery into the bout.

I love watching Yano unleash his tremendously creative holds and counters and it doesn’t matter if he’s performing in front of sixteen fans at his own Wallabee shows or here, in front of nearly a thousand fans at the legendary orange seat arena, broadcast on Japan’s biggest wrestling streaming service. Sabre Jr. was by no means outmatched; he met Yano hold for hold, counter for counter. When Yano started to tighten up and turn the tempo higher, the Lionmark representative followed suit, matching that intensity with the same precision and attitude.

The finishing stretch was awesome. After all the grappling, the two finally started throwing hands. Zack rocked Yano with some European Uppercuts right to the jaw, but Yano fired back with his own, matching him strike for strike after being on spaghetti legs for some time. He nearly caught Zack twice with flash pin attempts afterwards. As one famous old-school German wrestler once said, “You’ll get rolled up like a sausage” and that couldn’t have been more fitting here, even if this idiom does not make the most sense. Both men tumbled across the mat in a giddy exchange of roll-ups and counters, each trying to outsmart the other. Then, out of nowhere, Zack trapped Yano in a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch and scored the three count.
This was absolutely awesome and a pure joy watching Keita Yano share the ring with one of the most famous technical wrestlers of our generation. It felt special seeing Yano bring his unique style of wrestling weirdness to such a big stage. Now I’ve got the bug for it: Run it back! Or, at least, give Yano another high profile opponent under the bright lights. – Chris Gascoigne (Kenka Puro Blog)

Keita getting to do weird contrived WoS shit with someone who can actually relate is all the reasoning required for this to be up here, but it also features some legitmately fantastic work towards a slow build (that, amazingly, only goes 15) that turns into the pair trying to outsmart the other with whatever they can think of doing. A lot of fun to watch and more than deserving of a slot on here. – Stump Puller (Violent People)

#107
Yota Tsuji defeats David Finlay
01/04
NJPW

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Fifth

The only great match on January 4th, this had a classic structure of the bully heel overpowering the babyface before the big comeback to win. Finlay has great, burly offence to fit that role perfectly and tee up Tsuji for the win and his first major title. – Conor McFall (Social Suplex)

Great match full of drama and near falls. I thought David Finlay played his role really well, and it was cool to see Tsuji get his big win in the Tokyo Dome. He has a bright future. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#106
Kyle O’Reilly defeats Jon Moxley
11/22
AEW

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Fourth

In a year of amazing Jon Moxley’s performance, this was one of my favorites. It also helped that it highlighted Kyle O’Reilly who I just love. Plunder matches are repetitive, but what both men did here was just two guys beating the shit out of each other without rules. They barely used weapons, just a fork that was used violently perfect and a chain. It was worked as a straight kickass wrestling match with the occasional weapon to get an advantage. That’s all. Kinda sad that this type of violent brawl is not the norm in the United States. Yet, one of my favorite matches this year. – Abraham Delgado (Voices of Wrestling)

This is the Kyle O’Reilly that we all know is in there and we all want to see. The one that combines underdog babyface charisma with vicious, realistic offense. He’s like an eclipse or something – only appears sporadically. But when he does it can be awe inspiring. From his TV matches with Mox, to Blood and Guts, to this – it was an unexpected treat to see O’Reilly have this run. Here’s hoping he comes back soon and we see an incredible Continental Title match with Moxley. I mean the Dynasty PPV in April is in his hometown of Vancouver. Do it TK!

This match was also made even better by the commentary of Bryan Danielson. His emphasis on “No Holds Barred” meaning certain holds, like joint manipulation and fish hooks being legal brought to light so clearly what these two were trying to do. This wasn’t going to be a typical plunder match. In modern wrestling “No DQ”, “Street Fight”, “No Holds Barred”, “Extreme Rules” “Falls Count Anywhere” and many other terms are all used interchangeably. Mox and O’Reilly, with the help of Danielson on commentary, really made this match type feel unique and interesting in a way that it never had before. – S. Dakota Jones (Voices of Wrestling / Special Deliveries )

What a fucking spectacle of blood and the manipulation of human bodies to break their bones and spirits, but O’Reilly is a monster who cannot be stopped, haunting Mox at every turn. A bleeding, snarling beast that Mox has no answer for. – James “NuclearConvoy” Snelgrove (Nuclear Convoy Productions)

#104
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeats Danshoku Dino
08/31
DDT

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Second

I love when wrestlers from other promotions come to DDT and embrace it wholeheartedly. Tanahashi kissing Dino, using his own crotch-based submissions and revealing his colourful thong was hilarious. I have so much respect for him for making this part of his retirement road. – BossPedal (Japanese Wrestling Guide)

#104
Yota Tsuji defeats Gabe Kidd
10/13
NJPW

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 4
Percentage of Ballots: 1.96%
Highest Vote: Second

I consider this match the most underrated of all of 2025’s great bouts. Kidd and Tsuji have always had tremendous chemistry, and they went all-out in this one. Tsuji winning with a Boston crab was a brilliant finish for the story they were telling. – Lionmark Luke (Voices of Wrestling)

The match begins with the two men running at each other and locking up they find their way to the mat and begin to exchange holds before locking up on the ground and rising back to their feet they push towards the ropes until Gabe Kidd separates from Yota Tsuji. Yota tries a head scissors but Gabe flips out of it and shortly after hits a drop kick. Later on in the match Yota hits a Topei to the outside of the ring and it’s perfect. In the corner Yota chops Gabe and then pulls him back to the center for some forearms and a pinfall attempt. Gabe kicks out and Yota continues on offense, he chops the hell out of Gabe and knocks him down Gabe gets back up and Yota hits him and then the two begin to trade blows in the center of the ring before they both knock each other back down to the mat. Gabe gets Yota in a deep Boston crab right on the lion mark in the center of the ring. Tsuji eventually makes his way to the ropes to force the break. Gabe Kidd hits a tombstone for a near fall. Yota hits Gabe Kidd with a Destroyer but is unable to attempt a pinfall. Tsuji hits a flat liner and then a German suplex and follows it up with a Lariat for a near fall. Kidd comes back and hits a power bomb for two in a tremendous sequence. Later on the two make it up to the second rope and Tsuji hits the Guerrero special off of the second rope. Tsuji runs at Kidd but gets hit with not one but two consecutive pile drivers for a near fall. Later on Tsuji hits Kidd with the Gene Blaster and Gabe kicks out at one Tsuji hits another one and then follows it up with a Boston crab in the center of the ring. After a few moments of being in the hold and not being able to go anywhere Gabe Kidd is forced to tap out and Yota retains the Global championship. Hell of a match once again from both of these men. This is a match pairing that I will never get sick of, so go watch this match and all of their matches that they had this year. – Nathan Neumann (WrestleCast Radio)

#103
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Shingo Takagi
07/26
NJPW

Overall Points: 15
Total Votes: 6
Percentage of Ballots: 2.94%
Highest Vote: Sixth

Top match in New Japan that didn’t take place at the Dome, imo. Takeshita was another one who had a freakishly great year and Shingo may have been the Japanese MVP if the year ended in July. – Paul Fontaine (F4WOnline)

Absolute banger between two of my favorite wrestlers on the planet. Shingo Takagi is cut from that “Best Bout Machine” cloth. Guaranteed great matches every time he steps in the ring. Takeshita may very well be the best Japanese wrestler in the world right now and he is probably the favorite to win the G1 crown. These two go beyond and reach a level they didn’t at Wrestle Kingdom earlier in the year. Two of the most explosive wrestlers in the world with high octane offensive movesets just trading bombs back and forth. This match is full of brilliant sequences and counters; and the pace is relentless. Truly a trip back to the epic G1 Main Events of the 2010’s. The best G1 match and one of my favorite matches of the year. – Noveliss (Noveliss.bandcamp.com)

In a G1 that didn’t produce many truly amazing matches, this one holds a special place for me. I smiled for the entire thing. I love these guys. – Elliot Imes (Super J-Cast)

#102
Shuji Ishikawa defeats Satsuki Nagao
04/12
Freelance (Japan)

Overall Points: 16
Total Votes: 2
Percentage of Ballots: 0.98%
Highest Vote: Third

God Ishikawa just rules. He spent the whole of 2025 basically just going around every promotion giving people CTE, so of course an Abe/Nomura produce is right up his alley. Nagao does a incredible job taking what seems like a borderline unacceptable beating while always tying it back to a potential chance at a victory….if he stays alive, of course. The match carefully balances that tightrope until the final brutality makes it abundantly clear who’s boss. Masterclass in how to make a match all about violence without going overboard. – Stump Puller (Violent People)

#101
Blue Panther & El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada & Neon) defeat Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero, Stuka Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero)
04/18
CMLL

Overall Points: 16
Total Votes: 3
Percentage of Ballots: 1.47%
Highest Vote: Third

CMLL has been in the midst of a run so hot, that renaissance seems a disingenuous term to apply. This is the hottest I’ve seen this company, and I’m far more excited for shows now than the mid 2000s Mistico peak.

One of the beautiful things about CMLL is that while they continue to innovate and give us all kinds of new high flying action, they also give us classic lucha. This was a 2/3 falls six-man with Blue Panther and Ultimo Guerrero giving us everything that makes Lucha special and unique. While there may have been some things thay didn’t look super smooth, the crowd was going absolutely crazy more than made up for it. The emotion of seeing 64 year old Blue Panther still out there, a couple steps slower, but brilliant as ever is palpable.

Los Guerreros do an excellent job making the crowd hate them as well. Doing their best to ground Sky Team and keep the crowd from seeing the most spectacular acrobats do their thing. One of the underrated good things about a “tourist crowd” is that it forces a simplicity that can often be lacking in most wrestling around the world. This was simple by design but superb in execution. Meat and potatoes remains popular because it’s a delicious and filling meal, and the folks at Arena Mexico were eating well that night. – Jamie Sessions (Raised by the Ring)

Voices of Wrestling 2025 Match of the Year Countdown