What a year of wrestling. In compiling my list of the best matches, I had to stop myself at 65. I know I've probably missed a match here or there, with any end of the year list, mine is subjective. Experts will throw around terms like work rate and selling, etc. My list is defined by some of that. But it's also crafted by emotions. The very essence of professional wrestling, to me, is the provoking of emotion. Whether it be anger, sadness, joy, amazement, frustration, great pro wrestling matches evoke something from you. My only real criteria was: I had to have seen the match, obviously. And I limited it to the U.S and Canada.
The night of Americanrana I believe I had my mind set after the match that this was easily the top match of the year. Joey Janela is so underappreciated due to the dirt bag role he plays. Coming from the hardcore side of the business, fans have an unfair philosophy on Joey's ability in the ring. The iron man match against David Starr was told so differently in the ring than most iron man matches I've watched - at least, it felt different to me. The underlying tonality of the story was there is no way Janela can defeat a wrestling machine like Starr. On the early outset of the match, it looked like the doubters would be correct. Starr jumped out to a 3-0 lead with forty minutes or so left in the match.
I'm not going to spoil the match for you though, head over to IWTV.Live to watch it.
Our runner-up was Jacob Fatu v. LA Park. Now, match for match, I believe MLW's Saturday Night Superfight was the ppv of the year. Each match built on from the previous match with the crescendo of Park accidentally spearing Salina de la Renta through a table. I'll never forget the image of Park's masking bleeding. Just an amazing performance by both men.
Other highlights from the list: You cannot forget the carnage of that Cody/Dustin battle. It took us right back to the 80's for a moment. This is probably the first signature match in the history of AEW, and what a way to start a company. And the emotional embrace at the end - storytelling done right.
Two intergender matches make the top ten. At number six is Sami Callihan v. Tessa Blanchard. Blanchard is the future of pro wrestling. I'm not saying anything here that is shocking. You can just tell she was born to be the top of the top. Was this match a work rate fan's dream come true? No, probably not. It was solid, but it's the history of the damn match that's important. Blanchard is ascending to places no other woman has been - a world title reign. Now, I know, Dennis, women have held the world title in many companies - but none have held the world title for a national company like Impact. Chyna held the intercontinental title. This is a very big deal. A story to watch unfold in 2020.
Kris Statlander cemented her spot as a top talent with a victory over Chris Dickinson at Beyond Wrestling's "Treasure Hunt" show. Since that victory, Statlander has captured the hearts of the independent wrestling scene and parlayed that into a deal with All Elite Wrestling.
Speaking of history, Kofi Kingston can tell you a little bit about that. Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan for the WWE championship belt at WrestleMania 35. Kingston became the first African American champion, holding the strap for 180 days. Kingston is an easy HOF'er having held tag and singles gold and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.
So much to take from the wrestling we were served this year. Let's start focusing on the good stuff and less on the bad stuff. Let's drink cheap beer and appreciate the hard work and the dedication these men and women put forth.
Cheers.
Match of The Year: Beyond Wrestling:
Americanrana 2019: Joey Janela v. David Starr - Iron Man Match
Runner Up:
Major League Wrestling - Saturday Night Superfight: Jacob Fatu v. LA Park
The Next 10:
- All Elite Wrestling - Double or Nothing: Cody Rhodes v. Dustin Rhodes
- Pro Wrestling Guerrila - Sixteen: Bandido, Flamita & Rey Horus v. Black Taurus, Laredo Kid & Puma King
- All Elite Wrestling - All Out: The Lucha Brothers v. The Young Bucks - Ladder Match
- WWE - WrestleMania 35: Kofi Kingston v. Daniel Bryan
- NXT - TakeOver XXV: Adam Cole v. Johnny Gargano
- Impact Wrestling - Slammiversary: Sami Callihan v. Tessa Blanchard
- NXT - TakeOver New York: Johnny Gargano v. Adam Cole
- Game Changer Wrestling - Bloodsport: Josh Barnett v. Minoru Suzuki
- Beyond Wrestling - Tresure Hunt: Kris Statlander v. Chris Dickinson
- NXT - TakeOver Phoenix: Johnny Gargano v. Richochet