The Top 50 Matches Of The Year: 10-6
Credit: backbodydrop.com
We’re finally at the top ten, this is the best of the best that I’ve seen in 2022 and we kick it off with a match that combined two of my favourite things; a fast-paced ten-minute match and a small room.
This was the first time I had seen both Abe and Slamovich and what a way to make a great impression, these two kicked the ever loving shit out of each other in the wXw Dojo.
This was a small venue, with no conditioning so it made things very hot, but this match I don’t think would have worked elsewhere but this small room as they fought around people and beat each other up inside the ring; a truly special match that made the first night of the wXw weekender, one to remember.
9. CJ Carter vs Taylor James: Street Fight, if CJ Carter loses he retires - Ignite Wrestling Pro “Point Break” (04/09)
Credit: Ignite Wrestling Pro/Y2Grae Photography
The story of CJ Carter vs Taylor James goes back to the first show in October 2021 when Taylor attacked Nino after their match and CJ made the save which set up a tag match of CJ and Nino vs Taylor and his Rebellion running mate Jack Toreno in March 2022, which Rebellion won but after they went to attack Nino with chairs but CJ sacrificed himself and took the punishment instead.
In May, Taylor defeated CJ after Toreno interfered and Taylor used the chair again, this led to a challenge by CJ to Taylor for a Street Fight in September, where his Ignite career was on the line.
This match was a great brawl, it felt heated as well which a lot of weapons based matches lack I feel but this succeeded and the weapon selection was enough here for what they were going for.
Nick Cooper got taken out through an accidental spear from Taylor, Toreno came in to help Taylor and went to beat him up with chairs but this time, Nino came in to save CJ but Nino outsmarted Rebellion and was able to take out Toreno from the match.
It was CJ who won the match after finally clocking Taylor with a Chair and then hitting Taylor with his final move, the Nightmare Darkness Driver through a table (technically plywood) to win his final match, this was a hell of a final performance from CJ who put so much into this match considering who bad his injury is as well, I was amazed; and every hero needs a villain and Taylor delivered as the big bad here, take a bow son.
There was also a very emotional speech at the end from CJ as the roster came out to praise him and he personally thanked a lot of fans for coming out on his way out of the ring, it was a really emotional match and that’s the kind of emotion that makes me love wrestling, that’s why it’s in my top ten.
8. Jordon Breaks vs Connor Mills: Purpose Championship Tournament Final - Purpose Wrestling “Everything I Love is Going to Die'' (12/08)
Credit: Purpose Wrestling/South of Heaven Photography
This whole story really has been about the wrestling and the competitive nature that both Breaks and Mills showcase so well. The match was going to be about that as well when D:E were taken out by North West Strong, Francisco and Bryant.
There was big spots and moments that you’d expect from a big match like this; the Monkey Flip into the chairs was spectacular, but it was the limb targeting from both of them and working on a body part that would help them win the title and it played into their history as well.
Breaks, for the first time, wasn’t able to win with the European Clutch due to Mills working his neck through the match, but it was because of Breaks working Mills Arm that allowed him to win with the Breaks Special to a Great Pop from the crowd. This match is fantastic and one for people who like technical wrestling.
7. Gene Munny vs Harrison Bennett:GOOD Grand Prize Title Match - GOOD Wrestling “One More Time with Feeling” (19/11)
Credit: GOOD Wrestling/The Head Drop
This match had almost a three act structure that built and built to an emotional climax; the first act was a standard match with Bennett showing his new heel persona and getting sympathy for Gene, which helped Gene gain back control before the second act begun with Gene said “Let’s go Outside”.
This led to Gene, Bennett, Oscar and the entire crowd going outside in the freezing cold as they fought all around the car park, with Mike Bird getting involved as well by eye poking Gene and Bennett to the point that they were throwing punches wildly, Oscar also got thrown into a bin.
There was a tribute to Ryan Smile when they were Irish whipped from Across the Road but checked both sides of the road first before going, the passing Cars looked so confused to what was going on, Bird left the fray with the comment “My Home Planet Needs Me!”.
So we all got back into the venue and the third act begun with all the big moves, there was run-ins from Kid Lykos as Gene’s former manager, Tim Lee and Brendan White of the B.A.D came in to help Bennett but Tim finally turned on Brendan saying he wants to be GOOD. There were near falls, kickouts and towards the end of this match, I was on my feet living and dying with the action and emotion, Gene won to officially become the new Grand Prize Holder.
There was a speech by Gene to end a very emotional match and the night, this was sensational. Both men were at the top of their game in this match and created something that was truly GOOD.
6. Nino Bryant vs The O.J.M.O: Purpose Championship Tournament Quarter-Final - Purpose Wrestling “Out of the Light” (08/04)
Credit: @adam_lewis95
Nino became a star to the audience in this match, he showed why he’s been so highly touted by his peers, he has been somebody who is ready to breakout on the scene and Oku made him a star with this match, far more than just a great wrestling match.
It was the drama and peril that Nino was placed in because the whole audience expected Oku to be the winner but Nino gave all of us hope. Oku was a fantastic heel here with him slagging off Nino’s family leading Nino firing up and going all the way to defeating Oku which led to one of the biggest audience reactions I’ve heard all year.
This match was fantastic, you’d have never expected it to happen in a Library in Wimbledon as well but this was exceptional and still remained in my Top 10 throughout this whole time.