My 30 Greatest Matches of All Time Part 1

 The debate for the greatest match of all time has ragged long before I was born, and it will go on long after I am gone. But I love wrestling. And there is just something about a truly great match. I really don't how any in wrestling anyone can say the matches don't matter. And well I've seen many wrestling matches over my lifetime. So here are what I call the thirty greatest. I am not ranking these instead they will be listed in chronically order from oldest match to most recent. For this list I considered a number of factors. Historical importance, uniqueness, in ring work, storyline, and crowd reaction. I also looked at things such as Dave Melter's star rating and the Cagematch and a few other GOAT time lists. So here they are in my opinion the thirty greatest wrestling matches of all time

1 Macho Man Randy Savage vs. Ricky The Dragon Steamboat- WWF WrestleMania 3 3/29/87- Let's start with that match that set the tone for the modern era of wrestling. While wrestling at this time was mostly viewed as the land of the giants (especially in the WWF) we were already starting to see various wrestlers work a faster paced more athletic styles two of which were Savage and Steamboat. Going into this match Savage had been WWF Intercontinental Champion over 400 days. The most infamous moment leading up to match came when Savage crushed Steamboat's throat using a ring bell. In the months leading up to the match Steamboat and in particular Savage planed out the match well in advance. According to one story Savage began to quiz Steamboat saying something like "spot seventeen" and having Steamboat tell him what the planned spot was. The match took place at WrestleMania 3. For years now the saying has been while Hogan and Andre drew the house it was Savage and Steamboat the 78,000 in attendance and all the viewers at home were talking about.

The early portion of the match quickly shows that Steamboat is always a step ahead just that little bit faster, little bit stronger, and little bit smarter. It's only after Savage cheats using the hair and tosses The Dragon to the floor does Savage finally truly take over. The near falls come early and often with both men looking to end it at the first chance. Savage manages to rock Steamboat with a knee to the back of the head. Savage scores with a series of his favorite movies the double ax handle off the top and the hangman over the ropes. Steamboat refuses to stay down. Changing attacks Savage hits, a series of suplexs but still can't get a three count. 

Steamboat regains momentum when Savage charges in and is dumped to the floor. Back in the ring we get Steamboat nailing a karate chop off the top. The crowd goes nuts when for a moment they think Steamboat has gotten three count only for Savage to get the ropes. Now a lot of "greatest ever" matches are built upon big moves such as the head drop wars in All Japan or wild sportsfest like the TLC. This match is built a lot of really great but simple wrestling. It's a fight for position with each man thinking that one move or counter will be enough to trap the shoulders just long enough. And I have to stress the crowd is fully invested. Sometimes in a venue this big it can hard to keep the nose level high. But the fans are cheering loudly every time Steamboat goes for a pin or escapes one of Savages. It also helps there is no extending stalling or resting. The whole time both men are looking to win. 

Finally, Savage is able to send Steamboat into the ref taking both out. But this costs Savage. He manages to hit his trademark flying elbow drop but with the ref down there is no count. When the feud had begun it was fear of Steamboat taking his title that motivated Savage to use the ring bell. That same fear griped Savage that night in Detroit. He once again for the bell. Only this time George the Animal Steel an old rival of Savage's who was in Steamboat's corner, is there to shove Savage off the top rope. The bell hits Savage instead. Now dazed it's easy for a recovered Steamboat to finally roll him into an inside cradle. The referee is able to do what he failed to do nineteen times previous and count three. The crowd cheers once again bot the for the title change and knowing they had seen something special.

Steamboat vs. Savage would win both the Wrestling Observer and Pro Wrestling Illustrated match of the year awards. Night of the event other wrestlers came up to put over both men's efforts. As the year have gone on the legend of the match has only grown. For many it's the first match brought up when discussing either man's legacy or best match in WrestleMania history. It's status only rising more as many wrestlers began to cite it as one of there favorite matches. Although he lost the IC title, Savage came out a big winner that night. Later in the year he would turn face and at WrestleMania IV with Hulk Hogan taking time to film a movie, it was Savage who became WWF world champion. Steamboat though would see his push die after he asked for time off before the birth of his son Richie. As Savage began his world title reign, Steamboat was exiting the company. However, an old foe beckoned The Dragon. 

Ricky Steamboat 

2 Ricky The Dragon Steamboat vs. Nature Boy Ric Flair WCW WrestleWar 89 05/07/89- Both Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair began there wrestling career training under Verne Gagne. Flair began his career in 1972, when Steamboat debuted in 1976, he was already established as a top name in the Mid Atlantic territory. 1977 Steamboat still very early in his career also made his way to that territory. Thus, would begin a long and successful feud between the two men. By 1985 Flair was established as the top man in the entire National Wrestling Alliance while Steamboat had joined the growing WWF. As 1989 dawned Flair was still the top guy in a very different NWA that would see Steamboat return and resume their feud. Steamboat as a mystery partner in a tag match pinned NWA world champion Flair in his return. In February at the Chi-Town Rumble event Steamboat pinned Flair again this time to capture his title. April's Clash of the Champions saw the rematch a two out of three falls affair. Steamboat won the final and deciding fall however replays showed Flair's foot was under the rope and the pin shouldn't have counted. So that set the stage for May's Wrestle War. Billed a Flair's last shot. Some of you might find it very amusing that in 1989 they were already doing storylines about Flair career approaching its end. 

The intro's to the match contrast both men's character. Flair comes out accompanied by a group of women while Steamboat came out with his wife and son. Another major part of the feud had been the idea of family man Steamboat vs. playboy Flair. Terry Funk, Lou Thesz, and Pat O'Connor were at ringside to serve as judges if the match went to a time limit draw. That was WCW telling fans there would a winner. 

Like his match with Savage, Steamboat start off the match just that little bit ahead making use of speed and trademark arm drag. Even when Flair manages brief moments of control Steamboat is able to regain control. Steamboat being to work over the arm and shoulder a logical move given during the April match he managed to win a fall via submission using a double chicken win hold. Flair's edge is his willingness to play dirty. He manages to get Steamboat in the corner by pulling his hair. He strikes on a break and throws punches. Soon Steamboat fires back and even makes Flair pay by sending him to the floor. Flair's ego gets the best of him several times as his ego causes him to play to the crowd as he being to turn the tide. Flair also ticks Steamboat causing the proud champion to fire up. Finally, just after the fifteen-minute call Flair manages to sidestep Steamboat who is coming off the ropes sending The Dragon to the floor which he follows up by stomping Steamboat in his head. Steamboat again regains momentum making using of his various chops and again returns to the arm work. But Flair's work to tick Steamboat finally pays off. Flair ducks a crossbody and Steamboat crashes into the ropes. This allows Flair to finally started hitting more than just his own chops repeatedly dropping Steamboat on his head and back. 

We quickly see Flair game plan pay off. Steamboat tries to rally back only to get cut off by a blow the head. After a belly to back suplex we get a brilliant near fall. Steamboat doesn't kick out but instead only gets his shoulder up just barley as the hand of referee Tommy Young comes down. Now Steamboat becomes desperate he attempts another flying move only for Flair to catch him and drop him onto the ropes again. Another rally by Steamboat is cut off when Flair hits a flying crossbody only for both men to crash to the floor. Flair is the first man up really selling the tide had turned. But again, Flair can't help himself he stalls on the ropes to go Woo allowing Steamboat to body slam him off it. Steamboat hits a series of big moves and finally goes for the Chicken Wing. Flair saves himself by reaching the ropes. In another callback to a previous Steamboat stand on top seemingly going for the crossbody that won him the title only this time a dazed Flair falls into the ropes causing Steamboat to fall and injure his leg.

The leg injury is twofold. Steamboat loses his ability to move, and it also give the master of the figure four Flair a short cut. Flair locks in in signature hold. Again proud champion Steamboat fight back enough to get the ropes. Flair doggedly won't let go of the leg and it appears to backfire when Steamboat hits a enziguir kick to the back of the head. Steamboat goes for a body slam but his leg gives out. It's all Flair needs he cradles Steamboat and for the announced sixth time becomes world champion. I think the best about this match is why both men have finishers this match and their history had shown any move or hold could win the match. The match clocks in at just over thirty minutes but it doesn't drag. My one nitpick is that Flair does drop selling the arm after a while. Some might take issue with how quick the tide turns in the end. I personally think it works. Steamboat after 2 previous matches that had been perfect vs. Flair and in this match, he finally messed up. 

This would be the end of the Flair Steamboat feud in 1989. After the match Terry Funk attacked Flair kick starting a new feud that would carry Flair during the rest of 1989. Flair and Steamboat would feud again in 1994 but that time they couldn't quite reach the peaks they had in the 70's and 80's. Later that same year Steamboat suffered a back injury, than WCW president Eric Bischoff fired him (via Fed Ex because Bischoff is a jackass) and Steamboat retired. For many Flair and Steamboat had defined wrestling in the 1980's, in another country another 80's legend was about to face off with the man who would dominate the 1990's.

3 Jumbo Tsurta vs. Mitsuharu Misawa AJPW Super Power Series Night 19 06/08/90- Former Olympic wrestler Tomomi Tsurta was recruited by All Japan Pro Wrestling president Giant Baba when the company started. It didn't talk long for the newly renamed Jumbo Tsurta to rise up the card and become a star in his own right. One day Jumbo was visiting a high school wrestling team. One of the wrestlers approached him. That young man was desperate to start his own pro career and told Jumbo he was quitting school to join the AJPW Dojo. Tsurta advised the young man to finish high school and become the best amateur wrestler he could be first. The young Mitsuharu Misawa took the advice to heart he became a champion in high school and in March 1981 joined the dojo. By 1990 AJPW was facing a major change. Jumbo was the company's top wrestler, but a number of other talents had left the company most importantly Jumbo's top rival Genichiro Tenryu. Needing a new main eventer AJPW boss Giant Baba turned to Misawa. 

Misawa's progression had gone pretty quickly from Dojo trainee to young lion on the roster, to an learning excursion in Mexico. In 1984 he returned to Japan portraying the masked hero Tiger Mask. In May of 1990 in a legendary moment Misawa shed the mask during a tag match. The crowd went utterly insane. In a chant that would soon become familiar in AJPW the chanted "Misawa, Misawa, Misawa". Unlike the first two matches on this list which were the end of feuds this was the start of a long running feud. Jumbo the established top star trying to hold off the emerging supernova. In some ways it's like the later feud in America between Bret Hart and Steve Austin even done to the established top name being booed because fans are so behind the person trying to break into the main event scene. 

This match took place in the Nippon Budokah which had been All Japan's home for big matches and moments. Even before the entrances the crowd has begun chanting for Misawa the go crazy as he enters flanked by his friends/stable mates Akiara Taue, Kenta Kobashi and Toshiaki Kawada. In hindsight we are seeing the first steps of megastar. Even before stepping in the ring it feels like Jumbo's grip on the top spot in the company has slipped. In the early portion of the match Tsuruta sending a message he shakes off Misawa's lock up attempts, slams him to the ground and flattens him with a lariat. The veteran is saying to both Misawa and the crowd. "This kid isn't on my level." But is soon becomes clear Jumbo might be taking Misawa to lightly. Misawa escapes a suplex attempt knocks Tsuruta to the floor and hits s shotgun dropkick finally capping it off with a sling shot crossbody over the ropes. Misawa also begins to hit elbows a than recent addition to his offense that had shown they could damage Jumbo in tag matches leading up to the singles match. Misawa is sending his own message, "I am on your level." 

Misawa though gets cocky and after slapping Tsuruta in the face twice he pays eating a knee to the gut, a club to the back and finally Jumbo's trademark jumping knee. Jumbo than gets too cocky going to well to many times by popping Misawa up to let him fall to the ground. The first time he does, but the second time Misawa uses it to land a drop kick. It looks like Misawa's athleticism might be enough to overcome the ace. But when Misawa goes for a crossbody he's caught and dropped on the ropes. Jumbo hits a Thesz press one of many moves he's managed to score wins before. Misawa kicks at two. For the next several minutes the pattern sets in Jumbo hits big moves that look like they will be the final blow only Misawa keeps digging deep and getting up at two. Until finally Misawa is able to hit the elbow and it knocks Jumbo down. Finally, Misawa has a chance to recover.  A dropkick sends Jumbo through the ropes and Misawa dives off the top rope onto him. Back in the ring jump kicks rock Tsruta again.

A now desperate Jumbo swings widely only get rolled up for a two count. If this were a boxing fight, Misawa would be the man dropped at the end of round three who somehow survived round four and managed to win round five. Then round six comes. Misawa goes for a frog splash off the top and crashes onto Jumbo's legs. Now back in control Jumbo sends another message. He locks Misawa in a Boston Crab. In Japan this move one of the first shown to young wrestlers in the dojo system. Jumbo is taunting Misawa calling him a rookie even saying he can win using something so basic. Another lariat levels Misawa but he kicks out of a pin. With each kickout the crowd gets louder and louder. The fans have seen Jumbo win with these moves so many times but something about this night feels different. Where in the past chants of Tsruta-O came form the Budokah faithful they are replaced by chants of Misawa. Tsuruta goes for a backdrop suplex but he's made a rare mistake he's too close to the ropes. Misawa kicks off them and lands on top. A German suplex by Misawa gets two. 

Misawa looks for his than finisher the Tiger Driver but Jumbo powers free. Another jumping knee knocks Misawa down. In a brilliant spot Tsuruta whips Misawa into the corner. Throughout the match and the leadup to the tour, Misawa had often used his athletic ability to turn moments like these in counters. He appears to be doing here as he comes off the ropes looking for a flying headbutt. Only Jumbo sees it coming landing an elbow but Jumbo hurts himself. Again with sheer desperation Jumbo chargers it's than Misawa makes the veteran move. Tsurta goes for a dropkick only for Misawa to simply sidestep it. Jumbo crashers into the ropes. The two men fight over a suplex. It appears Jumbo has won the exchange when he lands on top. But at the very last second Misawa reverses the pin. The exhausted and injured Tsuruta can't escape. The referee counts three. To the shock over everyone Misawa has done it. The match had told a great story. Misawa showed he was on Jumbo's level; he had learned as the match went on and even the end out wrestled the top wrestler. 

The match is amazing on its own if it was just some random thing you found on YouTube. But its greatness grows as you learn more about it. I can't stress just how shocking this result was. Normal wrestling convention especially in Japan would be for Misawa to lose this first match and chase the eventual win over Jumbo. As the story goes Giant Baba made the call to have Misawa win night of the show some saying it was upon hearing the chants for him as the fans lined up outside the venue. The move paid off as Misawa easily became All Japan's top draw. This was very much the start of Misawa's legend. For many he's the to answer for greatest of all time. Even if you have never seen a Misawa match, odds are your favorite wrestler has been heavily influenced by him. 

In hindsight Baba's call on that night was made even better in the years ahead. Jumbo son won a rematch and in 1991 regained AJPW's top championship the Triple Crown. All the while Misawa and he battled in several more singles matches and countless tag matches. It appeared the end game would be at some point Misawa finally defeating Jumbo again in a singles match with the title on the line. However in late 1992 Tsuruta became ill with hepatitis. He took time off but suffered liver failure in 1993. While he would wrestle again his days as top act were over. When Misawa was a boy Jumbo had been one of his heroes, as a teen Jumbo had advised him to stay in school. As a young boy in the dojo Jumbo had been one of his trainers. As a wrestler Jumbo was the man that made Misawa. In 1999 it was Jumbo who helped to make Misawa president of AJPW after Baba's death. In 2000 Misawa just weeks short of a decade since that night in Budokan attended Jumbo's funeral. Another bout with hepatitis had been too much. The wrestling legend passed away at just forty-nine. In Jumbo's case it wasn't a long life but what he was able to do during that time made him a legend.

4 Super Generation Army Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, & Kenta Kobashi vs. Tsuruta-gun Jumbo Tsuruta, Masanobu Fuchi, & Akira Taue AJPW Fan Appreciation Day 04/20/91- The Misawa vs. Jumbo feud quickly became the hottest thing in wrestling. With Jumbo winning the rematch and later reclaiming the triple crown he was firmly back on top. Misawa refused to go away though. the battle of generations. Both men would have backup in stables. In a major shakeup Akara Taue turned his back on his fellow youngsters jumping to Jumbo side. This made him the clear number two in the faction. Fuchi is another veteran who has spent most of his career as junior heavyweight. With Taue turning on Misawa that led to bitter feud with Kawada. Kobashi is the youngest of the men in this match he's the whipping boy a lot but gets fans behind due to his never-ending fire. This even takes place just after the end of the Champions Carnival tournament which was won by Jumbo. Meaning Misawa and Company need a win to build momentum back up. 

Taue and Kobashi start us off legally, but Taue can't resist he slaps Kawada as he stands on the apron. Seconds later after putting Kobashi down with a lariat he levels Kawada again this time sending the black and yellow clad Kawada to the floor. Right way the Super Generation is in a bad spot. When Jumbo tags in he's got no interest in Kobashi he wants Misawa. Tsuruta-gun soon isolate Kobashi. What Fuchi lacks in size he makes up for in technical skill stretching the young Kobashi. Jumbo's more than able to shut any rally down with single shot and Taue has developed his on vicious streak. Finally, Kawada's had enough. He jumps into the ring kicking at Taue. The two rivals start to exchange with a enraged Kawa mounting Taue and hammering strikes on him which causes the crowd to go nuts. When Kawada finally tags in legally he goes after Taue again with strikes. In a brilliant counter though Taue manages to hit a DDT off a whip. With Kawada down Tsuruta drag him to the floor and hit a piledriver. Minutes later Taue and Fuchi follow up with a spiked piledriver on the floor. Kawada's selling is brilliant. Even when trying to fight back he make you believe he is hurt and these are desperate actions of a man trying to survive. 

At long last Kawada counters a whip into a spin kick and is able to tag out to Kobashi. With renewed fired he comes in and gets the best of Fuchi on an exchange before tagging in Misawa. Misawa seemingly has the match won after a diving elbow only for a last second save by Jumbo to break up the pin. In a brilliant spot of teamwork. Misawa sends Jumbo the floor fakes a dive with Jumbo distracted is Kobashi who dives onto him from off on the side. Then in a total badass moment Misawa catches a charging Fuchi with an elbow. A recovered Kawada tags in and lays in kicks on Jumbo. Even when the ace tries to fight back Kawada refused and just will through to lock Tsuruta into an arm bar. When Taue tags in he can't do anything to turn the tide either. In fact, Taue is cut off from his team and now must pay the price for his betrayal as his former teammates as they punish him. Kawada even dragging Taue to the crowd to slam on the floor of Kourikan Hall. In another big spot Misawa and Kobashi hit a rock launcher on Taue.

Fuchi finally having had enough comes in and dropkicks Kobashi in his leg finally letting Taue tag out. Now Kobashi's legs even early in his career were a notorious weak spot. With a target Jumbo and his team retake control. Even when Kobashi gets a break all it takes is one single blow to is leg to stop his rally. Later when Kobashi counters a backdrop suplex for Fuchi and lands on top it looks like he might finally be able to tag he he can't even stand up before Jumbo is in to cut him off once more. The crowd grows more and more desperate to see Kobashi make the tag. Again we see brilliant selling as Kobashi walks the line never not selling his pain but also never failing to drive him his spirt is willing even if his body has been weakened. Finally, it's Fuchi who makes a mistake. He has Kobashi to close to the Super Generation corner while going for a knee breaker. Kobashi finally lands one shot that stuns Fuchi enough for him to tag in Kawada. Kawada comes with a furry of chops, kick and a lariat. The match than enter a rapid pace everyone is coming in and out looking for that big final move to finish the match over. During one exchange with all six men in the ring, Kawada catches Taue in the back of the head with lariat when Misawa follows that up with the tiger suplex it's over.

In theater there is a term known as stage magic. It's a time when where everything in the performance just clicked. It was all just perfect. This match is a wrestling example of stage magic. Six man tags even back then were not new or special. This wasn't even the first or last time these six men faced off. But on this night it was all just so perfect. The timing of ever sequence, the way each man played his role. Fuchi as the old bastard, Kawada as the heavy hitter prone to emotional outbursts. The crowd is into everything. And I think it helps after a extended time when Jumbo had swung back into control it was a perfect ending as Super Generation Army scores a huge win.

5  WarGames Sting Squadron Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, & Nikita Koloff vs. The Dangerous Alliance Rick Rudd, Steven Austin, Bobby Eaten, Arn Anderon, & Larry Zbysko with Paul E. Dangerously & Madusda WCW WrestleWar 05/17/92- The WarGames match was the masterpiece of wrestling/booker Dusty Rhodes. The double ring cage match soon became the go to match to try and stop that top heel stable in the NWA later WCW. By 1992 that role was filled by the Paul E. Dangerously. The Alliance through late 91 and into 92 had stolen the US title from Sting, beat down Ricky Steamboat and also cheated him out of the same title. Broken the hand of Barry Windham. Koloff is the big wildcard in the match. After a long layoff he had returned to wrestling in 1991 as a heel included a feud with Sting. Yet in 92 he was back again now as a face but could his team trust him?

It's a young Stunning Steve Austin who is the first man in for Alliance and Barry Windham who start off the first five-minute period. Early on the more powerful and more experienced Windham overwhelms Austin. As the youngest member of the heel side Austin is the most likely whipping boy.  If you have only ever seen Austin's later (Post neck injury) work you missed a great young athlete and fantastic seller. Windham quickly busts Austin open. It's the Dangerous Alliance wins the coin toss giving the heels the man advantage. Right away tide turns when Rick Rudd enters. As the top member of the Alliance and one of WCW's top heel Rudd is miles ahead of Windham on the pecking order. Think of it like a movie when a hero runs into boss after beating up a lacky. When Austin recovers it's an easy two on one for the heels. Steamboat is the second man in for the Squadron. The crowd goes insane as the much beloved Dragon unleashes months of pent up furry on Rudd and Austin. 

Arn Anderson enters for the heel right away he drops Windham with a DDT and levels Steamboat with his trademark spinebuster. Announcer Jim Ross claims it's the most intense start to a War Games he's ever seen. While that could be wrestling hyperbole it's easy see. Everything in this match comes off like it's men trying to hurt each other. They aren't looking to win a sporting contest they are looking to win a fight. Dustin Rhodes enters for Sting's Squadron and he finds the batter Austin. In a nice touch se see Ricky Steamboat doing various submission holds on Rudd. While he can't win the match at this stage from a logic standpoint it makes sense. If Steamboat takes out Rudd he's taken out the Dangerous Alliance's top man and maybe it will be Rudd who gives up during the match beyond portion. The fourth man for the Dangerous Alliances is Larry Zbyzko only in a turn from the usual fresh man turns the tide we've seen all match long Rhodes meets and cuts him off. Madusa seeing the match turning against her team climbs the cage to drop Paul E. Dangerously cell phone to Arn Anderson. Now with a giant brick like weapon the Alliance takes over once more.

Sting WCW's top hero and then world champion enters. In one of the more memorable spots in the match. Sting holds Rudd in gorilla press and lifts him into the steel cage over and over again. We see Arn Anderon has been busted open. Bobby Eaton is the final man heel to enter of the match. In a key moment for the end the Alliance start messing with the turnbuckles in one ring trying to pry them off. Finally, Nikata Koloff enters and the match begins. Koloff makes his allegiance clear saving Sting not once but twice upon entering. Eventually though the Alliance have finally managed to pry one of the steel turnbuckles free putting a weapon out in the open. Eaton and Zbyszko prepare to hit Sting with it. At the last second the escapes and it's Eaton who gets hit but the steel hook portion of the turnbuckle. Sting is than able to lock in an arm bar. With the rest of the Alliance tied up Eaton has no other option but to submit.

This is one of those matches that only gets better the more times you watch it. There are just so many little details you see upon rewatches. One thing I really appreciated was during the match Ricky Steamboat is so focused in on Rick Rudd his than rival. This match is no technical masterpiece but given the stipulation it's intensity makes this match. It's a brutal bloody fight that sees the bad guys finally pay for their crimes. 

6 Akira Hokuto vs. Shinobu Kandori All Japan Women DreamSlam Night 1 04/02/93- The dream match, It's been a hook for countless big wrestling events. Now it's a term wrestling fans have abuse by often deeming any big or semi-interesting match as a dream match. But a true dream match still just hits different. The DreamSlam was even held by All Japan Women to celebrate its 25th anniversary. However the event would not just feature talent from AJW. But various other promotions. This was how Shinobu Kandori was booked to face Akira Hokuto. Hokuto was a classic pro wrestler after leaving high school she entered the AJW training dojo before making her debut in 1985. Her profile as a star rose when in 1987 she suffered a broken night after taking a tombstone piledriver off the second rope yet still finished the match. Kandori was a former Judo champion but after lost passion for the sport and thus moved into wrestling. At the time All Japan Womens Wrestling was the biggest company but also a strike retirement age of 29. However, this actually resulted in numerous other women's promotions. Kandori would find her home in Ladies Legends Pro-Wrestling. Kandori was presented as a shooter essentially doing a proto MMA gimmick. Kandori was also presented as hating wrestling thus making Aira Hokuto wrestling's defender on this night.

Even before the bell rings the two women have looks of utter competent for each other. Hokuto lands first slapping and dropping Kandori. But Kandori catches Hokuto in armbar and the key message is sent. Hokuto panics are she goes for the ropes. She screams in agony as the women in her corner for the match apply cold spray. It's clear Kandori can do major damage with just a few seconds in a hold. Kandori catches Hokouto's leg on a kick and look for a submission again forcing a made scramble for a break. Knowing she can't win a grappling battle Hokuto drags the match to ground and looks for a tombstone on a ringside table. But Kandori reveres instead hitting her town piledriver on the table. Hokuto's head winds up putting a dent in the table and upon getting back up she is bleeding heavily. In less than ten minutes it appears Kandori has the match in hand. However, a wounded animal is a dangerous animal.

Again, Hokouto drags the match to the floor and then into the stands. During the brawl Kandori is also busted open and perhaps more importantly Hokuto has bought herself just that little bit of time to try and recover. The two reach the ring again while Kandori is hurt its Hokutu who is utterly covered by in her own blood. Hokuto lands some running kicks but when going for a spinning crescent she is caught. Kandori dumps her over the top to the floor following up with a slingshot crossbody on her. Back in the ring Kandori looks for a backdrop and lands it. Sense the end Kandroi looks for a arm bar than a rear choke but Hokuto gets the ropes. During the scramble Akara Hokuto lands slap and then a short piledriver. She lands that spinning crescent kick and drops Kandori. 

However, it's Kandori who gets up first after a DDT gets a two count the Judoka returns to looking for a submission. Hokuto swings wildly catching Kandori allowing for a brain buster, a body slam and a flying splash off the top rope. But Hokuto goes for a second splash and lands on Kandori's legs. Kandori lands a powerbomb that looks like it could finish it but somehow Hokuto gets kicks out. A now desperate Kandori goes to the top but misses. Hokuto looks for a classic wrestling move the dragon suplex but again only gets two. When Kandori looks for a another powerbomb Hokuto manages to hit a hurricanrana which she follows up with the fire thunder version of the firebomb. A real key to this match as it's gone on Hokuto has managed to turn into more of a pro wrestling style match. The more Kandori goes for pro wrestling moves instead of submission the more she plays into Hokuto's hands.  Now needing time herself Kandori rolls to the floor only for Hokuto to climb to the top and summersault off. As Kandori struggles back to her feet Hokuto climbs the ropes again coming off with missile dropkick.  Exhausted and soaked int blood both women crawl back into the ring.

Hokuto looks to finish it with her finisher the Northern Light Bomb only for it be the opening Kandori needs to go for an arm bar. For all the damage both women have inflected and taken one basic fact of this match remains. Kandori just needs that little opening. Just barley Hokuto reaches the ropes. It appears as though Hokuto's second wins has finally run as Kandori string together several moves but than Hokuto manages to counter into a back drop. Seeing her chance with Kandori hurt Hokuto picks her up and finally hits the Northern Light bomb. The ref counts one and then two but Kandori's kicks out before three. Hokuto looks the Northern Lights Bomb again only for Kandori to make injury and insult one as she hits her own Northern Light bomb. Hokuto kicks at two. Now both are in the point of "What do I have to do?" They begin to exchange strikes once again only so damaged they can only manage one at time. WE get a double knockdown but somehow some way Hokuto manages to crawl on top. Kandori tries to kick out but while the spirt is still there the body is gone. The match is over. On this night pro wrestling fighting spirt won out over Judo skill and pure aggression.

Fighting spirt has sadly become an overused and often misused term in wrestling. Often reduced down to whenever two wrestlers exchange hard chops and powerful suplexs or when a wrestling no sells a finishing move. This is a very different take on fighting spirt. There is no magic return to full health like a video game character who gets a power up. You never doubt both are hurt but it's there spirt that drives them up. Blood is not a must for a great match but in this match it adds so much to struggle of both women. Even if you know nothing about both women you can get the idea. They hate each other and they are willing to destroy themselves just to get that victory. You also get the basic idea Kandori has the ability to end the match at any time if she gets find that submission but longer the match goes the more Hokuto is able to wear her down and drag her into the deep water. 

7 Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada AJPW Super Power Series Night 16 06/03/94- Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada had met in high school. Misawa one year older was also the senior or sampi. It was Misawa who entered the dojo first and debuted first. As a result, it put Kawada in a spot where he was one of the best wrestlers of all time, yet he always had to look up and see Misawa was above him. On screen in the early 90's Kawada was Misawa's second in command of the Super Generation Army. Together even won the Real World Tag League and two AJPW world tag team titles together. Yet when Misawa finally won the Triple Crown in 1992 it was Kawada who won a number one contender's match and was his first challenger. Misawa won and retained. In 1993 Kawada stunned everyone he ended his team with Misawa clamming he wanted to be his own man. Yet just weeks later he formed the Holy Demon Army with Akira Taue the man who been a rival to both he and Misawa. The new heel team ran over AJPW claiming the tag titles including defeating Misawa and Kenta Kobashi in a title defense. He challenged Misawa again for the top singles prize in All Japan but again lost. In April of 94 Kawada though managed to win the Champion Carnival and once again put himself in line to challenge Misawa. Could the third time be the charm? Could he finally stand above Misawa in victory?

We get what starts off as a feeling out process, a lock up, an exchange of strikes. Finally, it looks like Kawada is about to land the first big move of the match but it's Misawa who slips behind hind and hits a backdrop suplex. A call back the 93 title match where Kawada opened by doing the same to Misawa. Eventually Misawa gets Kawada to the floor and dives off the apron right but Kawada lands and elbow. A running lariat later and it's the challenger who has seized control. Kawada begins to boot his former partner in the face. These aren't the moves of a fan just looking to win but looking to humble the other wrestler. As some point during the match Misawa has suffered some kind of injury that causes his ear to bleed. Over and over again Kawada lays in hard kicks. Misawa is forced to start kicking back. A nice touch as Misawa had reduced his use of kicks after dropping the Tiger Mask 2 gimmick. It's the kind of small thin that happens in a big match. Both men being forced to go deep into the playbook. Misawa attempts to weaken Kawada's legs with a series of submission holds but a different challenger repeated kicks him away with his free leg. Still though the damage has been done Kawada limps badly unable to keep the champion off him.

Misawa keeps feeding Kawada his own medicine dropping him with a spin kick and looks for the tiger driver. Kawada tries to fight back but is elbowed back down. It's look like once again Misawa will put him away. But than Kawada avoids a drop kick and boots Misawa in the face than he hits a jumping enziquri knocking Misawa down. Even when Misawa hits a back body drop to escape Kawada's powerbomb he pays the price as Kawada comes back and kicks him in the back of the head. After a knee drop from the second rope it's clear who has the momentum now. Misawa starts to rally back and regains control when he blocks Kawada engziguri. A tiger driver one of Misawa's finishers only gets two, as does a splash. Changing tactics Misawa looks for his faclock a hold he's used to submit Jumbo Tsurta in the past. Still Kawada refuses to stay down. Misawa again mounts the ropes looking for a flying elbow but Kawada lands a kick as he comes down. A vicious exchange of strikes takes place. Kawada gains the upper hands with the Yakuza kick and a larait finishing it off with a vicious backdrop. The crowd explodes as Kawada gets the move he's been looking for all match the folding powerbomb. One two and Misawa kicks out. It's now becoming clear the normal finishers aren't going to be enough.

Kawada hits a release German dropping Misawa on his head. The injured champion can only roll to the floor desperate to buy just a few seconds to try and recover. Kawada brings him back in hits another folding powerbomb. The referee counts one and two but again Misawa finds his way out. Now Kawada changes games plans. Locking in the stretch plum hold. Like Misawa's face lock it's not a regular finish but it's a move he's won with. And than something magical happens. The familiar Misawa Misawa Misawa chants shift. The Nippon Budokan home of so many big moments for these two men feel the upset win and title change coming and now change to chants Kawada Kawada Kawada. But Kawada makes a mistakes, he lets hold go thinking he's weakened Misawa enough for a pin. Misawa kicks out at two. As the two men stand Misawa finds levels Kawada with an elbow. If you aren't All Japan fan I can't stress how important Misawa's elbow is to the cannon the company. It's a lethal move that can end matches and in this case start to turn the tide. Feeling the match slip away Kawada tries to kick Misawa down but another elbow drops him. A flying lariat and spinning elbow to the head daze Kawada. Now Misawa hits a release German dropping Kawada on his head. 

Calling to the past Misawa hits the Tiger Suplex the moves he used to pin Kawada in there 92 title match it only gets two. Now it's Misawa's turn to make a mistake. He goes for a waste lock but is caught by Kawada's elbow and than a rolling kick. Both men are down both men are spent. Another rolling kick by Kawada sends Misawa back to the floor. Kawada is in the ring as Misawa manages to stand back up. The champion takes a moment and then locks eyes with his former partner his former friends. Back in the ring theh exchange strikes. Kawada appears to have the edge as lands kicks but here comes the elbow and than a spinning elbow. More elbow capped off by a final spinning elbow. Kawada goes for the rolling kick again but it's blocked. Misawa hits the running elbow. After everything that has happened Misawa knows he needs to make sure Kawada is finished off. Misawa hooks the arms and hits the Tiger Driver 91. This variation of the Tiger Driver had only been used twice before. It's a vicious and truly dangerous move as it appears the man taking it can only land on his head. It was a clear message. On this night Kawada had gotten closer than ever to taking the title from Misawa. But Misawa was always that one step ahead of Kawada. 

This a brilliant match and my recap doesn't do it justice. If you have never seen go find it on YouTube, just search 6/3/94. Now you will get much more out of the match having seen and knowing the backstory. This was also a match that gained a lot of buzz among wrestling fans even in the pre internet days. In the years since it's become a must watch match for any diehard fan. Misawa and Kawada had many masterpieces in their career but for both this might be their finest work.

There is a tragedy in Kawada's story. Try as he might he just can't over comes Misawa. Even on this night where he seems closer than ever he's still so far away. It's like seeing the Buffalo Bills try to overcome the Kansas City Chiefs in modern NFL or knowing a character on TV show will get their heart broken once again. I think that is why the crowd sides with Kawada as the match reaches the homestretch. For once they can see the chance he might just get it done only yet you are still looking for how Misawa will find a way to get the win in the end. And yes in the end Misawa has the weapons to win the war. The elbow and the Tiger Driver 91 can do with that kicks and folding powerbomb can't. Misawa would actually lose the triple crown in his next defense to brutish American Dr. Death Seve Williams. It was actually Kawada who took the title from Williams by the end of 1994. It was classic move by Giant Baba. Kawada was champion but still that big win over Misawa eluded him and of course that was the hook fans would keep coming to see Kawada could prove he was the true top man.

AJPW's Four Pillars of Heaven

8 Kenta Kobashi/Mitsuharu Misawa vs. The Holy Demon Army Tokshaki Kawada & Akira Taue AJPW Superpower Series Night 15 06/09/1995- The Four Pillars of Heaven is a concept that began in Buddhism. The idea of four all powerful beings has been adopted by various forms of media. As All Japan boss Giant Baba built his company around Misawa, Kawada, Kobashi and Taue the name pillars or heavenly kings were first used in 1992.  By 1995 all four were firmly established as main eventers. This was a truly special time. Four all time greats all in there prime at a the same time. That's why so many All Japan matches have been on this list so far. After Kawada joined with Taue it led to Misawa and Kobashi becoming a regular tag team. They had already had a number of great tag matches. Baba even calling a 1993 encounter the best tag match he had ever seen. Going into this match Kobashi and Misawa are the world tag team champions (Misawa is a double champion having regained the triple crown by this time) but they are injured. Kobashi has been plagued by leg injures throughout his career he enters this match with a sizeable wrap on one of his legs. Meanwhile Misawa had suffered legit broken orbital bone during the 95 champions carnival. For Kawada and Taue it's there best chance in a while to take the titles from there former friends. And Kawada to pull himself even with Misawa.

Taue and Kawada start us off with our typical feeling each other out stuff. Some lock ups an exchange of chops, a fight over a wrist lock. Kobashi gets the early edge and then Taue kicks right in the bad leg. The crowd reacts, the fact so early on Taue is targeting the injury is a sublet message, The Holy Demon arm have a target and a plan. Kawada comes in and when Kobashi reverses an Irish whip he uses it as a chance to boot Misawa who is on the apron in the face. Again the crowd reacts getting the sense this won't be a good night for their heroes. Misawa tags, allowing he and Kawada to run through a typical exchange hitting some regular moves but it all changes when Kawada now boot Kobashi off the apron. With Taue back in Kobashi and Misawa gain control. But's an uneasy control it's like heroes in action in a fight all the while the master plan of the villains is taking shape. In call back to an old favorite sequence, Taue is sent to the floor and Misawa fakes a dive allowing Kobashi to land on instead. Misawa also cuts off Kawada and then hits his diving elbow to the floor.

Back in the ring Kobashi comes off the ropes looking for a shoulder tackle but Taue moves. Kobashi lands on his bad leg. Kawada comes in and kicks at the injury. Even when Kobashi lands a kick of his own all it does is hurt himself. Kawada is vicious as he kicks and stomps the leg only broken up when he puts Kobashi in various submission holds or tags in Taue. Finally the small opening for Kobashi comes, Taue goes for a leg breaker and Kobashi stuns him with a punch followed by a spinning back chop. They are just close enough to the corner that he call fall over and tag in Misawa. However this night is different. When Misawa puts Taue in a Boston Crab, Kawada walks in and kicks him right in the face. On this night The Holy Demon Army are holding nothing they are wiling to play as dirty as need to be regain the titles. Misawa grabs his injured face and rolls to the floor but is brought back in. The years of frustration, jealous, and even now hate explodes with kicks and knees to Misawa's face. Even one of the Aces's hot tags is cut off by one boot the face. 

A desperate Kobashi jumps into the ring to try and save his partner. But it's a huge mistake. Taue lands a dropkick to Kobashi's bad leg. If Taue had played American football he'd be the guy who always make that big block and blew up a play by covering the right guy. That had often been his role with Kawada. It's Taue who always sticks to the gameplan. All four men brawl in the ring. Again Taue makes the heads up play. After knocking Kobashi down he choke slams Misawa onto the bad leg. At this moment if feels like Kobashi is effectively done in this match. It's left Misawa all alone. A spin kick by Kawada, Taue drops Misawa into the turnbuckle. A facelock by Kawada all about the targeting Misawa's injury. The challengers know they have the champions in danger and they are going to make 100% sure they have them beat. Misawa hits a release powerbomb only getting two while Taue drops Kobashi's leg first into the guard rail. 

Kawada locks in the stretch plum hold. Somehow Kobashi gets back up lands a lararit on on Taue before going after Kawada to break the hold. The brief rest is just enough for Misawa to land some kicks and elbow allowing him to tag Kobashi in legally. But all he's done is tag in a injured man. Kobashi shows the reliance and fire thta had been his trademark but he can't string together enough to keep Taue and Kawada off him for long. Misawa tags back in and punishes Taue with elbows and the flying larait. Kawada jumps in but this time takes his own elbow. Misawa gives Taue the tiger driver only getting two. Misawa goes to his face lock while Kobashi holds Kawada back and the fans start to have hope. That maybe just maybe the champions weathered the storm. Kawada is able to get free and hits the backdrop on Misawa. Once again control starts to return to the challengers. Kobashi hits his own back drop on Kawada but can't follow up his leg to injured. Somehow Kobashi with the aid of Misawa gets Kawada adown long enough to hit his moonsault but its only enough for two. Now keep in mind both Misawa and Kobashi and hit big moves, moves they have won matches with many times. Meanwhile Taue and Kawada still have their finishers in the bank. 

Still it the challengers are in control. Misawa runs through a lot of trademarks, the release German, the Tiger Suplex and finally the tiger driver all on Kawada. But a fresh Taue comes in and breaks up the pin. He chops Misawa in the injured face. Kawada recovers enough to dropkicks Kobashi in the bad leg. No matter what Kobashi and Misawa do in this match all it takes is one shot to their injures to swing things back. Taue choke slams Misawa off the ropes firmly return momentum to his side. Kawada hits the rolling kick and then a kill shot. Taue drags Misawa to the apron. Grabs him by the throat and chokeslams him the floor. Misawa is down not moving. In desperation Kobashi tries to cover his partner with his own body. It's not about wining the match or keeping the titles. It's the only thing a badly injured man can do to try and protect his friend. But Taue throws Kobashi off. Back in the ring Kawada goes for a the folding powerbomb. Again Kobashi tries to protect him but is pulled off by Taue. In stereo Taue chokeslams Kobashi while Kawada hits the powerbomb. Somehow Misawa kicks out but its' the bit of energy. Taue and Kawada look to finish off Kobashi with a chokeslam and backdrop combo. Misawa swings feebly landing one strike a time. Kawada now runs through his moves the engziguri, a back drop, and finally the folding powerbomb. The ref counts one, two, three. After years of chasing it Toshiaki Kawada has pinned Mitsuharu Misawa. 

This match is amazing. What gets me is just how helpless Kobashi and Misawa feel in this match. Very early on it feels like they have no chance. This match really shows Taue's strength, often he's seen as the other one when the four pillars are discussed. But he's the cut off man on big rallies, he's able to keep Kawada to refocus and stick to the game plan. As always in big matches both Kawada and Kobashi's selling is second to none. It's a long match but never drags. Now the length of the match plays into the story. The Holy Demon army had a plan. The had seen Misawa and Kobashi rally back many times in past so they go out of their way to utterly destroy them. Have you ever a game or a fight and just known the result based on the energy that is what this feels like. 

9 Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin No DQ Submission match WWF WrestleMania 13 03/23/1997- In a post Hulk Hogan WWF it was Bret Hart who rose to the top. Hart was a classic good guy but in 1997 wrestling nothing was more of style than a classic good guy. When Steve Austin had joined the WWF the plan was for him to be a heel or villain. But the newly renamed Stone Cold Steve Austin had instead struck a cord with fans who backed him over even the beloved Hart. More and more Hart snapped unable to deal with new reality. As Austin also cost him several huge matches Hart demanded the chance to finish him and the feud off for good. A big focus of this match is that Hart is the wrestler known for submission holds while Austin is seen as too tough to quit. Ken Shamrock is named the guest referee in the leadup, at the time he was more known in the states for UFC fights. But this is also WWF using this match to introduce fans to a man they had just signed to a contract.

Right away this match starts as a fight. Austin double legs Hart on his entrance and the two men spill the floor trading strikes. Austin is sent into ring post only to than drop Hart into the guardrail. The fight than moves into the stands. At this time WWF wasn't used to following wrestlers into the stands. Personally I think the rawer gorilla style camera work makes it look better. It sells the idea this is a fight not a sporting contest. Upon returning to the ringside area Austin sends Hart into the steel steps. It being Bret Hart he goes full bore into the steps. However when Austin goes use the steps Hart catches him with a kick following up he hits several hard and quick punches to the head. Finally getting back into the ring Austin actually tries to wrestle with a back body drop only for Hart hit a neckbreaker on him. Finally in control Hart begins to work Austin's knee which he wears a knee brace on. Jim Ross calling the match points out that it's in service to the sharp shooter while also admitting Austin has been out of action in recent weeks with an injury. 

When Hart goes to cannon ball onto Ausin's leg he misses. Stunned for a second it gives Austin a chance to land the stunner. Still though all it takes is one kick to the leg and Austin is down again. Defiantly Austin refuses to stay down. Still targeting the leg Hart does his figure four around the ring post. Austin frails in pain even yelling but still won't quit. Hart makes a mistake though going for a chair in gives Austin both time to recover and a weapon. Austin cracks Hart twice and then works a series of hard slams and suplexs. Austin begins ot taunt Hart using two of his trademark moves a second rope elbow drop and side Russian leg sweep. But the key remains the match can only be won via a submission. Austin puts Hart in a Boston crab. A big key to the match being unlike Hart, Austin lacks a submission finisher. Hart does reach the ropes. Again, Austin looks to taunt Hart going for the Sharpshooter but Hart breaks it by going to the eyes. 

The action spills back to the floor. Hart whips Austin face first into the steel guardrail. Austin is bleeding heavily. Bret keeps working the cut punches ramming Austin into a post. Back in the ring he stomps at it and lands a series of punches. In a nice touch Hart at one points briefly looks at his hands covered in Austin's blood. And this is just my own theory but it's here I think the character of Bret Hart decided he longer cared about being a hero. Hart picks up the steel chair from early and rams it over and over again into Austin's leg. Sensing the end is near, Hart looks for the sharpshooter all Austin can do is go for the eyes. In the corner Hart hammers punches into Austn's cut head. With no other option Ausin kick Hart below the belt. With a second wind Austin stomps the injured Hart over and over before giving him a superplex. Still though Austin fades and finally Hart locks him in the sharpshooter. We get an iconic shot of the bleeding Austin screaming no when he's asked to submit but the blood lose, the other damage done in the match all prove to be to much. Austin being The Toughness Son of a Bitch in the WWF refuses to give up but he finally passes out. Ken Shamrock finally has to call the match. Hart won the match but he lost the war, the fans have fully turned on him. Austin's refusal to quit cements him as a hero. 

To this is one of the most important matches in wrestling history in an understatement. Now does this officially see Austin turn face it provides the blue print many of WWF main events would take in the years ahead. Ironic given this wasn't the main event. But so many of those matches failed to reach level of intensity this match does. On screen Hart hated Austin but in reality he was one of the man's biggest supporters. So many things we associate with Austin are born in this match or are enforced due to this match. For Bret this is his last truly classic WWF singles match. Sadly it's almost all downhill from here. Montreal is months away, the end of his career is now less than three years away. But he and Ausitn will forever have this match. 

10 Eddy Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. Title vs. Mask WCW Halloween Havoc 10/26/1997- Both these men came from wrestling families, Eddy's father and brother's all wrestled before him. Rey was actually the nephew of the original Rey Mysterio. Both men gained a lot of success in Mexico with Eddy also having a career in Japan. Their wasn't really a whole lot leading into the match. Eddy had just won the belt, he and Rey run through a lot of the basic for time TV troops for a wrestling feud. There is some playing up the two men's friends but even stipulation of a loss will force Rey to unmasked a huge deal in Mexican Lucha Libre is more about a desire by WCW boss Eric Bischoff to make "Rey more marketable". The good news is while a story can help a great match, it doesn't make a great match.

A blistering exchange of moves start the match with Rey always just that little bit a head until Rey lands on the apron allowing Eddy to just simply pull him down and send him crashing to the floor. Following up Guerrero tosses Mysterio into the step. Back in the ring Eddy hits a great looking slingshot senton. Gerrero cuts off all attempts at a comeback giving a vicious backdrop, following with a brainbuster finally a backbreaker. Guerrero makes several covers only getting two. Going to a classic Lucha heel move, Eddy tears at Rey's mask. After another viscous back breaker Mysterio yells in pain. Guerrero tries several leverage pins only getting two. He overplay his hand though. Mysterio while holding onto Eddy's hands manages to spring to the ropes he moonsaults off and hits a DDT coming down. I can't stress how fluid and amazing looking this move looked even now in 2024. Thinking he's a head Mysterio looks to fly. But Eddy cuts him off send him crashing off the apron gain.

Back in the ring. Guerrero locks in the camel clutch a move his father Gory Guerro invented. he then moves into another move his father created the Gory Special. I really like how Eddy doesn't waste time in the holds. He locks one in to do damage but when Rey doesn't submit he moves onto his next sequence. it also helps everything Guerrero does targets the back, he moves onto a variation of the back breaker than into a modified bow and arrow. Bobby Heenan on commentary points out how Eddy has grounded Rey. After a vicious running back elbow Eddy goes for a pin again only getting two. He hangs Rey in the corner and dropkicks the exposed stomach. And then Guerrero over plays his hand, he crosses the ring looking for a running start on his next dropkick, once Eddy commits though Rey manages to sit up in the corner. Guererro crotches himself on the steel rign post and howls in agony. Rey dives to the floor with the plancha crashing onto Eddy.

As the action spills back in the ring Eddy returns tries for a tilt ta while back breaker but again he's over played his hand. Rey knows what is coming and turns into a hurricanrana for two. Mysterio again sends the champion to the floor. He summersaults over the top rope and hits a head scissors on the floor. Mysterio has now taken full control back in the ring he hits a corkscrew moonsault into headbutt. Rey goes for a split legged moonsault but Eddy gets the legs up. Eddy hits a folding powerbomb but can still only two. Losing his temper Eddy charges and his sent crashing into the turnbuckle. Rey wants to finish goes for his springboard huricarana but Eddy counters into a back breaker. Now Eddy looks to finish and heads to the top rope for his finisher the frog splash. Rey moves but Eddy rolls through keeping control. WE finally get a spectacular finish. Eddy Gurrerro looks for a crucifix power bomb off the second rope but Rey counters into a snap rana and it's enough to get the win and claim the WCW Cruiserweight Championship for the second time while protecting his mask. 

This is an amazing short sprint of a match. But it's a length is actually a strength. There is no filler everything about this match has a purpose. Gurrerro is aggressive and focused at first. But the longer the match goes the more frustrated he becomes at his inability to put the challenger away. Slowly but surely though Gurrerro winds up costing himself the match. Rey just needs a brief opening to land his flash offense. The more upset Eddy becomes though he leaves more and more openings for Rey, which actually leads to Eddy make more mistakes. Originally the plan was for Eddy to retain as Eric Bischoff (Proven idiot) wanted Rey to unmask. Rey pushed back on this and for the time being that plans was dropped. In the years ahead Guererro and Mysterio would face off many times. This remains there finest match together. When Eddie passed away prematurely this was one of the matches brought up among his best matches.