Match of the Decades

The Last Outlaw
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Is Stan Hansen gonna have to lariat a b****?

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Match of the Decades Aug 12, 2020 15:51:11 GMT -5

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Post by The Last Outlaw on Aug 12, 2020 15:51:11 GMT -5

Aug 12, 2020 12:08:49 GMT -5 BobbyTheBrain said:

It'll really be interesting to try to break down what was the biggest match in this last decade.

The 2010's.

Honestly I'm not real sure what was the "Biggest Match" of that time. Maybe Rock vs Cena 2 at WM 29? I know that event broke records as far as the money it made or whatever right? I'm honestly not sure here though, so if anybody can correct me please do so because I'm searching for the answer here, and honestly just guessing.

As for my personal favorite matches. I think it's a tie between Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi, which was so spectacular of a match that it made me stay up until the wee hours of the morning to catch Wrestle Kingdom live for the next 4 years after that.

Obviously Okada and Omega's "6 Star Match" was fucking awesome too.

And I have to give a special shout to Triple H vs Undertaker at WrestleMania 27 for being the match that made me pay attention to Pro Wrestling again after 6 years of just not giving one single fuck about anything to do with the Wrestling business. This match reminded me what I liked about Wrestling when it's done right, and I still love watching it.

In terms of money it is Cena vs. Rock for sure.

As far as personal preference I will need to break this down into American and Puroresu. For the U.S. it is Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels from Wrestlemania 25. That might possibly be my favorite match in the history of North American wrestling.

For Puroresu, even though I am and always will be an All Japan guy, my vote is Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles. I like it even more than the Ibushi match and I think people forget due to his lackluster WWE run that when Nakamura was motivated he was the best in the damn world.

LARIATOOOO!!!

Emperor Ihsahn Administrator I am big in Japan! Posts: 10,042	Match of the Decades Aug 12, 2020 20:41:04 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Emperor Ihsahn on Aug 12, 2020 20:41:04 GMT -5 I'll give my next thoughts soon but I wanted to say that I agree with your take on Naka vs AJ. That's probably my favorite match of the past 15 years by far.

BobbyTheBrain
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Match of the Decades Aug 12, 2020 21:16:07 GMT -5

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Post by BobbyTheBrain on Aug 12, 2020 21:16:07 GMT -5

Aug 12, 2020 15:51:11 GMT -5 The Last Outlaw said:

Aug 12, 2020 12:08:49 GMT -5 BobbyTheBrain said:

It'll really be interesting to try to break down what was the biggest match in this last decade.

The 2010's.

Honestly I'm not real sure what was the "Biggest Match" of that time. Maybe Rock vs Cena 2 at WM 29? I know that event broke records as far as the money it made or whatever right? I'm honestly not sure here though, so if anybody can correct me please do so because I'm searching for the answer here, and honestly just guessing.

As for my personal favorite matches. I think it's a tie between Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi, which was so spectacular of a match that it made me stay up until the wee hours of the morning to catch Wrestle Kingdom live for the next 4 years after that.

Obviously Okada and Omega's "6 Star Match" was fucking awesome too.

And I have to give a special shout to Triple H vs Undertaker at WrestleMania 27 for being the match that made me pay attention to Pro Wrestling again after 6 years of just not giving one single fuck about anything to do with the Wrestling business. This match reminded me what I liked about Wrestling when it's done right, and I still love watching it.

In terms of money it is Cena vs. Rock for sure.

As far as personal preference I will need to break this down into American and Puroresu. For the U.S. it is Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels from Wrestlemania 25. That might possibly be my favorite match in the history of North American wrestling.

For Puroresu, even though I am and always will be an All Japan guy, my vote is Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles. I like it even more than the Ibushi match and I think people forget due to his lackluster WWE run that when Nakamura was motivated he was the best in the damn world.

Taker vs Michaels at WM 25 was in 2009. It would definitely be a VERY strong contender for best match of THAT decade.

Emperor Ihsahn Administrator I am big in Japan! Posts: 10,042	Match of the Decades Aug 12, 2020 21:26:38 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Emperor Ihsahn on Aug 12, 2020 21:26:38 GMT -5 That decade is easy, Austin vs Rock from X-7 was both the biggest and best match of the decade, absolutely no doubt about it in my opinion.

BobbyTheBrain
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Match of the Decades Aug 12, 2020 22:08:36 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn likes this

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Post by BobbyTheBrain on Aug 12, 2020 22:08:36 GMT -5

Aug 12, 2020 21:26:38 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn said:

That decade is easy, Austin vs Rock from X-7 was both the biggest and best match of the decade, absolutely no doubt about it in my opinion.

My favorite match that Austin vs The Rock had against each other for sure, and yeah I'm pretty sure that was the biggest of the decade.

I always absolutely loved the finish of that match where Austin just beats the ever loving shit out of Rock with a chair.

I think I may have preferred Michaels vs Taker from WM 25, but Rock vs Austin is right there with it.

WM 17 may well be the best overall WrestleMania. Certainly one of my favorites.

17, 18 and 19 are 3 of my favorites right in a row where all 3 were awesome.

Emperor Ihsahn
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Match of the Decades Aug 12, 2020 22:31:29 GMT -5 via mobile

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Post by Emperor Ihsahn on Aug 12, 2020 22:31:29 GMT -5

Aug 12, 2020 22:08:36 GMT -5 BobbyTheBrain said:

Aug 12, 2020 21:26:38 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn said:

That decade is easy, Austin vs Rock from X-7 was both the biggest and best match of the decade, absolutely no doubt about it in my opinion.

My favorite match that Austin vs The Rock had against each other for sure, and yeah I'm pretty sure that was the biggest of the decade.

I always absolutely loved the finish of that match where Austin just beats the ever loving shit out of Rock with a chair.

I think I may have preferred Michaels vs Taker from WM 25, but Rock vs Austin is right there with it.

WM 17 may well be the best overall WrestleMania. Certainly one of my favorites.

17, 18 and 19 are 3 of my favorites right in a row where all 3 were awesome.

Fuck yah man, I watched that show in the movie theatre. Best Mania in history.

TheShowJordanRichards
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Match of the Decades Aug 13, 2020 7:10:35 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn likes this

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Post by TheShowJordanRichards on Aug 13, 2020 7:10:35 GMT -5

BobbyTheBrain, I will weigh in soon with my customary stroll down memory (and history) lane. But, I wanted to mention that I attended 'Mania 27 in Atlanta and Trips vs. 'Taker was every bit the match of the night, the match of the card, perhaps the match of the year in many ways, and there was a palpable energy with the live crowd for the whole thing. I'm no mark, by any stretch of the imagination, but the friend I went with (also a wrestler) and I both stood up and gave the match a standing ovation. Fantastic battle which told a story a year in the making for the rematch.

I'm the man, the myth, the legend..."The Show"

The Last Outlaw
Jobber

Is Stan Hansen gonna have to lariat a b****?

Posts: 74

Match of the Decades Aug 13, 2020 10:55:10 GMT -5 via mobile

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Post by The Last Outlaw on Aug 13, 2020 10:55:10 GMT -5

Aug 12, 2020 21:16:07 GMT -5 BobbyTheBrain said:

Aug 12, 2020 15:51:11 GMT -5 The Last Outlaw said:

In terms of money it is Cena vs. Rock for sure.

As far as personal preference I will need to break this down into American and Puroresu. For the U.S. it is Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels from Wrestlemania 25. That might possibly be my favorite match in the history of North American wrestling.

For Puroresu, even though I am and always will be an All Japan guy, my vote is Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles. I like it even more than the Ibushi match and I think people forget due to his lackluster WWE run that when Nakamura was motivated he was the best in the damn world.

Taker vs Michaels at WM 25 was in 2009. It would definitely be a VERY strong contender for best match of THAT decade.

Well darn. For some reason I thought it was 2010. I will need to reevaluate my reply then.

LARIATOOOO!!!

BobbyTheBrain
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Posts: 4,082

Match of the Decades Aug 13, 2020 11:07:16 GMT -5

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Post by BobbyTheBrain on Aug 13, 2020 11:07:16 GMT -5

Aug 13, 2020 10:55:10 GMT -5 The Last Outlaw said:

Aug 12, 2020 21:16:07 GMT -5 BobbyTheBrain said:

Taker vs Michaels at WM 25 was in 2009. It would definitely be a VERY strong contender for best match of THAT decade.

Well darn. For some reason I thought it was 2010. I will need to reevaluate my reply then.

The 2nd one was. The one at 26.

TheShowJordanRichards
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Match of the Decades Aug 22, 2020 19:16:45 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn and BobbyTheBrain like this

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Post by TheShowJordanRichards on Aug 22, 2020 19:16:45 GMT -5

All right. Here goes.

The match of the decade for 1900-1909 had to be "Russian Lion" Georg Hackenschmidt vs. Frank Gotch in Dexter Park Pavilion in Chicago, IL on April 3, 1908. Gotch defeated Hack and claimed the World Heavyweight Championship, establishing America as the hub of professional wrestling. This also was Hack's first loss ever since his debut in 1896.

The match of the decade for 1910-1919 was Gotch-Hackenschmidt II on September 4, 1911. Gotch was booked to win in three falls, but double-crossed an injured (a very strong rumor suggests that Hack was injured on purpose by a paid-off sparring partner, Ad Santel) Hack in two straight falls. This was Hack's second ever loss. He retired thereafter, with his only two losses coming to Gotch.

The match of the decade for 1920-1929 was Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Joe Stecher (World Title unification) on February 21, 1928, won by Lewis.

The match of the decade for 1930-1939 was Jim Londos vs. Danny O'Mahoney on July 30, 1935 in Boston. O'Mahoney defeated Londos for the World Title.

The match of the decade for 1940-1949 was Bill Longson vs. Lou Thesz on July 20, 1948, where Thesz won the National Wrestling Association World Championship. He was awarded the National Wrestling Alliance World Championship a few months later and began the longest NWA reign ever between both titles (seven-plus years).

The match of the decade for 1950-1959 was "Whipper" Billy Watson vs. Lou Thesz on November 9, 1956. Thesz regained the NWA World Title.

The match of the decade for 1960-1969 was a toss-up between two bouts:

1. Pat O'Connor vs. "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers on June 30, 1961. Rogers won the NWA World Championship. Afterward, he got on the microphone and claimed, "To a nicer guy, it couldn't have happened."
2. Buddy Rogers vs. Lou Thesz on January 24, 1963. Thesz won the NWA Title in a one-fall match in which Thesz was going to make sure Rogers did business. A couple of promoters disputed the match and the World Wide Wrestling Federation was formed (WWE of today).

The match of the decade for 1970-1979 was Jack Brisco vs. Terry Funk on December 10, 1975. Funk won the NWA World Championship in one of the most hyped of the infamous Brisco-Funk feud matches.

The match of the decade for 1980-1989 was a toss-up between three potential matches:
1. Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko at "Showdown in Shea" on August 9, 1980 (largest outdoor crowd at the time)
2. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III on March 29, 1987. This match was seen by the largest reported crowd in history at the time
3. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair at WrestleWar '89 on May 7, 1989. This was the best workrate match of the decade

The match of the decade for 1990-1999 was another toss-up:
1. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan vs. Sting at Starrcade '97 on December 28, 1997. It was WCW's highest grossing PPV ever from a buyrate standpoint and should have been the blow off to the Sting-Hogan saga that had gone for eighteen months. Hogan's creative control clause ruined the finish by tainting it, instead of the clean win that originally was booked
2. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jumbo Tsuruta on June 8, 1990. This match put Misawa into the main event forever and was booking on the fly by Giant Baba, who changed the finish as the two were set to go out. Tsuruta originally was booked to win.
3. Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada on January 15, 1995. This is the only hour draw on the list. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter called this the "greatest sixty-minute match of all time,” at the time.
4. The Rock vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV on March 28, 1999. This was the first of their famed WrestleMania trilogy.

The match of the decade for 2000-2009 was "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair at WrestleMania XXIV on March 30, 2008. It was voted as such in Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine. Other matches deserving consideration were:
1. Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi on March 1, 2003. Kobashi finally got his pin over Misawa and won the NOAH GHC.
2. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit at WrestleMania XX on March 14, 2004; Benoit's WWE World Title win; arguably the greatest Triple Threat match ever
3. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25 on April 5, 2009; the first of two straight classics
4. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 21 on April 3, 2005. This, for my money, was the best workrate match of the decade in America

The match of the decade for 2010-2019 was John Cena vs. CM Punk at Money in the Bank 2011 on July 17, 2011. The storyline of Punk leaving the WWE with the title had the potential to be huge if it had been booked correctly.
Honorable mentions go to:
1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 26 on March 28, 2010. Shawn's retirement match
2. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada at WrestleKingdom 9 on January 4, 2015

We have a few more years to debate the current decade. LOL

This, of course, is my humble opinion of all. But, enjoy the read.

Last Edit: Aug 24, 2020 7:04:30 GMT -5 by TheShowJordanRichards

I'm the man, the myth, the legend..."The Show"

BobbyTheBrain Moderator Posts: 4,082	Match of the Decades Aug 26, 2020 16:51:03 GMT -5 TheShowJordanRichards likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by BobbyTheBrain on Aug 26, 2020 16:51:03 GMT -5 Thanks for that well researched and well thought out post Show.

Emperor Ihsahn Administrator I am big in Japan! Posts: 10,042	Match of the Decades Aug 27, 2020 14:57:16 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Emperor Ihsahn on Aug 27, 2020 14:57:16 GMT -5 Great post Show, I really enjoyed reading that. I am a little shocked that you didn't include Austin vs Rock from X-7. Is there a specific reason why?

TheShowJordanRichards
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Match of the Decades Aug 27, 2020 18:31:07 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn likes this

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Post by TheShowJordanRichards on Aug 27, 2020 18:31:07 GMT -5

Emperor Ihsahn, because I hated Austin's heel turn. It was poorly thought out and poorly executed. The whole idea of Austin siding with McMahon made no sense and essentially just became a swerve for the sake of a swerve. The only entertaining part of the gimmick was his later interactions with Kurt Angle, and they were a joke. I especially hated the "Two-Man Power Trip." All of it was so contrived and clearly gimmicked, it never was believable for a second.

I'm the man, the myth, the legend..."The Show"

BobbyTheBrain
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Match of the Decades Sept 7, 2020 19:53:37 GMT -5 Emperor Ihsahn likes this

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Post by BobbyTheBrain on Sept 7, 2020 19:53:37 GMT -5

Aug 27, 2020 18:31:07 GMT -5 TheShowJordanRichards said:

Emperor Ihsahn , because I hated Austin's heel turn. It was poorly thought out and poorly executed. The whole idea of Austin siding with McMahon made no sense and essentially just became a swerve for the sake of a swerve. The only entertaining part of the gimmick was his later interactions with Kurt Angle, and they were a joke. I especially hated the "Two-Man Power Trip." All of it was so contrived and clearly gimmicked, it never was believable for a second.

Austin himself pretty much says the same nowadays. He says the match itself was perfect, and he wouldn't change it, but if he could go back he would've stunned McMahon and just carried on being what he was rather than aligning himself with him.