Best Matches Of 2012

gimmick

Following the same as 2011, discuss the best matches of 2012.

gerrybbadd

An early shout for Punk vs Ziggler on Raw 02/01/12.

Their match at the Rumble should be epic:D

montyrebel

Bully Ray vs Abyss at Genesis in the Monsters brawl match is easily the best of 2012 so far imo, but I am a sicko and do love a good hardcore match

jesusjones

Kevin Steen and Davey Richards whenever that match happens in ROH will be MOTY in 2012

jaykhunter

Guys could u keep it to matches you'd consider 4 star or higher? (and matches that have actually happened too!)

gnfnrhead

jaykhunter wrote: »

Guys could u keep it to matches you'd consider 4 star or higher? (and matches that have actually happened too!)

In that case nothing yet from me. I've started giving matches a rating out of five and so far I have two generous 3.5's with everything else lower. A fair few matches I didn't even bother rating. If the first couple weeks are the standard for 2012, it's going to be a poor year.

jaykhunter

It's a bit early for doom and gloom! :pac: sure WWE haven't even had a PPV this year. And Backlash should be pretty good too, giving us the wrestling that should've been had at Mania!

Worried about Angle's performances over the last little while. I hope he's still up to being a regular on these MOTY lists...

rovert

I don't hand out star ratings like Jelly Tots like a lot of people online but this is *****

Machismo Fan

They've certainly come a long way from playing a cheap ripoff of a character from a mediocre film, and jobbing to Kevin Nash in a handicap match.:p Incredible finishing sequence.

rovert

Wouldn't normally do this but the write up was so strong. Dave Meltzer's short thoughts on the above match:

I'd go ****3/4. I've done a 180 on Okada already and Naito was unbelievable in this match. He's going to be the best worker in the business soon (and he's very close to it now) and will be for years to come. In the middle of the match, I was thinking this is the first in what is going to be one of the great feuds of all-time, like a Funk-Brisco match from 1970 or the first Flair-Steamboat or Misawa-Kobashi. It was that good.

One man's opinion blah, blah but anyone who knows how highly he regards those wrestlers and fueds will known this is quite the endorsement indeed.

Machismo Fan

The match where Okada won the belt was tremendous aswell, easily ****+.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7biHYGiQAs

Who were we for questioning a decision made by the best booked company in wrestling?

gnfnrhead

TNA have to be kicking themselves. They had BOTH of them at different times and didnt put any effort into either. Granted, Naito was on a short talent exchange, but they could have easily pushed for him to stay if they wanted. Okada was there for ages and was only used as a jobber a handful of times.

Rjd2

Taker v Trips and while here Punk v Jericho- Mania 28:o

rovert

Anyone get round to watching Richards/Elgin?

Machismo Fan

rovert wrote: »

Anyone get round to watching Richards/Elgin?

It's really great, ROH should put the title on Elgin for a very long time (Nigel was epic on commentary aswell (even if I still had to put up with Kevin Kelly)).

Officer999

CM Punk and Daniel Bryan a few months back on Raw that was billed as Champ vs Champ.

They were given about 20 mins which is rare for a Raw match, but it was a quality bout, albeit Jericho interfered at the end for the DQ

rovert

Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alverez of the Observer and Sean Radican of PWTorch all give *****

Richards/Elgin was a tremendous match. ****1/2 for the match, ***** for Nigel's call.

First Davey match I've actively liked but even so they did a little bit too much and sorry but I watched Survival of the Fittest. Elgin is a little bit more established than Alverez and Meltzer want to portray. I'd maybe rate it higher but I fully expect ROH to announce Elgin in a Proving Ground match next.

Cherry_Cola

Was a little sleepy tonight but threw on the Elgin/Richards match. Now I'm pumped and fully awake Fantastic match but I agree with roverts assessment. A few too many big moves but it was a great effort overall.

The series of forearms into the exploder suplex was amazing, as was the backdrop off the top. Nigel's commentary made it also. I was critical of him in the past but he was top notch for this match. His reaction to the backdrop was priceless.

My only gripe with Richards was that exchange of little kicks to the head, then followed by Elgins knees. The contrast between them was a little too much and you could tell the crowd thought so too.

Still though, best match I've seen this year.

rovert

The German from the top is very controversial on other forums in terms of "it shouldn't be a kick out" but I didn't have a problem with it relatively speaking. Like Cola I've a FAR bigger problem with Richards's kicks to the head aka Kawada kicks as it just comes across as douchey as you would die if you took that many kicks. I really, really wish Richards would take it out of his arsenal as it for me carries too much of a **** this match factor for me. Would loved to watched this match live unspoiled but I gave up watched due to the ridiculous stream issues.

montyrebel

anywhere online to watch this match for free

iambrazil

rovert wrote: »

Anyone get round to watching Richards/Elgin?

I only decided to watch it after hearing the praise it got from the Observer. Really glad I did as it was fantastic. I don't really watch much ROH these days but I'm really interested in seeing Elgin again.

And like you guys said...Nigel was great.

Machismo Fan

I'd have thought five stars was generous for Richards/Elgin, it was excellent but not quite that good (though knowing the result before watching may have hurt from my perspective).

iambrazil

I finally got around to watching Okada vs Naito. Incredible stuff. I rarely watch Japanese wrestling even when I read about a great match or what a great wrestler so and so is in the Observer but I have got to start making more of an effort seeing as I enjoyed that so much.

spiralism

Bryan and Sheamus's two out of three falls bout last night at ER. Epic encounter

sockmo

montyrebel wrote: »

anywhere online to watch this match for free

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq4z3x_davey-richards-vs-michael-elgin-5-star-match_sport

Dazzmondo

Punk vs Bryan - Over the Limit

How did this match not main event?

Xinkai

Second for Punk V Bryan

It WAS the main event after that joke.

JP Liz V1

Dazzmondo wrote: »

Punk vs Bryan - Over the Limit

How did this match not main event?

+ 1

Also Cody Rhodes V Christian for IC title was very good as well

Machismo Fan

Some of the TNA entrants this year; Aries vs. Shelley from Against All Odds, Angle vs. Hardy from both Lockdown and Victory Road, Aries vs. Bully Ray, Styles vs. Angle, and RVD vs. Roode from Sacrifice. All range from ***1/2-****.

And this thread lacks legitimacy without mentioning Cena/Lesnar.

Angron

Bryan v Punk gets a definite +1 from me.

gimmick

Punk V Danielson is easily WWE MOTY at the moment. Perfect ending as well. And the great thing is, is that we know these two can do this every day if the needs be.

Photo-Sniper

gimmick wrote: »

Punk V Danielson is easily WWE MOTY at the moment. Perfect ending as well. And the great thing is, is that we know these two can do this every day if the needs be.

Agree with you saying its MOTY at the moment.

Completely disagree saying the ending was perfect. It was such a ****ty botched ending. Needed more impact.

Only downfall of the match for me tbh.

gimmick

The ending showed that nothing is sorted. Punk did tap after all, but was lucky to have gotten the pin just on time.

For me, it was nice and fresh and not a stupid ref bump or run in wasted finish.

gnfnrhead

gimmick wrote: »

The ending showed that nothing is sorted. Punk did tap after all, but was lucky to have gotten the pin just on time.

For me, it was nice and fresh and not a stupid ref bump or run in wasted finish.

Doesn't matter, the match was already over. Punk won cleanly. Taping out after a match means nothing imo.

rovert

Right Ive decided you all must watch this match:

The best Prince Devitt match in ages.


Best of the Super Jr. - Block A: Prince Devitt vs. KUSHIDA. Starts at the 50:18 mark. On the short side so probably not a Match of the Year contender but incredible action.

Machismo Fan

Watched the whole show yesterday (it's a pretty solid show top to bottom), but it's by far the best match on it. I'm a fan of KUSHIDA.

JP Liz V1

TNA Slammiversary 2012

TNA tag titles match between Styles/Angle and Kaz/Daniels was great

Motion118

Since we're basically at the halfway point, I thought I'd post what I think have been the best matches of the year so far.

Triple H vs. Undertaker - WrestleMania XXVIII
Davey Richards vs. Michael Elgin - Showdown in the Sun: Night 2
Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk - Over The Limit
Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus - Extreme Rules
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar - Extreme Rules
The Rock vs. John Cena - WrestleMania XXVIII
Kevin Steen vs. Davey Richards - Best in the World
Kevin Steen vs. Davey Richards - Border Wars
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly - Best in the World
Kevin Steen vs. El Generico - Showdown in the Sun: Night 1

We've been treated to some pretty great matches this year.

Stereomaniac

So far I'd have to go with Punk & Danielson at Over The Limit. But I'm pretty much impressed with Daniel Bryan any time he goes in there.

Machismo Fan

A really great TV match:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6rXOB-ROoQ

montyrebel

this weeks match between Sheamus and Jericho on Smackdown is the best match on Smackdown i can remember for a long time, well worth checking it out

Stereomaniac

For sure. It was a stellar performance. I was shocked that Sheamus was involved in such quality!

Hashtag_HEEL

Sheamus Vs. Daniel Bryan Danielson on RAW 1001 Was phenomenal!

Stereomaniac

I think at this stage Bryan's matches are miles ahead of most other peoples' this year, anyway!

gnfnrhead

Michael Elgin vs Silas Young from AAW Point of No Return is pretty damn good.

Two out of three falls match. The time flies until the first fall, ok after the second but drags a little then until the last few minutes. It's a bit obvious whats going to happen as the match goes on as they stall for time a few times. Even a few random run in's that had no reason to be out there. Take out the run in's, chop it to a 45 minute time limit and you have a great match.

Cherry_Cola

I watched the Kota Ibushi match posted in the Videos thread last night and it's jaw dopping stuff. Half Nelson suplexes everywhere and that moonsault spot was insane!

rovert

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

I watched the Kota Ibushi match posted in the Videos thread last night and it's jaw dopping stuff. Half Nelson suplexes everywhere and that moonsault spot was insane!

Now with Youtube link:

And now what I've waited all Summer for:

Tanahashi vs Okada from NJPW DOMINION



http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xt4qzu_hiroshi-tanahashi-vs-kazuchika-okada-c-njpw_sport

From June this year. It took forever to surface. Only popped up yesterday online and people are already talking about it as their match of the year. Not a star rating guy but I personally I tremendously enjoyed it and it is an easy MOTYC.

Just watch.

Machismo Fan

I don't have a clue what he's saying but I love New Japan's commentator. Incredible match, and it is certainly one of the best of the year so far.

Stereomaniac

I love the other guy going, "hai, hai" in agreement with him every so often throughout it. I'm not that familiar with Japanese wrestling nowadays but I thoroughly enjoyed that match.

gnfnrhead

Stereomaniac wrote: »

I love the other guy going, "hai, hai" in agreement with him every so often throughout it. I'm not that familiar with Japanese wrestling nowadays but I thoroughly enjoyed that match.

That annoys the fcuk out of me

Stereomaniac

I'm not surprised, I don't have too many good things to say about Guns N Roses either. :P