I have decided to start a new feature where I look back on the best matches in the world of wrestling on a year by year basis, from 1985 to the present day. The first few years will be Top 5s due to the relative lack of big wrestling shows at the time, with the rest being Top 10s. Before that, though, there is this prologue of sorts looking at the best matches that took place prior to 1985. This list would be nearly impossible to definitively put together but these are the best matches that I have personally seen. Before we start, an honourable mention should be given to Steamboat & Youngblood vs Slaughter & Kernodle from Mid-Atlantic in 1983, the first part of which can be found here.
10. Jumbo Tsuruta vs Ric Flair (NWA Title, 2/3 Falls) - AJPW Grand Champion Carnival II 1983 Day 23
I will get this out of the way early, it is nearly impossible to review most of these matches from a modern perspective. From top to bottom the presentation was different, slower and more deliberate but also more realistic. This followed the formula of many of Flair's title matches from the time, with the challenger getting a 1-0 lead before running out of time to get the second fall. The chain wrestling was good, the limb work was good, and Flair bled. The match can be found here.
9. Ric Flair vs Harley Race (NWA Title, Cage Match) - NWA Starrcade 1983
While this wasn't Flair's first title win it was the one that put him on the map. The wrestling is good and they tell a great story but they are hindered slightly by the overbearing, horrendous refereeing of Gene Kiniski. As a piece of important wrestling history this can't be ignored and should be watched by all wrestling fans.
8. Billy Robinson vs Nick Bockwinkel - AJPW Real World Tag League 1980 Day 13
This is a strange match as both men are past their prime here but that doesn't seem to matter one bit as their styles meshed beautifully. Like many other matches on this list this went to the time limit, which was 30 minutes here. These two are well known for their high level of technical wrestling and that is exactly what you get here. The match can be found here, though the quality is a tad lacking.
7. Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen vs Terry & Dory Funk - AJPW Real World Tag League 1984 Day 15
This match was given 5 stars by Dave Meltzer and, while it is very good, it's not that good, in large part because of the finish. The match breaks down into a brawl, which I assume is no surprise to anyone. Brody was a one of a kind presence and it comes across every time he appeared. The match doesn't really have a great deal of selling and it's quite messy but it is fun. This won't be everyone's cup of tea but you can watch it here to make the decision for yourself.
6. Antonio Inoki vs Billy Robinson (NWF Heavyweight Title, 2/3 Falls) - NJPW Touken Series II 1975 Day 42
Billy Robinson was a hell of a wrestler for his time, as good as there was in the 70s. This match was another that went the distance with neither man being able to get the decisive second fall. This has some insane mat wrestling from Robinson, showing that he had skills far removed from his peers. The match is well structured too, building to a frantic finish. Definitely the best match to take place in the 70s. If you feel like going back to a simpler timer the match can be found here.
5. Sgt. Slaughter vs Iron Sheik (Boot Camp Match) - WWF on MSG Network 1984
This is your classic old school violent brawl. It is one of those circumstances where the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. The crowd is white hot for this, and the bloodier it gets, the louder they get. And it gets pretty fucking red out there. When Slaughter manages to get the 3 count the crowd loses there goddamn minds. If you want to watch it for yourself it can be found here. It's great.
4. Jerry Lawler vs Terry Funk (No DQ) - CWA Memphis Championship Wrestling TV 1981
Jerry Lawler was/is a god in Memphis and crowds always ate it up when big names from other territories came to challenge him. This is one of those times. They start off at full tilt, brawling all over the place from the bell. While this match may not be as visceral as the previous match on the list, I feel that it is the superior effort. You can judge for yourself here.
3. Antonio Inoki vs Riki Choshu - NJPW Summer Fight Series 1984 Day 31
This match was voted match of the year in 1984 by Tokyo Sports and I can see why it won. It has a nice mix of technical and shoot style and is a thoroughly enjoyable match throughout. I couldn't find a version of this match on YouTube so here is a video of Inoki beating the piss out of legendary dickhead the Great Antonio.
2. Greg Valentine vs Roddy Piper (Dog Collar Match) - NWA Starrcade 1983
This is a match that features almost no wrestling but has a level of intensity that is rarely seen. This is a properly violent spectacle and features something that you pretty much never see in wrestling, Valentine works over Piper's ear. Piper sells it brilliantly too, feigning a loss of equilibrium, and the fact that he bleeds heavily from his ear doesn't hurt. I highly recommend checking this out if you have the WWE Network.
1. Dynamite Kid vs Tiger Mask - NJPW Big Fight Series II 1983 Day 19
I honestly could have populated the top of this list with matches between these two but in the end I decided to just go with this one as it features the most innovation out of any of their matches. It really is hard to fully explain how ahead of it's time this match was. It featured a whole host of moves that wouldn't be common until years later, including suicide dives and the tombstone piledriver. The feud between these two is one of the most important ever and this match is absolutely mind blowing for a match from 1983. I couldn't find a full video on YouTube but here is a highlight video.
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