Youtube Matches (that are awesome)

[DDT]

So I'm finding there are a LOT of youtube gems that oft get ignored that need some light shown on them. Trying to avoid the 'classics' that everyone has seen and heard of (so I'm probably going to avoid the classic All Japan stuff, for example). Feel free to post your own matches you come across, though I'd appreciate it if you'd watch other matches in the thread and comment on them, even if you hated it at thought it sucked.


So, here's the match that I'll start this thread off with; one I have watched four times in the past couple months.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aTe2lIIugo



This was my first foray into Freelance Wrestling, my first time watching Mustafa Ali in YEARS, and my first viewing of Isaias Velazquez, and I'm now a fan of both. Smart, focused mat-work that doesn't fall into the self-masturbation of grapple-fucking ala Zack Sabre, Jr (or Timothy Thatcher, whom I adore and love), clever spots and bumps, commentary that doesn't leave you confused as to who these two are or why they are fighting, and crowd interaction. Just a smart match all around that I loved. Watch it and love it, too!

[Eddie Brock]

12/16/91 - Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels (with an appearance by the WCW belt!)


]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L-LAp8PoZQ

[DDT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vpFVLZ3088


Tyler Bate vs. Jay Lethal(c) for the ROH TV championship. Tyler Bate is a British chap who, again, is someone I knew very little about, but after this match I really wanted to watch more of. Here he is 17, and has both a body and mustache I'd kill for. Dick. Very reminiscent of the early days of the X-Division. You know, when it was good. Match is a bit long, but worth going out of your way to see. Bate is definitely someone Regal should be recommending for the Global Crusierweight tourny.

[DDT]

12/16/91 - Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels (with an appearance by the WCW belt!)


]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L-LAp8PoZQ


This was a really good TV bout; in many ways the quintessential Ric Flair vs hot young babyface match; babyface dominates most of the match, only for Ric Flair to beg off and then cheat. At around 10 minutes, it doesn't last long enough to overstay its welcome. Also Lord Alfred Hayes was great here; explaining why Jannetty wasn't initially at ringside and other little nuances. Solid stuff.

[Murphy]

Brilliant idea for a thread. Gonna watch all of these later.

:yes:

[HHHnFoley_Rulez]

*save to "Watch later"*

*finds the entire Progress chapter I have watched 3/4s of...*

... Not necessarily all time classics but may as well leave it here just because:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it2coTptmlM

[DDT]

Every once in a while I go into a "do I still like wrestling?" funk. Sometimes it's because someone dies, sometimes it's because the product is just utter shit, and I start to think this is the new norm. Then a match comes along and reminds me that, no, pro wrestling is great, it's everything else that sucks. I was in one of those funks last year, and this match saved me from it.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPIcQcYqi2s



This is a bit after Ultimo lost his mask to Atlantis. I'm not sure as to WHY these two hate each other, but even if you don't speak a lick of Spanish (I don't) you can understand everything that is going on; it's hair vs hair, these two hate each other, and it is time for one of these men to die...or at least be shaved. One of the unsung highlights of 2015. GET ON IT.

[DDT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IapN3XEF1ZM


This may be the best Chuck Taylor singles match I've ever seen, and I say that as a huge Chuckie T fan. It is certainly the best Jon Davis singles match I've seen, who as a big lariat-y bruiser should have a fast track on the 'DDT Loves Me' train, but instead derails into Boring Junction.

...


I went too far with that train analogy. The point is, this match is very, VERY good, almost shockingly so given the participants. It helps that it has one of the more unique venues I've seen in professional wrestling; the ring is set up in a pit, almost like a deep swimming pool, and the audience is seated around it. The story going in is that Jon had recently turned heel because he was too 'grrr' serious. Meanwhile, Chuck Taylor is the leader of the Kentucky Gentlemen's Club, which features Swamp Monster and a "Man" Scout. Jon Davis tears through the Club, and Sexy Chuckie T wants VENGEANCE!!! Watch it and, you guessed it, love it.

[Tainted Eclipse]

Got in the mood to watch some 1997 CMLL trios, of which there are many great ones. Happened to watch this one and it ruled, Negro Casas/Super Porky/Taka Michinoku vs. Satanico/Galdiador/Markus. Taka and Satanico match up in this one and produce some fun stuff, Satanico is great selling for Taka. Super Porky is highly entertaining as always and busts out a tope, his body barely squeezing between the ropes. Maybe not any kind of MOTYC but a lot of fun. Highlight is Super Porky launching a comeback for the technicos thanks to his impervious belly.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzVgqyWDxE

[DDT]

GLOBAL CRUISERWEIGHT SERIES EDITION:



https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1617835358/301139_154148024678506_138658019560840_273748_1724 862241_n.jpg
Ho Ho Lun



Right, so here's the deal; I don't know a great deal about Ho Ho Lun. Which is a shame because not only is he really good, but he seems to be both the face and the driving force of professional wrestling in China, or at least Hong Kong. Now, he's not the first thing that comes to mind when you first think of "cruiserweight" wrestling; he doesn't appear to do a lot of flying head-scissors or moonsaults. Hell, his finish is a German Suplex. What he DOES do, is a lot of basic things very well, and engage the crowd in what he is doing. Before you realize it, you are invested in the match. Take this match against his student Jason New, for example. They really don't do anything too crazy or risky, and I wouldn't call it a match of the year or anything, but it is smart, basic pro wrestling, which (I like to think) is what got us all invested in the first place. Coupled with snazzy, classy British commentary, so you English commentary snobs can watch and know exactly what is going on.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EyiwGKjvhs



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBfWKWv7Uno

[Honey_Badger]

The 3-count is SO slowly executed in the 'hair v hair' match posted above. Is that a normal thing in Mexico? It really takes the excitement out of a roll-up pin fall.

[DDT]

Unfortunately yes. It's a thing in Mexico that they do and something you just have to get past to enjoy lucha. I get it; it was one of (many) of my hang-ups with it, too.

[DDT]

GLOBAL CRUISERWEIGHT SERIES EDITION:



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B18bDqWIgAAkJNS.jpg
Noam Dar



Noam Dar is the greatest wrestling export from Scotland. Yes, that includes Drew McIntyre, Grado, and whoever else you are thinking of. Serious without being boring; exciting without being excessively flashy; promo skills without being intelligible. This Star Wars mega fan is equally comfortable in both babyface and heel roles. His Champagne Super Kneebar is the most awesomely named finisher ever, and he is one of the mainstays of the early days of PROGRESS as their resident "King of the Opening Match".

This match here, is an epic encounter he had with AJ Styles in 2012. There's no commentary, but between the opening video and the introduction, you really get a sense of how important this match is for Noam; if he can win here, then his career is made. Yet this is AJ Styles, arguably the best wrestler in the world. As such, he has to hold on, pick his spots, and hope that AJ makes a mistake. They go a bit too long and try to have an 'epic', but this is good stuff that you should check out.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkPJVZE6W48

[Eddie Brock]

Four or five years ago this would've been an actual TNA vs. WWE match. And had WCW stayed in business a little longer, it would've happened. These days Mysterio can hardly move around like he used to, due to his injuries/surgeries over the years. Not to mention they're both older, but still, a great little gem of a match possibly the only time they'll wrestle.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvNc67sitT0

[DDT]

GLOBAL CRUISERWEIGHT SERIES EDITION:



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Rich_Swann_Jan_2014.jpg/440px-Rich_Swann_Jan_2014.jpg
Rich Swann



"Black Jericho" as he was known on the indies, and it was fitting; charismatic, athletic as hell, and some really cool moves. Despite that, FIP is the only place I know of that ever pushed him as a top guy. In fact, unless he was teaming with Ricochet or Johnny Gargano, everyone seemed to use him the way NXT is using him; as enhancement talent capable of giving people competitive matches. Perhaps the Global Cruiserweight Series will change that, or perhaps he will simply do what he has been doing all along; having competitive matches, looking impressive as hell, and making his opponent look better.

Below is the perfect example of this. Rich is up against AR Fox in the opening match of some Dragon Gate USA event. There is no feud (that I am aware of) or any outstanding issues, nor is it for a title shot; just two dudes having an athletic cruiserweight style match. It is really good, and the perfect example of what Rich will offer in the GCS.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=687&v=rREI-PE-2Ds

[Eddie Brock]

El Generico vs. Pac... in WWE, too bad wrestling isn't about talent.

Just the fact that you don't hear the commentary take over you can hear the trampoline like sound of the ring and most importantly the crowd's reaction. It's great it's like a Japanese match. So fun to watch.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL9ZfsitkHE

[The Law]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30cjo8
(http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30cjo8)
Bad ass match. Bret and Owen vs. The Steiner Brothers. 30 fucking minutes from a house show in South Carolina. Released on one of the Coliseum Video VHS tapes (surprised it wasn't on any of Bret's DVDs). Non-formulaic tag match that has a little bit of everything.

I'll try to think of some other gems. There are a lot on the Coliseum Videos. I wish they'd put those up on the Network.

Here's one:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1xqcjh_uk-rampage-randy-savage-vs-shawn-michaels_sport
(http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1xqcjh_uk-rampage-randy-savage-vs-shawn-michaels_sport)
Not an amazing match, more just a "holy shit, they wrestled each other?" sort of thing. I sometimes sit down and google combinations of wrestlers hoping they had a match. I've heard Undertaker and Guerrero had an amazing house show match that sadly wasn't recorded (or has just never been released). Savage and Taker had some house show matches too in 1991 but I don't think they've ever seen the light of day.

[DDT]

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


Colt Cabana wrestles a dancing robot. Whose name is Robot. I don't think this requires further explanation.

[Bluegunn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TthZiAkks8k
This one from way back in the day.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToXV59rooHY

[OD50]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30cjo8
(http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30cjo8)
Bad ass match. Bret and Owen vs. The Steiner Brothers. 30 fucking minutes from a house show in South Carolina. Released on one of the Coliseum Video VHS tapes (surprised it wasn't on any of Bret's DVDs). Non-formulaic tag match that has a little bit of everything.

Was hoping there was another Harts/Steiners match floating around, I have that old VHS tape, think it was called "Wham, Bam, Bodyslam", it's up in the attic somewhere. Pretty sure it had Alundra Blayze vs. Bull Nakano on the cover. Great match though.

[OD50]

Nope, remembered wrong, it's on the WrestleFest 1994 tape, I have that as well. Bought it mostly for the (chubby) HBK vs. Razor Ramon match I think.

[Sasori]

I've been watching some old Smackdowns on the Network and had completely forgotten about this match. As I watched it, it started coming back to me. I remember at the time thinking it was was just going to be a typical TV match, but it just kept getting crazier and crazier. This could've been on PPV. It's insane that they did this on TV. WWE was kind enough to put this up on Youtube.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPasZ90HRog

[Tainted Eclipse]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjsTCBPv0ks

this brian pillman vs. rip rogers match rules.

[Eddie Brock]

What a match! Hats off to both guys, but Van Dam at his best!


https://youtube.com/watch?v=En1yft9-Nkg

[Rancid_Planet]

What a match! Hats off to both guys, but Van Dam at his best!


https://youtube.com/watch?v=En1yft9-Nkg

Yeah that's some prime RVD right there. Crazy fuck.

[Sasori]

Thought I'd give this thread a bump after finding this. Fun little match between Balor and Omega from 5 yrs. ago. Best part might be when they go outside. Omega looks really good in this match. Dude is so athletic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lyQSFoXo48

[Spudz Mackenzie]

This one's pretty neat, guys. Dustin Rhodes vs. Jean Paul Levesque, better known as Terra Ryzin or, maybe even better known as Triple H now, from an episode of WCW Pro from 1994. Its cool to see Triple H, even in his formative years, busting out a sloppy version of his trademark high knee and his Ric Flair-style kneedrop.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKr_zOg-vf0&list=PLzUe-EuTVgmqT5QEiF09_SGbHgzMFBfUv&index=30

Also, just for the fun of it, check out Raven vs. Low Ki from this random episode of WWF Metal. Raven, despite being a full time roster member at the time, gives Ki so much offense that it looks like Low Ki is way more than just a jobber. Raven was always pretty good about that sort of thing. Just a really fun, random match from an oddball combination of wrestlers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nVOTGeP5cU&list=PLzUe-EuTVgmp0prUmdmiKuBT5jJ9QNxAy&index=23

[Rancid_Planet]

Mmmm Twix.

[Eddie Brock]

The kind of thinking man's match you don't see anymore with Windham going after Steamboat's arm pretty aggressively and Steamboat responding in kind. Steamboat's bridge hammerlock is tremendous. They have a collision that looks pretty wicked, then Windham switches to the knee. I really enjoyed this match. Just a good match that built really well. Ross was good on commentary. I liked the selling of both men, and the fact that it was given time to develop made it into a near-PPV quality singles between the two.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=w6AwZjORr-w

[Spudz Mackenzie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFcoXaHN-kM

This shit is cool. Owen Hart teaming with Ricky Morton in WCW to beat the jobber team of "Jumpin'" Joey Maggs and some other schlub. Cool novelty seeing Owen in WCW.

[Rancid_Planet]

Fucking sweet.

[OD50]

Probably the hardest Andre ever worked (or sold) in a match:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSWGlA4pwbw

It's NJPW though, no idea why the dude put AJPW in the description.

[Ringo]

Love that match so much. Definitely one of my favourite 80s matches.

Here's highlights of Andre's great 1972 match with Strong Kobayashi - a good example of Andre in his more athletic younger days, even wrestling on the mat. Full match is on dailymotion.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwe2u1vF65c

[RuneEdge]

Seeing Andre move like that makes me feel more sorry for the trouble he endured during his later years when he lost his mobility.

[OD50]

I'm almost 100% sure that I have seen Andre do Doink's old finisher the Whoopie Cushion. Might have been from the middle rope though. He was a very athletic big man for sure, before his body crumbled.

vs. Kamala:

http://i68.tinypic.com/sb37yr.png

vs. Big John Studd

http://i63.tinypic.com/vy2gz9.png

[Tainted Eclipse]

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8fxv5

RVD vs. Doug Furnas from ECW. holy shit this match rules. nasty as hell. this gritty style of match is where RVD's style is perfect. has to be RVD's best match.