Post by recklessjack on Dec 29, 2007 0:03:19 GMT -6
10. Bryan Danielson vs. Homicide at Final Battle 2006 - ****
Why: This was the pinnacle of Homicide's career in Ring of Honor. He finally got his World Title. Sure he reign wasn't long or all that memorable. Not too mention both men had bad shoulders and that was the focal point for a good portion of the match. Just great work by them.
9. Jay/Mark Briscoe vs. Naruki Doi/Shingo at Fifth Year Festival: Liverpool - ****
Why: This is the match that started out the year of the Briscoes in my opinion. This was worked like a puro style match. Both teams brought out the big guns and fired off for a good five minutes to wind out the match. Fun stuff.
8. Randy Orton vs. John Cena at Summerslam - ****
Why: Best match by either man ever? You bet it is. Everything was focused on Orton trying to kick Cena's head off. If that failed, he had the RKO. Everything Orton did went towards the neck and head of Cena to soften him up for that huge finish from Orton. Even his rest holds worked into the focus of the match. Cena's comebacks are the usual but he pulls them off pretty well. Just great stuff between two guys who weren't known for having outstanding matches.
7. El Generico/Kevin Steen vs. Jay/Mark Briscoe (Street Fight) at Death Before Dishonor V Night One - ****1/4
Why: Hate. That sums this match up. Pure hate between three guys that hate each other. Generico just happened to find himself along for the ride. But these four had many great matches this year and this was probably the best. A lot of a good spots with only a few contrived spots that keep this from being a truely great match. Plus it set up the last three matches in their series.
6. Jimmy Jacobs vs. BJ Whitmer (Cage Match) at Supercard of Honor II - ****1/4
Why: Take what I said about Steenerico and The Briscoes and mutliply it by about ten. It still doesn't come close to the amount of hate Jimmy and BJ had for a year. The level of violence and blood was simply awesome as both men made it seem that they wanted to just kill each other. Both men sacrified themselves in order to win. Just a great match.
5. KENTA vs. Bryan Danielson at Driven - ****1/4
Why: While this wasn't as good as their classic from Glory By Honor V Night Two, it's still a pretty damn good match. The no selling towards the end with quite a few moves, most notably KENTA no selling Go2Sleep, it was good stuff. Great dark main event for the Chicago crowd at Driven.
4. KENTA & Taiji Ishimori vs. Naomichi Marufuji & Kota Ibushi 7/15/07 from Pro Wrestling NOAH - ****1/4
Why: Pretty much tag match from the NOAH juniors. I've only seen this a couple of times but it's bell to bell action with some great sequences. The crowd heat for the KENTA/Marufuji opening is fantastic. I don't get to see a whole lot of full puro matches but from the few I've seen this year, this is the best.
3. Jay/Mark Briscoe vs. Chris Sabin/Alex Shelley at Good Times, Great Memories- ****1/2
Why: Take what I said about the match just below this one and add more length to it with hotter crowd. For my money, this is the best tag team match I've seen in years! Seriously, I can't find anything to say about this match because it leaves me speechless. This is required viewing folks.
2. Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson at Domination/Driven - ****1/2
Why: There is a reason why this is pimped as a possible ***** from some people. These two have fantastic chemistry in the ring. Even with Nigel's overuse of the lariat, the match doesn't trip up in the least bit. Every thing was pretty damn good in this one. Once again, this is required viewing.
1. Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima at Manhattan Mayhem II - ****3/4
Why: This is about as great as wrestling gets anywhere. This whole match had a simple concept. Danielson is simply the smaller wrestler and knew he couldn't do anything to 'Shima without having to weaken the legs. That said, most of Danielson's beginning offense was focused on kicking the leg of Morishima. 'Shima just uses his raw power to beat the everliving **** out of Danielson, nearly costing Danielson his eye in the process. The whole match comes circle once Morishima finally goes down to the kicks to the leg. It had a basic concept but it worked so well. Danielson knew he had to wear down 'Shima to win while all that 'Shima had to do was use his power. Matches like this is why I love professional wrestling.
Why: This was the pinnacle of Homicide's career in Ring of Honor. He finally got his World Title. Sure he reign wasn't long or all that memorable. Not too mention both men had bad shoulders and that was the focal point for a good portion of the match. Just great work by them.
9. Jay/Mark Briscoe vs. Naruki Doi/Shingo at Fifth Year Festival: Liverpool - ****
Why: This is the match that started out the year of the Briscoes in my opinion. This was worked like a puro style match. Both teams brought out the big guns and fired off for a good five minutes to wind out the match. Fun stuff.
8. Randy Orton vs. John Cena at Summerslam - ****
Why: Best match by either man ever? You bet it is. Everything was focused on Orton trying to kick Cena's head off. If that failed, he had the RKO. Everything Orton did went towards the neck and head of Cena to soften him up for that huge finish from Orton. Even his rest holds worked into the focus of the match. Cena's comebacks are the usual but he pulls them off pretty well. Just great stuff between two guys who weren't known for having outstanding matches.
7. El Generico/Kevin Steen vs. Jay/Mark Briscoe (Street Fight) at Death Before Dishonor V Night One - ****1/4
Why: Hate. That sums this match up. Pure hate between three guys that hate each other. Generico just happened to find himself along for the ride. But these four had many great matches this year and this was probably the best. A lot of a good spots with only a few contrived spots that keep this from being a truely great match. Plus it set up the last three matches in their series.
6. Jimmy Jacobs vs. BJ Whitmer (Cage Match) at Supercard of Honor II - ****1/4
Why: Take what I said about Steenerico and The Briscoes and mutliply it by about ten. It still doesn't come close to the amount of hate Jimmy and BJ had for a year. The level of violence and blood was simply awesome as both men made it seem that they wanted to just kill each other. Both men sacrified themselves in order to win. Just a great match.
5. KENTA vs. Bryan Danielson at Driven - ****1/4
Why: While this wasn't as good as their classic from Glory By Honor V Night Two, it's still a pretty damn good match. The no selling towards the end with quite a few moves, most notably KENTA no selling Go2Sleep, it was good stuff. Great dark main event for the Chicago crowd at Driven.
4. KENTA & Taiji Ishimori vs. Naomichi Marufuji & Kota Ibushi 7/15/07 from Pro Wrestling NOAH - ****1/4
Why: Pretty much tag match from the NOAH juniors. I've only seen this a couple of times but it's bell to bell action with some great sequences. The crowd heat for the KENTA/Marufuji opening is fantastic. I don't get to see a whole lot of full puro matches but from the few I've seen this year, this is the best.
3. Jay/Mark Briscoe vs. Chris Sabin/Alex Shelley at Good Times, Great Memories- ****1/2
Why: Take what I said about the match just below this one and add more length to it with hotter crowd. For my money, this is the best tag team match I've seen in years! Seriously, I can't find anything to say about this match because it leaves me speechless. This is required viewing folks.
2. Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson at Domination/Driven - ****1/2
Why: There is a reason why this is pimped as a possible ***** from some people. These two have fantastic chemistry in the ring. Even with Nigel's overuse of the lariat, the match doesn't trip up in the least bit. Every thing was pretty damn good in this one. Once again, this is required viewing.
1. Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima at Manhattan Mayhem II - ****3/4
Why: This is about as great as wrestling gets anywhere. This whole match had a simple concept. Danielson is simply the smaller wrestler and knew he couldn't do anything to 'Shima without having to weaken the legs. That said, most of Danielson's beginning offense was focused on kicking the leg of Morishima. 'Shima just uses his raw power to beat the everliving **** out of Danielson, nearly costing Danielson his eye in the process. The whole match comes circle once Morishima finally goes down to the kicks to the leg. It had a basic concept but it worked so well. Danielson knew he had to wear down 'Shima to win while all that 'Shima had to do was use his power. Matches like this is why I love professional wrestling.
