The Best Pro-Wrestling Matches of 2021 (so far)

We are officially in the equator of 2021, and there’s no better way than remembering some of the best wrestling matches we’ve seen in 2021 so far. Hands down, these are matches that every wrestling fan should watch.

Best Wrestling Matches of 2021 So Far

 Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay (Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1)

Wrestle Kingdom always delivers MOTY contenders, and 2021 was not the exception. Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada faced each other in a fantastic match. Ospreay betrayed Okada and left Chaos to form his faction (The Empire). This was Ospreay’s first showing as a top heavyweight star, and it did not disappoint.

Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi (Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1

The central vent of night 1 of Wrestle Kingdom 15 did not disappoint. Ibushi was on his quest, finally winning the IWGP Heavyweight title and becoming a God. Last year’s Wrestle Kingdom, Ibushi came close to becoming a “God” but failed to do so. One year later, Ibushi became an IWGP world title in a great match that showed Naito and Ibushi’s natural chemistry.

Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi (Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 2) 

It’s a hard-hitting match. Takagi and Cobb worked a fantastic hard-hitting game and showed why NJPW had had the best wrestling in the world for the last decade. This was a strong style at its finest.

Kenny Omega vs. Rey Fénix (New Year’s Smash Night 1) 

The first main event of Dynamite did not disappoint. Omega and Fenix have faced each other several times, but this one was special. When you have two of the best wrestlers together, you can only expect magic. This match is probably one of the best TV matches of all time.

Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker (AEW Dynamite) 

This unsanctioned match was insane. Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa were feuding with each other for months, and it all culminated with this brutal match. This match left us with the iconic picture of Britt Baker bleeding. This was also the first time the women’s division in AEW main event an episode of Dynamite. It was a great match and the best women’s competition in 2021.

Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair (WrestleMania 37 Day 1)

The best match of WrestleMania weekend. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair had one of the best matches of the year and WrestleMania’s history.  We should not ignore the historical context of this being the first WrestleMania main event by two black women. This match will inspire little girls around the world for many decades.

Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi (Wrestling Dontaku 2021)

The best match of 2021 so far. Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi have had one of the best series of games ever, equivalent to those of Misawa-Kawada, Flair-Steamboat, or the recent Omega-Okada.

Takagi and Ospreay had one of the most brilliant matches of 2021 and maybe ever. They were making a callback to their previous matches and the fact they knew each other so well. There’s no doubt that this match will win MOTY.

Honorable Mentions

• Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White ( WK 15 Day 2)
• Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shingo Takagi (The New Beginning in Nagoya)
• Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi (New Japan Cup Day 13)
• The Young Bucks vs. PAC & Rey Fénix (AEW Dynamite)
• Shingo Takagi vs. Kazuchika Okada (Dominion 2021)
• Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley (Revolution 2021)
• The Young Bucks vs. Eddie Kingston & Jon Moxley (Double or Nothing 2021)
• Riho vs. Serena Deeb (Double or Nothing 2021)
• Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Edge (WrestleMania 37)
• Jon Moxley vs. Josh Barnett (Bloodsport)
• Kenny Omega vs. Rich Swann ( Rebellion)
• Kenny Omega & The Good Brothers vs. Moose, Rich Swann & Chris Sabin (Hard to Kill)
• Flamita vs. Rey Horus vs. Bandido ( ROH 19th Anniversary show)
• Bandido vs. Volador Jr. (CMLL)
• WALTER vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1)
• Mei Suruga, Rin Kadokura & Hikaru Shida vs. Veny, Maki Itoh & Emi Sakura (AEW Special)

About Post Author

jcreneo

contributor

See author's posts