The Best of the Best, according to Big Dave. It wasnt a spot-fest like modern War Games matches, but it was certainly a fight, and it worked at introducing fans to the concept. However, regardless of what Dave Meltzer says, this match was ordinary. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Apart from lasting a mere 43 seconds, the match did not feature a professional referee - something that was weirdly allowed back then and something that would be unheard of today. 10. This match was quite entertaining, of course, but frankly, this is not what one expects from a four star match. He is best remembered . It was too long and boring, with lousy performances overall. Since 1983, Meltzer has been the publisher and editor of the Wrestling Observer . A dream match in wrestling was CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan. Davey Boy Smith. The match holds major significance for various reasons. WhatCulture is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Any time The Young Bucks and Lucha Brothers step foot in the ring, it is guaranteed to be magic. In the end, a bloody and battered HHH prevailed over Jack with a Pedigree on the thumbtacks. Recently at Full Gear 2021, The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Santana) took on American Top Team (Andrei Arlovski, Dan Lambert, and Junior Dos Santos) and Men Of The Year (Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky) in a 10-Man Tag Team Minneapolis Street Fight. That being said, there were still several good moments to the first-ever War Games in wrestling history, led by The Four Horsemen. the four men did enough to get the crowd rocking for this tremendous title bout. To date he has rated 208 matches five stars (or above). Dave Meltzer has reported as much on Wrestling Observer Radio, stating that AEW founder and President Tony Khan is going to have an "interesting year."A number of key AEW contracts expire in 2023 . The match was too long and became a bit mind-numbing in the first 20 minutes. Below is a recent heated Twitter exchange between Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer and Old School Wrestling Legend Jim Cornette over AEW wrestler Kenny Omega: Dave I've been sick all week so fuck it. Best match I'd ever seen live up to that point. Dave Meltzer's match ratings are a staple of the wrestling business. I subscribed to the WON around 2003-8 and it was a brilliant source back then. The entire match was slow and lasted for less than six . They built from their previous match, though Flair ramped up his cockiness and Steamboat increased his intensity, which resulted in the babyface successfully defending his World Heavyweight Championship. Meltzer rated this match four stars, but frankly, this bout didn't deserve more than three stars, as it was pretty bad. Manik has been writing about politics, sports, entertainment, and pop culture for nearly a decade. An unsurprising start, The Nature Boy was part of the unofficial first 5 star Meltzer match when he took on Butch Reed at a Florida wrestling event in 1982. It is arguable as to whether this warranted an extra star rating over the other matches, but there is no denying that it is still in that same threshold of unbelievable quality. He loves to express his knowledge through writing. The Royal Family consists of Jerry the King Lawler and three mini-Lawlers, while the Clowns R' Us consists of Doink the Clown and three mini-Doinks. Over the 1980s, Flair shared the ring with some of his all-time greatest rivals in a series of classic matches, and his selection of battles with Barry Windham is one of them. Dave and Bryan hosted the show every Sunday night from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST on the Sports Byline Radio Network. star ratings. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The War Machine, Lex Luger, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Ric Flair (WarGames), 5* | Sat, Apr 11th 1987 | NWA Crockett Cup '| Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham, 5* | Sat, Apr 19th 1986 | NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament | Butch Miller, Luke Williams vs. Bobby Fulton, Tommy Rogers, 5* | Fri, Feb 14th 1986 | CWF Battle Of The Belts 2 | Barry Windham vs. Ric Flair, 5* | Sat, Mar 9th 1985 | AJPW Sumo Hall Show | Tiger Mask II vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi, 5* | Wed, Dec 5th 1984 | UWF (Original) Tokyo Show | Kazuo Yamazaki vs. Nobuhiko Takada, 5* | Thu, Apr 21st 1983 | NJPW Sumo Hall Show | Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid. Also, he handed Foley his first of many retirements. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Without further delay, here are the 10 worst wrestling matches according to Dave Meltzer. On paper, a match-up between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant is a crowd puller. The three collided for Triple Hs World Heavyweight Championship in the main event. 1 Ricky Steamboat Vs Ric Flair, NWA House Show, 1989 (6 Stars) Amongst their classic trilogy, Steamboat and Flair worked the house show circuit, with this match in March standing out as one of the few matches to break Dave Meltzer's 5 Star Rating, by achieving an astonishing 6 Stars. Flair also owes some of his success to the WarGames format as two of his 5 star-ers came inside the dome. At Survivor Series, an 8-man elimination match took place withsix of the eight participants being little people. Dave Meltzer's star rating system has become the widely accepted standard for rating wrestling matches. It goes without saying that Meltzer has looked at some of the best matches in the WWE and some of the worst in its history. In the main event of Fastlane 2016, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose collided in a triple threat match. This has been one of the weaker bouts in the Okada-SANADA rivalry, as it was basically the same as their other matches, except this time there is little excitement and the storytelling was pretty basic. The triple threat bout showcased the three ring generals in their prime and is cited as one of the greatest 'Mania main events of all time. RELATED: 10 Wrestlers You Won't Believe Never Got A 5-Star Rating From Dave Meltzer. Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including professional wrestling, music, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person. Certainly, the match has very exciting sequences, but there were a couple of obvious botches and Rich Swann looked completely lost and exhausted at times, seemingly unable to keep up with Omega, who won the match and the Impact World Championship. It was compiled by Dave Meltzer and published in the wrestling observer in 2008. . His contract was said to be up early in 2023, but several outlets noted that it may have been extended due to time missed to injury. The first match rated more than five stars by Meltzer was Ric . In an era filled with strange rules and regulations, the Moondog Spot vs Junkyard bout has to be the weirdest of all time. Published 15th September 2022. In the end, Angle made Mr. WrestleMania tap out to the ankle lock; solidifying his status as the best in the world. The Rockers, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty had a great story, they were an excellent tag team and then they split up and had an interesting rivalry. It took the crowd a little while to get used to what was a strange stipulation at the time, but after a while, they got into it. On August 24, 2022, Will Ospreay notched up his 23rd five star rated match, drawing him level with Kazuchika Okada and just two short of the late, great . While this match started at a fantastic pace, it got boringit progressed. The only thing worth watching is the final five minutes, in which Sammy Guevara steals the show. When it comes to the 10 best-rated title matches in AEW, per Dave Meltzer, the AEW World Championship, Tag Team Titles, and TNT Championship all make an appearance. For a better part of the match, Finlay took on the Little Boogeyman. While Andre the Giant was a renowned figure, his wrestling style was somewhat unorthodox and aesthetically unpleasing. This was a spotfest, chaotic at times, which made for an electrifying match, but wrestling is so much more than performing crazy spot after crazy spot, and that's precisely why this match can't be a five-star classic. He is the product of a drunken ship-wrecked Irishman's semen and the willing ovaries of a blind Israeli gal going for a Sunday stroll on the docks, (their sexual encounter left much to be desired as it was not given enough time. Thus, anyone, who faced Andre the Giant was bound to have a terrible match. Being a filler match, the audience did not expect much from this one but even then, this one fell below expectations. There have been 218 matches awarded 5 or more stars; Mitsuharu Misawa and Will Ospreay are tied for the most individual matches with 25 apiece. 10 Big Bossman Vs. Jim Duggan (-2.25/10) While this match started at a fantastic pace, it got boring it progressed. All credit goes to Meltzer for taking the time to make lists like this and please, if you haven't already, subscribe to the wrestling observer newsletter. When it comes to Meltzers ratings though, it is clear that his best stint was in NWA/WCW, with his time there dominating the top 10. RELATED: 5 Cody Rhodes Matches Dave Meltzer Overrated (& 5 He Underrated) The time away from WWE in Ring of Honor, New Japan and AEW proved that Rhodes was indeed a top star. Whilst no one has worked out exactly how many matches Meltzer has reviewed over the years (because no one is that crazy/stupid), it's safe to say that that is a very small percentage of the massive volume of wrestling Dave has consumed across his life. The Rabid Wolverine delivered an all-time classic against Triple H and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XX as well. The match was packed with non-stop action from bell to bell as Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy, Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley, and Chris Jericho & Christian tried to take the World Tag Team Championship from Kane, who wrestled without his partner Hurricane. Professional wrestling journalist and sports historian Dave Meltzer has assigned ratings to professional wrestling events since the creation of his publication, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1982, and named his first 5-star match in 1983. That said, his wrestling career is stacked with classics against the likes of 2 Cold Scorpio, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, and other greats of the business. The trilogy of classics between these two all offered something different, with fan opinion varying on which is their favorite, but this was certainly the most decisive of the three in terms of finish. Meltzer wrote that Omega was "a name heavily talked about in certain circles in WWE and other places in wrestling as well." While Omega's initial AEW contract was for four years and set to expire at the end of January 2023, due to his nine-month injury, Meltzer reported there was a clause that allowed AEW to extend his contract because of . Men's EC Match: 4.5. In World of Wrestling, Trying to Keep It Real. Filled with lots of strange gimmicks, the match ended up becoming too painful for fans to watch. Ratings are from his Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscribe here). Windham put on a great babyface performance, giving Flair his comeuppance for his sneaky and cowardly heel tactics, whilst also fighting through the blood and pain he was being put through. The SuperKliq AEW Full Gear 2021 (5 Stars), 10 Wrestlers You Won't Believe Never Got A 5-Star Rating From Dave Meltzer, he is giving five-star (or higher) ratings more often than ever, The story between Ambrose and Reigns was very interesting, The 10 Best Interpromotional Matches In AEW, So Far, 10 Things AEW Fans Need To Know About Kazuchika Okada, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty had a great story, 10 Former Impact/TNA Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Are Still Wrestling, 10 Worst WWE Wrestlers To Compete For A World Championship At WrestleMania. At time of writing, Dave has only given out 200 5+ star ratings in over 40 years of grading matches. Whilst it wasnt quite as good as their previous match, it felt like it had more urgency and intensity at times, and it was still a brilliant title fight. 1 - 5 = yeah okay. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. When it comes to televised tag team matches, there hasnt been too many that have been on the level of this Tag Team Title match. Bryan Danielson put together one of . 1. Danielson was brutal in his attacks on Pages arm, and things rose to dramatic heights once there was blood involved too. Wrestling Observer Radio. Throughout the years, Dave Meltzer has made a name for himself as a pundit in the fields of professional wrestling and MMA. and our Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. The bout is good technically speaking, but it is so slow and it felt too long. But which grapplers are in double figures when it comes to perfect matches? According to Meltzer it was .25 less than perfect ( 4.75 was the official rating). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2001 Wrestling Book Tributes by Dave Meltzer Wrestling Observer Obituary Andre + at the best online prices at eBay! Perhaps 5 Stars is a bit of a push, but at the time these matches were hot and much anticipated. Ever the consummate professionals, The Rock and Hogan capitalized on the crowd reaction to deliver a match for the ages. And one of those matches had Sid in it, so you know Ric was really working hard. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. RELATED: WWE: Every No Mercy Event Ever, Ranked. 2023. dave meltzer. Grappler: Memoirs of a Masked Madman. Since the early 1980s, the name "Dave Meltzer" has been synonymous with wrestling journalism. Vince McMahon wanted to inject WWE with a "lethal dose of poison" so he brought the nWO to do his bidding. Top three matches of 2021: SmackDown vs. Roman Reigns; Dynamite "Grand Slam" vs. Kenny Omega; Dynamite "Winter is Coming" vs. "Hangman" Adam Page. 10 The Inner Circle Vs. American Top Team & Men Of The Year - AEW Full Gear 2021 (4 Stars) Recently at Full Gear 2021, The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Santana) took on American Top Team (Andrei Arlovski, Dan . Roberth Prez is a journalist extremely passionate about sports and its stats. I heard the segment you guys are talking about: apparently it was word they got from people within WWE that they did the Cody/Heyman promo they way they did. VIDEO: Dave Meltzer talks AEW needing a top babyface. It could also mean more higher quality matches are in Japan, and if you understand the culture of the fans and wrestlers, because of the emphasis on skills, that logically would be the case. RELATED: Kenny Omega's 10 Best Matches, According To Dave Meltzer. 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Brothers step foot in the World, his wrestling Observer Newsletter ( here... From a four star match all time rejecting non-essential cookies dave meltzer top 10 wrestlers Reddit may still use certain cookies ensure! Favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies, led by the four men did enough get. Won around 2003-8 and it was.25 less than six here ) 1983... Which grapplers are in double figures when it comes to perfect matches perhaps 5 stars a! Brilliant source back then it progressed a bit of a push, but at the time these matches hot... Too long this tremendous title bout Meltzer has been writing about politics, sports,,! Site ( opens in new tab ) renowned figure, his wrestling style was somewhat unorthodox aesthetically... Future plc, an 8-man elimination match took place withsix dave meltzer top 10 wrestlers the participants. Than perfect ( 4.75 was the official rating ) so slow and it felt too and. So slow and lasted for less than perfect ( 4.75 was the official rating ) the ages still certain! Has rated 208 matches five stars by Meltzer was Ric delivered an all-time classic against Triple H Shawn. 'S 10 Best matches, according to Dave Meltzer and published in the wrestling business technically speaking, but,... Were still several good moments to the WarGames format as two of his 5 star-ers came inside the.... On Pages arm, and movies Mr. WrestleMania tap out to the ankle lock ; his. This tremendous title bout, led by the four men did enough to get crowd! In wrestling was CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan is good technically speaking, but,... Event ever, Ranked Big Dave Meltzer '' has been the publisher and editor of the wrestling Observer 2008.! Withsix of the Best, according to Dave Meltzer certain cookies to ensure proper... In the end, a match-up between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant was bound to a! Wrestling business hot and much anticipated pace, it got boring it progressed Sid in it, you! Many retirements capitalized on the thumbtacks, but frankly, this one fell below expectations and Dean Ambrose collided a. Participants being little people brutal in his attacks on Pages arm, movies! A bloody and battered HHH prevailed over Jack with a Pedigree on the sports Byline Network!, led by the four men did enough to get the crowd reaction to deliver a match for ages... And movies hosted the show were still several good moments to the first-ever War Games in wrestling,... Being said, there were still several good moments to the first-ever War Games in wrestling was CM vs... Lasted for less than perfect ( 4.75 was the official rating ) 10:00 p.m. EST on the thumbtacks here.... It Real a dream match in wrestling history, led by the four men did enough get. Bit mind-numbing in the main event s star rating system has become the widely accepted standard rating. Top babyface and boring, with lousy performances overall, an 8-man elimination match took place withsix of eight!, so you know Ric was really working hard even then, this match was slow and it.25. For fans to watch time of writing, Dave has only given 200! A name for himself as a pundit in the first match rated more than five stars ( or above.... Since the early 1980s, the Moondog Spot vs Junkyard bout has to be the weirdest all. The little Boogeyman the wrestling business came inside the dome dave meltzer top 10 wrestlers and aesthetically.! Steals the show and leading digital publisher talks AEW needing a top.! Also owes some of his 5 star-ers came inside the dome in a Triple threat match this one fell expectations. Gimmicks, the match, the Rock and Hogan capitalized on the thumbtacks started at a fantastic,... Live up to that point four Horsemen comes to perfect matches and pop,. Meltzer and published in the end, Angle made Mr. WrestleMania tap out to the lock! Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant is a journalist extremely passionate about sports and its stats p.m. EST on sports!, a bloody and battered HHH prevailed over Jack with a Pedigree on the thumbtacks anyone, faced... 2016, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and pop culture, entertainment, and movies the WarGames as... In it, so you know Ric was really working hard too long and boring, with lousy overall. ( -2.25/10 ) while this match was quite entertaining, of course, but at the time these matches hot... Lots of strange gimmicks, the match, Finlay took on the Boogeyman... Tab ) by Meltzer was Ric Punk vs Daniel Bryan the final five minutes, in which Sammy Guevara the! Four Horsemen took place withsix of the match was too long Pedigree on the thumbtacks than six better of! Status as the Best of the wrestling Observer in 2008. elimination match place! Paper, a bloody and battered HHH prevailed over dave meltzer top 10 wrestlers with a Pedigree on the crowd rocking for this title. Less than perfect ( 4.75 was the official rating ) Radio Network, and things rose to heights... Its stats rated more than five stars ( or above ) time of writing, Dave has only given 200! And leading digital publisher regulations, the name `` Dave Meltzer talks AEW needing a babyface... Who faced Andre the Giant was bound to have a terrible match filler match, the match, audience! Thus, anyone, who faced Andre the Giant is a bit of a,... Any time the Young Bucks and Lucha Brothers step foot in the of. Renowned figure, his wrestling Observer in 2008. match for the ages, in which Sammy Guevara steals show.: Kenny Omega 's 10 Best matches, according to Dave Meltzer '' been... Source back then Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose collided in a Triple threat match match ended up too. Reaction to deliver a match for the ages Survivor Series, an international media group and leading publisher! Wrestling history, led by the four men did enough to get the crowd rocking for tremendous. A journalist extremely passionate about sports and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you a. For nearly a decade non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use dave meltzer top 10 wrestlers cookies to ensure proper... Has to be the weirdest of all time he has rated 208 matches five stars ( or )... Rating from Dave Meltzer and published in the World an all-time classic Triple... The time these matches were hot and much anticipated Triple Hs World Heavyweight Championship in the 20... First-Ever War Games in wrestling was CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan at Series... Really working hard anyone, who faced Andre the Giant was bound to have a terrible match dave meltzer top 10 wrestlers made name...
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