.....as far as I'm concerned.
Written by Jacob Stachowiak
If you clicked the link thinking you would see a list of the objectively ten best professional wrestling matches of 2017, you'll have to wait for my colleague Kevin Berge's list. This one's for me.
The list consists of only NXT, Impact Wrestling and WWE main roster matches because my viewership of Ring of Honor has fallen off, I can't comprehend the astronomy lesson that is New Japan and Meltzer's star rating system and I haven't progressed enough to watch British pro-graps.
These contests captured me in one way or another outside of the typical realm and understanding of what good professional wrestling is. It's less about work-rate and more about how it left a lasting effect on me.
Written by Jacob Stachowiak
If you clicked the link thinking you would see a list of the objectively ten best professional wrestling matches of 2017, you'll have to wait for my colleague Kevin Berge's list. This one's for me.
The list consists of only NXT, Impact Wrestling and WWE main roster matches because my viewership of Ring of Honor has fallen off, I can't comprehend the astronomy lesson that is New Japan and Meltzer's star rating system and I haven't progressed enough to watch British pro-graps.
These contests captured me in one way or another outside of the typical realm and understanding of what good professional wrestling is. It's less about work-rate and more about how it left a lasting effect on me.
Honorable Mentions
These sections are always the apologetic motion made by the author to the audience members that are looking for a specific match to be featured. They were good matches, sure, but the writer wants you to know they will never live up to the success of others. It's kind of harsh actually: "this match wasn't as good as number ten and will never amount to anything better".
With that being said, here are the matches that have received participation trophies but have disappointed fathers:
Matthews & Steiner vs. Borash & Abyss, Slammiversary - This wasn't necessarily a professional wrestling match and more of a string of consecutive comedy skits. Using the stylistic approach of the Broken Matt Hardy universe, Impact captured that magic again while tossing in some amazing cameos by Shark Boy and Father James Mitchell.
Every The Bar vs. The Shield match this year - Cesaro and Sheamus taking on Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins has been a huge part of the Raw brand's quality consistency this year. Even in their many iterations (i.e. singles matches, the TLC main-event), these four have carried the red brand's tag team division in 2017 and never put out anything less than par.
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, Wrestlemania 33 - This was perhaps the last hurrah as far as good Shane McMahon contests go. Styles dragged a spectacular match out of the formerly stellar street fighter, and it may continue to take the best in the world to ever get something good out of Shane again.
All those Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman brawls - There's nothing I enjoy more than to vicariously live through Strowman while he beats the hell out of Reigns.
Any other matches not listed in the mentions above or below suck, and you should feel bad for liking them.
With that being said, here are the matches that have received participation trophies but have disappointed fathers:
Matthews & Steiner vs. Borash & Abyss, Slammiversary - This wasn't necessarily a professional wrestling match and more of a string of consecutive comedy skits. Using the stylistic approach of the Broken Matt Hardy universe, Impact captured that magic again while tossing in some amazing cameos by Shark Boy and Father James Mitchell.
Every The Bar vs. The Shield match this year - Cesaro and Sheamus taking on Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins has been a huge part of the Raw brand's quality consistency this year. Even in their many iterations (i.e. singles matches, the TLC main-event), these four have carried the red brand's tag team division in 2017 and never put out anything less than par.
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, Wrestlemania 33 - This was perhaps the last hurrah as far as good Shane McMahon contests go. Styles dragged a spectacular match out of the formerly stellar street fighter, and it may continue to take the best in the world to ever get something good out of Shane again.
All those Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman brawls - There's nothing I enjoy more than to vicariously live through Strowman while he beats the hell out of Reigns.
Any other matches not listed in the mentions above or below suck, and you should feel bad for liking them.
#10: Edwards vs. Richards, Full Metal Mayhem, Slammiversary
Wives helping their husbands maim their former tag team partner. It's cute.
The American Wolves will go down as a historically underrated team consisting of two great wrestlers. They won Ring of Honor and Impact tag gold, but something needed to happen to get them over the hump that would make them one of the very best teams of this generation. Either way, Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards tore it up no matter where they were. However, injuries and singles runs got in the way of continued prosperity.
Just as Richards achieved singles success in Ring of Honor, Edwards became World Heavyweight and X-Division Champion in Impact while the former was away recovering. Upon his return, Richards initially helped his fellow wolf in his singles aspirations only to turn on him after his newly-married wife Angelina Love entered the picture and led him astray. With Love in his ear, Richards became the lone wolf and sought to end Edwards' impressive run as of late.
Edwards' wife Alisha stood up for her family after she and Eddie suffered attacks from the newly weds. The two couples would met at Impact's anniversary event in a match created to shorten careers and put an end to conflicts. Inside the eight sided ring, ladders and chairs and trash cans and everything in between were used by the pairs of husband and wife. Using each other as helpers and even as weapons, the match showed how meaningful professional wrestling relationships can be in storytelling.
Richards and Edwards could have arguably had a 'better' match by themselves, but this one is on this list for being one of a kind. It's an inter-gender hardcore tag team match between two feuding married couples whose lives have legitimately changed because of a heel turn. That's enthralling stuff especially for a guy like me who would compete in a street fight if my significant other asked me to.
The American Wolves will go down as a historically underrated team consisting of two great wrestlers. They won Ring of Honor and Impact tag gold, but something needed to happen to get them over the hump that would make them one of the very best teams of this generation. Either way, Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards tore it up no matter where they were. However, injuries and singles runs got in the way of continued prosperity.
Just as Richards achieved singles success in Ring of Honor, Edwards became World Heavyweight and X-Division Champion in Impact while the former was away recovering. Upon his return, Richards initially helped his fellow wolf in his singles aspirations only to turn on him after his newly-married wife Angelina Love entered the picture and led him astray. With Love in his ear, Richards became the lone wolf and sought to end Edwards' impressive run as of late.
Edwards' wife Alisha stood up for her family after she and Eddie suffered attacks from the newly weds. The two couples would met at Impact's anniversary event in a match created to shorten careers and put an end to conflicts. Inside the eight sided ring, ladders and chairs and trash cans and everything in between were used by the pairs of husband and wife. Using each other as helpers and even as weapons, the match showed how meaningful professional wrestling relationships can be in storytelling.
Richards and Edwards could have arguably had a 'better' match by themselves, but this one is on this list for being one of a kind. It's an inter-gender hardcore tag team match between two feuding married couples whose lives have legitimately changed because of a heel turn. That's enthralling stuff especially for a guy like me who would compete in a street fight if my significant other asked me to.
#9: Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt, No Mercy
There has been a large discussion lately about how WWE considers "The Demon" Finn Balor to be a drawing attraction but "The Extraordinary Man Who Does Extraordinary Things" Finn Balor is not a star. This match, however, shows how that couldn't be further from the truth as Balor forecasts how much potential he has without all the glamour and horror of his demonic alter ego.
Balor, wearing a special cream colored jacket and grayish blue trunks, attempted to fight the self-proclaimed "Eater of Worlds" Bray Wyatt. Both competitors had been trying for months to break each other's connection with their spiritual persona. Wyatt tried to separate Finn from The Demon to expose him as nothing more than an ordinary man. Balor tried to sever Wyatt from his alternate universe of teleportation and Sister Abigail while proving his worth as a mere man.
Wyatt took every opportunity to get the advantage over his rival including attacking him before the match begins. Balor though rose up and courageously powered through to definitively win the contest. This bout strips away the typical pizazz of a Wyatt or Balor PPV appearance with no demonic entrance or spooky theatrics. It was a straight-up wrestling match with a classic story of two ordinary men: one taking shortcuts to try to win and the other man staying firm to his character and ultimately winning in the end.
Balor, wearing a special cream colored jacket and grayish blue trunks, attempted to fight the self-proclaimed "Eater of Worlds" Bray Wyatt. Both competitors had been trying for months to break each other's connection with their spiritual persona. Wyatt tried to separate Finn from The Demon to expose him as nothing more than an ordinary man. Balor tried to sever Wyatt from his alternate universe of teleportation and Sister Abigail while proving his worth as a mere man.
Wyatt took every opportunity to get the advantage over his rival including attacking him before the match begins. Balor though rose up and courageously powered through to definitively win the contest. This bout strips away the typical pizazz of a Wyatt or Balor PPV appearance with no demonic entrance or spooky theatrics. It was a straight-up wrestling match with a classic story of two ordinary men: one taking shortcuts to try to win and the other man staying firm to his character and ultimately winning in the end.
#8: Fatal Five-Way, Extreme Rules
You might notice that I've been quite a fan of Finn Balor's work in 2017. The event that won me over was his participation in the Fatal Five-Way number one contender's match at Extreme Rules. Pace is extremely important to me, and, thanks to Balor's speedy offense, there was never a slow lag in this one.
Seth Rollins was his usual solid self as he continued to embrace his newfound babyface role. Bray Wyatt surprisingly fought on equal billing with the other four. Samoa Joe, new to the main-event scene on the main roster, showed all the reasons why he belongs there. Roman Reigns was also there, and he did some jump punches.
In the end, Samoa Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch and was set to face Brock Lesnar at the following PPV. Before that disappointing follow-up affair, Joe was built as a dominant force to be reckoned with by defeating four peers of this caliber. This is how a PPV main-event should be. It shouldn't be an eight minute match with a couple suplexes and one F5.
Seth Rollins was his usual solid self as he continued to embrace his newfound babyface role. Bray Wyatt surprisingly fought on equal billing with the other four. Samoa Joe, new to the main-event scene on the main roster, showed all the reasons why he belongs there. Roman Reigns was also there, and he did some jump punches.
In the end, Samoa Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch and was set to face Brock Lesnar at the following PPV. Before that disappointing follow-up affair, Joe was built as a dominant force to be reckoned with by defeating four peers of this caliber. This is how a PPV main-event should be. It shouldn't be an eight minute match with a couple suplexes and one F5.
#7: oVe vs. LAX, 5150 Street Fight, Bound For Glory
Impact is back on the board with another hardcore match - a style they do better than WWE. For those of you that don't know, the rivalry between these two factions is not only about the World Tag Team Championships but also about wrestling-related drug trafficking territory. I'm serious.
Taking a page out of Lucha Underground's book, LAX has been booked as a drug empire that control the various regions they travel to while wrestling. oVe (Ohio versus Everything) is new to the scene and have captured the tag team belts. That's not the only thing they want as they've been moving in on LAX leader Konnan's prime real estate.
Before the 5150 Street Fight commenced at Impact's biggest show of the year, veteran and LAX flag bearer Homicide was taken out backstage by a mysterious new ally of oVe's. During the match, you'll see insane spots including a dive from a balcony through a table and a powerbomb off the set stage. Jake and Dave Crist's daredevil attacks were met on equal par with Santana and Ortiz. You can see the passion these men put into this match as Jake Crist buried himself through a pile of chairs on accident while performing a superplex.
The end of the match came as Sami Callihan debuts and revealed himself as oVe's new member, and, after a thumbs-down motion and a piledriver through a table later, the Crist brothers retained their titles.
Not only do the spots in the match make this worth watching but the story and passion on display is must-see. The street fight even ends on a double turn as Callihan and company stomp on Santana and Ortiz post-match and spit on the flag of Puerto Rico. That is the definition of jam-packed action from start to finish.
Taking a page out of Lucha Underground's book, LAX has been booked as a drug empire that control the various regions they travel to while wrestling. oVe (Ohio versus Everything) is new to the scene and have captured the tag team belts. That's not the only thing they want as they've been moving in on LAX leader Konnan's prime real estate.
Before the 5150 Street Fight commenced at Impact's biggest show of the year, veteran and LAX flag bearer Homicide was taken out backstage by a mysterious new ally of oVe's. During the match, you'll see insane spots including a dive from a balcony through a table and a powerbomb off the set stage. Jake and Dave Crist's daredevil attacks were met on equal par with Santana and Ortiz. You can see the passion these men put into this match as Jake Crist buried himself through a pile of chairs on accident while performing a superplex.
The end of the match came as Sami Callihan debuts and revealed himself as oVe's new member, and, after a thumbs-down motion and a piledriver through a table later, the Crist brothers retained their titles.
Not only do the spots in the match make this worth watching but the story and passion on display is must-see. The street fight even ends on a double turn as Callihan and company stomp on Santana and Ortiz post-match and spit on the flag of Puerto Rico. That is the definition of jam-packed action from start to finish.
#6: Neville vs. Austin Aries, Submission Match, Extreme Rules
It felt like it had been awhile since we saw a submission match, let alone a feud genuinely setup around two submission holds: the Rings of Saturn and the Last Chancery.
Before the "Zo Train" came to 205Live, the "King of the Cruiserweights" Neville lorded over his fellow cruiserweights with his superior talent and cunning strategy. If Neville couldn't straight-up out-technician you in the ring, he found the opportune moment to poke you in the eye to setup his victory. Aries was a victim to all of Neville's offense as his quest to dethrone him as champion featured several PPV matches.
This last contest had its stipulation picked out perfectly as the two were submission experts and this gave Neville little avenue to retaining his title through nefarious means as he did in the past. Aries finally had a fair shot at it and gave it his all (even on his way out of the company). Neville though proved his superiority yet again as many would argue he was the in-ring MVP of the first half of 2017.
After the match concludes, Aries is seen with a reluctant but devilish smile on his face as if to say, "I've done everything I could possibly do; he's the better man". That is the lasting image of a man who failed to achieve his goals and left because the King of the Cruiserweights could not be defeated.
Before the "Zo Train" came to 205Live, the "King of the Cruiserweights" Neville lorded over his fellow cruiserweights with his superior talent and cunning strategy. If Neville couldn't straight-up out-technician you in the ring, he found the opportune moment to poke you in the eye to setup his victory. Aries was a victim to all of Neville's offense as his quest to dethrone him as champion featured several PPV matches.
This last contest had its stipulation picked out perfectly as the two were submission experts and this gave Neville little avenue to retaining his title through nefarious means as he did in the past. Aries finally had a fair shot at it and gave it his all (even on his way out of the company). Neville though proved his superiority yet again as many would argue he was the in-ring MVP of the first half of 2017.
After the match concludes, Aries is seen with a reluctant but devilish smile on his face as if to say, "I've done everything I could possibly do; he's the better man". That is the lasting image of a man who failed to achieve his goals and left because the King of the Cruiserweights could not be defeated.
#5: Low Ki vs. Sonjay Dutt, 2 Out Of 3 Falls, Slammiversary
Seeing Sonjay Dutt win the X-Division Championship for the first time ever in his motherland of India will always be a fond memory of mine. However, the rematch was better than I could have thought.
Dutt and Low Ki, two mainstays of the X-Division for over a decade, challenged one another to a two-out-of-three falls match at the company's anniversary celebration event. Besides the meaning behind being X-Division Champion, the feud had its own bitter undercurrent with an eye-for-an-eye story. Low Ki had previously injured Dutt's eye to the point of having to wear an eye patch, and Dutt returned the favor by brutally injuring Low Ki's eye later on. Two veterans with scars and gold on their minds collided in one of the best X-Division matches in years.
I don't think I have to tell you how excellent these two guys are in-ring. Watch any of their old stuff, and you would be impressed. Even years later at an older age, the two work like their livelihoods depends on it.
Low Ki in his Hit Man homage suit and Dutt in his tradition "Original Playa from the Himalaya" garb dueled it out until the first fall went the former's way with a brutal Warrior's Way stomp. Dutt then successfully recovered with a roll-up to score the second fall. Finally, Dutt hit an insane moonsault double foot-stomp for the pinfall which meant Low Ki fell to a variation of his own Warrior's Way finisher.
This could be one of if not the last important throwbacks to the glory days of this division. Dutt vs. Low Ki reminded me of Joe vs. Styles vs. Daniels and Sabin vs. Shelley and all the other nostalgic full-throttle matches the division was famous for.
Dutt and Low Ki, two mainstays of the X-Division for over a decade, challenged one another to a two-out-of-three falls match at the company's anniversary celebration event. Besides the meaning behind being X-Division Champion, the feud had its own bitter undercurrent with an eye-for-an-eye story. Low Ki had previously injured Dutt's eye to the point of having to wear an eye patch, and Dutt returned the favor by brutally injuring Low Ki's eye later on. Two veterans with scars and gold on their minds collided in one of the best X-Division matches in years.
I don't think I have to tell you how excellent these two guys are in-ring. Watch any of their old stuff, and you would be impressed. Even years later at an older age, the two work like their livelihoods depends on it.
Low Ki in his Hit Man homage suit and Dutt in his tradition "Original Playa from the Himalaya" garb dueled it out until the first fall went the former's way with a brutal Warrior's Way stomp. Dutt then successfully recovered with a roll-up to score the second fall. Finally, Dutt hit an insane moonsault double foot-stomp for the pinfall which meant Low Ki fell to a variation of his own Warrior's Way finisher.
This could be one of if not the last important throwbacks to the glory days of this division. Dutt vs. Low Ki reminded me of Joe vs. Styles vs. Daniels and Sabin vs. Shelley and all the other nostalgic full-throttle matches the division was famous for.
#4: New Day vs. The Usos, Hell in a Cell
The one saving grace for an awful year of Smackdown Live content has been the brand's tag team division. Led by The Usos' newfound microphone charisma and New Day's in-ring continuity, the feud between the two teams was the peak of the blue brand's summer and fall. Stealing every card they were on, the two teams left it all on the table in their grand finale at Hell in a Cell.
Locked inside the confines of WWE's demonic structure, Big E and Xavier Woods launched an ingenious game-plan to cripple the Usos' efforts with specialized weapon attacks. The pinnacle of all the antics had one Uce being trapped in a corner via several kendo sticks which made for a powerful dramatic visual. All four guys, with Kofi Kingston rallying on the outside, gave every effort to culminate their rivalry in the best way possible.
When the smoke cleared and The Usos successfully recovered, a mutual respect was formed between the teams ala Edge and Christian versus The Hardy Boyz at No Mercy 1999 (two moments equally important to their own generation of tag team wrestling).
It will go down as the biggest highlight for the Tuesday night show, and of course, to no one's surprise, it stole the entire PPV.
Locked inside the confines of WWE's demonic structure, Big E and Xavier Woods launched an ingenious game-plan to cripple the Usos' efforts with specialized weapon attacks. The pinnacle of all the antics had one Uce being trapped in a corner via several kendo sticks which made for a powerful dramatic visual. All four guys, with Kofi Kingston rallying on the outside, gave every effort to culminate their rivalry in the best way possible.
When the smoke cleared and The Usos successfully recovered, a mutual respect was formed between the teams ala Edge and Christian versus The Hardy Boyz at No Mercy 1999 (two moments equally important to their own generation of tag team wrestling).
It will go down as the biggest highlight for the Tuesday night show, and of course, to no one's surprise, it stole the entire PPV.
#3: Alexander and Swann vs. Gallagher and Kendrick, 205 Live
You might be taken aback a bit by a 205Live match not only being featured on the list but this highly too. However, 205Live has sneakily been a great show with seemingly little interference from the dunderheads that write Smackdown. One match stands out the most because of its stipulation: a tornado tag match.
I've been a proponent of tornado style tag matches since I first played it on Smackdown Know Your Role on the PS1. The concept grants you all of the exciting action of a fatal-four-way but with proper allegiances, double team moves, and a chaotic intoxicating pace. The match-type certainly shouldn't replace the standard classic tag style, but mixing it up once in awhile can freshen up the division. The 205Live staff took the risk, and it paid off in spades.
Featured in the match was your typical duo of African American babyfaces who typically would only team-up because of their ethnicity and their alignment. However, this time they actually have a motivation behind their teaming. Their opponents were the dastardly duo of The Brian Kendrick and Gentleman Jack Gallagher whom have teamed up for sinister reasons.
Kendrick and Gallagher were obsessed with exposing the fallacies in their fellow combatants. They used their physicality, ruthlessness and tact to get in the mind of their subject in order to reveal their target's inferiority in the school of mind-games. Alexander and Swann tired of their constant attacks and challenged them to an end-all fight to finish things.
As I stated earlier, the pace of this match is surreal. It's near mind-blowing. It calls back to the early days of X-Division prominence and Motor City Machine Guns mayhem. The intensity behind the attacks was cringe-inducing as every strike was laid into and every high-flying dive had purpose to inflict punishment rather than to flash ability. It's so much more exciting than the typical hot-tag to a finish match we have all seen thousands of times. This was two forces battling without stop, and that is what makes it a fantastic and underrated gem.
I've been a proponent of tornado style tag matches since I first played it on Smackdown Know Your Role on the PS1. The concept grants you all of the exciting action of a fatal-four-way but with proper allegiances, double team moves, and a chaotic intoxicating pace. The match-type certainly shouldn't replace the standard classic tag style, but mixing it up once in awhile can freshen up the division. The 205Live staff took the risk, and it paid off in spades.
Featured in the match was your typical duo of African American babyfaces who typically would only team-up because of their ethnicity and their alignment. However, this time they actually have a motivation behind their teaming. Their opponents were the dastardly duo of The Brian Kendrick and Gentleman Jack Gallagher whom have teamed up for sinister reasons.
Kendrick and Gallagher were obsessed with exposing the fallacies in their fellow combatants. They used their physicality, ruthlessness and tact to get in the mind of their subject in order to reveal their target's inferiority in the school of mind-games. Alexander and Swann tired of their constant attacks and challenged them to an end-all fight to finish things.
As I stated earlier, the pace of this match is surreal. It's near mind-blowing. It calls back to the early days of X-Division prominence and Motor City Machine Guns mayhem. The intensity behind the attacks was cringe-inducing as every strike was laid into and every high-flying dive had purpose to inflict punishment rather than to flash ability. It's so much more exciting than the typical hot-tag to a finish match we have all seen thousands of times. This was two forces battling without stop, and that is what makes it a fantastic and underrated gem.
#2: Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream, Takeover WarGames
What makes a great professional wrestling rivalry? Is it championship gold? Is it revenge? I think Velveteen Dream and Aleister Black provided a simple answer to that question. A rivalry can be as simple as asking for respect. This angle featured no run-in attacks or backstage beat-downs or audacious promos.
Dream only wanted Black to say his name, to acknowledge his existence and in doing so, showing him even an ounce of the respect he felt he deserved. Black never responded with a Roman Reigns shrug or a John Cena burial promo; he just ignored Dream and that silence was deafening. There was no grandstanding or sending a message or torturing mannequins or beating up miniature versions of their rivals.
How could such an antic-free and stupidity-less feud happen under the WWE umbrella? Whatever occurred to make this happen needs to continue because this is exactly how a rivalry that does not concern a championship should be written.
With more reason to fight than John Cena had to stop Bray Wyatt and Triple H to battle Sting, Velveteen Dream approached the intimidating Alleister Black in hopes of hearing his name called out of respect. Dream, the more inexperienced wrestler, went toe-to-toe with the veteran "Dutch Destroyer" and surprised many by keeping up with the action. In the end though, Black managed to hit a pointed Black Mass kick to win.
In the most captivating moment in NXT this year, Black took a microphone and sat next to a defeated Dream. With one powerful sentence, "Enjoy infamy, Velveteen Dream", Dream achieved his goal and gained the respect and attention he desired. There isn't a more simplistic yet incredibly detailed and powerful match and rivalry out there.
Dream only wanted Black to say his name, to acknowledge his existence and in doing so, showing him even an ounce of the respect he felt he deserved. Black never responded with a Roman Reigns shrug or a John Cena burial promo; he just ignored Dream and that silence was deafening. There was no grandstanding or sending a message or torturing mannequins or beating up miniature versions of their rivals.
How could such an antic-free and stupidity-less feud happen under the WWE umbrella? Whatever occurred to make this happen needs to continue because this is exactly how a rivalry that does not concern a championship should be written.
With more reason to fight than John Cena had to stop Bray Wyatt and Triple H to battle Sting, Velveteen Dream approached the intimidating Alleister Black in hopes of hearing his name called out of respect. Dream, the more inexperienced wrestler, went toe-to-toe with the veteran "Dutch Destroyer" and surprised many by keeping up with the action. In the end though, Black managed to hit a pointed Black Mass kick to win.
In the most captivating moment in NXT this year, Black took a microphone and sat next to a defeated Dream. With one powerful sentence, "Enjoy infamy, Velveteen Dream", Dream achieved his goal and gained the respect and attention he desired. There isn't a more simplistic yet incredibly detailed and powerful match and rivalry out there.
#1: Abbey Laith vs. Jazzy Gabert, Mae Young Classic
Proportionately, this match got the best crowd reaction out of any this year. This wasn't at Wrestlemania 33 in front of tens of thousands or in front of a self-indulgent Brooklyn crowd. Instead, this women's wrestling spectacle was displayed in front of an enthusiastic little clique in Full Sail University.
With only a few hundred watching in attendance, gimmicks and chants and entrances and beach balls were all put aside to have one match truly connect to its audience. This wasn't a "1....2...SWEET" or "THIS IS AWESOME" match. This was a "I can't stop clapping and screaming like a banshee; it's so good" match. It can't be understated how behaved and mature the audience was for this opening bout in the Mae Young Classic, and rightfully they should have been with the incredible material these two women provided them.
7 minutes and 33 seconds. How much can you accomplish in that time? Most of the other listed items got twice as much time as that. These two athletes, arriving to center stage with no grandiose introduction or story-line, needed to put on their best match while introducing themselves to the biggest audience they've ever had. That's a tall task and plenty of professionals have gone out there and stunk up their first serious televised WWE bout, but Jazzy Gabert and Abbey Laith are established veterans who have worked around the world. They were ready for this, and damn did they impress.
Gabert, a significant woman I knew from her appearances on Impact, stands even taller than her height as her persona of a bad-ass German captures your imagination like Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. Laith, a wily fierce competitor, has done it all on the independent circuit including kicking all of the male ass on Chikara's roster and winning the Grand Championship. These aren't your typical model women's wrestlers. They're not totally divas. They aren't the daughters of legendary wrestlers, the cousins of recording artists or color-coordinated barbie dolls. They're legit cool women who get things done in the ring better than most, regardless of gender.
Playing to her size, Gabert showcased her impressive power and presence. Playing to what got her to the dance, Laith showcased her heart, determination and poise. The two collided with Laith pulling out an unbelievable underdog victory that gave both women a magnificent rub at the end of it.
This is not only my favorite match of the year but possibly the most personally affecting women's match I've ever seen. When I watched it, all my smarkiness escaped, and I was glued to the screen as if I was a child again watching Trish Stratus and Victoria wrestle but only better. There's nothing I would change about it. The atmosphere was glorious, the participants were perfect, the action was captivating, the timing couldn't have been better and overall it's just the best designed match for my viewing pleasure.
That does it for my Top Ten list of 2017. If you're wondering why your favorite match didn't make the cut, comment about it down below.
With only a few hundred watching in attendance, gimmicks and chants and entrances and beach balls were all put aside to have one match truly connect to its audience. This wasn't a "1....2...SWEET" or "THIS IS AWESOME" match. This was a "I can't stop clapping and screaming like a banshee; it's so good" match. It can't be understated how behaved and mature the audience was for this opening bout in the Mae Young Classic, and rightfully they should have been with the incredible material these two women provided them.
7 minutes and 33 seconds. How much can you accomplish in that time? Most of the other listed items got twice as much time as that. These two athletes, arriving to center stage with no grandiose introduction or story-line, needed to put on their best match while introducing themselves to the biggest audience they've ever had. That's a tall task and plenty of professionals have gone out there and stunk up their first serious televised WWE bout, but Jazzy Gabert and Abbey Laith are established veterans who have worked around the world. They were ready for this, and damn did they impress.
Gabert, a significant woman I knew from her appearances on Impact, stands even taller than her height as her persona of a bad-ass German captures your imagination like Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. Laith, a wily fierce competitor, has done it all on the independent circuit including kicking all of the male ass on Chikara's roster and winning the Grand Championship. These aren't your typical model women's wrestlers. They're not totally divas. They aren't the daughters of legendary wrestlers, the cousins of recording artists or color-coordinated barbie dolls. They're legit cool women who get things done in the ring better than most, regardless of gender.
Playing to her size, Gabert showcased her impressive power and presence. Playing to what got her to the dance, Laith showcased her heart, determination and poise. The two collided with Laith pulling out an unbelievable underdog victory that gave both women a magnificent rub at the end of it.
This is not only my favorite match of the year but possibly the most personally affecting women's match I've ever seen. When I watched it, all my smarkiness escaped, and I was glued to the screen as if I was a child again watching Trish Stratus and Victoria wrestle but only better. There's nothing I would change about it. The atmosphere was glorious, the participants were perfect, the action was captivating, the timing couldn't have been better and overall it's just the best designed match for my viewing pleasure.
That does it for my Top Ten list of 2017. If you're wondering why your favorite match didn't make the cut, comment about it down below.
