10 matches that will steal the show through WrestleMania week.
There are plenty of companies running shows through this week, the biggest stars from all over the world are in New York and there is bound to be some incredible matches. I am going to narrow it down to 10 matches you MUST go out of your way to see no matter what.
10. Jonathan Gresham vs Shigehiro Irie- Black Label Pro
Gresham has a lot of really exciting matches coming up this week but I believe the best wrestling match will be with this man, “Beast Mode” Shigehiro Irie. Shig has made a name for himself over the last 6 months with his tour in Europe and the UK and he comes to America with big name value. Both men are two of the best around and have similar styles. With this match not happening on a big show, it hasn’t received the attention it deserves but it could truly be excellent. You can catch this show April 5th on Fite TV.
9. Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan- WrestleMania 35
This is one of the most anticipated matches on the huge card. Kofi finally gets his Wrestlemania moment, competing for the WWE championship. Whether or not Kofi goes over, this match will still be excellent. Personally, as much as I want it to happen, I don’t think Kofi will leave Mania as the WWE champion. Kofi is so underrated; this will be his coming out party and I think everybody will realise he is more than a B+ player but Bryan will retain and continue his excellent reign as WWE champion.
8. Taiji Ishimori vs Bandido vs Dragon Lee- G1 Supercard
It’s hard to not just write down every match on the G1 card. On paper, this match could be one of the best junior heavyweight matches in wrestling history. The current champion, Taiji Ishimori is an excellent wrestler and an excellent all-rounder. Bandido is one of the most innovative wrestlers on the planet and is an excellent high flyer. Dragon Lee is another excellent all-rounder. This could genuinely be the match of the night. With the rumored return of Hiromu Takahashi also on the cards, this could be magnificent for the junior heavyweight divison going forward.
7. War Raiders vs Ricochet and Aleister Black- NXT Takeover: New York
This will definitely be the best tag team match of the week. The War Raiders are amongst the best tag teams in the world and Ricochet and Aleister Black are doing fantastic on the main roster. Of course, this match is largely predictable as it is likely that the War Raiders will retain. Expect this to be high octane, fast paced action. War Raiders being the big athletic monsters they are and Ricochet, the high flyer, teaming with the hard hitting Aleister Black. It is a meshing of styles and that usually always results in a great match especially on a Takeover show.
6. Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousey- WrestleMania 35
The anticipation for this match has certainly died down due to it’s poor buildup but it will still be a barnburner. This is Becky’s big moment, as it looks she will be walking out of WrestleMania the women’s champion of both brands. All three women will likely pull out all the stops to prove they deserve that main event spot although in my eyes in indisputable whether or not they deserve because they certainly do. With rumours Ronda could be going on an extended hiatus after Mania, it is almost certain she will drop the belts but she will be hoping to give a great performance. Charlotte Flair will look to prove she is still arguably the best all round performer in the WWE. Becky will be looking to prove all this hype wasn’t just hype and that she truly is as good as she says she is. Ignore the build up to this if you must because the match itself will be remarkable.
5. WALTER vs Pete Dunne- NXT Takeover: New York
WALTER came into NXT UK to conquer the Bruiserweights now 682+ day reign. This match could change NXT UK. If WALTER wins, where does it leave Pete Dunne on that brand? If Pete wins, who can beat him? Surely it won’t be long until Pete’s reign is considered stale by everybody. Although there are plenty of questions that will go unanswered in the outcome of this match, that does not take away from the fact that this could be a match of the year candidate, never mind a match of the weekend candidate. It will be hard hitting, technical and possibly the best match of Pete’s reign.
4. Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi- G1 Supercard
They had a really great match during the New Japan Cup and I expect them to up the ante in this match. I was torn between this match and Sabre Jr vs Tanahashi taking this place. This match is for Naito’s intercontinental championship and is not actually very predictable. Either man could win this match and its guaranteed to be a barnburner. If Kota wins it gives him a purpose I guess, it will mean that he’s not just having match after match with no meaning. If Naito wins then of course he continues another great reign.
3. Zack Sabre Jr vs Hiroshi Tanahashi-G1 Supercard
At this point, I feel like I may as well of just put the entire G1 card on here. Sabre is my favourite wrestler in the world at the moment and for my money the best. As of late, he’s began to adopt a grizzled veteran look, taking on a beard and looking a lot more focused. Tanahashi is obviously the former ace of New Japan so he is always in for a shot of winning. This match will be for RevPro’s British heavyweight championship so you’d have to have your money on Zack retaining but Tanahashi winning the belt would be huge for RevPro. The last two matches these men have had in New Japan in the last two New Japan cups have been excellent technical warfares. This match will also be another technical warfare and I’m hoping for a Sabre win here. Down let me down Zack.
2. Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White- G1 Supercard
Could this be the night Okada wins back his IWGP heavyweight title? I think so yes. These two men had an underappreciated match at Wrestle Kingdom. The difference between those two matches though is that this time there are stakes. Whilst it will be a shame that White’s reign was not very long, the belt belongs on Okada. This match should be high octane stuff and great technically. Will Chaos and the Bullet Club get involved. Hopefully not because it might tamper the match. This will be the match of this show in my opinion and will hopefully end in Okada standing tall.
1. Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole-NXT Takeover: New York
There’s only one way this match will end and that’s with Gargano standing tall. I want Cole to win. This match will be excellent anyway, 2/3 falls which means a lot of wrestling between two of the best in the world. This match will be full of drama, fast paced action and will hopefully end in the right result which to me, would be Cole winning but if Gargano wins then fair enough, it will be a good match anyway.
Make sure to check out all of these matches during this week, they will all be slobberknockers and could all be match of the year candidates.
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