Match Ratings
My personal match ratings database. These ratings reflect my opinion based on in-ring work, storytelling, crowd reaction, and historical significance.
Rating Tiers
4.5+ stars. Essential viewing. These matches deserve a permanent spot in your collection.
3.5-4.25 stars. Very good matches worth seeking out.
★★★★★ (Five Stars)
The absolute best. Matches that define professional wrestling.
| Match | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| KENTA vs. Kenoh | NOAH Great Voyage 2024 | 04 FEB 2024 |
| Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada | AJPW Champion Carnival 1994 | 21 APR 1994 |
| Kenta Kobashi vs. Steve Williams | AJPW Champion Carnival 1993 | 02 APR 1993 |
| Jun Akiyama vs. Kenta Kobashi | NOAH Navigation 2003 | 01 MAR 2003 |
| Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10 | 04 JAN 2016 |
★★★★¾ (4.75 Stars)
| Match | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Naomichi Marufuji vs. KENTA | NOAH Departure 2006 | 05 NOV 2006 |
| Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada | NJPW G1 Climax 27 Final | 13 AUG 2017 |
★★★★½ (4.5 Stars)
| Match | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| KENTA vs. Naomichi Marufuji | NOAH Great Voyage 2023 | 12 NOV 2023 |
| Kenoh vs. Jake Lee | NOAH The New Year 2024 | 02 JAN 2024 |
| Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | NJPW Dominion 2018 | 09 JUN 2018 |
★★★★ (Four Stars)
Excellent matches that are highly recommended viewing.
| Match | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Go Shiozaki vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima | NOAH Global Tag League 2023 | 22 APR 2023 |
| Yota Tsuji vs. SANADA | NJPW G1 Climax 33 | 05 AUG 2023 |
| Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada | NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 | 04 JAN 2018 |
| Kento Miyahara vs. Jake Lee | AJPW Champion Carnival 2023 | 29 APR 2023 |
| Konami vs. Maki Itoh | DDT Ultimate Party 2023 | 12 NOV 2023 |
★★★¾ (3.75 Stars)
Very good matches worth your time.
| Match | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hayata vs. Daga | NOAH Destination 2024 | 03 FEB 2024 |
| Yuya Uemura vs. Yota Tsuji | NJPW Power Struggle 2023 | 04 NOV 2023 |
| Manabu Soya vs. Suwama | AJPW Real World Tag League 2023 | 06 DEC 2023 |
Rating Philosophy
I judge matches on their own terms - a DDT comedy match can earn 4 stars if it accomplishes what it sets out to do. The criteria I consider:
- In-ring execution: Move quality, timing, selling
- Storytelling: Match structure, narrative arcs, callbacks
- Crowd engagement: How the audience responds
- Context: Where this fits in the broader narrative
- X-factor: That intangible quality that makes something special
Ratings are subjective and reflect my personal viewing experience. Your mileage may vary.