Call it in the Ring: My Top 5 Favourite Wrestlers

I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of a way to introduce myself to all of you fine people. A way for you to get to know me as a wrestling fan, without a long winded rambling essay. So welcome to “Call it in the Ring”. A short series of blog posts exploring my favourite wrestlers, matches and promotions so you can get to know me better.

Without further stalling, let’s dive right in with my personal Top 5 Favourite Wrestlers of all time.

5. Ultimo Dragon

During the Monday Night War, I was firmly on team WWF. However, there was one aspect of WCW that I loved and that was the Cruiserweights. With their incredible athleticism, breakneck offence and mind blowing innovation, the Cruiserweights offered a style you didn’t see in WWF at the time. For me, the man who stood out in this sea of talent was Dragon. His distinctive, varied and colourful attire immediately grabbed by attention. But what hooked me was how well rounded a performer Dragon was. With vicious kicks, a solid ground game and high flying ability, Dragon would attack you from all angles. This allowed him to escape from the confines of the division and flourish with two TV Title reigns. Most notably, a wonderful feud with Steve Regal which showcased Dragon’s versatility as he went hold for hold with Regal.

In my later years, my love for the Dragon only grew as I discovered his legendary battles with Jushin Liger, the Great Sasuke and Chris Jericho in Japan. Truly he was a worldwide star who, to this day, still performs at a high level.

Recommended viewing:

vs Rey Mysterio – WCW World War III 1996

vs Dean Malenko – WCW Starrcade 1996

vs Chris Jericho – WAR 3rd Anniversary Show

vs Jushin Thunder Liger – Tokyo Dome 1997

vs Steven Regal – WCW Slamboree 1997

vs Jushin Thunder Liger – WAR Super J Cup 1995

4. Owen Hart

What is there to say about Owen that hasn’t already been said? The youngest of Stu and Helen’s children, Owen was one of the most technically gifted wrestlers the world has ever seen. The fast paced chain wrestling style he displayed in the early 90s was far ahead of its time. It would help serve as a catalyst for popularising that style of wrestling in the States while inspiring generations to come.

But Owen wasn’t just about work rate. He had the charisma and personality to captivate you with his character. Whether it was the self-entitled little brother trying to prove himself, the egotistical tag partner trying to outshine Bulldog, a man broken by the world around him or even the Blue Blazer. Owen would always put his all into drawing you in.

Even with all of these accolades, it was the man himself that I admire the most. Over the years I’ve read many books and interviews which have one common thread. Owen was a sweetheart who was always a joy to be around. Famous for his practical jokes he lived for his family. A quality that is so hard to find in a business notorious for breaking up families and wrecking marriages. My only wish is to one day seem him enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame. It may never happen and the Hall of Fame might be viewed as a bit of a joke these days. But the sentiment would mean the world to so many.

Recommended viewing:

vs Bret Hart – WrestleMania 10

vs Bret Hart – SummerSlam 1994

vs British Bulldog – RAW (26/02/97)

vs Jushin Thunder Liger – NJPW Explosion Tour 1991

Hart Foundation vs Austin/LOD/Goldust/Shamrock – Canadian Stampede 1997

3. Kenny Omega

The Best Bout Machine isn’t just a cheesy throwaway catchphrase. When it comes to Omega, he’s proven that time and time again with a variety of opponents. From the timeless classics against Okada, to the G1 battles against Naito, to the wars against Ishii or the tag team masterpieces as part of the Golden Lovers. Omega has shown that he is the best wrestler on the planet right now. He displays a level of psychology and storytelling that very few before him have displayed. Each little nuance and call back adds to the drama and tension of his matches. But Omega isn’t just a one trick pony as he is more than capable of flexing his comedic muscles. Personally, I’ve never been a huge fan of comedy in wrestling matches. However, Omega has a way of fusing his incredible technical talent with his comedic timing to create a match that doesn’t overstay its welcome. This natural charisma has captivated millions around the world and helped to drive New Japan to some of their greatest heights.

Away from the ring he has served as an inspiration to countless individuals during some of their darkest moments. His openness in a country that can still have outdated views has given many the strength to overcome their own battles. It has been a guiding light that has helped many become comfortable of who they really are.

What excited me the most is that Omega’s story and legacy within wrestling is still being written. As part of AEW, he has the opportunity to reshape the landscape of wrestling within the US. To show a different way of doing business in an industry that can be stubborn to change. These endless possibilities are what make me believe there will be so much more to write about this man when he hangs up his boots.

Recommended viewing:

vs Kazuchika Okada (all four matches are tremendous)

vs Tetsuya Naito (any of their G1 are must see)

vs Tomohiro Ishii – G1 Climax 28 (Night 14)

vs Kota Ibushi – G1 Climax 28 (Night 18)

Golden Lovers vs Tomohiro Ishii/Will Ospreay – Road to Destruction

Golden Lovers vs The Young Bucks – Strong Style Evolved

Golden Lovers vs Prince Devitt/Ryusuke Taguchi – Destruction 2010

2. CM Punk

Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying that Punk left an indelible mark on wrestling. I first saw Punk during his ill-fated run with TNA. Despite how he was used, I was intrigued by what I saw. He showed flashes of incredible in ring talent and a hint at the character he would become famous for. Then in early 2005 I was able to get my hands on a copy of Punk vs Joe II. To say I was blown away by what I saw would be a huge understatement. I couldn’t believe the pace and aggression that both men displayed for the full 60 minutes. At the time, keeping my interest in match for over 30 minutes was unheard of. I was hooked and made it my mission to find as many of Punk’s ROH matches as I could.

However, my love affair with wrestling was about to hit its lowest point. By the end of 2005, I was completely disillusioned with wrestling. This was the height of the Super Cena Era and I wasn’t buying it. TNA was at the start of its slow decline and in here in the UK the Wrestling Channel started to shift towards MMA. Which meant by connection to Pro Wrestling NOAH and ROH was lost. Come the summer of 2006 I had stepped away from wrestling. With one exception and that was Punk. Every few weeks I would check reports and recaps to see how he was progressing in WWE. But every time I would be tempted back, there would be a decision which sucked all interest back out.

This cycle would continue until 2011 and the infamous “Pipebomb” promo. Again, I was floored by what I was seeing from Punk. In that one promo, he aired many of my own frustrations with the state of WWE. For the first time in nearly six years, I was hooked on wrestling again. The match between Punk and Cena at Money in the Bank 2011 sealed the deal and I was back in love with wrestling.

The following years have been well documented and analysed countless times. Instead of treading over the same old ground, all I will add is that Punk was the catalyst for many of the changes we’ve seen within WWE.

Recommended viewing:

vs John Cena – Money in the Bank 2011

vs John Cena – RAW (25/02/13)

vs The Undertaker – WrestleMania 29

vs Samoa Joe – Punk vs Joe II

vs Raven – ROH Death Before Dishonor 2003

vs Daniel Bryan – Over the Limit 2012

1. Mick Foley

I started watching wrestling in 1998 when I was 8 years old. It was the height of the Monday Night War and wrestling was all the rage at school. While I did follow wrestling at this age I wouldn’t say I was hooked. Not until a friend lent me a copy of King of the Ring 98. Seeing Foley free falling from the top of the Cell captivated me. To this day, I still can’t understand how Foley was able to not only get up from such a vicious move, but to continue the match and take further hellacious abuse. From that moment on, I couldn’t get enough of wrestling especially the hardcore style. I dove head first into all things hardcore and tried to find as many of Foley’s matches as I could.

As I grew older and my tastes changed, I discovered my favourite wrestler was more than just a hardcore stuntman. He was a storyteller with the incredible ability to elicit a wide range of emotions from an audience. He could make you laugh, enrage you enough to boo him out the building, fear for his sanity or feel great empathy for what he’d put his body through. This range was further reflected by the variety of characters he portrayed over the years. Many wrestlers can struggle to find that one character that really connects with audiences as propels them to super stardom. Foley was able to create three very different character which continued to evolve and propelled him to a level success that surpassed even his own expectations. The deranged Mankind transformed into the loveable misfit who won you over with his comedic timing. The flamboyant and cool Dude Love who had all the confidence in the world. And Cactus Jack, the psychotic wildman willing to go to any length and suffer through extreme pain to torture his opponent.

While Foley’s character work, promo skills and wild style brought him to prominence. It’s his selfless approach to the business that set him apart from so many others. No matter who he faced or the circumstances surrounding the match, Foley always made it his goal to showcases his opponent’s abilities as much as his own. He became the go to man for helping promising young talent take it to the next level or helping to energise established talent. This list of names speaks for itself with the likes of Austin, Rock, Triple H, Edge, Randy Orton, The Undertaker and Sting all having benefitted from working with Foley.

All of this is without mentioning the tireless charitable work that Foley has done over the years. Or the best belling books he has written. He will always hold a very special place in my heart and serve as an inspiration for me to live by.

Recommended viewing:

vs Shawn Michaels – Mind Game 1996

vs Undertaker – SummerSlam 1996

vs Undertaker – King of the Ring 1998

vs Triple H – Royal Rumble 2000

vs Randy Orton – Backlash 2004

vs Edge – WrestleMania 22

vs Sting – WCW Beach Blast 1992

Kento Miyahara vs Naoya Nomura: A Catalyst for Change

Over the past 20 years, All Japan Pro Wrestling has been a company in turmoil. On the 31^st of January 1999, company founder and legendary wrestler/promoter Giant Baba passed away. Presidency of the company would fall to the Ace of All Japan, Mitsuharu Misawa and ownership to Baba’s wife Motoko Baba. This relationship would quickly turn sour leading to Misawa being ousted as the President and removed from the board of directors. The result of this would be Misawa leaving All Japan, along with the majority of All Japan’s talent, and forming his own promotion in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Unsurprisingly, this mass exodus crippled All Japan and set the tone for what was to come. Constant in fighting between board members, ownership changes, further talent exoduses, a failing dojo and overreliance on aging wrestlers would stifle any growth making the once great company a shell of its former self.

In the summer of 2014, a new hope would emerge for All Japan when Jun Akiyama, a main stay during the height of All Japan’s success in the 90’s, would be named as the new President. Akiyama would focus on building new talent with the focal point of this vision being Kento Miyahara. Through 2014 and 2015, Miyahara would slowly work his way up the ladder winning the All Asia Tag Team Titles, World Tag Team Titles, World’s Strongest Tag Determination League and forming his own stable (Nextream) in the process. Miyahara’s rise to the top of All Japan would be solidified on the 12^th of February when he would defeat Zeus for the vacant Triple Crown Championship, becoming the youngest to win the title in the process. This would serve as another pivotal moment in rebuilding All Japan back to relevancy as Miyahara would become the Ace they desperately needed.

Kento Miyahara wearing the original belts that made up the Triple Crown Championship

Despite finding their Ace and riding his momentum to running venues, they hadn’t step foot in for years. There was still something amiss with the product All Japan was presenting to audiences. Most notably, a lack of young and talented wrestlers to compete with Miyahara. While a younger core was present, they were far removed from being ready to legitimately challenge Miyahara. This dynamic shifted on the 24^th of February in Yokohama when Naoya Nomura confronted Miyahara and made his first challenge for the Triple Crown Championship. In a move that sent shock waves through All Japan, Nomura tried to drop Miyahara with the Maximum during the handshake. To fully explain why this moment caused such a shift, we must dive into Nomura’s past.

Nomura started his wrestling training towards the end of 2013 and was one of the few wrestlers to stay loyal to All Japan during the exodus which followed Keiji Mutoh’s exit from the company. In early 2014 he made his official debut but this first year would not be a smooth one as Nomura suffered an injury that required five months of recuperation. Undeterred by this set back, Nomura would return in October of 2014 and pick up his first win at New Year Wars 2015. This would come against his eventual tag partner, and fellow young boy, Yuma Aoyagi. By the end of the year Nomura would be offered, and accept, a place in the Evolution stable (after Miyahara had turned down the offer earlier in the night to form his own stable). Nomura’s time in Evolution would be short lived as he announced his exit in the summer of 2016 to forge his own path. Teaming with Aoyagi for the majority of this time the pair were offered a place in Miyahara’s Nextream stable, which they both accepted. As part of Nextream, Nomura enjoyed arguably his best success in his time with All Japan. Multiple reigns with the All Asia Tag Titles and a Champion Carnival win over former Triple Crown Champion Takao Omori would be topped by a strong performance in the 2018 Champion Carnival. Such success started to create friction between Miyahara and Nomura as the cracks started to show within the group. During this year’s New Year Wars tour both Nomura and former Nextream stablemate Jake Lee looked to challenge Miyahara for the Triple Crown. However, Lee’s attention would shift towards the World Tag Titles leaving the door open for Nomura’s challenge. In doing so Nomura not only vacated the All Asia Tag Tiles with Aoyagi but left Nextream to join Jake Lee’s side in Sweeper.

Nomura challenging Miyahara in Yokohama

And so this long and winding road brings us to the 19^th of March and the Dream Power Series in Korakuen Hall. Miyahara vs Nomura isn’t just a battle between mentor and student but one that could shape the future of All Japan. If it’s a success then it reaffirms Akiyama’s decision to patiently grow new talent and shift the focus on to them. It gives Miyahara a much needed fresh young face to feud with for years to come. It opens the door for more of this young core to take the next step and lead All Japan to greater heights. Miyahara and Lee are both 30, Nomura is 25, Aoyagi is 23 and the Ace of the Junior Division, Koji Iwamoto, is 28. Yes it is a small core but it is one that has incredible potential and is loyal to All Japan. It’s a foundation that you can build on as you continue to invest in developing more young talent. Ultimately, it can serve as a catalyst for sustained change within All Japan.

The road ahead will not be easy as the situation is far from perfect. There is still a reliance on aging talent, freelancers, a dojo system that still has major questions surrounding it and an increasingly competitive scene in Japan. Then you have potentially the most challenging battle, winning over the public. Many are sceptical after so many years of a promotion struggling to find itself. However, an exciting young core that constantly delivers and strives to get better will start to win people over and will ignite interest in the product.

For me, this is what Miyahara vs Nomura represents. It creates excitement and hope for what the future could bring. Both of which have been in short supply in recent years when it comes to All Japan.

To follow all of the exciting action that lies ahead, subscribe to All Japan’s streaming service AJPW TV using the link below:
https://www.ajpw.tv