Top Matches I Watched in April 2024

Top Matches I Watched in April 2024

By Alex Kalil

WHAT A MONTH! We had AEW, ROH, WWE and NXT all deliver big on PPVs including an all time Wrestlemania and one of the greatest matches ever from AEW. Plus NJPW showing signs of life and even CMLL giving us something to talk about. Months like this remind me why I love pro wrestling!

Will Ospreay vs. Powerhouse Hobbs at AEW Dynamite 4/3/24: A perfectly booked big man vs. high flyer match. Right at the opening bell, the story is spelled out for us with Ospreay trying to rush Hobbs only to get shoved back with ease and forces Ospreay to stick and move with his offense before Hobbs gets ahold of Ospreay and slams him back first on the apron. Some nice heat by Hobbs working over Ospreay's back before Ospreay starts firing up for the comeback. Ospreay tries to trade strikes with Hobbs but quickly sees that isn't going to work and instead focuses on quick offense to try and rattle Hobbs. Some really nice back and forth action from both men. Ospreay is able to counter the World's Strongest Slam into a DDT to get Hobbs down. Leap of Faith by Ospreay, who all but lands on Hobbs' head! Hobbs is rocked! Hidden Blade to the face puts Hobbs down long enough for Ospreay to get the 3. Very fun match with Ospreay clearly outmatched in terms of power and needing to work smarter to get the win. ****

Shayna Baszler vs. Masha Slamovich at GCW Josh Barnett's Bloodsport X: A nice and intense mat wrestling match. Baszler looks to be the more dominant fighter and is able to keep countering Masha's submission attempts. Some great babyface fire and working from underneath by Masha, who keeps taking the fight to Baszler. Masha is able to counter a choke hold by Baszler into one of her own before dropping Baszler on her head! Nasty! Masha tries to stay on Baszler, but Baszler gets Masha in an Ankle Lock. Masha kicks at Baszler to break the hold, only for Baszler to stomp her head in to get the referee stoppage! Brutal finish to a really good match with a hot crowd. ****

AZM, Saya Kamitani and Tam Nakano vs. Maika, Mina Shirakawa and Mei Seira at ROH Supercard of Honor 2024: A super fun showcase match for the Stardom wrestlers. Lots of great fast paced action with some really nice and unique offense from everyone. Good near-falls as the match goes on with the crowd getting into things. Shirakawa gets the pin on Kamitani in a very fun "sit down and enjoy" type of match. ****

ROH Women's World Championship Match: Athena (c) vs. Hikaru Shida at ROH Supercard of Honor 2024: A really good and heated title match. Shida comes in with a lot of Athena's early offense scouted and plays the role of the veteran against the young champion. Athena does a nice job of quickly going to the knee of Shida when her early tactics don't work in an effort to slow down Shida and take away her powerful kicks. We get some really nice back and forth action as the match builds up. Both women are able to land some big blows but neither are willing to give in. Athena hits the O Face but Shida kicks out! Athena is shocked and tries for another, only for Shida to cut her off at the top for a big Falcon Arrow. Katana by Shida with the bad leg only gets 2! Shida tries again but Athena blocks it and drops Shida on her head with a German Suplex. Big Forearm rocks Shida before one more O Face ends things. Athena finally beats Shida. Really good action with Athena, even as the champion, being the underdog to the more experienced Shida, who has beaten her in the past. Really good stuff. ****1/4

ROH World Championship Match: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Mark Briscoe at ROH Supercard of Honor 2024: An emotional and violent fight! Both men come in with something to prove and the need to win. Great storytelling with Kingston being the more vicious and aggressive heel of the match while Mark is the fiery babyface. Kingston cuts off Mark's early flurry and even busts him open. Kingston does a nice job of getting heat on Mark by just punishing him while Mark tries to keep fighting back as he is pouring blood. Mark is able to get some shots in and just throws himself at Kingston, giving it all he has in the hopes of winning. Big bombs start coming with both men throwing their best shots at the other. Exploder by Kingston off the apron and both men are down! The referee starts the count and Kingston makes it in the ring. Mark tries to get in but collapses! 19! Mark gets in the ring! My God! Both men are exhausted but keep fighting as they trade blows. Mark goes for the Jay Driller but Kingston hits the Backfist! Mark avoids the Sliding Lariat but is tagged with another Backfist. Pele by Mark! Cut-Throat Driver! Only 2! Mark isn't done! JAY DRILLER!!! 3!!! Mark Briscoe is the ROH Champion! Streamers and tears fill the ring! 11 years to the day that Jay Briscoe won the ROH World Title, Mark does the same. Excellent back and forth, hard hitting wrestling match but the emotional ending took it to another level! What a match! ****1/2 

Women's World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch at WWE Wrestlemania XL Night 1: A really good back and forth match. Nice story-telling right from the bell with Rhea being the powerhouse and Becky having to work a smarter match as the veteran and goes after the arm all match to set up for the armbar. Some good back and forth exchanges with Becky trying to match Rhea with  some big offense of her own, only to keep going back to the arm while Rhea gets more and more frustrated at Becky kicking out. Manhandle Slam and Riptide only get near-falls for both women. Becky finally gets the Dis-Arm-Her locked in but Rhea is able to power out into a brutal Electric Chair Drop on the floor! Becky is able to fight back and tries for a Manhandle Slam off the top but Rhea counters with Riptide into the corner! A second Riptide is enough for Rhea to retain! Really great stuff from both women with a good, simple story to the match. ****

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn at WWE Wrestlemania XL Night 1: A perfect David vs. Goliath match! Right at the bell, Zayn tries to take the fight to Gunther but is quickly shut down by Gunther's size and power. Gunther takes his time to work over and just beat down Zayn, who gets in some nice hope spots here and there to stay in things. Zayn is able to string together some big offense on Gunther until Gunther finally has enough and nails a big powerbomb. But Zayn still kicks out! Gunther is pissed now! Hammers Zayn with a Lariat and more powerbombs! Gunther starts yelling and mocking Zayn's wife in the crowd as he hits two top rope splashes to just add insult to injury. But Zayn is still alive! He fires up and Gunther looks shocked as he goes to the top rope! Zayn kicks Gunther's legs out from under him. BRAINBUSTAAAAHHH! OH MY GOD! Helluva Kick to Gunther! Sami does it! A brilliant babyface performance against the monster Gunther! Extra points for the tribute to El Generico with the finish. ****1/2

Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Komander at AEW Collision 4/6/24: Just a wild Lucha spot-fest match. Komander plays the role of the underdog high flyer taking bigger risks against the larger and more powerful Penta, who goes for big offensive bombs against the smaller Luchador. Some exciting action and spots from both men with Komander taking a beating but keeps getting back up. Komander is able to counter a Superplex and goes all out on Penta with his offense. Komander goes to the well once too often and Penta is able to counter a rope walk Shooting Star Press into a Lungblower! Insane! Fear Factor by Penta ends things. Super fun action-filled Lucha match. ****

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer at NXT Stand & Deliver 2024: A very fun big monster team vs. high flying team. Babyfaces jump the champions at the start and look to keep the pace fast with their high risk style and just throwing themselves at their opponents. Champions, meanwhile, look to manhandle and toss around the babyfaces. Some really exciting and fun back and forth action with some nice near-falls for both teams. Axiom and Frazer try to take out Bron and get the win on Corbin, only for Bron to make the save and end things with a big Spear on Frazer. Simple, effective and very fun match! ****

Triple Threat Match for the NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs at NXT Stand & Deliver 2024: An awesome Hoss match! All three men killed it all match long. Nice story early on with Broggs and Dijak trying to work together to try and take out Oba, only to end up going at it with each other too. Lots of insane big man spots: Oba using Dijak as a battering ram, Briggs chokeslaming Dijak off the top to the outside onto a seated Oba and Dijak hitting a Death Valley Driver on Briggs while on Oba's shoulders! Ridiculous! Dijak starts unloading several Feast For Your Eyes on both men to take them out. Dijak covers Briggs but Oba breaks it up and powerbombs Dijak onto Briggs! Oba covers and retains! This was three meaty men slapping meat and it was fucking awesome! ****1/2

Dragon Kid, Kzy and YAMATO vs. Ben-K, Kota Minoura and Shun Skywalker at GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8: A fun and enjoyable back and forth match. We get some nice opening exchanges from everyone before the younger team is able to isolate and work over Dragon Kid for some heat. Some nice teamwork from Ben-K, Minoura and Shun before Dragon Kid gets the hot tag and things pick up. Lots of fast paced exchanges and near-falls from everyone with the veteran team using their experience to work together and fight back. Dragon Kid is able to pull off the victory for his team in a good showcase match. **** 

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre at WWE Wrestlemania XL Night 2: A  good fast paced, all out match. Drew nails Rollins with a Claymore right at the bell for a nice early near-fall. Right from there Rollins is on the back foot, made worse due to his hurt knee, which he needs to work around and adapt to hitting moves without landing on his bad knee for a nice bit of selling. Match becomes a back and forth bomb fest as both men throw their best shots at the other all match. Lots of nice near-falls for both men as they work at a furious and relentless pace. Drew catches Rollins rolling back into the ring with a Claymore before one more Claymore ends things! New champion! This was a very fun 10 minute match that told a good story all match with Rollins being hurt and having to go full speed in the hopes of retaining, only to be out-punched by Drew. ****

Triple Threat Match for the WWE United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens at WWE Wrestlemania XL Night 2: A really good triple threat match. Orton and Owens start off working together to beat up Logan before the two eventually get into it with each other. They do a nice job of keeping all 3 men involved in the match while working at a nice pace and getting some good near-falls with Orton hitting an RKO and Logan using the brass knuckles for only 2. Orton goes for The Punt on Logan but he is saved with one of his buddies, who eats a RKO for his troubles. Owens with a Pop-Up Powerbomb on Logan and a Stunner to Orton but only gets 2. Pop-Powerbomb on Orton into a RKO! Logan tosses Orton out the ring and hits a Frog Splash on Ownes to retain. Good stuff with everyone getting a chance to shine and Logan taking every shortcut to win. ****

WWE Women's Championship Match: IYO SKY (c) vs. Bayley at WWE Wrestlemania XL Night 2: A very simple but effective women's match. The two start off with some early back and forth action before Bayley hits a dive and comes up favoring her knee. IYO sees this and goes to work on the knee to soften Bayley up while Bayley works from underneath. Match becomes a back and forth battle with some nice offensive exchanges and counters. IYO hits Over The Moonsault for a big near-fall but Bayley counters when she tries it again. Bayley tries for the Rose Plant but IYO counters out only to be caught in the backdrop suplex. Elbow Drop and a Rose Plan00t is enough and Bayley is champion. A very good back and forth match with the heel working over a limb and the babyface making a comeback to win. Simple wrestling done well. ****

Bloodline Rules Match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes at WWE Wrestlemania XL Night 2: A wild and crazy rollercoaster of a match. Things kick off with both men working the typical WWE big match style with some feeling out and working holds. Roman is the first to introduce weapons to the match when Cody starts to get the advantage and Roman tries to make things a fight. A short brawl into the crowd before both men start going for the bigger shots on each other for some good near-falls. Cody hits a Spear of his own on Roman and hits a pair of Cross Rhodes. Cody goes for a third but here comes Jimmy Uso. Jey Uso comes out and the two brothers fight up the ramp before Jey spears Jimmy off the stage through a table! Roman hits Cody with a Spear but only gets a 2! Cody is still in this and spears Roman through the barricade! Cross Rhodes again but Solo Sikoa in and hits the Samoan Spike! Spear/Samoan Spike combo for only 2! Holy shit! John Cena is here! AA to Solo through the announcer's table! The Rock is out! Rock Bottom to Cena! SHIELD MUSIC!!! Rollins from behind but Roman is there with a Superman Punch to take him out! Gong! IT'S THE FUCKING UNDERTAKER!!! Chokeslam to The Rock! It's just Cody, Roman and Rollins left in the ring. Roman has a chair but he hits Rollins instead of Cody! Payback for the Shield betrayal all those years ago! Cody with a Cross Rhodes on Roman! A second one! One final Cross Rhodes and Cody finishes the story! My God! This was a wild ride of a match with so many callbacks to past feuds and angles. An overbooked mess near the end but it all worked here. What a crowning moment for Cody! ****1/2

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney (c) vs. Catch 22 vs. Intergalactic Jet Setters at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2024: A super fun, fast paced, action-filled tag match. Pretty chaotic all match with everyone just going at it from the start with little to no tags. War Dogs play the big monster heels to the faster and more agile Catch 22 and the submission specialty of the Jet Setters. Lots of great near-falls and action all match with everyone getting some big offense in. War Dogs are finally able to  isolate the Jet Setters and hammer them before a Full Clip on KUSHIDA gets them the win. Great match and felt like the shot in the arm the division needed. ****

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Yota Tsuji at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2024: A really great title match between the veteran champion and the up and coming monster. Nice feeling out process early on with Tsuji not letting Naito play games with him and taking the fight right to him and working over the midsection. Naito fights back and takes over with his trusted game plan of working the neck to set up for Destino. A good story plays out with Tsuji working from underneath and needing to rely on his bursts of power to hit big offensive bombs in the hopes of pulling victory out from under Naito. Interesting story moment with Tsuji getting flustered at Naito fighting back control time and time again so he takes risks like using a Boston Crab from his Young Lions days and slips off the top rope when he goes high risk. Naito, meanwhile, stays calm and focused on his game plan and works it to perfection. Naito counters a Falcon Arrow attempt into a Destino before one more Destino gives Naito the win. Great effort by Tsuji, who looks great in defeat but clearly lacked the discipline needed to be champion for now, while Naito continues to wrestle all his main event matches his way and win. ****

Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and Kyle Fletcher at AEW Collision 4/13/24: A really great TV tag team match. Hobbs and Fletcher jump the BCC on the ramp and start things off hott with a fight on the floor. Danielson and Clauio are able to take control and get some shine in the ring for a bit. Match settles into a nice flow with the heels looking to isolate, brawl and hurt the BCC members while the babyfaces fight from underneath and make a couple comebacks. A few examples in the match of the heels having the advantage but trying to inflict more punishment on the babyfaces and it costing them control of the match. Finish comes when Hobbs tries to grab a chair only for Danielson to take him out with a knee. This distracts Fletcher enough for Claudio to catch him with the Neutralizer and get the win. A really exciting bell to bell match with a nice story sprinkled in. ****

Jack Perry vs. Shota Umino at NJPW Windy City Riot 2024: A really fun back and forth match. Perry is fully a heel here in Chicago and works the match nicely to get heat on Umino, who works a classic babyface style. Perry did a great job at working the crowd and taking every cheap shot he could to take over on Umino time and time again. Umino plays his role nicely and looks fired up fighting back. Perry gets sucked into playing to the crowd and tries for a GTS only for Umino to counter into a DDT. Blaze Blade to the back of Perry's head and a Death Rider is enough to give Umino the win. A very fun but standard match that really got boosted by how into it the crowd was. Great work by both men here. ****

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Jon Moxley at NJPW Windy City Riot 2024: A really good fired up match from these two. Naito starts off toying with Moxley, which quickly leads to Moxley taking the fight to Naito and brawling with him around ringside. I like Moxley working a more vicious and violent style than Naito is used to and taking him off his game. Moxley goes for a dive only for Naito to throw a chair in his face! Moxley is busted open and almost gets counted out for a nice close call. Story of the match becomes Naito working a more desperate style to try and get the win from Moxley, who seems monstrous in the ring even while wounded. Naito tries for a quick roll-up and a Destino out of nowhere but Moxley isn't staying down, even fighting back with a pair of Death Riders for near-falls. Naito goes for Destino again but Moxley fights it off and hits a Cutter. A final Death Rider by Moxley is enough! Moxley is IWGP Champion! Great stuff with Naito trying his normal tactics but seemingly not being ready for what Moxley brought to the table this night. ****

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable at WWE Raw 4/15/24: An excellent match between two babyfaces. Match starts off and right away the story is clear: Sami is faster and more agile while Gable is the better mat wrestler. Some early exchanges highlight this before Gable is able to trip Sami on the top rope and he comes down hard on his knee. Gable is all over the hurt leg and starts going for the Ankle Lock every chance he gets. Sami does an amazing job trying to fight back and keep away from Gable's submission holds. Some excellent back and forth and near-falls for both men. Gable seems one step ahead of Sami as the match goes on but makes a mistake of going to the top rope only for Sami to counter with a powerbomb! Sharpshooter by Sami! But his knees gives out! Gable German Suplexes Sami into the buckle! Gable, again, goes high risk with a Moonsault! Sami gets his feet up but Gable grabs it! Ankle Lock! Roll-up by Sami! Kickout! Gable charges Sami but gets hit with an Exploder in the corner! Helluva Kick! Sami gets the pin and retains! My God, what a finishing stretch! Gable found a weakness and worked over Sami and forced him to work from underneath all match and, like a true babyface, Sami did! Sami looked for the Helluva Kick all match and finally hit it to get the win. Fantastic stuff! ****1/4

Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli at AEW Dynamite 4/17/24: A really great bell to bell wrestling match. We get the classic power vs. speed match up with Claudio looking to ground and work over Ospreay while Ospreay looks for quick offense and powerful blows. Some great opening exchanges from both men with Ospreay using his quickness to start off in control before Claudio goes to work on the back and uses some submissions to try and break Ospreay down. Match picks up with both men pulling off some insane counters and sequences for several near-falls. Claudio goes for the Big Swing only for Ospreay to fight up and hit a DDT to stop it! Insane! Leap of Faith by Ospreay only gets 2 but a Hidden Blade ends things. Incredible chemistry from these two as they go out here and just have an awesome wrestling match. ****1/4

Bunkhouse Brawl: Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher at AEW Collision 4/20/24: A fun, wild brawl of a match. Takeshita and Fletcher jump the BCC as they make their entrance and the fight quickly spills into the crowd and around the arena. BCC is able to fight back and take over on the heels for a good bit of time. Fletcher turns the tide by tossing a chair into Danielson's face, busting him open, and throwing powder into Claudio's eyes. Love seeing the heels take over by using weapons. BCC is able to fight back from underneath before Powerhouse Hobbs runs in to stop their momentum. Jon Moxley runs in and fights Hobbs to the back. Danielson counters a powerbomb off the top and hurricanranas Takeshita onto a chair! Claudio nails Fletcher with an uppercut with a chain! Danielson hits the Busaiku Knee and locks Fletcher in the LeBell Lock. Danielson uses the chain and chokes Fletcher with it! Fletcher taps out! Very fun brawl for TV. Loved the minimal weapons usage and leaning more into the fight atmosphere of things. ****

AEW Continental Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. PAC at AEW Dynasty 2024: An excellent back and forth match between these two. Some good mat wrestling early on before PAC is able to take over with his quick offense on Okada. Match spills to the floor and Okada nails a brutal looking draping DDT on PAC! My God! Okada looks to keep after the neck while PAC tries to keep the pace fast. Some great back and forth before PAC misses a Black Arrow off the top. Okada goes for the Rainmaker but PAC nicely keeps countering it and even locks Okada in the Brutalizer. Okada goes to the eyes to break the hold but walks into a Tombstone Piledriver by PAC! Black Arrow attempted again but Okada holds the referee in the way and stalls PAC long enough so that when PAC does go for the Black Arrow, Okada gets his knees up. So great! Rainmaker by Okada ends things. A slow start to things but picked up and built to a great finish that really highlighted Okada's new heel antics. ****1/4

AEW International Championship Match: Roderick Strong (c) vs. Kyle O'Reilly at AEW Dynasty 2024: A really great technical back and forth match from these former friends. Both men have nice strategies going in with Kyle looking to wrestle and go after Strong's arms and knees for submissions while Strong wants to go after the previously hurt back of Kyle. Some really great back and forth all match with both men being able to counter the other due to knowing each other so well. Finish comes when Kyle's back finally gives out from all of Strong's offense and leaves him open for a jumping knee and End of Heartache for Strong to retain. Great bell to bell match and left room for another match down the road. ****

Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson at AEW Dynasty 2024: This is easily one of the greatest professional wrestling matches of all time! Right from the bell these two start off mat wrestling and working holds at just another level. Danielson is the better pure wrestler and nicely grounds Ospreay early on until Ospreay is able to start picking up momentum.  Love the story of Danielson picking about Ospreay's body piece by piece and forcing Ospreay to work from underneath and dig deep to fight back. Ospreay does fire up and we start getting some breathtaking counters and exchanges. So many great moments: Ospreay countering a hurricanrana off the top and landing on his feet, Tiger Suplex off the top by Danielson, La Mística into a LeBell Lock! Danielson goes for a Busaiku Knee but Ospreay lifts him up for a powerbomb. NO! Danielson with a Dragon Rana! Busaiku Knee! Kickout! Danielson stomps Ospreay's head in! LeBell Lock is in but Ospreay fights out of it. Danielson transitions into a Triangle Choke. Ospreay with a Styles Clash! Both men are on their knees slugging it out. Slap to Ospreay. Hidden Blade to Danielson's face! Oscutter.. Danielson counters with a Busaiku Knee in mid-air! MY GOD! Both men stand in opposite corners and lock eyes! They charge! Ospreay is quicker and nails the Hidden Blade! Storm Driver 93!!! Danielson is hurt! Hidden Blade to the back of the head and Ospreay ends it! DEAR LORD! What a match! There are no words to describe this match. It was a perfect bell to bell wrestling match from two of the greatest wrestlers today. 5 FUCKING STARS! *****

Ladder Match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Final: The Young Bucks vs. FTR at AEW Dynasty 2024: A brutal and violent ladder match. Both teams start off hot and go for their tag team finishers early before bringing in the ladders and just beat the hell out of each other. Dax is busted open and starts pouring blood as the Bucks work on beating down FTR including an EVP Trigger while Dax is crotched on a bridged ladder. FTR is able to fight back with Dax and Cash throwing caution to the wind as they try anything they can to take out the Bucks. Power and Glory off ladders. 450 from Nick to Cash through a table on the outside! Dax piledrives Matt on a bridged ladder! It's insane! Nick is left alone with FTR. Cash goes for a dive on Nick but misses and crashes into a table! Dax and Nick climb the ladder and Dax smashes Nick with the belt. Someone knocks the ladder over on Dax! IT'S JACK PERRY! Nick climbs the ladder and The Young Bucks are tag team champions again! Crowd was a little out of this match but these guys killed themselves in this match with a nice twist at the finish with Perry showing up. ****

AEW World Championship Match: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Swerve Strickland at AEW Dynasty 2024: A really simple but good wrestling match. Joe is the dominant and powerful champion that looks to manhandle the quicker challenger, Swerve. Some nice early exchanges with Joe soundly in control but Swerve getting in some shots to stay alive and frustrate Joe. Swerve nicely goes to work on Joe's arm to take away some of his power and ability to lock in the choke while Joe works over Swerve's neck. Some good back and forth from both men before we get into some of the bigger blows and near-falls. Joe is able to power out of a submission to Buckle Bomb Swerve and hits the Muscle Buster for only 2. Joe tries to use the belt but Swerve catches Joe coming in the ring with a knee. 450 and a Swerve Stomp still only gets 2! Joe goes to the eyes and locks Swerve in the choke! Swerve starts to fade but somehow fights out of it and uses an Armbreaker on Joe's arm! House Call for only 2. Swerve goes to the top but Joe meets him up there. Swerve gets behind Joe for a powerbomb! Swerve Stomp! Swerve covers and gets the 3! New champion! Really good match with Swerve taking everything Joe dished out and kept fighting back before finally getting the win. ****

Submission Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Blue Panther at CMLL Super Viernes 4/5/24: A really well done technical wrestling match. Lots of working holds and submissions early on with Panther using his veteran experience to counter Danielson's younger and faster style. Danielson plays an amazing Lucha style heel all match. Laying in strikes while taunting and toying with Panther and the crowd. Lot of great moments of Panther making short comebacks to fluster Danielson time and time again all the while Danileson keeps looking for the LeBell Lock. Finish comes with Panther able to surprise Danielson with a Fujiwara Armbar! Danielson gets his foot under the rope before tapping out and Panther thinks he won. Danielson uses the opening to wrestle Panther down and finally locks in the LeBell Lock for the tap out. A really great showcase of skills and highlights Danielson's ability to be an amazing heel. Panther held his own well but was clearly a step slower due to his age but it worked here. ****

Parking Lot Fight: Chuck Taylor vs. Trent Beretta at AEW Rampage 4/27/24: This was a wild and enjoyable fight. Nice use of the setting and gimmick with most of the match revolving around using the vehicles as a weapon or something to hurt each other. Lots of violent looking spots with smashed windshields, broken boards and a good amount of blood. Trent gets the win by low blowing Chuck, hitting a piledriver on a car and choking him out. A violent end to the Best Friends. ****