Matches of the Week 15/08- 21/08

This week's highly competitive matches of the week are, once again, dominated by the conclusion of NJPW's G1 Climax tournament. Featured this week are the Tanahashi/Nakamura match that ensured the G1 Climax tournament concluded with the match of the tournament and a fantastic match between the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Kushida, and Ricochet. However, not all the high profile matches from the closing weekend of NJPW's G1 Climax could make the list. Notable exceptions include the Okada/Nakamura match that determined the winner of Block B- Nakamura defeated the IWGP Heavyweight Champion via submission after an excellent match, The Young Bucks put on their best match to date with reDRagon in an unsuccessful attempt to defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship and a fun tag match between the Bullet Club and Okada, Bennett and Tavern that suggested Styles still has unfinished business with the champion.

Elsewhere, at Evolve 47, Timothy Thatcher put on a wrestling clinic with Zack Sabre Jr along with a highly entertaining match between 'Speedball' Mike Bailey and Chris Hero.

Here are this week's matches of the week.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Available to watch here.

No surprises to begin with. Two of the finest in the world produced an instant classic in the final of this year's G1 Climax. After finishing at the top of Block A, Hiroshi Tanahashi met the winner of Block B, Shinsuke Nakamura, in a match that certainly did not disappoint.

After a serious of grappling exchanges, Tanahashi begins work on the knee looking to negate the Boma Ye. Tanahashi, demonstrating his years of experience, stomps on the left knee of Nakamura before applying a wrench lock. Nakamura reaches the ropes-Nakamura connects with a enziguri that sends Tanahashi to the outside. After landing multiple blows ringside, Nakamura rolls Tanahashi back inside the ring, applying a Japanese choke hold before transitioning into a side headlock. Buoyed by the support of the crowd, Tanahashi breaks free of the hold to deliver a powerslam- Tanahashi heads to the second rope and connects with a 180 splash.

After kicking out of the pin attempt, Nakamura reverses and stomps Tanahashi in the corner in his signature style. Tanahashi grabs Nakamura's leg to prematurely end his stomps- Tanahashi delivers a dragon screw leg whip as Nakamura rolls to the outside. Tanahashi, after heading to the top rope, connects with the High Fly Flow to the outside before rolling Nakamura back in the ring- Tanahashi isn't granted the opportunity to attempt the pin as Nakamura connects with a knee to keep Tanahashi outside.

Nakamura allows Tanahashi to return to the ring on his own accord before trading forearms strikes in the centre of the ring. Attempted cross body by Tanahashi misses- Nakamura takes advantage of his imbalance to deliver a back stabber followed by a half nelson suplex for a near fall.  Nakamura lines up the Boma Ye but Tanahashi delivers a basement dropkick to the knee before another dragon screw leg whip. Tanahashi locks in the Boston crab as Nakamura desperately claws his way to the ropes- Tanahashi follows the submission attempt with a michinoku driver for a near fall. Tanahashi heads up top again looking for the High Fly Flow- Nakamura scrambles out the way at the last second before connecting with a Boma Ye to the back of the head! Nakamura connects with a knee strike from the second rope before looking for a second Boma Ye- Tanahashi reverses, rolling out the way before rolling up Nakamura- kick out at 2. Nakamura, back to his feet, connects with a roundhouse kick before connecting with a second Boma Ye- Tanahashi kicks out at 2!

Nakamura, riddled with doubt, lines up another Boma Ye but Tanahashi reverses with the swingblade. Tanahashi heads to the top rope and connects with the High Fly Flow to a standing Nakamura before delivering a second...1...2... Nakamura kicks out. Dragon suplex attempt by Tanahashi blocked by Nakamura who swings around and connects with a stiff forearm- Nakamura and Tanahashi trade forearm shots in the centre of the ring before Nakamura connects with the Samoan Driver! Tanahashi, somehow, manages to kick out again as both men lay wasted on the ground, Remarkably, Tanahashi rises to his feet the same time as Nakamura before delivering another dragon screw leg whip before attempting a second swingblade but Nakamura reverses into a cross arm breaker! Wisely, Tanahashi keeps his arms tightly locked together to deny Nakamura the opportunity to apply maximum leverage. Tanahashi powers out before Nakamura connects with another Boma Ye. Somehow Tanahashi kicks out at the last available opportunity. Nakamura lifts Tanahashi to the tope rope- Tanahashi regains consciousness before the two trade forearms shots on the top rope. Incredibly, Tanahashi somehow connects with the High Fly Flow whilst the two men are on the top rope. Sensing his opportunity to headline Wrestle Kingdom 10, Tanahashi delivers a second High Fly Flow followed by a third to pick up the victory and head to the main event of NJPW's biggest show of the year.

Holy fucking shit. What a great match this was. Two of the best in the world perform to the best of their abilities and produced an absolute classic. According to Meltzer, Tanahashi now has as many five star matches since 2012 as WWE do in their entire history. Sure, I can understand certain people's frustrations with Tanahashi being victorious here due to his reputation as the Japanese John Cena. However, I feel the comparison is completely reductive and Tanahashi proved once again here why he is one of the very best in the world. When the time comes for considering match of the year contenders, this will undoubtedly be a major part of those discussions.

Ricochet vs Kushida

Two months ago, Kushida defeated Kyle O Reilly to win the Best of Super Juniors tournament thus entitling him to a shot at Kenny Omega's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. At Dominion 7.5, Kushida, after an engrossing match, submitted Kenny Omega with the Hoverboard Lock to be crowned the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in another break out performance. On 16th August, Kushida made his first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defence against a familiar enemy in the form of Ricochet. In their previous encounter, Ricochet defeated Kushida to win the Best of Super Juniors 2014.

As the match begins, Kushida and Ricochet reach a stalemate as they jockey for position early on. A head scissor take down sends Kushida to the outside- Ricochet considers some aerial offence before deciding against it. Instead, Ricochet rebounds of the ropes and handsprings across the ring only for Kushida to connect with a drop kick allowing him to regain control. Kushida begins work on the left arm of Ricochet, looking to enfeeble it in order to ensure the likelihood of success with the Hoverboard Lock later on. Ricochet reverses with a blue thunder bomb as Kushida rolls to the outside again to regain his composure- Ricochet connects with the tope con hilo over the ring post sending Kushida crashing to the floor. After rolling Kushida back in the ring, Ricochet connects with a springboard 450- kick out at 2 by the champion. Kushida successfully lands a dropkick to send Ricochet reeling to the outside- a game of one-upmanship transpires as Kushida connects with a tope con hilo of his own. Kushida's momentum doesn't last long before Ricochet lands a back breaker followed by a standing shooting star press.

Ricochet, lifting the flaccid champion to his legs, attempts a tornado ddt but Kushida holds on to apply the Hoverboard Lock. Ricochet successfully claws his way to the ropes. Back to his feet, Ricochet attempts a diving cross body but Kushida catches him in that Hoverboard Lock. Writhing in pain, Ricochet powers to his feet to deliver a devastating single arm powerbomb-kick out at 2. Kushida and Ricochet trade forearm strikes in the centre of the ring before a spinning heel kick grounds Kushida- Ricochet, dragging Kushida back to his feet, delivers two consecutive northern lights suplexes before hanging on to deliver a ferocious brainbuster! Kushida kicks out at 2 before successfully avoiding a springboard 450. Kushida follows the reversal up with a dragon suplex before heading to the top rope to deliver a moonsault- Ricochet kicks out at 2! Kushida locks in the Hoverboard Lock but somehow Ricochet manages to summon what little remaining strength he has left to power out- Ricochet lifts Kushida up in a fireman's lift before attempting a roundhouse kick, Kushida blocks but Ricochet connects with the meteora. Ricochet, sensing his opportunity, heads to the top rope and connects with a beautiful shooting star press...1...2... the champion kicks out! Ricochet, incredulous, attempts the 630 but there is nobody home! Kushida locks in the Hoverboard lock to make Ricochet tap and successfully defend his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

Everyone knew the outcome of this match before it started. However, it is testament to both competitors that they generated such suspense through a series of false finishes and submission holds. After the match, Ricochet made his intentions clear to challenge Kushida once again as he reminded fans both men are currently tied at one victory each.

Timothy Thatcher vs Zack Sabre Jr.

Last month, Timothy Thatcher defeated Drew Galloway to become Evolve and DGUSA Champion.

At Evolve 47, Thatcher makes his first title defence against a man who got the better of him the last time they met. The Evolve match of 2014, at Evolve 34, Thatcher was defeated by Zack Sabre Jr in a technical masterpiece. This time, the Evolve and DGUSA titles are being defended by Thatcher.

As the match gets under way, Thatcher and Sabre alternatively attempt various submission hods which their opponent is equal to. Both Sabre and Thatcher begin the match by targeting the arm in anticipation of their respective arm submission holds. Thatcher changes his tact after the initial exchange to begin work on Sabre's legs. Thatcher connects with a dragon screw leg whip before applying the ankle lock. Sabre Jr successfully scrambles to the ropes in time.

Thatcher, unwilling to grant the challenger an opportunity to regain his composure, delivers a snap suplex before attempting to apply a fujiwara arm bar- again, Zack Sabre Jr blocks by locking his arms together. Returning to their feet, Thatcher and Sabre trade forearm blows in the centre- Sabre Jr encourages Thatcher to hit him harder. Thatcher throws a ferocious uppercut but Sabre caught it and proceeds to lock in the cross arm breaker! Sabre wrenches Thatcher's fingers before breaking the hold to deliver several kicks to the champions weakened arm.

Sabre picks up the champ to deliver a northern lights suplex- Sabre holds on to the arm and locks in the cross arm breaker once again! Thatcher manages to roll Sabre up for a pinning combination but Zack Sabre Jr keeps hold of the arm! Thatcher, somehow, manages to escape the arm breaker but Sabre follows up with two penalty kicks- kick out at 2 by Thatcher. Thatcher heads to the corner to break Sabre's relentless assault- Sabre follows but meets a huge uppercut almost knocking him out. Thatcher delivers a bridging dead lift german- kick out at 2 by the challenger. Thatcher delivers a series of stiff knees in the corner before locking in the fujiwara arm bar once again- Sabre reverses into a cross arm breaker of his own before Thatcher reverses into an ankle lock which Sabre reverses again!Thatcher, equal to the task, breaks free of the hold before applying an ankle lock to make Sabre tap out. Timothy Thatcher retains his Evolve and DGUSA titles in a fantastic match

I understand this match may not be to everyone's taste. But if you are a fan of mat based wrestling this match is highly recommended. Two of the best grapplers in the world produced perhaps their best performance of the year so far. Both men head of to BOLA in a week and i for one wouldn't be disappointed to witness Thatcher vs Sabre again.

Chris Hero vs 'Speedball' Mike Bailey

Not many can claim to have had a better 2015 than Chris Hero. Arguably in the form of his career, Hero has featured in fantastic matches against the likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Tommy End, Drew Gulak and Trevor Lee. At Evolve 47, Hero faced a man he has previous history with in PWG. Over the past couple of years, "Speedball" Mike Bailey's reputation as one of the hottest properties has exponentially grown. Arriving in his karate gear, Speedball bows to the announcer and the referee before Hero makes his entrance.

Chris Hero offers a handshake to the considerably smaller man before patronisingly rubbing his head- Speedball, offended by such a gesture, connects with an enziguri before an unsuccessful attempted roll up. Hero, perhaps underestimating the speed of Mike Bailey, rolls to the outside. Tope suicida attempted by Bailey but Hero dodges before delivering a devastating big boot. Ragging Bailey back to his feet, Hero delivers a series of chops Kobashi would be proud of to illuminate the t shirt tanned torso of Mike Bailey. After rolling Bailey back in the ring, Hero grabs Bailey's black belt to taunt Speedball- Bailey returns to his feet to deliver a series of chops in the corner. Hero connects with a huge knee strike to regain control by sending Bailey crashing to the mat- Hero delivers several chops in the corner- Mike Bailey can barely stand before hitting an enziguri that takes Hero by surprise. Hero misses with a rolling elbow and heads to the outside- Bailey connects with a moonsault to the outside followed by a shot gun dropkick. Bailey, now in control, rolls Hero back into the ring before connecting with the corkscrew shooting star press. Bailey, heading up top, misses with the shooting star press and walks into a huge boot by Hero.

Chris Hero attempts a piledriver but Mike Bailey escapes- Hero unloads with several chops but Bailey doesn't flinch! Hero looks for the tombstone, Bailey reverses into a back body drop. Speedball connects with another moonsault before delivering a fierce shining wizard. Hero, wisely, rolls to the outside- Bailey flies but no one is home! Hero rolls Bailey back into the ring before another tombstone attempt- again reversed by Speedball into a jack knife cradle roll up before delivering the shooting star knees to the back of Hero. A flurry of kicks by Bailey only appears to strengthen Hero's resolve- Hero blocks the kicks before connecting with a rolling elbow. Hero pulls the limp Bailey to his feet before connecting with a ripcord elbow to pick up the victory.

For me, when these two met at PWG Threemendous they produced a marginally better match then they did here. That statement reflects how incredible their match was at PWG, not a reflection on their match here. This was an excellent match and, for my money, was the best from Evolve 47.

ECIII vs PJ Black

After attacking Matt Hardy with the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, TNA's last vestige of hope, ECIII, challenged Jeff Jarrett to send out the best that GFW has to offer. For anyone unfamiliar with GFW, for the past month or so Jeff Jarrett and his promotion Global Force Wrestling have been running roughshod over the TNA locker room. Anyway, PJ Black, formerly known as Justin Gabriel, emerges to accept ECIII's challenge in what resembles a match of missed opportunities for WWE; since leaving NXT, the then equable Derrick Bateman has transformed into the sociopathic egotist and now TNA Champion ECIII. Similarly, Justin Gabriel has embraced a new "Darewolf" persona as he begins to fulfil his potential in a more featured role in GFW as the King of the Mountain Champion.

As the bell rings, it doesn't take long for ECIII to flee to the outside. PJ Black, unwilling to allow ECIII to begin the match on his terms, connects with a tope suicida followed by a corkscrew over the top. PJ Black, granted an opportunity at ECIII's TNA World Heavyweight Championship, seeks to finish the match early but a pinning combination is reversed by ECIII before the champion lands a big back body drop. A spinning heel kick delivered by PJ Black ensures that the TNA Champion doesn't control the pace of the match. PJ Black continues on the offence with a springboard splash- ECIII kicks out at 2. Looking for the 450 splash, PJ Black heads up to the top rope- ECIII follows the King of the Mountain Champion to deliver a superplex- kick out at 2.

After applying a rear chin lock, ECIII is momentarily distracted by the crowd before PJ Black connects with a spinning heel kick. PJ Black connects this time with a moonsault but ECIII kicks out. Black attempts a springboard moonsault but the TNA champ is able to regain his senses and retreat to the corner, attempted school boy by ECIII- kick out at 2- ECIII hangs on to deliver a single arm powerbomb. ECIII looks to end the match with the one percenter but PJ Black reverses into a blue thunder bomb. Using the ropes for assistance, ECIII and PJ Black return to their feet before trading forearm strikes in the centre of the ring. Surprisingly, PJ Black emerges on top- attempted springboard 450 but ECIII spikes the ropes consequently knocking Black off balance. ECIII connects with the one percenter to pick up the victory and retain his TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

For well over a year now, ECIII has been the shining light of TNA. Arguably, ECIII has performed as well as anyone since winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and that continued here, It was nice to see PJ Black in a featured role on television instead of jobbing out on Superstars. Both ECIII and PJ Black are instances of performers being allowed the creative freedom denied by WWE and being much better for it.