Matches of the Week 25/07-31/07/2015

Matches of the Week 25/07-31/07

This week's Matches of the Week have an international flavour to them. This week's list features matches from around the world in what has been another week  full of excellent matches. NJPW's G1 Climax tournament, the beginning of Lucha Underground's Ultima Lucha, a match between the current WWE World Heavyweight champion and the US Champion and a huge turn in ICW constitute this week's best matches in the world of professional wrestling.

Cage vs The Mack

Ultima Lucha 29/07

Falls Count Anywhere Match

Lucha Underground's Ultima Lucha kicked of this week but it was two big men that stole the show. The first match on the card, a falls count anywhere match between Cage and The Mack, made for one of the most innovative gimmick matches i have seen for a while. Cage and The Mack battled through Cueto's temple, in the crowd, stumbling across an abandoned office and even climbed on top of Dario Cueto's office.

After being sprayed by a fire extinguisher, The Mack channelled his inner Stone Cold Steve Austin by cracking open a couple of cold ones before delivering a huge Stone Cold Stunner. As evidenced by their chemistry displayed in previous matches, The Mack and Cage are capable of giving any luchador a run for their money. In the end, Cage picked up the victory in a highly entertaining match by delivering a curbstomp through a cinder block on the roof of Dario Cueto's office.

This match combined some of the most creative offence and weapon choices with the fast paced lucha style to make for the best match so far in Ultima Lucha, I got the sense that parts of this match were edited out due to time constraints which is a shame as if they were given more time, The Mack and Cage could have put on one of the best Falls Count Anywhere matches of all time. Regardless of any minor quibbles, Dario Cueto gets it right again by granting these two the freedom to beat the holy crap of one another around the ancient Aztec temple.This was a fun match to begin Ultima Lucha and I only expect the match quality to continue improving with the likes of Johnny Mundo/ El Patron and Prince Puma/ Mil Muertes to look forward to in the coming weeks

Available to watch here.

Katsuyori Shibata vs Kota Ibushi

G1 Climax- 29/07

The NJPW G1 Climax is synonymous with producing some of the best wrestling matches of the year. Christmas for wrestling fans. This year has been no different with many of the best matches so far occurring in Block A. Katsuyori Shibata and Kota Ibushi, two of Block A's star performers, met on the 29th July in a match that did not fail to deliver.

The match threw together a clash of styles, mixing Shibata's  hard hitting offence wi thIbushi's high flying ability. The match featured great psychology as Shibata worked over the legs of Ibushi to negate his high flying offence. Shibata offered Ibushi multiple free shots at his chest which resulted in only seemingly angering Shibata landing a dropkick in the corner that nearly takes Ibushi's head off. More stiff kicks to the chest further anger Shibata, even encouraging Ibushi to hit him harder. Ibushi finally takes Shibata down with kicks, delivering a beautiful standing corkscrew moonsault for a close fall. An attempted pele kick by Ibushi is expertly reversed into an STF by Shibata but Ibushi can reach the ropes. Ibushi lands a few closed fist blows before Shibata locks in the sleeper hold, delivering a devastating penalty kick to pick up the win.

If this match were to have continued for a little while longer, no doubt would it have been a contender for one of the best matches in the history of NJPW. As it stands, at just over 15 minutes, this match has to settle for simply being a Match of the Year contender. On a side note, I'm desperate to see Shibata vs Kyle O' Reilly and/or Zack Sabre Jr.

Available to watch here.

Seth Rollins vs John Cena 

RAW 27/07

US Title on the line

John Cena's fantastic 2015 continued this past Monday with another 4 star+ match against WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins. HHH determined at the beginning of the night that Rollins would be granted an opportunity to challenge for John Cena's US Title in RAW's main event.

WWE let Rollins, for the most part, stand toe to toe with the 15 time champion instead of his usual chickenshit shtick.Once more, the AA was used for a close two count. The AA's decline in value and effectiveness over the past few months is consistent with WWE's perception of what constitutes a 'good match'-lots of close falls and kick out of finishers. A big jumping knee from Rollins caught Cena flush on the nose towards the end of the match breaking the US Champion's nose before Rollins attempted a Phoenix Splash which was reversed into a STF by Cena, forcing Rollins to submit.

Many fans disliked this match due to the fact Rollins was made to tap out by someone who currently holds a 'lesser' belt than he does. If WWE want Cena vs Rollins at SummerSlam, which quite frankly is certain to produce an excellent match regardless of the final outcome, WWE needed first to justify inserting Cena into the title picture and having him defeat the champion is a logical way to achieve this. Rollins tapping does not make him look weak- Cena has submitted the likes of HHH, Edge and Orton with the STF and tapping to Cena didn't result in any of their 'burials'. Besides, Rollins is still champion.

For me, the only thing that detracts from this match is the commentary- more specifically Michael Cole's commentary. Sure, Cena displayed a great amount of toughness, determination and commitment to the cause by continuing with a broken nose but that was- literally- all Cole would acknowledge in what was a really entertaining match. Rollins, for the first time on RAW, attempted to hit his Phoenix Splash, something he has previously only done at WrestleMania against Randy Orton and at the Royal Rumble against Lesnar and Cena. It is a big deal and should be treated as such. In Cole's weekly interview, Kevin Owens called him out for his bullshit- and about time too, he should at least have to try and hide his hard on for Cena.

Rollins has been fantastic in his role of undeserving champion and at this stage, a Cena victory would be a huge step backwards and a major fuck you to younger talent. A Cena victory suggests that no matter how well the younger talent performs, no matter how over they get as a face or heel they are not safe from having John Cena upstage them.

If Cena recovers from a broken nose in time for SummerSlam to face Rollins, which lets face it are substantially lower odds to overcome than he previously has done, Rollins will pick up the win.

Available to watch here.

AJ Styles vs Kota Ibushi

G1 Climax 26/07

A couple of days prior to the Ibushi/Shibata classic, Kota Ibushi  met a man that lays an even stronger claim to be Wrestler of 2015 than John Cena. AJ Styles headed into this match after putting on excellent matches against Okada, Tanahashi, Shibata, and even Ibushi himself earlier in the year. Styles and Ibushi produced one of the matches of the year on their last meeting which ended with AJ catching Ibushi mid Phoenix Splash, to deliver a Styles Clash to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Ibushi, too, has had a fantastic year and can lay a claim to be the best Wrestler of 2015, putting on excellent matches with Styles, Harashima, Naito and Tanahashi.

Now without the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, AJ and Ibushi produced one of my favourite matches so far in this year's G1. The fans were firmly behind Ibushi in this one as a nice back and forth exchange gets us started.  A huge kick sends AJ crashing face first into the ring apron followed by a standing corkscrew moonsault  by Ibushi. A few quick strikes allow AJ regain some control, attempting a tombstone on the ring apron which is somehow reversed into a hurricanrana sending AJ to the outside before connecting with a springboard moonsault.

AJ does eventually connect with a cradle piledriver for a close fall before attempting a springboard 450 splash which is blocked by Ibushi. Styles looks for the Styles Clash from the top rope which is reversed by Ibushi, sending AJ crashing to the mat with a hurricanrana. Ibushi heads to the top rope to deliver the Phoenix Splash for the three count and the two points.

Both men's fantastic 2015 continues with another stellar performance here, Neither man has won the G1 Climax before but that could easily change this year. I wouldn't have any complaints if Styles or Ibushi won this year's G1 Climax and went on to challenge Okada, or whoever may be the IWGP Champion come January, at Wrestle Kingdom 10.

Available to watch here. 

Big Damo vs Drew Galloway

Shug's Hoose Party II 27/07

ICW World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

In a match that has been building for well over six months, Big Damo finally received the opportunity to challenge Drew Galloway for the ICW World Heavyweight Championship.
Unquestionably, Drew Galloway has raised the profile of the ICW World Heavyweight Championship with successful defences against the likes of Jack Jester, Sabu, Grado, Joe Coffey, Rhyno and Tommy End. Drew was the man to turn the ICW Heavyweight title in to a world title with defences in New York and Australia.

As Big Damo and Drew face off in the ring, the challenger pushes the champion to the mat as the ICW fans ensure Drew understands just how they feel about TNA. Drew, after getting to his feet, perches on the top rope to take in the chants that were once for him but now against him. Galloway applies a side headlock before Big Damo delivers a big shoulder block after sending Drew into the ropes. Visibly distressed by the fans rejection, Galloway heads up the ramp to the stage even attempting to tear a sign that asks "Drew Who?". As Galloway returns to the ring, he is reminded of a less successful time during his career by chants of 3MB much to the amusement of Big Damo. This match has a big match feel and there is no doubt the fans are on the side of Big Damo.

Now back in the ring, Drew attempts to ground Damo with some chops but Galloway's chops that are usually enough to break a man don't impact Damo. Big Damo hits a dropkick to send Galloway to the outside again, this time flipping off the fans. Damo follows Drew to the outside of the ring, grounding his opponent before delivering a huge canon ball into the steel barricade. As Drew makes it to his feet, the champion and challenger brawl around the ring before heading back inside the ring as Drew hits a ddt for only a one count. Drew attempts a future shock but can't lift up the challenger, who lands a Celtic Cross for a two count as an homage to his fellow countryman, Fit Finlay.

Drew, returning to his feet, lands a couple of stiff shots to Big Damo before this time he manages to successfully hit the future shock but only for a two count! The fans cheer Damo to his feet, giving him enough of a lift to deliver a michinoku driver-kicked out at one by Galloway on instinct alone! Big Damo, incredulous, makes his way to the top rope but Drew follows him up and delivers a rake to the eye before planting Big Damo with a Future Shock ddt from the second rope. That has got to be it as the referee counts... 1...2... Kick out by Big Damo at two! The Champion, for the first time in his reign as ICW Heavyweight Champion, looks like he is beginning to doubt himself. The defences against the likes of End, Grado, Sabu and Jester have not adequately prepared him to take on the giant, Big Damo. Damo attempts a single leg dropkick- but Galloway ducks out the way and Damo takes out the ref! Galloway hits a bouncing neck breaker before delivering the curbstomp! 1...2...3...4...5...6 but the referee is down. Galloway heads to the outside, picking up a steel chair but on his return to the ring Damo delivers a huge superkick driving the chair into the face of the champion before balancing the chair on Drew. Damo heads to the opposite side of the ring, begins the long climb to the top rope before a Van-Damo-Nator onto a chair!!! 1...2...3...4.... the referee is still down and unable to make the count. Out sprints another referee from the back to make the count...1...2...3! New Champion! ICW has a new champion and his name is Big Damo. The referee hands the ICW World Heavyweight Championship to Damo who looks close to tears before the ICW General Manager gets involved once again.

Red Lightning informs the fans that the referee had not been sanctioned to make the count as he was not the official referee for the match. Red Lightning states the match will continue until the official referee counts the pin!

Damo, clutching the title he just had taken away from him, lays the ICW World Heavyweight Champion out with the title. Damo, looking for the Van-Damo-Nator for a second time, heads to the top rope but the champion rises to his feet, wrapping a steel chair around the challenger's skull before summoning what little energy he has left to deliver a Tombstone Piledriver to a man weighing in excess of 300 pounds.

The lights go out!

Jack Jester is stood in the ring, staring down the champion. Galloway is in shock! Red Lightning heads down to the ring to attempt to resolve the issue but Jester pushes the General Manager back as he still continues to stare down the champ. Jester delivers a low blow to Big Damo, allowing Galloway to take advantage with a Future Shock ddt for the three count. Drew Galloway retains the ICW Heavyweight Championship.

Drew, Jester and Red Lightning stare at each other before they meet in the centre of the ring for a HUG! After the years of hatred between these three men, somehow, they have succeeded in putting their pasts behind them to ensure Drew Galloway retains the title. Galloway mocks Damo whilst Jester calls for the champagne. Galloway, Jester and Red Lightning celebrate on the stage spraying champagne into the crowd, pissing on the fans after the fans pissed on Drew.

Drew Galloway, the returning hero no more, turns his back on the fans in favour of one unholy alliance between three of the most powerful men in ICW.

ICW continues to grow from strength to strength as the road to the biggest show in the company history, Fear and Loathing 8 begins with the one time fan favourite champion, Drew Galloway, turning his back on the people in favour of teaming up with Red Lightning.

Available to watch here.