10 Awesome Wrestling Matches That Saved Careers

The breathtaking contests that put life back into wrestlers.

Chris Jericho Kenny Omega
NJPW

Wrestlers have ups and downs across their careers. It’s natural in a business so built on pain and injury that a lot of performers struggle badly with their bodies or their mental attitude over the course of their tenure. Whether there are issues with addiction, a long lasting injury, or burnout from an unsatisfying job, there are plenty of valid reasons why wrestlers don’t always live up to their full potential and need big comeback moments to revitalise their impeccable talents.

One of the best experiences as a wrestling fan is watching an unbelievably good match from someone you weren’t sure could pull off a bout of that quality anymore, getting overwhelmed by excitement and passion by their work like you were experiencing their prime first hand. All ten of these matches deliver that sensation, the feeling of watching a wrestling rebirth right in front of your eyes.

These are the specific matches that you point to if you want to experience a glorious comeback, if you want to shed some tears or get insanely excited to be watching wrestling. These awesome contests remind us all of the talents behind professional wrestlers, and how vital a good match can be for everyone involved.

10. Chris Jericho Vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12)

Chris Jericho Kenny Omega
NJPW

Chris Jericho leaving WWE for another wrestling promotion felt like an impossibility a few years ago. Despite the fact he took several years away from the company at various points, he never embarked on an independent run or pivoted to TNA like many other upper midcard stars of the 2000s. He might not have started that way but he became a Vince McMahon guy.

Yet, after months of feuding with Kenny Omega on Twitter, a dream match that nobody thought was possible was booked for Wrestle Kingdom. The gaijin ace of New Japan versus one of the most beloved wrestling veterans alive was sensational on paper, and even better in person.

Despite Jericho's announcements that Vince was okay with him working New Japan since it wasn't on American soil, the match was so good and creatively freeing for the inaugural AEW champion that he decided to leave WWE entirely, making a shock appearance at the initial All In event before becoming the first major coup for All Elite Wrestling. None of that would have happened if he hadn't been magnetised by this instant classic with Kenny Omega at the Tokyo Dome.

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Contributor

An autistic writer who just wants to make some money and have some fun talking about wrestling, movies and whatever else comes to mind.