10 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2021 (So Far)

1. Shingo Takagi vs. Jeff Cobb (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom - Night 2)

The best version of Jeff Cobb came out to play in the Tokyo Dome.

The former Matanza is prone to drifting through his matches in third gear, working holds and chains when big bombs are his real strength. Perhaps this comes from a desire to present himself as a three-dimensional wrestler, or maybe he's trying to protect his body or prevent the audience from burning out on his style. It could be a different reason entirely. Whatever the case, he has a reputation for inconsistency.

Here, Cobb was at his bombastic best. Fitting, given he was in there with the leading Wrestler of the Year contender.

This was raw-boned, hyper-masculine, bomb-dropping power-wrestling with stiff shots, huge bumps, and a go-go-go-go pace that barely slowed before Takagi's late-match leg work. Worked at the kind of clip that barely lets up, it erupted with volcanic machismo through throws, lariats, and suplexes, as two physical monsters tried to out-monster each other 'til one could monster no more.

Shingo's diversity was on full display here. While matches like this can become shallow in lesser hands, Takagi sold Cobb's video-game power not only in the traditional way, but also by diving deeper into his bag of tricks than would usually be expected. Coming from Dragon Gate, he has spent his crowd overpowering all in his path. He couldn't do that against a man capable of uprooting a Canadian Redwood with his bare paws.

Your writer's first and only five-star match of the year so far, Cobb vs. Takagi is the kind of match that makes you want to run through a wall.