10 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2021 (So Far)

5. Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa (AEW Dynamite - 17 March)

Thunder Rosa Britt Baker
AEW

Regardless of quality, Thunder Rossa vs. Britt Baker will go down as an important and historic match for this promotion, and a high point for a women's division that continues to struggle for direction even now that Baker, its MVP, has taken the title.

Britt's crimson mask began an iconic image the second the claret started gushing down her face. Those shots will be repeated in video packages for decades to come. They are indicative of a feud that was heated from the get-go, with Rosa the fieriest of fiery babyfaces opposite the doctor, throwing herself into every ambush and beatdown like a ravenous lion ravishing an antelope, spitting words like venom in every promo, and, of course, putting Baker through hell in the match itself.

The year's most satisfying plunder brawl was fought inside the ring and out, with thumbtacks and steel chairs as important to its flow as chops and head drops. You will struggle to find a more high-effort showing anywhere else in wrestling this year. A brilliant execution of the Lights Out stipulation, its barbarism was almost shocking for a mainstream production in North America, but the match was better for it. Rosa and Baker fought to kill.

The first women's main event in AEW history also posted a significant quarter-hour viewership increase. Rest assured, there will be more where this came from.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.