10 Best Wrestling Matches Of 2023 (So Far)

5. Shingo Takagi Vs. Aaron Henare - NJPW Road To Sakura Genesis Day 2

Rhea Ripley
Shingo Takagi Aaron Henare

If Shingo Takagi somehow wasn't considered one of the best wrestlers of all-time before April 2, 2023, his match with Aaron Henare solidified his case.

Henare is a very good and credible pro wrestler, but he isn't truly remarkable. His work is super convincing, but he doesn't possess the sh*t-kicking aura of, say, Toshiaki Kawada. In this match, through his own awe-inspiring performance and Shingo's ultra-immersive selling, Henare felt like the toughest challenge any pro wrestler had ever faced. Together, he and Shingo created magic. The spell cast was simple, or so it seemed.

For much of the match, in which a knockout was required to win (in addition to a pinfall and submission), Shingo staggered and motioned to fall to his knees. He propped himself up through defiance and the will to win in what was a masterclass of body language, the likes of which should be studied by every aspiring pro wrestler. It was so effective that you could almost feel the agony coursing through his veins.

The content wasn't entirely minimalist - huge bombs were detonated to arrive at the near-falls - but the crux of the story told was beautifully simple. The repetition was phenomenal. Every time Shingo sold a dead leg, only to stay alive, the fans roared their support. It was magic in a way that is difficult to articulate without reducing or simplifying it. By only imperceptibly moving his body, Shingo convinced the crowd that he was in the fight of his life.

The very, basic essence of professional wrestling distilled and mastered, all at once.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!