10 Brutal Times Wrestlers Worked Stiff
6. Bryan Danielson Vs. Tommy End - WXW Ambition 2010
Coming in the midst of Daniel Bryan's awesome, but all too brief, return to the independent scene on the back of being fired for choking Justin Roberts with a tie on WWE TV, the former Nexus man formed one half of one of the most intense shoot-style wrestling matches the form has brought into the mix in 2020.
The other half was made up by an up-and-coming star by the name of Tommy End, and the two stiff kicking souls did not disappoint.
With both men aiming to keep their opponent down for a ten count, numerous gritty ground exchanges were complimented by the frequent acoustically pleasing, but undeniably excruciating kicks and strikes. The entire contest was treated like a genuine shoot brawl as bodies were emphatically slammed to the mat and limbs were stretched with a level of authenticity you simply cannot fake.
The sheer physicality of the bout ultimately informed and justified the fact that End simply could not continue on the back of one leg kick too many, with Bryan Danielson walking away with a unique and entirely believable victory post-stiff thigh smashing.
Round 2 in AEW, anyone?