10 Classic Matches Bettered By Spiritual Sequels

9. Gran Hamada & Masato Yakushiji & The Great Sasuke Vs. Dick Togo & TAKA Michinoku & Terry Boy - ECW Barely Legal 1997

Backlot Brawl Chicago Street Fight
WWE Network

Bettered by: Dragon Kid & Genki Horiguchi & Ryo Saito Vs. CIMA & Masato Yoshino & Naruki Doi - ROH Supercard Of Honour 1

The ECW audience was known for being bloodthirsty, but they were deceptively cultured in their tastes; it was their appreciation of the likes of Rey Misterio, Jr. which helped the mainstream U.S. audience fall in love with cruiserweight wrestling. They went wild for this six-man tag team match, too, the likes of which was unprecedented on U.S. soil.

Spot-heavy by design, what it lacked in selling and traditional heat building devices was more than equalised by its inventive multi-man manoeuvres and breakneck pacing.

What's even more impressive about the superior, five-star rated Dragon Gate invitational six man is that the cruiserweight style was already ubiquitous by that point. Tape trading had also given way to YouTube; all manner of styles were now readily accessible at the click of a button. And yet still, the six men blew away the most hardcore of hardcore crowds with this peerless exhibition of their creative puro-lucha fusion. Far loss botchy than its spiritual predecessor - The Great Sasuke in particular had an off night - the 2008 Match Of The Year is a cut above in every conceivable department.

And, in turn, the best, total cocaine PWG six-man tags have since evolved the DG template with a richer tonal range. Wrestling gets better, if you open yourself up to it.

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!