10 Dream Wrestling Matches That Only Happened Once

There are plenty of reasons not to repeat a match, but an underrated one is: it was just too horrid to do again. For those not used to ‘90s All Japan particularly, this 2005 Ring Of Honor war is incredibly savage, and must have had both men throbbing for weeks.

Kobashi apparently feared the American fans wouldn’t know who he was; this was proved unfounded, but even if they didn’t know the man before, he gives a good account of himself from the off. Kobashi’s chops and strikes are disgustingly thunderous; the sweat flying from Joe’s chest as his opponent pulverises him is a remarkable visual, to say nothing of the sound.

Joe meets violence with violence, occasionally pulling out wrestling moves but more often slipping back into tried and tested kicks to the head. It’s simple stuff but with a powerful build. Each throws everything he has at the other; it’s down to who can take the most punishment.

It turns out it’s Kobashi, who finally downs Joe with a sickening strike to the neck. Both are left utterly spent, bruised and battered, and in possession of a true classic on their resumes.