10 MMA-Inspired Wrestling Matches

8. Low Ki Versus Samoa Joe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oBK4-nUEtA Samoa Joe carved out a reputation as one of the most talented (and fearsome) wrestlers in the world during his run as ROH World Champion, but he still had to start somewhere. Joe made his ROH debut at Glory By Honor 2002, taking on former champion Low Ki in a Fight Without Honor (no disqualification match) at the behest of heel stable The Prophecy. Today, submissions and hard strikes seem to be rule rather than the exception when it comes to independent wrestling, but in 2002, UFC had not yet exploded in popularity and those fighting styles had yet to become an essential part of U.S. pro wrestling. Joe and Low Ki shocked fans with the brutality of the MMA/puroresu hybrid disciplines they used and afterwards, they held up a flag bearing the logo of Pro Wrestling Zero1, both men's Japanese employer. Low Ki scored the win after some stiff strikes to Joe's head, but Samoa Joe clearly opened up some eyes. Five months later, he captured the ROH World Championship and he would hold the title for nearly two years.