10 Wrestling Matches So Brutal They Hurt To Watch
9. Roddy Piper Vs. Greg Valentine (NWA Starrcade 1983)
The art of selling pain effectively to the watching audience is something many veterans would claim is lacking in today's industry. There's a case for that, because it's rare that a performer will sell danger for longer than a few moments, before suddenly looking miraculously healed. Something a lot of young wrestlers could do is watch Roddy Piper's work.
Back in 1983, the NWA presented the first ever Starrcade show. One of the feature attractions was a Dog Collar Match between Piper and Greg Valentine, and it turned into quite the bloody affair. Notably, Piper's ear bled horrifically, making for quite the striking closing sequence.
The announcer did a wonderful job of selling the fact that Roddy's balance had been affected by the injury, and it just looks plain gnarly. Such a match stipulation really needs blood in order to look realistic, due to the metal chain that hooks both wrestlers together.
Bloodied and battered, Piper is a sorry sight by the conclusion of the match.