Michael Sidgwick's 10 Favourite Wrestling Matches

By 1997, Mitsuharu Misawa was firmly established as the Ace of All Japan - but in an intriguing layer, Kobashi entered this match as Triple Crown Champion.

Kobashi emerged from the opening salvo in a performance befitting his new status, and then controlled proceedings outright by damaging the all-powerful elbow of Misawa, the danger of which was reinforced through subtle glimpses. Kobashi's onslaught and Misawa's pain was sold with such conviction that his victory looked assured - until, in sublime irony, Kobashi's own elbow was injured.

A great wrestling match is far more than a collection of moves. Every decision a performer makes should have some bearing on what follows; otherwise, there can be no investment. In the final ten minutes, suplexes were thrown with intentionally sloppy execution. The elbows of both men had been weakened so thoroughly that correct execution, with flawlessly dramatic logic, was impossible. Misawa emerged victorious with his Rolling Elbow - but one could almost visualise the last millimetre of his health bar. In destroying Kobashi, he had to destroy himself. It was the ultimate selfless performance in both storyline and reality.

At its very best, wrestling approximates the thrill of sport - and guarantees the quality and catharsis genuine competition obviously can't - through predetermination. I watch wrestling to suspend my disbelief. This match is the most immersive - and to my mind, best - of all time.