With the first half of 2025 in the rear view mirror, it’s time to reflect on professional wrestling’s greatest triumphs over the past six months.
But first, we have to examine the best matches of 2025. After all, contrary to what the WWE has conditioned viewers to believe, it’s the work in the ring that truly determines the quality of a professional wrestler’s body of work.
Before we proceed though, I want to begin with a few disclaimers to bear in mind:
I don’t use an intricate scale to neatly categorize and quantify the finer details of a pro-wrestling match. While I do use a five-star scale to review matches, it’s not necessarily a linear formula. Like any form of media, my enjoyment of a pro-wrestling match can be affected by how I interact with it.
For example:
- Am I watching the match in a vacuum or within the larger context of an entire event?
- Is it a television match or a pay-per-view match?
- If I’m watching the match with friends, are they enjoying the match?
When I’m critically assessing a pro-wrestling match, I consider the following:
- What is the purpose of the match or what story are they trying to tell? And, how does the structure of the match help them tell that story?
- Were the professional wrestler’s able to sufficiently suspend my disbelief?
- Was the work in the ring entertaining?
- Was I entertained? This is easily the most important attribute. After all, professional wrestling is equal parts spectacle and entertainment.
While I have an ideal vision for what professional wrestling should look like, I try my best to enjoy the medium in all of its various styles and presentations. This project is a comprehensive effort, designed to capture professional wrestling’s best work from the first half of 2025. So, whether it’s mainstream American wrestling, strong-style, joshi, lucha libre, American independent wrestling, or hardcore wrestling from a Mexican junkyard: anything is applicable.
I publish anywhere from 3-5 articles per week for Augusta Free Press. The bulk of my content focuses on All Elite Wrestling—reviewing their weekly flagship television program, Wednesday Night “Dynamite,” and their pay-per-views. I also host a podcast on YouTube, called “Petree’s Pit,” where I cover contemporary events and interview figures in the pro-wrestling industry. Beyond those two endeavors, I also have a full-time job.
Suffice to say, I’m very busy. So, I can’t watch everything going on in professional wrestling, as it organically happens. So, this list is inherently curated. I haven’t watched everything that’s happened thus far in 2025, either. However, I’ve definitely watched a lot of wrestling this year. So, if your favorite match didn’t land in my top 20, I either didn’t enjoy it as much as you did, or I just didn’t watch it.
If you’d like to lodge your complaints, feel free to email me at [email protected] or on Twitter, @Ray_Petree. For those who have abandoned Twitter, you can also find me on BlueSky, at: https://bsky.app/profile/raypetree.bsky.social.
Without further ado, here are the Top 20 Matches of 2025, so far…
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Shinya Aoki & Keigo Nakamura vs. The Astronauts
DDT | Change Age 2025
April 6
DDT Pro-Wrestling is a Japanese promotion that blends comedy, satire, and the hard-hitting action of traditional puroresu. This match lands on the latter, pitting one of Japan’s preeminent tag teams, The Astronauts, versus Keigo Nakamura and Shinya Aoki.
Aoki is a renowned mixed-martial artist, having held the ONE Lightweight World Championship on two separate occasions. In the squared circle, he’s one of pro-wrestling’s most adept grapplers—who possesses an aura akin to Minoru Suzuki. While Keigo Nakamura’s contributions are impressive, it’s The Astronauts who really match Aoki’s intensity and physicality, making this one of the better tag team bouts of the year.
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Mad Dog Connelly vs. Adam Priest
ACTION Wrestling | ACTION DEAN~!!!2
May 24
Mad Dog Connelly has turned the dog collar match into a cottage industry—making waves at last year’s inaugural “ACTION DEAN~!!!” Event, where he faced hardcore lucha icon, Demus. The match was exalted as a cult classic and Mad Dog Connelly had become a household name on the independent circuit. In May, Connelly returned for “ACTION DEAN~!!!2,” to face arguably the greatest pro-wrestler on the American independent circuit, Adam Priest.
There’s an immersive quality to Connelly’s work, that shines exceptionally bright in his dog collar matches. Much of that can be attributed to Connelly’s improvisational approach of calling a match, which minimizes any obvious cooperation.
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Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham
GCW | Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII
April 17
متعه.#JBBSXIII pic.twitter.com/coEclT5Ngk
— N-نايف|O T C|Lyra4Gold (@NFCR7SII) April 18, 2025
In my estimation, Zach Sabre Jr. is the most technically proficient pro-wrestler alive. Selfishly though, I must admit that his unique style of wrestling scratches a particular itch in my brain. So, my enjoyment of his work lacks a degree of objectivity.
In this instance, he met his longtime rival, Jonathan Greshman, during “WrestleMania” weekend at Josh Barnett’s “Bloodsport XIII.” Like ZSJ, Gresham is a wrestling savant, who helped reinvigorate Ring of Honor’s “pure wrestling” division in 2020. The action is only bolstered by the uniqueness of “Bloodsport,” which blends the aesthetic of the iconic 1988 film-of-the-same-name (starring Jean-Claude Van Damme) with shoot-style wrestling.
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Ricochet vs. Mark Briscoe
AEW | Double or Nothing
May 25
Ricochet and Mark Briscoe’s match at “Double or Nothing” took place two weeks after the passing of Sabu. To pay homage to the “Human Highlight Reel,” the two competed in a violent stretcher match.
Not only is this a beautiful tribute to the “Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal, Death-Defying Maniac,” but it’s an excellent match to punctuate Briscoe and Ricochet’s brief feud. Briscoe spilled more than enough blood for both men, while Ricochet stooged and swindled his way to victory.
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Alex Windsor vs. Jamie Hayter
Pro Wrestling EVE | Eve 131: Multiverse Rumble
February 7
Pro-Wrestling EVE is currently the largest women’s professional wrestling organization in Europe. Over the course of the promotion’s 15-year history, EVE has boasted talent such as Saraya, Nikki Cross, Piper Niven, and Jamie Hayter.
Last February, Hayter returned to her old stomping ground to face the promotion’s most recent ace, Alex Windsor. While Hayter is ostensibly the antagonist in this match, she has no intention of extinguishing the flame of Windsor’s fighting spirit. Instead, she fans it, forcing Windsor to burn brighter than ever before. The end result is a vintage performance from Hayter and a career-defining moment for Windsor—who proved she belongs on the world stage.
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Anarchy in the Arena
AEW | Double or Nothing
May 25
To quote the great Phil Schneider, “Anarchy in the Arena” is a “riot masquerading as a wrestling match.” This year’s iteration of the event was no different.
Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland, Willow Nightingale & The Opps joined forces to face The Death Riders & The Young Bucks, in what proved to be a war between All Elite Wrestling and Jon Moxley’s violent contingent. I watched this match with my podcasting partner, Jordan, who loves two things: nu-metal and pro-wrestling. His enjoyment was infectious and we were both thoroughly entertained with the end result.
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Meiko Satomura & Manami vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & Aja Kong
Sendai Girls | Meiko Satomura THE FINAL
April 29
Meiko Satomura is known as the “Yokozuna of the Women’s Wrestling World” in Japan, having assembled one of the strongest bodies of work in wrestling history. On April 29, she wrestled her final match for Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling, the joshi promotion that she founded in 2005.
Satomura was joined by her 20-year-old protege, Manami. Their opponents were Satomura’s longtime nemesis, Aja Kong, and Sendai’s ace—Chihiro Hashimoto—who Satomura trained over a decade ago. The match was a phenomenal send off for Satomura, who was surrounded by joshi’s past, present, and future.
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Mistico vs. MJF
AEW | Grand Slam: Mexico
June 18
In the hallowed halls of Arena México, one man is king: Mistico.
On June 18, AEW traveled to Mexico City for “Grand Slam: Mexico,” emanating from the vaunted “Cathedral of Lucha Libre.” The show, promoted in collaboration with CMLL, marked the first time that a U.S. based promotion hosted an event in Arena México. To commemorate the unprecedented occasion, Mistico took center stage—facing AEW’s self proclaimed “Devil,” MJF. The former AEW American Champion dusted off his red, white, and blue ring attire, and played the role of rudo to perfection. If MJF were the devil, then Mistico had the allure of a demi-god.
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Meiko Satomura vs. Chihiro Hashimoto
Sendai Girls | The Top of Joshi Wrestling
March 19
Before Meiko Satomura’s grand finale, she held Sendai Girls’ top single’s championship: the Sendai Girls World Championship. She won the title from DASH Chisako on December 8, 2024: marking her second reign with the title.
On March 19, she defended her championship against the aforementioned ace of Sendai Girls, Chihiro Hashimoto. Known as the “Monster,” Hashimoto is an inviolable force—who uses sheer physicality to overwhelm her opponents. In contrast, Satomura is known for her precision and ring-savvy. Over the course of their three previous encounters in single’s action, Hashimoto was unbeatable—proving to be the only obstacle that Satomura could not overcome.
Even in the twilight of her career, Satomura’s ferocity is palpable—conveying the urgency that’s necessary against a monster (pun intended) like Hashimoto.
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Street Profits vs. #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns
WWE | SmackDown #1340
April 25
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first tables, ladders, & chairs match, WWE booked a triple-threat tag team championship match on the Friday Night “SmackDown” after “WrestleMania 41.” The Street Profits defended their titles against #DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns.
The first two TLC matches are two of my favorite matches in WWE history. Unfortunately, like all good things, the WWE commodified the formula—resulting in an intellectual property that maximized profits, but creatively yielded diminishing returns. This match managed to miraculously capture the essence of those first two masterpieces, though. For #DIY and MCMG, this was yet another notch in their belt. For The Street Profits, this was a career defining performance—reaffirming what’s possible when undeniable talent meets opportunity.
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Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita
AEW | Dynamite #289
April 16
Last year, Will Ospreay and Konosuke Takeshita clashed as fellow members of the Don Callis Family. On April 16, for the special “Spring BreakThru” edition of “Dynamite,” they had their long awaited rematch, in the semifinals of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. This time, they were bitter enemies.
Ospreay and Takeshita will be pillars of the pro-wrestling world for the next decade. This was yet another installment in their blossoming rivalry, demonstrating their undeniable chemistry. While the “Aerial Assassin” may be “on another level” than most foes, the “Alpha” stands on equal footing.
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Sareee vs. Syuri
Sareee-ISM | Chapter VII
March 10
Sareee-ISM is an independent wrestling promotion in Japan that is both booked and self-produced by freelance joshi star, Sareee.
Formerly known as Sarray in the WWE, Sareee returned to Japan in 2023 and hit ground running—quickly establishing herself as one of wrestling’s most sought after commodities. On March 10, Sareee produced “Sareee-ISM: Chapter VII,” emanating from Shinjuku FACE, in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, Saree faced World Wonder Ring STARDOM’s own Syuri. Sareee believed that, by defeating Syuri, she would become the number one challenger for the IWGP Women’s Championship—that was held by then-champion Mayu Iwatani.
Not only is Syuri one of joshi’s preeminent stars, but she’s an accomplished kickboxer and mixed-martial artist; having previously competed in the UFC. Naturally, Syuri has incorporated elements of shoot-style wrestling into her repertoire, which accentuates her striking proficiency.
Sareee always excels against top flight talent and Syuri was no exception. This was a grueling firefight between two of joshi’s most versatile combatants.
DISCLAIMER: I didn’t have the opportunity to watch Sareee and Syuri’s rematch last weekend at STARDOM’s “The Conversion”, which I’m sure was deserving of consideration.
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Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita
AEW | Revolution
March 9
In 2023, Kenny Omega went to war with Konosuke Takeshita at AEW’s “All Out” Pay-Per-View. The occasion marked Omega and Takeshita’s first single’s encounter in over a decade—dating back to Omega’s days in DDT, when Takeshita was only 18 years old. At the center of their rivalry was Omega’s former manager, Don Callis, who betrayed the “Best Bout Machine.” Callis effectively replaced Omega with Takeshita, and their rivalry led them to “All Out.” Takeshita proved victorious in that contest and Omega’s career came to a screeching halt shortly thereafter, due to his battle with diverticulitis.
When Omega returned to AEW in 2025, his war with the Don Callis Family resumed. First, he joined forces with Will Ospreay at “Grand Slam: Australia,” to face Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher. Then, he set his sights on Takeshita’s AEW International Championship—at “Revolution.”
The match was an ode to the strong-style wars that carried New Japan Pro-Wrestling during the “Bushiroad Era’s” boom period, building towards its climactic conclusion. If this match had emanated from the Tokyo Dome, it would fit perfectly into the canon of the great January 4 main events.
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Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
Wrestle Dynasty
January 5
Kenny Omega’s aforementioned battle with diverticulitis robbed him of his 2024 campaign. So, when it was announced that Omega would return on January 5, at NJPW, AEW/ROH, CMLL, and STARDOM’s crossover event, “Wrestle Dynasty,” in the Tokyo Dome, the pro-wrestling world rejoiced.
His opponent was New Japan’s Gabe Kidd, who took umbrage with Omega’s decision to make his long-awaited return to wrestling, in Japan, as opposed to AEW. Omega had previously expressed his desire to reward New Japan’s fans, but Kidd questioned the sincerity of his motivations.
During the course of the match, Omega’s aggression quickly consumed him—taking his frustration out on the Young Lions. With the audience firmly in his corner, Kidd delivered one of the gutsiest performances of the year—bringing New Japan’s president, Hiroshi Tanahashi, to tears in the process.
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Demus vs. El Hijo del Fishman
Zona 23 | Royal Club
March 9
Zona 23 is a hardcore-wrestling promotion based in the Tultitlan region of Mexico, where events are commonly held in scrapyards. Imagine professional wrestling on the dark web.
Here, the combatants are Demus and El Hijo del Fishman, two masked luchadores with a propensity for extreme violence.
There’s an improvisational quality to this match that is enthralling. The ring is literally in the heart of a junkyard, surrounded by salvaged vehicles and bloodthirsty fans. It’s the kind of exotic stage that you’d find in a fighting game. Not only do both men use the windshields, car hoods, and fuel tanks scattered throughout the scrapyard, but they break the fan’s beer-bottles and use their motorcycle helmets as weapons.
Normally, I have an aversion to this genre of pro-wrestling, but I was drawn to Demus in this match—whose performance was nothing short of heroic.
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Sareee vs. Meiko Satomura
Sareee-ISM | Chapter VI
January 23
On January 23, Sareee promoted “Sareee-ISM: Chapter VI,” emanating from Shinjuku FACE. In the main event, she faced the aforementioned “Yokozuna of the Women’s Wrestling World,” Meiko Satomura.
Sareee is not the kind of performer who raises her opponent’s floor. However, when she shares the ring with other world class competitors, she shines—earning her epithet, the “Sun God.” Satomura is certainly a world class competitor.
This was billed as Sareee and Satomura’s final single’s encounter. At the time, Satomura was still the Sendai Girls World Champion, so while this wasn’t a title match—Satomura needed to carry her championship with honor. And, she did exactly that—proving that she’s still every bit as adept as joshi’s most sought after commodity.
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“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Will Ospreay
AEW | Double or Nothing
March 25
At “Double or Nothing,” “Hangman” Adam Page and Will Ospreay squared off in the finale of the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. The winner would claim both the prestigious Owen Hart Cup and an opportunity to face AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley, on the company’s grandest stage: “All In Texas.”
When I reviewed “Double or Nothing,” I gave this match the elusive five-star seal of approval—a rating which I deeply regret. Upon reflection, this match wasn’t quite a five-star classic. However, that doesn’t mean it’s less than deserving of consideration for match of the year. There are no heels nor babyfaces in this contest. Instead, they’re simply two competitors. Page and Ospreay demonstrated in the great deal of restraint in the early proceedings, but gradually built towards an epic climax.
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“Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Mariah May
AEW | Revolution
March 9
Billed as the “Hollywood Ending,” this was the epic conclusion to “Timeless” Toni Storm and Mariah May’s year-long saga. For both women, it was a career defining performance. More importantly, though, this was one of the greatest matches in American women’s wrestling history.
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Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto
NJPW | The New Beginning in Osaka
February 27
When I began watching New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2017, Hirooki Goto’s dreams of winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship had already been crushed. All of his work in the late 2000s and early 2010s amounted to nothing, in the face of Kazuchika Okada’s ascent. In 2016 at The New Beginning in Osaka, Goto staged his last attempt to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, challenging Okada. The “Rainmaker” won decisively and Goto was relegated to a preliminary role.
However, all of that changed on Feb 2, 2024, when Hirooki Goto’s father passed away. For years, Goto had served as one half of Bishamon, alongside Yoshi-Hashi—a prolific tag team under the umbrella of Okada’s former stable, CHAOS. However, Goto entered the 2024 New Japan Cup and dedicated his performance to his late father, making him a sentimental favorite. However, Goto’s miraculous run ended in tragedy, when he fell in the finale to Yota Tsuji. Once again, it seemed as though Goto was unable to break into New Japan’s upper-echelon and defeat one of their chosen few.
However, Goto didn’t relent. His quest brought him to “Wrestle Kingdom 19,” where he competed in New Japan’s annual “New Japan Ranbo;” a battle royal where the winner would earn a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. After 34 minutes, Goto was victorious, earning his shot at this year’s iteration of The New Beginning in Osaka—nine years after his last world championship opportunity.
His opponent was then-champion Zack Sabre Jr., who had held the title for 120 days and staged four successful defenses. By defeating Goto, Sabre Jr. would notch his fifth successful defense—setting a record for the current version of New Japan’s top title. However, Goto wouldn’t be deterred.
The match was a testament to the human spirit and a reminder how profound professional wrestling can be. By sharing his grief with the world, Goto has become a babyface for the ages, and this was his greatest triumph.
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Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
AEW | Revolution
March 9
When Kyle Fletcher betrayed Will Ospreay last October at “WrestleDream,” it began one of the best trilogy’s in recent memory. Their first match was at “Full Gear,” which Fletcher won in dramatic fashion. Ospreay won their rematch at “Worlds End,” in the semifinals of the “Continental Classic.” This was the final match in their trilogy. To raise the stakes, both men were enclosed in an unforgiving steel cage.
I began using a five-star rating scale last September to rate matches for my All Elite Wrestling reviews. This was the first match that I gave the five-star seal of approval too and my love for this match hasn’t waned.
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Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano
STARDOM | All-Star Grand Queendom 2025
April 27
“Golden Phoenix is dead.”
Tam Nakano was instrumental in STARDOM’s discovery of Saya Kamitani. So, it was fitting that it was Kamitani who faced Nakano in her final pro-wrestling match.
Both women put their careers on the line for the World of STARDOM Championship and the end result was utterly perfect—both in its scope and execution.
Like Will Ospreay’s war with Kyle Fletcher at “Revolution,” this match earned the elusive five-star seal of approval. What separates them is the sheer spectacle and sense of finality. It will be difficult for any match to surpass Kamitani and Nakano’s performance here, in the latter half of 2025.
Honorable Mentions
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero
NJPW | Battle in the Valley
January 11
Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland
AEW | Dynamite #297
June 11
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Boltin Oleg
NJPW | Dominion 6/15 in Osaka-Jo Hall
June 15
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
WWE | Elimination Chamber
March 1
Mercedes Mone vs. Athena
AEW | Dynamite #289
April 16
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