Many people’s lives were changed earlier this year due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Many people lost their jobs, while others lost friends and family members. This pandemic has been difficult for a lot of us. But while the future is uncertain, wrestling is there to get you through these tough times.
I came out with the idea of sharing match recommendations and writing about it on the site. I turned to Andrew, our resident AEW Dynamite reviewer. He was excited about the idea. I told Andrew to suggest 5 free matches from YouTube, and I will do the same. The person recommending will explain why he made the choice, and the person viewing it will give their thoughts on the match.
We suggest everyone go ahead and add these matches to your watchlist. Let us know what you think by responding to the PWPonderings Twitter and Facebook posts, or send us a tweet at @zerepwrestling or @andrewsemkow. You can also share your own match recommendations with us. We would love to hear from you. With all that said, thanks for reading and be safe everyone.
Andrew’s Recommended Match #1
Tarik vs. Brent Banks vs. Tyson Dux vs. Sebastian Suave – Smash Wrestling
April 20, 2019
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Andrew:
I recommended this match because these four men have been dubbed “the Pillars” of Ontario Indy wrestling and this match shows why. Keep an eye on Brent Banks as someone to watch for in the future. Also solid work by Tyson Dux a man who always had the skill and drive but never seemed to get his chance. A good intro match for those unfamiliar with SMASH.
Luis:
Smash Wrestling is a promotion that I’ve always watched here and there but never watched regularly. I’m unfamiliar with most of the guys in this match so I’m looking forward to this. Tarik is defending the Smash Wrestling Championship in a four way match. First thing I thought was that this match was taking place in a beautiful venue. Commentary mentions that all 4 men in this match are familiar with eachother and it shows throughout the match. This match is fast paced and is filled with lots of action.
***½
Andrew’s Recommended Match #2
Matt Cross vs. WALTER – Smash Wrestling
July 15, 2018
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Andrew:
Matt Cross is someone whose work has never disappointed me whenever I watch him. Here he puts on a show and gets you on his side believing that he could win this. A gem in the SMASH library that showcases two of indie wrestlings best names.
Luis:
Even though I told Andrew to mix up promotions, here we are with another Smash Wrestling match. I’m not complaining though because I’m familiar with both guys. WALTER is defending the Defiant Internet Championship inside a Smash Wrestling ring. Like most WALTER matches this is a David vs. Goliath battle. A good little match between these two.
***¼
Andrew’s Recommended Match #3
Sabu vs. Channing Decker – Greektown Wrestling
June 23, 2019
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Andrew:
Channing Decker is Greektown’s golden boy. A man who loves hardcore wrestling and combines it with modern sensibilities. Hardcore violence mixed with athletic prowess and some high spots. Greektown has always had a connection to ECW and if the hardcore ever becomes popular again Channing Decker is gonna be one of the reasons.
Luis:
At first I couldn’t believe Andrew sent me a 2019 Sabu match, I have to say, this match was pretty good. I have no idea who Channing Decker is but right off the bat I could tell he’s pretty athletic. This hardcore match goes all over the building. There’s some crazy spots in this match and it’s more extreme than I thought it would be. Would actually recommend.
***½
Andrew’s Recommended Match #4
Kevin Blanchard vs. Stu Grayson – Federation Lutte Quebecoise
March 23, 2017
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Andrew:
Stu Grayson is a great competitor but he never seems to get his enough solo matches now as a member of the Dark Order. Along with Canadian veteran Kevin Blanchard, they put on a match that shows off two talents that I wish got in front of more eyes.
Luis:
If you can’t tell by now, Andrew is Canadian. This is the fourth match based out of Canada. Stu Grayson is defending his FLQ Heavyweight Championship against Kevin Blanchard inside an empty swimming pool. I’m not lying, the venue is an empty swimming pool. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a Stu Grayson singles match but this one was pretty cool. Hard hitting match in front of a very hot crowd.
***½
Andrew’s Recommended Match #5
Tom Lawlor vs. Matt Riddle – Black Label Pro
September 23, 2017
Crown Point, Indiana
Andrew:
Riddle and Lawlor are two MMA fighters turned prowrestlers who I’ve always appreciated for their willingness to learn and become seasoned wrestlers. In one of the earlier matches in their careers, we can see they’re still using their backgrounds with a bit of mat wrestling. If you can appreciate technical, submission wrestling, or MMA this one is for you. Just ignore Lawlor’s white trunk with “Pampers” written on the bottom.
Luis:
This match I’m familiar with and have seen before. I’m happy to be revisiting this match because I have horrible memory. This one is from Black Label Pro’s debut show, The Darkest Timeline Tournament – Phase 1. I do remember enjoying this show, so if you haven’t seen it already, be sure to check it out on IWTV. This was a hard hitting and physical contest between two former MMA fighters. Check this one out BRO!
***¾
Luis’ Recommended Match #1
Adrenaline Express vs. The Young Bucks vs. Trent and Bandido Jr. – Family Wrestling Entertainment
October 12, 2013
Brooklyn, New York
Luis:
I’ve been thinking about FWE a lot lately. The promotion based out of NYC put on really fun shows with a lot of great talent. Some of those talents you see on TV today. It’s a shame that the people running FWE were in over there heads. Here’s a throwback from 2013 in which half of the guys in the match are now on the AEW roster. If you look closely, you can also see me in the crowd a few times.
Andrew:
There’s something fun about watching a wrestlers early matches and seeing what changed. In the case of the Young Bucks you can see they’re already well choreographed routines and gymnastics with some highrisk moves. Wonder what happened to the Adrenaline Express.
***½
Luis’ Recommended Match #2
Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O’Reilly – Combat Zone Wrestling
April 9, 2011
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Luis:
Here’s a match that I think is a complete gem. Before all three of these men were top staples in WWE NXT, back in 2011, they fought in the first round match in CZW’s Best of the Best X. This whole event is really good and I recommend catching it on IWTV. Enjoy.
Andrew:
Johnny is the star of this match. Throughout the whole match he’s the one showing off some amazing moves and wowing the crowd with his athleticism. That’s not to say that O’Reily and Cole aren’t good but there’s a clear difference once Gargano leaves the match. That being said the last few minutes are some of the most tense as both men try their hardest to pull out the victory.
****
Luis’ Recommended Match #3
Naomichi Marufuji vs. Donavan Dijak – Glory Pro Wrestling
July 9th, 2017
Belleville, Illinois
Luis:
Glory Pro’s War of the New Age was the first show I reviewed on this site. I remember Marufuji vs. Dijak being fantastic. Sharing it with Andrew gave me the excuse to revisit it. This match was even better than I remember it. I recommended it because I don’t think it gets talked about enough. Let’s give it the praise it deserves.
Andrew:
A David Vs. Goliath story. Dijak ragdolls Marufuji throughout the match and hits him with some of the loudest strikes I’ve ever heard. Marifuji battling back is like a scene from a movie and by the end I found myself cheering.
****
Luis’ Recommended Match #4
Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – Limitless Wrestling
January 30, 2016
Orono, Maine
Luis:
I had watched this recently and was upset with myself for not watching this match sooner. Two of the best wrestlers in the world putting on a masterpiece. I really don’t know what else to say other than this match is amazing and everyone should see it.
Andrew:
If you’re not a fan of technical wrestling don’t let the opening discourage you. The match is brutal with Hero’s strikes and he slams Sabre like it’s nothing.
One moment I want to note is the senton performed by Chris Hero. The fact that him and Sabre did it without any mats on a hardwood floor takes guts and shows dedication to wrestling.
***½
Luis’ Recommended Match #5
Violence Is Forever vs. The Work Horsemen – Black Label Pro
February 2, 2019
Crown Point, Indiana
Luis:
Black Label Pro is the only promotion that both me and Andrew recommended matches from. I swear this wasn’t planned and I swear we aren’t being paid by Mikey. This match was the best in a series of matches between two of the best tag teams in independent wrestling. You can watch the entire feud play out on IWTV.
Andrew:
This match is a great addition to the feud and puts on display their many styles. As the match goes on it slips in different styles that reflect the tone. The match starts with submission but evolves into strikes, when striking isn’t enough, brawling, and by the end both sides are throwing everything at each other. Few words are exchanged but I feel like I got the full story from this match.
***½