Photo credit: @stepstoolsarahx
On November 28th, Steven Ayy, cohost of the GCW Patreon exclusive World of Deathmatch podcast, released their official Top 30 Deathmatch Wrestlers list. Much like any list, this got discussions going, with people offering their own lists. Of course, there were also those who had their criticisms on the list; namely Alex Colon’s inclusion as Number One when he himself is the other host of the podcast.
Being an avid follower and supporter of Deathmatch Wrestling, I too wanted to take a crack at ranking the world’s best Deathmatch stars. There are many factors to consider but these are the ones I used to narrow the list down:
- Performances (consistency and quality)
- Accomplishment (tournament and title wins)
- Spectacle (match hype and opponent quality)
The evaluation period spans from the end of 2020’s Tournament season (NGI 5) and stretches to the much delayed D.R.E.A.M Tournament of DMDU (though I cheated and used the US air date as the cutoff). Above all, this is all opinion, and while we can kindly disagree, there is no reason to get up at arms about a list. With that being said, here are my Top 15 Deathmatch Wrestlers in the World.
15. Callen Butcher
Accomplishments: Winner of D.R.E.A.M Torunament. Inaugural DMDU Deathmatch Champion. Main Evented DMDU’s First Show.
Notable Matches: vs Damien Rivers (DMDU:…And Out Come The Wolves), vs Gweedo (DMDU: The Juice is Worth The Squeeze Night 2)
For someone who refers to themself as “Nobody”, Callen Butcher has had a strong year in the newly formed Deathmatch Down Under. He started this year main eventing DMDU’s inaugural event in a 100 Light Tubes Deathmatch against “Australia’s Most Violent Man” Damian Rivers. Since then he has had strong showings through the following DMDU shows in both Singles and Tag Team action. Callen would culminate the year winning D.R.E.A.M (Death Rules Everything Around Me), Australia’s first Deathmatch tournament; and by winning it becoming the first ever DMDU Deathmatch Champion. When travel is permitted, Callen will be an absolute highlight for any US company who brings him in.
14. Rina Yamashita
Accomplishments: King of FREEDOM Tag Team Champion. IceRibbon FantasICE Champion. Made first US appearance to compete in NGI 6.
Notable Matches: vs Charli Evans (GCW: Evil Deeds), vs Suzu Suzuki (IceRibbon: 15th Anniversary)
As one of the premiere women of the Deathmatch world, Rina enjoyed much success this year. She first picked up the King of FREEDOM Tag Team Championships with UNCHAIN stablemate, Minoru Fujita (a reign of 107 days). Then over the summer she would end Risa Sera’s 322 day reign as FantasICE Champion in IceRibbon. Most recently, she made her first appearance on American soil; defeating Charli Evans in a Deathmatch and competing in NGI 6. If Rina keeps riding this wave she’s on she will no doubt break into that Top 10 next year.
13. G-Raver
Accomplishments: Feud with Jimmy Lloyd. Bringing the GCW Tag Team Championships back to America.
Notable Matches: vs Jimmy Lloyd (GCW: Ashes to Ashes), vs Jimmy Lloyd (GCW: Take Kare)
Considering G-Raver had to regain the full usage of his hand following his accident at 2 Cups Stuffed in 2019, he put on one hell of a comeback. For G-Raver, much of this evaluation period can be characterized by taking his vengeance on Jimmy Lloyd for his injury in one of the top feuds of this year. This feud included a “Glass Ceiling” match and a final showdown in the same building where Raver was injured. Amid it all, G-Raver ventured to Mexico to reclaim the GCW Tag Team Championships alongside his rival in the Zona 23 junkyard. With Raver’s revenge satiated, it’s up to the imagination where he may take his brand of violence in the next year.
12. AKIRA
Accomplishments: Finally made GCW debut in Atlantic City. Masters of Pain 2021 winner. AWR Asylum Tournament winner.
Notable Matches: vs Alex Colon (GCW: NGI 6), vs Mickie Knuckles (AWR: Mercyful Fate 2)
With last year serving as a coming out party for “The Death Samurai”, there were no doubts that AKIRA would make the most of his 2021. He won two tournaments: AWR’s 2021 Asylum Tournament (defeating Mickie Knuckles, Dale Patricks & Remington Rhor in the finals) and Masters of Pain 2021 (previously won by Jun Kasai, Matt Tremont & Yuko Miyamoto). After much demand, the ICW mainstay would finally make his GCW debut, and even got to compete in NGI 6 on his second appearance. Though AKIRA is only number 12 this year, he most certainly has what it takes to crack the Top 10 in the next evaluation period.
11. Matt Tremont
Accomplishments: H2O Champion. Brought Atsushi Onita to the US for an Explosion Deathmatch. Promoter of H2O.
Notable Matches: vs Atsushi Onita (H2O & FMW-E: Destiny), vs Rickey Shane Page (H2O: Last November)
For most of the evaluation period, Matt would continue to be a man of his word and stay retired as the promoter of H2O Wrestling. That would change as the calls for one more match would come in from none other than Atsushi Onita. After a match with much fire and explosives, Tremont would finally send 44.OH! packing by dethroning Rickey Shane Page for the H2O Championship. He may have only had these two matches under him, but the sheer spectacle alone was enough to carry him all the way to Number Eleven. With “The Bulldozer” back in action, who knows where he’ll be and who he’ll face over the next year.
10. Jun Kasai
Accomplishments: GAORA TV Championship. Feature length documentary subject.
Notable Matches: vs Shuji Ishikawa (AJPW: Bloodfight), vs Takayuki Ueki (FREEDOMS: Tokyo Deathmatch Carnival 2021 Vol. 2)
At the age of 47, Jun Kasai still continues to wow audiences in Shin-Kiba 1st Ring and Korakuen Hall with his Deathmatches. As a member of UNCHAIN, he has spent 2021 locked in a battle with the ERE faction, headed by long time ally Masashi Takeda. To the surprise of many, Jun Kasai would win the GAORA TV Championship (a reign of 74 days), a title sanctioned by All Japan Pro Wrestling. And while this leans more into life outside the ring, Kasai was the subject of a feature length documentary in his native Japan. Kasai continues to prove that he has much gas left in the tank and its only a matter of time before we see what he does with the rest of it.
9. Eric Ryan
Accomplishments: Won second consecutive King of The Deathmatch Tournament. H2O Tag Team Champion.
Notable Matches: vs John Wayne Murdoch (ICW NHB: Vol. 12). vs Masashi Takeda (GCW: NGI 6)
With his sickening Snuff Stomp and unconventional use of forks, Eric Ryan has been a force to be reckoned with. He has spent the year representing 44.OH! as both a singles competitor and with Young Studs partner, “The Bev” Bobby Beverly. As a tag team competitor, he and Bobby captured the H2O Tag Team Championships amid 44.OH!’s invasion of H2O. Alone, he captured his second consecutive King of the Deathmatch Tournament victory in IWA-Mid South, where he would call out Masashi Takeda. Although he would finally get the match, he finished this evaluation period on the sidelines, citing numbness in both hands. Once The King of the Deathmatch recovers, you know that he’ll be bringing violence with him.
8. John Wayne Murdoch
Accomplishments: Inaugural ICW American Deathmatch Champion. Won both 60 Minute Iron Man Deathmatches in ICW NHB. Made GCW return at NGI 6. IWTV’s Independent Wrestler of The Year 2020.
Notable Matches: vs Eric Ryan (ICW NHB: Vol. 19), vs Sadika (ICW NHB: Unlucky 13)
Since the start of the NHB era, John Wayne Murdoch has been poised as the top guy of ICW and through this period that point has been driven home. John would capture the ICW American Deathmatch Championship over Mania Weekend in a No Canvas Deathmatch in The Chains against rival Eric Ryan. He has since gone on to defend that belt in every following appearance for ICW; facing the likes of Sadika, AKIRA, and most recently Tank. In this period he has won both 60 Minute Iron Man Deathmatches in NHB history against Orin Veidt and then the aforementioned Ryan (a title defense). And quite possibly his biggest accomplishment, he won the IWTV Indie Award for Wrestler of The Year, besting nominees like WARHORSE and Lee Moriarty. All things continue to look up for “The Duke” as Murdoch has returned to GCW seemingly to have that long awaited match with Alex Colon. In the next year we may see John put in the work to push into the Top 5.
7. Nick Gage
Accomplishments: GCW Champion. Fought Chris Jericho in a Deathmatch on AEW Dynamite. Featured in VICE’s Darkside of the Ring.
Notable Matches: vs Jon Moxley (GCW: Fight Club), vs Matt Cardona (GCW: Homecoming Night 1)
While “The King” spent much of this evaluation period sidelined with an injury, it’s his strong comeback that skyrocketed him up the ranks. This comeback started with victory over Rickey Shane Page to regain his coveted GCW Championship (becoming the only ever two time champ). In the following months, he would have more blockbuster bouts, including Deathmatches against both Matt Cardona and Jon Moxley, and leading Team MDK in Wargames. Gage also made a big splash on national TV screens as not only was he featured in an episode of VICE’s Darkside of the Ring, but also fought a Deathmatch against Chris Jericho as one of MJF’s labors on AEW’s Dynamite. Its clear that Nick will continue to do this until he can’t anymore, so we’re sure to see him on further lists for years to come.
6. Rickey Shane Page
Accomplishments: GCW Champion. H2O Champion. Retired Matt Tremont. AEW appearances.
Notable Matches: vs Nick Gage (rSpring Break), vs Matt Tremont (H2O: Last November)
Coming off of ending the career of Matt Tremont, Rickey Shane Page had quite a chip on his shoulder through this period. He started off, still reigning GCW Champion, though defenses were few and far between. After the conclusion of his 488 day reign as GCW Champ, he picked up the H2O Championship off of Chuck Payne soon after; defending against the likes of G-Raver, Ron Mathis and Devon Moore. With Rickey officially hanging up his boots as an active Deathmatch competitor with AEW Dark appearances under his belt, he most definitely went out on a high note.
5. Violento Jack
Accomplishments: King of FREEDOM World Champion.
Notable Matches: vs Masashi Takeda (FREEDOMS: Tokyo Deathmatch Carnival 2021 Vol 2), vs Toru Sugiura (FREEDOMS: Tokyo Deathmatch Carnival 2021 Vol 1)
While fans may remember Violento Jack as one-third of Los Mazios (with Ciclope & Miedo Extremo), in Japan he is a member of Masashi Takeda’s ERE. Over the past year, he has had strong appearances under his belt in both singles and tag action. In what I consider his best performance, he defeated Toru Sugiura to end his 643 day reign as King of FREEDOM World Champion. Its my personal hope to see Jack venture out here to the US to show off his talents to more audiences.
4. Masashi Takeda
Accomplishments: GCW Ultraviolent Champion. NGI 6 Finalist. US appearance in GCW.
Notable Matches: vs Alex Colon (GCW: NGI 6), vs Drew Parker (BJW: 10/25/2021)
Japan’s “Crazy Kid” continued to live up to his nickname through this period. Much of this year was spent battling UNCHAIN in bloody main events in FREEDOMS alongside his ERE. Though ERE fought as a unit this year, Takeda would collide with stablemate Violento Jack; unsuccessfully challenging for the King of FREEDOM World Championship. He would hit the ground running as he defeated Drew Parker for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship en route to competing in NGI 6 in the US.
3. Atticus Cogar
Accomplishments: H2O Danny Havoc Hardcore Champion. TOS 666 Finalist. Won No Peace Underground’s Gauntlet of Death. Feud with MASADA. Ended Reed Bentley’s undefeated streak in ICW NHB.
Notable Matches: vs MASADA (rSpring Break), vs Joey Janela (GCW: Homecoming Night 2)
It has been much speculated that Atticus is poised to be the next big Deathmatch star in the US and his past year of work has proven that point. He entered this period embroiled in a feud with MASADA which culminated in a violent Deathmatch at rSpring Break with Atticus being the victor. He’s gone on to reach such heights as becoming a finalist in TOS 666, winning No Peace Underground’s Gauntlet of Death, and holding the H2O Danny Havoc Hardcore Championship (a reign of 154 days). With Atticus calling his own shots now and standing toe to toe with the likes of Alex Colon and Masashi Takeda, god help anybody who stands in his path going into next year.
2. Drew Parker
Accomplishments: Held BJW Deathmatch Title & GCW Ultraviolent Title simultaneously. Won Ikkitousen Death Match Survivor in BJW. Made first US appearance in 2 years.
Notable Matches: vs Masashi Takeda (BJW: 10/25/2021), vs Ryuji Ito (BJW: Ikkitousen Death Match Survivor 2021)
Through the past year, Drew Parker has put in some career highlight-worthy work. With his year spent in Japan, he won the 2021 Ikkitousen Death Match Survivor Tournament (last defeating Ryuji Ito) en route to defeating Takumi Tsukamoto to become the BJW Deathmatch Champion (the third gaijin to hold the belt. With these accomplishments under him, he ventured to America for the first time in two years to defeat Alex Colon for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship. Though he has since lost both titles, Drew has a body of work that has carried him to the upper echelons of the Deathmatch world.
1. Alex Colon
Accomplishments: Won TOS 666, NGI 6 & Hardcore Cup Tournaments in the same year, Inaugural GCW Ultraviolence Champion/Only Two Time Champion. Unsanctioned Pro Hardcore Champion. Hosted his own event with Planet Death.
Notable Matches: vs Atticus Cogar (GCW: TOS 666), vs Drew Parker (GCW: Homecoming Night 1)
There was nobody else that could’ve taken the Number One spot. Within the evaluation period, Alex has racked up both titles and tournament wins through 2021 alone. Most famously, he picked up his third consecutive Tournament of Survival win, something nobody else has ever done. He has also picked up the GCW Ultraviolent Championship twice; the first time as inaugural champ, and second in the finals of NGI 6. In this stretch alone, Alex Colon has put up a record year and one that will most definitely put him in the talks for the Greatest Deathmatch Wrestlers of All Time.