'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada - June 3rd, 1994
It has also been referred to be some as the ‘Singles Match of the Decade’, which isn’t too farfetched of a statement, to be honest. This match has risen to mythical status among pro wrestling enthusiasts. Initially rated as a 5-star match, Dave Meltzer has since gone back and rated this match 6 stars out of five, making it the first-ever match to get an official 6-star rating.
Simply put, this match was the epitome of wrestling perfection. The technical wrestling was outstanding, the match’s structure exciting and logical, the strikes looked real and brutal, the big spots looked devastating, and the audience was both loud and fully immersed in what they were watching.
It was a match that didn't even need a storyline or any gimmicks. It was a straightforward battle of champion versus challenger, both wanting to show why they were the best. The rest they told through in-ring action and wrestling psychology that was light years ahead of anything else in the world at the time.
When the match ended, not only did the fans erupt like never before (up to that point), but the lead commentator pulled a Jim Ross and proceeded to lose his mind as if he had just witnessed the greatest match of all time. Then again, given how awesome this match was, it very well still might be.
If nothing else, this match gets remembered for its unrelenting brutality and the superhuman toughness of both Misawa and Kawada. Of course, Kawada deserves a little extra credit for taking one of the most vicious neck drops ever in a sick Tiger Driver ’91 that will make you wince just by watching it.
