5 Best Wrestling Matches of 2005

#2. Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe - ROH Joe vs. Kobashi - October 1, 2005

Have you ever seen a match that’s so captivating that it doesn’t need commentary? Well this is it.

In 2005, Samoa Joe was still a rising star in the wrestling business, while Kenta Kobashi was a certified legend who had come off a two-year reign as NOAH’s world champion. These two heavyweight wrestlers faced off in one of the most physical matches ever seen, with Kobashi at one point chopping Joe’s chest so badly it actually turned purple. But this isn’t a technical masterpiece by any stretch; in that department, the match is really good but not outstanding.

What makes this match awesome is the crowd. They cheer every single move with such fervor and passion that the crowd of maybe 1,000 sound like over 20,000. The crowd cheered every chop, kick, throw, suplex, submission hold, transition move, everything. They adored this match, giving both men a standing ovation within minutes. Even before the match had even started, the crowd was roaring with approval.

This match is the perfect example of a great crowd making all the difference. If you were to rate this match by its in-ring action alone, it would likely be in the 4-star range, and that’s because the action itself is dramatic with lots of great back-and-forth action.

But the crowd in attendance is like no other; they manage to make the small venue sound like a stadium full of cheering fans. That is why Ring of Honor released two versions of the DVD for the show hosting this match: one with commentary and one without it.

And honestly, the one without any commentary is infinitely better because it allows the fans to voice their support for their favorite superstars and give their direct opinion on this brutal slugfest of a match.