My 21 Favorite Matches of 2021 (In Chronological Order)

 (In chronological order) 

(Please Note: Many chosen were experienced in person but that is not the only reason why they were chosen)

Matches are classified by Event Title / Match Type (if applicable), date, promotion.

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[1] Tony Deppen vs Trish Adora (The Iron Match, 2/14/21, Beyond Wrestling)

    During the pandemic I got really down on watching wrestling in general because watching it on television felt like I was missing out on what I wanted to see in person.  Not only was this one of my favorite matches of 2021 that solidified Tony Deppen as the best at what he's currently doing and put more eyes on Trish Adora, but this match helped me get back into watching wrestling on television comfortably and just a few months later we'd be back to attending live shows.

[2] Allie Kat vs Billie Starkz (Allie Kat's Real Hot Girl Shit, 4/9/21, Game Changer Wrestling)

    As soon as Real Hot Girl Shit was announced, I knew I had to watch it.  We were still stuck inside for the pandemic, but I was enjoying what wrestling I could get on my television.  This was one of those matches where- and I will continue to say this- these two fought each other to the point where neither would lose.  It ended up that Allie Kat seemed to cause pain to herself while being able to get the win over Billie Starkz.   This might have also been that turning point for where Allie Kat became Allie Katch!

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here. 

[3] G-Raver vs Su Yung (Shallow Graves, 4/10/21, No Peace Underground)

    This match announcement made me immediately buy this show on FITE TV and it was completely worth it.   I enjoy seeing clashes of styles but something about this match was just all to perfect.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[4] Ken Broadway vs TJ Crawford (In Bloom, 4/24/21, Invictus Pro Wrestling)

    Back in 2019, I went to my first live professional wrestling event after a 13 year absence.  Then, the pandemic hit and most of 2020 was spent not going to live wrestling.  But with the weather getting warmer and the strides being made with the vaccine, Quentin and I attended this outdoors show for Invictus Pro Wrestling.  It made not only this entire show for us very special but these are two of the best wrestlers out there today who really need to be talked about more and this match just proves that.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[5] Masha Slamovich vs Edith Surreal (Soviet Death Match, 4/25/21, Camp Leapfrog)

    Masha Slamovich has had a hell of a 2021 and this might have been one of those matches that helped propel her into that, where people really started to take notice here and feel like Masha Slamovich was on her way to becoming a star.  When I think of Edith Surreal I always think of this technical luchadora (partly because of the mask) so to also see her in this match, in this environment, and to have these two fighting in the snow just made this one of those matches you have to go out of your way to see.

[6] Holidead vs Jennacide (Locked N Loaded / Falls Count Anywhere, 5/1/21, Mission Pro Wrestling)

    This was a hell of a match that not only got me into Mission Pro Wrestling, it got me subscribed to Title Match Network and I never really looked back!

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[7] Erica Leigh vs Dan Champion (That 90's Party! / PWM Title Match, 5/8/21, Pro Wrestling Magic)

    After Erica Leigh won the PWM Title her first title defense was against Dan Champion.  Quentin and I were making our way back into live shows and this felt like one of those shows we needed to be at.  I had been taunting Dan Champion on Twitter by calling him "Lil Dan" and so we went to this show with a "Lil Dan" sign that Dan Champion took from Quentin during the match, tried to rip it up but was stopped by Erica Leigh!  Some months later, we'd see Dan Champion again at Wrestlers Lab and Quentin gave that sign to Dan Champion, so if anyone was wondering about that story that is the conclusion of it!

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[8] Willow Nightingale vs Trish Adora (Let's Talk About Wrestling, 5/16/21, WWR+)

    This match is appearing on two lists for me so I'm simply to say here that the idea of having fan favorite Willow Nightingale vs fan favorite Trish Adora is what wrestling should be.   Yes, I do enjoy booing the heels, but to that extent having it where you're conflicted and don't want to boo somebody and are just happy no matter who wins, it brings a new level of enjoyment to a wrestling match.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[9] Erica Leigh vs Riley Shepard (May The Franchise Reign / PWM Title Match, 5/29/21, Battle Club Pro)

    While this was our first Battle Club Pro show it was also quite special to see not only Riley Shepard make her debut with the company but to do so against Erica Leigh.  This was also the first time that the PWM Title was defended by a woman against a woman.   This is just one of those matches- and it'll go down in history as being such- that when you realize the significance of it, you have to watch it.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[10] Karen Bam Bam vs Alec Price (Undeniable 2 / TOS Championship Match, 6/19/21, Test Of Strength)

    This was actually my first time at a TOS show, but Karen Bam Bam and Alec Price just showed why this match should be run back a number of times.  Everything about this match was just perfect and it set the stage for the entire show, really, which just then had me falling in love with TOS.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[11] Willow Nightingale vs Masha Slamovich (To Wrestle, Shoot Straight And Speak The Truth, 6/20/21, WWR+)

    A first time match up which really just felt like good vs evil.  Masha Slamovich would go on to be cheered a lot more places later on in 2021, but around this time she was largely booed and so this was one of those matches where I was conflicted but it still goes to show that there are traditional faces and heels left in wrestling.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[12] Jordan Blade vs Allie Katch (Candy Coated Kingdom / PWM Women's Title Match, 6/26/21, Pro Wrestling Magic)

    As Allie Kat changed into Allie Katch the idea was to focus more on the technical, grappling side of wrestling.  What better opponent to do this against than the Submission Sniper Jordan Blade?  This was just a fantastic match and in many ways I feel like this was one of those breakout moments for Jordan Blade as it truly feels like after this match everything she has done has just been going up.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking [here]

[13] Trish Adora vs Darius Carter (Wanna Be Startin' Something / PAWD Title Match, 8/13/21, We Are Wrestling)

    As I've stated in my review and to others in person, I don't think I've seen a crowd react the way they did to this match as any other match in all my life.  When the fans thought Darius Carter had won the title (by questionable means) they were not going to let him get to his car.   This was such a great wrestling match, move for move, but also with the story it told.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[14] JT Dunn vs Davienne (Summer Chaos / Chaotic Heavyweight Title Match, 8/27/21, Chaotic Wrestling)

    From the Chaotic Countdown to here, this was one of those moments where Davienne winning the Chaotic Heavyweight Championship was something that every single person in that building felt and we all shared it together.   How special is that?  Plus, leading up to this match I saw JT Dunn several times at other shows and was telling him in person and on Twitter as well that he was losing.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[15] Brad Cashew vs Ace Austin (A Haunting In Tewksbury / New England Championship Match, 10/8/21, Chaotic Wrestling)

    Whatever you consider "it" to be in professional wrestling, Brad Cashew has "it".   This made this match that much better because it really is two of the best doing what they do and it just gave Ace Austin such a great way to show out.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[16] Perry Von Vicious vs Brandon Watts (Who Made Who, 10/22/21, Pro Wrestling GRIND)

    As someone who has seen a lot of Perry Von Vicious matches, this was definitely my favorite Perry Von Vicious match up until this point.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[17] MV Young vs Tony Deppen (Fall Children, 10/24/21, Blitzkrieg! Pro)

    I feel like this was a first time match up but it should have happened before because these are just two wrestlers who both use their bodies as weapons.   This was such a great match and one which should be revisited eventually as well.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[18] Trish Adora vs Jordan Blade (Uncharted Territory Season 3 Episode 5/ PAWD Title Match, 11/4/21, Beyond Wrestling)

    Though I hadn't been watching Uncharted Territory on IWTV (I'm busy) and the thought of going to a show on a Thursday night didn't really appeal to me, I saw on Twitter that Beyond was hinting at a title match between Trish Adora and Jordan Blade.   I knew (and said publicly) as soon as that match was announced, I would have to be there.  And it delivered in every possible way.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here. 

[19] Isana vs Jessie Nolan (WrestleFest XVI / Good Housekeeping Match, 11/12/21, Northeast Championship Wrestling)

    Not only are Isana and Jessie Nolan two of my favorite wrestlers, but the story which brought them to this match in NCW was also really well done.   This was just such a fantastic match that everyone should go out of their way to see and these two wrestlers should be on all of the shows.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[20] Anthony Greene vs Alec Price (Prized Possession / Limitless Championship Match, 11/13/21, Limitless Wrestling)

        I still remember it like it was yesterday.  I had it in my mind to go to Maine to see Limitless at some point, but when they announced JT Dunn vs Alec Price for a shot at the title held by Anthony Greene, I knew that we had to make the drive if it was Alec Price vs AG.  The rest, as they say, is history.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

[21] Masha Slamovich vs Charli Evans (Uncharted Territory Season 3 Episode 8, 11/25/21, Beyond Wrestling)

    When Charli Evans came to the United States for a tour I knew I had to see her live at some point but I didn't know when that would be.   My number one choice of who to see her wrestle also just happened to be Masha Slamovich, so the way this match worked out just felt like magic.   Oddly enough, after this match Charli Evans did have some more in NJ but this was really the closest she came and if we didn't go to this match I might have likely missed her on this tour.

A full review of this event can be found by clicking here.

This is it for 2021.   2022 already looks like it's going to be even more crazy (even though I'm trying to slow down with going to live events) and hopefully I can narrow it down again next year to my top 22 matches!