5 best wrestling matches of 2011

#4. Jun Akiyama vs. SUWAMA - AJPW Pro Wrestling Love In Ryogoku

For the first time since 1999, All Japan Pro-Wrestling makes the list with this traditional grappling match for one of the most prestigious titles in history.

In this battle, champion SUWAMA defended the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship against Jun Akiyama, one of the best wrestlers of 1990s Japan. Akiyama had never won the title, and after struggling in NOAH in the 2000s, he made an appearance in his old stomping grounds.

Of course, this is Akiyama, an AJPW alumnus, so you know what that means: this is a match filled with classic mat wrestling, dramatic reversal sequences, teased big moves, devastating out-of-the-ring spots, and ‘fighting spirit’ segments in which both wrestlers show off their toughness by no-selling each other’s offense. All of those things could be seen in this match, which made it fun to watch.

Finally, this was important because Akiyama finally won the Triple Crown Championship, 11 years after he left AJPW in the 2000 exodus. SUWAMA fought well, but he couldn’t overcome Akiyama, who had been wrestling some of the best wrestlers in Japan since 1992.