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Several wrestling promotions have utilized squash matches for specific goals. Whether it be to build a monster heel or give credibility to a new superstar, these one-sided contests establish the arsenal of competitors and show just what they have to offer. There have also been squash matches that have taken place on huge stages.
Big Van Vader was a revelation in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He destroyed Japanese legend Antonio Inoki, who put his name on the map. Vader found similar success when he demolished Sting on his way to the WCW Heavyweight Championship. Speaking of WCW, Goldberg used the art of squash matches to cement his undefeated aura, which launched him into superstardom.
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From The Undertaker to Braun Strowman, squash matches have helped characters get over and become main event players. In this article, let's take a look at the five biggest squash matches in pro-wrestling history.
Former WWE writer buries Judgment Day HERE
#5 Hiromu Takahashi vs. KUSHIDA - New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Sakura Genesis 2017
New Japan Pro Wrestling is known for classic battles and long form epic main events. Their title matches are usually tremendous displays of back and forth wrestling between two evenly matched competitors. It just isn't the place for one-sided affairs. However, NJPW perfects professional wrestling more than many other promotions and squash matches are no different.
The most famed squash match of recent years has to be the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match back at Sakura Genesis 2017. Hiromu Takahashi defeated KUSHIDA to win the title at Wrestle Kingdom 11. The rematch was the latter's chance to win back the title and return to his position as ace for the junior heavyweight division in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
KUSHIDA came out hot and hit a dive before the opening bell. He hit a running dropkick to Takahashi while he sat in a chair. He looked to have put the champion away with a hoverboard lock, but Takahashi escaped and hit a brutal sunset bomb to the floor. Hiromu Takahashi followed with the Time Bomb, a running DVD in the corner and a second Time Bomb for the win in just two minutes.
It was an absolutely shocking result that stunned the fans in attendance as well as watching from home. It solidified Takahashi as the top star in New Japan Pro Wrestling's junior heavyweight division. This contest was a fun sprint that set KUSHIDA up for a redemption arc to return to the top of the division and cement Takahashi as the ace that he would become.
#4 The Ultimate Warrior vs. The Honky Tonk Man - World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Summerslam 1988
The World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s was centered around Hulk Hogan. Despite stars like Macho Man Randy Savage and Andre The Giant having their own fanbases, Hogan was treated just head and shoulders above all other superstars in the promotion. Vince McMahon didn't focus on another star until Summerslam in 1988.
Heading into the pay-per-view, The Honky Tonk Man was the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in World Wrestling Federation history. He was supposed to face Brutus Beefcake for the title, but The Barber was injured and couldn't perform. This led to an open challenge made by the champion.
Enter The Ultimate Warrior. He answered The Honky Tonk Man's challenge and ran through the champion. Once Warrior's music hit, Honky can be seen mouthing "NO! NOT HIM!" In just 31 seconds, The Ultimate Warrior defeated The Honky Tonk Man in dominant fashion.
This was the perfect end to his legendary reign. He was the chicken heel who used disqualifications and countouts to retain his Intercontinental Championship. It was a fitting way to use a squash match to build wrestling's next superstar. This established The Ultimate Warrior as a key player in the future of the World Wrestling Federation.
#3 Brodie Lee vs. Cody Rhodes - All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Saturday Night Dynamite 8/22/20
Cody Rhodes is one of the pillars of All Elite Wrestling. As one of the EVPs, he immediately was considered one of the top stars of the promotion. After losing out on his chance to become AEW World Champion, the introduction of the TNT Championship gave him a chance to become a champion. He defeated Lance Archer at Double Or Nothing 2020 to become the first champion.
Cody introduced his own open challenge for the TNT Championship. He defeated up and coming All Elite Wrestling stars like Jungle Boy and Marq Quen. Rhodes also helped facilitate the arrivals of Ricky Starks and Eddie Kingston via his open challenge. After beating Scorpio Sky, Brodie Lee was the latest competitor to answer the challenge, but this was different.
The Dark Order leader destroyed the original TNT Championship and said he would return what was left to Cody when he claimed the newly minted version on the August 22nd, 2020 AEW Saturday Night Dynamite. This set the stage for one of the most one-sided contests in All Elite Wrestling history.
Cody came out hot and attacked Lee at the bell, but the latter was having nothing of it. He beat him down on the floor and then back inside the ring. Brodie Lee hit a release German suplex, a superkick and then another superkick for a nearfall. He followed with two powerbombs and a discus lariat for a completely dominant victory to win the TNT Championship.
It was a spectacular squash encounter that presented Lee as the star that he was always capable of being. It also firmly established The Dark Order as a threat. This was the greatest moment of Brodie Lee's career and one of the best endings to an episode of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite.
#2 Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Survivor Series 2016
Goldberg and Brock Lesnar have long been viewed as two of the most dominant forces in wrestling history. They first crossed paths at Survivor Series 2003 before Lesnar cost Goldberg the Royal Rumble Match in 2004. The latter got vengeance by costing The Beast Incarnate the WWE Championship at No Way Out to set up a showdown at WrestleMania 20.
The clash didn't go as many imagined. With word getting out that both men were leaving the world of wrestling, the Madison Square Garden crowd booed Goldberg and Brock Lesnar out of the building. The former won the bout, but this wasn't what fans wanted from this dream match.
12 years later, Lesnar was the biggest monster heel in the wrestling business. Following the defeat of The Undertaker to end his legendary WrestleMania streak, no one could envision anyone getting the better of The Beast Incarnate. Goldberg made his return to WWE and challenged his former rival to a rematch at Survivor Series 2016.
Many fans believed that he was coming back for Lesnar to get his win back, but this wasn't meant to be and was unreal. Brock Lesnar didn't take his challenge seriously. However, the former WCW Champion pushed him down and immediately hit a spear. He followed with yet another spear and hit the jackhammer for the win in just under 90 seconds.
The reaction to this contest was amazing and instantly made Goldberg the man who took the wrestling world by storm in 1998 again. Brock Lesnar was built up to be an unstoppable monster. It wasn't a young star who ended his reign of terror, but a 50-year-old part-timer stopped his momentum. This was an incredible feel-good moment that was among the most memorable in the company's history.
#1 Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Summerslam 2014
The aforementioned ending of The Undertaker's WrestleMania Streak by Brock Lesnar was one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history. To follow up on this win, The Beast Incarnate challenged John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Summerslam 2014.
Paul Heyman is one of the best promo guys to ever hold a microphone in wrestling. His promos building up this match were top-notch and among his most exceptional work. Heyman spent months talking up Lesnar's win over The Undertaker and used that to make his client feel like the biggest challenge of Cena's wrestling career.
John Cena has been the face of World Wrestling Entertainment since winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21. He has overcome better wrestlers and the giants of the company over the course of a nine-year run on top. His tremendous run was unmatched for its longevity and made someone knocking him off his perch unthinkable.
He came into the Summerslam 2014 main event more seriously than he has for any other matchup. He sold concerns over what this contest would mean for his wrestling career and legacy. Bell rang and Brock Lesnar instantly hit the F5 for a super early nearfall. He didn't let up and bombarded Cena with strikes and suplexes.
Lesnar ragdolled Cena for the next 15 minutes. The champion would make a short comeback and hit the Attitude Adjustment, but only got a two count. Lesnar sat up like The Undertaker and laughed at his opponent in an iconic visual. He hit a total of 16 German suplexes and completely brutalized Cena. The Beast Incarnate then hit the final F5 on Cena to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
This was unlike anything fans had seen in the WWE or wrestling before. It was an extended squash that cemented Brock Lesnar as the company's final boss. It was doubly effective due to John Cena's legacy. For years, he was unstoppable himself. Cena was the company's hero who always overcame the odds and never gave up. Here he had no choice, but to be beaten by The Beast Incarnate.
This elevated what Lesnar did at WrestleMania XXX and solidified his status as one of the greatest monster heels ever. That's why Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena at Summerslam 2014 is the best squash match in wrestling history.
