{"id":18192,"date":"2018-05-06T10:29:29","date_gmt":"2018-05-06T14:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=18192"},"modified":"2018-05-06T10:29:29","modified_gmt":"2018-05-06T14:29:29","slug":"20-best-matches-of-the-month-april-2018-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2018\/05\/06\/20-best-matches-of-the-month-april-2018-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Best Matches Of The Month: April 2018 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every month, our own Dan Niles compiles his personal 20 Best Matches list from around the world, from North America to Europe to Japan. Some are obvious best matches choices, some are dark horses, but they\u2019re always fun to find some matches you may have missed the previous month! (DISCLAIMER: This list is subjective and is compiled exclusively by Dan Niles; there will obviously be matches he may have missed that you may feel deserve credit \u2013 we encourage you to list some of your best matches of the month in the comments section below to help add to the list! In regards to videos, we only show FULL MATCHES that are authorized by the promotions; video highlights are used where possible; we encourage you to seek out these matches through promotions VOD or streaming networks)<\/i><\/p>\n

The month of April is always an overflow of riches every year with wrestling companies around the world following WrestleMania<\/strong><\/em> weekend to put forth special shows of their own but this month was especially packed with all the other events going on besides New Orleans. There were not one but two spectacular Ladder Matches this month in SoCal<\/strong> Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Kazarian and Scorpio Sky)<\/strong> vs. The<\/strong> Young<\/strong> Bucks<\/strong> and Flip<\/strong> Gordon<\/strong> and the NXT<\/strong> North American Championship Six-Way match so they move over to include other matches this month. There are so many matches that had to get left off this list of the top twenty of the best all month that another list could be made so let me state there was so much great wrestling vying for your attention but I will mention the honorable mentions before we get started. There were matches that did disappoint a little bit like Shinsuke<\/strong> Nakamura<\/strong> vs. AJ<\/strong> Styles<\/strong>. There were matches that just missed the cut like Asuka<\/strong> vs. Charlotte<\/strong> Flair<\/strong> and Zack<\/strong> Sabre<\/strong> Jr vs. Tomohiro<\/strong> Ishii<\/strong>. The AJPW<\/strong> Champions<\/strong> Carnival<\/strong> took place and Kento<\/strong> Miyahara<\/strong> vs. Shingo<\/strong> is highly recommended. Will<\/strong> Ospreay<\/strong> had a standout month and his matches with Dezmond<\/strong> Xavier<\/strong> and against team Kota<\/strong> Ibushi<\/strong> in a six-man tag team match could have easily made the list. Here\u2019s seven more that are worth your time and money through On Demand services from WrestleMania weekend and beyond in April 2018:<\/p>\n

Honorable Mentions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Tracy<\/strong> Williams<\/strong> vs. Kimber<\/strong> Lee<\/strong>,\u00a0Powerbomb<\/strong>.tv<\/strong>\u00a0Championship Match ,\u00a0Women\u2019s<\/strong> Wrestling<\/strong> Revolution<\/strong> (WWR<\/strong>)\/Beyond<\/strong> Wrestling Lit<\/em><\/strong> Up<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
  • Keith Lee (c) <\/strong>vs. Austin<\/strong> Theory<\/strong>, <\/strong>EVOLVE title match,\u00a0EVOLVE 103: EVOLVE Vs The World<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
  • JAKA<\/strong> vs Munenori Sawa,\u00a0<\/strong>EVOLVE 103: EVOLVE vs The World<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
  • Andrade<\/strong> \u201cCien<\/strong>\u201d Almas (c)\u00a0<\/strong>vs.\u00a0Aleister<\/b>\u00a0Black<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/strong>NXT Championship match, NXT<\/strong> Takeover<\/strong><\/em>: New<\/strong> Orleans<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
  • Minoru<\/strong> Suzuki<\/strong>\u00a0(c) vs Tetsuya<\/strong> Naito,\u00a0<\/strong>IWGP Intercontinental championship, NJPW<\/strong> Hi<\/strong> No<\/strong> Kuni<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n
  • Zack<\/strong> Sabre<\/strong> Jr<\/strong> vs. Menunori<\/strong> Sawa<\/strong>,\u00a0WWN Live: Mercury Rising<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Will<\/strong> Ospreay<\/strong> vs. Mark<\/strong> Haskins<\/strong>,\u00a0PROGRESS<\/strong>\u00a0Chapter 66<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    20 Best Matches Of The Month: April 2018 Edition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    #20. Will Ospreay vs. AR Fox, EVOLVE 102<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: WWN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    \u201cThe Aerial Assassin\u201d out-performed every pro wrestler this year at WrestleMania weekend by competing in six matches in different companies with a bad neck after his match with Marty Scurll on April 1. At EVOLVE 102<\/em>, Ospreay took on one of the top high flyers in independent wrestling and they went right to the big moves early. Both avoided cutters and dives only for Fox to finally hit a Cutter and work on the neck of Ospreay. AR Fox lost the advantage when he took a wild sit-out Powerbomb but nailed a perfect Spanish Fly in return. Fox earned a big near-fall off a 450 Splash and Ospreay won with The Robinson Special and the Os-Cutter.<\/p>\n

    #19. Matt Riddle (c) vs. Daisuke Sakamoto, No Rope Breaks for the EVOLVE Championship, EVOLVE 103: EVOLVE vs The World<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: WWN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    This match turned out to be more than a special attraction when there were no rope breaks and Riddle\u2019s newly won EVOLVE Championship was on the line. \u201cThe Muscle Monster\u201d dished out huge chops and locked in a Boston Crab to wear down \u201cThe King Of Bros\u201d. Riddle went for the GTS to early and got trapped in a torture rack submission. Riddle got to the ropes but that wouldn\u2019t matter here and he improvised hitting kicks and the bridging German Suplex. Daisuke was taken down and finished off with a knee strike and hammer fists.<\/p>\n

    #18. David Starr vs. Mike Quackenbush, Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: GCW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Mike Quackenbush founded CHIKARA and is a legend on the independent wrestling scene in North America, David Starr requested this match and the match turned out differently than many thought it would. Quackenbush was able to land trademark cartwheel counters and nip ups but he frustrated Starr a little too much. After Starr was outclassed he took matters into his own hands and drove Quackenbush’ head twice into the corner with Death Valley Drivers. It wouldn\u2019t last much longer after that for a man with a history of concussions but Quackenbush did pull off classic offense like the top rope hurricanrana, Swanton and Quacken-Driver. Commentary said it best when Start caught Quackenbush off the top rope with a Powerbomb: \u201c Is this about respect or is this about making a name for yourself!?\u201d Starr hit a beautiful deadlift Northern Lights Suplex and locked in a modified version of Rings Or Saturn but Quackenbush fought out and hit a Superkick only to be pummeled by a Discus Lariat for the three-count.<\/p>\n

    #17. Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii, WrestleCon Supershow<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: WrestleCon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Jeff Cobb should by all accounts be in NJPW by now but WrestleCon got this match as well as Minoru Suzuki vs. Jeff Cobb for WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans. Both traded heavy shots to start the match until Cobb used his strength advantage for German Suplexes and even one in the corner turnbuckle. Cobb impressed with a Pumphandle bridging slam while Ishii fired back with a Superplex. Both delivered Exploder Suplexes and both popped right back up to their feet showing fighting spirit until the very end. It seemed Cobb would earn the biggest victory of his career with a headbutt but he couldn\u2019t follow through and Ishii won this slug-fest with an enzuigiri and Brainbuster.<\/p>\n

    #16. Jay White (c) vs. David Finlay, IWGP United States Championship, NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: NJPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Finlay and White have been feuding since they were both Young Lions in the opening act, years later it\u2019s a Championship match and White has pushed Finlay over the edge providing David Finlay’s best performance to date. Finlay was all over White in the opening minutes until an innovative Pumphandle Backbreaker from White and the Liontamer. \u201cSwitchblade\u201d yelled \u201cstill a young boy!\u201d at the talented rival and it only fired Finlay up for a Spear but the table would turn literally when White sent Finlay through a table with a powerbomb and an elbow drop off the apron. When the action went back in the ring both reversed finisher attempts into one of their own until Finlay stole the Blade Runner! The finishing stretch was fitting for a match between heated counterparts, Finlay\u2019s Stunner was turned right into The Blade Runner and White retains the IWGP United States Championship.<\/p>\n

    https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cjFrO6rVhXY<\/p>\n

    #15. Travis Banks (c) vs. Shane Strickland, PROGRESS World Championship, PROGRESS Chapter 66<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: PROGRESS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    A rematch from a very underrated Lucha<\/strong> Forever<\/strong> Championship match last year where both went at a pace usually reserved for CMLL<\/strong> competitors. Banks defended the Progress World title this time and extended his reign to seven months in another sprint where the heat was turned up early. \u201cThe King Of Swerve\u201d lived up to his name taking out a Superkick and going to the knee instead then connecting with a Death Valley Driver on the apron. A Swerve Stomp to Banks draped over the barricade and another in the ring couldn\u2019t put \u201cThe Kiwi Buzzsaw\u201d away! Both went up top and Banks capitalized with a top rope Kiwi Crusher to end an outstanding World title match.<\/p>\n

    #14 . Keith Lee vs. Daisuke Sakamoto, WWN Live: Mercury Rising<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: WWN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Keith Lee and Daisuke Sakamoto only met once and it was last year for wXw<\/strong>. Lee wasted no time in the rematch with a 300-plus pound hurricanrana. Lee even won a forearm exchange over the jacked-up Daisuke but the moment of the match occurred when Daisuke lifted Lee up for a deadlift suplex like it was easy. Keith Lee nailed a huge Spirit Bomb for only two! The mistake of the match for Lee was going up top for a Doomsault as Sakamoto avoided it and put Lee away with a single-arm trap German Suplex.<\/p>\n

    #13. Joey Janela vs. The Great Sasuke, Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: GCW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Not a mat classic by any means but this was a one-time-only privilege to watch as a fan, it doesn\u2019t matter how old The Great Sasuke is (48 years old) you will always get an unforgettable match. Both men had no regard for their bodies with Sasuke going neck first through a ladder when he missed a Senton and Janela taking a powerbomb into chairs set upright. Sasuke wrestled like it was his last match, missing another senton this time through a table on the floor. The only time things settled down was when Janela attacked the legs with a Figure-Four Leglock. Janela got a massive win at his own show when he hit a Michinoku Driver onto a ladder and put Sasuke away with a top rope double-stomp. This is probably going to go down as one of the craziest and most surreal matches all year.<\/p>\n

    #12. Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs. Matt Riddle, EVOLVE Championship, EVOLVE 102<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: WWN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The way Sabre picked Riddle apart in this match was something to see to say the least until Riddle fought his way out of submission holds to apply one if his own. At a record of 1-1 in Evolve matches, this was the ultimate decider to who is the best in the company. Sabre hooked Riddle\u2019s legs for numerous submissions and a tornado DDT transitioned into an armbar was as smooth as Sabre\u2019s idols. Riddle used two Fisherman Buster’s to turn the tide and a ripcord knee rocked Sabre\u2019s world. Remarkable finish when Riddle hit a Gotch Tombstone Piledriver for two and Sabre turned that into Orienteering With Napalm Death but Riddle countered into the Bro-Mission to end Sabre\u2019s Evolve title run at sixteen defenses.<\/p>\n

    #11.\u00a0Hirooki\u00a0Goto (c) vs. Juice Robinson, NEVER Openweight Championship, NJPW Road\u00a0To Wrestling Dontaku<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: NJPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Perhaps the best match from Juice Robinson since he signed with NJPW just three years ago because of the intensity and the crowd support for the highly talented Gaijin. Goto wouldn\u2019t let up on the high-impact moves to keep his title, driving Robinson’s back over the guardrail hard and hitting the Ushigoroshi. A couple back Suplexes forced the referee to check on Juice’s condition and that\u2019s when Robinson went for Pulp Friction and hit a resounding palm strike. Goto was in for more of a fight than he thought but he put the title match away with stiff kick to the chest sand the GTR.<\/p>\n

    #10. Kota Ibushi vs. Adam “Hangman” Page, ROH Supercard Of Honor<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \"\"
    Photo: Ring of Honor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    \u201cHangman\u201d Page has been on the verge of a run in the main events after impressing more every month and this match with \u201cThe Golden Star\u201d stole the show at Supercard Of Honor. Page used a hangman\u2019s neckbreaker appropriate to his character but then took a dangerous German Suplex off the rail.Things got even more interesting when both scouted their big moves off the apron, the Golden Triangle Moonsault and the Shooting Star Press. Page hit a Piledriver and the Buckshot Lariat but Ibushi refused to go down. Page gave it his best but succumbed to the straightjacket German Suplex and the Knee Strike.<\/p>\n