In this monthly recurring series, the residents of Wrestle Inn will offer you their recommendation for a single match you should seek out from the last month. We might not always highlight the “best” match; perhaps we’ll pick a hidden gem instead, or a match that you may not have heard of from a promotion different to what you usually watch. But, we can guarantee that all of these picks will be more than worth your time!

Steve Howard recommends:
Will Ospreay vs Speedball Mike Bailey, Bound For Glory (IMPACT, October 21)
This was my most anticipated match of a stacked show and it didn’t disappoint. Fast paced action throughout, the match ebbed and flowed, building up excitement with near falls towards the end. Bailey’s kicks are amongst the best in the business and Ospreay countered with several moves that had you biting on the finish. This really is must-see and hopefully the first of many Ospreay appearances in the soon to be renamed TNA.

Fusa recommends:
Bryan Danielson vs Zack Sabre Jr., WrestleDream (AEW, October 1)
Not a lot of people can say that they were in attendance for historic matches, but luckily I was in the building when it came to this dream match. Never have I been so enthralled in a match that had such little striking and so much groundwork. How often do you get to see the two greatest submission specialists slap each other in the face while they are in a figure 8 standing on their heads? Both men are truly the best of the best when it comes to submission work and I will always have the pleasure to say “I was there” when we look back on this technical masterpiece. Although, I stand with Zack; shame on Bryan for ending that technical battle with a strike.

CiaranRH recommends:
Shingo Takagi vs Tomohiro Ishii, Royal Quest III (NJPW, October 14)
I was front row for this show and I spent the entire match hyping up Shingo’s Pumping Bomber to my fiancée; “wait until Shingo hits it, just wait, keep waiting”. Then Shingo hit maybe the greatest Pumping Bomber of his career, so shout-out to Shingo for not making me out to be a liar.

Ryan Dilbert recommends:
Fuminori Abe vs Takuya Nomura, Bokura Wa Kakuto Tanteidan (Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura Produce Show, October 12)
My new favorite sub-genre of pro wrestling may now officially be two good friends punching each other in the head. The Astronauts teammates did not hold back here, instead bringing a scorching level of intensity and a metric ton of sickening strikes. The technical wrestling is tight, and things get gross and bloody near the end. Best match where someone jabs his finger into his opponent’s butthole ever?

Adam Ryan recommends:
The Calling (Cannonball & Talon) vs Mance Warner & Matthew Justice, Slaughterhouse (MLW, October 14)
This was billed as the return of the infamous WCW Chamber of Horrors match after 23 years and it was completely nuts. All kinds of different weapons from a blood covered surgical table manned by two goons wearing gas masks offering pumpkins and boards, casket lids and more. Justice stunned with one of the most insane coast-to-coast style moves I’ve ever seen, diving off the top of the cage to smash his opponent’s head which was stuffed into a Jack-o’-Lantern. Much like the original, the goal was to strap a member of the opposing team into the electric chair of torture and pull the lever, and damn did it ever go off when that lever was pulled. If you liked the wackiness of the original from 1991, then you’ll love this revitalized version with the violence turned up over a thousand!

Trent Breward recommends:
Natsu Sumire, Rina Yamashita & Kaho Kobayashi vs AZM, Saki Akai & Takumi Iroha, Decade of Queens (Natsu Sumire Self Produce Show, October 18)
Six women celebrating ten years in wrestling all found themselves in the main event of an incredibly fun show, but the best was saved for last. Whether it was callbacks to the interactions between AZM and Natsu Sumire from years past, fun comedic spots or legitimately great wrestling, Shinkiba 1st Ring was treated to a wonderful display of joshi in a match that seems crazy to even be happening on paper. Everyone had something unique to contribute, meaning the match never settled into any one thing for too long. A perfect mix of fun and excitement.

JJohnson recommends:
Yuma Aoyagi vs Kento Miyahara, Raising an Army Memorial Series (AJPW, October 21)
It was no surprise when Yuma Aoyagi and Kento Miyahara delivered a masterclass of a Triple Crown match (again). It was a match that built dramatically, from a patient beginning to a frantic, eye-catching finale. These two could probably have a great match in their sleep, but regardless it’s always a sight to behold when they lock horns. Their in-ring chemistry is second to none, it captures you and locks your eyes to the screen for every second of their epic tussles. Marvelous.

Corey Michaels recommends:
Will Ospreay vs Zack Sabre Jr., Royal Quest III (NJPW, October 14)
I’m pretty sure the ring needed a cigarette after this match was over. The Copper Box Arena was a select handful of lucky mf’s for having witnessed this.

Thumbly Squeezed recommends:
MJF vs Kenny Omega, Collision (AEW, October 28)
If you’re not watching Collision, my dude you’re not living. Omega’s challenge to MJF came a bit out of nowhere, but his record reign being at risk gave instant and understandable motivation. Their contrasting styles actually paired wonderfully; the champ’s newfound territory-era babyface demonstrativeness primed the crowd for some absolutely brutal exchanges highlighting Omega’s modern video game offense. Set ‘em up, knock ‘em down – except in this case “‘em” was each other. By the end of the near-constant exchange of counters, outside spots, strikes and holds, all that was clear was that A) Don Callis sucks, and B) we’ll be lucky to see these two square off again soon.