Better Wrestler #78

[Destor]

VS





3 DAYS

Better Wrestler History #1. Trish Stratus vs Charlotte (27-13) #2. Trish Stratus vs The Miz (20-13) #3. Trish Stratus vs Booker T (19-19) #4. Trish Stratus vs The Big Show (19-9) #5. Trish Stratus vs Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (10-25) #6. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs Bokker T (22-13) #7. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs Kevin Nash (17-16) #8. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs John Cena (6-21) #9. John Cena vs Kevin Owens (25-8) #10. John Cena vs Goldberg (28-4) #11. John Cena vs Chris Jericho (4-33) #12. Chris Jericho vs AJ Styles (26-6) #13. Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (26-5) #14. Chris Jericho vs Kurt Angle (9-27) #15. Kurt Angle vs "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig (31-5) #16. Kurt Angle vs "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes (17-14) #17. Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero (23-12) #18. Kurt Angle vs "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels (21-22) #19. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs Christian (31-7) #20. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs Mick Foley (27-7)#21. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart (20-23)#22. Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs Vader (24-15)#23. Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (20-18)#24. Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (12-24)#25. "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs Ultimate Warrior (34-4)#26. "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs Jake "The Snake" Roberts (29-3)#27. "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs Triple H (32-6)#28. "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs The Undertaker (24-19)#29. Roman Reigns vs Lex Luger (21-20)#30. Roman Reigns vs The Great Khali (20-18)#31. Roman Reigns vs AJ Lee (14-24)#32. AJ Lee vs Emma (32-6)#33. AJ Lee vs Lita (11-26)#34. Lita vs John Morrison (15-22) #35. John Morrison vs Ricochet (26-6)#36. John Morrison vs Dean Malenko (8-25)#37. Dean Malenko vs Perry Saturn (23-10)#38. Dean Malenko vs Taz (19-22)#39. Taz vs Shane Douglas (28-3)#40. Taz vs Raven (15-19)#41. Raven vs Bray Wyatt (20-11)#42. Raven vs "Diamond" Dallas Page (7-25)#43. "Diamond" Dallas Page vs Scott Hall (14-16)#44. Scott Hall vs Sid Vicious (29-4)#45. Scott Hall vs "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith (26-8)#46. Scott Hall vs "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase (13-17)#47. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase vs "Dr. Death" Steve Williams (24-6)#48. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase vs Sting (12-26)#49. Sting vs Matt Hardy (26-8)#50. Sting vs Edge (13-24)#51. Edge vs Kane (20-13)#52. Edge vs Dean Ambrose (22-13)#53. Edge vs CM Punk (12-24)#54. CM Punk vs Rob Van Damn (18-19) #55. Rob Van Dam vs Adrian Neville (26-7)#56. Rob Van Dam vs Rey Mysterio (10-22)#57. Rey Mysterio vs Scott Steiner (18-12)#58. Rey Mysterio vs Jeff Hardy (20-15)#59. Rey Mysterio vs Brock Lesnar (6-26)#60. Brock Lesnar vs John "Bradshaw" Layfield (28-3)#61. Brock Lesnar vs Randy Orton (21-12)#62. Brock Lesnar vs John Cena (13-17) #63. John Cena vs Vince McMahon (18-12)#64. John Cena vs Andre The Giant (11-18)#65. Andre The Giant vs The Big Show (21-8)#66. Andre The Giant vs Sgt. Slaughter (23-5)#67. Andre The Giant vs Chris Jericho (15-18)#68. Chris Jericho vs Shinsuke Nakamura (23-5) #69. Chris Jericho vs Terry Funk (18-19)#70. Terry Funk vs Bob Backlund (22-6)#71. Terry Funk vs Jerry "The King" Lawler (14-15)#72. Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Bam Bam Bigelow (19-6)#73. Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Harley Race (14-11)#74. Jerry "The King" Lawler vs "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson (15-20)#75. "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson vs Austin Ares (26-2)#76. "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson vs Jake "The Snake" Roberts (24-13)#77. "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson vs "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels (7-31)

Better Wrestler Hall of Fame"Macho Man" Randy Savage

Previous Better Wrestler History#1.RVD vs CM Punk (34-19)#2.RVD vs Santino Marella (36-4)#3.RVD vs "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig (15-23)#4."Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig vs Tully Blanchard (30-5)#5."Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig vs Chris Jericho (15-23)#6.Chris Jericho vs Brock Lesnar (34-10)#7.Chris Jericho vs William Regal (38-14)#8.Chris Jericho vs Eddie Guerrero (21-23)#9.Eddie Guerrero vs Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (26-7)#10.Eddie Guerrero vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (26-19)#11.Eddie Guerrero vs Diamond Dallas Page (39-8)#12.Eddie Guerrero vs "Stone Cold" Steve Austin(19-28)#13."Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Chris Benoit (32-13)#14."Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Jake "The Snake" Roberts (29-10)#15."Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Sting (36-16)#16."Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart (32-31)#17.Hulk Hogan vs John Cena (15-24)#18.John Cena vs Lex Luger (32-6)#19.John Cena vs Ultimate Warrior (29-18)#20.John Cena vs Dean Malenko (9-40)#21.Dean Malenko vs Billy Kidman (31-7)#22.Dean Malenko vs Ultimo Dragon (22-15)#23.Dean Malenko vs Taz (15-17)#24.Taz vs Sabu (38-2)#25.Taz vs Jeff Hardy (25-16)#26.Taz vs Bam Bam Bigelow (26-12)#27.Taz vs Triple H (24-22)#28.Edge vs Christian Cage (22-23)#29.Christian Cage vs Raven (23-22)#30.Christian vs Matt Hardy (22-19)#31.Christian vs Ted Dibiase (24-25)#32.Ted Dibiase vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (16-19)#33."Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith (25-19)#34."Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs Bob Backlund (26-6)#35."Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs The Dynamite Kid (26-13)#36."Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Ric Flair (16-19)#37.Ric Flair vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart (19-17)#38.Ric Flair vs Andre "The Giant" (28-5)#39.Ric Flair vs Triple H (26-11)#40.Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels (20-26)#41.Shawn Michaels vs Jushin "Thunder" Lyger (26-15)#42.Shawn Michaels vs Perry Saturn (36-12)#43.Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker (29-11)#44.Shawn Michaels vs The Rock (28-30)#45.The Rock vs Trish Stratus (21-16)#46.The Rock vs Lance Storm (22-19)#47.The Rock vs Owen Hart (18-12)#48.The Rock vs Kurt Angle (5-24)#49.Kurt Angle vs Ken Shamrock (36-5)#50.Kurt Angle vs Rob Van Dam (23-13)#51.Kurt Angle vs "King Kong" Bruiser Brody (20-10)#52.Kurt Angle vs Mick Foley (31-6)#53.John Morrison vs Braden Walker (36-11)#54.John Morrison vs Kofi Kingston (34-5)#55.John Morrison vs CM Punk (14-28)#56.CM Punk vs Tajiri (28-20)#57.CM Punk vs Booker T (24-23)#58.CM Punk vs Samoa Joe (53-4)#59.CM Punk vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (19-36)#60."Macho Man" Randy Savage vs "Adorable" Adrian Adonis (47-2)#61."Macho Man" Randy Savage vs Goldberg (49-4)#62."Macho Man" Randy Savage vs "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig (31-38)#63."Mr.Perfect" Curt Hennig vs "Diamond" Dallas Page (51-17)#64."Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig vs William Regal (37-18)#65."Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig vs Brock Lesnar (48-4)#66."Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig vs Eddie Guerrero (39-40)#67. Eddie Guerrero vs Arn Anderson (33-22)#68. Eddie Guerrero vs Jake "The Snake" Roberts (37-36)#69. Eddie Guerrero vs Sting (41-16)#70. Chris Jericho vs Eddie Guerrero (45-18)#71. Chris Jericho vs Rey Mysterio (63-3)#72. Chris Jericho vs Kevin Nash (54-12)#73. Chris Jericho vs Dean Malenko (39-9)#74. Chris Jericho vs Ricky Steamboat (41-30)#75. Masato Tanaka vs Mike Awesome (24-18)#76. Masato Tanaka vs X-Pac (34-16)#77. Masato Tanaka vs Rikishi (36-13)#78. Brian Pillman vs Masato Tanaka (31-13)#79. Brian Pillman vs Road Dogg (44-7)#80. Ultimo Dragon vs Brian Pillman (29-28)#81. Ultimo Dragon vs Goldust (35-19)#82. Ultimo Dragon vs Barry Windham (36-9)#83. Ultimo Dragon vs Randy Orton (35-34)#84. Edge vs Ultimo Dragon (48-8)#85. Edge vs Jeff Hardy (54-5)#86. Edge vs Razor Ramon (44-21)#87. Ted Dibiase vs Edge (39-33)#88. Ted Dibiase vs Doink the Clown (59-4)#89. Ted Dibiase vs Rick Rude (34-20)#90. Ted Dibiase vs. Christian (39-32)#91. Ted Dibiase vs. Bret Hart (24-55)#92. Bret Hart vs. Scott Steiner (56-8)#93. Bret Hart vs. Christopher Daniels (47-15)#94. Bret Hart vs. Triple H (40-22)#95. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (26-47)#96. Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty (54-7)#97. Shawn Michaels vs. Bryan Danielson (36-12)#98. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit (38-33)#99. Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock (44-34)#100. Earthquake vs. Vader (10-65)#101. Vader vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (33-32)#102. Vader vs. The Great Muta (32-29)#103. Vader vs. Mick Foley (16-42)#104. Mick Foley vs. Al Snow (49-7)#105. Mick Foley vs. Jerry Lynn (41-11)#106. Mick Foley vs. Rob Van Dam (24-38)#107. Rob Van Dam vs. Tommy Dreamer (52-4)#108. Rob Van Dam vs. John Morrison (54-14)#109. Rob Van Dam vs. Owen Hart (36-36)#110. Rob Van Dam vs. The Undertaker (22-53)#111. The Undertaker vs. Owen Hart (62-16)#112. The Undertaker vs. Kane (63-3)#113. The Undertaker vs. Diamond Dallas Page (51-18)#114. The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair (44-43)#115. John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. Ron Simmons (33-25)#116. John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. Juventud Guerrera (28-19)#117. John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. The Big Show (25-39)#118. The Big Show vs. Sid (50-10)#119. The Big Show vs. Lance Storm (18-48)#120. Lance Storm vs. Meng (65-7)#121. Lance Storm vs. John Cena (53-18)#122. Lance Storm vs. Sting (23-50)#123. Sting vs. The Ultimate Warrior (57-18)#124. Sting vs. Dusty Rhodes (50-24)#125. Sting vs. CM Punk (41-32)#126. Sting vs. Randy Savage (27-50)#127. Randy Savage vs. Jim Duggan (65-7)#128. Randy Savage vs. AJ Styles (64-13)#129. Randy Savage vs. Booker T (61-16)#130. Randy Savage vs. Roddy Piper (55-27)#131. Rick Martel vs. Tito Santana (35-29)#132. Rick Martel vs. Shane Douglas (29-36)#133. Shane Douglas vs. Rhino (35-38)#134. Rhino vs. Jeff Jarrett (30-36)#135. Jeff Jarrett vs. Mike Rotunda (30-38)#136. Mike Rotunda vs. Chris Kanyon (44-24)#137. Mike Rotunda vs. Barry Windham (38-17)#138. Mike Rotunda vs. Scott Hall (11-63)#139. Scott Hall vs. Goldberg (60-17)#140. Scott Hall vs. Kevin Nash (47-31)#141. Scott Hall vs. Brian Pillman (44-34)#142. Scott Hall vs. Edge (26-64)#143. Edge vs. Matt Hardy (71-12)#144. Edge vs. Arn Anderson (38-34)#145. Edge vs. Randy Orton (45-36)#146. Edge vs. Triple H (29-47)#147. Triple H vs. Batista (65-8)#148. Triple H vs. Raven (54-25)#149. Triple H vs. Ricky Steamboat (44-43)#150. Triple H vs. Eddie Guerrero (43-56)#151. Eddie Guerrero vs. Trish Stratus (58-12)#152. Eddie Guerrero vs. The Great Muta (47-11)#153. Eddie Guerrero vs. Curt Hennig (34-43)#154. Curt Hennig vs. Jerry Lawler (63-9)#155. Curt Hennig vs. Hulk Hogan (54-17)#156. Curt Hennig vs. Christian (47-26)#157. Curt Hennig vs. The Rock (31-44)#158. The Rock vs. Steve Blackman (54-22)#159. The Rock vs. Vader (54-14)#160. The Rock vs. Mick Foley (48-22)#161. The Rock vs. Bret Hart (42-49)#162. Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith (70-8)#163. Bret Hart vs. Dean Malenko (52-16)#164. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (47-18)#165. Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair (53-32)#166. Barry Darsow vs. Ed Leslie (45-13)#167. Barry Darsow vs. Jacques Rougeau (17-38)#168. Jacques Rougeau vs. Evan Bourne (18-49)#169. Evan Bourne vs. Mr. Anderson (38-16)#170. Evan Bourne vs. Bryan Danielson(10-50)#171. Bryan Danielson vs. Billy Gunn (56-16)#172. Bryan Danielson vs. The Miz (42-26)#173. Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Benoit (27-40)#174. Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero (53-8)#175. Chris Benoit vs. Perry Saturn (48-13)#176. Chris Benoit vs. Lance Storm (36-21)#177. Chris Benoit vs. Ted Dibiase (41-34)#178. TAKA Michinoku vs. Sho Funaki (51-9)#179. TAKA Michinoku vs. Santino Marella (48-9)#180. TAKA Michinoku vs. Rey Mysterio (23-41)#181. Rey Mysterio vs. Gregory Helms (34-8)#182. Rey Mysterio vs. Jeff Hardy (41-18)#183. Rey Mysterio vs. Diamond Dallas Page (34-37)#184. Diamond Dallas Page vs. Big Boss Man (49-5)#185. Diamond Dallas Page vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri (34-18)#186. Diamond Dallas Page vs. CM Punk (19-41)#187. CM Punk vs. Terry Funk (35-18)#188. CM Punk vs. Kane (40-13)#189. CM Punk vs. Rob Van Dam (39-22)#190. CM Punk vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (39-37)#191. Ted DiBiase, Jr. vs. Cody Rhodes (23-36)#192. Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust (10-51)#193. Goldust vs. Shelton Benjamin (41-22)#194. Goldust vs. Rick Rude (21-37)#195. Rick Rude vs. Rick Martel (42-6)#196. Rick Rude vs. The Big Show (30-15)#197. Rick Rude vs. Jake Roberts (26-38)#198. Jake Roberts vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield (50-16)#199. Jake Roberts vs. Arn Anderson (39-31)#200. Jake Roberts vs. Brian Pillman (34-20)#201. Jake Roberts vs. Edge (42-28)#202. Raven vs. Shane Douglas (45-6)#203. Raven vs. R-Truth (39-6)#204. Raven vs. Booker T (31-40)#205. Booker T vs. Jerry Lawler (37-20)#206. Booker T vs. Sheamus (51-11)#207. Booker T vs. Christian (21-33)#208. Christian vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger (30-21)#209. Christian vs. Kevin Nash (30-24)#210. Christian vs. Randy Orton (41-22)#211. Christian vs. Eddie Guerrero (10-66)#212. Eddie Guerrero vs. Andre the Giant (55-16)#213. Eddie Guerrero vs. Hulk Hogan (47-29)#214. Eddie Guerrero vs. Scott Hall (47-18)#215. Eddie Guerrero vs. The Rock (28-40)#216. The Rock vs. William Regal (39-17)#217. The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (47-13)#218. The Rock vs. Sting (31-19)#219. The Rock vs. Triple H (40-27)#220. Ahmed Johnson vs. Ezekiel Jackson (41-11)#221. Ahmed Johnson vs. The Godfather (6-44)#222. The Godfather vs. D'Lo Brown (9-42)#223. D'Lo Brown vs. Val Venis (29-20)#224. D'Lo Brown vs. Mark Henry (36-23)#225. D'Lo Brown vs. The Miz (10-46)#226. The Miz vs. John Morrison (52-13)#227. The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler (39-49)#228. Dolph Ziggler vs. Wade Barrett (42-21)#229. Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena (38-31)#230. Dolph Ziggler vs. Lance Storm (38-37)#231. Dolph Ziggler vs. Curt Hennig (18-55)#233. Curt Hennig vs. Zack Ryder (62-8)#234. Curt Hennig vs. Vader (45-14)#234. Curt Hennig vs. Owen Hart (38-22)#235. Curt Hennig vs. Ric Flair (48-39)#236. Jesse James vs. Billy Gunn (16-38)#237. Billy Gunn vs. Sabu (40-15)#238. Billy Gunn vs. Scott Steiner (20-38)#239. Scott Steiner vs. Billy Kidman (28-26)#240. Scott Steiner vs. Alberto Del Rio (25-34)#241. Alberto Del Rio vs. X-Pac (29-25)#242. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cody Rhodes (19-44)#243. Cody Rhodes vs. Kofi Kingston (49-7)#244. Cody Rhodes vs. Dusty Rhodes (30-30)#245. Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust (18-31)#246. Goldust vs. Dusty Rhodes (31-15)#247. Goldust vs. Vader (29-39)#248. Vader vs. Yokozuna (55-8)#249. Vader vs Stan Hansen (31-10)#250. Vader vs. Mick Foley (15-41)#251. Mick Foley vs. Terry Funk (34-18)#252. Mick Foley vs. Santino Marella (60-2)#253. Mick Foley vs. Diamond Dallas Page (40-19)#254. Mick Foley vs. Edge (49-28)#255. Tajiri vs. Super Crazy (62-4)#256. Tajiri vs The Great Muta (17-35)#257. The Great Muta vs. Ultimo Dragon (32-28)#258. The Great Muta vs. Brian Pillman (32-21)#259. The Great Muta vs. Booker T (24-36)#260. Booker T vs. Ron Simmons (50-13)#261. Booker T vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield (37-20)#262. Booker T vs. Daniel Bryan (28-20)#263. Booker T vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (20-40)#264. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. "Cowboy" Bob Orton (48-6)#265. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. Christian (30-13)#266. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. Scott Hall (37-15)#267. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. Eddie Guerrero (31-32)#268. Eddie Guerrero vs. Mr. Anderson (56-1)#269. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (41-11)#270. Eddie Guerrero vs. Ted DiBiase (41-13)#271. Eddie Guerrero vs. Triple H (40-32)#272. Kane vs. Ryback (50-15)#273. Kane vs. Sid (28-23)#274. Kane vs. Big Show (41-13)#275. Kane vs. Sting (12-46)#276. Sting vs. Lex Luger (49-2)#277. Sting vs. Rick Rude (30-28)#278. Sting vs. Rob Van Dam (37-12)#279. Sting vs. Hulk Hogan (29-30)#280. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre "The Giant" (46-14)#281. Hulk Hogan vs. Jeff Hardy (49-11)#282. Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior (37-15)

Previous Better Wrestler Hall of Fame"Stone Cold" Steve AustinTazKurt AngleChris Jericho"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn MichaelsThe Undertaker"Macho Man" Randy SavageBret "Hitman" HartChris BenoitCM PunkJake "The Snake" RobertsThe Rock"Mr. Perfect" Curt HennigMick FoleyEddie GuerreroHulk Hogan

Previous Best Wrestler Tournament HistoryROUND 1#1. Randy Savage vs. Taz (72-4)#2. The Undertaker vs. Steve Austin (42-42)#3. Chris Jericho vs. Jake Roberts (52-15)#4. Bret Hart vs. CM Punk (44-24)#5. Curt Hennig vs. The Rock (27-31)#6. Mick Foley vs. Kurt Angle (18-41)#7. Eddie Guerrero vs. Shawn Michaels (13-50)#8. Chris Benoit vs. Hulk Hogan (28-36)ROUND 2#9. Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan (41-18)#10. The Undertaker vs. Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels (14-22-26)#11. Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle (30-27)#12. Bret Hart vs. The Rock (32-34)ROUND 3#13. Randy Savage vs. The Rock (41-22)#14. Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels (20-43)ROUND 4#15. Randy Savage vs Shawn Michaels (25-48)

[Destor]

This is honestly more of an expiriment. As the number of people on the board lessens there a higher percentage of puro marks than there was. Curious how this goes...prob be a slaughter...

Misawa is on my list of top 5 of all time, and HBM isnt in my top 10.

[TSI]

I don't really know Misawa's work to be honest. Also, HBK is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time so there wont be many who I'd vote over him anyways.

[Lock Jaw]

I've heard the other guy's name, but that's about it.

[Bad News Gertner]

Fuuuuuuuck I'm going to have to think about that one. Gotta factor in Misawa's Tiger Mask run too

[Destor]

Originally Posted by Bad News Gertner Fuuuuuuuck I'm going to have to think about that one. Gotta factor in Misawa's Tiger Mask run too

Cultural impact, longevity and revenue...its all Misawa. Not to mention workrate and off the charts matches...i mean for me they aren't even in the same league. Like asking who is better hogan or al snow.

[Maluco]

Not all too familiar with Misawa, but I think in any case, the Al Snow comparison is tongue in cheek! Michaels had more than his fair share of absolute classic to compete with anyone in that respect. Even workrateaholics. As well as so many special/emotional moments and some superb stories told.

He was a dickhead, but he was amazing at what he did. Even with Misawa's longevity, match catalogue and cultural impact in Japan, to say Al Snow is disingenuous.

Just couldn't be that far off match wise. As far as an American style of wrestling goes, Michaels was the very best.

[Maluco]

Also...Misawa looked like shit

[Destor]

HBM def had some GOAT level matches but outside of Flair no one has the A++ catalog that Misawa has. The gap between them is a chasm. Misawas last match was the GOAT until the next time he worked...for decades. In the mid 90s when people say HBM was having the best matches in the world he was having the 2nd best matches, Misawa was easily the best worker on Earth.

HBM was great, Misawa was otherworldly. Plus Misawa was drawing money with his 5* matches and Vince was trying not to go belly up with Michaels.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

lool what the fuck I meant to vote Michaels since I haven't seen enough Misawa, and somehow chose Misawa. I need to stop smoking so much dope.

[Maluco]

Originally Posted by Destor HBM def had some GOAT level matches but outside of Flair no one has the A++ catalog that Misawa has. The gap between them is a chasm. Misawas last match was the GOAT until the next time he worked...for decades. In the mid 90s when people say HBM was having the best matches in the world he was having the 2nd best matches, Misawa was easily the best worker on Earth. HBM was great, Misawa was otherworldly. Plus Misawa was drawing money with his 5* matches and Vince was trying not to go belly up with Michaels.

Bit about match quality might be true, depending on taste, but Japanese and American audiences demand very different things. It's is difficult to point to a draw in Japan and try and expand that to a global level.

A lot of Japanese wrestlers are legends only so far as Japan, because the demands are different.

Hard to judge Misawa outside of Japan. He didn't have a marketable look. I remember Gertner made a good argument about Flair's lack of fame in the Northern states and internationally based on where he wrestled. Same argument can be applied to Japanese only wrestlers. I think it has to be to be fair.

[Maluco]

Fully admit I am a massive HBK mark. My favourite of all time by a distance and he represents to me the last of the psychology guys who had that contact with the older generation.

Nowadays guys keep the crowd by doing crazy move after crazy move. Guys like Michaels were the last to have learned how to work the crowd by doing less and having it mean more.

Readily admit that now like guys like him and Taker have gone, I have little to no interest in seeing Usos, Big E, Ambrose or whoever else, suicide dive every episode of Raw.

[Destor]

Problem with the region argument (it was a false argument then as is now) would be as true for the competition. Michaels wasnt moving tshirts in japan in 96. Fsct is both were at the top of major promotions do business om a national level, cept Misawa was succesful and HBM wasnt.

Also comparatively michaels got over not by doing less but by doing more. He became a less is more guy once he was old. Misawa chose to die in the ring like a fucking Viking instead.

[Destor]

Originally Posted by Dastardly Dale Newstead lool what the fuck I meant to vote Michaels since I haven't seen enough Misawa, and somehow chose Misawa. I need to stop smoking so much dope.

Stay with the dope, it has aided you this day

[Bad News Gertner]

Ended up going Misawa

[Maluco]

I think many would say Michaels second run was better than his first, when he was smarter and worked the right away.

Misawa dying in the ring could be taken as a point against his longevity. There is always an argument about going on too long to be had. Michaels went out on top in a massive match

[#1-norm-fan]

I like what little I've seen of Misawa. No one has ever been able to get me as emotionally invested in wrestling matches on a consistent basis more than Michaels though. As an overall performer, he's the GOAT.

[Fignuts]

Misiwa spent a whole career putting on classics without any breaks, and didn't stop until he died in the middle of the ring. He also made numerous stars, and changed the entire landscape of pro wrestling in japan with Noah.

Also I said it in the top puro star thread, but the style of wrestling Misiwa spearheaded in the 90's had a huge impact on the industry that is still felt to this day. WWE and NJPW as well as many idependants use a style today that is closer to 90's kings road style than anything they did previously.

Misiwa all the way fof me.

[#1-norm-fan]

Originally Posted by Maluco I think many would say Michaels second run was better than his first, when he was smarter and worked the right away. Misawa dying in the ring could be taken as a point against his longevity. There is always an argument about going on too long to be had. Michaels went out on top in a massive match

lol I don't know if I'd dock him for dying in the ring.

There is something to be said about the fact that Michaels retired as ARGUABLY the greatest of all time... and then came back and somehow had an even better second career... and then retired from that second career as the best in the business. It's insane.

I get the "he's old, he's gotta put over younger guys" thing. But that usually works for when guys are over the hill. HBK still somehow seemed like he was just getting better all the way to his last retirement. Should have had more of a run with the title. He seriously should have been neck-and-neck with Cena as the face of the company during that second run instead of kinda just being there to get other guys ready for 8 years.

[Destor]

Him dieing performing cant be held against him. He literally gave his life to wrestling.

[Blue Demon]

I went Misawa. HBK's career is solid but the fan in me went the other way

[Destor]

Interesting poll so far

[Black Widow]

Who in the blue hell is Misawa?

I'm guessing someone only IWC nerds are aware of.

[Fignuts]

Originally Posted by Black Widow Who in the blue hell is Misawa? I'm guessing someone only IWC nerds are aware of.

You are an IWC nerd too, you fucking space cadet.

[Destor]

Dont reward such a flagrant troll attempt

[Mr. Nerfect]

I went with Misawa. Really tough match out the gate for HBK, who I figured wouldn't be challenged.

Shawn Michaels is great in the ring and carries a lot of significance in the western world. There is no doubt about that. There is also no doubt that culturally HBK never meant as much as some other stars -- Hogan, Rock, Austin, Andre, probably even Savage, etc. Misawa is a fucking god. The phrase "Hulk Hogan of Japan" is cheap to throw around, but it really is the best comparison you can draw. He's not the Shawn Michaels of Japan.

Critically speaking, you can't look past Misawa's catalog of matches. The dude was having ***** classics back before Meltzer blew up the system (well, maybe he had). Meltzer has always found alternative tastes, I suppose, but there's no doubt that Misawa has significance in professional wrestling, generally, as the figure that was carrying the quality of wrestling in 1995 when everything in North America (which featured Shawn Michaels) was sucking.

Money drawn is always a big indicator for me too, because ultimately that is the goal of a wrestler. If you get more money out of people by simply throwing a punch than someone who goes 60+ minutes then there's no doubt in my mind who did a better job. It's the dude who managed to provide more people with something that they felt they needed to part with their money to see. Misawa definitely heads up Shawn Michaels in that category, and it's nothing to snooze on.

Truth be told, I don't really see a case for Shawn Michaels other than cultural bias. Maybe you can make the case that HBK had more "energetic" matches and was slightly more athletic in style, but it comes down to personal preference again.

[#1-norm-fan]

Shawn was also more of a showman. His mannerisms, selling and all-around storytelling ability was out of this world. There's gonna be a cultural bias either way but Michaels excelled in every aspect of performing the American style.

[Rammsteinmad]

Can't we just skip ahead and put Shawn Michaels in the HOF already?

Also... Shawn Michaels.

[Maluco]

It's not just cultural bias though, it's personal preference about what a great wrestler is. The whole showman side and storytelling ability is a massive thing for me and what made HBK stand out for me personally.

I watched a few Misawa matches on YouTube (one against Kawada), and while it was hard hitting and intense and the fans were into it, I wouldn't say it was more entertaining than Michaels big matches.

A lot of big forearms and very real looking strikes. Puro isn't for everyone and Japanese wrestling continues to have a niche following outside of Japan.

At the end of the day, Michaels entertained me so much that I can't help but go with him, but I also MUCH prefer his style of matches and what being a wrestler is in the US as opposed to Japan.

It's not necessarily bias to have a preference and an idea of what a wrestler should be. Showmanship, theatrics and storytelling are all far bigger markers for me than who can hit hardest and show the most "spirit"

[Big Vic]

HBK, I'm not sure who the other jobber is.

[Black Widow]

Originally Posted by Fignuts You are an IWC nerd too, you fucking space cadet.

Yeah I'm nowhere the kind "nerd" that try's booking everyone/deduct from a match cause of minor shit that shouldn't matter.

Originally Posted by Destor Dont reward such a flagrant troll attempt

Cause not knowing/caring about someone from Japan is trolling?

[Destor]

*yawn*

[Black Widow]

Originally Posted by Destor *yawn*

The exact word that describes anything Japan related.

[Destor]

Im sure someone will have their jimmies rustled any second now! Keep throwing those softballs SK.

[Big Vic]

Originally Posted by Black Widow The exact word that describes anything Japan related.

Come on now tentacle porn is cool.

[Destor]

Honestly I cant get off anymore unless its atleast an animated rape scenerio

[Swiss Ultimate]

I PICKED THE GUY WITH HIS EYES OPEN.

SEE THAT'S WHAT A RACIST WOULD SAY. IT'S DEMEANING TO REDUCE SOMEONE TO A STEREOTYPICAL RACIAL PHYSICAL TRAIT.

I THINK HBK HAD MORE CHARISMA IN THE RING. I CAN'T RATE THE OTHER GUY ON THE MIC DUE TO THE LANGUAGE BARRIER.

[Emperor Smeat]

Voted for HBK mainly for watching a lot more of his stuff and knowing or seen very little of Misawa's career.

[Destor]

Really good poll. Misawa has done better than i could have imagined. Def wont go crazy with puro but its good to know that there's a faction thats familiar with it.

Question for all applicable: was there anyone who voted for Michaels that had a high familiarity with Misawa?

[mike adamle]

I'm still mulling it over. Very familiar with Misawa, but HBK is HBK.