Must See Matches

Dave Ryan & Lee Malone from the excellent Days of Thunder return to discuss THE Crusierweight classic and a fair shot for the best match WCW ever put on as Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero go Mask vs. Title at Halloween Havoc on October 26, 1997.

PLUS: Goldberg and Gillberg, DSF, throwing people under the bus, WCW stats, Raw vs. Nitro ratings, Lucha Libre And The Mexican Luchadors, El Hijo del Santo’s off-putting trophy collection, the title of Dave’s autobiography, Steven Regal vs. Mongo, an incredible finish, Sting disguised as Sting, the WCW costume budget, Booker T, 2024 Eddie tribute fatigue, Mike Tenay, not that Michael Scott, horse placenta, and Larry Zbyszko sucks.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/Bluesky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles Follow Dave: ⁠@TheDayToDave⁠ Follow Days of Thunder: ⁠@WCWThunderPod⁠ // ⁠alargemanappears.com⁠

Don't follow Lee MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

It's brother versus brother, brother! Veteran wrestler RJ Singh joins Kieran and Mark to talk the build, action, details and legacy of Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart from WrestleMaina X on March 20, 1994. PLUS: a rolled up magazine to the eye, RJ’s fandom and journey into wrestling, the FWA, correcting a Cagematch error, watching wrestling matches via Twitter videos, sibling rivalry, wrestling storytelling and match psychology, loose sunset flips, Misawa vs. Kobashi, the dragon screw in 90s WWF, more figure-four debate, the beauty of Owen Hart’s Sharpshooter, Daniel Garcia, the first tap out on American wrestling TV and, somehow, the show’s first Stu Hart impression! Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/Bluesky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles Follow RJ: @RJSinghIsKing MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Mark & Kieran fire up the podcycle and sidecar for a two-hander to tackle "the perfect match": Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada from June 3, 1994. PLUS: a bad week with no mint tea, “choppy-choppy your peepee”, When Worlds Collide, Kieran’s VHS collection, “how much does this guy weigh?”, Eddie Kingston, Champion Carnival, Joseph Montecillo, an alternate Holy Demon Army, the thirty day rule, the crowd, Baseball Cap Man, VPW 2, Dan Kroffatt, roids, Tony Schiavone, a mime you don’t get to see, a square root symbol, PAC, a Mark appearance elsewhere and The Untouchables.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Bluesky/Threads: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Kieran and Mark are joined by the COO of wXw, Tasslio Jung, to talk Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness from ring of Honor Unified on August 12, 2006, as he provides his unique perspective on the match...

PLUS: Ring Warriors, the Dungeon of Doom, Alessandro Del Piero, Tiger Mask, the day-to-day of a wrestling company COO, Ryanair, Desmond Wolfe, the Natural Born Thrillers, Andy Quildan, moustaches, RoH/CZW Cage of Death, hard cam woes, Mark Sloan, Dragon Gate, James Tighe, All-Star, a random boat, THAT spot, the Fingerpoke of Doom, gross headbutts, and the story of how our guest ended up refereeing the match!

Follow wXw: @wXwGermany Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

The Noted Raconteur, Sean Orleans returns for a magical night in Sendai: Kenta Kobashi & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs. The Can-Am Express of Doug Furnas & Dan Kroffat from May 25, 1992. 

PLUS: a fiesta, Makoto Hashi, the differences between the All-Japan and New-Japan Junior divisions, indoor gardening, world records, a 40in vertical leap, Ladder matches, the WWF run, Jushin Liger vs. Yoshitsune, a new word, Richard Slinger, the All-Asia Tag Title, the Phil Lafon Appreciation Society, “ZERO-SEN KEEEEEEECK”, the cheap seats, Jeremy Borash, the Sky High Lariat, the best Cobra Clutch in history, “the Sheffield Hammer”, yet another plummeting fridge, “uchu”, Kent Walton, and one of the best crowds of all time. 

Follow and support Sean and St Louis Anarchy Pro Wrestling: @SeanOrleans // @STLAnarchy

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Bluesky/Threads: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles Kieran's new wrestling photos IG: @kieranisheretoo MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Author, podcaster, Mastermind contestant and mahjong master, George Twigg joins us to deconstruct The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian in TLC II from WrestleMania X-7 on April 1, 2001.

PLUS:  a live book review, Mark’s vast wrestling physical media collection, a quiz, ICW, the WWF booking of 1999, the milestones that led to the match, 1995 ECW TV, WWE as King’s Road, Anheuser-Busch advertising, Roy Keane, an unrelated match with an incredible finish, Hamlet, the first match George ever saw, “concussed juicy brains”, what has Matt Hardy come as, The Conquistadors, Rhyno inadvertently ruins a school play, Essa Rios, Karrion Kross’ stupid pumphandle thing, Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa, Crazy Crusher vs. Hell Storm, PWG, and a ton of insane spots.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Bluesky/Threads: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles Follow George and the PuroPourri Podcast: @puropodcast

Get George's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Fall-Rikidozan-Seventeen-Matches/dp/1072900645 MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

***Our friend and frequent guest Eamonn Bell's partner recently lost their home in a tornado. If you can help, their GoFundMe is https://bit.ly/GFMD Thank you***

wXw CEO Felix Kohlenberg returns to finish what he helped us start a full year ago: the Terry Funk vs. Ric Flair I Quit match from Clash IX on November 15, 1989. PLUS: Terry Funk vs. Eddie Guerrero, brilliant Terry Funk squash matches, brilliant Terry Funk promos, a Terry Funk PSA  mostly just a lot of Terry Funk being brilliant, the perfect dropkick, THE hot T-shirt of the summer of 1989, Scott Hall, endangered species, the belly-slapping fan, “Clash the Eighth”, a near-amputation, an angle you couldn’t do today but not for the reasons you’d think, get rich quick with Gary Hart, “designated terminators”, Bruno Sammartino, the return of the handstand piledriver, Great Muta: firefighter and Tommy Young: crossing guard. Follow Felix and wXw: @FelxiKohlenberg @wXwGermany Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

All-Japan expert Joseph Montecillo returns to help us with the lead up to, and fallout from, the pivotal Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jumbo Tsuruta match from June 8, 1990. 

PLUS: Christmas talk, Philippine Time, Asian traffic, Misawa’s tinfoil jacket, Jumbo’s scoop slam, sporting referee Kyohei Wada, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brody King, 80s British wrestling, Mick McManus vs. Clive Myers, the Misawa Selling Cam, Jumbo Tsuruta’s intimate relationship with the ropes, Triple H, The Fingerpoke of Doom, Essa Rios, RoboCop, and Kieran’s sexy flu voice. Follow Joseph and the Big Egg: @josephweirdness @thateggsobig // https://www.youtube.com/@JosephMontecilloYT // https://www.josephmontecillo.com

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

The only person we could call to talk about the March 17, 2000 Atlantis vs. Villano III Mask vs. Mask match was The Cubs Fan. He brings all the context and history as we get into our final lucha libre match on the list. PLUS: lucha fever, Arez, Mascara Dorada 2.0, RevPro, Dragon Lee goes boxing, an honourable villain, Kieran’s misspent youth, Conan the Barbarian, fireworks safety, Atlantis’ promotional posing routine, “Baby Richard”, arthritic referees, the worst wrestling TV director of 2000, fans in jail, “paint me like one of your French luchadors”, and Mark’s disturbing amount of hands. Follow and support Cubs: @luchablog // luchablog.com Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

Kieran and Mark go tandem to talk the most epic chop battle in pro-wrestling history... oh, and the rest of the match around it: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Kenta Kobashi from NOAH Destiny 2005 on July 18, 2005.

PLUS: suspect mathematics, the handling of the GHC Heavyweight title, highly dated references, Heavies and Juniors, The Wrestling Channel, Coventry, Mark Haskins, Riki Choshu, the “Triple Clown” title, the slow-motion Rey Mysterio hatch, Kobashi’s knees, Kensuke Sasaki: daredevil aerialist, “titty mist”, Akira Hokuto, Greek strangleholds, dumb jock wrestling, and bold seagulls.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

The incomparable MOJ joins Kieran and Mark once again, this time for the “fierce battle” of Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Jumbo Tsuruta, Akira Taue & Masanobu Fuchi from AJPW Fan Appreciation Day on April 20, 1991.

PLUS: an immediate tangent, Mark’s trip to Japan, the history of Fan Appreciation Day, Taue’s hair, cardigans, hatred, donuts, Fuchi the evil little prick, John Terry, the low dropkick, James Tighe, Caiman, jeet kune do, Dean Ayass, TV commentary training schools, and all the usual, barely broadcastable chaos that ensues when MOJ is on.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG/Threads/BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Follow MOJ: @threekidneysmoj

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Kieran and Mark revisit the "can't miss" period of New-Japan Pro Wrestling as Strigga returns to talk Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada from Invasion Attack on April 7, 2013. PLUS: no crying over spilt pepper, potential credit card fraud, burning Christmas trees, a “triple main event”, card games, Michael Nakazawa, Don Fujii, Flair/Steamboat, The Thing, Captain fuckin’ New Japan, Big Boss Shimizu, the many wacky lucha submission holds of Kazuchika Okada, pink trainers, pinning sleeping wrestlers, the Ironman Heavymetalweight title, the parallel universe of Dragon Gate Okada, TN Revolucion, Mark’s new obsession, complete destruction of the show’s kayfabe, and an unexpected outburst. Follow the project and podcast on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Join the Discord: bit.ly/mustseematchesdiscord Follow Strigga and his various projects: @STRIGGA, @EasternLariat, @CMCagematch and purolove.com Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

This time we’re-a stand up and shout with the returning Dave Ryan as he and Kieran tell Mark why they both put Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock from WrestleMania X-7 (April 1, 2001) on their Must See Matches lists, and of course we talk about THAT video…

PLUS: the insanity that was US wrestling at this time, the WrestleMania 19 match, the overall quality of WrestleMania X7, (lack of) memories of WrestleMania 2000, other video packages, Highlander, Disturbed, Forceable Entry, young Rock, a comedy of errors including uncooperative furniture, a story from Kieran’s past life, the Shartshooter, Joe Bloggs vs. Mike Whatever, Linda getting out of her chair, Zoidberg, Beaker, and top blading tips. Follow the project and podcast on Twitter, Instagram.Mastodon, BlueSky and Threads: ⁠@MustSeeMatches⁠

Discord: bit.ly/mustseematchesdiscord Follow Mark: ⁠@monkey_buckles⁠ Follow Kieran: ⁠@kieranedits ⁠http://linktr.ee/mustseematches⁠ Follow Dave: ⁠@TheDayToDave⁠ Follow Days of Thunder: ⁠@WCWThunderPod⁠ // ⁠alargemanappears.com⁠

Fiery underdog Kenta Kobashi takes it to wild veteran foreigner Stan Hansen on July 29, 1993, and returning guest MOJ helps Kieran and Mark with history, context and insight.

PLUS: John Cena, running over title belts, Pete Roberts, Caswell Martin, The Destroyer, Kieran is an idiot, rubbish masks, Marvel comics, Kenta Kobashi’s vigilante justice, the eyesight of one John Stanley Hansen, Lost in Cleveland, Vader, Joe Higuchi: champion juggler, inspiration, Police Story, and Paper Bag Jones.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Follow MOJ: @threekidneysmoj

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

The English language voice of Dragon Gate, Jae Church, joins Kieran and Mark to talk the history, the action, the legacy and the importance of Toryumon's first-ever four-way trios match: DoFixer vs. Shin M2K vs. CrazyMAX vs. Italian Connection from August 30, 2003.

PLUS: piracy, “Quick Draw” Rick McGraw, a dial that only goes to 10, the DreamCast, HoHo Lun, Tomohiro Ishii, Detective Alan Kuroki, the many former names of Don Fujii, Shoji Kondo’s cookies, Kieran confesses his love for Milano Collection A.T., “a horrible botch”, what SUWA’s FFF stands for, the killer backslide, Stevie “brother” Tsujimoto, Terry Pratchett, and disputes over the custody of a mini gorilla. Follow the project and podcast on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Mastodon and BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Join the Discord: bit.ly/mustseematchesdiscord Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles Follow Jae: @dg_jae

Follow and support Dragon Gate: @DragonGateEN // dragongate.live

The best place to end a trilogy is in the middle. The man behind No Context Flair, Jack Milner, jumps in at the last moment to help Kieran and Mark talk Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair from Clash of the Champions VI, on April 2, 1989. An excellent match that famously drew very poorly, for reasons we shall discuss. PLUS: other wrestlers bereft of context, “the wilderness years”, Preston, “the big cage”, Steamboat vs. Misawa, Rick Steamboat: Microphone Master, the Manager of Dunder-Mifflin’s Yokohama regional office, house shows, Gary Hart and the complete shitshow of Great Muta’s debut, Snake Brown, Shane Douglas, Kieran doesn’t know real sports, Terry Funk, Tommy Young, a bear head and the Two-Count Count. Follow the project and podcast on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Mastodon and BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches Join the Discord: bit.ly/mustseematchesdiscord Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles Follow Jack/NCF: @NoContextFlair MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Rewinding almost exactly 40 years from last week, wrestling historian, author, referee and promoter, Patrick W Reed joins Mark and Kieran to talk the oldest match to make the 104: Andre The Giant vs. Stan Hansen from September 23, 1981.

PLUS: wrestling in Jersey, Drew Gulak, George Hackenschmidt, how tall was Andre really, Samuel Beckett, Pat Roach, Conan The Destroyer, Andre’s crazy schedule at his peak, The Big Show, Hulk Hogan, giant inflatable pandas, Bruce Tharpe, Arnold Skaaland, Homer Simpson, a pattern, Roland Bock, Antonio Inoki, bears, history’s mildest heel turn, Stan’s judo, Shibata’s dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Princess Bride, French lucha libre, bonus Andre, and Big Papa T!

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, Threads and BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches

http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Join the Discord: bit.ly/mustseematchesdiscord

Follow and support Patrick: @Patrick_W_Reed // patrickwreed.com // https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lostsoulspizza // https://youtu.be/owL6T5-pZ_8

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

The bendiest of boys, Parm Singh Mann makes his long-overdue return to talk the I-can't-believe-they-put-this-on-free-TV match, Kenny Omega vs. Bryan Danielson from AEW Dynamite Grand Slam on September 22, 2021.

PLUS: Mark’s escapades with suits of armour, 1PW, Fight Forever, Jim Ross, CM Punk, Team Taz, “the Duggan button”, The Suzuki Incident, the return of crowds to American wrestling, shoes, the influence these two are having and will have on the wrestling industry, Harley Omega, lip-reading, Paul Turner, Kenny’s big hands, Kieran’s big TV production rant, praise for TNA, Anton Voorhees, Tomohiro Ishii, Alan4L, and Kieran has a stern warning for Parm.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon and BlueSky: @MustSeeMatches

http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Join the Discord: bit.ly/discordmsm

Follow Parm: @BiBoyParm

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Yes, the one with the eye... Plucked from Guerrilla Island, Sarah Flann comes to talk about Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima from Ring of Honor's Manhattan Mayhem II on August 25, 2007.

Unfortunately, Sarah’s audio had a habit of dropping out mid-sentence. The options were to spend a lot of time editing around it, trying to keep as much of what she is saying, or leave it as is, and let our intelligent listeners fill in the blanks. We chose option B.

PLUS: Mark’s first good joke, some Morishima/NOAH history, some Ring of Honor World Title history, unavoidable discussion of a horrible injury, the Bryan Danielson thought process, Pac, Kieran plays devil’s advocate, Raw dark matches, and find out who doesn’t do legs.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Follow Sarah: @SarahFlann

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

For "the match to change All-Japan", Misawa vows to go all out, and so does our guest. Former ring announcer and podcaster, MOJ, joins Kieran and Mark to break down the epic Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa Triple Crown match from January 20, 1997.

PLUS: cartoon WWF goes hardcore, VHS (again), hair chat (again) Atsushi Onita crying (again), “The Pisstaker” Kazuchika Okada, Kinch Stalker, Osaka wrestling experiences, poorly attended shows, Kaiyukan, Misawa’s love of Super Street Fighter II, “a steam train in orange trunks”, the mist gland, VPW 2, company tag lines, “incredibly painful imaginary athletics”, “Miss AWA”, horrific head-drops, and an analogy you won’t see coming.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter: @MustSeeMatches http://linktr.ee/mustseematches

Follow MOJ: @threekidneysmoj

Kieran: @kieranedits Mark: @monkey_buckles

MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Wrestling video essayist Squill joins Mark and Kieran to discuss a classic of the modern New-Japan golden age: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki from King of Pro-Wrestling on October 8, 2012. PLUS: DDT, rain, Pancrase, nerdy details, Suzuki and New-Japan history, Ayumi Nakamura and Kaze ni Nare, dubious hair decisions, One Piece, John Cena, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Okada’s terrible submission holds, dodgy footwork, the best Figure-Four Leglock ever, Timothy Thatcher and Buster Keaton. Follow the project and podcast on Twitter: ⁠⁠@MustSeeMatches⁠⁠ ⁠⁠http://linktr.ee/mustseematches⁠⁠ Kieran: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@kieranedits⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mark: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@monkey_buckles⁠⁠⁠ Follow Squill: @heeldumile // WrestlingWithTheNarrative MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.

Saddle up the MSM tandem, it's a two-hander as Kieran and Mark get stuck into the only ECW match to make the 104: Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome from Heatwave '98 on August 2, 1998.

PLUS: VHS, The Head Hunters, The Night The Line Was Crossed, Bravo, zombies, FMW, Gran Naniwa, the brilliance of ECW TV, Atsushi Onita, The Zoo, JT Smith, “Roaring Elbow”, Ulf Herman, Taz, Jerry Lynn’s action figure, Aldo Montoya, “Yagawama, Japan”, Kenta Kobashi, Bill Alfonso goes on holiday, WCW, and One Night Stand.

Follow the project and podcast on Twitter/IG: ⁠@MustSeeMatches⁠ ⁠http://linktr.ee/mustseematches⁠ Kieran: ⁠@kieranedits⁠ Mark: ⁠@monkey_buckles⁠ MUSIC: "Chuck Kick Ass" by Nicolas Jeudy. Used under license from Dark Fantasy Studio.