BEST OF THE SUPER JOSHI 2017 - Top 50 Matches

These are my top 50 favorite joshi puroresu matches of 2017.

Mariko Yoshida vs. Megumi Fujii (ARSION, 5/24/2003)

ARSION (5/24/2003)

MMA Rules: Mariko Yoshida vs. Megumi Fujii

Megumi Fujii is a legit shooter (26-3) and moves like a natural in the squared-circle. Both performers display their brilliance on the mat with smooth grappling and transitions. Although the match has "MMA Rules" (time rounds), it is still wrestled like a pro wrestling match, there is even a fighting spirit sequence!

***1/4

FREEDOMS - Blood X'Mas 2017 (12/30/2017)

5. Glass Board & Alpha Death Match: Aeroboy vs. Daisuke Masaoka

This was a great match, fairly methodical compared to the previous work I've seen from Masaoka. Aeroboy's offense wasn't the most fluid or interesting I've seen from a luchador, but I thought he performed fine. 

***3/4

7. King of FREEDOM World Championship - Ring of Pain 300 Fluorescent Light Tubes Death Match: Violento Jack (c) vs. Jun Kasai

I've heard of Violent Jack for years, but I never actually checked out one of his matches. He seems pretty good, he was was able to stand toe-to-toe with DM legend Jun Kasai afterall. A lot of bloodshed and piledrivers in this match.

***1/4

Daisuke Masaoka vs. Kenji Fukimoto (FREEDOMS, 5/6/2017)

FREEDOMS - The Gekokujo 2017 (5/6/2017)

King of FREEDOM World Championship - 4 Corners Of Pain Death Match: Daisuke Masaoka (c) vs. Kenji Fukimoto

These guys were destroying each other, but I didn't find this match special -- just a solid death match. The crowd goes bonkers when Fukimoto's packaged piledriver fails to get the job done, and they're 100% behind the challenger. I liked the intensity of Masaoka's final comeback sequence with all of those knee strikes.

***

Emi Sakura &「Kotori」vs. Masako Takanashi & Riho (DDT, 8/7/2015)

DDT - Beer Garden Fight 2015 - Shuten-doji Day (8/7/2015) 

Emi Sakura &「Kotori」vs. Masako Takanashi & Riho

This was spectacular, it doesn't last long, but it's action-packed to a hot crowd. Riho and "Kotori" were doing magical things, Masa was in his gyaru gimmick, but he wrestled it straight. "Kotori" was so seamless with her high-flying, what an amazing performance from her. Great match from start to finish.

****1/4

Rina Yamashita vs. Misaki Ohata (WAVE, 10/9/2017)

(Rewatched on 1/15/2018)

WAVE - Saint October (10/9/2017)

Regina di WAVE Championship: Rina Yamashita (c) vs. Misaki Ohata

I definitely enjoyed this more on rewatch. Exciting pacing, great hard-hitting back and forth action. Since last year, Rina had been trying to hit the Splash Mountain as a tribute to Dynamite Kansai to her detriment, and it ended up costing her here as well (she would eventually find the strength to pull it off at OZ's big Yokohama show). Ohata had Yamashita scouted during key moments, having learned from their previous encounters. Her counterwork was so fluid - that Black Dahlia counter from the Splash Mountain was awesome.

****1/2

Bob Sapp vs. Danshoku Dino (DDT, 7/24/2011)

DDT - Ryogoku Peter Pan 2011 (7/24/2011)

Special Rules Match: Bob Sapp vs. Danshoku Dino

I wish Bob Sapp had given more effort in this match. He doesn't feel like a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, he feels like a prop in Danshoku Dino's performance. Dino was working hard, and single-handedly carries this with his charisma and technique. Really amazing work from him.

**1/2

Stardom - New Years Stars 2018 (1/6/2018)

2. Kay Lee Ray & Xia Brookside vs. Queen's Quest (HZK & Momo Watanabe)

Pretty sweet match, all four competitors looked good. HZK hits an awesome heel kick - great addition to her moveset.

**1/2

4. AZM vs. Kagetsu

What a great match, easily the best AZM singles performance so far. Kagetsu doesn't take AZM seriously, until AZM shows that she can be a threat. AZM' selling and offense were top notch - I didn't see that corner springboard coming! The juji gatame finish was unexpected too. Good stuff.

***

5. Io Shirai vs. Sumire Natsu

 A solid house show match event. Sumire wasn't presented as a threat, relying mostly on outside interference from her stablemates; her use of Io's photobook was great heelwork. Io hits an awesome wrist-clutch knee strike (similar to the kamigoye) before she sets up the moonsault for the win.

**3/4

Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura & Kagetsu) vs. Queen's Quest (HZK & Momo Watanabe) (Stardom, 1/5/2018)

Stardom - New Years Stars 2018 (1/5/2018)

Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura & Kagetsu) (c) vs. Queen's Quest (HZK & Momo Watanabe)

This is my favorite match of Hana & Kagetsu's Goddesses reign by far. I thought the champions looked really good. The kick exchanges between Momo and Kagetsu were great, and HZK was on fire. Hana got in a couple of good boots, and the Oedo Tai shenanigans were entertaining as always.

***3/4