Ramblings About’s Matches of the Year 2024: Best of the Rest

Fuck knows how, but 2024 is drawing to an end, which means it’s time for me to wang on about my favourite things in wrestling from the last twelve months. Up first, the best of the rest. These are the matches that, on a different day, could have easily been my favourite of the year. I’ve seen a few people suggest it’s been a weaker period for wrestling, but I didn’t feel that way as I struggled to whittle this down to ten. A handful of bouts I assumed would be on here were pipped at the post and replaced by something that excited me that little bit more. So, if your favourite is missing, imagine it’s number 11.

As usual, it’s a list that reflects my tastes, which means there are some glaring holes. I intended to make this the year I dived into lucha, but I failed, so it has no representation here, not because it’s shite, but because I don’t watch enough of it. There are only so many hours in the day, and I like to spend a few of them on non-wrestling-related activities.

Anyway, on to the list!

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30/12/2024 0

Mayumi Ozaki vs Maya Yukihi, Country of Plum Blossoms (18/8/24), Oz Academy Review

Late in this match, when even that cunt POLICE had turned his back on Mayumi Ozaki, it felt like it might finally be time for her to face the consequences of her action. Having been beaten back by Marvelous, losing the AAAW Title to Takumi Iroha, Ozaki did what Ozaki does and turned her anger on her minions, causing Maya Yukihi to challenge the boss. Now, she was all alone. Or at least that’s what you’d think. Where in any other company, the fans would have been relishing in the downfall of the big bad, that’s not Oz Academy. There, Ozaki is emperor, king and whatever else she damn well pleases, and her subjects are grateful to her for it. As her doom appeared apparent, they simply chanted her name louder, willing her on to victory.

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23/08/2024 0

Marvelous 8th Anniversary (8/8/24) Review

The 8th of August is a pivotal date in Marvelous lore. Not only was it when the promotion started, but it was the date Chigusa Nagayo debuted in 1980, a mighty 44 years ago. With that in mind, Marvelous loaded this one up. Takumi Iroha became the latest person to step up and try to take back the AAAW Title from Mayumi Ozaki, Team 200kg challenged Magenta for the Tag Titles, and Chi Chi faced off with Nagayo in a Barbie Showdown. What is that last one? Who knows, but you’re in the right place to find out.

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09/08/2024 0

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for May 2024

The new champ’s first defence. Credit: TJPW

Another month is over and done with, as 2024 seems to be roaring past at an alarming speed. May saw the introduction of a new Rossy Ogawa venture into the wrestling scene alongside all the usual shenanigans, so it’s a fun time to be following along. However, if you can’t watch everything, why not let Ramblings About point you towards the exciting stuff? You’ll probably not regret it.

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01/06/2024 0

Marvelous 8th Anniversary (3/5/24) Review

Managing to look that calm while falling through the air blows my mind. Credit: Here

Apologies to the one person who might have been waiting for a review of the Takumi anniversary show. Marvelous had some issues with the VOD, and it’s still not up (I’ve contacted them, and they said they’d look into it). However, there is no time to grumble as we move from one birthday celebration to the next. Marvelous entered their ninth year by marking the eight that came before at Korakuen Hall. What went down? Let’s find out.

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05/05/2024 1

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for April 2024

Any excuse to get Nodoka in there. Credit: TJPW

I don’t know if you noticed, but April was a busy month for wrestling. It was also another busy month for Stuart, so I’m undoubtedly missing some crackers off this list. If you have any particularly strong suggestions, throw them my way, but otherwise, enjoy!

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01/05/2024 0

Mio Momono vs Mayumi Ozaki, Battle Big Bonus (28/4/24), Oz Academy

She did get to kick her in the head a bit. Credit: Here

I can’t remember the last match to leave me as unsure of my feelings as this one.

On a basic level, I hated it. I hated it because it wasn’t supposed to end like this. Over eight months after Mio Momono lost the AAAW Title to Mayumi Ozaki, she walked into enemy territory, carrying Oz’s belt on her shoulder, aiming to bring it home. I woke up early on Sunday morning with butterflies fluttering in my stomach, excited to watch it live because that was what I wanted to see. My hero, the wrestler I will argue till I’m blue in the face is the best in the world, was going to right the wrong of that night and reclaim what was rightfully hers.

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30/04/2024 3

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Year 2023: The Best of the Rest

It’s been a hell of a year. Credit: TJPW

As 2023 draws to an end, people like me decide to spend far too long coming up with a match-of-the-year list. Honestly, even I think this one is somewhat excessive, as I have nineteen matches to cover in what I’m describing as the best of the rest. However, I didn’t want to let any of my favourites go, as I’d be happy to have any one of these as my number one. As usual, these are the matches I loved, so while you can feel free to throw some suggestions my way (in fact, please do), don’t waste any time telling me I’m wrong. I don’t care how good you think Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega was – I’m never going to watch it. Anyway, on with the list!

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29/12/2023 1

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for August 2023

August is a slightly different month for my Ramblings About roundup. Since the 18th, I’ve been in Japan, so the second half of this list is entirely made up of matches I’ve seen in person. Seeing something live alters how you view it, and if you’re looking for in-depth analysis over more feeling-based yelling, you might want to go elsewhere. However, I’ve been having a lovely old time, and I still hope there is some value in what I have to say.

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01/09/2023 0

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for June 2023

Another month down, another group of fantastic matches that I want to ramble about. The wider wrestling world has been busy over the last thirty days, but, as usual, not much of that made the cut (although there is a taste of New Japan). I actually watched most of Forbidden Door, but was it as good as a WAVE show in front of 80 people? I think we all know the answer to that.

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01/07/2023 0