Today marks the first of seven articles that DSR/CBC will be publishing as a group effort with our new staff. All four of our editors and admin, as well our new writers have pitched in their favorite professional wrestling match, album, film, video game, television show, book, and book of the 2020s so far to recommend to you, our readers, and hopefully get to show more of their interests beyond the confines of professionalism in their writing. All but three of our new staff pitched in, and there will be one article for each day for the next week.
We begin with the art of professional wrestling. Professional wrestling, I assume if you’re coming here from DSR, is a general interest we all share. Some of us like the camaraderie, some the catharsis we share alongside each character as they utilize their emotions from the story to fight their way to victory. But the art of professional wrestling is so much richer than that, to describe it the way Ryan Gosling describes the art of jazz in La La Land, it’s conflict and compromise, and it’s very, very exciting. The use of physicality within body language to tell a story that makes you feel something, and doing so in a way that makes you question reality, is inherently art, even if it’s an artform most may consider lowbrow. Those that understand it can make even the most disillusioned viewer appreciate it. When you see grown men cry over the premature retirements of Edge or Bryan Danielson, or the roar of the crowd when the glass shatters, or just how apoplectic an audience becomes at the antics of MJF, it becomes hard to argue that professional wrestling makes people care about what they see.
Jameus Mooney, Admin of Dirt Sheet Radio and Editor at Comic Book Clique.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. CM Punk, AEW Revolution ‘22.
A bloody CM Punk signals for the Go To Sleep. Photo credit: AEW.
I was a regular at Daily’s Place during the pandemic, part of a friend group of six, which included my two best friends in the world, while I was living in Jacksonville. Professional wrestling had been my escape from life for nearly a decade and a half to that point in my life, and it’s funny to look back on 2020 being the peak of my wrestling fandom as that’s when a lot of people checked out, and now, six years later, I’m as checked out as I’ve ever been. But no matter how bad my depression became in 2020, having a live wrestling show to go to every week should I need to get out of my house and escape, alongside my friends, represents some of my favorite memories. Thus, the question is begged, why didn’t I choose the Omega/Cassidy/PAC triple threat, or The Young Bucks vs FTR which has my favorite psychological story ending of any tag team match, or any of the Stadium Stampede matches?
The final show I went to while my two best friends were still best friends ended up being Revolution 2022, and it was my first time seeing CM Punk, who had been one of my favorite wrestlers since I was five years old. Not only did it represent my first time seeing CM Punk, but the return of the AFI presentation meant a significant amount to not only my fandom, but the fandom of my friends. Then, CM Punk proved he still had it with the best match and story he’s told anywhere within the last fifteen years.
I’m very much an old school professional wrestling fan. By old school, I don’t mean I care about wrestlers having 24-inch pythons or pretend that the power of the Ultimate Warrior was good television, rather I like wrestling that presents itself as a real struggle. I like authenticity in my wrestling. Think: Magnum TA, Tully Blanchard, Nikita Koloff, The Midnight Express, Don Muraco, Ivan Putski, and of course, Greg Valentine and Roddy Piper. One staple of that generation of wrestling that I don’t particularly care for is the dog collar match. It’s one of those matches when done well can be spectacular, but when it isn’t done perfectly, is dreadfully boring.
CM Punk is not the wrestler he used to be. Punk is one of my top ten favorites wrestlers of all-time, but the last five years of CM Punk has left a lot to be desired. His work has become sloppier, he’s begun spamming finishers, his work has become significantly more formulaic and telegraphed. He’s never been the best athlete, but that never kept him from being arguably the best wrestler in the world, and now it feels as though he doesn’t have that same gas tank. But for one night? Punk operated with a full tank and pressed on the gas pedal.
But as Max and Wardlow both play their roles to perfection, CM Punk did his best to be Tom Seaver in Chicago: a far cry from what he used to be in the New York territory, but he has his fastball enough to get a complete game for win 300 on a faithful night. CM Punk and Maxwell Jacob Friedman, after months of building up to a fight, culminating a bloody and violent match that if Punk hadn’t pulled a Punk on his way out, would be celebrated on every AEW highlight reel until the end of time. For one night, those two men convinced you that they genuinely wanted to kill each other and would do everything in their power to make sure they never saw the other again. In an era where the soda is out of the can, that level of suspension of disbelief, harkening back to what pro wrestling was founded upon, is the kind of match that reminds me why I still love it. Punk’s sloppiness not only is present here, but it works here and it’s the kind of story Punk should be leaning into. He’s not trying to be crisp, he’s in a fight for his life and he’s desperate, and desperate men move as though they need anything, everything to just connect, and that’s where mistakes happen, and you can’t be as perfect as you want to be. That’s a story, that’s psychology 101. That’s how you make somebody believe what you’re watching is real. After that night, my voice was so shot that I had to cancel my podcasts for three weeks,
CM Punk’s magnum opus came with the spiritual successor in MJF, who modernizes the embodiment of what CM Punk represented all of those years ago working in the Chicago Fieldhouse.
Nick LaRocco, Admin of Dirt Sheet Radio.
2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Match.
Edge’s emotional return at the 2020 Royal Rumble. Photo credit: WWE.
One of the biggest matches that could have kicked off the 2020s also happened to take place just weeks before the world completely changed. Looking back, it almost feels like the end of an era. For me, the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble is everything a Royal Rumble should be. It blends the marathon storytelling of the 1992 Rumble with the constantly evolving narratives of the legendary 2001 edition. Every entrant feels important, nearly every elimination advances a story, and there is never a point where the match feels like it is simply waiting for the next countdown.
The opening half belongs entirely to WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. Entering at No. 1, Brock tears through a field of current champions, former world champions, returning stars, and future main eventers in one of the most dominant Royal Rumble performances ever. Watching Kofi Kingston seek revenge, MVP return, Keith Lee make his Royal Rumble debut, and Braun Strowman step up to the challenge creates the feeling that everyone is taking their shot at the final boss. My only complaint is that I wish Shelton Benjamin and Brock had reunited for a little longer before Brock tossed him aside. Their Minnesota Stretching Crew history made that moment feel like it could have been even bigger.
Everything changes when Drew McIntyre enters. After Ricochet gets a measure of revenge on Brock, Drew connects with a Claymore Kick and eliminates the seemingly unstoppable Beast. In an instant, the story shifts. What began as Brock's showcase becomes Drew McIntyre's journey to the main event. Along the way, we get incredible moments like Edge's shocking return after nearly nine years of retirement, Rated RKO sharing the ring once again, and a stacked second half featuring stars like AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Aleister Black, Samoa Joe, and Seth Rollins.
The final stretch is what truly elevates this match. Roman Reigns was still years away from becoming the Tribal Chief and many fans feared another "LOLROMANWINS" ending after he eliminated the returning Edge. Instead, WWE delivered one of the loudest crowd reactions of the decade. Drew McIntyre, the man once labeled Vince McMahon's "Chosen One," stood across the ring from the man many fans believed was the real chosen one. One Claymore Kick later, Roman was over the top rope, Drew had won the Royal Rumble, and a new main event star had officially arrived.
What makes this Royal Rumble special is how effortlessly it weaves together multiple stories without ever losing focus. Brock's dominance, Drew's rise, Edge's emotional return, Seth Rollins' Messiah faction, Roman's looming presence, and dozens of smaller interactions all fit together into one cohesive match. Every time I go back and watch it, I'm reminded why I think it is the defining Royal Rumble of the 2020s. If someone asked me to recommend one modern Royal Rumble that captures everything great about the stipulation, this would be my answer every single time.
Robert Acosta, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Double or Nothing ‘26.
Takeshita gives Okada Okada’s signature middle finger. Photo credit: AEW.
I've got a couple of biases in play here, I'll admit. A teaspoon of recency bias with a gallon of ‘I saw it live’ bias.
From the moment this match was remotely teased I was devoted to it. Contemplating when they might pull the trigger, how long would this match go, who'd win and what they'd be fighting for. I didn't expect that I'd actually be front and center for this masterpiece.
They packed so much into a less than 20 minute match. The animosity built over the past year plus really led to the ‘big fight feel’ this needed. We got intense, edge-of-your-seat action and they put together what felt like a New Japan main event sprint. I was unsure of who'd pick up the win but I know I didn't want it to end.
I lost my voice cheering for everything happening. The right guy won. A post-match return of Kyle Fletcher was just the cherry on top of this absolutely stacked sundae.
Jhuvin Palaganas, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Jon Moxley vs. Adam Page, All In: Texas.
Adam Page celebrates his second AEW Men’s World Championship victory. Photo credit: AEW.
When you ask people what they love about wrestling, they’ll say it’s the theatrical entrances, superhuman athleticism, or big meaty men slapping meat. For me, it’s the storytelling, and Hangman Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley at All In: Texas is one of the greatest stories ever told. Jon Moxley is a brutal tactician disgusted at the state of wrestling— the egos, the theatrics, the lack of discipline— and he must save it before it gets any worse. He and his Death Riders have held the world championship hostage until someone can, in every sense of the word, wrestle it from them.
Mox knows exactly who he is. Meanwhile, Hangman Adam Page hasn’t known who he is for a very long time. His feud with Swerve Strickland broke something in him. He found himself lost and confused; he conflated violence with vindication. Then, he won the Owen Hart Tournament, and the fog started to clear. He made amends with people he hurt. He realized the fans never turned on him, they were just disappointed and waiting for him to come home. But he can’t come home, not yet. Not without the AEW World Championship.
Also, it’s a freaking TEXAS DEATHMATCH.
Amanda Woods, Comic Book Clique.
Chris Brookes vs. Kid Lykos, PROGRESS: Return of the Fly.
Brookes and Lykos. Photo credit: PROGRESS.
My pick: PROGRESS 2022. Return of the Fly. Kid Lykos vs Chris Brookes - No DQ. The story going into this match writes itself: CCK built their name together as a tag team across the booming British and European independents in the mid to late 2010s. After Kid Lykos is forced to temporarily retire due to injuries, Chris goes off on his own to Japan and becomes a star in DDT, leaving his tag team partner and friend behind in the process. This story is the backbone of this match and the two’s chemistry together is apparent from the start of this match.
Now, the story going into a match is only one aspect of a great wrestling match; you have to deliver in the ring as well. And both men do. The former tag team does a great job at pacing this match, blending together flashy hardcore spots with slower, more story driven beats throughout. This match is also extremely unique for a different reason: the double turn. Going into the match, Lykos had re-established himself in Progress as a heel after his return from retirement. However, throughout this match, Lykos takes beating after beating from Brookes. Slowly, the crowd starts to split, eventually turning on Brookes when he rips off Lykos's mask after tearing at it several times in the match. Both men fully commit to the crowd shift, kicking the match into another gear. This moment would later be used to help prove Lykos’s viability as a babyface star in PROGRESS, start the trajectory towards his eventual unmasking, and his PROGRESS title win in 2024.
Kid Lykos vs Chris Brookes proves why these two men are some of the best working outside of the major company system today. The care and love both men put into this bout out ranks a majority of matches I have seen in my two years since becoming a wrestling fan. This match solidified Brookes as one of my favorite wrestlers (I can go on and on about how the man is so underrated and one of the most creative wrestlers working across any company), but more importantly, sold me on Kid Lykos as someone to always keep my eye on as someone due for a massive breakout year internationally. Kid Lykos vs Chris Brookes is one of the best in PROGRESS’s stacked history and will make you fall in love with international independent wrestling as a whole.
Jenny Catlin, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Clusterfuck Forever, Joey Janela’s Spring Break ‘24.
Match announcement graphic for the Clusterfuck.
For pure spectacle and fun, I’m going with 2024 GCW Joey Janela’s Spring Break: Clusterfuck Forever. This may be a lot of what people dislike about professional wrestling, but I love it. Yes, I absolutely appreciate the technical skill of Bloodsport, etc., but this is a match I’ve returned to countless times for its, well, clusterf–k-ness. It’s two hours of everything-but-the-kitchen-sink debauchery, from “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a chicken costume to Aja Kong in the ring with Microman, and then the rousing campfire-style singalong of “Teenage Dirtbag.” For a love of camp and chaos, this one is hard to beat in the last six years.
Andre Porter, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns, WrestleMania XL.
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance looking to finish the story. Photo credit: WWE.
My favorite match of the 2020s would have to be Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL: a spectacle and the coronation of Rhodes being a full blown main eventer. The spectacle redefined the American Nightmare vs. Tribal Chief dynamic, culminating in Rhodes’ monumental victory to finish his story with an Avengers: Endgame conclusion with Cody assembling his backup in Jey Uso, John Cena, The Undertaker, and Seth Rollins against Reigns’ Bloodline in a main event for the ages.
Sean Paul, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
FTR vs. The Briscoes, ROH Supercard of Honor ‘22.
FTR become the new ROH Tag Team Champions at Supercard of Honor. Photo credit: Ring of Honor.
Ring of Honor had its first PPV event after a three-month hiatus, and this was by far the best match on the card. With their AEW run being underwhelming to that point, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood of FTR needed to prove that their ‘best tag team in the world’ had merit to it. And what better way for the Top Guys to show it than taking on Dem Boys for the ROH Tag Titles. With FTR’s mat-based technical style and the Briscoes’ unpredictable, brawling style, this felt like a genuine fight where either side could win. The match spawned two sequels (⅔ falls at Death Before Dishonor and Double Dog Collar at Final Battle that same year) that also received praise, cementing the rivalry as one of the greatest of all time. It also cemented FTR’s reputation as arguably the greatest tag team of its generation and gave Jay Briscoe one of the defining runs of his career before his unfortunate death the next year in January.
Andy Chen, Admin of Dirt Sheet Radio and Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
The Lucha Bros vs. The Young Bucks, All Out ‘21.
Pentagon Jr. Photo credit: AEW.
I love this match because it showcases some of the best tag team wrestling of the 2020s. The Lucha Brothers spectacular lucha libre style combined with the Young Bucks incredible athleticism and storytelling made this an unforgettable match.
Abel Loza, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Jon Moxley vs. Adam Page, All In: Texas.
Moxley from Page’s POV. Photo credit: AEW.
My favorite wrestling match of the 2020s is ‘Hangman’ Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley at All In: Texas. I was in Arlington in person, and the energy after 1, 2, 3 could have powered the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro for years. To this day, it’s probably the best payoff for any AEW storyline in history, and for me, that is the bar for AEW. But I think the best part of the entire experience was converting my brother, an AEW hater, into a believer. There was nothing like it, and I've been to dozens of sporting events.
Ryan Norton, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson, Dynasty ‘24.
Will Ospreay nails Bryan Danielson with a hidden blade. Photo credit: AEW.
Words cannot describe how excited I was when this match first got announced. Bryan Danielson, arguably the greatest in-ring performer of all time, facing off against Will Ospreay, my fellow countryman, who I watched as he ascended through the wrestling industry, from literal bingo halls and local pubs in England. To now being on pay per view for All Elite Wrestling, having recently signed for the company after an incredibly successful stint in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Where he showed the world just how talented he really is. The simplest of stories imaginable in wrestling was told here. “You think you’re the best, I think I’m the best. Let’s find out who the better man truly is.” And that is exactly what they did, going blow for blow and hold for hold over the space of a crisp 32:40. By the time Ospreay hit the final Hidden Blade and the bell rang to signal the match being over, I knew I had seen a modern masterpiece. They somehow managed to exceed the expectations that the match had more than garnered. Beautiful professional wrestling magic!
Dustin Lee, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay, WrestleKingdom 17.
Kenny nails a V-Trigger. Photo credit: New Japan.
If I had to recommend one wrestling match from the 2020s it would be Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 17. I think it's an incredible showcase of what modern professional wrestling can be. The athleticism is amazing but what really stood out to me was the emotion and storytelling behind every big move. It isn't just a collection of impressive spots; it feels like two competitors giving everything they have to prove they're the best. I think this is perfect for any longtime wrestling fan or someone who has never watched New Japan before. I think this is a match that's easy to appreciate.
Nate Fidler, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay, Forbidden Door ‘23.
Ospreay returns the favor. Photo credit: AEW.
Picking a favorite match of the 2020s is a difficult task. So many great matches come to mind, but if I had to recommend one match to anybody. It would be Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door 2023. From the moment they stepped through the curtain, from bell to bell. Nearly 40 minutes of nonstop entertainment! Both Omega and Ospreay doing what they do best, delivering unforgettable performances! It's worth noting this match meant more to me because it was my first time seeing these two go at it live on pay-per-view, as I missed their match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Rami Hanna, Contributor at Comic Book Clique.
Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland, All In ‘24.
Bryan Danielson called winning the AEW World Championship his favorite moment of his career. Photo credit: AEW.
“Fight for your dreams and your dreams will fight for you.” A quote from Bryan Danielson who returned to the ring in 2018 and years later, this quote would become much deeper as he entered a war against Swerve Strickland at AEW All In 2024 for the men’s World Championship. A battle that he’d lead himself into with Europe’s the Final Countdown blaring and being sung at the top of the lungs by every fan inside Wembley Stadium. A clash that everyone knew would not be easy for the American Dragon and that’s the reason why we root for him, no matter who he goes toe-to-toe with. A fight with Strickland is like signing a death certificate, but nevertheless, that’s why Danielson was made for matches and moments like this one.
The atmosphere was heavy before and after the bell, the crowd still singing Danielson’s music, and the injuries he walked into Wembley Stadium with were just his battle scars he collected over the course of his career. Even after the action got going, Danielson took a Death Valley Driver onto the timekeeper's bell from Strickland. From the numbness in his neck and the crimson mask that coated his face, it only fueled his fire and will to never say die. The look on his wife and kids face and the motivation that ran through his fury filled veins with a rage being created, there was not a single ounce of doubt in his face, only the will prove he is the best wrestler on planet earth.
A perfect story in wrestling is the big bad guy vs. the little underdog and most of the time, you’re made to believe the smaller guy has no chance against the reigning and defending champion. This match teaches you how that is a false statement. Especially when Danielson puts his career on the line because he’s so sure that if this is the last match, he will go out with his sword and shield by his side. That’s the beauty of pro wrestling, that’s what will make you sit down and tune in to something that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat or bawling your eyes out when the final bell rings and Danielson proves once again that when you fight for your goals, it will get bloody, it will get violent, it will bust your eardrums and it will show that it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the size of the fight in the dog.
I highly recommend this match for anyone who needs a first match to watch when they first discover the world of professional wrestling. The video package prior to it will leave you wanting to root louder than any other person in the room or arena and when that Busaiku Knee connects and Danielson locks in his Lebell Lock to tap out Strickland, you’ll feel like you walked side by side with the American Dragon in his journey to prove why he is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. That is the art of storytelling and that is the thrill that pro wrestling leaves you with because when you fight for your dreams, your dreams will fight for you.
Jessica Roberts, Editor at Comic Book Clique.
Jacy Jayne’s final match on the NXT Coconut Loop: Fatal Influence vs ZaRuca and Bayley Humphrey.
Jacy Jayne in NXT. Photo credit: WWE.
I enjoy the NXT house shows more than any other wrestling I’ve watched, and my favorite wrestling match was at one of these events. It was in Dade City, Florida in February 2026. I haven’t been watching wrestling long, but just long enough to watch the Jacy Jayne glow up. This night, she lost her match, and she’d go on to lose the belt the following Tuesday ahead of her call-up to SmackDown. I was in the front row at the house show and said I loved her as she walked by, and she blew me a kiss. <3 I have really enjoyed watching her character grow, so I was really happy to be there for her last week at NXT and get to say my own little goodbye to that chapter of NXT.
George Serrano, Founder of Comic Book Clique.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Bryan Danielson, Revolution ‘23.
MJF post-match. Photo credit: AEW.
I have been a long-term fan of Danielson for a very long time. He only got to reach certain heights in WWE, but in AEW, he really got to show what he was worth. His heel run is incredibly underrated, because his ability to be a bully at his size with just his technical prowess is one of the most masterful things I have ever seen. But this match goes to show how great of a babyface he is, and how great of a heel MJF is. I am admittedly not the biggest AEW fan, but I think this is the best iron man match in the history of professional wrestling. The idea that you can keep anyone engaged for 60 minutes in a medium that can sometimes go 500 miles an hour is a feat in and of itself. MJF's youth, Danielson's passion, the storytelling, and the post-match promo from Danielson where he explained he chose not to fight out of the submission because then he would not be able to hold his children was so evocative. We should have more believable reasons for our actions in wrestling.
Jon Escudero, Owner and Founder of Dirt Sheet Radio, Editor at Comic Book Clique.
Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay, Dynasty ‘24.
The best of the previous generation and the best of this generation. Photo credit: AEW.
The greatest wrestler I've ever seen in my life Bryan Danielson vs the greatest wrestler of the current generation Will Ospreay. Everything I love about professional wrestling.
That concludes day one of the next seven days, but on day seven we’re doing what we call a ‘grab bag’ where our team can any one of the previous six days of topics to give another recommendation, and there will be more professional wrestling matches we discuss in this project.