Angel Driver's Lucky 13 matches of 2025 ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

It’s time for yet another year-end list, and this time on the new site! Welcome to Angel Driver! From blood baths to emotional masterpieces, I’ve compiled my favorite matches of 2025.

Before the countdown starts, here are some honorable mentions:

• The Street Profits vs. The Motor City Machine Guns vs. #DIY at WWE SmackDown

• Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki vs. House Of Torture (EVIL & SHO) & Sumie Sakai at NJPW Battle In The Valley

• Mercedes Mone vs. Persephone at CMLL Viernes Espectacular

• Momo Watanabe vs. AZM at Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix

• Mercedes Mone vs. Jamie Hayter at AEW Double Or Nothing

• Meiko Satomura vs. Sareee at Sareee-ISM Chapter VI

• Jon Moxley vs. Kyle Fletcher at AEW Worlds End

• Tam Nakano vs. Saya Kamitani at Stardom Nighter In Korakuen

• Bandido vs. Hechicero at ROH Death Before Dishonor

• Blood And Guts: Marina Shafir, Megan Bayne, Mercedes Mone & Triangle Of Madness vs. Babes Of Wrath, Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander & Timeless Love Bombs at AEW Dynamite

13. Miku Aono vs. Utami Hayashishita at Marigold Grand Destiny

(Photo Courtesy: Kakutolog)

On a card with Mayu Iwatani vs Iyo Sky, this was my match of the night. I enjoyed its pace, appreciating the slow start that builds to an epic finish line. Hayashishita uses her slight strength advantage to take over the first beginnings of the match, but Aono is able to get back in by delivering a crazy Styles Clash on the apron just before the 5-minute alert.

Both are equally matched here, but Aono is more technical, doing some great limb work on Hayashishita's leg. However, they both randomly pull out some crazy stuff, like Aono basically dropping Hayashishita on her head with an inverted suplex from the second rope, invoking some shrieks of horror from the crowd. Hayashishita gets her lick back by throwing Aono headfirst into a turnbuckle. The ending has effective nearfalls, with both women being exhausted but determined to leave as champion. Aono uses the Hijack Bomb, shockingly beating the champion with her own move.

If you’ve only seen the Iyo and Mayu match from this show, I say give this a watch too. It's well put together and a hard-hitting fight to end Utami’s reign and start the era of Aono.

12. Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr. at NJPW Tanahashi Jam

(Photo Courtesy: NJPW)

A lot of people enjoyed their first match in February, but personally, I enjoyed this one more. I understand Goto Mania began in their first encounter, and ends in this one, but I found the story here so compelling.

Hirooki Goto enters as world champion, the crowd vocally on his side. Like, dude, they adore this guy. Zack Sabre Jr. is cool, calm, and collected, only focused on winning the belt back from the man who took it from him. I love the unapologetic, cocky way Sabre wrestles. He’s ruthless, but also smart, always thinking ahead. The way he targets Goto’s arm is cruel. Goto being the underdog is probably what he’s best at. This perseverance from him makes his comebacks very fulfilling to watch. With one good arm, the odds are against him, but he continues to fight with all his heart. There are many times when it seems like Goto may pass out from the pain due to Sabre's attacks on his arm. There’s a spot where Goto somehow finds a way to put his foot over the rope to break a hold, and the crowd sighs loudly in relief. The overall theme here is that Goto refuses to give up. Eventually, Sabre gets him back in a submission, and the ref has to stop the match for Goto’s sake.

A seemingly real arm injury kind of does dampen the mood, and the sudden end to Goto’s title reign was disappointing, but it did make for a fascinatingly tragic watch showcasing a heart-wrenching performance from Goto.

11. El Desperado vs. Jun Kasai (Fluorescent Light Tubes Glass Board Barbed Wire Death Match) at NJPW Death Pain Invitational

(Photo Courtesy: NJPW)

El Desperado and Jun Kasai meet once again in a death match, their last dance being in 2022, which saw the inexperienced masked wrestler leave as the loser. Now he was ready to test himself again.

I cannot possibly begin to describe every extreme spot these crazy bastards pulled out. The amount they bleed is absurd, as their backs are already covered in cuts, now being reopened by the amount of glass introduced. And there is so much glass, whether it be from them driving each other through glass panels or cracking open the light tubes over their heads.

Everything looks deadly. Any moves or pins have to be done on the ring that's been infused with glass shards. There’s a romance element in all this, though, such as Kasai bringing in a table taped with light tubes and red roses or him giving Despy a kiss in the middle of the ring before driving his head into more glass. These two have grown to respect each other, which is why they’re so comfortable in inflicting this kind of torture. It’s actually romantic if you think about it.

The nearfalls from Desperado near the end are great, but one final spinning doublearm facebuster grants him his win over Kasai finally. People can say death matches are meaningless violence, but when done right, they’re an effective storytelling method. Violence can be beautiful. After Kasai gives Despy roses and one more kiss, it's a fairy tale ending indeed.

10. Mei Seira vs. Suzu Suzuki (No Disqualification) at STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom

(Photo Courtesy: STARDOM)

All-Star Grand Queendom is my show of the year, being the only event mentioned more than once in this list. On that night, Mei Seira and Suzu Suzuki went to war after the latter betrayed her former tag partner. Suzuki is no stranger to hardcore matches, but Seira is the complete opposite, mostly utilized in the high-speed division. 

Less than two minutes in, Suzuki has run the blade after being driven face-first into the ring’s steel post. Suzuki bleeding is awesome, but what I didn’t expect was Seira also gaining a crimson mask herself. After a chair shot to the head, Seria reemerges with blood trickling down her face.  In the ring, Suzuki ragdolls the helpless Seira around. She is an underrated baby face, being the perfect underdog, selling everything devastatingly well. Even though Seira is way out of her element, she manages to keep going. Her screams as she unleashes her blows are intense, expressing anger and hurt. She stumbles around like a zombie, the loss of blood causing her to lose a lot of energy, but when she gets those sudden bursts of adrenaline, she’s explosive, and you hope it's enough to secure the win.

Their fight reminds me of a horror movie. There’s blood everywhere. Seira, battered and covered in red, tries to escape the killer, but Suzuki refuses to stay down. In the end, Seira is not a final girl, and a corkscrew moonsault ensures the bad guy walks free. This is an epic match that doesn’t rely on foreign objects despite its stipulation, instead telling the story inside the ring for the majority of its runtime. Plus, the visual of both women covered in blood having a non-hardcore match is pretty cool. It's a hidden gem from such a stacked card.

9. Sareee vs. Natsupoi at STARDOM Dream Queendom

(Photo Courtesy: STARDOM)

Sometimes, you need to beat the hell out of your best friend to make them believe in themselves again. These are things you can only say in wrestling.

A late addition to my list, which is why you always need to wait for the year to end to make these things! After a tough 2025, Natsupoi was feeling a bit disconnected from pro wrestling, so Sareee wanted to bring some life back into her by challenging her to a big singles match.

After a tense staredown, Natsupoi immediately goes after Sareee, but this fit backfires as Sareee sends Natsupoi crashing down from the top rope, landing disgustingly on the apron- only 30 seconds into the match, by the way! This intensity from both isn’t from hatred but respect and Natsupoi's own pent-up frustrations. Just because they’re friends, it doesn’t stop Sareee from throwing Natsupoi around. But Natsupoi responds by getting back up every time and reciprocating that energy. You’d think these two were mortal enemies. There’s hair pulling, stiff strikes, and slapping. Dream Queendom: Friendship is magic.

Sareee beats Natsupoi to exhaustion, but she urges her to keep going. Natsupoi is excellent at invoking sympathy. She sells everything perfectly, showing fatigue but still determined to win. She's near tears, but these are tears from someone who wants her spark back and just may be finding it with every boot to the face and bump to the hard canvas. Through multiple suplexes and ura nages, Natsupoi stays alive. You start to believe she’s going to win somehow, but reality hits with one last ura nage, ending the match with Natsupoi looking up at the lights. However, this is far from over and has only set the tone for both women’s 2026. A beautiful match between two good friends that told a heartfelt story with hard-hitting action.

8. IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley (vs. Naomi) at WWE Evolution

(Photo Courtesy: WWE)

Counting Naomi as a part of this match, and no one can stop me!

Currently, Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley are going after the tag titles, but they have terrific chemistry as opponents. Even though they express that they respect each other, their friendship fades away more and more as the match goes on, and the desire to win becomes stronger and stronger. Ripley can use her significant power advantage to have her way with the champion, but Sky is resilient, and it starts to frustrate Ripley. The counters in this are amazing, again, I adore their chemistry.

Things go askew when Sky goes for a drop kick that misses, instead taking out the referee. Unaware of what just happened, Ripley hits a riptide and pins Sky down, but with no official, her efforts go in vain. This sends Ripley into a frenzy as she’s been obsessed with finally beating Sky. I love the running bit that Ripley is a bit of a brat. When things don’t go her way, she lets her emotions overtake her. Ripley’s fit of anger sends the two fighting into the crowd, and they find themselves on top of equipment cases. Sky delivers a beautiful crossbody, 20 feet in the air. 

The two manage to make their way back to the ring as the match is still going on. During every nearfall, the crowd goes berserk, and it makes me so happy to see a crowd this big and loud for an all-women’s event. A Spanish Fly from the top rope takes both women out, tired from the grueling night so far. But then, Naomi’s theme hits, and she runs out, briefcase in hand. She cashes in her contract before driving Ripley out of the ring. She delivers a split-legged moonsault to Sky to win the world championship. It’s an overdue moment from one of the most entertaining wrestlers of 2025. This match has it all: great counters and wrestling, a powerful brawl, drama, and a shocking ending- what more could you want!

7. Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Sareee at Sendai Girls Chihiro Hashimoto Debut 10th Anniversary

(Photo Courtesy: Pepe Tanaka)

This is such a bad ass match, dude. Sareee feels especially heavy-handed here, delivering some nasty-sounding forearms to Chihiro Hashimoto’s chest. This match is pretty stiff and aggressive, which, of course, rules. 

Halfway, Sareee just decides to be an asshole and is mean to the poor old referee, pushing back when he tells her to take the action back into the ring. Sareee can be a bit arrogant, but when you’re the best in the world, you can be a little bit of a jerk. Sareee’s targeting of Hashimoto’s knee is ruthless. It genuinely looks like she’s trying to break her leg. Sareee wrestles with such urgency, not wasting a single second. But Hashimoto can get back into the game by using her size advantage to overpower Sareee.

These two get into a slug fest, delivering some genuinely callous blows, especially from Hashimoto, who could probably take off Sareee’s head clean with her strikes. Hashimoto’s power is crazy; she delivers a powerbomb that looks like it could have driven Sareee through the ring. Both express great fighting spirit, and their chemistry is electric. Sareee’s suplexes are a thing of beauty, being able to release a fury of them in a row that I can’t believe Hashimoto kicked out of! However, a big suplex from Hashimoto puts away the Sun God. Big Hash gets a huge win over Sareee, retaining her title on her anniversary. This was simply a great, tough-as-hell match from two incredible talents.

6. Hollywood Ending: Toni Storm vs. Mariah May at AEW Revolution

(Photo Courtesy: AEW)

Once connected by the tit, Toni Storm and Mariah May were now determined to finish each other for good.

May, the woman from hell, comes out in white and with a bouquet, ready to divorce herself from Storm. It doesn’t take long for things to kick off as they brawl on the ramp and unleash brutality all around the stage. A short piledriver to Storm on the steps opens her up, and she gushes blood. That blade job is still unbelievable. The violence has only just begun, though, as they continue to find ways to torture each other. They're really creative and twisted in the things they do. May and Storm wrap their fist in tape and drive their knuckle into a bucket of broken champagne glass, causing May to scream in agony. While this match was her idea, she looks out of her element and even a little scared. But she’s still able to deliver some vicious offense of her own, like driving Storm onto the broken glass that now covers the ring. This match looks like a crime scene. “I fucking hate you!” May screams at her once-mentor/idol/lover(?), her face now covered in her own blood.

At the top of the ramp, Storm gets her revenge and stabs May with her heel and piledrives her through a table for the win as Jim Ross on commentary screams, “Thank God it’s over!” Storm holds on to May, hugging her goodbye. As the two lay bloody and drained, the camera pans out as the tron reads: The End. One of the best endings to a match ever.

I am amazed at how much these two did in under 13 minutes, and I am still upset this didn’t end the show. These two stars had one of the most creative feuds that gave one of the most important matches in AEW history and in women’s wrestling period. Seeing women get this red and hardcore in a major promotion is so cool. An emotional, passionate, and cinematic affair, the match was bloody brilliant.

5. Mayu Iwatani vs. Syuri at STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom

(Photo Courtesy: STARDOM)

This is Syuri’s second attempt at snatching Iwatani’s IWGP Women's title, with that match making it to the top 10 of my year-end list last year. With how good that was, it still felt the two could do even better, and, surprise, they did! This match has no filler, the intensity staying consistent throughout. Syuri is a straight killer, delivering brutal kicks that could honestly decapitate the former icon of Stardom, and Iwatani sells everything like shes been shot. Where Iwatani shines here is her reversals, being able to catch Syuri off guard and perform some explosive moves out of nowhere. However, these fired-up moments are quickly halted by Syrui.

Iwatani’s consistent resilience does stress her opponent out a bit, but this just means Syuri must up the intensity. She gets Iwatani in a disgusting-looking submission that could have honestly broken her in half, but Iwatani refuses to stay down. As is the pattern in this match, Syuri is there to stop her momentum, meeting Iwatani with a headbutt that made a sickening thud. The last minutes are so, so gripping. I was ready to run through multiple brick walls.

But Mayu is not invincible, and a modified version of an Electric Chair Powerslam ends her 735 days as champion. My GOATS did it once again, providing another great addition to an insanely stacked card with a match filled with stiff kicks, nasty bumps, and exhilarating action. But honestly? Just watch the whole show.

4. IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair WWE Wrestlemania 41

(Photo Courtesy: WWE)

I feel so blessed to have been in the stadium for this.

Three of WWE’s biggest and most talented wrestlers clashed in the opener of Night 2 of Wrestlemania 41, putting on the best thing of the whole weekend, absolutely no contest.

Despite being the champion, Iyo Sky was the overlooked woman due to Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair being so focused on each other. When you put all three moving parts in one ring, you get a flawless match with thrilling sequences and non-stop action. All three women are constantly involved in the match, making for so many heart-pumping close calls.

Every woman brings something unique to the table. Sky’s high speed and top rope offense are so exciting to watch. Belair and Ripley are clear powerhouses, and they trade some really rough offense to each other. There’s a bit of everything in this. They’re all great in their roles, but Belair is such a class act, and I miss her. Put the world title on her immediately when she returns. Despite the crowd’s boos (undeserved, by the way), Belair doesn’t let the crowd affect her, even playing into the reactions.

The ending is an example of each woman’s flawless timing in this, which never feels over-choreographed. Belair uses her braid to whip Ripley, which is always a good spot, and then executes a KOD, but these two once again forget Sky as she hits a moonsault to break the pin, and then rolls up Belair to win. Phenomenal work from all three ladies, and I cannot sing their praises enough. This is my true Wrestlemania main event.

3. Syuri vs. Sareee at STARDOM The Conversion

(Photo Courtesy: STARDOM)

These two had faced off at Sareee’s self-produced show earlier in the year in an epic match that may or may not appear on this list later. Now more familiar with each other, it feels like a game of who will make the first mistake. Things break down, and before you know it, they’re grabbing fists of hair and beating the hell out of one another.

This is just as hard-hitting as their first encounter, maybe even a bit more. I get so happy seeing these two throw forearms because they sound disgusting. Such a simple move, but I am pumping my first in the air. To be fair, everything they do looks brutal. (Also, I love Syuri’s German suplexes; I don’t know why, but I just love the way she does them.) They have the same strategy as their first encounter: Sareee targets Syuri’s knee, and Syuri goes for the armbar, but now with even more aggression behind their intentions. We also do eventually get headbutts again, which are awesome, and I do not care about CTE.

I simply think these two are the best wrestlers in the world. Everything they do, I am captivated by. The perfectionism of their offense, even in its savageness, is brilliant. Their execution is crisp and precise. You can feel how much they want to win, especially when you see that crazed look in Syuri's eyes. In the end, Sareee takes the belt, fulfilling her own destiny and ending Syuri’s reign short. Recently, Syuri got the title back from Sareee, so I feel these two are far from done with each other. Don’t be surprised if they top my 2026 list next year.

2. Career vs Career: Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano at STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom

(Photo Courtesy: STARDOM)

From the entrances to the moment the show goes off the air, Tam Nakano and Saya Kamitani created a masterpiece. I cannot describe it as anything less than that. This is the final match for one of these women. The loser must retire. Tam Nakano, the good, must try to protect Stardom from fading to black from the wicked Saya Kamitani. (Also, how did Kamitani get portable wind in her entrance!?)

The stipulation adds so much urgency to every big move and pin attempt. Kamitani shows no remorse, hanging Nakano with a chain in the early stages. She plays her heel role perfectly, understanding the magnitude of the situation. The desperation to keep their careers is felt in every choice they make. Near the end, they meet in the middle, foreheads pressed together and tears in their eyes as they then engage in a slap battle. Kamitani, especially, is emotional, seeming to lose her cool as the end looms. Both women hit everything in their arsenal, but nothing seems to be working as they both kick out at 1 of each other's big moves. But it cannot last forever, as a twilight dream puts Nakano away for good. Kamitani holds on to Nakano after the bell rings. Despite issuing this challenge herself, Kamitani sobs at what she’s done, almost not believing it herself. A heartbreaking end to an enchanting match filled with drama and intense action.

Post-match, Kamitani helps Nakano up the ramp. Feathers fall from the sky as they take a seat on the top of the stage and look into the crowd. Nakano smiles and points to something in the distance, then the screen fades to black. (WTF) I bawled equally during the first, second, third, and many other rewatches. It should have been obvious Nakano was going to lose. Her matches leading up to this night felt very retirement road-y, and there was no way the red hot, young superstar was going to retire early, BUT I wanted to BELIVE IN TAM! That’s her whole thing, isn’t it? While Nakano’s approach to wrestling and storytelling wasn’t for everyone, you cannot deny the importance of her presence. It was because of her and this match that Stardom sold over 7 thousand tickets this night. It’s why Kamitani is now so undeniable, becoming one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan, male or female. So while the show faded to black, that does not mean it was the end, but perhaps instead the start of something new.

1. Syuri vs. Sareee at Sareee-ISM Chapter VII

(Photo Courtesy: Pepe Tanaka)

Match up so nice, had to talk about it twice!

Honestly, as soon as this was announced, I was convinced it would be my match of the year. And I was right! The first match of their trilogy has stayed my favorite. There is something about the vibes in Shinjuku FACE that can’t be beat. The intimate nature of the venue makes every strike, kick, slap, and forearm that much louder and harsher.

The stiffness and gritiness in everything they execute are nothing short of perfection. Determined to prove they are the better wrestler, they throw everything in their toolbox. Halfway into the match, they get really hostile, two big ring egos clashing. They fight into the compact crowd area. Syuri focuses on Sareee’s arm throughout, getting her in intense armbars. Sareee targets Syuri’s knee, aiming to disarm her kicks. These are the toughest and most badass wrestlers I know, and they’re giving it their all here. It’s beautiful. They throw some brutal forearms that make a chilling thud and even pull out some disgusting and frenzied headbutts. (CTE: GOOD)

The vibe becomes electric as time passes. The atmosphere Sareee’s created for her self-produced shows is amazing; my booker of the year, always! As the time limit approaches, the intensity increases. There is a heightened sense of danger as the two have to rush to get the win. Everything feels much more thrilling and vicious. The nearfalls were genuinely edge-of-your-seat worthy. While this match was created to see who was the better wrestler, that question was left unanswered as the time limit expired. They went the full 30, and I left craving more. It was a hell of a war, and it never felt like they were just trying to fill up the time. It’s just the two best wrestlers in the world doing what they do best. They pushed each other to their limit. Every time I rewatch this, I just have a huge smile on my face. I get so giddy thinking about these two beating eachother up, honestly. It’s hard-hitting action that exemplifies why Joshi wrestling is superior.

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And there you have it, my favorite matches of the year! This is the third annual list, and on a new site. I hope you'll stay with me for the next chapter of my writing adventures. I also hope I introduced you to at least one match you may have missed in 2025! My top three matches were perhaps the toughest to figure out ranking-wise, and probably the most I've struggled in my experience of making these lists. In the end, I think I’m happy with how it turned out.

I also wanted to highlight that women absolutely dominated this year. They take up 84% of my list, and if they don't take up a majority of yours as well, you're doing something wrong.

Let me know your favorite matches of the year so we can share notes. If you read this far, thank you so much, and here’s to another year of good graps!