Best in 2023

 One of my favorite parts of reading Hardcore/Punk zines towards the end of the year was checking out their Year in Review sections. It helped me find out about a few bands and what records to check out etc. And I wanted to do one of these for deathmatch wrestling. Some people do a better job of this such as your King's Road Wrestling's of the world but, since this is One Man's Opinion I figured I would give my thoughts on some things. So here are my favorites from 2023.

Death Match Wrestler of the Year:Rina Yamashita

No one else put on as high of caliber Death Matches as her, Her run with the GCW Ultraviolent Championship speaks for itself.

Tag Team of the Year:Los Macizos

These two carried the Death Match Tag Team Division on their scarred up-backs in 2023. They put on banger after banger in GCW and continue to kill it.

Best Promo:Dr. Redacted

This man had a hell of a year. And with his shit-talking before his matches and him killing it on commentary during his matches in ICW. I have to give this award to the Doc.


Promotion of the Year:ICW NHB

As far as putting out quality death match shows ICW NHB took the cake. Banger after Banger after Banger every show.  I had to give it to them.


Match of the year
Rina Yamashita v. Kasey Kirk at GCW:Holy Smokes/ Neil Diamond Cutter v. Matt Tremont 700 Light Tubes

Feud of the Year: GCW v. Freedoms

This had a great build starting with the return to the U.S. Of Jun Kasai. The momentum was kept up at the next Showboat show. And the War Games Match delivered.  I'm glad this feud continues with Nick Gage v. Jun Kasai on New Year's Eve. Plus getting all these Japanese and American Legends in a ring together, who could hate that?



Most improved Wrestler: Dark Sheik

Going into 2023 Dark Sheik wasn't my thing. But leaving 2023 I'm now a fan. She really stepped up her game and had great matches in GCW and is now someone I am excited to see on shows.

Picks to click

So this is your "Rookie" of the Year column but I feel that since I don't know how long any of the people I'm naming have been wrestling I feel that insulting to call them rookies. This is designed to give you an idea of who I think is gonna do big things in 2024.

1)Tara Zep-She stole the tag match at GCW Backyard Wrestling. There's no doubt she's gonna turn heads, mine included in her upcoming appearance at ICW NHB and at JCW and that momentum is going to carry her into the new year as a force to be reckoned with.

2) Emily Jaye- Truth be told I have not watched an actual match of hers but have seen stuff people I know posted of her on Instagram and from what I notice she has charisma and can connect with the fans well so hopefully I can catch a match of hers this year.

3) J-Finn- have not seen a match from him but Nick Gage endorses him so thats all I need.

Show of the Year:GCW Holy Smokes

I gave 2 5/5 matches to this. It had my match of the Year on it. This was the last Carousel Room weekend. And what ended up being Drew Parker's farewell match in the U.S. This had so many great things on this and should be a show that is talked about for years to come.


Best Straight-Up Wrestler:Joey Janela

Joey Janela put on classic matches with everyone he stepped in the ring with. He also did this by wrestling multiple styles of matches and against newcomers, legends you name it. In my eyes, no one on television is on his level and he killed it this year.