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The world of pro wrestling in 2021 offers many options for fans of the sport. In the United States, options include the various brands within the WWE, the newly popular AEW, or smaller promotions like Ring of Honor. In Japan, NJPW, AJPW, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and DDT provide quality action on a weekly basis. These are just some of the promotions that delivered wrestling fans memorable matches during the month of February.
The top 10 must-watch pro wrestling matches will be listed in chronological order. Here are some honorable mentions to start things off.
Honorable Mentions
NXT: 2/3
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Quarterfinals: Timothy Thatcher and Tommaso Ciampa d. The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Roderick Strong) ****
DDT 2/14
Yuki Ueno d. Yukio Sakaguchi ****
Impact Wrestling: No Surrender 2/13
Triple Threat Revolver: Josh Alexander d.Trey Miguel, Chris Bey, Blake Christian, Ace Austin, Willie Mack, Suicide and Daivari ****
Pro Wrestling NOAH: GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship 2/13
Seiki Yoshioka d. Daisuke Harada ****1/4 (New Champion)
Pro Wrestling: Top 10 in February 2021
AEW: Falls Count Anywhere 2/10
Fall Count Anywhere Match: Kenny Omega and KENTA d. Jon Moxley and Lance Archer
Falls Count Anywhere matches can be hit or miss depending on the viewer. On February 10, the main event of AEW Dynamite delivered excitement. It won’t be classified as a “great” match, but it stands out in a good way due to its action and flow that took place throughout the area. The core of the match was to kill two birds with one stone. Jon Moxley was feuding with both Kenny Omega and KENTA in AEW and NJPW respectively. The match came to a close after KENTA hit the GTS on Moxley before Omega finished it off with the One-Winged Angel. Worth a Watch. ***3/4
Pro Wrestling: A Legend Reborn
NOAH Destination 2/12
GHC Heavyweight Championship: Keiji Mutoh d. Go Shiozaki (New Champion)
Go Shiozaki was arguably the pro wrestling MVP in 2020. Holding the GHC Heavyweight Title for Pro Wrestling NOAH for over 400 days across six title defenses. NOAH returned to the Budokan for the first time in 11 years on February 12 headlined by Shiozaki defending his title against the living legend Keiji Mutoh. Despite being 58 years old with two rebuilt knees, Mutoh overcame the odds in a fantastic match to claim the crown. Must-Watch ****3/4
https://twitter.com/noah_ghc/status/1360563807664435201
IMPACT Wrestling
Impact Wrestling: No Surrender 2/13
Triple Threat Revolver: Josh Alexander d.Trey Miguel, Chris Bey, Blake Christian, Ace Austin, Willie Mack, Suicide and Daivari
IMPACT Wrestling has gone through many peaks and valleys in the nearly 20 years of the companies existence. In its current state, IMPACT is finding a way to create a new image for itself in the pro wrestling landscape. The X-Divison has been one constant over the last two decades, and the Triple Threat Revolver Match from No Surrender is a great example. A combo triple threat and gauntlet match, the action was non-stop and ended with Josh Alexander getting the win after a double-underhook piledriver onto Ace Austin. Must-Watch. ****
NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day 2/14
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: MSK defeated Grizzled Young Veterans
The first TakeOver event for NXT in 2021 delivered from start to finish. In the finals of the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, the newly debuted MSK took on the Grizzled Young Veterans. Despite their superior mat work, the GYV fell victim to the athleticism of their opponents as MSK walked away with the trophy. Must-Watch. ****1/4
NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano d. KUSHIDA
The feud between Johnny Gargano and KUSHIDA built for a week leading into NXT TakeOver. On this night, both men showed by they are two of the best that pro wrestling has to offer. Despite a valiant effort by KUSHIDA, Gargano got the win after connecting on two One Final Beats. Must-Watch. ****1/2
NXT Championship: Finn Balor defeats Pete Dunne
It’s a basic premise about pro wrestling, but working a hold and sticking to it can make for a great match. That’s what both Finn Balor and Pete Dunne delivered and it worked out. The match didn’t feel overly rehearsed or staged, but rather a realistic battle between two of the best. After nearly a half-hour, Balor finally lands Coup de Grace and then 1916 for the win. Must-Watch. ****3/4
Pro Wrestling: Ring of Honor
ROH TV 2/22
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Championship Match: Challengers Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Kaun & Moses) d. Mexisquad (Bandido, Flamita, Rey Horus) (New Champions)
Ever since the emergence of AEW, Ring of Honor has flown under the radar. No longer viewed as the top US alternative to the WWE, ROH is still putting out quality action. On the February 22 episode of the TV show, new 6-Man Tag Team Champions were crowned in a high-flying and hard-hitting main event. On this night, Shane Raylor Promotions walked away as the winners and new champions. Must-Watch. ****
WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 2/21
Elimination Chamber Match: Daniel Bryan defeated Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, King Corbin, Sami Zayn & Cesaro
It’s safe to say that the main roster of the WWE has struggled to produce quality pro wrestling matches lately. While fans can debate the storyline and booking decisions, the Smackdown Elimination delivered the goods. After a grueling match, Daniel Bryan was able to come out the winner. Just moments later, Bryan was quickly met with defeat by WWE Universal Champion but his effort was not forgotten. Must-Watch. ****1/4
Pro Wrestling: New Japan Action
NJPW Castle Attack Night 2 2/28
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado d. El Phantasmo and BUSHI (New Champion)
Night two of New Japan’s Castle Attack was a step up from the previous night. A solid show throughout ended with two big-time matches. The first was a Triple Threat Match for the vacant Junior Heavyweight Title following an injury from Hiromu Takahashi. The match went all out, with each man pulling out all the stops to walk out as the new champion. In the end, it was El Desperado fulfilling his seven-year dream of winning the title. Must-Watch. ****1/4
Highlights from “CASTLE ATTACK” (Feb 28th)
Watch NOW in English: https://t.co/CcdQ1XrpWA
Your main event!
Can @ibushi_kota step forward to unify the two Championships?
Or will @s_d_naito stop Ibushi's plan?
✅#njcattack #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/dG35qzl7an
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 28, 2021
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Kota Ibushi d. Tetsuya Naito
The main event of Castle Rock featured two rivals of New Japan. Kota Ibushi defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito. While Ibushi is also the top champion, only the IC Title was at stake. In a match that featured Naito targeting Ibushi’s knee, it was only a matter of time before they kicked it into full gear. After multiple reversals, Ibushi picked up the victory following the Kamigoye. Must-Watch. ****1/2