The concept is simple..... Take every PPV or special event from all wrestling promotions that took place in 2016 and derive the Ultimate Pay-Per-View from that. Rules?? Well yes, unfortunately, as with any good dream card rules have been drawn up.
1. No more than 2 tag team title matches.
2. No individual title defended more than once.
3. No individual wrestlers on the card more than once.
4. No more than two world title matches on the card.
5. No more than 2 midcard title matches on the card (which is seriously the hardest stipulation)
6. No more than one woman's match on the card.
7. No more than one match from each individual 2016 event.
So sit back, strap in and enjoy this trip down memory lane. If you are like me then hopefully you will agree that this PPV would leave you worn out, exhausted and satisfied beyond belief.
Match 1
NEVER Openweight 6 man Tag Team Title Match - Kushida ACH, and Matt Sydal vs Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks - ROH 14th Anniversary.
The goal of every pay per view is to hook the audience with a breathtaking display that gets them jacked up for the remainder of the show. Usually a tag team or triple treat match is placed in this opening spot because the athletic and frenetic fast pasted action can get people to stand on their feet but not wear them out. This match hit everything you would want in an opener from comedy to nostalgia to high spots galore. The ending of this match had so much going on that I was thankful for tivo so I could rewind it and see what else I missed. Fantastic story that built up throughout the bout leading to a perfectly timed super kick party. You honestly could not have asked for anything better.
Match 2
Frankie The Mobster vs Mike Rollins - Smash Wrestling - Any Given Sunday 4
Now before you say who the? why the? what the? let me explain. I was more entertained by this match then anything I saw anywhere on the most recent crap spit out by the WWE. That sorry excuse for a PPV, Fastlane, just shows that the WWE is still clueless on what the fans want. This match, on the other hand, was not a technical masterpiece or even a high quality match that alone would make it as a best of the year candidate. This match, however, was one of the most entertaining bits of comedy and plain enjoyment I have seen in quite some time. The sheer entertainment value the three men involved in this match displayed was definitely worthy of it's spot on this card. Yes I said three, even the referee was involved in the hi-jinx and made it that much more enjoyable.Match 3
Shinsuke Nakumura vs Sami Zayn - NXT Takeover Dallas
The positioning of this match may be a little unfair considering that this would normally be the spot for a cool down match. The story, the anticipation and the match itself between the Godfather of NXT and The King of Strongstyle was anything but a cool down. Sadly when looking at the rest of the card I have assembled, there really was no other option for match number three. These two put on a wrestling clinic and a believable story that even the bloody nose pause by the ref just played up to the realism.
Match 4
NXT Tag Team Title Match - American Alpha vs The Revival - NXT Takeover: The End
One thing I am thankful for is that The Revival is still in NXT. They are a great tag team and if history has shown us anything it is that the main roster does not know how to handle tag teams. NXT however gets it right every single time. The Revival may be the most complete wrestling team I have seen since the Road Warriors in the AWA days. Every match they just bring it and continue to bring it to a new level with each new opponent. Jason Jordan's drop kicks are a thing of beauty and American Alpha showed that energy and showmanship, throughout the match, that made so many people fall in love with them. The momentum transitions with all four men in the ring were fun, fast paced, and honestly kept me guessing what was going to happen next. The ending sequence was one of the best things I have ever seen. This was as close to a perfect tag team match as you can get.
Match 3
NXT Women's Championship - Mickie James vs Asuka - Takeover: Toronto
The Empress of Tomorrow taking on the returning fan favorite that became one of the best in the world while honing her craft in TNA and GFW. Asuka had been positioned as an unstoppable force and Mickie not backing down or appearing afraid seemed believable and well played. The back and forth mind games between the two were done to perfection and. My only complaint about this match is the ending seemed rushed. But a great woman's match is one that makes you forget you are watching women. The type of match that sucks you into it and all you see is the story being told. This match had that ability and deserves it's spot on this list.
Match 6
Ricochet Vs Will Ospreay - Evolve 59
These two put on a match in NJPW that became an internet sensation. They had the same match a month earlier in the finals of the Europe vs America series in Evolve. The reason I would recommend this match ahead of theirs from NJPW is quite simply because it was better. The choreography was much tighter and they seemed to enjoy the fans and had more fun with each other. Right from the entrances through the ending silliness the King of Flight and the Arial Assassin put on a show for the ages. I'm not a huge fan of flips and flying unless it's done right and these two did everything perfectly to deliver a very fun and memorable match.
Match 7
ROH World Heavyweight Championship - Jay Lethal vs Adam Cole - Death before Dishonor
When watching Jay Lethal the only thing I can think of is what the hell was TNA thinking? How can you possibly take a guy with this much charisma, athleticism and pure wrestling talent and make him into a parody of 80's wrestling? I could have put about 8 Jay Lethal matches in this spot but what he was able to drag out of Adam Cole made this far and away the best of the bunch. The match was clunky in spots but played well into the fury and rage that Lethal had in his quest for revenge. The ending sequence was one of the top 5 I've ever seen and this is a must watch for any fan that wants to know how great ROH wrestling can be.
Match 8
IWGP Heavyweight Championship - Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji - King of Pro Wrestling
The best of Pro Wrestling NOAH vs The Rainmaker is what dream matches are made of. Hard hitting and entertaining this was an instant classic. There were moments that I stared at my screen wondering if either man was going to get up or if a stretcher was coming out. Okada is easily one of the top 5 wrestlers in the world and he showed a rare side of himself in this match. Watching Okada as the resilient champion who took a tremendous beating only to come back time after time was a thing of beauty.
Match 9
T.J. Perkins vs Kota Ibushi - CWC Semi Final Round
The Cruiser Weight Classic was nothing to write home about. In fact at times it was hard to watch but a couple of gems came out of it. Jack Gallagher is a must watch anytime you get a chance. Johnny Gargano is as vanilla as they come and doesn't play his underdog in peril role very well but his match with Tommaso Ciampa was one for the ages. Still the best Cruiserweight match I saw in 2016 was between Perkins and Ibushi. It was a perfect blend of Japanese Strong Style and technical mat wrestling without getting caught up on high flying move after move like so many of these matches do. TJP needs his character to develop a lot more on WWE TV (as do all the Cruiserweights) however he proved here that he can put on a great match with one of the best in the world.
Match 10
Aztec Warefare 2
Honestly I struggled with the placement of this or even if it belonged. Partly because of Ricochet, but if Mick Foley can appear three times on a PPV as multiple characters then Prince Puma deserves a shot. And when it came right down to it, there were very few matches in 2016 that were better. If the Royal Rumble ever wants to be anything that satisfies the fans they should look long and hard at this match. Lucha Underground has done a great job of making everyone on their roster matter and there was no better display of that then in this 60 minute battle royal. Every rivalry had there time in the sun and every wrestler had a chance to shine. The end was a surprise to even the most faithful of Lucha fans and the match itself was so good I watched it multiple times. My only problem was that because I placed this match on this card I had to exclude three other matches that were equally as good because all of those characters where in this (and I may have already cheated once). Even still if you have ever wondered if Lucha Underground is worth it I implore you to watch this match and you will instantly be a fan.
Match 11
Intercontinental Championship Match - Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens - Last Man Standing Match - Royal Rumble
What do you get when you take a prize fighter who felt he was wronged and a lunatic who thinks he is right. You get one of the most brutal last man standing matches I have seen since The Rock hit Mankind with chair shots galore. These two put on a show that brought everyone to their feet and over shadowed everything else on the card. Dean Ambrose was in the middle of a ridiculous string of 5 star matches and Kevin Owens was in the middle of one of the best heel story lines of all times. Sadly neither of these guys are anywhere near these heights today but that can be attributed to the stories more than the men, The best thing I can recommend is to sit back, watch and enjoy a match that quickly went to the tops of my all time favorites.
Match 12
AJ Styles vs John Cena - SummerSlam
I could have filled this entire card with AJ Styles matches, Well AJ Styles and a man that is yet to come matches. AJ Styles may be the best story teller and wrestler in the world, and even better when he is a heel. John Cena, well it's hard for me to say this of a guy who is a 16 time world champion, however, he maybe the most underrated wrestler in the world since most people overlook his talent because they are sick of his gimmick. This was an instant classic and as much as I hate the constant finisher kick out that has become so common in this day and age, it was done to perfection in this match. If you add in one of the best stories of all time that was jam packed full of real life. This may be one of my all time favorite matches and rivalries. It also would have been my Main Event except for two small issues. this isn't even the best match that these two have had together (Royal Rumble 2017) and it's not a title match, so I give way to my top match on this card and match of the year in 2016.......
Match 13
NEVER Openweight Championship - Tomohiro Ishii vs Katsuyori Shibata - Wrestle Kingdom 10
Matt Striker said it best "People keep asking me why this match is happening...... Because!!! That's why!!!" This is the type of match that will leave you breathless, exhausted and physically in pain. I have never been a fan of no-selling in a match but for some reason these guys do it to perfection. Perfect timing, amazing chemistry, and a guy who is quickly becoming on of my favorite wrestlers in the world. This was a hard hitting and brutal match. Even with it's lack of story line build up, but who needs build up, when strong style is allowed to shine. It is easily my favorite match of 2016 and may be one of my top five of all time. This is the type of match that every promoter wants to end every pay per view on because after you watch this it is impossible to watch more.
That's all for now, until next time love, health, happiness and all that other gushy stuff.
