Matches of the Month February 2026

 This month was an odd one for wrestling it didn't feel like it reached the highs of the previous month, but instead, tuned the tides towards a new generation, whilst respecting the past. A great month of matches with tons of highlights that are worth checking out. A real good month for indies in particular. Matches from all across the wrestling spectrum delivered.

Tajiri vs Starlight Naru 2/21/2026 4.25

Tajiri always seems pissed off at the best of times, but he was even more pissed off here, working the young Naru like he owed him money and needed to be taught a lesson. Tajiri worked so unbelievably snug in this match that it bordered on uncomfortable. The holds were in so unbelievably tight, the kicks were gnarly, and the snap on the powerbomb was utterly brutal. Naru tried to fight back but was to no avail, as Tajiri worked snugger and snugger as the match went on. Had one of the unintentionally funny moments in wrestling this year as they both did handspring elbows but Tajiri's was so so much better and he did it so damn fast. This is a fascinating match between an all time great who has always known who he was a young wrestler on the rise.

Steve Corino vs Kaitlyn Marie 2/22/2026 4.25

The King of Old School made his in-ring return in delightful fashion proving he hasn't lost a step or to be more honest, there wasn't a step to lose. Corino has always used his wits more than athleticism and that has allowed him to age with the very best of them. He makes Kaitlyn work for every ounce, every move comes with a price as it always does. This is Corino's first match in about 5 years and he more then delivers a wonderfully worked match. That smartly works around him being 52 whilst still showing him as credible. This was my first exposure to Kaitlyn Marie and as much as the story is the return of the King she more then held up her end of the bargain to deliver a very fun match.

Yutani vs Dariux 2/6/2026 4.25

This was just amazing rudo vs technico work. Yutani's interactions with the crowd were excellent as he bullies local favorite Dariux. The Lucha Memes crowd is typically rabid, and this was no exception, they were here for Dariux and for Yutani. Yutani immediately worked as a complete dickhead within this match showboating all the while grinding down Dariux. One of my fave wrestling moments of the month happened when they brawled into the crowd with an audience member just absolutely tearing into Yutani verbally. This was as classic as pro wrestling gets. Cocky bastard rudo vs undersized underdog down to perfection. Lucha Memes is always a great promotion and this is one of the clear standouts for them to start the year.

Boltin Oleg vs Tomohiro Ishii 2/27/2026 4.25

Ishii is an old coot by this point in his 50s, any hair or neck he had at one point is long gone. However he still is a brick shithouse who hits like a truck and is tougher than a 2 dollar steak. Boltin Oleg is a young freak of nature who also hits like a truck. They proceed to hit each other really fucking hard during this match as one would expect. Also as one would expect it was fucking awesome. Boltin is a future top gaijin within NJPW and him beating Ishii here was well deserved. Ishii is one of my favorite wrestlers ever and that has not gone away as he has gotten older and slower, what once was fast and crisp is now slow and thudding and he has learned to work wonderfully within those limitations.

Hechicero vs Mascara Dorada 2/26/2026 4.25

This was a showcase for the insanity Mascara Dorada can do when the chains are off and how incredible of a base the Alchemist is. This was a classic flyer with an amazing base doing absolutely batshit things. Dorada's dive off the scaffolding is one of the most spectactular of the year. A masterful clash of styles whilst having two people who are unbelievably comfortable with each other doing spectacular work. This was the best match of the amazing Fantastica Mania tour which easily could have 2 or 3 matches within this list. Hechicero is approaching year 25 and is just as good as he has ever been. Whilst Dorada's singles work consistently improves to pair with his amazing tag work.

Keita Yano vs Koji Iwamoto 2/25/2026 4.25

Keita Yano is one of the biggest enigmas within wrestling at this point. An unbelievable talent who is a bit of a nomad within the indie scene of Japan. He is one of the best grapplers on planet earth. The premier grumpy old man of all time in Genichiro Tenryu has seen the talent and made him the guy for his Tenryu Project. Iwamoto was holding the championship that Yano has been chasing for the last year and this was the culmination of this chase. Yano is almost a mythical figure at this point within online spaces and the indie scenes as a whole, as a wholly unique absolutely incredible worker. The story here is Yano but Iwamoto more then holds his own in a match that went near 30 minutes of mostly grappling. A fantastic main event that saw the ace of Tenryu Project crowned.

Ryohei Oiwa vs Hirooki Goto 2/2/2026 4.25

This is another match on the theme of the newer generation stepping up to the veterans. Oiwa is my personal favorite of the new generation within NJPW who I think is a sure fire future IWGP Champion. Whilst Goto is my non Tana fave of the previous era. These two worked a masterful match, continuing the utterly awesome TMDK vs Bishamon + Oleg feud that was a definite highlight of a rocky month for NJPW. This felt like a style of match that is timeless between two workers who work wonderfully within it, whilst also feeling modern in a way that shows that Oiwa is the future or at least a major part of the future.

Senka Akatsuki vs Chihiro Hashimoto 2/15/2026 4.25

This was Senka's best match to date and no shock it came opposite big Hash. Hash is the best big match wrestler on the planet at the moment and it shows especially when working with great but less experienced wrestlers. The way Hash is able to craft these matches is truly special. Senka acts like she is so much bigger than she is and it's one of the best things in wrestling, especially when she goes for shoot pins and suplexes. Hashimoto is just the best wrestler in the world at this point and consistently delivers at a level that is otherworldly whilst Senka will be there in short order. Senka kills it anytime she is given the opportunities whilst Hash is perfect at buildings these matches within the hierarchy. A special performance of the present vs the future not as equals but of signs that one day they will be even if its not today.

Unagi Sayaka Hinori Hana vs Veny Selene Misora 2/10/2026 4.5

This was a special tag match with two of wrestling's premier freelancers showing how good they are whilst still allowing the rookies to shine. Selene Misora has had less than 20 matches in her career and honestly she uses her lack of experience to create magic. Build the matches around what you don't know, then add what you do. Selene is the star here but Hana also holds her end up wonderfully creating a complete match that is a must watch. Veny is of course wonderful as she always is and Unagi gave it more then she usually does and it was delightful to see.

Tank vs Bear Bronson 2/20/2026 4.5

Tank is a legend of death match in his 30th year having an unbelievably good one with the up and coming Bear Bronson who has been killing it the last year or so. This is a match befitting Tank's title from the Rev. Dan Wilson "the Bloodbath Behemoth." This is one of the bloodiest matches of the year and it is absolutely glorious as Bear and Tank absolutely demolish each other with light tubes, forks and a whole host of other weapons. Tank is old at this point, he's probably broken down, but he is still Tank and he will take his strip of flesh out of anyone who stands to him in his domain. Bear Bronson stepped to the old guard and he paid the price in buckets of blood, but he stood tall signaling a new monster has come for the throne.

Aran Sano Tigers Mask vs Sho Mizuno Ryuya Matsufusa 2/22/2026 4.5

This was from the yearly Osaka Pro tag tournament one of the more reliably great tournaments in wrestling. This was a first round tournament match and absolutely killed it. It was my first experience with Osaka Pro and it led me to watch way, way more of the promotion. Tigers Mask was a delight in this match, I really loved the team of Mizuno and Matsufusa, utterly delightful performances from all 4 from one of the very best tag matches of the year. All 4 played their roles perfectly and delivered a dynamic tag match.

Mio Momono vs Ai Houzan 2/5/2026 4.5

Mio had opinions about how Ai has allowed students from the class below her to pass her and decided to display those opinions in the most painful way possible. Mio wants Ai to be better and she wasn't getting there on her own so decided that she needed to be pushed hard to get there. This was as old school Joshi rookie vs vet as you will get anymore. Just a veteran trying to bring the very best out of one of her students. The promo from Mio after is equally must watch. This is the best version of the theme of this list, the younger generation either stepping to or against their elders.

1 Called Manders vs Mad Dog Connelly 2/6/2026 4.5

Manders and Mad Dog have done this dance to many times by now and every time it is great. This time they locked them in a cage and they went to war. This is a match that would not feel out of place in a bygone age of crazed workers bleeding buckets in a cage in the south. Two of the best brawlers in wrestling doing a dance they have done many a time before to sublime perfection. Every dance related, but different, feeling unique within itself but built by the steps of the previous times. This is an old school feud built upon blood being taken to new territory, leaving scars behind.

Karl Greco Malenko vs Matt Mako 2/28/2026 4.5

Karl Greco is one of the very best grapplers to ever do shoot style and Matt Mako is maybe the very best of this generation. The match was worked under Battlearts rules and despite it being damn near 2 decades since Malenko's last singles meeting and it doesn't seem like he lost a step in the least. The strikes were still precise, the grappling still vicious. Malenko is one of the very best wrestlers ever and he showed it here delivering a master class in grappling. Matt Mako is someone I hope ends up on more and more peoples radar with these higher profile clashes. Greco is one of the greatest to ever do shoot style returning in a new landscape, a landscape that has not forgotten its roots in grappling but has been straying from them. Showing a new generation how to turn the canvas into a painting of pain.

Slade vs Mad Dog Connelly 2/28/2026 4.75

This was, as old JR would say, bowling shoe ugly in the absolute best way. Two absolute crazy fucks beating the unholy hell out of each other for an awed crowd. The sounds of the strikes they were throwing is the stuff you hear in nightmares especially the headbutts. 7 minutes of unfettered violence that you cannot look away from. Its a car wreck in match form that is utterly compelling to watch. Two of wrestling's premier brawlers having an utterly batshit brawl. Mad Dog is the DVDVR Boys ace at this point and he has killed it every single time out there.

This concludes the list with a fantastic brawl as one would expect. I hope you enjoyed reading. Bye for now.

-Ek Out