The Times I've Seen Zack Sabre Jr. Wrestle Live!

Zack Sabre Jr has been one of my favorite wrestler for over a decade, when I first saw him in Progress and PWG.  As I do when I find a wrestler that I like I look for more matches watching him hone his craft in NOAH, WXW, and indies.  You can even read my blog post from December 2015 about some of his matches: Random Wrestling: Zack Sabre Jr.

I love Zack's style of wrestling and the most unique submission moves I've ever seen.  It's been a pleasure to watch his career grow over the years and although he has captured numerous championships, and I have to admit I did get emotional watching him win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

In this blog we will look at the matches I have seen him compete in live and in living color!!  

January 30, 2016

Limitless Wrestling American Legion Hall         Orono, ME

Zack Sabre Jr. pinned Chris Hero in 24 minutes 10 seconds

I still can't believe this one happened! In the weeks leading to the show Zack Sabre Jr. was announced first. I couldn't believe it, quite frankly that he was coming to an indie show Maine. We've had names in Maine on indies in the past, but before Limitless it wasn't a regular thing. If having Sabre on the show wasn't exciting enough, a couple weeks prior Chris Hero was announced. Randy stated it really was last minute how it all came together.

Then we got the graphic that they were facing off against each other and I just couldn't believe it! We are getting on of the hottest matches in the world, in the middle of small town Maine at an American Legion hall on, what turned out to be, a stormy January night.

At that time they were in the middle of what would turn into an tremendous run of matches in an 18 month period. From June 2015 to January 2017 they faced off in 9 matches singles matches (okay 1 was an elimination triple threat) in Evolve, PWG, WXW, & AAW and every single time they tore it up going hard for 20 plus minutes every time.

At that time I was used to "headliners" coming into Maine and just "getting their shit in" and I had accepted that because that was independent wrestling in Maine. On this night ZSJ & Chris Hero set a standard in Limitless Wrestling that has kept going to today. They gave it their all and put on a caliber of a match that was equal to or even greater than they had done or would do anywhere in the world. After the show I got a photo with both of them, it still ranks as one of the greatest matches that I have ever seen live! You can read my post about this show here: Limitless Wrestling: Under Fire

He signed this card for me at the show, I ordered this card from the UK at the beginning of the month after I learned that he was booked to appear. Released in 2014 by Resurrection Magazine, I feel positive that this is Sabre's rookie card.  Sabre was impressed that I had the card and I told him I ordered it from the UK when he asked where I got it.  He signed it for free because he said I already paid for the card.

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April 4, 2019

WrestleCon Supershow Hilton Grand Ballroom Manhattan, NY

Zack Sabre Jr. submitted Shane Strickland

In 2019 my buddies Jay, Mikey, & I traveled to New York City for WrestleMania weekend. We didn't attend any of the WWE events instead hit all of the independent wrestling that we could. This show was match 1 of 3 that I saw Zack compete this weekend. If you would have told me that April evening that we were seeing two future World Champions squaring off I would not have believed you.

To me the match was just okay, I felt their styles just didn't mesh well. To be frank I thought Zack outclassed Swerve that night. You can read about this show here: Indie Mania 2019 Part 1

I got these cards signed on Thursday April 4th before the Wrestlecon Supershow.  The first card is from the 2016 PWG Battle of Los Angeles set and the second from the 2017 PWG Battle of Los Angeles set.  I have a rule about not getting the backs of the cards signed but we were talking about his trip to Limitless Wrestling and he signed them quickly.  I wasn't going to ask him to sign them again, although I just might if I meet him again. 

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April 5, 2019

Revolution Pro Wrestling Hilton Grand Ballroom Manhattan, NY

British Tag Team Champions: Suzuki-Gun: Minoru Suzuki & British Heavyweight

Champion: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi & Will Ospreay when Sabre pinned Ospreay

What a match!! We had front row for this amazing UK based REVPro show. Look at the 4 competitors in this match! ZSJ, Suzuki, Ospreay, & Tanahashi!! WILD! This match went almost 22 minutes and they laid everything in, stiff strikes, great submission wrestling, practically flawless story telling. Truly amazing match worth the price of the ticket for this match alone on the show. It was the best match of the weekend for me, and considering the number of high quality matches that we took in, that is saying something!

You can read about this show here: Indie Mania 2019 Part 2

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April 6, 2019

New Japan Pro Wrestling / ROH Madison Square Garden         Manhattan, NY

G1 Supercard

British Heavyweight Champion: Zack Sabre Jr with Taka Michinoku defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi by submission

The last show of the weekend for us was also our biggest event of the weekend. For the first time in nearly 60 years a wrestling show happened at Madison Square Garden that was not promoted by a McMahon / WWE saw New Japan and ROH team together for the G1 Supercard. The show was Sold Out and stacked with amazing wrestlers. The ROH portion of the show, for the most part, fell VERY flat for me. The New Japan portion was tremendous.

The 7th match of the Main card saw the RevPRO British Championship successfully defended by Sabre submitting Tanahashi. Thinking back New Japan has a working agreement with RevPRO for years and it's very cool that RevPRO was presented as this historic wrestling card at MSG.

I was in the balcony and couldn't get any great photos, but here is one of the Great Muta and Jushin Thunder Liger in the ring that I took.

You can read about this show here: Indie Mania 2019 Part 3

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April 16, 2023

NJPW: New Japan Pro Wrestling 2300 Arena                 Philadelphia, PA

Collision in Philadelphia

Team Filthy: Tom Lawlor, Royce Isaacs, & Jorel Nelson defeated TMDK: NJPW Television

Champion: Zack Sabre Jr., Shane Haste, & Bad Boy Tito

Much like MSG, the former ECW Arena, now called the 2300 Arena, is a venue that I had to see wrestling at live. I was the prime demographic for ECW and would have LOVED to go to one of their shows, but it was not to be.

I had mentioned to my buddy Mikey that when my wife and Wesley take their annual April Vacation trip to Ocean City, Maryland if there was a big show in the northeast we should go. As luck would have it, NJPW announced Collision in Philadelphia during that weekend!

We were supposed to have front row at this show, however they moved our seats back and put the announcers and commentators directly in front of us on the fan side of the guard rail. It was cool to have NJPW ring announcer Takuro Shibata right there to get this video, but we paid a lot of money for front row and traveling to the ECW Arena for the first time, it was frustrating to not have the front row seats we paid for. When we selected our seats they did not have the announcers list as being here.

Zack competed in a six man tag team match falling short to Team Filthy. It was very cool to see him at the NJPW Television Champion and of course to see him tie his opponents up with his signature style.

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November 8, 2024

NJPW: New Japan Pro Wrestling    Memorial Auditorium                            Lowell, MA

Fighting Spirit Unleashed

Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii defeated TMDK: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion: Zack Sabre & Boy Dude Tito when Umino pinned Tito

When this show was announced I wanted more than anything for Sabre to defeated Naito for the World Title and come to Lowell to defend the Championship. Well, most of that came true, he won the title and came to Lowell as Champion, and a few days before the show was announced to be in a tag team match. Slightly disappointing, but I got to see Sabre has champion so it's all good.

I was very excited when they announced a Meet and Greet with Sabre, I had met him before at Limitless and at WrestleCon 2019 but I had to get a photo with him as the Champion.

The meet and greet was awesome, Sabre took his time with to talk to everyone, no one was rushed it was very nice experience. We chatted about him winning the title, his time in Maine with Limitless, which perked right up for talking how much he loved the experience and he remembered very specific details. Then we chatted about the ridiculous cost of tickets.

The show was extremely good, our first time sitting in the balcony here and I would again in a heartbeat! The view was phenomenal the matches were excellent and the crowd was very vocal!

Sabre's match was excellent, it was awesome to see him walk out and be announced as champion. They furthered a lot of stories tonight including the build between Sabre & Umino for WrestleKingdom.

I can't imagine this will be the last time I see Sabre wrestle live, but I guess you never, never, know.

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

Until next time!

There are now many wrestlers who have competed at Madison Square Garden, Wembley, Arena Mexico & The Tokyo Dome

AEW All In 2024 has passed and it's time to update the list of those wrestlers that have competed at Madison Square Garden, Wembley, Arena Mexico, and The Tokyo Dome!

You can read last years post here: Who Are the Only 3 Wrestlers...

Those 3 were Chris Jericho, Juice Robinson, and John Tenta.  Thanks to AEW's working agreement with CMLL and NJPW we've added 7 more names to the list!  In no particular order:

From Rocky Romero's X account, he and Dragon from their Tokyo Dome debut

"American Dragon" Bryan Danielson

Danielson made his Arena Mexico and Wembley debuts both in 2024.  

Arena Mexico

March 29, 2024 CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2024

Blue Panther, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero & Volador Jr. defeat Blackpool Combat Club: Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley, & Matt Sydal

This was Dragon's CMLL debut as well.  He would return to CMLL a week later on April 5, 2024 to have his dream match facing Blue Panther one on one defeating Panther in 26 minutes by submission.

Tokyo Dome

October 14, 2002 NJPW The Spiral

Six Man Tag Team Match: Jushin Thunder Liger, Masahito Kakihara & Tiger Mask defeat American Dragon, Ricky Reyes & Rocky Romero

Madison Square Garden

December 26, 2010 WWE Raw House Show

WWE United States Champion: Daniel Bryan defeats Zack Ryder

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW ALL In 2024

AEW World Title Vs. Career: "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson submitted AEW World Heavyweight Champion: Swerve Strickland with Prince Nana to win the championship

Zack Sabre Jr. 

One of my all time favorites, I still cannot believe I saw him wrestle Chris Hero in Orono, Maine for Limitless wrestling in 2016 on a stormy January night in with 150 other people.  

Arena Mexico

June 21, 2024 CMLL/NJPW Fantastica Mania Mexico 2024

Best Two Out Of Three Falls: Michael Oku & Zack Sabre Jr. defeat Averno & Volador Jr. [2:0]

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2018 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

Four Way Gauntlet Match

CHAOS: Beretta, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano defeated NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions: BULLET CLUB: Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa, Suzuki-gun: Taichi, Takashi Iizuka & Zack Sabre Jr., War Machine: Hanson & Raymond Rowe & Michael Elgin and Juice Robinson, Ryusuke Taguchi & Togi Makabe to win the championships

Madison Square Garden

April 6, 2019 ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard

RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion: Zack Sabre Jr. submitted Hiroshi Tanahashi

I was at this match!  My second ever MSG live event during Mania weekend.  I saw Zack wrestle 3 times over the weekend.

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW ALL In 2024

Casino Gauntlet Match: Christian Cage defeats Adam Page, Jeff Jarrett w/Karen Jarrett, Kazuchika Okada, Kyle O'Reilly, Luchasaurus, Mark Briscoe, Nigel McGuinness, Orange Cassidy, Ricochet, Roderick Strong and Zack Sabre Jr.

Jon Moxley

Arena Mexico

March 29, 2024 CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2024

Blue Panther, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero & Volador Jr. defeat Blackpool Combat Club: Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley, & Matt Sydal

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2020 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 In Tokyo Dome

Texas Death Match: Jon Moxley defeated IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion: Lance Archer to win the championship.

Moxley would make his second Tokyo Dome appearance the next day in a successful title defense against Juice Robinson. 

Madison Square Garden

December 27, 2012 WWE Raw House Show

The Shield: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins defeated Team Hell No: Daniel Bryan & Kane & The Miz

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023, AEW All In London 2023

Stadium Stampede Match: Best Friends: Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta, Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy & Penta El Zero Miedo w/Alex Abrahantes defeat Blackpool Combat Club: Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta, Mike Santana & Ortiz

Jay Lethal

Arena Mexico

July 25, 2008 CMLL Super Viernes - Gran Prix: CMLL vs. TNA & Leyenda De Plata 2008

Gran Prix Internacional Torneo Cibernetico: Alex Shelley defeated AJ Styles, Alex Koslov, Averno,  Chris Sabin, Dos Caras Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr., Hector Garza, Jay Lethal, Johnny Devine, Marco Corleone, Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Sonjay Dutt, Ultimo Guerrero, and Volador Jr. 

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2016 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10 In Tokyo Dome

ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal with Truth Martini defeated Michael Elgin

Madison Square Garden 

April 6, 2019 ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard

Ladder Match: Matt Taven defeated: Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Champion: Jay Lethal and Marty Scurll to win the championship

As stated above, I was at this show.  In my opinion the ROH side of the card was A LOT weaker than the NJPW portions.

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW ALL In 2024

Sixteen Man: Action Andretti, Kip Sabian, Kyle Fletcher with Don Callis, Lio Rush, Rocky Romero, "Dynamite Kid: Tommy Billington & Top Flight: Dante Martin & Darius Martin defeated Anthony Ogogo, Ariya Daivari, Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh with Sonjay Dutt, Private Party: Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen & The Dark Order: Alex Reynolds & John Silver with Evil Uno

Rocky Romero

Arena Mexico

July 4, 2003 CMLL Super Viernes 

CMLL World Trios Title #1 Contendership Tournament First Round: Los Infernales: Averno, El Satanico & Mephisto defeat Bobby Quance, Pinoy Boy & Rocky Romero

Tokyo Dome

October 14, 2002 NJPW The Spiral

Six Man Tag Team Match: Jushin Thunder Liger, Masahito Kakihara & Tiger Mask defeat American Dragon, Ricky Reyes & Rocky Romero

Madison Square Garden 

April 6, 2019 ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard

Honor Rumble: Kenny King defeated Bad Luck Fale, Brian Milonas, BUSH, Chase Owens,  Cheeseburger, Colt Cabana, Delirious, Great Muta, Hirooki Goto, Jonathan Gresham, Jushin Thunder Liger, King Haku, LSG, Minoru Suzuki, PJ Black, Rhett Titus, Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi,  Shaheem Ali, Shingo Takagi, SHO, The Beer City Bruiser, TK O'Ryan, Tomohiro Ishii, Tracy Williams, Vinny Marseglia, Will Ferrara, YOH and YOSHI-HASHI

This was on the pre-show 

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW ALL In 2024

Sixteen Man: Action Andretti, Kip Sabian, Kyle Fletcher with Don Callis, Lio Rush, Rocky Romero, "Dynamite Kid: Tommy Billington & Top Flight: Dante Martin & Darius Martin defeated Anthony Ogogo, Ariya Daivari, Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh with Sonjay Dutt, Private Party: Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen & The Dark Order: Alex Reynolds & John Silver with Evil Uno

Tomohiro Ishii

Arena Mexico

September 13, 2013 CMLL 80th Aniversario Event

just as Ishii in Mexico

Best Two Out Of Three Falls: La Ola Amarilla: Ishii, Namajague & Okumura defeat Fuego, Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. [2:1]

Tokyo Dome

October 8, 2005

NJPW Toukon Souzou New Chapter

Osamu Nishimura & Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Riki Choshu & Tomohiro Ishii 

Madison Square Garden 

April 6, 2019 ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard

Honor Rumble: Kenny King defeated Bad Luck Fale, Brian Milonas, BUSH, Chase Owens,  Cheeseburger, Colt Cabana, Delirious, Great Muta, Hirooki Goto, Jonathan Gresham, Jushin Thunder Liger, King Haku, LSG, Minoru Suzuki, PJ Black, Rhett Titus, Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi,  Shaheem Ali, Shingo Takagi, SHO, The Beer City Bruiser, TK O'Ryan, Tomohiro Ishii, Tracy Williams, Vinny Marseglia, Will Ferrara, YOH and YOSHI-HASHI

This was the pre-show Honor Rumble, the win was wasted on Kenny King.  VERY bad ass portion of this match was the Great Muta making his MSG debut.  He has stated in an Interview that he had always wanted to wrestle at Madison Square Garden.  He was a surprise entrant and the building erupted.  

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW ALL In 2024

Mixed Tag Team Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Willow Nightingale defeated Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway when Ishii pinned Stokely

Kazuchika Okada 

Arena Mexico

May 14, 2005 Toryumon Mexico 8th Aniversario

Sofia Cup Dragon Scramble Elimination: Mistico defeats Banana Senga, Crazy Boy, El Hijo del Fantasma, Extreme Tiger, Hajime Ohara, Hiromi Horiguchi, Joe Lider, Kanjyouro Matsuyama, King Ali Baba, Milanito Collection AT, Shamu and, Kazuchika Okada 

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2009 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III

RISE: Milano Collection AT and Minoru & Taichi Ishikari defeat Kazuchika Okada, Mitsuhide Hirasawa & Nobuo Yoshihashi

Madison Square Garden

April 6, 2019 ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard

Kazuchika Okada defeats IWGP Heavyweight Champion: "Switchblade" Jay White with Gedo to win the championship

I was at 5 of these wrestlers MSG debuts!  Okada closing the night out defeating Jay White for the championship was a perfect cap to the evening. 

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW ALL In 2024

Casino Gauntlet Match: Christian Cage defeats Adam Page, Jeff Jarrett w/Karen Jarrett, Kazuchika Okada, Kyle O'Reilly, Luchasaurus, Mark Briscoe, Nigel McGuinness, Orange Cassidy, Ricochet, Roderick Strong and Zack Sabre Jr.

People that I thought compete at all 4 but haven't

Will Ospreay - Arena Mexico

Jeff Jarrett - Arena Mexico

Christian Cage - Arena Mexico

Claudio Catagnoli - Tokyo Dome

Matt Taven - Tokyo Dome

Kamala - Tokyo Dome

PAC - Tokyo Dome

Lio Rush - Madison Square Garden

Mercedes Mone - made appearances at Tokyo Dome and Arena Mexico in angles but did not have a match

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

Until next time!