They Wrestled at MSG, Wembley, Tokyo Dome, & Arena Mexico 2026 Update

I was recently asked to update my post about wrestlers that have wrestled at Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, the Tokyo Dome, and Arena Mexico.  I intended to post this after the most recent AEW & CMLL Grand Slam event at Mexico City, and prior to All In but life got in the way of doing so.

 

I've been asked why these 4 venues are "so important".  For me it's because Wembley Stadium has only held 3 wrestling events with the 4th later this month, while what makes the other 3 unique is the monopoly promotions have on the other venues.  Except for 1 show in 2019 with NJPW & ROH, only WWE has held shows at Madison Square Garden, CMLL owns Arena Mexico, and NJPW is really the only company that has run at the Tokyo Dome outside of a couple shows by NOAH in the last 20 years.  So if you haven't worked for these companies then you haven't wrestling in those venues.

Back in 2023 after the first AEW All In at Wembley it was a very short list, on 3 wrestlers.  I blogged about it here: The Only 3 Wrestlers....

In 2024 after AEW All In at Wembley that list grew to 10 wrestlers!  You can read that blog here: There are now Many Wrestlers....

This year I decided to make a spreadsheet to help keep track going forward.  The easiest way to do this was to start with Wembley Arena, as there have only been 4 events to date at the stadium.  I noticed that the 3 previous events and the All In 2026 all take place in a 6 day stretch of August.

Summer Slam 1992 August 29th

All In 2023 August 27th

All In 2024 August 25th

All In 2026 August 30th

After completing the spreadsheet there are 120 different wrestlers that have wrestled in Wembley Arena and another 20 that appeared in a manager or valet role.  I would like to note that I use Cagematch for this research and while I know it is not 100% accurate, it's an excellent resource.  During this research I discovered a new way to search their records making this research easier, and I discovered a couple omissions in previous posts. 

My previous posts list 10 names, we are adding two names that I previously overlooked, and 

Let's get to it!

I made a mistake in my original 2023 post as I excluded Road Warrior Animal who had accomplished this feet in 2008.  What's rather embarrassing about this he only wrestled two more matches in his career after this match in Arena Mexico.  In my 2024 update I omitted Mark Briscoe who completed the superfecta with his match at All In 2024.

You can go back to my 2023 post to read about the matches of: Chris Jericho, Juice Robinson, and John Tenta.

You can go back to my 2024 post to read about the matches of  Bryan Danielson, Zack Sabre Jr., Jon Moxley, Jay Lethal, Rocky Romero, Tomohiro Ishii, and Kazuchika Okada.

Road Warrior Animal

One Half of one of the greatest tag teams of all time, Road Warrior Animal was the second person to wrestle at all of these venues after John Tenta, completing the superfecta in 2008.

Wembley Arena

August 29, 1992 WWF SummerSlam

The Legion of Doom: Hawk & Animal with Paul Ellering defeated Money Inc: Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster

Madison Square Garden

March 21, 1990 WWF House Show

The Legion of Doom: Hawk & Animal with Paul Ellering and The Ultimate Warrior defeated Demolition: Ax, Smash, & Crush

Tokyo Dome

March 30, 1991 WWF & SWS Wrestlefest

Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal defeated Genichiro Tenryu & Hulk Hogan by count-out

Arena Mexico

May 11, 2008 Toryumon Mexico DragonMania III

Hell Warriors: Animal Warrior & Power Warrior defeated Los Perros del Mal: Damian 666 & Damian El Terrible to win the vacant UWA World Tag Team Championships.  Power Warrior is Kensuke Sasaki

Dax Harwood

FTR should be the first tag team to compete at all venues, however, Cash was not able to appear at the Arena Mexico event in June 2025.  He was held up due to travel documentation and Volador Jr. replaced him in the tag team match.

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023 AEW All In London 2023

AEW World Tag Team Champions: FTR: Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler defeated The Young Bucks: Nick & Matt Jackson 

Madison Square Garden

December 26, 2017 WWE Live Holiday Tour

10 Man Tag: Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno & Titus Worldwide: Apollo Crews & Titus O'Neil defeat Curt Hawkins, The Miztourage: Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel & The Revival: Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2023 NJPW WrestleKingdom 17

Bishamon: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defeated IWGP World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: FTR: Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood to win the titles  

Arena Mexico

June 18, 2025 AEW Grand Slam Mexico

14 Man Tag Team Match: Adam Cole, Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Bandido, Brody King, Daniel Garcia and Templario defeated Dax Harwood, Don Callis Family: Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Lance Archer and Volador Jr.

Adam Cole

Cole only competed at each venue on one show, two matches at Wembley teaming with and wrestling against MJF.  Kyle O'Reilly was also involved in his matches at MSG & the Tokyo Dome

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023 AEW All In London 2023

Better Than You Bay Bay: AEW World Heavyweight Champion: MJF & Adam Cole defeated ROH World Tag Team Champions: Aussie Open: Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis to win the titles

AEW World Heavyweight Champion: MJF defeated Adam Cole

Madison Square Garden

December 26, 2018 WWE House Show

Aleister Black, Matt Riddle, Pete Dunne, Ricochet & Velveteen Dream defeated Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and The Undisputed Era: Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, & Roderick Strong

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2017 NJPW WrestleKingdom 11

Adam Cole pinned Ring of Honor World Champion: Kyle O'Reilly to win the title

Arena Mexico

June 18, 2025 AEW Grand Slam Mexico

14 Man Tag Team Match: Adam Cole, Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Bandido, Brody King, Daniel Garcia and Templario defeated Dax Harwood, Don Callis Family: Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Lance Archer and Volador Jr.

Brody King

Facts about King's appearances, he lost 3 of the 4 matches, only 1 was a singles match the rest multi-man matches, and he competed in 2 of the 4 matches in 2025.

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023 AEW All In London 2023

The Acclaimed: Max Caster & Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn defeated AEW World Trios Champions: House of Black: Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews, & Brody King to win the titles

Madison Square Garden

April 6, 2019 NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Guerillas of Destiny: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa defeated Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions: PCO & Brody King and Los Ingobernables de Japon: Evil & SANADA and The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay Briscoe to win the ROH World Tag Team Championships

Tokyo Dome

January 5, 2025 Wrestle Dynasty - NJPW, CMLL,AEW

David Finlay pinned Brody King

Arena Mexico

June 18, 2025 AEW Grand Slam Mexico

14 Man Tag Team Match: Adam Cole, Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Bandido, Brody King, Daniel Garcia and Templario defeated Dax Harwood, Don Callis Family: Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Lance Archer and Volador Jr.

Will Ospreay

What's interesting to me is that when Ospreay first competed at Wembley for AEW he was not signed to the company and had only had 8 matches in the promotion previously.   It was pretty nice of AEW to give him that coveted spot on the card.  

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023 AEW All In London 2023

Will Ospreay pinned Chris Jericho 

Madison Square Garden

April 6, 2019 NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard

Ring of Honor World Television Champion: Jeff Cobb pinned NEVER Openweight Champion: Will Ospreay to win the championship

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2017 NJPW WrestleKingdom 11

Gauntlet Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon: Bushi, Evil, & SANADA defeated NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions: David Finlay, Ricochet, & Satoshi Kojima, and CHAOS: Jado, YOSHI-HASHI, & Will Ospreay and Bullet Club: Bad Luck Fale, Adam Page, and Yujiro Takahashi to win the championships

Bullet Club defeated CHOAS

LIJ defeated Bullet Club

LIJ defeated Finlay, Kojima, & Ricochet

Arena Mexico

June 18, 2025 AEW Grand Slam Mexico

10 Man Tag: Death Riders: Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta, The Beast Mortos and The Young Bucks: Nick & Matt Jackson defeated The Opps: Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs, & Katsuyori Shibata, Swerve Strickland, and Will Ospreay

Mark Briscoe

Briscoe competed in all multi-man matches at each show, which is no surprise considering he's known for his tag team wrestling.  Brother Jay was in all but the Wembley Stadium match. 

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW All In London

Casino Gauntlet Match: Christian Cage defeated Adam Page, Jeff Jarrett, Kazuchika Okada, Kyle O'Reilly, Luchasaurus, Mark Briscoe, Nigel McGuinness, Orange Cassidy, Ricochet, Roderick Strong, and Zack Sabre Jr to become the #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship

Madison Square Garden

April 6, 2019 NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Guerillas of Destiny: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa defeated Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions: PCO & Brody King and Los Ingobernables de Japon: Evil & SANADA and The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay Briscoe to win the ROH World Tag Team Championships

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2016 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10

The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay Briscoe and Toru Yano defeated Bullet Club: Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, & Yujiro Takahashi to win the vacant NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships

Arena Mexico

August 3, 2018 CMLL Nego Casas 40th Aniversario

Best 2 out of 3 Falls: Lucha Brothers: Rey Fenix & Penta defeated The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay Briscoe 2 falls to 1

Ricochet

Completed the 4 stadiums in a nine year span, competed in all multi-man matches and lost each one. 

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW All In London

Casino Gauntlet Match: Christian Cage defeated Adam Page, Jeff Jarrett, Kazuchika Okada, Kyle O'Reilly, Luchasaurus, Mark Briscoe, Nigel McGuinness, Orange Cassidy, Ricochet, Roderick Strong, and Zack Sabre Jr to become the #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship

Madison Square Garden

December 26, 2018 WWE House Show

Aleister Black, Matt Riddle, Pete Dunne, Ricochet & Velveteen Dream defeated Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and The Undisputed Era: Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, & Roderick Strong

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2016 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10

Fatal Four Way: The Young Bucks: Nick & Matt Jackson defeated IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Redragon: Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly and Roppongi Vice: Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta and Matt Sydal & Richochet to win the titles

Arena Mexico

June 18, 2025 AEW Grand Slam

Four Million Pesos Fatal Four Way: Hologram defeated Lio Rush, Mascara Dorada, and Ricochet

Mercedes Mone

The first woman wrestler to compete at all 4 venues, the first in 202=14 and the final three in a 10 month period from August 2024 to June 2025.  She defended or won championships in three of the matches.

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW All In London 2024

AEW TBS Champion: Mercedes Mone defeated Dr. Britt Baker DMD

Madison Square Garden

July 12, 2014 WWE House Show

Natalya & Brie Bella defeated Charlotte Flair & Sasha Banks

Tokyo Dome

January 5, 2025 Wrestle Dynasty - NJPW, CMLL, & AEW

New Japan Strong Women's Champion: Mercedes Mone defeated RevPro Undisputed British Women's Champion: Mina Shirakawa to win the RevPro Championship

Arena Mexico

June 18, 2025 AEW Grand Slam 2025

Mercedes Mone defeated CMLL World Women's Champion: Zeuxis to win the championship

Claudio Castagnoli

Wrestled at MSG in 2012 and then the other three venues in the last 3 years.  Came out on the losing end at all but MSG.  

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023 AEW All In London 2023

Stadium Stampede: Best Friends: Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta, Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, and Penta defeated Blackpool Combat Club: Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley, & Wheeler Yuta and Mike Santana & Ortiz

Madison Square Garden

December 27, 2012 WWE Raw House Show

WWE United States Champion: Antonio Cesaro defeated Zack Ryder

Tokyo Dome

January 5, 2025 Wrestle Dynasty - NJPW, CMLL, & AEW

Shota Umino pinned Claudio Castagnoli

Arena Mexico

March 29, 2024 CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2024

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

Christian Cage

It took Christian over 27 years from February 1999 to July 2026  to finish off the superfecta.  He competed in all tag team matches, two of them with Adam Copeland which was the 1st and last venue on the list.  

Wembley Stadium

August 27, 2023 AEW All In London 2023

Coffin Match: Darby Allin & Sting defeated Christian Cage & Sweve Strickland

Madison Square Garden

February 7, 1999 WWF House Show

The Brood: Edge & Christian defeated The JOB Squad: Bob Holly & The Blue Meanie

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2008 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom II

Christian Cage, AJ Styles, & Petey Williams defeated RISE: Milano Collection AT, Minoru Tanaka, & Prince Devitt

Arena Mexico

August 8, 2026 AEW Grand Slam Mexico 2026

Death Riders: Daniel Garcia, Jon Moxley, PAC, & Wheeler Yuta defeated AEW World Tag Team Champions: Cope & Cage: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage and The Young Bucks: Nick & Matt Jackson

Jeff Jarrett

Double J complete the superfecta in 32 years between 1994 & 2026.  Jarrett had competed in Mexico for over 20 years, however it was always with Lucha Libre AAA so he never wrestled at Arena Mexico until 2026.  

Wembley Stadium

August 25, 2024 AEW All In London

Casino Gauntlet Match: Christian Cage defeated Adam Page, Jeff Jarrett, Kazuchika Okada, Kyle O'Reilly, Luchasaurus, Mark Briscoe, Nigel McGuinness, Orange Cassidy, Ricochet, Roderick Strong, and Zack Sabre Jr to become the #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship

Madison Square Garden

January 17, 1994 WWF House Show

WWF Intercontinental Champion: Razor Ramon defeated Jeff Jarrett

Royal Rumble Match: Owen Hart defeated Adam Bomb, Bam Bam Bigelow, Bart Gunn, Bastion Booger, Bob Backlund, Bret Hart, Bushwacker Butch, Crush, Diesel, Doink the Clown, Headshrinker Fatu, Iron Mike Sharpe, Irwin R. Schyster, Jeff Jarrett, Jim Powers, Johnny Polo, Bushwacker Luke, Mabel, Marty Jannetty, Mo, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Rick Martel, Headshrinker Samu, Scott Putski, Scott Steiner, Sgt. Slaughter, Shawn Michaels, The 1-2-3 Kid, and Virgil in 70:06

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2015 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9

TenKoji: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima and Tomoaki Honma defeated Bullet Club: Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi and Jeff Jarrett 

Arena Mexico

August 5, 2026 AEW Grand Slam Mexico 2026

Dark Match: Jeff Jarrett, Brillante Jr., Mascara Dorada, Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong defeated Nick Wayne, The Dogs: Clark Connors & David Finlay and The Swirl: Blake Christian & Lee Johnson

Andrade El Idolo

Andrade has competed in over 500 matches at Arena Mexico. His debut at Arena Mexico he wrestled under the name Brillante and at the Tokyo Dome under the name La Sombra. 

Wembley Stadium

August 30, 2026 AEW ALL In London 2026

AEW World Championship #1 Contender Casino Gauntlet: Andrade El Idolo defeated Daniel Garcia, Jack Perry, Jericho, Komander, Mark Davis, Mike Bailey, Mistico, MJF, Nick Wayne, & Tommaso Ciampa pinning Nick Wayne

Madison Square Garden

September 10, 2019 WWE Smackdown TV

The Miz pinned Andrade

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2011 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom VI

La Sombra & Mascara Dorada defeated Hector Garza & Jushin Thunder Liger

Arena Mexico

April 27, 2007 CMLL Super Viernes

Best 2 out of 3 Falls: Brillante (Andrade), Stuka Jr., & Valiente defeated Los Hombres del Camoflaje: Artillero & Super Comando and Polvora

Shelton Benjamin

It took 24 years for Benjamin to complete the superfecta, MSG was a singles match and all others were multi-person matches.  

Wembley Stadium

August 30, 2026 AEW ALL In London 2026

The Hurt Syndicate: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin and Boom & Doom: QT Marshall & Big Boom AJ with Big Justice defeated Shane Taylor Promotions: Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean, & Ring of Honor Pure Champion: Lee Moriarty with Trish Adora & Christyan XO 

Madison Square Garden

August 26, 2002 WWE Sunday Night Heat

Dark Match: Shelton Benjamin pinned Shawn Stasiak

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2012 Wrestle Kingdom VI NJPW 40th Anniversary Show

MVP & Shelton Benjamin defeated Masato Tanaka & Yujiro Takahashi

Arena Mexico

June 28, 2015 LLE All Elite

Best 2 out of 3 Falls: Big Ryck & Volador Jr. defeated RUSH & Shelton Benjamin by DQ

Mistico

Competed as Astro Boy at Arena Mexico and Sin Cara at Madison Square Garden, took 23 years to complete the superfecta all matches were multi-person matches. 

Wembley Stadium

August 30, 2026 AEW ALL In London 2026

AEW World Championship #1 Contender Casino Gauntlet: Andrade El Idolo defeated Daniel Garcia, Jack Perry, Jericho, Komander, Mark Davis, Mike Bailey, Mistico, MJF, Nick Wayne, & Tommaso Ciampa pinning Nick Wayne

Madison Square Garden

November 20, 2011 WWE Survivor Series

Team Barrett: Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Hunico, Jack Swagger & Wade Barrett defeated Team Orton: Kofi Kingston, Mason Ryan, Randy Orton, Sheamus, & Sin Cara in a traditional Survivor Series.

Tokyo Dome

January 4, 2009 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III

Mistico, Prince Devitt, & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Averno and Great Bash Heel: Gedo & Jado

Arena Mexico

November 21, 2003 CMLL Super Viernes

Best 2 out of 3 Falls: Astro Boy & Sombra de Plata defeated El Koreano & Super Comando

What's fun for me is many of these wrestler's debuts at Madison Square Garden was the the NJPW & ROH G1 Supercard, and I was in attendance for that show!

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! 

The times I've seen AJ Styles Wrestle Live!

I'm not 100% convinced that we have seen the last of AJ Styles in the ring.  He said that 2026 would be his last year in wrestling, but to have his final match in Saudi Arabia at Royal Rumble seems wrong.  I would love to see him tour the indies, maybe return to New Japan, TNA, ROH, and even an AEW match or two.

While I do recall his matches at the end of WCW, I became a fan of AJ Styles thanks to his matches in TNA where is fine tuned his skills and became the Phenomenal One.  I followed him to New Japan, Ring of Honor and into the WWE.  In recent years he's been one of the few wrestlers in WWE whose matches I always make a point of watching. 

In this blog post we will look at the times I have seen AJ Styles wrestling in person.    

April 21, 2007

Big Time Wrestling, State College Athletic Center, Framingham, Massachusetts

“Hurricane” John Walters defeated “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles by DQ when Christopher Daniels ran in attacking Walters.

This was the one year anniversary event for Big Time Wrestling.  It was a loaded card with other matches including Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Lethal for the Big Time Wrestling Championship, as well as Eddie Edwards, King Kong Bundy, and Velvet Sky then known as Talia Madison.  Also NWA World Champion Christian Cage did a meet and greet.  

This was a tremendous match!  Walters was hitting all cylinders and AJ's never really had an off night.  It was the main event of the show, and Daniels causing the DQ was the right finish.

June 24, 2007

TNA Wrestling, The Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

World Tag Team Champions: Team 3D: Brother Ray & Brother Devon defeated AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels

This was my first even TNA Live event and even though it was a six sided ring, it was a very small ring.  Before the show we met Michael Shane outside, during the show I got photos with Jeremy Borash, referee Andrew Thomas, Hernandez, and even Terry Taylor.

I was excited to see Styles and Daniels wrestle has a tag team, they have great chemistry and the Dudley's could still go at this time. 

December 4, 2009

TNA Wrestling, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine

World Heavyweight Champion: “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles pinned Christopher Daniels after a styles clash

To date this is the only TNA wrestling event in Maine.  We had awesome seats for the show as we managed to get second row on the aisle.  Was very happy to see Styles wrestle as world champion in this match.  These two put on a fantastic match really going all out on a packed show. 

I can't find my photos for this show, which is a bit frustrating.  

April 25, 2014

MainEvent Wrestling, Parks & Rec Center, Bangor, Maine

“Phenomenal” AJ Styles & Heavyweight Champion: Mark Moment w/ Lizzie Raze battled to a time limit draw

This was during the very brief window when AJ had left TNA and was doing some independent shows. Just a few days before this show he made his ROH return, and 8 days after this show, he defeated Kazuchika Okada in Fukuoka to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship!

AJ was his normal Phenomenal self, Moment, he did his best to keep up, but it's AJ Styles for crying out loud!  This went to an all too short 20 minutes time limit draw, which was for the best considering Moment's conditioning. 

March 16, 2018

WWE, Madison Square Garden, New York City

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens with Sami Zayn by Disqualification - this was supposed to be Nakamura & WWE Champion: AJ Styles vs. Owens and Zayn in a tag match when Styles was injured pre-match - Styles ran in and made the save for Nakamura

This was my first time going to Madison Square Garden, I had been wanting to go for years, we had always talked about going and finally just did.  You can read my blog post about it here: My Madison Square Garden Adventure.  AJ was advertised to wrestle on the show, they ran an injury angle and it was a singles match.  He did make the save at the end. 

July 9, 2018

WWE, The Civic Center, Augusta, Maine

No Disqualification: WWE Champion: AJ Styles pinned Shinsuke Nakamura

This was the last time I saw AJ wrestle live, you can read about it here: WWE House Show July 9, 2018.  It's funny that only 4 months after I was supposed to see them team together here they are fighting each other in a no DQ match for Styles WWE Championship.

To me AJ will go down as one of the greatest to ever wrestle.  I do wish I would have had the chance to see him wrestle live more often.  I feel lucky I was able to see him defend both the TNA and WWE Worlds Championships. 

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. 

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!