Classic

Davey Richards vs Kyle Matthews, 28 October 2011, Avondale Estates, Georgia (Platinum Championship Wrestling)

The speed and crispness of his attacks make Davey Richards great. That plus his pecs, sweat, and unerring sense of the aesthetics of pain is no doubt why Dr. L sent me a link to this eight-year-old match. "Intense, good stuff," he said in an attached note. Another thing I admire about Davey is his intermixing of grappling moves with other elements of MMA and theatrical ring wrestling.

His opponent, Kyle, had been voted best technical wrestler for the two years preceding this match, according to a Pro Wrestling Insider review, which also addressed how respectful the crowd was of Davey even while rooting for local hero Kyle as the underdog. Respect is the least that is owed to both these guys. The night's main event was the American Southeast (Georgia) versus the American Northwest (Washington).

Richards formally retired last year, though later he promised to return sometime in 2019. I don't see any 2019 matches for him on Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database, and he has been inactive on Twitter since last December. If he never steps into a ring again, he is, in my book, in top contention for best ring performer ever. He had few less than perfect matches. His best matches (and this is one of them) remain soulful, shocking, and sexy even after many viewings.