{"id":211120,"date":"2026-01-25T21:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T03:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=211120"},"modified":"2026-01-28T12:47:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:47:01","slug":"column-alan4ls-second-half-of-2025-match-list-of-the-best-the-second-half-of-the-year-has-had-to-offer-feel-free-to-burn-to-vhs-or-dvd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/01\/25\/column-alan4ls-second-half-of-2025-match-list-of-the-best-the-second-half-of-the-year-has-had-to-offer-feel-free-to-burn-to-vhs-or-dvd\/","title":{"rendered":"COLUMN: Alan4L\u2019s second half of 2025 match list of the best the second half of the year has had to offer; feel free to burn to VHS or DVD!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-3199092428\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>This is a follow-up to my column last July with a list of the best matches of the first half of 2025. Catch up on that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/07\/22\/counihan-my-first-half-of-2025-match-list-of-the-best-the-year-has-had-to-offer-so-far-feel-free-to-burn-to-vhs-or-dvd\/\">HERE<\/a>. Now we move on to the second half recommendations.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-13-at-4.18.53\u202fPM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-169048 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-13-at-4.18.53\u202fPM-263x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"134\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-13-at-4.18.53\u202fPM-263x300.png 263w, https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-13-at-4.18.53\u202fPM.png 326w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 134px) 100vw, 134px\" \/><\/a>ProWres Paradise: Best Of 2005 Volume 2.<\/h3>\n<h3>Disc One:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Yuya Uemura vs. Yuto-Ice (Oct. 6 &#8211; NJPW)<\/li>\n<li>FTR vs. The Outrunners (July 2 &#8211; AEW)<\/li>\n<li>Mistico vs. Difunto (Dec. 23 &#8211; CMLL)<\/li>\n<li>Ryoya Tanaka vs. Billy Ken Kid (Nov. 2 &#8211; DG)<\/li>\n<li>Women\u2019s Blood &amp; Guts (Nov. 22 &#8211; AEW)<\/li>\n<li>Yuya Uemura vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (Aug. 1 &#8211; NJPW)<\/li>\n<li>Jet Speed vs. Mascara Dorada &amp; Neon (Nov. 21 &#8211; CMLL)<\/li>\n<li>Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Mika Iwata (Sept. 23 &#8211; Senjo)<\/li>\n<li>D&#8217;Courage vs. Jacky Kamei &amp; Riiita (Nov. 3 &#8211; DG)<\/li>\n<li>Jon Moxley vs. Kyle Fletcher (Dec. 27 &#8211; AEW)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If there\u2019s one guy in the wrestling world whose work I\u2019ve really been vibing with, especially in the second half of 2025, it\u2019s New Japan\u2019s Yuya Uemura. Everything about him is believable to me, even that he might be dopey enough to think he is someone channeling the sun when he does his little pose. He\u2019s very endearing. More importantly, he\u2019s a hell of wrestler and he shows why here in two very different singles matches against a hated rival (Yuto-Ice) and a treasured mentor (Hiroshi Tanahashi).<\/p>\n<p>Three very different tag matches are on here with FTR vs. Outrunners, a Twin Gate classic in Dragongate and Jet Speed\u2019s foray into Arena Mexico. You\u2019ll see old school aggressive tag style at a modern pace, the incredible highlight reel that is Jacky Kamei in full flow, plus Mike Bailey &amp; Kevin Knight doing their best Gringos Locos impression.<\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show covering the latest episode of Dynamite: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/aew-dynamite-post-show-1-21-keller-buhagiar-discuss-a-revitalized-kenny-omega-mjf-s-opening-promo-brody-king-as-a-challenger-more--69541762\">CLICK HERE<\/a> (or search \u201cwade Keller\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"AEW DYNAMITE POST-SHOW (1\/21): Keller &amp; Buhagiar discuss a revitalized Kenny Omega, MJF's opening promo, Brody King as a challenger, more\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=69541762&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The theme of contrast continues with the women\u2019s wrestling presented as I\u2019ve picked out what I think is one of 2025\u2019s hidden treasures in Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Mika Iwata, and the wild chaos that was Blood &amp; Guts. The Sendai Girls bout was all about realism, with two high level athletes (a wrestler and a striker) engaging in a classic dripping with intensity. Conversely, AEW\u2019s women put on an over-the-top spectacle that defied my typical tastebuds and will go down as one of the matches I remember most from the past year.<\/p>\n<p>The disc closes with AEW\u2019s final MOTYC, the classic Continental Classic semi-final between Mox and Fletcher. You\u2019d need a break after that one!<\/p>\n<h3>Disc Two:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>MJF vs. Mistico (Sept. 16 &#8211; CMLL)<\/li>\n<li>Mike Bailey vs. Kyle Fletcher (Dec. 10 &#8211; AEW)<\/li>\n<li>Bandido vs. Hechicero (Aug. 26 &#8211; ROH)<\/li>\n<li>Robbie Eagles &amp; Kosei Fujita vs. Kushida &amp; Yuki Yoshioka (Oct. 26 &#8211; NJPW)<\/li>\n<li>ISHIN vs. Gianni Valletta (Dec. 3 &#8211; DG)<\/li>\n<li>Kento Miyahara vs. Yuma Anzai (Dec. 31 &#8211; AJPW)<\/li>\n<li>Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O&#8217;Reilly (No Holds Barred) (Nov. 22 &#8211; AEW)<\/li>\n<li>New Japan \u201cGeneration Smash\u201d 8-Man Tag (Sept. 12 &#8211; NJPW)<\/li>\n<li>Sareee vs. Suzu Suzuki (Aug. 9 &#8211; Stardom)<\/li>\n<li>Natural Vibes vs. Love &amp; Peace vs. Gajadokuro (Dec. 27 &#8211; DG)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Good thing for that break because Disc Two starts out hot! MJF\u2019s Anniversario bloodbath with Mistico and AEW\u2019s best TV match of the year with Speedball and Fletcher, is a one-two punch that shows 2025 at its finest. Following that, we\u2019ve got the best ROH World Title match in years, a hidden gem from NJPW\u2019s Super Junior Tag League and Dragongate\u2019s red hot King Of Gate final as the quality keeps coming.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t exactly a glorious year for All Japan, but I\u2019d be remiss if I didn\u2019t include Miyahara and Anzai\u2019s Triple Crown bout from New Year\u2019s Eve. The purity of that match is quite the contrast to the savagery of Moxley and O\u2019Reilly\u2019s blow-off to their feud which was one of the pleasant surprises of the year. After offerings from both sides of the Bushiroad coin, we then close out with Dragongate\u2019s 2025 roster showing its wares at the highest level one last time in a Triangle Gate elimination match that is modern lucharesu at it\u2019s finest.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1224131681\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Just like last time, I hope you enjoyed reading, and if you want to hear more thoughts on why I picked these matches I\u2019ll be talking about it on the next ProWres Paradise podcast in the <a href=\"https:\/\/vip.pwtorch.com\/category\/vipexclusives\/vipaudioshows\/alan4ls-prowres-paradise\/\">PWTorch VIP Podcast<\/a> line-up.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (1\/21) - AEW Dynamite w\/Keller &amp; J.B.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UJqY9VGX1rA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2476503366\"><div id=\"pwtor-4084704794\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>This is a follow-up to my column last July with a list of the best matches of the first half of 2025. Catch up on that HERE. Now we move on to the second half <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/01\/25\/column-alan4ls-second-half-of-2025-match-list-of-the-best-the-second-half-of-the-year-has-had-to-offer-feel-free-to-burn-to-vhs-or-dvd\/\" title=\"COLUMN: Alan4L\u2019s second half of 2025 match list of the best the second half of the year has had to offer; feel free to burn to VHS or DVD!\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":205298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,6433,52,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-211120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spotlightarticles","category-counihans-take","category-opnionandanalysis","category-opinion_stafftakes"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-at-12.46.41-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=211120"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":211121,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211120\/revisions\/211121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/205298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=211120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=211120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=211120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}