While there are a lot of wrestling fans who are just stuck in the WWE bubble, great wrestling is always taking place around the world. This decade has seen the rise of several other major companies and that has led to some tremendous wrestling matches.
Whether it be classic independent wrestling with tons of action, a strong-style Japanese bout or a hardcore match. There is always something going on with styles that are totally different from WWE's.
While it might not be for everyone, a lot of wrestling fans prefer non-WWE matches due to the fact they're normally less restricted. With that in mind, within this list, we will rank the 10 best non-WWE matches from this decade.
10 Broken Matt vs Jeff Hardy (Slammiversary 2016)
When you take a look back at this decade in the future, Broken Matt Hardy will be one of the most influential wrestlers from it. This character was one of the hottest things to happen to wrestling in years, and it all took place in TNA.
WWE desperately tried to bring him back only to not be able to use the gimmick to its full potential. However, anyone who saw Matt's work against his brother Jeff in TNA knows how good their work was.
Matt's first true match as the Broken character took place at Slammiversary in 2016 and it was superb. Of course, it was as crazy as expected for a match between the Hardy Boyz and this is one fans should certainly check out.
9 Jonathan Gresham vs Masashi Takeda (Josh Barnett's Bloodsport)
The Bloodsport shows are always tons of fun when they take place, mixing MMA and wrestling in what is a very unique show. During WrestleMania 35 weekend, Jonathan Gresham and Masashi Takeda took part in a perfect Bloodsport match.
The two men combined grappling with legitimate striking to perfection. The match was brutal, hard-fought, and thrilling from start to finish, leaving the fans in attendance stunned as they watched on.
With Takeda being busted open during the fight, everything was only enhanced as the blood added to the emotion. While Bloodsport might not be for everyone, for those that enjoy it, this really was the best of the bunch.
8 Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles (WrestleKingdom X)
There is a reason wrestling fans had such high expectations for the match between Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34. While it certainly didn't meet them, it is because their previous bout was so amazing.
Anyone who saw their WrestleKingdom bout knows how special that match was. While it was their last major moment before walking into the WWE, they certainly ensured they went out with a bang.
This was an incredibly thrilling match that was kept to break-neck speed with amazing counters and huge strikes. The match gained rave reviews and really rose the stock of both men ahead of their huge WWE moves.
7 Young Bucks vs Golden Lovers (Strong Style Evolved)
Tag team wrestling really doesn't get enough praise at times from the wrestling world and this is a perfect example of an amazing match. Four of the greatest wrestlers of this decade going to war in a deeply personal story made for compelling viewing.
For all the people who complain that the Young Bucks are all about spots, this match was proof against the argument. With Matt selling his back issues and the personal problems between them and Kenny being played out as well, it was a perfect story.
Of course, the in-ring quality was very high as is expected with the people involved, but it is the storyline inside this that made it so special.
6 Kevin Steen vs El Generico (Final Battle 2012)
Two men who went on to wrestle with each other countless times in WWE have had amazing matches together prior to joining the company. Kevin Steen and El Generico's ladder war match from Final Battle in 2012 really was something.
Everyone knows the chemistry these two men have in the ring, and because of that, the level of trust is especially high. That was clear to see in this match as they went through some absolutely insane spots.
Putting their bodies firmly on the line, the two men were incredibly creative in their offense with the ladders. While doing something new and innovative is hard nowadays in ladder matches, that is what this match did and they did it incredibly well.
5 Davey Richards vs Michael Elgin (ROH 2012)
This is another brilliant match from Ring Of Honor that featured two heavy hitters competing against each other. The two men put on a classic together, not holding anything back.
While the match was lengthy and not the most fast-paced, that doesn't stop it being a fantastic match. Elgin worked as the monster in this with Davey selling the underdog story and it just worked perfectly.
4 Ricochet vs Will Ospreay (Battle Of The Super Juniors 2017)
This is one of the most talked-about wrestling matches from this decade. Showcasing a totally different wrestling style that had the wrestling world divided. Some loved the athleticism while others felt it was more like a choreographed dance.
Both Ricochet and Will Ospreay are amongst the very best wrestlers of the decade, and their matches against each other were always incredible. Gripping fans from start to finish, they work at a speed very few wrestlers can match.
Sure, certain spots were obviously pre-planned, but that didn't stop the match from working. They thrilled audiences with their flips and reversals and showed the world a brand new style.
3 Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada (WrestleKingdom X)
Two of the greatest talents of this decade putting on a clinic, it really is no surprise. These two men have been the pillars of New Japan during this golden period for the company and have put on amazing matches with countless different opponents.
In this match, Kazuchika Okada finally got to overcome his rival after being beaten by him at WrestleKingdom 7 and 9. The story they had told leading up to this was superb and the in-ring quality lived up to that.
With the classic Japanese strong style being on display, this match was gripping from start to finish. Telling the perfect story, it was a real passing of the torch moment for Okada.
2 Cody vs Dustin (Double Or Nothing)
While many matches on this list are all about perfect technical masterpieces, this match is very different. While there is nothing wrong with the in-ring work here, this match is all about pure emotion and storytelling.
Cody facing his brother, Dustin Runnels, is something that fans wanted to see for years and WWE really dropped the ball with it. However, we finally got the match through AEW and it was better than anyone could have imagined.
The two brothers clearly had a connection and they were desperate to prove to people that this match could work. Of course, to nobody's surprise it did. With a bloody and brutal match that was incredibly emotional, they showed the world just how good they were.
1 Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega (WrestleKingdom 11)
Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega have had several classic matches, but for the sake of this list, we opted to include just one. That one is their unforgettable WrestleKingdom 11 bout which even gained an illustrious six star-rating from Dave Meltzer.
Okada and Omega have amazing chemistry together and whenever they compete you know it is going to be compelling. This match had the pressure of living up to their previous encounter and thankfully it did that comfortably.
The fact that the entire wrestling world was talking about this match highlights just how good it was. With both men selling absolutely every move no matter how big or small, they made this feel like a true fight that will go down in the history books.