Dave Meltzer rates Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole as the greatest match in WWE history

By Gokul Nair - April 12, 2019

Dave Meltzer’s ratings over the years have gathered its fair share of criticism by the pro wrestling enthusiasts. Meltzer has popped up with yet another claim which states Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole from NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn as the greatest match in the history of the WWE.

He rated the match 5.5 stars out of 5 and claimed the latest instalment of TakeOver as the greatest ever show the company has put on in terms of in-ring action.

All the matches were rated 4.5 stars or above barring the fatal four-way match for the women’s title. Here are the complete rating s for the card.

War Raiders def. Aleister Black and Ricochet- 4.5 stars
Velveteen Dream def. Matt Riddle- 4.5 stars
WALTER def. Pete Dunne- 4.75 stars
Shayna Baszler def. Bianca Belair, Io Shirai and Kairi Sane- 3.75 stars
Johnny Gargano def. Adam Cole- 5.5 stars

Joey Curcio

Well said and completely agree. Can’t see how anyone can make any reasonable argument to the contrary.
Zach

Honestly, it’s top 5 for me, and it’s not a stretch to put it in my top 3. The only disappointment for me was Cole having to take the place of Ciampa, but all things considering, this match had everything. The things the NXT roster are able to do in the ring is unrivaled by any other era of WWE, and Gargano’s story arc was a thing of beauty. It’s exactly how long term booking should be done. If I’m being honest with myself, looking at things objectively and ignoring nostalgia and the sentimental value of the classics, my top 5 WWE matches of all time would probably have at least 3 matches from NXT, with Gargano in at least 2 of them. I could see why others would disagree, but to me, NXT is easily the best product WWE has had at any point, even the Attitude Era.
Brandon

Well said cc. Just because he had done it for 30 years doesnt mean you perfected it. I personally havent seen the match. But if the best match in wwe history happened on a lower tier wwe show…
Glen Värîs

That’s nice, it’s his opinion, I’m sure his little followers who agree with everything he says will concur. But considering the interference, I’m surprised he said this.
IAMGUEST

What a mark! Would have been 6.5 stars if it was in the Tokyo Dome.
Kayfabe_Is_Dead

LOL
Soulshroude

Way to rank the noob matches. Bias, much? Meltzer must be gunning for a career entrance into the WWe. Which would be the probable cause for this article to come into fruition.
CC

I think only the people who use him as a news source take him seriously, because most people seem to take issue with his star ratings these days, to the point they have become an in joke in the IWC.

I mean, its a great match, but best ever? Not even close.
CC

I am not saying it was not a good match, but greatest match in WWE history? Get outta here.
I actually saw someone on YouTube saying why should people take his word on it .. because he has been doing this for 30 years.

So what? How does that make his opinion right? Doing something for 30 years does not mean he is doing it well
jedi

Absolutely not, it was actually my least fav of the night!
rob

Why some people still take that guy seriously?